Exhibit 23.1



                         Consent of Independent Auditors

The Board of Directors
Magellan Petroleum Corporation

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 and related Prospectus of Magellan
Petroleum Corporation for the registration of 1,300,000 shares of its common
stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
September 19, 2003, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
Magellan Petroleum Corporation included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended June 30, 2003.


                                                      /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Stamford, Connecticut
October 3, 2003