[Letterhead appears here]

                   CONSENT OF H.J. GRUY AND ASSOCIATES, INC.

We hereby consent to the use of the name H.J. Gruy and Associates, Inc. and of
references to H.J. Gruy and Associates, Inc. and to the inclusion of and
references to our two reports, or information contained therein, both dated
March 9, 2001, prepared for Stocker Resources, Inc. in the Plains Resources Inc.
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001, and in the
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in such Form 10-K, and
the incorporation by reference into the applicable previous filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                    H.J. GRUY AND ASSOCIATES, INC.
                                    Texas Registration Number F-000637

                                    By: /s/ Marilyn Wilson
                                        -------------------------------------
                                        Marilyn Wilson, PE
                                        President and Chief Operating Officer

March 20, 2002
Houston, Texas