EXHIBIT 23.1




                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No.  333-66440)  pertaining to the  Kerr-McGee  Corporation  Employee  Stock
Ownership  Plan of our report dated June 21,2002,  with respect to the financial
statements and schedules of the Kerr-McGee  Corporation Employee Stock Ownership
Plan included in this Annual Report (Form 11-K) for the year ended  December 31,
2001.




                                                   (ERNST & YOUNG LLP)
                                                    ERNST & YOUNG LLP



Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
June 24, 2002