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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
on Form S-8 of The Houston Exploration Company 401(k) Plan & Trust (the "Plan")
of our report dated November 16, 2000, relating to the statements of net assets
available for plan benefits of The Houston Exploration Company 401(k) Plan &
Trust as of September 30, 1999 and 1998 and the related statements of changes in
net assets available for plan benefits for the years then ended and the
supplemental schedule of assets held for investment as of September 30, 1999
included in this Annual Report on Form 11-K.


                                       /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                                       -----------------------


New York, New York
April 26, 2001