HARKEN ENERGY CORP
S-3, 1996-05-02
PETROLEUM & PETROLEUM PRODUCTS (NO BULK STATIONS)
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<PAGE>   1
      As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 2, 1996
                                                      Registration No. _________
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549
                              --------------------
                                    FORM S-3
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                              --------------------
                           HARKEN ENERGY CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                              --------------------
           DELAWARE                                       95-2841597
(State or other jurisdiction of          (I.R.S. employer identification number)
incorporation or organization)

                           HARKEN ENERGY CORPORATION
                     5605 NORTH MACARTHUR BLVD., SUITE 400
                              IRVING, TEXAS 75038
                                 (214) 753-6900
              (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
       including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
                        --------------------------------
                               GREGORY S. PORTER
                             VICE PRESIDENT - LEGAL
                           HARKEN ENERGY CORPORATION
                     5605 NORTH MACARTHUR BLVD., SUITE 400
                              IRVING, TEXAS 75038
                                 (214) 753-6900
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
                        --------------------------------
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:  From time to
time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
                        --------------------------------
       If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box: [ ]

       If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered
on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act
of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: [X]

       If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering:  [ ] _______________

       If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering:  [ ] ______________________

       If delivery of the Prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule
434, please check the following box:  [ ]

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
========================================================================================================================
                                                        Proposed Maximum        Proposed Maximum
     Title of each Class of         Amount to be       Offering Price Per      Aggregate Offering         Amount of
   Securities to be Registered       Registered             Unit(1)                 Price(1)          Registration Fee
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                                  <C>                   <C>                 <C>                       <C>
  Common Stock, par value              509,091               $2.50               $1,272,727.50             $438.87
  $0.01 per share
========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
    pursuant to Rule 457(c) based on the average of the high and low sales
    prices of the common stock as reported by the American Stock Exchange on
    April 25, 1996.

THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES
AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE
A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
PROSPECTUS

                                 509,091 Shares

                           HARKEN ENERGY CORPORATION

                                  Common Stock

                              --------------------

      The 509,091 shares (the "Shares") of common stock, par value $0.01 per
share ("Common Stock"), of Harken Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation
("Harken" or the "Company"), offered hereby are being offered by the
stockholder of the Company named herein (the "Selling Stockholder").    The
Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the Shares, but
the Company has agreed to bear certain expenses of registration of the Shares
under the federal and state securities laws (currently estimated to be
$16,000), and of any offering and sale hereunder not including certain expenses
such as commissions and discounts of underwriters, dealers or agents.   See
"Selling Stockholder" and "Use of Proceeds."

      The Common Stock is traded on the American Stock Exchange, under the
symbol "HEC."  On May      , 1996, the closing sales price of the Common Stock
as reported on the American Stock Exchange was $         per share.

      The Shares may be offered and sold from time to time by the Selling
Stockholder directly or through broker-dealers or underwriters who may act
solely as agents, or who may acquire the Shares as principals.  The
distribution of the Shares may be effected in one or more transactions that may
take place through the American Stock Exchange or any other national securities
exchange on which the Common Stock is approved for listing in the future,
including block trades or ordinary broker's transactions, or through privately
negotiated transactions, or through an underwritten public offering, or through
a combination of any such methods of sale, at such prices as may be obtainable.
Usual and customary or specially negotiated brokerage fees or commissions may
be paid by the Selling Stockholder in connection with such sales.  See "Plan of
Distribution."

      To the extent required, the specific shares of Common Stock to be sold,
the purchase price, public offering price, names of any agent, dealer or
underwriter, and any applicable commission or discount with respect to a
particular offering will be set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement.
The aggregate proceeds to the Selling Stockholder from the sale of the Shares
will be the purchase price thereof less the aggregate agents' commissions and
underwriters' discounts, if any, and other expenses of distribution not borne
by the Company.

      The Selling Stockholder and any broker-dealers, agents or underwriters
that participate with the Selling Stockholder in the distribution of any of the
Shares may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any commission received by
them and any profit on the resale of the Shares purchased by them may be deemed
to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act.

      PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSIDER AND REVIEW THE INFORMATION UNDER
THE CAPTION "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 4 PRIOR TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE
SHARES OFFERED HEREBY.

                              --------------------

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.  ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                              --------------------

                 The date of this Prospectus is May    , 1996.
<PAGE>   3
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

      The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in
accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").  Such reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company may be inspected and
copied, at prescribed rates, at the public reference facilities of the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, Room 1024, as
well as at the regional offices of the Commission at Seven World Trade Center,
13th Floor, New York, New York 10048, and Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West
Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60601.  Copies of such material
may also be obtained at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference
Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.
The Common Stock is listed on the American Stock Exchange.  Reports, proxy
statements and other information described above may also be inspected and
copied at the offices of the American Stock Exchange at 86 Trinity Place, New
York, New York 10006.

      The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on
Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act, with respect
to the Shares offered hereby.  This Prospectus, which constitutes a part of the
Registration Statement, does not contain all the information set forth in the
Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto.  For further information with
respect to the Company and the Common Stock, reference is hereby made to such
Registration Statement and exhibits.  Statements contained herein concerning
the provisions of any documents are necessarily summaries of those documents,
and each statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the copy of the
applicable document filed with the Commission.  The Registration Statement and
any amendments thereto, including exhibits filed as a part thereof, are
available for inspection and copying as set forth above.


                              TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Page
                                                                       ----
<S>                                                                      <C>
Available Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
The Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
Risk Factors  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
Use of Proceeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
Selling Stockholder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
Plan of Distribution  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
Legal Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
Experts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11

</TABLE>

      NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING
BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY, THE SELLING STOCKHOLDER OR ANY OTHER PERSON.
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN
OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES OR
ANY OFFER TO OR SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL.  NEITHER THE
DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE
AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.





                                       2
<PAGE>   4
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

      The following documents which have been filed with the Commission are
incorporated herein by reference:

      (1)  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended
           December 31, 1995;
      (2)  The Company's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
           of Harken to be held on June 11, 1996; and
      (3)  The description of the Common Stock contained in the Company's
           Registration Statement on Form 8-A, as amended, including all
           amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating such
           description.

      All documents filed by Harken pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior
to the termination of the offering made hereby shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the
date of the filing of such documents.  Any statement contained in this
Prospectus, in a supplement to this Prospectus or in a document incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed to be modified
or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained herein, or in any subsequently filed supplement to this Prospectus or
in any document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein, modifies or supersedes such statement.  Any statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus.

      The Company will furnish without charge to each person to whom a copy of
this Prospectus has been delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any
or all documents incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, other than
exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated
by reference in such documents.  Written or oral requests for such copies
should be directed to Gregory S. Porter, Harken Energy Corporation, 5605 North
MacArthur Blvd., Suite 400, Irving, Texas 75038 (Telephone: (214) 753-6900).





                                       3
<PAGE>   5
                                  THE COMPANY

      Harken is engaged in oil and gas exploration, development and production
operations both domestically and internationally through its various
wholly-owned subsidiaries and joint venture investments.  Harken's domestic
operations include oil and gas exploration and production operations in the
Aneth Field and Blanding Sub-Basin portions of the Paradox Basin in Utah,
Arizona and New Mexico, in the Western Paradox Basin in Utah, and the on-shore
Gulf Coast of Texas and the Texas Panhandle.  Harken's international operations
include five exclusive Colombian Association Contracts between Harken's
wholly-owned subsidiary, Harken de Colombia, Ltd., and Empresa Colombiana de
Petroleos ("Ecopetrol").  Harken's international operations currently consist
solely of exploration activities, however, management is continuing to pursue
international opportunities in all areas of Harken's operations.

      Harken was incorporated in 1973 in the State of California and
reincorporated in 1979 in the State of Delaware.  Harken's principal offices
are located at 5605 North MacArthur Blvd., Suite 400, Irving, Texas 75038 and
its telephone number is (214) 753-6900.

                                  RISK FACTORS

      Prior to making an investment decision, prospective investors should
consider carefully all of the information set forth in this Prospectus and, in
particular, should evaluate the following risk factors.

LOSSES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

      Harken reported losses from continuing operations for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, in the amounts of $1,797,000,
$8,211,000 and $1,625,000, respectively.  There can be no assurance that Harken
will not continue to report losses.

DILUTION; EFFECT OF SALES OF COMMON STOCK ON MARKET PRICE

      As of April 30, 1996, there were 78,088,688 shares of Common Stock
outstanding.  Harken has previously registered with the Commission an aggregate
of 4,020,000 shares of Common Stock for resale by certain stockholders of the
Company, in addition to the 509,091 shares of Common Stock registered for
resale pursuant to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a
part.  In addition, Harken has reserved a significant number of shares of
Common Stock for future issuance as described below.  There can be no assurance
that the sale of the 4,020,000 shares of Common Stock previously registered for
resale or the issuance of the shares of Common Stock which have been reserved
for future issuance will not have a material adverse effect on the then
prevailing market price of the Common Stock.  Furthermore, issuance of the
shares of Common Stock as described below could result in significant dilution
to the stockholders of the Company.

      Pursuant to a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the "Momentum Agreement") by
and among Harken, Harken Exploration Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Harken ("Exploration"), and Momentum Operating Co., Inc. ("Momentum"), among
other consideration, Exploration issued a promissory note (the "Note") to
Momentum in the principal amount of $13,000,000, which principal amount is
subject to adjustment as described below under  "--Momentum Promissory Note."
Exploration and Harken have the right to convert all amounts due at each
maturity date of the Note into shares of Common Stock of Harken.  The number of
shares of Common Stock to be issued at maturity will be based upon the average
market price of the Common Stock determined during a defined trading period
prior to each maturity date.  As a result, the number of shares of Common Stock
which Harken may elect to issue to Momentum can not presently be determined.
However, if Harken elects to convert the amounts due under the Note into shares
of Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to Momentum
could result in significant dilution to the stockholders of Harken.

      Pursuant to the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Merger among Harken,
Search Exploration, Inc. ("Search") and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harken
(the "Search Acquisition"), Harken may be required to issue up to approximately
8.8 million shares of Common Stock, in addition to the approximately 2.2
million shares of Common Stock that were issued upon the consummation of the
Search Acquisition in May 1995.  Of





                                       4
<PAGE>   6
the approximately 8.8 million shares of Common Stock which may be required to
be issued in connection with the Search Acquisition, (i) approximately 730,000
shares of Common Stock may be issued upon the exercise of certain warrants
issued by Harken, and (ii) up to 8.1 million shares of Common Stock may be
issued on or about September 30, 1996, to the holders of record at the
effective time of the Search Acquisition of certain securities of Search and
overriding royalty interests in certain properties held by Search, based in
part upon the increase that may subsequently be realized in the value of a
group of undeveloped leases and properties of Search.

      Harken has reserved additional shares of Common Stock for issuance as
follows: (i) as of April 30, 1996 Harken had $9,450,000 in principal amount of
8% Senior Convertible Notes outstanding which are presently convertible by the
holders thereof into 6,300,000 shares of Common Stock; (ii) 2,510,000 shares of
Common Stock have been reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding
warrants, in addition to the warrants issued pursuant to the Search
Acquisition; and (iii) 3,796,848 shares of Common Stock have been reserved for
issuance upon exercise of outstanding stock options.

MOMENTUM PROMISSORY NOTE

      As described above, pursuant to the Momentum Agreement, Exploration
issued to Momentum the Note in the principal amount of $13,000,000.  The Note
matures and becomes payable in two stages.  On November 7, 1996, $8,000,000 in
principal amount of the Note, subject to adjustment as described below, will
mature, and become payable ("Maturity I").  The remaining $5,000,000 in
principal amount of the Note, subject to adjustment as described below, will
mature and become payable ("Maturity II") on July 15, 1997; provided, however,
that if the amount due at Maturity I is paid in shares of Common Stock, such
principal amount will mature and become payable on the earlier of (i) the
expiration of 270 days following the date upon which the Commission declares
effective a registration statement covering the resale of the shares of Common
Stock issued to Momentum at Maturity I or (ii) November 15, 1997.

      The principal amount due at Maturity I is subject, among other
adjustments, to adjustment as follows: (i) the principal amount will be
adjusted by an amount equal to the difference between (x) the greater of the
amount realized by Momentum upon the sale of the 2,500,000 shares of Common
Stock issued to Momentum upon closing of the Momentum Agreement (the "Purchase
Shares") or the amount which could have been realized by Momentum if the
Purchase Shares were sold at the average trading price of the Common Stock
during the period between December 21, 1995 and Maturity I (the "Maturity I
Average Trading Price") and (y) $2.00 per share multiplied by the number of
such shares of Common Stock sold by Momentum between December 21, 1995 and
Maturity I; and (ii) the principal amount will be increased by a factor
calculated at 10% per annum from December 21, 1995 on the weighted average
daily differences between $5,000,000 and the aggregate proceeds received by
Momentum upon the sale of the Purchase Shares.

       The principal amount due at Maturity II is subject to adjustment as
follows: (i) the principal amount will be adjusted by an amount equal to the
difference between (x) the greater of the amount realized by Momentum upon the
sale of the shares of Common Stock issued to Momentum at Maturity I or the
amount which could have been realized by Momentum if such shares were sold at
the average trading price of the Common Stock during the period between
Maturity I and Maturity II and (y) the Maturity I Average Trading Price
multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock sold by Momentum between
Maturity I and Maturity II; and (ii) the principal amount will be increased by
a factor calculated at 10% per annum from Maturity I of the weighted average
daily difference between $8,000,000 and the aggregate proceeds received by
Momentum upon the sale of the shares of Common Stock issued to Momentum at
Maturity I.

      Although Harken currently intends to convert the amount due at Maturity I
into Common Stock, the Company does not currently have sufficient cash reserves
to repay the Note, and the Company does not anticipate that the Company's cash
flow from operations will be sufficient to repay the Note.  If the Company does
not elect to convert the amounts due under the Note into shares of Common
Stock, the Company anticipates that it will be required to seek additional
sources of financing in order to repay the Note.  There can be no assurance
that such financing will be available to the Company.  In addition, the Company
does not currently have available a sufficient number of authorized and
unissued shares of Common Stock which have





                                       5
<PAGE>   7
not previously been reserved for other purposes to allow the Company to convert
the amount due at Maturity I into shares of Common Stock.  Unless shares which
have previously been reserved become available, an amendment to the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation would be required to increase the number of
authorized shares of Common Stock, which would require approval of the
Company's stockholders.  There can be no assurance that such approval can be
secured.  Upon a default in payment of the Note, Momentum would be entitled to
assume operation of the properties acquired by Exploration under the Momentum
Agreement, and to receive a substantial portion of the proceeds therefrom until
the Note is repaid, which could have a material adverse effect on Harken's
financial condition.

VOLATILITY OF HARKEN COMMON STOCK TRADING PRICE

      The daily closing prices of the Common Stock as reported by the American
Stock Exchange has fluctuated significantly over the past 12 months, ranging
from a high of $2.9375 per share to a low of $1.4375 per share.  Management
believes that the price fluctuations and trading activity in the Common Stock
during the past 12 months are attributable to a number of factors, including
Harken's international exploration activities.  There can be no assurance that
future announcements regarding Harken's international exploration efforts will
not have a substantial adverse effect on the then prevailing market price of
the Common Stock.

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES OF HARKEN

      Harken has certain contingent liabilities that could have a material
adverse affect on its financial condition if Harken were required to satisfy
these liabilities, including the following:

      Harken Southwest Corporation ("HSW") owns an interest in the Aneth Gas
Plant.  The Aneth Gas Plant facility was in operation for many years prior to
HSW becoming an owner.  The operations at the Aneth Gas Plant previously used
open, unlined drip pits for storage of various waste products.  The current
plant owners have replaced all of the open ground pits currently being used
with steel tanks.  The plant owners are currently in the process of closing the
open ground pits.

      Texaco, the plant's operator, received a letter from the Environmental
Protection Agency ("EPA") dated July 21, 1991 and a subsequent letter dated
June 8, 1992, in which the EPA requested certain information in order to
determine if hazardous substances had been released into the environment at the
Aneth Gas Plant.  Texaco has advised HSW that certain information was supplied
to the EPA pursuant to this request.  Subsequently, core samples in and around
certain pit areas were jointly taken by the EPA and Texaco.  The EPA has
responded to the initial sampling of the drip pits, and Texaco is now
completing a Phase II environmental investigation to provide further test
results in response to evaluation procedures required by the EPA related to the
drip pits.

      The prior owner of the Aneth Gas Plant facility has agreed to accept
financial responsibility for a portion of this remediation work.  Texaco and
the other current plant owners, including HSW, are presently negotiating a
formal agreement with the prior owner to allocate the costs of the remediation
work.  At this time, however, it is impossible for HSW to estimate the costs of
the cleanup at the Aneth Gas Plant facility or the amount of indemnification
the prior owner will provide to the present owners, including HSW, for the
costs of the remediation work.

PREFERRED STOCK AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE

      Harken has ten million shares of preferred stock available for issuance.
The Board of Directors is authorized to issue such preferred stock in one or
more series and to set the designations, preferences, powers and relative
rights and restrictions thereof without further approval by the stockholders of
the Company.  Presently, Harken has four series of preferred stock authorized,
but no shares of preferred stock are currently outstanding.  Such shares of
preferred stock, if issued, would have certain preferences over the shares of
Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and upon liquidation,
dissolution, winding-up and in certain instances, voting.  The Board of
Directors of Harken also may authorize additional series of preferred stock in
the future that have similar or additional preferences over the shares of
Common Stock.





                                       6
<PAGE>   8
RISKS RELATED TO INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS

      Harken presently conducts international operations and anticipates that
it will conduct significant international operations in the future.  Foreign
properties, operations or investments may be adversely affected by local
political and economic developments, exchange controls, currency fluctuations,
royalty and tax increases, retroactive tax claims, renegotiation of contracts
with governmental entities, expropriation, import and export regulations and
other foreign laws or policies governing operations of foreign-based companies,
as well as by laws and policies of the United States affecting foreign trade,
taxation and investment.  In addition, as certain of Harken's operations are
governed by foreign laws, in the event of a dispute, Harken may be subject to
the exclusive jurisdiction of foreign courts or may not be successful in
subjecting foreign persons to the jurisdiction of courts in the United States.
Harken may also be hindered or prevented from enforcing its rights with respect
to a governmental instrumentality because of the doctrine of sovereign
immunity.  Exploration and production activities in areas outside the United
States are also subject to the risks inherent in foreign operations, including
loss of revenue, property and equipment as a result of hazards such as
expropriation, nationalization, war, insurrection and other political risks.

      Harken anticipates that full development of the oil and gas reserves in
the contract areas covered by Harken's five Colombian Association Contracts, if
any are discovered, will take several years and may require extensive
production facilities which could require significant additional capital
expenditures.  The ultimate amount of such expenditures cannot be presently
predicted.  Harken anticipates that amounts required to fund international
activities, including those in Colombia, will be funded from existing cash
balances, asset sales, stock issuances, production payments, operating cash
flows and potentially from industry partners; however, there can be no
assurances that Harken will have adequate funds available to it to fund its
international activities without participation from industry partners or that
industry partners can be obtained to fund such international activities.

INDUSTRY RISKS

      Oil and Gas Price Volatility.  The revenues generated by Harken are
highly dependent upon the prices of crude oil and natural gas.  Fluctuations in
the energy market make it difficult to estimate future prices of oil and
natural gas.  Fluctuations in energy prices are caused by a number of factors,
including regional, domestic and international demand, energy legislation,
federal or state taxes on sales of crude oil and natural gas, production
guidelines established by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries,
and the relative abundance of supplies of alternative fuel such as coal.
Additionally, changing international economic and political conditions may have
a dramatic impact upon crude oil and natural gas prices.  Many of these factors
are beyond the control of Harken.

      Business Risks.  Harken must continually acquire or explore for and
develop new oil and gas reserves to replace those being depleted by production.
Without successful drilling or acquisition ventures, Harken's oil and gas
assets, properties and revenues derived therefrom will decline over time.  To
the extent Harken engages in drilling activities, such activities carry the
risk that no commercially viable oil or gas production will be obtained.  The
cost of drilling, completing and operating wells is often uncertain.  Moreover,
drilling may be curtailed, delayed or canceled as a result of many factors,
including title problems, weather conditions, shortages of or delays in
delivery of equipment, as well as the financial instability of well operators,
major working interest owners and drilling and well servicing companies.  The
availability of a ready market for Harken's oil and gas depends on numerous
factors beyond its control, including the demand for and supply of oil and gas,
the proximity of Harken's natural gas reserves to pipelines, the capacity of
such pipelines, fluctuation in seasonal demand, the effects of inclement
weather, and government regulation.  New gas wells may be shut-in for lack of a
market until a gas pipeline or gathering system with available capacity is
extended into the area.

      Operating Hazards and Uninsured Risks.  The operations of Harken are
subject to the inherent risks normally associated with exploration for and
production of oil and gas, including blowouts, cratering, pollution and fires,
each of which could result in damage to or destruction of oil and gas wells or
production facilities or damage to persons and property.  As is common in the
oil and gas industry, Harken is not fully insured





                                       7
<PAGE>   9
against these risks, either because insurance is not available or because
Harken has elected to self-insure due to high premium costs.  The occurrence of
a significant event not fully insured against could have a material adverse
effect on Harken's financial condition.

      Environmental Regulation.  Harken's domestic activities are subject to
various Navajo, federal, state, and local laws and regulations covering the
discharge of material into the environment or otherwise relating to protection
of the environment.  In particular, Harken's oil and gas exploration,
development, production, its activities in connection with storage and
transportation of liquid hydrocarbons and its use of facilities for treating,
processing, recovering, or otherwise handling hydrocarbons and wastes therefrom
are subject to stringent environmental regulation by governmental authorities.
In addition to these domestic laws and regulations, Harken's international
operations are subject to the laws, regulations and governmental approvals of
each foreign country in which it conducts activities including, but not limited
to, environmental laws and regulations governing oil and gas operations.  Such
domestic and foreign laws and regulations have increased the costs of planning,
designing, drilling, installing, operating and abandoning Harken's oil and gas
wells and other facilities.

      Imprecise Nature of Reserve Estimates.  Reserve estimates are imprecise
and may be expected to change as additional information becomes available.
Furthermore, estimates of oil and gas reserves, of necessity, are projections
based on engineering data, and there are uncertainties inherent in the
interpretation of such data as well as the projection of future rates of
production and the timing of development expenditures.  Reserve engineering is
a subjective process of estimating underground accumulations of oil and gas
that cannot be measured in an exact way, and the accuracy of any reserve
estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and
geological interpretation and judgment.

      Competition.  The oil and gas industry is competitive in all its phases.
Competition is particularly intense respecting the acquisition of desirable
producing properties and the sale of oil and natural gas production.  Harken's
competitors in oil and gas exploration, development and production include
major oil companies and numerous independent oil and gas companies, and
individual producers and operators.  Many of Harken's competitors possess and
employ financial and personnel resources substantially greater than those which
are available to Harken, and may, therefore, be able to pay greater amounts for
desirable leases and to define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number
of producing prospects than the financial or personnel resources of Harken will
permit.

      Extensive Regulation.  The production of oil and gas is subject to
extensive Navajo, federal and state laws, rules, orders and regulations
governing a wide variety of matters, including the drilling and spacing of
wells, allowable rates of production, prevention of waste and pollution and
protection of the environment.  In addition to these domestic laws and
regulations, Harken's international operations are subject to the laws,
regulations and governmental approvals of each foreign country in which it
conducts activities including, but not limited to, environmental laws and
regulations governing oil and gas operations.  Such laws, rules and regulations
are subject to change.  Any such change in any law, rule or regulation could
have the effect of increasing the Company's cost  of exploration or production
or may limit the Company's revenues by regulating the level of oil and gas
production, either of which could have a material adverse effect on the
financial condition of the Company.

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

      Harken will not receive any part of the proceeds from the sale of Shares
by the Selling Stockholder.





                                       8
<PAGE>   10
                              SELLING STOCKHOLDER

      This Prospectus covers the offer and sale of the Shares by the Selling
Stockholder.  Set forth below is the name of the Selling Stockholder, the
nature of any position, office or other material relationship that the Selling
Stockholder has had within the last three years with the Company or any of its
predecessors or affiliates, the number of shares of Common Stock owned by the
Selling Stockholder as of the date of this Prospectus, the number of shares of
Common Stock which may be offered by the Selling Stockholder pursuant to this
Prospectus, and the number of shares of Common Stock and the percentage of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock to be owned by the Selling Stockholder upon
completion of the offering if all of the Shares held by the Selling Stockholder
are sold.  Any or all of the Shares listed below may be offered for sale by the
Selling Stockholder from time to time.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                Shares  Owned           Shares         Shares  Owned        Percent of Common  
                                Prior to the           Offered           After the          Stock Owned After  
   Selling Stockholder            Offering              Hereby          Offering(1)          the Offering(1)   
 ---------------------------    -------------          -------         -------------        ------------------
 <S>                               <C>                 <C>                  <C>                    <C>
 Bligh Petroleum, Inc.             509,091             509,091              -0-                    0.0%
 ("Bligh")          
</TABLE>
- --------------------

(1)   Assumes no other disposition or acquisition of Common Stock and all
      Shares included herein are sold.





                                       9
<PAGE>   11
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

      The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of Common Stock
owned by the Selling Stockholder.  It is anticipated that the Selling
Stockholder will offer the Shares in the manner set forth on the cover page of
this Prospectus, from time to time, directly or through broker-dealers or
underwriters who may act solely as agents or may acquire the Shares as
principals, in all cases as designated by the Selling Stockholder.  Such
underwriters or broker- dealers acting either as principal or as agent, may
receive compensation in the form of usual and customary or specifically
negotiated underwriting discounts, concessions or commissions from the Selling
Stockholder or the purchasers of the securities offered hereby for whom they
may act as agent.

      The net proceeds to the Selling Stockholder from the sale of Common Stock
so offered will be the purchase price of the Common Stock sold less the
aggregate agents' commissions and underwriters' discounts, if any, and other
expenses of issuance and distribution not borne by the Company.  The Selling
Stockholder and any dealers or agents that participate in the distribution of
Common Stock may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the
Securities Act.

      At any time a particular offer of Common Stock is made, to the extent
required, the specific shares of Common Stock to be sold, the purchase price,
public offering price, the names of any such agent, dealer or underwriter and
any applicable commission or discount with respect to a particular offering
will be set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement.  Such Prospectus
Supplement may, if necessary, be in the form of a post-effective amendment to
the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part, and will be
filed with the Commission to reflect the disclosure of additional information
with respect to the distribution of such securities.

      Pursuant to the terms of a Concession and Lease Purchase Agreement
between the Company and Bligh, the Company has agreed to file a "shelf"
registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act covering
the sale of 509,091 shares of Common Stock issued to Bligh pursuant to such
agreement, and to use its best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such
registration statement for no less than 180 days from the date of effectiveness
of such registration statement.

      Under the terms of the Concession and Lease Purchase Agreement, the
Company has agreed to bear certain expenses of registration of the Shares under
the federal and state securities laws (currently estimated to be $16,000) and
of any offering and sale hereunder not including certain expenses such as
commissions or discounts of underwriters, dealers or agents attributable to the
sale of such Common Stock.

      To comply with the securities laws of certain jurisdictions, the
securities offered hereby may be offered or sold in such jurisdictions only
through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.  In addition, in certain
jurisdictions the securities offered hereby may not be offered or sold unless
they have been registered or qualified for sale in such jurisdictions or an
exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.

      The Selling Stockholder and any other person participating in such
distribution will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and
the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, 10b-6 and
10b-7, which provisions may limit the timing of purchases and sales by the
Selling Stockholder and any other such person.  Furthermore, under Rule 10b-6
under the Exchange Act, any person engaged in a distribution of the Common
Stock may not simultaneously engage in market making activities with respect to
such securities for a period of two business days prior to the commencement of
such distribution.  All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the
securities offered hereby.





                                       10
<PAGE>   12
                                 LEGAL MATTERS

      The validity of the Shares will be passed upon for Harken by Gregory S.
Porter, Esq., Vice President - Legal of Harken.


                                    EXPERTS

      The consolidated financial statements and schedules of the Company
included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1995, which is incorporated by reference herein, has been
audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in
their report with respect thereto, and is incorporated by reference herein in
reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing
in giving said report.





                                       11
<PAGE>   13
                                    PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

      The expenses to be paid by the Company in connection with the offering
described in this Registration Statement are estimated as follows:

<TABLE>
                 <S>                                             <C>
                 Commission Registration Fee . . . . . . . . .   $     439.00
                 
                 AMEX Listing Fee  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      10,200.00
                 
                 Printing and Engraving Expenses . . . . . . .       2,000.00

                 Accounting Fees and Expenses  . . . . . . . .       2,000.00
                 
                 Blue Sky Fees and Expenses  . . . . . . . . .         500.00
                 
                 Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         861.00
                                                                   ----------
                             Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $16,000.00
                                                                   ==========
</TABLE>


ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

      Under Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
("Delaware Law"), a Delaware corporation may indemnify its directors, officers,
employees and agents against expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments,
fines and settlements in nonderivative suits, actually and reasonably incurred
by them in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding in
which they or any of them were or are made parties or are threatened to be made
parties by reason of their serving or having served in such capacity.  Delaware
law, however provides that such person must have acted in good faith and in a
manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests
of the corporation, and in the case of a criminal action, such person must have
had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Section 145
further provides that in connection with the defense or settlement of any
action by or in the right of the corporation, a Delaware corporation may
indemnify its directors and officers against expenses actually and reasonably
incurred by them if, in connection with the matters in issue, they acted in
good faith, in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification may be made
with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person has been
adjudged liable for negligence or misconduct unless the Court of Chancery or
the court in which such action or suit is brought approves such
indemnification.  Section 145 further permits a Delaware corporation to grant
its directors and officers additional rights of indemnification through bylaw
provisions and otherwise, and to purchase indemnity insurance on behalf of its
directors and officers.  Indemnification is mandatory to the extent a claim,
issue or matter has been successfully defended.

      Article Ten of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Article VII
of the Company's bylaws provide, in general, that the Company shall indemnify
its directors and officers under certain of the circumstances defined in
Section 145.  The Company has entered into agreements with each member of its
Board of Directors pursuant to which it will advance to each director costs of
litigation in accordance with the indemnification provisions of the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws.





                                      II-1
<PAGE>   14
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS.

     4.1     -     Form of certificate representing shares of Common Stock
                   (filed as Exhibit 1 to Harken's Registration Statement on
                   Form 8-A, File No. 0-9207, and incorporated by reference
                   herein).

     4.2     -     Certificate of the Designations, Powers, Preferences and
                   Rights of Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock,
                   $1.00 par value of Harken Energy Corporation (filed as
                   Exhibit 4.3 to Harken's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                   fiscal year ended December 31, 1989, File No. 0-9207, and
                   incorporated by reference herein).

     4.3     -     Certificate of the Designations of Series D Preferred Stock,
                   $1.00 par value of Harken Energy Corporation (filed as
                   Exhibit 4.3 to Harken's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                   the quarterly period ended September 30, 1995, File No.
                   0-9207, and incorporated by reference herein).

    *5.1     -     Opinion of Gregory S. Porter, Esq.

   *23.1     -     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

   *23.3     -     Consent of  Gregory S. Porter, Esq. (included in opinion
                   filed as Exhibit 5.1).

   *24.1     -     Powers of Attorney.

- ------------------
* Filed herewith.


ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.

      (a)    The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant's Annual Report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (and, where
applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

      (b)    The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

             (1)   To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

                          (i)   To include any prospectus required by Section
                                10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

                          (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or
                                events arising after the effective date of the
                                Registration Statement (or the most recent
                                post-effective amendment thereto) which,
                                individually or in the aggregate, represent a
                                fundamental change in the information set forth
                                in the Registration Statement.  Notwithstanding
                                the foregoing, any increase or decrease in
                                volume of securities offered (if the total
                                dollar value of securities offered would not
                                exceed that which was registered) and any
                                deviation from the low or high end of the
                                estimated maximum offering range may be
                                reflected in the form of prospectus filed with
                                the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in
                                the aggregate, the changes in volume and price
                                represent no more than a 20% change in the
                                maximum aggregate offering price set forth in
                                the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in
                                the effective Registration Statement;

                          (iii) To include any material information with
                                respect to the plan of distribution not
                                previously disclosed in the Registration
                                Statement or any material change to such
                                information in the Registration Statement;





                                      II-2
<PAGE>   15
provided, however, that paragraphs (i) and (ii) above do not apply if the
registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information required
to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained
in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section
15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement.

             (2)   That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

             (3)   To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

      (c)    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the
Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.





                                      II-3
<PAGE>   16
                                   SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Irving, State of Texas, on May 2, 1996.

                                        HARKEN ENERGY CORPORATION


                                                          *  

                                        --------------------------------------
                                        Mikel D. Faulkner, Chairman of the  
                                        Board and Chief Executive Officer


      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Signature                                  Title                              Date
 -------------------------------     -------------------------------------          ------------
 <S>                                 <C>                                            <C>
              *                      Chairman of the Board and Chief                May 2, 1996
 -------------------------------     Executive Officer (Principal                                  
 Mikel D. Faulkner                   Executive Officer)           
                                                                  

              *                      President and Chief Operating                  May 2, 1996
 -------------------------------     Officer and Director                                          
 Richard H. Schroeder                                    


              *                      Senior Vice President and Chief                May 2, 1996
 -------------------------------     Financial Officer (Principal                                                          
 Bruce N. Huff                       Accounting Officer and Principal                                 
                                     Financial Officer                                 

              *                      Director                                       May 2, 1996
 -------------------------------                                                                   
 Michael M. Ameen, Jr.



              *                      Director                                       May 2, 1996
 -------------------------------                                                                    
 Michael R. Eisenson
</TABLE>





                                      II-4
<PAGE>   17
 


<TABLE>
 <S>                                 <C>                                            <C>
                                     Director                                       May 2, 1996
 -------------------------------                                                               
 Edwin C. Kettenbrink, Jr.

              *                      Director                                       May 2, 1996
 -------------------------------                                                                    
 Talat M. Othman

              *                      Director                                       May 2, 1996
 -------------------------------                                                                 
 Donald W. Raymond


              *                      Director                                       May 2, 1996
 -------------------------------                                                                  
 Gary B. Wood
</TABLE>


*Gregory S. Porter, by signing his name hereto, does hereby sign this
Registration Statement on behalf of Harken Energy Corporation and each of the
above-named officers and directors of such Company pursuant to powers of
attorney, executed on behalf of the Company and each officer and director.


/s/ Gregory S. Porter         
- ------------------------------
Gregory S. Porter,
Attorney-in-Fact





                                      II-5
<PAGE>   18
                              INDEX TO EXHIBITS

                                                                    Sequentially
                                                                       Numbered
Exhibit No.                        Exhibit                               Page
             -----------------------------------------------------  ------------
   4.1       Form of certificate representing shares of Harken
             common stock, par value $.01 per share (filed as
             Exhibit 1 to Harken's Registration Statement on Form
             8-A, File No. 0- 9207, and incorporated by reference
             herein).
             
   4.2       Certificate of the Designations, Powers, Preferences
             and Rights of Series C Cumulative Convertible Preferred
             Stock, $1.00 par value of Harken Energy Corporation
             (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Harken's Annual Report on Form
             10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989, File
             No. 0-9207, and incorporated by reference herein).

   4.3       Certificate of the Designations of Series D Preferred
             Stock, $1.00 par value of Harken Energy Corporation
             (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Harken's Quarterly Report on
             Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30,
             1995, File No.  0-9207, and incorporated by reference
             herein).
             
 *5.1        Opinion of Gregory S. Porter, Esq.

*23.1        Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
             
*23.3        Consent of Gregory S. Porter, Esq. (included in opinion
             filed as Exhibit 5.1).
             
*24.1        Powers of Attorney.
            
 
- ------------
* Filed herewith

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1


May 2, 1996





Harken Energy Corporation
5605 N. MacArthur Blvd
Suite 400
Irving, TX  75038

      Re:    Registration Statement on Form S-3

Gentlemen:

      I have acted as counsel to Harken Energy Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of the offer and sale of an
aggregate of 509,091 shares (the "Shares") of common stock, $.01 par value per
share, of the Company ("Common Stock") pursuant to a Registration Statement on
Form S-3 of the Company (the "Registration Statement") to which this opinion
letter is an exhibit.

      In reaching the opinion set forth herein, I have reviewed (a) the
Registration Statement, (b) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as
amended, (c) the Bylaws of the Company, (d) records of proceedings of the Board
of Directors and the stockholders of the Company and (e) except as set forth
below, such other agreements, certificates of public officials and officers of
the Company, records, documents and matters of law that I deemed relevant.

      Based on and subject to the foregoing and subject further to the
assumptions, exceptions and qualifications hereinafter stated, I am of the
opinion that, subject to compliance with federal and state securities laws (as
to which I express no opinion), the Shares were duly authorized and validly
issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.

      The opinion expressed above is subject in all respects to the following
assumptions, exceptions and qualifications:

      a.     I have assumed that (i) all signatures on all documents examined
             by me are genuine, (ii) all documents submitted to me as originals
             are accurate and complete, (iii) all documents submitted to me as
             copies are true and correct copies of the originals thereof, (iv)
             all information submitted to me is accurate and complete as of the
             date hereof, (v) all persons executing and delivering documents
             reviewed by me were competent to execute and to deliver such
             documents and (vi) that all persons signing, in a representative
             capacity, documents reviewed by me had authority to sign in such
             capacity.

      b.     I have assumed that there are no agreements, indentures,
             mortgages, deeds of trust or instruments that affect the ability
             of the Company to issue the Shares.

      The opinions expressed above are limited to the laws of the State of
Texas, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the federal
laws of the United States of America.  You should be aware that I am not
admitted to the practice of law in the State of Delaware and my opinion herein
as to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware is based solely upon
the unofficial compilation thereof contained in Prentice Hall Information
Services Corporation Statutes.
<PAGE>   2
Harken Energy Corporation
May 2, 1996
Page 2




      This opinion letter may be filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.  In giving this consent, I do not thereby admit that I come into the
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated
thereunder.

      I disclaim any duty to advise you regarding any changes in, or to
otherwise communicate with you with respect to, the matters addressed herein.



                                        Very truly yours,



                                        /s/ Gregory S. Porter
                                        Gregory S. Porter, Esq.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this registration statement on Form S-3 of our report dated
February 28, 1996, except with regard to Note 15 as to which such date is April
18, 1996, included in Harken Energy Corporation's Form 10-K/A for the year
ended December 31, 1995, and to all references to our Firm included in this
registration statement.


                                              /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

                                                  ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Dallas, Texas
May 1, 1996

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 24.1


                               POWER OF ATTORNEY



KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and
appoints Mikel D. Faulkner, Bruce N. Huff, Larry E. Cummings and Gregory S.
Porter, or any of them (with full power of each of them to act alone), his true
and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him
and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities,
to sign, execute and file a Registration Statement on Form S-3 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any or all amendments (including
without limitation, post-effective amendments and any amendment or amendments
increasing the amount of securities for which registration is being sought),
with all exhibits and any and all documents required to be filed with respect
thereto, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or any regulatory
authority relating to the registration of 509,091 shares of Common Stock, $0.01
par value, of Harken Energy Corporation and such additional shares of Common
Stock as the holders of "piggy-back" registration rights may request to be
included in such registration statement, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact
and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each
and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises in order to effectuate the same, as fully and to all intents and
purposes as he himself might or could do of personally present, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that the said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any
of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be
done.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been signed by the following
persons in the capacities indicated as of the 23rd day of April, 1996.

NAME                       CAPACITIES
                           
/s/ Mikel D. Faulkner      Chairman of the Board, Director and
- -------------------------- Chief Executive Officer           
Mikel D. Faulkner          (Principal Executive Officer)
                                                        
                           
/s/ Bruce N. Huff          Senior Vice President and
- -------------------------  Chief Financial Officer                      
Bruce N. Huff              (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 
                                                                        
                           
/s/  Richard H. Schroeder  President, Chief Operating Officer
- -------------------------- and Director                     
Richard H. Schroeder                   
<PAGE>   2
POWER OF ATTORNEY
April 23, 1996
Page 2


/s/ Michael M. Ameen, Jr   Director
- --------------------------                                
Michael M. Ameen, Jr.


/s/ Michael R. Eisenson    Director
- --------------------------                                
Michael R. Eisenson



/s/ Talat M. Othman        Director
- --------------------------                                
Talat M. Othman


/s/ Donald W. Raymond      Director
- --------------------------                                
Donald W. Raymond



                           Director
- --------------------------                                
Edwin C. Kettenbrink, Jr.


/s/  Gary B. Wood          Director
- --------------------------                                
Gary B. Wood



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