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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
    As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our
report dated February 14, 1997 (and to all references to our Firm) included in
or made a part of the prospectus supplement dated October 24, 1997, related to
the offering of up to 2,700,000 shares of Basin Exploration, Inc.'s common stock
(plus an additional 405,000 shares to over-allotments, if any) pursuant to the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-36143) filed by Basin Exploration,
Inc. with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and effective
October 2, 1997.
 
                                          /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
 
Denver, Colorado,
October 24, 1997
