EXHIBIT 23.3

                        CONSENT OF HEIN + ASSOCIATES LLP





                          INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S CONSENT




The Board of Directors
American International Petroleum Corporation:


         We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this
Registration Statement on Form S-3, and the accompanying Prospectus, of our
report dated April 9, 1997, appearing on page F-1 of American International
Petroleum Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1996. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in
the Prospectus filed herewith.


/s/HEIN + ASSOCIATES LLP

HEIN + ASSOCIATES LLP

Houston, Texas
September 24, 1997