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):  July 10, 1997


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


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

     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 July 10, 1997, that is filed herewith as Exhibit
20.1 is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 7. EXHIBITS


c)   Exhibits

     20.1  Press release dated July 10, 1997, reporting on the Company's
Colombian activities.

                                       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:  July 10, 1997            /s/ James L. Busby
                                ------------------------------------
                                James L. Busby
                                Treasurer and Secretary
                                (principal financial and accounting officer)

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EXHIBITS

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

**20.1  Press release dated July 10, 1997, reporting on the Company's
        Colombian activities.


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

                                       3

EX-20.1

 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 20.1


                                 PRESS RELEASE
                                                   [LOGO OF AVIVA APPEARS HERE] 


For immediate release

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

                     AVIVA REPORTS ON COLOMBIAN ACTIVITIES
                     -------------------------------------

DALLAS, TEXAS, July 10, 1997 . . . .Aviva Petroleum Inc. (AMEX: "AVV"), the
Dallas-based oil and gas exploration company, reported results from the
development well Linda No. 5.

In the Santana contract area in Colombia, the Linda No. 5 development well was
drilled to a total depth of 9,212 feet in early May 1997. Electric log analysis
indicated the presence of 61' of net oil pay in the Caballos formation, 34' of
net pay in the Villeta "T" formation, and 53' of net pay in the Villeta "U"
formation. All three zones were stimulated by hydraulic fracturing, and the well
was completed as a commingled producer. Production from the well is currently
2,500 barrels of fluid per day with a 22% water cut on electric submersible
pump. Oil gravity is 28.5 degree API.

Preliminary interpretation of the 3D seismic program acquired earlier this year
over the Mary and Miraflor areas is encouraging and several possible drilling
locations have been defined. Application has been made for environmental
approval to drill the first well in a new program of exploration and development
drilling. The new program is expected to commence in early 1998, pending
completion of interpretation of the seismic data and receipt of governmental
permits.

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").

Further Information:

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