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LAW OFFICE OF DAVID M. GRIFFITH,                                     EXHIBIT 5.1
A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER, SUITE 800
LONG BEACH, CA 90831-0800
TELEPHONE:     310-983-8017
FACSIMILE:     310-983-8122


August 15, 1997

Saba Petroleum Company
3201 Airpark Drive, Suite 201
Santa Maria, CA  93455

RE:     Saba Petroleum Company
        Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies & Gentlemen:

Saba Petroleum Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), proposes to
issue under a Form S-8 Registration Statement (the "Registration Statement") up
to 1,250,000 shares of Common Stock (the "Shares"), pursuant to the Saba
Petroleum Company 1996 Incentive Equity Plan and the Saba Petroleum Company 1997
Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the "Plans").

In rendering the following opinion, we have examined and relied only upon the
documents and certificates of officers of the Company as are specifically
described below. In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all
signatures, the authenticity, accuracy and completeness of the documents
submitted to us as originals, and the conformity with the original documents of
all documents submitted to us as copies. Our examination was limited to the
following documents and no others:

1.      Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended to date;

2.      By-Laws of the Company;

3.      Resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company authorizing
        the Plans and the issuance of the Shares;

4.      The Registration Statement, together with all amendments thereto, 
        exhibits filed in connection therewith and incorporated therein by
        reference and form of prospectus contained therein including all
        documents incorporated therein by reference; and

5.      The Plans.

We have not undertaken, nor do we intend to undertake, any independent
investigation beyond such documents and records, or to verify the adequacy or
accuracy of such documents and records.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that the Shares,
subject to effectiveness of the Registration Statement and compliance with
applicable Blue Sky laws, and subject to the proper execution and delivery of
stock certificates evidencing the Shares, when issued and delivered against
payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Plans, and as set forth in
the Registration Statement, will constitute legally issued, fully paid and
nonassessable shares of common stock of the Company.


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August 15, 1997
Saba Petroleum Company
Registration Statement on Form S-8
Page 2





We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement; and to the filing of this opinion in connection with
such filings of applications as may be necessary to register, qualify or
establish eligibility for an exemption from registration or qualification of the
Shares under the blue sky laws of any state or other jurisdiction although we
express no opinion as to state securities laws herein. In giving this consent,
we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required
under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission
promulgated thereunder.

The opinions set forth herein are based upon the federal laws of the United
States of America, and the corporate laws of the State of Delaware all as now in
effect. We express no opinion as to whether the laws of any particular
jurisdiction apply, and no opinion to the extent that the laws of any
jurisdiction other than those identified above are applicable to the subject
matter hereof.

The information set forth herein is as of the date of this letter. We disclaim
any undertaking to advise you of changes which may be brought to our attention
after the effective date of the Registration Statement.

Sincerely,


/s/ DAVID M. GRIFFITH
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Law Office of David M. Griffith,
a Professional Corporation