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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.7


               [NETHERLAND, SEWELL & ASSOCIATES, INC. LETTERHEAD]


                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS


     As independent oil and gas consultants, Netherland, Sewell & Associates,
Inc. hereby consents to the inclusion of our letter dated February 9, 2001, to
Westport Resources Corporation regarding our estimate of reserves, future
production and income attributable to certain leasehold and royalty interests
of Westport Resources Corporation as of January 1, 2001, in this Registration
Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") of Belco Oil & Gas Corp.,
to all references to Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. and/or reports
prepared by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. in this Registration
Statement and to the reference to our firm as experts in the Registration
Statement.

                                        NETHERLAND, SEWELL & ASSOCIATES, INC.


                                        By: /s/ FREDERIC D. SEWELL
                                            ---------------------------------
                                            Frederic D. Sewell
                                            President

Dallas, Texas
June 27, 2001