(Check One): ¨  Form 10-K ¨  Form 20-F ¨  Form 11-K     x  Form 10-Q ¨  Form N-SAR ¨  Form N-CSR
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549 FORM 12b-25 NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING SEC FILE NUMBER 0-22258 CUSIP NUMBER 05379P 20 5

For Period Ended:     March 31, 2003                                                     

¨  Transition Report on Form 10-K

¨  Transition Report on Form 20-F

¨  Transition Report on Form 11-K

¨  Transition Report on Form 10-Q

¨  Transition Report on Form N-SAR

For the Transition Period Ended:                                                              

Read Instruction Before Preparing Form. Please Print or Type.

Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission has verified any information contained herein.

If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify the Item(s) to which the notification relates: Not applicable.

PART I — REGISTRANT INFORMATION

AVIVA PETROLEUM INC.

Full Name of Registrant

8235 Douglas Avenue

Suite 400

Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number)

Dallas, Texas 75225

City, State and Zip Code

PART II — RULES 12b-25(b) AND (c)

If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should be completed. (Check box if appropriate)

x	(a)	The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense;
	(b)	The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report on Form 10-K, Form 20-F, 11-K or Form N-SAR, or portion thereof, will be filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day following the prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly report or transition report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due date; and
	(c)	The accountant’s statement or other exhibit required by Rule 12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.

PART III — NARRATIVE

State below in reasonable detail why Forms 10-K, 20-F, 11-K, 10-Q, N-SAR, N-CSR, or the transition report or portion thereof, could not be filed within the prescribed time period.

In reviewing the draft condensed consolidated financial statements to be included in the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, it has come to the attention of management that the requirements of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement 143 have not been correctly reflected in those financial statements. That discovery was made immediately prior to the date on which the Quarterly Report was due to be filed and the work required to make the necessary corrections cannot be completed prior to the due date.

PART IV— OTHER INFORMATION

(1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this notification

James L. Busby	(214)	691-3464
(Name)	(Area Code)	(Telephone Number)

(2) Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed? If answer is no, identify report(s).    x  Yes    ¨  No

(3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion thereof?    ¨  Yes    x  No

If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made. Not applicable.

AVIVA PETROLEUM INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date:    May 15, 2003

/s/  James L. Busby            

James L. Busby

Secretary, Treasurer and

Chief Financial Officer