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 February 14, 2003, with respect to the
consolidated balance sheets of 3TEC Energy Corporation and subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the
years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2002, which report appears in
the December 31, 2002, annual report on From 10-K of 3TEC Energy Corporation and
subsidiaries.

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


KPMG LLP
Houston, Texas
March 25, 2003