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                         CONSENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our reports dated
January 22, 2001, included in Northern Border Partners, L.P.'s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, and to all references to our
Firm included in this Registration Statement on Form S-3.

                                                 /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Omaha, Nebraska,
June 15, 2001