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EXHIBIT 23(a)
[HUDDLESTON & CO. LETTERHEAD APPEARS HERE]
December 21, 1995
Zapata Exploration Company
1717 St. James, Suite 550
Houston, Texas 77056
Gentlemen:
Huddleston & Co., Inc., has prepared oil and gas reserve estimates for Zapata
Exploration Company, a subsidiary of Zapata Corporation (the "Company"), for the
Company's fiscal years ended September 30, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991,
1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995. Such estimates are included in the notes to the
Financial Statements of the Company which appear in the Company's annual report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1995.
Huddleston & Co., Inc., hereby consents to the identification in such Form 10-K
of Huddleston & Co., Inc., as the expert which has prepared such estimates, and
the identification of Huddleston & Co., Inc., with respect to such matters in
the post-effective amendments to the Company's registration statements on Form
S-3 covering certain of the Company's common stock subject to stock options
granted to employees of the Company. Huddleston & Co., Inc., also hereby
consents to the inclusion of this letter as an exhibit to such Form 10-K and
registration statements.
Very truly yours,
HUDDLESTON & CO., INC.
By: /s/PETER D. HUDDLESTON, P.E.
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Peter D. Huddleston, P.E.
President
PDH:ek
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