Exhibit 23



                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 333-38624) pertaining to the Belden & Blake Corporation Nonqualified
Stock Option Plan of our report dated March 13, 2002, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of Belden & Blake Corporation included in the
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2001.



                                                         ERNST & YOUNG LLP



Cleveland, Ohio
March 25, 2002