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):  December 3, 1996


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


             TEXAS                      0-22258                 75-1432205
(State or other jurisdiction of  (Commission File Number)    (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                           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 December 3, 1996 that is filed herewith as Exhibit
20.1 is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 7. EXHIBITS


c)   Exhibits

     20.1 Press release dated December 3, 1996 reporting on the Company's
          Colombian development program.

                                       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:  December 3, 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 December 3, 1996 reporting on the Company's
         Colombian development program.


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

                                       3

EX-20.1

 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 20.1

                                 PRESS RELEASE         [AVIVA LOGO APPEARS HERE]


For immediate release

================================================================================

                AVIVA REPORTS ON COLOMBIAN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
                ----------------------------------------------

DALLAS, TEXAS, DECEMBER 3, 1996 . . . .Aviva Petroleum Inc. (AMEX: "AVV"), the
Dallas based oil and gas exploration company reported today on its development
drilling program in Colombia.

The Company stated that its Linda #4 development well has reached total depth of
9,162 feet and casing has been set.  The Company plans to perforate and test 55,
52, and 23 feet of the Villeta U, T and Caballos sands, respectively.  This
testing program is expected to be complete in 15 to 20 days, and results will be
published when available.

The Linda #4 is the second of four development locations identified by a 3-D
seismic survey conducted over the Toroyaco and Linda fields last year.
Following the completion of the Linda #4 well, the drilling rig will be moved to
the Linda #5 development location.

Aviva Petroleum is engaged in the exploration for and the development and
production of oil and gas in Colombia 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