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 31, 1997


                             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 December 31, 1997, that is filed herewith as
Exhibit 20.1 is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 7. EXHIBITS


c)   Exhibits

     20.1  Press release dated December 31, 1997, reporting on the Company's
           Restructuring Plan.




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                                  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:  January 2, 1998              /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 December 31, 1997, reporting on the Company's
            Restructuring Plan.


 

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

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EX-20.1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 20.1

                                          [LOGO OF AVIVA PETROLEUM APPEARS HERE]

                                 PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release

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

                      AVIVA REPORTS ON RESTRUCTURING PLAN

DALLAS, TEXAS, December 31, 1997 . . . . Aviva Petroleum Inc. (AMEX: "AVV"), the
Dallas based oil and gas exploration and production company, reports that an
amendment to its credit agreement with ING (U.S.) Capital Corporation has been
signed, which maintains a $25,000 principal repayment at December 31, 1997, and
defers the balance of a previously agreed $575,000 repayment until January 31,
1998.  This amendment facilitates continuation of negotiations on the Company's
Restructuring Plan, which involves revising its $25 million senior credit
facility, obtaining a $15 million mezzanine financing and the issue of
10,000,000 new common shares for $5,000,000 cash in a private placement with a
partnership between EnCap Investments L.C. and Merrick Capital Corporation.
(These shares would be potentially convertible into 2,000,000 Depositary
Receipts-one DR being equal to 5 common shares).  Aviva's Depositary Receipts
trade on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol AVV.

As previously reported, Mr. Jeffrey S. Rawson, President of Merrick Capital
Corporation, which is currently advising the Company, will become Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company upon consummation of the Plan.

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