<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-5.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>dex51.txt
<DESCRIPTION>LEGAL OPINION OF JACKSON WALKER LLP
<TEXT>
<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1
                            JACKSON WALKER, L.L.P.
                          1100 LOUISIANA, SUITE 4200
                             HOUSTON, TEXAS  77002
                           TELEPHONE:  (713) 752-4200
                          TELECOPIER:  (713) 752-4221

                               November 21, 2001


Houston American Energy Corp.
801 Travis Street, Suite 1425
Houston, Texas  77002

     Re:  Form S-4 Registration Statement

Gentlemen:

     As counsel for Houston American Energy Corp. (the "Company"), you have
requested our firm to render this opinion in connection with the Registration
Statement on Form S-4, registration no. 333-66638 (the "Registration
Statement"), filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission relating to (i) the issuance of 596,469
shares (the "Merger Shares") of the common stock of the Company, par value
$0.001 per share (the "Common Stock"), to the shareholders of Texas Nevada Oil &
Gas Co. ("TNOG") in the merger (the "Merger") of TNOG with and into the Company
as described in the Registration Statement and the resale of the Merger Shares;
and (ii) the resale of 4,007,719 shares of Common Stock which may be resold by
the holders thereof (the "Selling Stockholders").

     In giving this opinion, we have reviewed the Registration Statement and
such other documents and certificates of public officials and officers of the
Company with respect to the accuracy of the factual matters contained therein as
we have felt necessary or appropriate in order to render the opinions expressed
herein.  In making our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all
signatures, the authenticity of all documents presented to us as originals, the
conformity to original documents of all documents presented to us as copies
thereof, and the authenticity of the original documents from which any such
copies were made, which assumptions we have not independently verified.

     Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and upon such other matters as we
have determined to be relevant, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and
qualifications hereinafter set forth, we are of the opinion that:

     1.  The Company has been duly incorporated, and is validly existing in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

     2.  Upon issuance of the Merger Shares upon consummation of the Merger, the
Merger Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

     We hereby consent to use in the prospectus/information statement forming a
part of the Registration Statement of the reference to Jackson Walker L.L.P.
under the heading "Legal Matters."  We also consent to the filing of this
opinion letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

                                    Very truly yours,


                                    JACKSON WALKER L.L.P.



                                    /s/ Jackson Walker L.L.P.

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</DOCUMENT>
