1
                                                                     Exhibit 15

                   INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS' AWARENESS LETTER

Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549

Dear Sirs:

We are aware that Union Texas Petroleum Holdings, Inc. has included our report 
dated July 21, 1997 (issued pursuant to the provisions of Statement on 
Auditing Standards No. 71) in the following registration statements:

  Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-26105) filed on December 21, 1988
  Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-13575) filed on April 29, 1991
  Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-21684) filed on April 29, 1991
  Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-44045) filed on November 19, 1991
  Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-64928) filed on June 24, 1993
  Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-59213) filed on May 10, 1995
  Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-30807) filed on July 3, 1997
  Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-30805) filed on July 3, 1997
  Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-30811) filed on July 3, 1997
  Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-31039) filed on July 10, 1997

We are also aware of our responsibilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

Yours very truly,



Price Waterhouse LLP
Houston, Texas
July 21, 1997



                                       1