1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                    [HARKEN ENERGY CORPORATION LETTERHEAD]


May 11, 1995


Harken Energy Corporation
5605 North MacArthur, Suite 400
Irving, Texas 75038

         Re:     Registration on Form S-3 of 1,200,000 Shares of the Common 
                 Stock of Harken Energy Corporation; Registration No. 33-______

Gentlemen:

         This opinion is rendered in connection with the registration and sale
by a certain selling stockholder under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), of 1,200,000 shares (the "Shares") of the common stock,
par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), of Harken Energy Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company").  The Shares are being registered under
the Securities Act pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (as amended
at the time it is declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission
being referred to herein as the "Registration Statement").  In connection with
the opinions expressed below, I have examined and relied upon the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, the Bylaws, and records of corporate
proceedings with respect to the authorization, issuance, and sale of the Shares
to the selling stockholders, and have made such other investigation as I have
deemed necessary for the purposes of this opinion.

         Based on the foregoing, and having due regard for such legal
considerations as I have deemed relevant, I am of the opinion that:

         1.      The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly
                 existing, and in good standing as a corporation under the laws
                 of the State of Delaware.

         2.      The Shares have been validly issued and are fully paid and
                 non-assessable.

         I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use
of my name where ever contained therein and in the Prospectus constituting a
part thereof.

                                                   Sincerely,

                                                   /s/ Larry E. Cummings

                                                   Larry E. Cummings
                                                   General Counsel