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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS

         I hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration
statement of Patterson Energy, Inc. on Form S-3 of certain information contained
in Patterson Energy, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1999, which information is contained in my summary reserve report
dated February 22, 2000, relating to the oil and natural gas reserves and
revenues as of December 31, 1997, 1998 and 1999 of certain properties owned by
Patterson Energy, Inc. as of December 31, 1999.


                                        M. BRIAN WALLACE, P.E.

Dallas, Texas
January 5, 2001