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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.8


                        [RYDER SCOTT COMPANY LETTERHEAD]


                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS

         As independent oil and gas consultants, Ryder Scott Company, L.P.,
hereby consents to the inclusion of our letter dated February 8, 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 December 31, 2000 in the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") of Belco Oil & Gas Corp.,
to all references to Ryder Scott Company and/or reports prepared by Ryder Scott
Company in this Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm as
experts in the Registration Statement.


                                             /s/ RYDER SCOTT COMPANY
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.

                                             June 29, 2001