Exhibit 23.1   Consent of Coopers & Lybrand, LLP

     CONSENT OF  INDEPENDENT  ACCOUNTANTS  We consent  to the  incorporation  by
     reference in this annual report on Form 10-K of our report,  which includes
     an explanatory  paragraph  regarding the Company's ability to continue as a
     going  concern,  dated April ___,  1998, on our audits of the  consolidated
     financial  statements  and financial  statement  schedule of Saba Petroleum
     Company and  subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and for each of
     the three years in the period ended  December  31,  1997,  appearing in the
     registration  statements on Form S-3 (SEC File Nos. 33-71272 and 333-00799)
     and Form S-1 (SEC File No.  333-45023) of Saba Petroleum Company filed with
     the  Securities and Exchange  commission  pursuant to the Securities Act of
     1933.
COOPERS & LYBRAND
Los Angeles, California
April ___, 1998