Exhibit 23.1

                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors
3TEC Energy Corporation:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements
(Nos. 333-49354, 333-53192, and 333-72344) on Form S-8 and in the registration
statement (No. 333-51964) on Form S-3 of 3TEC Energy Corporation and
subsidiaries of our report dated March 26, 2002, with respect to the
consolidated balance sheets of 3TEC Energy Corporation and subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the
years then ended, which report appears in the December 31, 2001, annual report
on Form 10-K of 3TEC Energy Corporation and subsidiaries.

Our report refers to a change in accounting for derivative financial
instruments, effective January 1, 2001.

KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas
March 29, 2002