8-K

 
                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



      Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  November 20, 1996


                              AVIVA PETROLEUM INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


             TEXAS                     0-22258                 75-1432205
(State or other jurisdiction of      (Commission            (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)      File Number)        Identification Number)
                                                          


         8235 DOUGLAS AVENUE,                                     75225
       SUITE 400, DALLAS, TEXAS                                 (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)


                                 (214) 691-3464
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


                                 NOT APPLICABLE
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS


   The press release dated November 20, 1996 that is filed herewith as Exhibit
20.1 is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 7. EXHIBITS


c)   Exhibits

     20.1 Press release dated November 20, 1996 reporting industry discussions
          on Breton Sound in the Gulf of Mexico.

                                       1

 
                                   SIGNATURES
                                   ----------

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                    AVIVA PETROLEUM INC.



Date:  November 20, 1996            /s/ James L. Busby
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    James L. Busby
                                    Treasurer and Secretary
                                    (principal financial and accounting officer)

                                       2

 
EXHIBITS

Number                     Description of Exhibit
- ------                     ----------------------

**20.1   Press release dated November 20, 1996 reporting industry
         discussions on Breton Sound in the Gulf of Mexico.


 
- ------------ 
**Filed Herewith

                                       3

EX-20.1

 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 20.1

                                 PRESS RELEASE                      [AVIVA LOGO]

For immediate release

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     AVIVA REPORTS INDUSTRY DISCUSSIONS ON
                     -------------------------------------
                         BRETON SOUND IN GULF OF MEXICO
                         ------------------------------

                POTENTIAL GAS RESERVES ESTIMATED AT 200-300 BCF

DALLAS, TEXAS, NOVEMBER 20, 1996 . . . .Aviva Petroleum Inc. (AMEX: "AVV"), the
Dallas based oil and gas exploration company reported that following completion
of 3D seismic processing and interpretation on its Breton Sound field, reviews
of the data are underway with several prospective industry partners.

Estimates of recoverable reserves (unrisked) by Aviva's technical consultants
range from 200 to 300 BCF of natural gas and 10 to 20 million barrels of oil.
As reported earlier, the seismic data has indicated two deep and several shallow
prospects.

Aviva's working interest in the Breton Sound field, which lies offshore
Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico, is approximately 60%.

In a related development, Exxon, Aviva's offset operator, is expected to
commence production within the next two weeks from its Breton Sound discovery
well, located 3,000 feet from Aviva's lease line.  This well initially tested at
a rate of 10.7 million cubic feet of gas per day and 840 barrels of condensate
per day.

Aviva Petroleum is engaged in the exploration for and the development and
production of oil and gas in Colombia and onshore and offshore in the United
States.  Aviva's common stock is also quoted on the London Stock Exchange
(symbol "AVP").

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information:
- -----------------------------------------------------------
The above statements are based on current expectations.  These statements are
forward looking and actual results may differ materially.  Factors which could
materially affect the Company's plans in the future are general economic
conditions; the timing of environmental and other necessary administrative
permits; the impact of the activities of OPEC and other competitors; the impact
of possible geopolitical occurrences world-wide; the results of financing
efforts; changes in laws and regulations; capacity, deliverability and supply
constraints or difficulties, unforeseen engineering and mechanical or
technological difficulties in drilling or working-over wells, and other risks
described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Because of the foregoing matters, the Company's actual results for 1996 and
beyond could differ materially from those expressed in the above-described
forward-looking statements.


Further Information:

Ron Suttill
Aviva Petroleum Inc.
Dallas, Texas
214 691 3464