SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549



                                    FORM 8-K



                                 CURRENT REPORT


                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                      the Securities Exchange Act of 1934



Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)   April 17, 2000
                                                --------------------------------

                            VINTAGE PETROLEUM, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

    Delaware                     1-10578                 73-1182669
- ------------------           ----------------         ------------------
 (State or other             (Commission File           (IRS Employer
 jurisdiction of                  Number)             Identification No.)
 incorporation)


110 West Seventh Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma                  74119
- ----------------------------------------              --------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code      (918) 592-0101
                                                   ------------------------


                                 Not Applicable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


Item 5.  Other Events.
         ------------

         A copy of the Registrant's press release dated April 17, 2000, is
         attached as an exhibit hereto and incorporated herein by reference.


Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
         ---------------------------------

         (c)  Exhibits.

              99  Press release dated April 17, 2000, issued by the
                  Registrant.



                                   SIGNATURES
                                   ----------

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                VINTAGE PETROLEUM, INC.



Date:   April 18, 2000          By:  /s/  Michael F. Meimerstorf
                                   -------------------------------
                                   Michael F. Meimerstorf
                                   Vice President and Controller


                                      -2-


                                 Exhibit Index



Exhibit
Number                         Description
- ------         ------------------------------------------------------------
99             Press release dated April 17, 2000, issued by the Registrant.