<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>dex231.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONSENT OF KPMG REPUBLIC ROYALTY COMPANY
<TEXT>
<PAGE>

Exhibit 23.1
------------

                  Independent Auditors' Consent
                  -----------------------------

                  The Owners
                        Republic Royalty Company and
                        Affiliated Partners of RRC NPI Holdings, L.P.:

                  We consent to the use of our report included herein and to the
                  reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the
                  registration statement.


                                                /s/ KPMG, LLP
                                                --------------------------------
                                                KPMG, LLP

                  Dallas, Texas

                  October 29, 2002


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>