EXHIBIT 5.1




                                  May 25, 2001

Triton  Energy  Limited
Caledonian  House
Jennett  Street,  P.O.  Box  1043
George  Town
Grand  Cayman,  Cayman  Islands

Dear  Sirs:

     This  opinion  is  delivered  in connection with the Registration Statement
(the  "Registration  Statement")  on  Form  S-8  filed  with  the Securities and
Exchange  Commission  by  Triton  Energy  Limited, a Cayman Islands company (the
"Company"),  under  the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), relating
to  1,000,000  of  the  Company's Ordinary Shares, par value $.01 per share (the
"Shares"),  issuable  pursuant  to  the Company's 2001 Share Incentive Plan (the
"Plan").

     I  am  familiar  with  the  Memorandum  and  Articles of Association of the
Company,  each  as  amended to date. In addition, I have examined such corporate
records,  documents  and other instruments and have made such other examinations
and  inquiries  as  I have deemed necessary to enable me to express the opinions
set forth herein. I am a member of the bar of the State of Texas and any opinion
herein  as  to the laws of the Cayman Islands is based upon the latest generally
available  compilation  of  the  statutes  and  case  law  of such jurisdiction.

     Based  upon  the  foregoing,  subject to the qualifications and limitations
stated  herein,  and  limited in all respects to the laws of the State of Texas,
the  Companies  Law  of  the Cayman Islands and the laws of the United States of
America, I am of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and, when
issued  in  accordance with the terms of the Plan, will be validly issued, fully
paid  and  nonassessable.

     I  hereby  consent  to  the  use  of  this  opinion  as  an  exhibit to the
Registration  Statement  and  the  use  of my name in Item 5 of the Registration
Statement.

                                   Very  truly  yours,

                                   Triton  Energy  Limited


                                   By:  /s/Thomas  J.  Murphy
                                        ---------------------
                                        Thomas  J.  Murphy,  General  Counsel