<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.3
<SEQUENCE>6
<FILENAME>h80293ex23-3.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONSENT OF RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1
                        [RYDER SCOTT COMPANY LETTERHEAD]


                  CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM CONSULTANTS


     As independent petroleum consultants, Ryder Scott Company, L.P. consents to
the references to our reports corresponding to the effective dates December 31,
1997, December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1999, and to the reference to Ryder
Scott Company, L.P. as experts in the field of petroleum engineering, which were
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Nuevo
Energy Company.


                                        /s/ RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.

                                            RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.


Houston, Texas
September 20, 2000
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>