EXHIBIT 5.1


                   Law Offices                                Baltimore, MD
     Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP                     Camden, NJ
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           Denver, Colorado 80202-5596                      Salt Lake City, UT
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                Fax: 303-296-3956                             Washington, DC
            Lawyers@ballardspahr.com


                                  July 3, 2002

Vista Exploration Corporation
11952 Farley
Shawnee Mission, Kansas 66213

     Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8

Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to Vista Exploration Corporation, a Colorado
corporation ("Vista"), in connection with the filing of a Registration Statement
on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") to register under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, 500,000 shares of Vista common stock (the "Ross Shares")
issuable from time to time upon the exercise of options ("Options") granted
pursuant to the Employment Agreement between Vista and Charles A. Ross, as
amended (the "Agreement").

     In that connection, we have examined executed originals or copies,
certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Agreement and such
other documents, corporate records and instruments as we have deemed necessary
for the purposes of the opinion expressed below. In giving this opinion, we are
assuming the authenticity of all instruments presented to us as originals, the
conformity with the originals of all instruments presented to us as copies and
the genuineness of all signatures.

     Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Ross Shares, when
issued upon exercise of the Options granted pursuant to the Agreement and upon
payment of the option exercise price in accordance with the terms of the
Agreement, will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     This opinion is limited to the matters expressly stated herein. We express
no opinion concerning the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the
United States and the laws of the State of Colorado. We do not undertake to
advise you of any changes in the opinion expressed herein resulting from changes
in law, changes in facts or any other matters that might occur or be brought to
our attention after the date hereof.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.

                                     Very truly yours,

                                     /s/ Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP
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                                     Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP