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EXHIBIT 5.1
May 30, 2000
Harken Energy Corporation
16285 Park Ten Place
Suite 600
Texas, TX 77084
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 2,461,538 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 have been duly authorized and validly
issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.
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, and (v) all persons executing and delivering
documents reviewed by me were competent to execute and to deliver
such documents.
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.
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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/ Karen Kerr-Johnson
Karen Kerr-Johnson
