EXHIBIT 23.8

                   CONSENT OF DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.

     We hereby consent to (i) the use of our opinion letter to the Board of
Directors of St. Mary Land & Exploration Company (the "Company") included as
Annex B to the proxy and consent statement/prospectus constituting a part of the
Registration Statement on Form S-4 relating to the proposed merger of the
Company and King Ranch Energy, Inc., and (ii) the references to such opinion in
such proxy and consent statement/prospectus. In giving such consent, we do not
admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required
under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, nor do we
hereby admit that we are experts with respect to any part of such Registration
Statement within the meaning of the term "experts" as used in the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder.

                                             DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.


                                             By: /S/ CLIVE R. HOLMES
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 Clive R. Holmes
                                                 Managing Director

November 12, 1999