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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.20

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into between Aviva
Petroleum Inc., a Texas corporation (the "Company"), and Ronald Suttill, a
resident of Dallas, Texas (the "Executive"), effective February 1, 2000.

1.   Introduction.
     ------------

     The Executive is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company.  The Executive is a senior executive whose services are critical to the
success of the Company and its business.  The Company believes that retaining
the Executive's services as an employee of the Company and the benefit of his
business experience are of material importance.  The Company desires to
encourage the Executive to continue in the employ of the Company for the benefit
of the Company and its stockholders.  Therefore, the Company and the Executive
intend by this Agreement to specify the terms and conditions of the Executive's
employment relationship with the Company.

2.   Employment.
     ----------

     The Company hereby employs the Executive and the Executive hereby accepts
employment with the Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Agreement.

3.   Duties and Responsibilities.
     ---------------------------

     (a) Subject to the power of the Board of Directors of the Company to elect
and remove officers, the Executive shall serve the Company as the President and
Chief Executive Officer (or in such other executive office as the Board of
Directors of the Company may determine) and shall perform, faithfully and
diligently, the services and functions relating to such office or otherwise
reasonably incident to such office as may be designated from time to time by the
Board of Directors of the Company; provided, however, that all such services and
functions shall be reasonable and within the Executive's area of expertise.

     (b) The Executive shall, during the term of this Agreement (or any
extension thereof), devote such of his entire time, attention, energies and
business efforts to his duties as an executive

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of the Company as are reasonably necessary to carry out his duties specified in
Section 3(a). The Executive shall not, during the term of this Agreement (or any
extension thereof), engage in any other business activity (regardless of whether
such business activity is pursued for gain, profit or other pecuniary advantage)
if such business activity would impair the Executive's ability to carry out his
duties under this Agreement. This Section 3(b), however, shall not be construed
to prevent the Executive from (i) investing his personal assets as a passive
investor in such form or manner as will not contravene the best interests of the
Company, (ii) participating in various charitable efforts, or (iii) serving as a
director or member of a committee of any organization when such position has
previously been approved in writing by the Board of Directors of the Company.

4.   Compensation and Other Employee Benefits.
     ----------------------------------------

     (a)  As compensation for his services under the terms of this Agreement:

          (i)  the Executive shall be paid an annual salary of not less than
$200,000, payable in accordance with the then current payroll policies of the
Company. Such annual salary is referred to in this Agreement as the "Base
Salary." The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee")
shall review the Base Salary at least annually, and the Base Salary shall be
subject to increase (but not to decrease) at the sole discretion of the
Committee or the Board.

          (ii) subject to the right of the Company to amend or terminate any
senior executive, group or employee benefit plan, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive the following employee benefits:

               (A) The Executive shall have the right to participate in all
current or future group or employee benefit plans of the Company that are
available to its exempt salaried employees generally (including, without
limitation, disability, accident, medical, life insurance and hospitalization
plan);

               (B) The Executive shall have the right to participate in all
current or future senior executive benefit plans of the Company, all in
accordance with the Company's regular practices with respect to its senior
executive officers;

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               (C) The Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement from the
Company for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by him in the course of
the performance of his duties hereunder;

               (D) In order to promote the interests of the Company, the
Executive shall also be entitled to reimbursement from the Company, or an
allowance in respect of, all annual dues incurred by him in connection with his
membership in such luncheon clubs and country clubs as may be agreed upon by the
Committee;

               (E) The Executive shall be entitled to such vacation (in no event
less than four weeks per year), holidays and, subject to the provisions of
Section 7(c), other paid or unpaid leave of absence as are consistent with the
Company's normal policies or as are otherwise approved by the Committee; and

               (F) The Executive shall have continued use of a Company vehicle,
currently a 1991 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham, or such other vehicle as the
Company shall provide.

5.   Term.
     ----

     (a)  Subject to the provisions of Section 7, the term of this Agreement
shall commence on February 1, 2000 and shall end on January 31, 2001.  The term
of this Agreement is referred to herein as the "Employment Term."

     (b)  The term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended for
additional one-year periods, unless the Executive or the Company provides notice
to the other at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of the then current year
that the Agreement will not be extended for an additional year.

6.   Competition and Confidentiality.
     -------------------------------

     (a)  If, during the Employment Term (or any extension thereof), the
employment of the Executive is terminated pursuant to Section 7(a) or the
Executive voluntarily terminates his employment pursuant to Section 7(d), for a
period of six months from the date of such termination, the Executive shall not,
without the prior written consent of a majority of the Board of Directors of

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the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), within the
geographical borders of the State of Texas, (i) accept employment or render
service to any person, firm or corporation that is engaged in a business
directly competitive with the business then engaged in by the Company or (ii)
directly or indirectly enter into or in any manner take part in or lend his
name, counsel or assistance to any venture, enterprise, business or endeavor,
either as proprietor, principal, investor, partner, director, officer, employee,
consultant, advisor, agent, independent contractor, or in any other capacity
whatsoever, for any purpose that would be competitive with the business of the
Company.

     (b)  It is the desire and intent of the parties that the provisions of
Section 6(a) shall be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws
and public policies applied in the State of Texas.  Accordingly, if any
particular portion of Section 6(a) shall be adjudicated to be invalid or
unenforceable, Section 6(a) shall be deemed amended to (i) reform the particular
portion to provide for such maximum restrictions as will be valid and
enforceable, or if that is not possible, then (ii) delete therefrom the portion
thus adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable.

     (c)  During and after the Employment Term, the Executive will not divulge
or appropriate to his own use or to the use of others any secret or confidential
information or secret or confidential knowledge pertaining to the business of
the Company obtained by the Executive in any way while he was employed by the
Company.

     (d)  The Executive acknowledges that Sections 6(a) and (c) are expressly
for the benefit of the Company, that the Company would be irreparably injured by
a violation of Section 6(a) or (c), and that the Company would have no adequate
remedy at law in the event of such violation. Therefore, the Executive
acknowledges and agrees that injunctive relief, specific performance or any
other equitable remedy (without any bond or other security being required) are
appropriate remedies to enforce compliance by the Company with Sections 6(a) and
(c).

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7.   Termination of Employment.
     -------------------------

     (a)  For Due Cause.  Nothing herein shall prevent the Company from
          -------------
terminating, without prior notice, the Executive for "Due Cause" (as hereinafter
defined), in which event the Executive shall be entitled to receive his Base
Salary on a pro rata basis to the date of termination.  In the event of such
termination for Due Cause, all other rights and benefits the Executive may have
under the senior executive, group or employee benefit plans and programs of the
Company, generally, shall be determined in accordance with the terms and
conditions of such plans and programs.  The term "Due Cause" shall mean (i) the
Executive has committed a willful serious act, such as embezzlement, against the
Company intending to enrich himself at the expense of the Company or been
convicted of a felony, (ii) the Executive has engaged in conduct which has
caused demonstrable and serious injury, monetary or otherwise, to the Company as
evidenced by a binding and final judgment, order or decree of a court or
administrative agency of competent jurisdiction in effect after exhaustion of
all rights of appeal of the action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, (iii) the Executive, in carrying out his duties
hereunder, has been guilty of willful gross neglect or willful gross misconduct,
resulting in either case in material harm to the Company, or (iv) the Executive
has refused to carry out his duties in gross dereliction of duty and, after
receiving notice to such effect from the Board of Directors of the Company, the
Executive fails to cure the existing problem within 30 days.

     (b)  Due to Death.  In the event of the death of the Executive, this
          ------------
Agreement shall terminate on the date of death and the estate of the Executive
shall be entitled to (i) the Executive's Base Salary paid over a period of
twelve months, commencing the first of the month following the month in which he
died, and (ii) a cash payment equal to the pro rata portion (calculated through
the end of the month in which he died) of the annual bonus, if any, received by
the Executive in respect of the full calendar year next preceding his death.  In
the event of such termination due to death, all other rights and benefits the
Executive (or his estate) may have under the senior executive, group

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or employee benefit plans and programs of the Company, generally, shall be
determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans and
programs.

     (c)  Disability.  In the event the Executive suffers a "Disability" (as
          ----------
hereinafter defined), this Agreement shall terminate on "the date on which the
Disability occurs" (as hereinafter defined) and the Executive shall be entitled
to (i) his Base Salary paid over a period of twelve months commencing six months
prior to "the date on which the Disability occurs," and (ii) a cash payment
equal to the pro rata portion (calculated through the end of the month in which
his employment is terminated due to Disability) of the annual bonus, if any,
received by the Executive in respect of the full calendar year next preceding
his Disability. In the event of such termination due to Disability, all other
rights and benefits the Executive may have under the employee and/or group or
senior executive benefit plans and programs of the Company, generally, shall be
determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans and
programs. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the inability
or incapacity of the Employee for six months to perform the duties and
responsibilities related to the job or position with the Company described in
Section 3(a), and "the date on which the Disability occurs" shall mean the first
day following such sic month period. Such inability or incapacity shall be
documented to the reasonable satisfaction of the Committee by appropriate
correspondence from registered physicians reasonably satisfactory to Committee.

     (d)  Voluntary Termination.  The Executive may voluntarily terminate his
          ---------------------
employment under this Agreement at any time by providing at least 30 days' prior
written notice to the Company.  In such event, the Executive shall be entitled
to receive his Base Salary until the date his employment terminates, and all
other benefits the Executive may have under the senior executive, group or
employee benefit plans and programs of the Company, generally, shall be
determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans and
program.


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     (e)  Constructive Termination.
          ------------------------

          (i)   If the Company (A) terminates the employment of the Executive
other than for Due Cause or because of a Disability, (B) demotes the Executive
to a lesser position than as provided in Section 3(a), or (C) decreases the
Executive's Base Salary below the level provided for by the terms of Section
4(a)(i) or reduces the employee benefits and perquisites below the level
provided for by the terms of Section 4(a)(ii) (other than as a result of any
amendment or termination of any senior executive, group or employee benefit
plan, which amendment or termination is applicable to all executives of the
Company), then such action by the Company, unless consented to in writing by the
Executive, shall be deemed to be a constructive termination by the Company of
the Executive's employment ("Constructive Termination").

          (ii)  Notwithstanding Section 7(e)(i), a Constructive Termination
shall not occur unless, within 60 days of learning of the action described
herein as the basis for a Constructive Termination, the Executive shall advise
the Company in writing that he intends to terminate his employment pursuant to
this Section 7(e)(ii), and the Company shall not, within 10 days of receipt of
such written notice, correct such action and provide the Executive with a
written notice of such correction.

          (iii) In the event of a Constructive Termination, the Executive shall
be entitled to receive, at the date of Constructive Termination, a lump sum cash
payment equal to one and one-half times his Base Salary (as provided in Section
4(a)), less applicable withholding of taxes. In the event of such Constructive
Termination, all other rights and benefits the Executive may have under the
senior executive, group or employee benefit plans and programs of the Company,
generally, shall be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of
such plans and programs.

          (iv)  In the event of the death of the Executive, the amounts set
forth in Section 7(e)(iii) shall be paid to the estate of Executive.

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     (f)  Change in Control.
          -----------------

          (i)  If a Change in Control of the Company occurs and either: (A) the
Executive is subject to Constructive Termination, or (B) the Executive elects,
within 18 months following a Change of Control, to terminate his employment at
his sole discretion, the Executive shall be entitled to receive, at the date of
his Constructive Termination or election to terminate employment, a lump sum
cash payment equal to one and one-half times his Base Salary (as provided in
Section 4(a)), less applicable withholding of taxes.  The Company shall also
provide the Executive for a period of 18 months following the date of
Constructive Termination with health insurance, long-term and short-term
disability insurance and supplemental life insurance with a death benefit of two
times the Executive's Base Salary. Upon a Change in Control, the Committee in
its discretion may, with respect to any option, at the time the option is
awarded or at any time thereafter, take one or more of the following actions
with respect to any such Change in Control: (1) provide for the acceleration of
any time period relating to the exercise or vesting of the option; (2) purchase
any option for an amount in cash that would have been received by a Participant
as a result of (x) the exercise of the option if the option had then been
currently exercisable in full followed by (y) the sale of the shares of the
Company's common stock, without par value ("Common Stock"), so acquired for the
fair market value (as defined in the applicable stock option plan) thereof on
the date of such Change in Control (without giving effect to any applicable
income or other tax); (3) adjust the terms of the option in such manner as may
be determined by the Committee; (4) cause the option to be assumed, or new
rights substituted therefor, by another entity; or (5) make such other provision
as the Committee may consider equitable and in the best interests of the
Company.

          (ii) For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" means an
event which shall be deemed to have occurred when either (A) any "person" (as
that term is used in sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) becomes a "beneficial owner" (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) directly or indirectly of securities
of the Company representing 35% or more of the combined voting power of the

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Company's then outstanding securities, (B) individuals who, as of the effective
date of the Plan, constitute the Directors cease for any reason to constitute at
least a majority of the Directors, unless such cessation is approved by a
majority vote of the Directors in office immediately prior to such cessation,
(C) the Company is merged into a previously unrelated entity, (D) all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company are sold to an unrelated entity,
or (E) a transaction converting all or a part of the debt of the Company and its
subsidiaries to equity in the Company is consummated with the Company's lenders
or their successors.

8.   Preservation of Business; Fiduciary Responsibility.
     --------------------------------------------------

     The Executive shall use his best efforts to preserve the business and
organization of the Company, to keep available, to the Company the services of
present employees and to preserve the business relations of the Company with
suppliers, distributors, customers and others. The Executive shall not commit
any act, or in any way assist others to commit any act, that would injure the
Company. So long as the Executive is employed by the Company, the Executive
shall observe and fulfill proper standards of fiduciary responsibility attendant
upon his service and office.

9.   Notice.
     ------

     All notices, requests, demands and other communications given under or by
reason of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when
delivered in person or when mailed, by certified mail (return receipt
requested), postage prepaid, addressed as follows (or to such other address as a
party may specify by notice pursuant to this provision):

     (a)  To the Company:

          Aviva Petroleum Inc.  Suite 400
          8235 Douglas Avenue
          Dallas, Texas 75225
          Attention:  Secretary

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          (b)  To the Executive:

               Ron Suttill
               4146 La Place
               Dallas, Texas 75220

10.  Controlling Law and Performability.
     ----------------------------------

     The execution, validity, interpretation and performance of this Agreement
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Texas.

11.  Arbitration.
     -----------

     Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this
Agreement shall be settled by arbitration in Dallas, Texas. In the proceeding,
the Executive shall select one arbitrator, the Company shall select one
arbitrator and the two arbitrators so selected shall select a third arbitrator.
The decision of a majority of the arbitrators shall be binding on the Executive
and the Company. Should one party fail to select an arbitrator within five days
after notice of the appointment of an arbitrator by the other party or should
the two arbitrators selected by the Executive and the Company fail to select an
arbitrator within ten days after the date of the appointment of the last of such
two arbitrators, any person sitting as a Judge of the United States District
Court for the District of Texas in which the City of Dallas is then situated,
upon application of the Executive or the Company, shall appoint an arbitrator to
fill such space with the same force and effect as though such arbitrator had
been appointed in accordance with the first sentence of this Section 11. Any
arbitration proceeding pursuant to this Section 11 shall be conducted in
accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. Judgment may
be entered on the arbitrators' award in any court having jurisdiction.

12.  Expenses.
     --------

     The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for all costs and expenses
(including arbitration and court costs and attorneys' fees) incurred by the
Executive following a Change in

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Control, as a result of any claim, action or proceeding arising out of, or
challenging the validity, advisability or enforceability of, this Agreement or
any provision hereof.

13.  Additional Instruments.
     ----------------------

     The Executive and the Company shall execute and deliver any and all
additional instruments and agreement that may be necessary or proper to carry
out the purposes of this Agreement.

14.  Entire Agreement and Amendments.
     -------------------------------

     This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the Executive and the
Company relating to the matters contained herein and supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings, oral or written, between the Executive and the
Company with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be changed
only by an agreement in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of
any waiver, change, modification, extension or discharge is sought.

15.  Separability.
     ------------

     If any provision of this Agreement is rendered or declared illegal or
unenforceable by reason of any existing or subsequently enacted legislation or
by the decision of any arbitrator or by decree of a court of last resort, the
Executive and the Company shall promptly meet and negotiate substitute
provisions for those rendered or declared illegal or unenforceable to preserve
the original intent of this Agreement to the extent legally possible, but all
other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

16.  Assignments.
     -----------

     The Company may assign (whether by operation of law or otherwise) this
Agreement only with the written consent of the Executive, which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld, and in the event of an assignment of this
Agreement, all covenants, conditions and provisions hereunder shall inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable against the Company's successors and assigns. The
rights and obligations of the Executive under this Agreement are personal to
him, and no such rights, benefits or obligations shall be subject to voluntary
or involuntary alienation, assignment or transfer.

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17.  Effect of Agreement.
     -------------------

Subject to the provisions of Section 16 with respect to assignments, this
Agreement shall be binding upon the Executive and his heirs, executors,
administrators, legal representatives and assigns and upon the Company and its
respective successors and assigns.

18.  Execution.
     ---------

     This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts each of which shall
be deemed an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same
instruments.

19.  Waiver of Breach.
     ----------------

     The waiver by either party to this Agreement of a breach of any provision
of the Agreement by the other party shall not operate or be construed as a
waiver by such party of any subsequent breach by such other party.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and the Company have executed this
Agreement effective as of the date first above written.

                                    AVIVA PETROLEUM INC.



                                    By:  /s/ James L. Busby
                                         ----------------------------
                                    Name: James L. Busby
                                          ---------------------------
                                    Title: Secretary, Treasurer & CFO
                                           --------------------------


                                    /s/ R. Suttill
                                    ---------------------------------
                                    Ronald Suttill

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