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                                                                    EXHIBIT 3.12

[LAROCHE PETROLEUM CONSULTANTS, LTD. LETTERHEAD]


                               CONSENT OF LAROCHE
                          PETROLEUM CONSULTANTS, LTD.

     We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of
Optima Energy (U.S.) Corporation the reference to our appraisal report as of
December 31, 1997, which appears in the December 31, 1997 annual report on Form
10-K of Optima Energy (U.S.) Corporation.

                                             LaRoche Petroleum Consultants, Ltd.

                                          
                                         By: /s/ William M. Kazmann
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             William M. Kazmann, Partner

March 19, 1997