EXHIBIT 23.6




August 13, 1999

Mr. Bill Gardiner
Chief Financial Officer
King Ranch, Inc.
1415 Louisiana, Suite 2300
Wedge International Tower
Houston, TX 77002

Dear Bill:

We hereby consent to the inclusion of our opinion as an exhibit to the Form S-4
Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 of the Company and the
reference to and summary of our opinion in such Form S-4 Registration Statement.

                                                Ernst & Young LLP

                                                /S/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP