FORM 6-K

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                        REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

                      PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 or 15d-16 OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the month of July, 1996

                       PRAIRIE PACIFIC ENERGY CORPORATION
                (Translation of registrant's name into English)

    302, 1168 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6B 2S2
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

         [Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file 
annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.]

                            Form 20-F X Form 40-F

         [Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the 
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information 
to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934.]

                                 Yes     No  X

         [If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the 
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):  82-         ]

                                   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, thereunto duly authorized.

                                   PRAIRIE PACIFIC ENERGY CORPORATION
                                              (Registrant)

Date:     July 26, 1996            By:  /s/  Malcolm F.W. Todd
                                        Malcolm F.W. Todd, President
                                               (Signature)*
         *Print the name and title of the signing officer under his signature.


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          PRAIRIE PACIFIC                    302, 1168 Hamilton Street
          ENERGY CORPORATION                 Vancouver, British Columbia
                                             V6B 2S2
                                             Telephone: (604) 684-2356
                                             Facsimile:  (604) 684-4265

                      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 15th July 1996

PRAIRIE PACIFIC ENERGY CORPORATION ("Prairie Pacific")
Listed: The Alberta Stock Exchange - Symbol: PRP
NASDAQ OTC Bulletin Board - Symbol: PRPEF

Prairie Pacific Energy Corporation has taken a 10 percent undivided interest 
in a Nisku-formation, oil-and-gas reef test being drilled by Gulf Canada 
Resources Limited at Brazeau River, Alberta.  Inspan Investments Limited, a
Prairie Pacific affiliate, also holds a 10 percent undivided interest with
Gulf Canada, the operator, holding 80 percent.  Drilling commenced July 8th.

The Gulf et al well is located near Zeta Lake, 90 miles west of Edmonton in
the NW1/4 of Section 29-48-12 W5M.  The 100 percent cost to drill and test the
Nisku are estimated at approximately $2,000,000.

The drilling target is a geologically-delineated, northwest-to-southeast Nisku
reef trend in which optimum porosity has been identified geophysically.  
Geology shows a minimum 140 metres of Nisku formation on Section 29, where the
Gulf/Prairie Pacific/Inspan well is being drilled.

Section 31, offsetting the test, has produced in excess of 25 million barrels
of oil and 70 Bcf of gas.  This includes 16 million barrels and 30 Bcf of gas 
from 11-31-48-12 W5M, where the Nisku interval is 105 metres thick and 
production rates have exceeded 7,000 barrels and 15 million cubic feet of gas
per day.

"Prairie Pacific's participation in this well, using its own cash resources, 
is convincing evidence that recent corporate development has strengthened the 
Company, financially and operationally, for significant growth and expansion," 
said Malcolm F. Todd, its President.

For further information, please contact:

                       PRAIRIE PACIFIC ENERGY CORPORATION
                          Malcolm F.W. Todd, President
                              Tel: (403) 237-6761
                                 (604) 684-2356


          The Alberta Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the 
information contained herein.


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