Exhibit 5.1



May 22, 1996





Harken Energy Corporation
5605 N. MacArthur Blvd
Suite 400
Irving, TX 75038

     Re:   Registration Statement on Form S-3

Gentlemen:

     I have acted as counsel to Harken Energy Corporation, a Delaware 
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the registration under the 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of the offer and sale of an 
aggregate of 1,244,000 shares (the "Shares") of common stock, $.01 par value 
per share, of the Company ("Common Stock") pursuant to a Registration 
Statement on Form S-3 of the Company (the "Registration Statement") to which 
this opinion letter is an exhibit.

     In reaching the opinion set forth herein, I have reviewed (a) the 
Registration Statement, (b) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, 
as amended, (c) the Bylaws of the Company, (d) records of proceedings of the 
Board of Directors and the stockholders of the Company and (e) except as set 
forth below, such other agreements, certificates of public officials and 
officers of the Company, records, documents and matters of law that I deemed 
relevant.

     Based on and subject to the foregoing and subject further to the 
assumptions, exceptions and qualifications hereinafter stated, I am of the 
opinion that, subject to compliance with federal and state securities laws 
(as to which I express no opinion), the Shares were duly authorized and 
validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.

     The opinion expressed above is subject in all respects to the following 
assumptions, exceptions and qualifications:

     a.   I have assumed that (i) all signatures on all documents examined by me
          are genuine, (ii) all documents submitted to me as originals are
          accurate and complete, (iii) all documents submitted to me as copies
          are true and correct copies of the originals thereof, (iv) all 
          information submitted to me is accurate and complete as of the date 
          hereof, (v) all persons executing and delivering documents reviewed 
          by me were competent to execute and to deliver such documents and 
          (vi) that all persons signing, in a representative capacity, documents
          reviewed by me had authority to sign in such capacity.

     b.   I have assumed that there are no agreements, indentures, mortgages,
          deeds of trust or instruments that affect the ability of the Company
          to issue the Shares.

     The opinions expressed above are limited to the laws of the State of 
Texas, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the federal 
laws of the United States of America. You should be aware that I am not 
admitted to the practice of law in the State of Delaware and my opinion 
herein as to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware is based 
solely upon the unofficial compilation thereof contained in Prentice Hall 
Information Services Corporation Statutes.




Harken Energy Corporation
May 22, 1996
Page 2


     This opinion letter may be filed as an exhibit to the Registration 
Statement. In giving this consent, I do not thereby admit that I come into 
the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act 
or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission 
promulgated thereunder.

     I disclaim any duty to advise you regarding any changes in, or to 
otherwise communicate with you with respect to, the matters addressed herein.


                                       Very truly yours,



                                       /s/ GREGORY S. PORTER
                                       --------------------------------------
                                           Gregory S. Porter, Esq.