COSTILLA ENERGY INC
SC 13D, 1996-10-18
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
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<PAGE>
                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 13D

                    Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                          (Amendment No. _____________)


                              COSTILLA ENERGY, INC.
                                (Name of Issuer)

                          COMMON STOCK, $.10 PAR VALUE
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                    22161G103
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                                CADELL S. LIEDTKE
                                MICHAEL J. GRELLA
                               HENRY G. MUSSELMAN
                          400 WEST ILLINOIS, SUITE 1000
                               MIDLAND, TEXAS 79701
                                 (915) 682-3092
           (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to
                       Receive Notices and Communications)

                                 OCTOBER 8, 1996
             (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)


If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box / /.

Check the following box if a fee is being paid with the statement (1). (A fee 
is not required only if the reporting person:(1) has a previous statement on
file reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class of
securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent
thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.)
(See Rule 13d-7).

NOTE: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be filed with
the Commission.  See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies are to be
sent.

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).

(1)  No filing fee is required for Schedule 13D filings effective 10/7/96
     pursuant to the 9/27/96 draft of the EDGAR Filer Manual 5.1.

<PAGE>

CUSIP No. 22161G103                   13D                 Page  2  of  8  Pages
          ---------                                            ---    --- 


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (1) Names of Reporting Persons.  S.S. or I.R.S. Identification Nos. of Above
     Persons

     Cadell S. Liedtke
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (2) Check the Appropriate Box if a Member     (a)  / /
     of a Group*                               (b)  / /
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (3) SEC Use Only

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (4) Source of Funds*
       WC
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (5) Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
     Items 2(d) or 2(e)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (6) Citizenship or Place of Organization
      Texas
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Shares              (7) Sole Voting Power
 Beneficially Owned                 2,302,560
 by Each Reporting           --------------------------------------------------
 Person With                  (8) Shared Voting Power
                                    0
                             --------------------------------------------------
                              (9) Sole Dispositive Power
                                    2,302,560
                             --------------------------------------------------
                             (10) Shared Dispositive Power
                                    0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
          2,302,560
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares*

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(13) Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)
          23.0%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(14) Type of Reporting Person*
          IN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
       INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
   (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION


<PAGE>


CUSIP No. 22161G103                   13D                 Page  3  of  8  Pages
          ---------                                            ---    --- 


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (1) Names of Reporting Persons.  S.S. or I.R.S. Identification Nos. of Above
     Persons

          Michael J. Grella
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (2) Check the Appropriate Box if a Member     (a)  / /
     of a Group*                               (b)  / /
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (3) SEC Use Only

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (4) Source of Funds*
       WC
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (5) Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
     Items 2(d) or 2(e)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (6) Citizenship or Place of Organization
      Texas
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Shares              (7) Sole Voting Power
 Beneficially Owned                 1,350,440
 by Each Reporting           --------------------------------------------------
 Person With                  (8) Shared Voting Power
                                    0
                             --------------------------------------------------
                              (9) Sole Dispositive Power
                                    1,350,440
                             --------------------------------------------------
                             (10) Shared Dispositive Power
                                    0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
          1,350,440
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares*

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(13) Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)
          13.5%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(14) Type of Reporting Person*
          IN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
       INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
   (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION


<PAGE>


CUSIP No. 22161G103                   13D                 Page  4  of  8  Pages
          ---------                                            ---    --- 


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (1) Names of Reporting Persons.  S.S. or I.R.S. Identification Nos. of Above
     Persons

     Henry G. Musselman
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (2) Check the Appropriate Box if a Member     (a)  / /
     of a Group*                               (b)  / /
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (3) SEC Use Only

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (4) Source of Funds*
       WC
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (5) Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required Pursuant to
     Items 2(d) or 2(e)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (6) Citizenship or Place of Organization
      Texas
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Shares              (7) Sole Voting Power
 Beneficially Owned                 611,000
 by Each Reporting           --------------------------------------------------
 Person With                  (8) Shared Voting Power
                                    0
                             --------------------------------------------------
                              (9) Sole Dispositive Power
                                    611,000
                             --------------------------------------------------
                             (10) Shared Dispositive Power
                                    0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
          611,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares*

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(13) Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)
          6.1%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(14) Type of Reporting Person*
          IN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!
       INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7
   (INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION

<PAGE>

ITEM 1.   SECURITY AND ISSUER

     This statement relates to the Common Stock, $.10 par value (the "Common
Stock"), of Costilla Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Issuer").  The
address of the principal executive offices of the Issuer is 400 West Illinois,
Suite 1000, Midland, Texas 79701.

ITEM 2.   IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND

     The reporting persons filing this statement are Cadell S. Liedtke
("Liedtke"), Michael J. Grella ("Grella") and Henry G. Musselman ("Musselman"). 
Liedtke, Grella and Musselman are referred to herein collectively as the
"Reporting Persons."

     The business address of each of the Reporting Persons is 400 West Illinois,
Suite 1000, Midland, Texas 79701.  The principal occupation of each of the
Reporting Persons is as follows:  Liedtke, Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of Issuer; Grella, President and Chief Operating Officer of
Issuer; and Musselman, Executive Vice President of Issuer.  The Issuer is
engaged in the business of oil and gas exploration, development and
transportation, and its address is 400 West Illinois, Suite 1000, Midland, Texas
79701.  Each of the Reporting Persons is a citizen of the United States and has
not, during the last five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding or been
a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body and as a
result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order
enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject
to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to
such laws.

ITEM 3.   SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION

     The Reporting Persons acquired a total of 4,264,000 shares of the Common
Stock (Liedtke, 2,302,560; Grella, 1,350,440; and Musselman, 611,000) as a
result of their aggregate ownership of equity interests of Costilla Energy,
L.L.C. ("Costilla LLC"), which was merged into the Issuer and the equity
interests of which were converted into shares of Common Stock.  The value of the
equity interests of Costilla LLC owned by the Reporting Persons was determined
by the Board of Directors of the Issuer to be adequate and sufficient
consideration for the issuance of the 4,264,000 shares of Common Stock to the
Reporting Persons in the aggregate.  The transaction described in this Item 3 is
more fully described in and consummated pursuant to that certain Consolidation
Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 7.1 (the "Consolidation Agreement").  The
foregoing describes all of the consideration for the acquisition of the
4,264,000 shares of Common Stock by the reporting persons identified in this
statement.


                              Page 5 of 8 Pages


<PAGE>

ITEM 4.   PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION

     The purpose of the acquisition of the shares of Common Stock by the
Reporting Persons was to retain a controlling interest in the Issuer after the
consolidation of Costilla LLC and other entities affiliated with the Reporting
Persons, with and into the Issuer.

     The Reporting Persons may be granted shares of Common Stock and options to
acquire additional shares of Common Stock through certain stock option and
compensation plans which have been adopted by the Issuer, copies of which are
attached hereto as Exhibits 7.2 and 7.3.  No such shares or options have been
granted at this time.

     From time to time in the future, each of the Reporting Persons, and their
respective affiliates, may acquire, by purchase of otherwise, shares of Common
Stock.  No details of any such purchases (such as the number of shares to be
purchased, price to be paid, or timing of purchases) have been established.

ITEM 5.   INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF ISSUER

     (a)  The number of shares of Common Stock, and the percentage of the total
issued and outstanding Common Stock, beneficially owned by each of the Reporting
Persons is as follows:  Liedtke, 2,302,560 (23.0%); Grella, 1,350,440 (13.5%);
and Musselman, 611,000 (6.1%).

     (b)  Each of the Reporting Persons has the sole power to vote or to direct
the vote and the sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of all of the
shares of Common Stock attributed to each such Reporting Person in paragraph (a)
of this Item 5.

     (c)  None other than the transaction described in Item 3.  

     (d)  None.

     (e)  Not applicable.

ITEM 6.   CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT
          TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.

     Each of the Reporting Persons has agreed not to sell or otherwise dispose
of the shares of Common Stock held by them for a period of 180 days after the
date of the Company's initial public offering.  Also, each of the Reporting
Persons has certain registration rights with respect to the shares of Common
Stock owned by them, as set forth in the Consolidation Agreement.

     In addition, as previously discussed in Item 4 hereof, each of the
Reporting Persons is eligible to receive grants of options from the Issuer with
respect to the Common Stock pursuant to certain of the Company's employee
benefit plans.


                              Page 6 of 8 Pages


<PAGE>

ITEM 7.   MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS

     7.1 - Consolidation Agreement dated September 13, 1996, by and among
Costilla Energy, L.L.C., Costilla Energy, Inc., CSL Management Corporation,
Valley Gathering Company, Cadell S. Liedtke, Michael J. Grella, Henry G.
Musselman and NationsBanc Capital Corporation (without exhibits); as amended by
Amendment to Consolidation Agreement dated October 8, 1996.

     7.2 - Bonus Incentive Plan of Costilla Energy, Inc.

     7.3 - 1996 Stock Option Plan of Costilla Energy, Inc.

     7.4 - Joint Filing Agreement dated October 15, 1996 by and among Cadell S.
Liedtke, Michael J. Grella and Henry G. Musselman.









                              Page 7 of 8 Pages


<PAGE>


                                  SIGNATURE

     After reasonable inquiry and to the best knowledge and belief of each of
the undersigned, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set
forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.


October 15, 1996                       /s/ Cadell S. Liedtke
- ----------------                       -----------------------------------
     Date                              Cadell S. Liedtke



October 15, 1996                       /s/ Michael J. Grella
- ----------------                       -----------------------------------
     Date                              Michael J. Grella


October 15, 1996                       /s/ Henry G. Musselman
- ----------------                       -----------------------------------
     Date                              Henry G. Musselman








                              Page 8 of 8 Pages


<PAGE>

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

     7.1  Consolidation Agreement dated September 13, 1996, by and among
          Costilla Energy, L.L.C., Costilla Energy, Inc., CSL Management
          Corporation, Valley Gathering Company, Cadell S. Liedtke, Michael J.
          Grella, Henry G. Musselman and NationsBanc Capital Corporation
          (without exhibits); as amended by Amendment to Consolidation Agreement
          dated October 8, 1996.

     7.2  Bonus Incentive Plan of Costilla Energy, Inc.

     7.3  1996 Stock Option Plan of Costilla Energy, Inc.

     7.4  Joint Filing Agreement dated October 15, 1996 by and among Cadell S.
          Liedtke, Michael J. Grella and Henry G. Musselman.







<PAGE>

                             CONSOLIDATION AGREEMENT                EXHIBIT 7.1


     This Agreement dated this 13th day of September, 1996, by and between:

          Costilla Energy, Inc. (the "Company") - a Delaware
          corporation;

          Costilla Energy, L.L.C. (the "LLC") - a Texas limited
          liability company;

          CSL Management Corporation ("CSL") - a Texas corporation;

          Valley Gathering Company ("Valley") - a Texas corporation;

          Cadell S. Liedtke ("Liedtke") - an individual of Midland
          County, Texas;

          Michael J. Grella ("Grella") - an individual of Midland
          County, Texas;

          Henry G. Musselman ("Musselman") - an individual of Midland
          County Texas; and

          NationsBanc Capital Corporation ("NBCC") - a Texas
          corporation.

                                 R E C I T A L S

     WHEREAS, the Company has been formed to acquire and consolidate (the
"Consolidation") the following assets or entities:

     (1)  the outstanding common stock of Valley through a cash purchase;

     (2)  the assets of CSL through a cash purchase;

     (3)  the LLC (following the redemption by the LLC of NBCC's redeemable
interest in the LLC (the "Redeemable Interest") owned by NBCC), including: (a)
the stock of the three corporate subsidiaries of the LLC, being Statewide
Minerals, Inc. ("Statewide"); Costilla Petroleum Corporation ("CPC"); and
Costilla Pipeline Corporation ("Pipeline"), all Texas corporations, and (b) the
membership interests of the LLC in two Texas limited liability companies,
Costilla Redeco Energy, L.L.C. ("Energy") and Costilla Redeco Operating, L.L.C.
("Operating") through a merger (the "Merger") of the LLC into the Company
pursuant to Part Ten of Art. 1528n V.A.T.S., and Section 264 of the Delaware
General Corporation Laws;


<PAGE>

     WHEREAS, immediately prior to the Merger, the LLC will distribute
$4,218,215 in cash to the Members of the LLC in the amounts set forth herein;

     WHEREAS, concurrently with the Consolidation, the Company will close
offerings (collectively, the "Offerings") of $100,000,000 ____% senior
subordinated notes due 2006, and 4,000,000 shares of its common stock par value
$.10 per share (the "Company Common Stock") pursuant to the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), as described in those certain
Registration Statements on Form S-1, Registration Nos. 333-08909 and 333-08913,
respectively, (as amended at the time each becomes effective, the "Registration
Statements") of the Company, each filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on July 26, 1996; and

     WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to set forth the terms and conditions of
the Consolidation and provide for certain relationships and obligations among
the parties hereto following the Effective Date (as defined herein).

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual
covenants set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be
legally bound hereby, the aforesaid parties hereby agree as follows:

I.   REDEMPTION, DISTRIBUTIONS AND ACQUISITIONS

     A.   REDEMPTION OF REDEEMABLE INTERESTS OF NBCC

          1.   Immediately prior to the Merger, NBCC shall convey, transfer,
assign and sell to the LLC its Redeemable Interest for $15,486,914 (the
"Redemption") payable in cash.  The source of the cash payment required by this
Section I.A.1. shall be an advance to the LLC by the Company from the net
proceeds from the Offerings.

          2.   The Redemption shall be accomplished pursuant to an Assignment of
NBCC's Redeemable Interest substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
"A" (the "Assignment").


                                          2


<PAGE>

          3.   NBCC represents that 

               (a)  the Redeemable Interest is free and clear of all
encumbrances, security interests and liens and is subject only to those
obligations arising from its membership in the LLC, as defined in the LLC's
Regulations.  

               (b)  NBCC will, upon execution of the Assignment, convey good and
indefeasible title to the Redeemable Interest as well as all rights to profits
and capital in respect thereof.

               (c)  NBCC further represents that it has taken all required
corporate action to convey the Redeemable Interest and has acquired all
necessary consents and approvals to consummate the Assignment.  No notice to or
approval by any other person, firm, entity (including governmental authorities),
is required by NBCC to execute and deliver the Assignment.

     B.   CASH DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS

          Immediately prior to the Merger, the LLC shall make a cash
distribution to each of its Members as follows:

                    NBCC           $  759,279
                    Liedtke        $1,936,669
                    Grella         $1,051,244
                    Musselman      $  471,023

     The source of the cash payment required by this Section I.B. shall be an 
advance to the LLC by the Company from the net proceeds from the Offerings.

     C.   PURCHASE OF VALLEY STOCK

          1.   At the Closing and concurrently with the consummation of the
other transactions contemplated by the Consolidation, the Company shall purchase
all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Valley from each of
Liedtke, Grella and Musselman (collectively, the "Selling Shareholders") for the
cash consideration of $660 per share ($660,000, in the aggregate) as follows:


                                         3


<PAGE>

         SELLING SHAREHOLDER      NO. OF SHARES       CASH PAYMENT PRICE

         Liedtke                       540            $ 356,400
         Grella                        317            $ 209,220
         Musselman                     143            $  94,380

          2.   Valley and the Selling Shareholders represent, jointly and
severally, that:

               a.   Valley is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas.  Valley has all requisite
power and authority to own, operate and carry on its business as now being
conducted.  Valley's capitalization consists of 1,000,000 shares of common
stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Valley Common Stock"), of which 1,000
shares are issued and outstanding.  There are no other classes of stock
authorized or outstanding.  The issued and outstanding shares of Valley Common
Stock have been validly issued, and are fully paid and non-assessable.  There
are no outstanding options, warrants or similar rights to purchase or convert
any obligation into Valley Common Stock or other securities of Valley.

               b.   Valley has good and marketable title to all of its assets
and properties, tangible and intangible, that are material to Valley's business
and future prospects.  All of Valley's assets are free and clear of all
mortgages, liens, pledges, security interests, encumbrances, equities, claims,
easements, covenants, conditions and restrictions, except as set forth in the
financial statements previously delivered to the Company.

               c.   The Valley Common Stock is owned by each of the Selling
Shareholders free and clear of all liens, security interests or encumbrances. 
Each of the Selling Shareholders has all requisite authority to sell, convey and
assign such shares of Valley Common Stock without the consent of any other
person, firm, agency or other entity, other than such consents as have been
obtained.

               d.   The financial statements of Valley previously delivered to
the Company (i) present fairly the financial position of Valley as at the date
indicated and the results of its operations for the periods specified and (ii)
have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved, except as indicated
therein, for the 


                                      4


<PAGE>

absence of footnotes and for closing adjustments which would not be material 
in amount.  Since the date of such financial statements there has been no 
material adverse change in the financial condition of Valley.

          3.   The sale and assignment of the Valley Common Stock shall be
effectuated by the delivery, at Closing, by each of the Selling Shareholders to
the Company, of the original common stock certificates endorsed in blank.

     D.   PURCHASE OF CSL ASSETS

          1.   At the Closing and concurrently with the consummation of the
other transactions contemplated by the Consolidation, the Company shall purchase
all of the assets of CSL for $40,000 payable in cash to CSL.  The source of the
cash payment required by this Section I.D.1. shall be net proceeds from the
Offerings.

          2.   CSL and the Selling Shareholders represent, jointly and severally
that:

               a.   CSL is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Texas.  CSL has all requisite power
and authority to own, operate and carry on its business as now being conducted.

               b.   CSL is the sole owner of the assets conveyed hereunder and
has full power and authority to dispose of its assets.  CSL has good and
marketable title to all of its assets and properties, tangible and intangible,
that are material to CSL's business and future prospects.  All of CSL's assets
are free and clear of all mortgages, liens, pledges, security interests,
encumbrances, equities, claims, easements, covenants, conditions and
restrictions, except as set forth in the financial statements previously
delivered to the Company.

               c.   The financial statements of CSL previously delivered to the
Company (i) present fairly the financial position of CSL as at the date
indicated and the results of its operations for the periods specified and (ii)
have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved, except as indicated
therein, for the 


                                        5


<PAGE>

absence of footnotes and for closing adjustments which would not be material 
in amount.  Since the date of such financial statements there has been no 
material adverse change in the financial condition of CSL.

          3.   This conveyance shall be accomplished by the execution, by a duly
authorized officer of CSL, of a bill of sale and assignment substantially in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit "B" with a complete description of the assets
conveyed attached thereto, including the assets identified on the attachment to
Exhibit "B".  CSL shall also deliver a certified copy of Directors' and
Shareholders' Resolutions authorizing the sale of all its assets.

II.  THE SECTION 351 TRANSACTIONS

     At the Closing and concurrently with the other transactions contemplated by
the Consolidation, there shall be consummated two transactions pursuant to
Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") as
follows:

     A.   THE MERGER OF LLC INTO THE COMPANY

          1.   ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN.  As a part of the Consolidation, the
following actions shall be taken by the LLC and the Company:

               a.   Simultaneous with the execution of this Agreement, the
Company and the LLC shall adopt and enter into a Plan and Agreement of Merger
(the "Merger Agreement"), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit "C",
providing for the Merger of the LLC with and into the Company effective on the
Effective Date.  For the purposes of this Agreement, the "Effective Date" shall
be the date appropriate certificates of merger are filed with the secretaries of
the States of Texas and Delaware, which date shall be the same date as the date
of Closing, and the "Effective Time" shall be the time the later of such filings
is made on the Effective Date.  For tax purposes, the Merger will be treated as
a contribution of the LLC's assets and liabilities to the Company solely in
exchange for Company Common Stock pursuant to Section 351 of the Code, and a
distribution of the Company Common Stock from the Company to the former Members
of the LLC.


                                        6


<PAGE>

               b.   At the Effective Time the LLC shall be merged with and into
the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement
and Section 351 of the Code; and the separate existence of the LLC shall cease
and the Company shall continue as the surviving entity.  The Company and the LLC
will cause the Merger to be consummated by filing a Certificate of Merger (the
"Merger Certificate") with the secretary of the States of Texas and Delaware as
required by the Delaware General Corporation Laws and the Texas Limited
Liability Company Act.

               c.   At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without
any action on the part of any person, the membership interests in the LLC, all
of which are owned by Liedtke, Grella, Musselman and NBCC, shall be converted
into and shall become the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company
determined pursuant to the Merger Agreement and Section II.A.1.e. below.  From
and after the Effective Time, the Company shall possess all of the rights,
privileges and powers of the LLC; all property, rights, privileges, powers and
other interests of the LLC shall be thereafter as effectively the property of
the Company as they were of the LLC; the title to any and all real or personal
property or other interest vested by deed or otherwise in LLC shall vest in the
Company and shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of the Merger;
and all rights of creditors and all liens upon any property of the LLC shall be
preserved unimpaired, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the LLC shall
thereafter attach to the Company, and may be enforced against it to the same
extent as if such debts, liabilities and duties had been contracted by it.

               d.   On and after the Effective Time by virtue of the Merger and
without any further action, the Company shall become the owner of all issued and
outstanding shares of Statewide, CPC and Pipeline, and shall become a member in
Energy and Operating.

               e.   Pursuant to the Merger, at the Closing, the Company shall
issue an aggregate of 6,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock to the holders of
the membership interests in the LLC (the "LLC Members") as follows and all
previously issued shares of the Company's Common Stock, if any, in connection
with its organization shall be cancelled:


                                       7

<PAGE>

               LLC MEMBER          NO. OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK TO BE ISSUED
               ----------          ------------------------------------------

               Liedtke                               2,656,796
               Grella                                1,558,161
               Musselman                               705,035
               NBCC                                  1,080,008

          Upon the issuance of such shares of Common Stock, they shall be
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.  Such number of shares may be
adjusted prior to the Effective Time by an agreement executed by all of the
members, subject to consent of the representatives of the underwriters in the
Offerings.

          2.   Representations and Warranties of the LLC and the LLC Members. 
The LLC and the LLC Members (other than NBCC), jointly and severally, represent
that:

               a.   The LLC is a limited liability company, duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas.  The
LLC has all requisite power and authority (including all licenses, franchises,
permits and other governmental authorizations as are legally required) to carry
on its business as now being conducted, to own, lease and operate its properties
and assets, and to enter into and carry out its obligations under this
Agreement.  The LLC is qualified to do business in all states other than the
State of Texas wherein such qualification is required, except when the failure
to be so qualified does not have a material adverse effect on the financial
condition or results of operation of the LLC.  The LLC has taken all action
necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the other agreements and documents contemplated hereby to which it is a
party.  

               b.   This Agreement has been, and the other agreements and
documents contemplated hereby have been or at Closing will be, duly executed by
the LLC and each constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the LLC,
enforceable in accordance with its respective terms and conditions, except as
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, conservatorship, insolvency,
moratorium, reorganization, receivership or similar laws and judicial decisions
affecting the rights of creditors generally and by general principals of equity.
The LLC has full power and authority to execute, 


                                       8

<PAGE>

deliver and perform this Agreement which will not violate any requirement of 
law or its articles of association, regulations or other organizational 
documents, nor will it violate any applicable law, regulation or order of any 
governmental authority nor any agreement, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, 
voting agreement, loan agreement, note agreement or other evidence of 
indebtedness, lease, contract or other instrument to which it is a party or 
by which its property is bound.  

               c.   The LLC has good and defensible title to its assets to be
vested in the Company pursuant to the Merger except for:

                    i.   undeveloped oil and gas leases;

                    ii.  personal property and equipment located on property
subject to oil and gas leases and used in connection with the operation and
development of oil and gas leases; and

                    iii. defects which collectively would not have a material
adverse effect on the business, properties, business prospects, condition
(financial or otherwise) or results of operation of the Company.

          For purposes of this Agreement, good and defensible title shall mean
title that is free from defects as would cause a reasonable doubt in the mind of
a reasonable and prudent purchaser in the area where the property interest is
situated and cause him, if he were purchasing such interest, to refuse to accept
the same at its full agreed value.  The title to certain assets may be subject
to drilling obligations in leases, farmout agreements, operating agreements, gas
purchase contracts, covenants, restrictions, rights, easements, liens and
encumbrances which are valid and in full force and effect as to such properties,
and minor irregularities in title which, collectively, do not interfere with the
operation, use and enjoyment of any such asset in the normal course of business
as presently conducted by the LLC or materially impair the value thereof for
such business.  

               d.   The LLC's assets (except for undeveloped oil and gas leases
and personal property and equipment located on property subject to oil and gas
leases and used in connection with the operation and development of oil and gas
leases) are held by the LLC free and clear of any security 


                                       9

<PAGE>

interests, mortgages, pledges, liens, encumbrances, charges, defects or 
restrictions of any kind or character other than (i) those described in the 
preceding paragraph c and; (ii) those granted to NationsBridge, L.L.C. and 
its affiliates pursuant to security agreements, mortgages, assignments and 
other instruments to secure the obligation of the LLC under various loan 
arrangements.  The oil and gas interests of the LLC were acquired in a manner 
customary in the oil and gas industry using reasonable diligence used by 
prudent purchasers in the area, and the developed portion of the oil and gas 
leases are valid, subsisting and enforceable against each of the parties 
thereof and are in full force and effect in accordance with their respective 
terms (except for such leases that have partially terminated as to certain 
nonproducing lands and/or depths pursuant to the terms thereto) and where the 
failure of such leases to be enforceable or to be in full force and effect 
would not, in either instance, have a material adverse effect on the LLC or 
its business, properties, business prospects, conditions (financial or 
otherwise) or results of operations, taken as a whole. 

               e.   There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or
threatened against or affecting the LLC, or its officers, directors or members
in their capacities as such, before any federal, state or local body or
authority, domestic or foreign, wherein an unfavorable ruling, decision or
finding would have a material adverse effect on its business, properties,
business prospects, conditions (financial or otherwise) or results of
operations.

     B.   THE PUBLIC OFFERING

     Concurrently with the other transactions contemplated by the Consolidation,
and as a condition precedent thereto, the Company shall have closed an initial
public offering (the "Common Stock Offering") of shares of the Company Common
Stock pursuant to the Securities Act, as described in that certain Registration
Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-08913 filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.  Proceeds from the Common Stock Offering shall constitute
"property" contributed to the Company solely in exchange for common stock as
defined in Code Section 351 and 


                                      10

<PAGE>

shall be the result of an "underwriting" as described in the Regulations to 
the Code at Section 1.351-1(a)(3).

III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

     In connection with transactions contemplated under Article I and II hereof,
the Company represents to each of the LLC, Valley, CSL, Liedtke, Grella,
Musselman and NBCC that the following representations and warranties are true
and correct as of the closing:

     A.   The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing, in
good standing, under the laws of the State of Delaware, with all requisite
corporate power and authority to own and to lease its property and to carry on
its business as now conducted, and is duly qualified and authorized to do
business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction
wherein the failure to be so qualified and authorized would have a material
adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the
Company.

     B.   It has full requisite corporate and other power and authority to enter
into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.  The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of
the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by the Board of
Directors of the Company and no other corporate proceeding on the part of the
Company is necessary for the execution and delivery of this Agreement by it. 
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and
constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable
against it in accordance with its terms.

IV.  REGISTRATION RIGHTS

     A.  INCIDENTAL REGISTRATION.

          1.  REQUEST FOR REGISTRATION.  If at any time the Company proposes to
file a registration statement under the Securities Act (other than a
registration statement on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or other similar forms providing
for the registration of employee benefits plans) with respect to an offering of
shares of Company Common Stock (the "Shares") for its own account or for the
account of any of 


                                      11

<PAGE>

Liedtke, Grella, Musselman or NBCC (collectively, the "Affiliated Holders") 
(including, without limitation, a "Demand Registration" pursuant to Section 
IV.B.), then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing 
and its distribution plan to each Affiliated Holder owning more than five 
percent (5%) of the total outstanding Company Common Stock (each, an 
"Eligible Holder") as soon as practicable (but in no event less than twenty 
(20) days before the anticipated filing date of such registration statement). 
Such notice shall offer each Eligible Holder the opportunity to have all or 
any part of the Shares owned by such Eligible Holder included in the 
registration statement proposed to be filed by the Company, and thereby be 
registered under the Securities Act (and any related qualification under any 
applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws or other compliance) or, at 
the Company's option, in a separate registration statement to be filed 
concurrently with such registration statement (in either case, "Incidental 
Registration"). Within fifteen (15) days after receiving such notice, each 
Eligible Holder may make a written request to the Company that any or all of 
the Eligible Holder's Shares be included in the Incidental Registration, 
which notice shall specify the precise portion of such Eligible Holder's 
Shares to be so included. Subject to the provisions of Section IV.A.2., the 
Company shall include in the Incidental Registration all Shares in the 
Company with respect to which the Company has received such a written request 
by an Eligible Holder.  Any Eligible Holder shall be permitted to withdraw 
all or part of his Shares in the Company from an Incidental Registration at 
any time prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed with 
respect to such Incidental Registration.

          2.  PRIORITY ON INCIDENTAL REGISTRATION.  The Company shall use its
best efforts to cause the managing underwriter or underwriters of a proposed
underwritten offering by the Company, in connection with which Incidental
Registration is requested, to permit the inclusion of all Shares in the Company
requested by the Eligible Holders (the "Selling Incidental Holders") to be
included in the Incidental Registration on the same terms and conditions as
similar securities of the Company included therein to the extent appropriate.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the managing underwriter or underwriters of
such offering deliver a written opinion to the Company that, because of the size
of the 


                                      12

<PAGE>

offering which the Selling Incidental Holders, the Company and any other 
security holders of the Company intend to make, the success of the offering 
would be materially and adversely affected by inclusion of more than a 
specific number of the Shares requested to be so included, then such 
registration shall be comprised of the following Shares:

               a.   PRIMARY REGISTRATION.  If such Incidental
          Registration is incident to a primary registration on behalf
          of the Company, then the Shares to be included in such
          primary registration shall be as follows:

                    (i)  first, the Shares intended to be offered by the
                         Company;

                   (ii)  second, the Shares owned and requested to be
                         registered by NBCC; and

                  (iii)  third, the Shares owned, and requested to be
                         registered, by the other Selling Incidental
                         Holders in proportion to the ratio that the
                         number of Shares owned by each such remaining
                         Selling Incidental Holder (excluding any
                         Shares to be registered pursuant to
                         subparagraph IV.A.2(a)(ii)) bears to the
                         total number of Shares owned by all such
                         Selling Incidental Members (excluding any
                         Shares to be registered pursuant to
                         subparagraph IV.A.2.(a)(ii)) (or as otherwise
                         agreed); and

                    b.   SECONDARY REGISTRATIONS.  If such Incidental
               Registration is incident to a secondary registration on behalf of
               Affiliated Holders owning Shares (including, a Demand
               Registration under Section IV.B.), then the total number of
               Shares to be included in such secondary registration (the
               "Available Shares") shall be allocated as follows: (i) up to 50%
               to Shares owned, and requested to be registered by, NBCC; and
               (ii) the remainder (to the extent not requested to 


                                      13

<PAGE>

               be registered by NBCC) to all other Selling Incidental Holders 
               requesting the Company to have their Shares included in such 
               registration, with such remaining Available Shares being 
               allocated among such other Selling Incidental Holders in 
               proportion to the total number of Shares owned by each such 
               other Selling Incidental Holder bears to the total number of 
               Shares owned by all such other Selling Incidental Holders.

        3.     ASSIGNMENTS, ETC..  All rights under this Section IV.A.
     shall be freely assignable and such rights are not intended to create
     rights in any person not a party to this Agreement or its assigns.

     B.   DEMAND REGISTRATION.

          1.   REQUEST FOR REGISTRATION.  NBCC may make written requests for
registration under the Securities Act ("Demand Registration") of all or part of
NBCC's Shares, subject to the conditions of this Article IV.  Each such request
shall specify the precise number of Shares proposed to be sold and shall also
specify the intended method of disposition thereof. Upon receiving a request for
a Demand Registration, the Company shall give written notice of such request to
all other Eligible Holders at least twenty (20) days before the anticipated
filing date of such registration statement, and each such Eligible Holder shall
be entitled to participate in such Demand Registration as a Selling Incidental
Holder pursuant to the terms, conditions and limitations set forth in Section
IV.A.  As soon as practicable after receipt of a request for a Demand
Registration, the Company shall file a registration statement on an appropriate
form under the Securities Act for the number of Shares requested by NBCC and any
Selling Incidental Holders, subject to the conditions of this Article IV.

          2.   LIMITATION ON DEMAND REGISTRATION.  No Demand Registration may be
requested by NBCC at any time during which a registration statement filed by the
Company in which NBCC was entitled to participate is effective under the
Securities Act (or would have been entitled but for the delivery by the managing
underwriter or underwriters of the opinion set forth in the second sentence of


                                      14

<PAGE>

Section IV.A.2.) or within ninety (90) days after the closing of any offering
effected pursuant to any such registration statement.  Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary in this Article IV, the Company shall not be obligated to effect
more than two Demand Registrations for NBCC.  A registration shall not count as
a Demand Registration: (a) unless a registration statement with respect thereto
has become effective; (b) if, after such registration statement has become
effective, such registration is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or
other order or requirement of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or
other governmental agency or court for any reason not attributable to NBCC, and
such registration statement has not thereafter again become effective; or (c) if
the conditions to closing specified in the underwriting agreement, if any,
entered into in connection with such registration are not satisfied or waived,
other than by reason of a failure on the part of NBCC.

          3.   EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION AND EXPENSES. The Company shall use its
reasonable best efforts to cause each registration statement filed pursuant to a
Demand Registration to become effective under the Securities Act and thereafter
to keep it effective under the Securities Act for a period of ninety (90) days
(subject to extension pursuant to the last paragraph of Section IV.D. hereof). 
The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses (as defined in Section IV.E.17)
in connection with any Demand Registration, whether or not it becomes effective,
except (a) as provided in Section IV.E. or (b) if such Demand Registration is
expected to become effective within the price range estimated by the underwriter
but is withdrawn due to the decision of NBCC.

          4.   SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS.  If NBCC so elects, the offering
pursuant to such Demand Registration shall be in the form of an underwritten
offering. If any Demand Registration is in the form of an underwritten offering,
the Company shall select and obtain the investment banker or investment bankers
and manager or managers that will administer the offering, subject to the
approval of NBCC (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld).


                                      15

<PAGE>

     D.   HOLDBACK AGREEMENTS.

          1.   RESTRICTIONS ON PUBLIC SALE BY ELIGIBLE HOLDERS.  Upon the offer
by the Company to include any Affiliated Holders' Shares ("Selling Holders") in
a registration statement filed pursuant to an Incidental Registration or a
Demand Registration (or in case the Company files a registration statement for
Common Stock and the managing underwriters deliver the opinion set forth in the
second sentence of Section IV.A.2.), each Eligible Holder agrees not to effect
any public sale or distribution of the same type of securities being registered
or a similar security of the Company or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, including a sale pursuant to
Rule 144 under the Securities Act, during the fourteen (14) days prior to, and
during a 90-day period beginning on, the effective date of such registration
statement (except as part of such registration), if and to the extent requested
by the Company in the case of a non-underwritten public offering or if and to
the extent requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters in the case of
an underwritten public offering.

          2.   RESTRICTIONS ON PUBLIC SALE BY THE COMPANY. The Company agrees
that during the fourteen (14) days prior to, and during a 180-day period
beginning on, the effective date of any registration statement filed pursuant to
a Demand Registration, it shall not effect any public or private sale or
distribution of the same type of securities being registered or a similar
security of the Company, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or
exercisable for securities of the nature of such securities (except as part of
such registration or pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 or S-8 or
other similar forms providing for the registration of employee benefits plans).

     E.   REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.    Subject to the other provisions and
limitations contained in this Article IV, whenever any Eligible Holder has
requested that any of its Shares be registered pursuant to an Incidental
Registration or whenever NBCC has requested that any of its Shares be registered
pursuant to a Demand Registration, the Company shall use its best efforts to
effect the registration and the sale of such Shares in accordance with the
intended method of disposition thereof, as soon as practicable, and in
connection with any such request, the Company shall as expeditiously as
possible:




                                      16


<PAGE>

          1.   REGISTRATION STATEMENT.  Prepare and file with the SEC a
registration statement on any form for which the Company then qualifies or which
counsel for the Company shall deem appropriate and which form shall be available
for the sale of the Selling Holders' Shares to be registered thereunder in
accordance with the intended method of distribution thereof, and use its best
efforts to cause such filed registration statement to become effective under the
Securities Act; provided that: (a) in the case of an Incidental Registration, at
least five (5) days before filing a registration statement or prospectus, or as
promptly as practicable prior to filing any amendments or supplements thereto,
the Company shall furnish to one (1) counsel, selected by the Selling Holders,
copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents shall be
subject to the review of the Selling Holders and such counsel; (b) in the case
of a Demand Registration, NBCC and one (1) counsel selected by it shall have the
right to participate in the preparation of such documents; and (c) after the
filing of the registration statement, the Company shall promptly notify each
such Selling Holder and such counsel of comments received from, or any stop
order issued or threatened by, the SEC and take all reasonable actions required
to respond to such comments or, as the case may be, prevent the entry of such
stop order or to remove it, if it has been entered;

          2.   AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT.  Prepare
and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such registration
statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to
keep such registration statement effective for the applicable period required by
the terms hereof, which period shall terminate when all Shares covered by such
registration statement have been sold or, in the case of an Incidental
Registration, for such time period as the Company shall determine in its sole
discretion (but not before the expiration of the 90-day period referred to in
Section 4(3) of the Securities Act and Rule 174 thereunder, if applicable) and
comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition
of all securities covered by such registration statement during such period in
accordance with the intended methods of disposition as set forth in such
registration statement;




                                      17


<PAGE>

          3.   PROPOSED REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS.  Furnish to each Selling Holder,
prior to filing the registration statement, if requested, copies of such
registration statement as proposed to be filed, and thereafter furnish to each
Selling Holder such number of copies of such registration statement, each
amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits thereto
and documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference),
the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each
preliminary prospectus), and such other documents as each Selling Holder may
reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Shares owned by
each Selling Holder;

          4.   BLUE SKY QUALIFICATION.  Use its best efforts to register or
qualify such Shares under such other securities or blue sky laws of such
jurisdictions as each Selling Holder reasonably (in light of each Selling
Holder's intended plan of distribution) requests and do any and all other acts
and things which may be reasonably necessary to enable each Selling Holder to
consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Shares owned by each
Selling Holder and keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption
therefrom) effective during the period such registration statement is effective;
provided that the Company shall not be required to: (a) qualify generally to do
business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify
but for this subsection; (b) subject itself to taxation in any such
jurisdiction; or (c) consent to general service of process in any such
jurisdiction;

          5.   APPROVAL BY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES.  Use its best efforts
to cause such Shares to be registered with or approved by such other
governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the
business and operations of the Company to enable each Selling Holder to
consummate the disposition of such Shares, provided that the Company shall not
be required to: (a) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where
it would not otherwise be required to qualify, but for this subsection; (b)
subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction; or (c) consent to general
service of process in any such jurisdiction;

          6.   NOTICE; AMENDMENT OF PROSPECTUS.  At any time when a prospectus
relating to Shares is required to be delivered under the Securities Act: (a)
notify each Selling Holder of the occurrence of an event requiring the
preparation of a supplement or amendment to such prospectus; (b) 



                                      18


<PAGE>

prepare and file such supplement, amendment or any other required document, 
so that as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Shares, such 
prospectus shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit 
to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make 
the statements therein not misleading; and (c) promptly make available to 
each Selling Holder any such supplement, amendment or other document;

          7.   EXECUTION OF CUSTOMARY AGREEMENTS; FURTHER ACTION.  Enter into
and perform customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement in
customary form with the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any), use its
best efforts to obtain any necessary consents in connection with any proposed
registration and sale of Shares, and take such other actions as are reasonably
required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Shares;

          8.   INSPECTION AND AVAILABILITY OF RECORDS.  Make available for
inspection by each Selling Holder, any underwriter participating in any
disposition pursuant to such registration statement, and any attorney,
accountant, or other professional retained by any Selling Holder or such
underwriter (collectively, the "Inspectors"), all financial and other records,
pertinent corporate documents, and properties of the Company (collectively, the
"Records") as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise their due
diligence responsibility, and cause the Company's Officers and employees to
supply all information reasonably requested by any such Inspectors in connection
with such registration statement; provided, however, records which the Company
determines, in good faith, to be confidential and which it notifies the
Inspectors are confidential shall not be disclosed by the Inspectors unless: (a)
in the reasonable judgment of counsel to the Company, the disclosure of such
Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in such
registration statement or (b) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to
a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction; with each
Selling Holder hereby agreeing that information obtained by him, or on his
behalf, as a result of such inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall
not be used by him as the basis for any market transactions in the securities of
the Company unless and until such is made generally available to the public; and
each Selling Holder hereby further agrees that he shall, upon learning that
disclosure by such 



                                      19


<PAGE>

Selling Holder of such Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction,
give prompt notice to the Company and allow the Company, at the Company's 
expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Records 
deemed confidential;

          9.   COMFORT LETTER.  If such sale is pursuant to an underwritten
offering, use its best efforts to obtain a comfort letter or comfort letters
from the Company's independent public accountants in customary form and covering
such matters of the type customarily covered by comfort letters as any Selling
Holder or the managing underwriter or underwriters reasonably request;

          10.  OTHER COMPLIANCE; EARNINGS STATEMENT.  Otherwise use its best
efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and make
available to its security holders as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings
statement covering a period of twelve (12) months, beginning within three (3)
months after the effective date of the registration statement, which earnings
statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act;

          11.  PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT; POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT.  If requested by
the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or any Selling Holder in
connection with an underwritten offering pursuant to an Incidental Registration
or a Demand Registration: (i) promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any, and/or any Selling Holder reasonably requests to be
included therein, as may be required by applicable laws; and (ii) make all
required filings of such prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment
as soon as practicable after the Company has received notification of the
matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to take any
action pursuant to this Section IV.E.11. that is not, in the reasonable opinion
of counsel for the Company, in compliance with applicable law;

          12.  REMOVAL OF SUSPENSIONS.  Use its reasonable efforts to obtain the
withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement
filed in connection herewith, or the lifting of any suspension of the
qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Shares for sale in
any jurisdiction, at the earliest possible moment;



                                      20

<PAGE>

          13.  SHARE CERTIFICATES.  Cooperate with each Selling Holder and the
managing underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery
of certificates, if any, representing Shares to be sold, which certificates or
notes shall not bear any restrictive legends and shall be in a form eligible for
deposit with The Depository Trust Company or other appropriate depository; and
enable such certificates representing Shares to be in such denominations and
registered in such names as the managing underwriters, if any, or holders may
request at least two (2) Business Days prior to any sale of Shares;

          14.  SECURITIES EXCHANGE LISTING.  Cause all such Shares to be listed
on any securities exchange (or on The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market) on
which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed or traded;
provided, that the applicable listing requirements are satisfied in the opinion
of the Company and its counsel;

          15.  LEGAL OPINION.  Furnish, at the request of any Selling Holder on
the date such securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale pursuant to
such registration or, if such securities are not being sold through
underwriters, on the date the registration statement with respect to such
securities becomes effective, an opinion, dated such date, of counsel
representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, addressed to the
underwriters, if any, and to the Selling Holder making such request, covering
such legal matters with respect to the registration in respect of which such
opinion is being given as such Selling Holder or underwriters may reasonably
request and as are customarily included in such opinions; and

          16.  FURTHER ACTION.  Take such other actions as are reasonably
required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Shares.

          Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section IV, the Company shall
be entitled to postpone, for a reasonable period of time, the filing of any
registration statement under an Incidental Registration if the Company
determines, in the good faith exercise of its reasonable business judgment, that
such registration and offering could materially interfere with any bona fide
financing, acquisition, or other material business plans of the Company
(including a proposed primary offering by the Company of its own securities) or
would require disclosure of non-public information, the premature disclosure of

                                     21

<PAGE>

which could materially adversely affect the business, properties, operations or
financial results of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall
disclose to the Selling Incidental Holders any such transaction, plan or non-
public information, at the request of the Selling Incidental Holders.  If the
Company postpones the filing of a registration statement pursuant hereto, it
shall promptly notify in writing the Selling Incidental Holders when the events
or circumstances permitting such postponement have ended and at such time shall
proceed with the filing of the registration statement as requested.  If the
Company shall postpone the filing of a registration statement pursuant hereto,
then the Selling Incidental Holders shall have the right to withdraw their
request for registration by giving written notice to the Company at any time
within five (5) days after the date the Company notifies such Selling Incidental
Holders of its willingness to proceed with the filing of the registration
statement.  The Company may require each Selling Holder to furnish promptly in
writing to the Company such information regarding the distribution of the Shares
as the Company may from time to time reasonably request and such other
information as may be legally required in connection with such registration.

          Each Selling Holder shall cooperate with the Company and, if
applicable, the underwriter or underwriters in providing such information and
executing and delivering such documents as the Company or the underwriter or
underwriters reasonably shall request in connection with any such registration,
and the Company shall not be obligated to include in any such registration any
Shares of any Eligible Holder who does not comply with this paragraph.

          Each Selling Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the
Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section IV.E.6.,
such Selling Holder shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Shares pursuant
to the registration statement covering such Shares, until such Selling Holder's
receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by
Section IV.E.6. and, if so directed by the Company, such Selling Holder shall
deliver to the Company all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such
Selling Holder's possession, of the most recent prospectus covering such Shares
at the time of receipt of such notice. If the Company shall give such notice,
the Company shall extend the period during which such registration statement
shall be maintained effective 

                                     22

<PAGE>

(including the period referred to in Section IV.E.2.) by the number of days 
during the period from and including the date of the giving of notice 
pursuant to Section IV.E.6. hereof to the date when the Company shall make 
available to such Selling Holder a prospectus supplemented or amended to 
conform with the requirements or Section IV.E.6.

          17.  REGISTRATION EXPENSES. In connection with any registration
statement required to be filed under this Article IV, the Company shall pay the
following registration expenses (the "Registration Expenses"): (a) all
registration and filing fees; (b) fees and expenses relating to compliance with
securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Shares requested to be
registered); (c) printing expenses (including expenses of printing certificates,
if any, for Shares requested to be registered); (d) internal expenses
(including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its Officers and
employees performing legal or accounting duties); (e) any fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the listing of the Shares requested to be registered
on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the
Company's Shares are listed; (f) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel
for the Company and customary fees and expenses for independent certified public
accountants retained by the Company (including the costs associated with the
delivery by independent certified public accountants of a comfort letter or
comfort letters requested pursuant to Section IV.E.9. hereof); (g) the
reasonable fees and expenses of any special experts or other Persons retained by
the Company in connection with such registration; (h) reasonable fees and
expenses of one counsel (who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company) for
the Selling Holders incurred in connection with any Incidental Registration
hereunder and reasonable fees and expenses of one counsel (who shall be
reasonably acceptable to the Company) for NBCC incurred in connection with any
Demand Registration hereunder; and (i) messenger, courier, delivery and
telephone expenses related to any registration contemplated hereunder.  The
Company shall not have any obligation to pay any underwriting fee discounts or
commissions attributable to the sale of Shares pursuant to any Incidental
Registration or Demand Registration, or any out-of-pocket expenses 

                                     23

<PAGE>

of any Selling Holder (or the agents who manage his accounts) incurred in 
connection therewith, which amounts shall be the responsibility of the 
Selling Holder or Selling Holders.

     F.   SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

          1.   ASSIGNMENT. Rights relating to Incidental Registration and Demand
Registration rights granted pursuant to this Article IV are transferable to
transferees of Shares permitted under this Agreement who execute and deliver to
the Company an Addendum to this Agreement in which such transferee agrees to be
bound by this Agreement and to observe and comply with this Agreement and with
all obligations and restrictions imposed hereby.

          2.   LIMITED DEMAND REGISTRATION RIGHTS. Except as set forth in this
Agreement, the Company has not granted to any Person the right to require the
Company to register the Shares in the Company or any other securities of the
Company.  The Company will not, directly or indirectly, grant to any person or
agree to or otherwise become obligated in respect of any registration rights
with respect to Shares, which registration rights are more favorable than those
granted to NBCC by this Article IV.

     G.   INDEMNIFICATION; CONTRIBUTION.

          1.   INDEMNIFICATION BY THE COMPANY. The Company agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless each Selling Holder and, if applicable, its directors and
officers and each Person who controls such Selling Holder within the meaning of
either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), from and against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable legal
and other costs of investigation and defense) (collectively, "Losses") arising
out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any such registration statement or prospectus
relating to Shares or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any
preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or based upon any omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses arise out of, or are based
upon, any such untrue statement or omission or allegation thereof based upon
information furnished in writing to the Company by such Selling Holder 

                                     24

<PAGE>

or on such Selling Holder's behalf for use therein.  The Company also agrees to
indemnify any underwriters of the Shares, their officers and directors, and each
Person who controls such underwriters within the meaning of either Section 15 of
the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act on substantially the same
basis as the indemnification of Selling Holders provided in this Section IV.G.

          2.   INDEMNIFICATION BY SELLING HOLDERS. Each Selling Holder agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Affiliated Holders, its Officers,
Directors and each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning
of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act
(other than the Selling Holder) to the fullest extent lawful, from and against
all Losses arising out of or based upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in any registration statement or prospectus
relating to the Shares of the Company or in any amendment or supplement thereto
or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or based upon any omission
or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, to the extent, but only
to the extent, that such information was furnished in writing by such Selling
Holder or on such Selling Holder's behalf, in such Selling Holder's capacity as
a Selling Holder and not in his capacity as an Officer, expressly for use in any
registration statement or form of prospectus relating to the Shares or any
amendment or supplement thereto, provided, however, that (a) with respect to any
untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in any
preliminary or final prospectus, the indemnity agreement contained in this
subsection shall not apply to the extent that any such Losses result from the
fact that a current copy of the prospectus was not sent or given to the Person
asserting any such Losses at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of
the Shares concerned to such Person, if it is determined that it was the
responsibility of the Company or any other Person or entity (other than the
Selling Holder) to provide such Person with a current copy of the prospectus and
such current copy of the prospectus would have cured the defect giving rise to
such Losses and (b) no Selling Holder shall be liable for indemnity in an amount
in excess of the gross proceeds received by such Selling Holder in any
Incidental Registration or Demand Registration. Each Selling Holder also agrees
to indemnify and hold harmless underwriters of the Shares, their officers and

                                     25

<PAGE>

directors, and each Person who controls such underwriters on substantially the
same basis as the indemnification of the Company provided in this Section IV.G.

          3.   CONDUCT OF INDEMNIFICATION PROCEEDINGS.  If any action or
proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be brought or
asserted against any Person entitled to indemnification under Section IV.G.1. or
Section IV.G.2. above ("Indemnified Party") with respect to which indemnity may
be sought from any party who has agreed to provide such indemnification
("Indemnifying Party"), the Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the
Indemnifying Party in writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall assume the
defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to
such Indemnified Party, and shall assume the payment of all expenses relating to
such defense, including without limitation reasonable attorneys' fees. The
Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such
action and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of
such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless: (a) the
Indemnifying Party has agreed to pay such fees and expenses; (b) the
Indemnifying Party shall have failed to promptly assume the defense of such
action or proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
indemnified Party; or (c)(i) the named parties to any such action or proceeding
(including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Party and the
Indemnifying Party, and such Indemnified Party shall have been advised by
counsel that there is a conflict of interest on the part of counsel employed by
the Indemnifying Party to represent such Indemnified Party, or (ii) the
Indemnified Party's counsel shall have advised the Indemnified Party that there
may be defenses available to the Indemnified Party that are different from or in
addition to those available to the Indemnifying Party and that the Indemnifying
Party is not able to assert on behalf of or in the name of the Indemnified Party
(in which case of either of (i) or (ii), if such Indemnified Party notifies the
Indemnifying Party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the
expense of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the
right to assume the defense of such action or proceeding on behalf of such
Indemnified Party); it being understood, however, that the Indemnifying Party
shall not, in connection with any one such action or proceeding or separate but
substantially similar or related actions or proceedings in the same jurisdiction

                                     26

<PAGE>

arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the
fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (together with
appropriate local counsel) at any time for all such Indemnified Parties, which
firm shall be designated in writing by one or more Indemnified Parties that hold
a majority of the Shares held by all of the Indemnified Parties. The
Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such action or
proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld, but if settled with its written consent, or if there be a
final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action or proceeding, the
Indemnifying Party shall indemnify and hold harmless such Indemnified Parties
from and against any loss or liability (to the extent stated above) by reason of
such settlement or judgment.

          4.   CONTRIBUTION.  If the indemnification provided for in this
Section IV.G. is unavailable to the Indemnified Parties in respect of any Losses
(other than by reason of exceptions provided in Section IV.G.1. or Section
IV.G.2.), then each Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified
Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party
as a result of such Losses: (a) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and the
Indemnified Party, on the other hand, with respect to the statements or
omissions which resulted in such Losses, or action in respect thereof, as well
as any other relevant equitable considerations; or (b) if the allocation
provided by clause (a) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such
proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by
the Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and the Indemnified Party, on the other
hand, from the offering of the securities covered by such registration
statement; provided, however, that under no circumstances shall the allocation
set forth in this clause (b) be applicable to any Losses arising out of a Demand
Registration effected at the request of NBCC. The relative fault of the
Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and of the Indemnified Party, on the other
hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the
untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged
omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such party,
and such party's relative intent, knowledge, access to information, and
opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or 

                                     27

<PAGE>

omission. The relative benefits received by the Indemnifying Party, on the 
one hand, and the Indemnified Party, on the other hand, shall be deemed to be 
in the same proportion as the total proceeds from the offering (net of 
underwriting discounts and commissions, but before deducting expenses) 
received by the Indemnifying Party bears to the total proceeds (net of 
underwriting discounts and commissions, but before deducting expenses) 
received by the Indemnified Party.

          The Company and each Selling Holder agree that it would not be just
and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section IV.G.4. were determined
by pro rata allocation (even if the underwriters were treated as one entity for
such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take into
account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding
paragraph.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section IV.G.4., no Selling
Holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by
which the total price at which the Shares of such Selling Holder were offered to
the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Selling Holder has
otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission.  No Person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Subsection 11(f) of the Securities Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.

          5.   SURVIVAL. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in
this Section IV.G. shall remain operative and in full force and effect
regardless of: (a) any amendment, restatement or termination of this Agreement
or any underwriting agreement; (b) any investigation made by or on behalf of any
Indemnified Party or by or on behalf of the Company; and (c) the consummation of
the sale or successive resale of the Shares, until the expiration of all periods
during which any suit or proceeding of the type for which indemnity may be
claimed under this Section IV.G. ("Indemnifiable Claims") have elapsed, and
thereafter until the final and non-appealable resolution of any and all
Indemnifiable Claims commenced during such periods and the final resolution
between the Company and any Selling Holder of any and all claims made by either
party under this Section IV.G. hereof with respect to those Indemnifiable
Claims.

                                     28

<PAGE>

     G.   PARTICIPATION IN UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS. No Selling Holder may
participate in any underwritten registration hereunder unless such Selling
Holder: (a) agrees to sell his Shares on the basis provided in any underwriting
arrangements approved by the Persons or entities entitled hereunder to approve
such arrangements; and (b) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of
attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, and other documents reasonably
required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements and this Agreement.

     H.   RULE 144 AND RULE 144A.  The Company covenants that it shall file any
reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder, and it shall take
such further action, that any Affiliated Holder may reasonably request to enable
such Affiliated Holder to sell Shares, from time to time, without registration
under the Securities Act but within the limitation of the exemptions provided by
(1) Rule 144 or Rule 144A (to the extent Rule 144A is available) under the
Securities Act, as such Rules may be amended from time to time, or (2) any
similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of any
Affiliated Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Affiliated Holder a written
statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements. 

V.   CLOSING.

     A.   TIME AND LOCATION.  The closing of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement (the "Closing") shall be subject to the accuracy in all material
respects of the representations and warranties of the parties hereto as though
made on and as of the date of Closing and shall take place contemporaneously
with and as an integral part of, the closing of the Offerings, at such time and
place as the parties hereto may mutually agree.

     B.   OBLIGATIONS AT THE CLOSING.  Subject to the conditions set forth in
this Agreement, at the Closing:

          1.   the LLC shall have redeemed NBCC's Redeemable Interest as
contemplated by Section I.A. hereof, and made the distribution contemplated by
Section I.B. hereof;


                                      29

<PAGE>

          2.   the sale of the Valley Common Stock shall be consummated in
accordance with Section I.C. hereof;    

          3.   the sale of CSL assets shall be consummated in accordance with
Section I.D. hereof; 

          4.   the Company shall issue and deliver the shares of Company Common
Stock to the LLC Members and the Merger shall be consummated in accordance with
Section II.A. hereof;

          5.   Valley, CSL, the LLC and the Affiliated Holders shall perform,
satisfy and comply in all material respects all other covenants and conditions
required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with on or
before the Effective Date; and

          6.   the Company shall perform, satisfy and comply in all material
respects all other covenants and conditions required by this Agreement to be
performed, satisfied or complied with on or before the Effective Date.

VI.  REMEDIES.

     A.   Each of the parties to this Agreement shall be entitled to enforce its
rights under this Agreement specifically, to recover damages by reason of any
breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all of the rights
existing in its favor.  The parties hereto agree and acknowledge that money
damages may not be an adequate remedy for any such breach or threatened breach
of the provisions of this Agreement and that any party may in its sole
discretion, in addition to any other available remedies, apply to any court of
law or equity of competent jurisdiction for and be entitled to receive or be
entitled to, specific performance and injunctive relief in order to enforce or
prevent any violations of the provisions of this Agreement, without the
necessity of demonstrating that it has been irreparably harmed.  The
representations and warranties in this Agreement shall survive the Closing.

     B.   In the event a party brings an action under this Agreement, the
prevailing party in such dispute shall be entitled to recover from the losing
party any fees, costs and expenses of enforcing any right of such prevailing
party under or with respect to this Agreement, including, without limitation,
the reasonable fees and expenses of its attorneys and accountants and all fees,
costs and expenses of appeals.


                                      30

<PAGE>

VII. MISCELLANEOUS.

     A.   NOTICES.  All notices and other communications required or permitted
to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly
given if delivered personally, mailed by certified mail (return receipt
requested) or sent by overnight delivery service, facsimile transmission or
telex to the parties at the following addresses or at such other addresses as
shall be specified by the parties by like notice:

     If to the LLC, Valley, CSL or the Company:

               400 W. Illinois
               Suite 1000
               Midland, Texas 79701
               Attention:  Michael J. Grella

     If to Liedtke, Grella or Musselman, to each of such persons at the
following address:

               400 W. Illinois
               Suite 1000
               Midland, Texas 79701

     If to NBCC:

               100 N. Tryon Street
               Charlotte, North Carolina 28255
               Attention:  Travis Hain and Robert H. Sheridan, III

Notice so given shall, in the case of notice so given by mail, be deemed to be
given and received on the third calendar day after posting; in the case of
notice so given by overnight delivery services, on the date of actual delivery
and, in the case of notice so given by facsimile transmission, telex or personal
delivery, on the date of actual transmission or, as the case may be, on the day
of personal delivery.

     B.   TERMINATION OF PRIOR AGREEMENTS.  This Agreement fully replaces and
supersedes all prior agreements relating to the common stock of, or the
membership interest or other interest in, the LLC, CSL, Valley or their
respective predecessors, including, but not limited to, (i) the Regulations of
the LLC dated February 17, 1995; (ii) the Membership Subscription Agreement
dated February 17, 1995 among the LLC, NBCC and each other holder of the within-
mentioned purchase interest; (iii) the Buy-Sell Agreement dated February 17,
1995 (the "LLC Buy-Sell Agreement") by and between the LLC and Liedtke, Grella
and Musselman and their respective spouses, being Marion Liedtke, Katherine
Riggs 


                                      31

<PAGE>

Grella and Melinda Musselman (collectively, "Spouses"); and (iv) the Buy-Sell 
Agreement dated February 17, 1995 by and between Liedtke, Grella and 
Musselman and their respective Spouses, CSL Management Corporation, Valley 
Gathering Company and 511 TEX L.C. (collectively, the "Prior Agreements").  
As a result of the execution of this Agreement, the parties hereto declare 
the Prior Agreements to be of no further force and effect and any notices 
required thereunder shall be superseded hereby; provided, however, that if 
the Closing does not incur on or before October 9, 1996, the Prior Agreements 
shall be revived in their entirety.

     C.   SEVERABILITY AND REFORMATION.  The parties hereto intend all of the
provisions of this Agreement to be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by
law.  If, however, any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal,
invalid or unenforceable under present or future law, then such illegality,
invalidity or unenforceability shall not invalidate the entire Agreement.  Such
provision shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary to render it legal,
valid and enforceable, and if no such modification shall render it legal, valid,
and enforceable, then this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such
illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision were never a part thereof, and the
remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be
affected by the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its
severance.

     D.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT.  This Agreement, together with the
Exhibits attached hereby and those documents expressly referred to herein,
contains the entire understanding and agreement among the parties to this
Agreement, and supersedes any other agreement among such parties, 
whether oral or in writing, with respect to the subject matter hereof.  This
Agreement may not be altered, amended, rescinded or revoked, nor may any of its
provisions be waived, except by an instrument in writing signed by all of the
parties hereto or, in the case of an asserted waiver, by the party or parties
against whom the waiver is sought to be enforced.

     E.   COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, with the
same effect as if all parties had signed the same 


                                      32

<PAGE>

document.  All such counterparts shall be deemed an original, shall be 
construed together and shall constitute one and the same instrument.

     F.   SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This Agreement is intended to bind and inure
to the benefit of, and be enforceable by and against, each of the parties hereto
and their respective successors and assigns.

     G.   GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE.  ALL QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION,
VALIDITY AND INTERPRETATION OF THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAW, AND NOT THE LAW OF CONFLICTS, OF THE STATE
OF TEXAS.  THIS AGREEMENT IS PERFORMABLE IN MIDLAND COUNTY, TEXAS, AND VENUE OF
ANY ACTION RELATED OR PERTAINING TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL LIKE IN MIDLAND COUNTY,
TEXAS.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written, to be effective, however, at the Closing.













                                      33

<PAGE>

                              COSTILLA ENERGY, INC.


                              By:   /s/
                                 -------------------------------------
                              Name: Cadell S. Liedtke
                              Title: Chairman of the Board


                              COSTILLA ENERGY, L.L.C.


                              By:   /s/
                                 -------------------------------------
                              Name: Michael J. Grella
                              Title: President



                                    /s/
                              ----------------------------------------
                              Cadell S. Liedtke, Individually


                                    /s/
                              ----------------------------------------
                              Michael J. Grella, Individually


                                    /s/
                              ----------------------------------------
                              Henry G. Musselman, Individually

                              NATIONSBANC CAPITAL CORPORATION


                              By:   /s/
                                 -------------------------------------
                              Name: 
                              Title: 


                              CSL MANAGEMENT CORPORATION


                              By:   /s/
                                 -------------------------------------
                              Name: 
                              Title: 


                              VALLEY GATHERING COMPANY


                              By:   /s/
                                 -------------------------------------
                              Name:
                              Title:  


                                      34

<PAGE>

                      AMENDMENT TO CONSOLIDATION AGREEMENT

     This Amendment ("Amendment") to Consolidation Agreement dated and effective
October 8, 1996, by and between:

          Costilla Energy Inc. (the "Company") - a Delaware
          corporation;

          Costilla Energy, L.L.C. (the "LLC") - a Texas limited
          liability company;

          CSL Management Corp. ("CSL") - a Texas corporation;

          Valley Gathering Company ("Valley") - a Texas corporation;

          Cadell S. Liedtke ("Liedtke") - an individual of Midland
          County, Texas

          Michael J. Grella ("Grella") - an individual of Midland
          County, Texas;

          Henry G. Musselman ("Musselman") - an individual of Midland
          County Texas; and

          NationsBank Capital Corporation ("NBCC") - a Texas
          corporation.

                                 R E C I T A L S

     WHEREAS, the parties hereto have previously executed a Consolidation
Agreement (the "Consolidation Agreement") agreement dated the 13th of September,
1996;

     WHEREAS, the parties hereto have mutually agreed to amend the Consolidation
Agreement to more particularly describe the Offerings; and

     WHEREAS, the defined terms utilized herein shall have the meaning ascribed
to them in the Consolidation Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants
set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound
hereby, the aforesaid parties hereby agree unanimously to amend the
Consolidation Agreement as follows:

     1.   The third recital, page 2 of the Consolidation Agreement, shall be
amended to read as follows:

               WHEREAS, concurrently with the Consolidation, the
          Company will close offerings (collectively, the "Offerings")
          of $100,000,000, 10 1/4% senior subordinated notes due
          2006, and 4,800,000 shares of its common stock par value
          $.10 per share (the "Company Common Stock") pursuant to the
          Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 


<PAGE>

          "Securities Act"), as described in those certain Registration 
          Statements on Form S-1, Registration Nos. 333-08909 and 333-08913,
          respectively, (as amended at the time each becomes
          effective, the "Registration Statements") of the Company,
          each filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
          July 26, 1996; and

     2.   Section II., A.1.e. of the Consolidation Agreement shall be amended to
read as follows:

               e.   Pursuant to the Merger, at the Closing, the
          Company shall issue an aggregate of 5,200,000 shares of its
          Common Stock to the holders of the membership interests in
          the LLC (the "LLC Members") as follows:

               Name of Member      No. of Shares of Common Stock to be Issued
               --------------      ------------------------------------------
               Liedtke                  2,302,560
               Grella                   1,350,440
               Musselman                  611,000
               NBCC                       936,000

     All other provisions of the Consolidation Agreement not amended herein are
hereby confirmed and ratified with the same force and effect as if this
Amendment had not been executed.

                              COSTILLA ENERGY, INC.


                              By:   /s/
                                 --------------------------------------
                              Name: Cadell S. Liedtke
                              Title: Chairman of the Board


                              COSTILLA ENERGY, L.L.C.


                              By:   /s/
                                 --------------------------------------
                              Name: Michael J. Grella
                              Title: President


                                    /s/
                              -----------------------------------------
                              Cadell S. Liedtke, Individually


                                    /s/
                              -----------------------------------------
                              Michael J. Grella, Individually


                                    /s/
                              -----------------------------------------
                              Henry G. Musselman, Individually



                                       2

<PAGE>
                              NATIONSBANC CAPITAL CORPORATION


                              By:   /s/
                                 --------------------------------------
                              Name: 
                              Title: 


                              CSL MANAGEMENT CORPORATION


                              By:   /s/
                                 --------------------------------------
                              Name: 
                              Title: 


                              VALLEY GATHERING COMPANY


                              By:   /s/
                                 --------------------------------------
                              Name:
                              Title:  














                                       3


<PAGE>


                                                            EXHIBIT 7.2











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



                         *      *      *      *        *

                              BONUS INCENTIVE PLAN

                                       OF


                              COSTILLA ENERGY, INC.
                            (A DELAWARE CORPORATION)

                         *      *      *      *        *



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




<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                *      *      *        

                              BONUS INCENTIVE PLAN

                                       OF

                              COSTILLA ENERGY, INC.


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



SECTION                              SUBJECT                                PAGE


1.   PURPOSE OF PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1

2.   DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1

3.   ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2

4.   RESERVES FOR INCENTIVE AWARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3

5.   PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4

6.   SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS FOR INCENTIVE AWARDS. . . . . . . . . . . . .   4

7.   AWARDS OF INCENTIVE COMPENSATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5

8.   PAYMENT OR DISTRIBUTION OF AWARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6

9.   FORFEITURE OF BENEFITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6

10.  COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6

11.  INCLUSION OF AWARD AS INCOME. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7

12.  WITHHOLDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7

13.  AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8

14.  NO RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT; OFFICIAL CAPACITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8

15.  EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9


<PAGE>

                              BONUS INCENTIVE PLAN


                                       OF


                              COSTILLA ENERGY, INC.



     1.   PURPOSE OF PLAN.  This Bonus Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is intended
to attract and retain individuals of outstanding competence and to promote the
growth and development of the Company or a Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined)
by providing incentive compensation as a reward for those officers, directors,
employees and advisors of the Company or a Subsidiary who contribute by their
ability, industry, loyalty, ingenuity, or exceptional service to the management,
development achievement of planned corporate financial and operational goals,
and successful operations of the Company or a Subsidiary.

     2.   DEFINITIONS.  For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall
have the ascribed meanings unless otherwise clearly apparent from the context:

          "AWARD" - means a distribution in (i) cash, (ii) shares of the Common
Stock of the Company, or (iii) any combination of cash and shares of Common
Stock to be made to a Participant for a Fiscal Year as determined in accordance
with the provisions of the Plan.

          "BENEFICIARY" - means a Participant designated by the Board of
Directors to receive an Award.

          "BOARD OF DIRECTORS" - means the Board of Directors of the Company.

          "COMMON STOCK" - means the common stock, $.10 par value per share, of
the Company.





                                      1


<PAGE>

          "COMPANY" - means Costilla Energy, Inc.

          "EMPLOYEE" - means a person who is in the regular employment of the
Company or a Subsidiary as determined by the personnel rules and practices of
the Company or a Subsidiary, as applicable.

          "FISCAL YEAR" - means the taxable year of the Company or a Subsidiary
ending December 31.

          "PARTICIPANT" - means (i) an officer, director or advisor of the
Company or a Subsidiary as of the last day of the Fiscal Year or (ii) any
Employee who (a) has completed a minimum of 180 days of service with the Company
or a Subsidiary, and (b) is employed by the Company or a Subsidiary as of the
last day of the Fiscal Year; provided, however, that any such person who owns
ten percent (10%) or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock at any time
during a Fiscal Year shall not qualify as a Participant and is not eligible for
Awards under the Plan for that Fiscal Year.

          "PLAN" - means this Bonus Incentive Plan of the Company.

          "SUBSIDIARY" - means any corporation of which capital stock possessing
fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of
its outstanding capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors is owned in the aggregate by the Company directly or indirectly
through one or more Subsidiaries.

     3.   ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.  The Plan shall be administered by the
Board of Directors.  Subject to the express provisions and limitations of the
Plan, the Board of Directors shall have the authority and power to construe the
Plan and to adopt, prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating
to the Plan, and to make all determinations necessary or 




                                      2

<PAGE>

advisable for administering the Plan, including the selection of Participants 
to receive Awards.  No member of the Board of Directors shall be liable for 
any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan.

          All determinations, decisions and directions made or given by the
Board of Directors under the Plan shall be final and conclusive.  The decision
of the Board of Directors on any question concerning or involving the
interpretation or administration of the Plan shall be final and conclusive, and
nothing in the Plan shall be deemed to give any Participant, his legal
representative or assigns, any right to participate in the Plan except to such
extent, if any, as the Board of Directors may have determined or approved
pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.

     4.   RESERVES FOR INCENTIVE AWARDS.  In order to fund the payment of Awards
of Common Stock granted to Participants in accordance with the terms of the
Plan, the Company shall authorize and reserve for issuance under the Plan an
aggregate of 100,000 shares of the Common Stock, subject to adjustment as
hereinafter provided.  In addition, in order to fund payment of Awards of cash
granted to Participants pursuant to the Plan, the Board of Directors may from
time to time either (i) establish a cash reserve out of the general operating
funds of the Company in such amount as the Board of Directors shall in its
discretion determine to be reasonable or advisable or (ii) elect to fund and
distribute such cash Awards directly out of the general operating funds of the
Company.  Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, (a)
the number of shares of Common Stock covered by and reserved for issuance under
the Plan shall be appropriately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the
number of issued shares of Common Stock of the Company resulting from a
subdivision or consolidation of the shares of Common Stock of the Company or the
payment of a stock dividend (but only 



                                      3

<PAGE>

on the Common Stock), stock split, or any other increase or decrease in the 
number of such shares effected without receipt of consideration by the 
Company; and (b) if the outstanding shares of Common Stock are changed or 
exchangeable for a different number or kind of shares of stock or other 
securities of the Company or another entity, then there shall be substituted 
for each share of Common Stock covered by and reserved for issuance under the 
Plan the number and kind of shares of stock or other securities into which 
each outstanding share of the Common Stock shall be changed or for which each 
such share shall be exchangeable.

     5.   PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN.  During the existence of the Plan, each
individual officer, director, Employee, or advisor of the Company or a
Subsidiary shall be eligible to participate in the Plan for each Fiscal Year in
which such individual qualifies as a Participant as defined in Section 2 hereof.
The Board of Directors may give due consideration to the recommendations and
comments submitted by officers, managers and department heads of the Company or
a Subsidiary, as applicable, with respect to the performance of Employees of the
Company or a Subsidiary.

     6.   SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS FOR INCENTIVE AWARDS.  In determining the
Participants who will receive Awards, the Board of Directors shall consider,
among such other factors as it shall deem relevant, (a) the profitability of the
Company or the Subsidiary, (b) the success of the Company or the Subsidiary in
achieving its projected financial objectives for the Fiscal Year, (c) the
Participant's tenure with the Company or Subsidiary, (d) the Participant's
duties and responsibilities, level of performance, salary level, and
contributions to the success of the Company or the Subsidiary, (e) the abilities
and success of the Participant in aiding and supporting the achievement of
operational or production goals or achieving administrative 



                                      4


<PAGE>

expense ratios, (f) the cash position of the Company or Subsidiary, as 
appropriate, and (g) such other factors as the Committee deems appropriate 
and relevant, including, but not limited to, the recommendations and comments,
if any, submitted by officers, managers and department heads of the Company 
or Subsidiary, as applicable, with respect to the respective Participants of
the Plan.

     7.   AWARDS OF INCENTIVE COMPENSATION.  Within sixty (60) days after the
expiration of each Fiscal Year, the Board of Directors, after considering the
factors set forth in Section 6, shall determine (i) the Beneficiaries who shall
be entitled to receive Awards for such Fiscal Year, (ii) the amount of the Award
to be paid or distributed to each Beneficiary for such Fiscal Year, and (iii)
whether such Award shall be made in cash, shares of Common Stock or a
combination thereof.  The amount of the Award shall be distributed by the
Company to each designated Beneficiary as specified in Section 8 hereof.  The
Company shall not be liable for interest on any Award of cash granted under the
Plan.  An Award in Common Stock shall not entitle the Beneficiary to have any
shares registered or recorded in the Beneficiary's name, nor shall such
Beneficiary have any rights as a stockholder with respect to such shares, until
such time as a stock certificate evidencing such shares is delivered to him or
her pursuant to the terms of the Award and this Plan.  No Beneficiary to whom an
Award has been made shall have any rights to the Award other than to receive the
Award at the time and in the form specified by the Board of Directors, which
right may not be assigned or transferred except by will or by the laws of
descent and distribution.  Unless a Beneficiary has filed written instructions
with the Company to the contrary, any Award payable with respect to a deceased
Beneficiary shall be paid to the 



                                      5


<PAGE>

Beneficiary's surviving spouse, if any; otherwise, such Award shall be paid 
to the Beneficiary's estate.

     8.   PAYMENT OR DISTRIBUTION OF AWARDS.  Awards of any Fiscal Year shall be
in cash or in shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of
Common Stock, as the Board of Directors shall determine in its sole discretion. 
Any Award which becomes payable or distributable pursuant to the Plan shall be
paid or distributed to the designated  Beneficiary as soon as administratively
feasible and  practicable after the approval thereof by the Board of Directors.

     9.   FORFEITURE OF BENEFITS.  Any officer, director, Employee or advisor of
the Company or Subsidiary, as applicable, who fails for any reason to qualify as
a Participant of the Plan, shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan, or
having initially qualified as a Participant, but thereafter for any reason
ceases to so qualify as specified in Section 2 hereof, shall forfeit his or her
participation in the Plan and shall not be entitled to any Award for such Fiscal
Year, unless the Board of Directors shall specifically determines otherwise. 
Notwithstanding the preceding, in the event of  such disqualification by death
or permanent disability of a Participant, the Board of Directors shall determine
whether an Award should be paid or distributed to such Participant.  The
determination of the Board of Directors in the exercise of its sole discretion
shall be final and binding upon anyone claiming by or through such a
Participant.

     10.  COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAWS.  At the time of any Award of shares
of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company may require the Beneficiary thereof
to execute any documents or take any action which may be then necessary to
comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and
the rules and regulations promulgated 



                                      6


<PAGE>

thereunder, or any other applicable federal or state laws regulating the sale 
and issuance of securities.  

     11.  INCLUSION OF AWARD AS INCOME.  The amount of any Award granted to a
Beneficiary under the Plan shall be subject to inclusion in the gross income of
the Beneficiary in the year such Award is paid or distributed to the
Beneficiary.  Any such Award of Common Stock shall be reported as income in an
amount equal to the fair market value of such Common Stock as of the date such
Common Stock is awarded to the Beneficiary.  The fair market value shall be
deemed to be the closing price of the Common Stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market's
National Market on the day the Award in Common Stock is granted or, if no sale
of the Common Stock of the Company is reported on such market on such day, on
the next preceding day on which a closing price is reported.

     12.  WITHHOLDING.  Whenever a Beneficiary shall recognize compensation
income as a result of an Award of cash granted under the Plan, the Company shall
deduct and withhold the applicable federal income and employment tax withholding
due on such cash Award and remit such withheld amount to the Internal Revenue
Service in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code (the "Code") and the regulations promulgated thereunder.  Whenever a
Beneficiary shall recognize compensation income as a result of an Award of
Common Stock granted under the Plan, either (i) the Company shall deduct and
withhold the applicable federal income and employment tax withholding due on
such Award of Common Stock from any Award of cash that may have been granted to
the Beneficiary at the same time as the Award of Common Stock and remit such
withheld amount to the Internal Revenue Service in accordance with the
applicable provisions of the Code and the regulations 



                                      7


<PAGE>

promulgated thereunder, or (ii) the Beneficiary shall remit in cash to the 
Company the applicable federal income and employment tax withholding which 
the Company is required to remit to the Internal Revenue Service in 
accordance with the applicable provisions of the Code and the regulations 
promulgated thereunder.

     13.  AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION.  The Board of Directors may, at any time and
from time to time without the necessity of obtaining approval of the
stockholders of the Company, amend, modify, change, suspend, or terminate, in
whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the Plan, except that no such
amendment, modification, change, suspension, or termination shall affect any
right of any Participant to receive Awards made prior to the effective date
thereof.

     14.  NO RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT; OFFICIAL CAPACITY.  No provision contained in
this Plan shall be deemed to grant unto any Participant or his legal
representative or assigns, or any other person or entity claiming under or
through a Participant, any contract or other right to participate in the
benefits of the Plan other than as expressly set forth herein.  Nothing in the
Plan shall be construed as constituting a commitment, guarantee, arrangement,
agreement or understanding of any kind or nature that the Company or Subsidiary
will continue to employ, retain, elect or designate an individual (whether or
not a Participant) in any capacity; nor shall the Plan affect in any way the
right of the Company or a Subsidiary to terminate the employment, association,
designation or official capacity of any individual (whether or not a
Participant) at any time with or without cause.  



                                      8


<PAGE>

     15.  EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM.  This Plan shall become effective upon the
closing date of the initial public offering of the Common Stock of the Company
pursuant to the Securities Act and shall remain in effect until termination by
the Board of Directors.  

     The foregoing Bonus Incentive Plan of Costilla Energy, Inc. was adopted by
the Board of Directors and stockholders of the Company on the 26th day of
August, 1996.

                                   COSTILLA ENERGY, INC.


                                   By:  /s/ Michael J. Grella
                                        ----------------------------------
                                         Michael J. Grella
                                         President and Chief Operating Officer










                                      9



<PAGE>


                                                             EXHIBIT 7.3








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                         *      *      *      *      *

                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN

                                       OF


                              COSTILLA ENERGY, INC.
                            (A DELAWARE CORPORATION)

                         *      *      *      *      *



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



<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                 *      *      *

                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN

                                       OF

                              COSTILLA ENERGY, INC.


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

SECTION                              SUBJECT                                PAGE


1.   PURPOSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1

2.   CERTAIN DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1

3.   INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS AND NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTIONS. . . . . . . . .   5

4.   ADMINISTRATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
          4.1  GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
          4.2  ACTIONS OF BOARD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
          4.3  CONDITIONAL GRANTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7

5.   ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
          5.1  ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   7
          5.2  OPTION PRICE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
          5.3  OPTION AGREEMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8

6.   SHARES OF COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
          6.1  MAXIMUM NUMBER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8
          6.2  CAPITAL CHANGES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9

7.   EXERCISE OF STOCK OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
          7.1  TIME OF EXERCISE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
          7.2  SURRENDER OF SHARES IN PAYMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE. . . . . . .  10
          7.3  USE OF PROMISSORY NOTE; EXERCISE LOANS. . . . . . . . . . . .  10
          7.4  STOCK RESTRICTION AGREEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
          7.5  TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT BEFORE EXERCISE . . . . . . . . . .  11
          7.6  GRANT OF SUPPLEMENTAL BONUSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
          7.7  OPTION VESTING UPON CHANGE OF CONTROL OF THE COMPANY. . . . .  13
          7.8  STAND-ALONE, ADDITIONAL, TANDEM, AND SUBSTITUTE AWARDS. . . .  13


<PAGE>

8.   LIMITED RIGHTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
          8.1  GRANT OF LIMITED RIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
          8.2  EXERCISE OF LIMITED RIGHTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
          8.3  FORM OF PAYMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
          8.4  TERMINATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16

9.   NO CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16

10.  NO RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17

11.  NON-TRANSFERABILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17

12.  COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 16b-3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17

13.  AMENDMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18

14.  REGISTRATION OF OPTIONED SHARES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18

15.  WITHHOLDING TAXES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19

16.  FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19

17.  NONEXCLUSIVITY OF THE PLAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19

<PAGE>

                             1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN

                                       OF

                              COSTILLA ENERGY, INC.


1.   PURPOSE.

     The purpose of this 1996 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") is to enable
Costilla Energy, Inc. (the "Company"), and such of its subsidiary corporations
(as defined in Section 424(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"))
as the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") shall from time to time
designate ("Participating Subsidiaries"), to attract and retain qualified
employees, and to provide such persons with additional motivation to advance the
interests of the Company and its Participating Subsidiaries.  The Plan provides
for the grant of Stock Options, both Incentive Stock Options (under Code Section
422) and nonqualified stock options (under Code Section 83), Limited Rights, and
Supplemental Bonuses to employees of the Company. 

2.   CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

     2.1  "CHANGE OF CONTROL."  The term "Change of Control" shall mean any of
the following events:

          (A)  any "Person," as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of
the Exchange Act (other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding
securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, or any company owned,
directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the
same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company) becomes the
"Beneficial Owner" as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act after (but
not as a direct result of) the completion of the Company's initial public
offering, 

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<PAGE>

directly or indirectly, of 25% or more of the combined voting power of the 
Company's outstanding securities. 

          (B)  individuals who constitute the Board on the effective date of the
Plan (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to
such effective date whose election, or nomination for election, by the Company's
stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors
comprising the Incumbent Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the
proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for
director, without objection to such nomination) shall be, for purposes of this
clause (B), considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent
Board;

          (C)  the stockholders of the Company shall approve a merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, or reorganization of the Company, a reverse
stock split of outstanding voting securities, or consummation of any such
transaction if stockholder approval is not obtained, other than (1) any such
transaction which would result in at least 50% of the total voting power
represented by the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding
immediately after such transaction being "Beneficially Owned" (as defined above)
by 75% or more of the holders of outstanding voting securities of the Company
immediately prior to the transaction, with the voting power of each such
continuing holder relative to other such continuing holders not substantially
altered in the transaction, or (2) a merger or consolidation effected to
implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no
"Person" (as defined above) acquires more than 25% of the combined voting power
of the Company's then outstanding securities; or 

                                     2

<PAGE>

          (D)  the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the
Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.

     Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, no Change of
Control shall be deemed to have occurred with respect to any particular Employee
by virtue of any transaction which results in such Employee, or a group of
Persons which includes such Employee, acquiring, directly or indirectly, 25% or
more of the combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities.

     2.2  "COMMON STOCK."  Common Stock means Common Stock, par value $0.10 per
share, of the Company.

     2.3  "EMPLOYEE."  An Employee is an employee of the Company or any
Participating Subsidiary.

     2.4  "EXCHANGE ACT."  Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended from time to time.

     2.5  "FAIR MARKET VALUE."  The Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock
on any date shall be the closing price of the Common Stock as reported in the
Wall Street Journal for securities listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market's National
Market (the "Nasdaq National Market"), or other exchange on which the Common
Stock is traded, for the date in question, or if no closing price is available,
the closing price on the next preceding date for which a closing price was so
reported, unless otherwise specified by the Board.  If the Common Stock is not
listed on The Nasdaq National Market or traded on another exchange, the Fair
Market Value shall be such amount as determined by the Board.

                                     3

<PAGE>

     2.6  "LIMITED RIGHT."  A Limited Right is the right to receive payment, in
cash, following a Change of Control, of an amount equal to the product computed
by multiplying (i) the excess of (A) the higher of (x) the Minimum Price Per
Share, if the Change of Control occurs as a result of a Transaction, tender
offer or exchange offer, or (y) the highest Fair Market Value per share during
the period commencing thirty days prior to the Change of Control and ending
immediately prior to the date the Limited Right is exercised, over (B) the
option price per share under the Stock Option to which such Limited Right
relates, by (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock as to which such Limited
Right is being exercised provided that, in the case of any ISO (as defined
herein), the amount computed under part (A) of the foregoing formula shall be
equal to the Fair Market Value of Common Stock on the date the Limited Right is,
in fact, exercised.  

     2.7  "MINIMUM PRICE PER SHARE."  Minimum Price Per Share means the highest
gross price (before brokerage commissions and soliciting dealer's fees) paid or
to be paid for a share of Common Stock (whether by way of exchange, conversion,
distribution or upon liquidation or otherwise) in any Transaction, tender offer
or exchange offer occurring prior to the date on which such Limited Right is
exercised.  If the consideration paid or to be paid in any such Transaction,
tender offer or exchange offer shall consist, in whole or in part, of
consideration other than cash, the Board shall take such action, as in its
judgment it deems appropriate, to establish the cash value of such
consideration, but such valuation shall not be less than the value, if any,
attributed to such consideration in writing by any party to such Transaction,
tender offer or exchange offer other than the Company.  

                                     4

<PAGE>

     2.8  "PARTICIPANT."  A Participant is an Employee to whom a Stock Option,
Limited Right or Supplemental Bonus is granted.

     2.9  "OPTION PRICE."  The purchase price per share of Common Stock subject
to a Stock Option is set pursuant to Section 5.2.

     2.10 "STOCK OPTION."  A Stock Option is the right granted under the Plan to
an Employee to purchase, at such time or times and at such Option Price or
prices as are determined by the Board, the number of shares of Common Stock
determined by the Board.

     2.11 "SUPPLEMENTAL BONUS."  A Supplemental Bonus is the right to receive
payment, in shares of Common Stock, cash or a combination of shares of Common
Stock and cash, of an amount specified by the Board pursuant to Section 7.6.

     2.12 "TRANSACTION."  A Transaction is (A) any consolidation or merger of
the Company in which the Company is not the surviving corporation other than a
merger solely to effect a reincorporation or a merger of the Company as to which
stockholder approval is not required pursuant to Section 251(f) or 253 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law, or (B) any sale, lease, exchange or other
transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of 50% or more
of the assets or earning power of the Company, or (C) the adoption of any plan
or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

     For purposes of this Plan, the Board may, by resolution, clarify the date
as of which a Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred.

3.   INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS AND NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTIONS.

     The Stock Options granted under the Plan may be either:

                                     5

<PAGE>

     (a)  Incentive Stock Options ("ISOs") which are intended to be "incentive
stock options" as that term is defined in Section 422(b) of the Code; or 

     (b)  Nonstatutory Stock Options ("NSOs") which are intended to be options
that do not qualify as "incentive stock options" under Section 422 of the Code.

     The individual Option Agreement(s) (as defined in Section 5.3) shall
clearly designate whether the Stock Options granted are ISOs or NSOs.  Subject
to other provisions of the Plan, a Participant may receive ISOs or NSOs. 
Subject to other provisions of the Plan, a Participant may receive ISOs and NSOs
at the same time, provided that the ISOs and NSOs are clearly designated as
such.

     Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all of the provisions and
requirements of the Plan relating to Stock Options shall apply to both ISOs and
NSOs.  

4.   ADMINISTRATION.

     4.1  GENERAL.  The Plan shall be administered by the Board.  Subject to the
provisions of the Plan, the Board shall have full authority to administer the
Plan, including authority to grant awards under the Plan and determine the terms
thereof, to interpret and construe any provision of the Plan and any Stock
Option, Limited Right or Supplemental Bonus granted thereunder, to adopt such
rules and regulations for administering the Plan, including those it may deem
necessary in order to comply with the requirements of the Code or in order that
Stock Options that are intended to be ISOs will be classified as incentive stock
options under the Code, or in order to conform to any regulation or to any
change in any law or regulation applicable thereto, and to make all other
decisions and determinations under the Plan.  

                                     6

<PAGE>

     4.2  ACTIONS OF BOARD.  All actions taken and all interpretations and
determinations made by the Board in good faith (including determinations of Fair
Market Value) shall be final and binding upon all Participants (their heirs,
personal representative, administrators and assigns), the Company and all other
interested persons.  No member of the Board shall be personally liable for any
action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the
Plan, and all members of the Board shall, in addition to their rights as
directors, be fully protected by the Company with respect to any such action,
determination or interpretation.

     4.3  CONDITIONAL GRANTS.  All Stock Options, Limited Rights and
Supplemental Bonuses granted prior to the date the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 with respect to the Common Stock is declared effective by
the Securities and Exchange Commission are expressly conditioned upon such
effectiveness.  If such effectiveness is not obtained within one (1) year of the
Effective Date, such conditionally granted Stock Options, Limited Rights and
Supplemental Bonuses shall automatically terminate and be of no effect or value.
In addition to any other limitations provided herein, no Stock Option or Limited
Right may be exercised until such Registration Statement is declared effective
by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

5.   ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION.

     5.1  ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES.  Grants of Stock Options, Limited Rights and
Supplemental Bonuses may be made to Employees.  Any director of the Company or
of a Participating Subsidiary who is also an Employee shall also be eligible,
but directors who are not Employees shall not be eligible, to receive Stock
Options, Limited Rights or Supplemental Bonuses under the Plan.  The Board shall
from time to time determine the Employees to whom Stock Options 


                                       7

<PAGE>

shall be granted, whether the option is an ISO, an NSO or combination of 
both, the number of shares of Common Stock subject to each Stock Option to be 
granted to each such Employee, the Option Price of such Stock Options and the 
terms and conditions of such Stock Options, including the terms of exercise 
of the Stock Options, subject to the provisions of this Plan.

     5.2  OPTION PRICE.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.8, the Option
Price of any ISO or NSO shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a share
of Common Stock on the date on which the Stock Option is granted and shall not
be less than par value of Common Stock.  If an ISO is granted to any Employee
who, at the time of the grant, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any parent or
subsidiary corporation of the Company, the Option Price of such ISO shall be at
least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the ISO on
the date such ISO is granted, and such ISO shall not be exercisable after five
years after the date on which it was granted.

     5.3  OPTION AGREEMENT.  Each Stock Option shall be evidenced by a written
agreement ("Option Agreement") containing such terms and provisions of the grant
as the Board may determine including without limitation those terms set by the
Board pursuant to Sections 5.1, 7.1 and 7.5, subject to the provisions of this
Plan, which may be incorporated into the Option Agreement by reference.  

6.   SHARES OF COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

     6.1  MAXIMUM NUMBER.  The maximum aggregate number of shares of Common
Stock that may be issued under the Plan shall be 850,000 shares, subject to
adjustment as provided in Section 6.2.  Such shares may be authorized and
unissued shares or may be treasury shares.  


                                       8

<PAGE>

The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time an ISO is granted) 
of the Common Stock as to which all ISOs granted to an individual may first 
become exercisable in a particular calendar year may not exceed $100,000; 
provided that to the extent that Stock Options intended to be ISOs (together 
with all incentive stock options granted under other Company plans to such 
individual) become exercisable in a given year in excess of $100,000, such 
portion of the Stock Options shall be deemed to be NSOs and shall be 
exercisable as such.  If any shares of Common Stock subject to Stock Options 
are not purchased or otherwise paid for before such Stock Options expire or 
otherwise terminate, unless such Stock Options are surrendered upon exercise 
of Limited Rights, such shares may again be made subject to Stock Options or 
otherwise issued under the Plan.

     6.2  CAPITAL CHANGES.  In the event any changes are made to the shares of
Common Stock (whether by reason of merger, consolidation, reorganization,
recapitalization, stock dividend in excess of one percent (1%) at any single
time, stock split, combination of shares, exchange of shares, extraordinary cash
dividend, change in corporate structure or otherwise), the Board shall, in order
to prevent dilution or enlargement of Participant's rights, make appropriate
adjustments in: (i) the number and kind of shares theretofore made subject to
Stock Options, and in the Option Price of said shares, and (ii) the aggregate
number and kind of shares which may be issued under the Plan.  If any of the
foregoing adjustments shall result in a fractional share, the fraction shall be
disregarded, and the Company shall have no obligation to make any cash or other
payment with respect to such a fractional share.


                                       9

<PAGE>

7.   EXERCISE OF STOCK OPTIONS.

     7.1  TIME OF EXERCISE.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, including
without limitation Section 7.7, the Board, in its discretion, shall determine
the time when a Stock Option, or a portion of a Stock Option, shall become
exercisable, and the time when a Stock Option, or a portion of a Stock Option,
shall expire.  Such time or times shall be set forth in the Option Agreement
evidencing such Stock Option.  An ISO shall expire, to the extent not exercised,
no later than the tenth anniversary date of the date on which it was granted,
and an NSO shall expire, to the extent not exercised, no later than 10 years and
one day after the date on which it was granted.  The Board may accelerate the
vesting of any Participant's Stock Option by giving written notice to the
Participant.  Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the acceleration of the
exercise period of a Stock Option shall not affect the expiration date of that
Stock Option.

     7.2  SURRENDER OF SHARES IN PAYMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE.  The Board, in its
sole discretion, may permit a Participant to surrender to the Company shares of
Common Stock as part or full payment for the exercise of a Stock Option.  Such
surrendered shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of
exercise.  Unless otherwise determined by the Board, any such shares surrendered
by the Participant shall have been held by him for at least six months prior to
surrender. 

     7.3  USE OF PROMISSORY NOTE; EXERCISE LOANS.  The Board may, in its sole
discretion, impose terms and conditions, including conditions relating to the
manner and timing of payments of the Option Price, on the exercise of Stock
Options.  Such terms and conditions may include, but are not limited to,
permitting a Participant to deliver to the Company his promissory note 


                                      10

<PAGE>

as payment for the exercise of a Stock Option; provided that, with respect to 
any promissory note given as payment or partial payment for the exercise of 
an ISO, all terms of such note, including collateral securing the same, shall 
be determined at the time the Stock Option is granted and set forth in the 
Option Agreement.  The Board, in its sole discretion, may authorize the 
Company to make a loan to a Participant in connection with the exercise of 
Stock Options, or authorize the Company to arrange or guaranty loans to a 
Participant by a third party, including in connection with broker-assisted 
cashless exercises.  The foregoing notwithstanding, a Participant shall pay 
at least the par value of the Common Stock to be acquired upon exercise of a 
Stock Option in the form of lawful consideration under the Delaware General 
Corporation Law prior to issuance of such shares.  

     7.4  STOCK RESTRICTION AGREEMENT.  The Board may provide that shares of
Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of a Stock Option shall, under certain
conditions, be subject to restrictions whereby the Company has a right of first
refusal with respect to such shares or a right or obligation to repurchase all
or a portion of such shares, which restrictions may survive a Participant's term
of employment with the Company.  The acceleration of time or times at which the
Stock Option becomes exercisable may be conditioned upon the Participant's
agreement to such restrictions.

     7.5  TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT BEFORE EXERCISE.  If a Participant's
employment with the Company or a Participating Subsidiary shall terminate for
any reason other than the Participant's disability or death, any ISO then held
by the Participant, to the extent then exercisable under the applicable Option
Agreement(s), shall remain exercisable after the termination of his employment
for a period of three months from date of termination.  If the 


                                      11

<PAGE>

Participant's employment is terminated because the Participant is disabled 
within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, any ISO then held by the 
Participant, to the extent then exercisable under the applicable Option 
Agreement(s), shall remain exercisable after the termination of his 
employment for a period of one year (but in no event beyond ten years from 
the date of grant of the ISO) by the Participant or his legal representative. 
 If the Stock Option is not exercised during the applicable period, it shall 
be deemed to have been forfeited and of no further force or effect.  The 
period and extent to which an NSO may be exercised following termination of 
employment shall be determined by the Board and set forth in the Option 
Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Stock Option, whether an ISO or 
NSO, held by a Participant at the Participant's death shall be exercisable by 
the Participant's personal representative, estate or heirs until the later of 
(i) the expiration of the Stock Option or (ii) one year after death.

     7.6  GRANT OF SUPPLEMENTAL BONUSES.  The Board, either at the time of grant
or at any time prior to exercise of any NSO or Limited Right, may provide for a
Supplemental Bonus from the Company or Participating Subsidiary in connection
with a specified number of shares of Common Stock then purchasable, or which may
become purchasable, under an NSO, or a specified number of Limited Rights which
may be or become exercisable.  A Supplemental Bonus shall be automatically
payable upon the exercise of the NSO or Limited Right with regard to which such
the Supplemental Bonus was granted.  A Supplemental Bonus shall not exceed the
amount necessary to reimburse the Participant for the income tax liability
incurred by him upon the exercise of the NSO or upon the exercise of such
Limited Right, calculated using the maximum combined federal and applicable
state income tax rates then in effect and taking into 


                                      12

<PAGE>

account the tax liability incurred by him upon the exercise of the NSO or 
upon the exercise of such Limited Right, calculated using the maximum 
combined federal and applicable state income tax rates than in effect and 
taking into account the tax liability arising from the Participant's receipt 
of the Supplemental Bonus, all as determined by the Committee.  The Committee 
may, in its discretion, elect to pay any part or all of the Supplemental 
Bonus in:  (i) cash; (ii) shares of Common Stock; or (iii) any combination of 
cash and shares of Common Stock; provided that bonuses payable in respect of 
Limited Rights shall be payable only in cash. The Board's determination to 
grant a Supplemental Bonus shall be made by giving written notice to the 
Participant not later than 90 days after the related exercise, which notice 
shall specify the portion which the Board elects to pay in cash, shares of 
Common Stock or a combination thereof.  In the event any portion is to be 
paid in shares of Common Stock, the number of shares to be delivered shall be 
determined by dividing the amount which the Board elects to pay in shares of 
Common Stock by the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the 
date of exercise.  Any fractional shares resulting from any such calculation 
shall be disregarded.  Said shares, together with any cash payable to the 
Participant, shall be delivered within said 90-day period.  

     7.7  OPTION VESTING UPON CHANGE OF CONTROL OF THE COMPANY.  In the event of
a Change of Control of the Company the vesting of Stock Options granted pursuant
to the Plan shall automatically be accelerated, so that all Stock Options
outstanding at the time of such Change of Control will be exercisable
immediately except as otherwise provided in Section 2.1.

     7.8  STAND-ALONE, ADDITIONAL, TANDEM, AND SUBSTITUTE AWARDS.  Awards
granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Board, be granted either
alone or in addition to, in tandem 



                                      13


<PAGE>

with, or in substitution for, any other award granted under the Plan or any 
other plan of the Company or any Participating Subsidiary or any other right 
of a Participant to receive payment from the Company or any Participating 
Subsidiary.  If an award is granted in substitution for another such award, 
the Board shall require the surrender of such other award in consideration 
for the grant of the new award.  Awards granted in addition to or in tandem 
with other awards may be granted either as of the same time as or a different 
time from the grant of such other awards.  The per share Option Price of any 
Stock Option:

          (A)  Granted in substitution for an outstanding award shall be
     not less than the lesser of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common
     Stock from the date such substitute award is granted or such Fair
     Market Value at that date reduced to reflect the fair market value (as
     determined by the Board) at that date of the award required to be
     surrendered by the Participant as a condition to receipt of the
     substitute award; or 

          (B)  Retroactively granted in tandem with an outstanding award
     shall be not less than the lesser of the Fair Market Value of a share
     of Common Stock at the date of grant of the later award or at the date
     of grant of the earlier award.

Except for the Option Price required to be paid upon the exercise of Stock
Options and except as provided in this Section 7.8, only services may be
required as consideration for the grant of any award under the Plan.

8.   LIMITED RIGHTS.

     8.1  GRANT OF LIMITED RIGHTS.  The Board may in its discretion grant
Limited Rights to a Participant concurrently with the grant of each ISO or at
any time with respect to any NSO.



                                      14


<PAGE>

Such Limited Rights shall be exercisable with respect to the number of shares 
of Common Stock which are, or may become, purchasable under any such Stock 
Option.  The Board may, in its discretion, specify the terms and conditions 
of such rights, including without limitation the date or dates upon which 
such rights shall expire and become void and unexercisable, except that 
Limited Rights granted with respect to an ISO shall only be exercisable, and 
shall expire, at the time or times the ISO is exercisable and expires, 
respectively.  Each Participant to whom Limited Rights are granted shall be 
given written notice advising him of the grant of such rights and specifying 
the terms and conditions of the rights, which shall be subject to all the 
provisions of this Plan. 

     8.2  EXERCISE OF LIMITED RIGHTS.  Subject to the limitations set forth in
Section 8.1, a Limited Right may be exercisable only during the period beginning
on the first day following the occurrence of a Change of Control and ending on
the sixtieth day following such date.  Upon the occurrence of a tender or
exchange offer constituting a Change of Control, a Limited Right may be
exercised in such manner regardless of whether the Board supports or opposes
such tender or exchange offer.  A Participant shall exercise his Limited Rights
by delivering a written notice to the Board specifying the number of shares with
respect to which he exercises Limited Rights and agreeing to surrender the right
to purchase an equivalent number of shares of Common Stock subject to his Stock
Option.  If a Participant exercises Limited Rights, payment of his Limited
Rights shall be made in accordance with Section 8.3 on or before the thirtieth
day after the date of exercise of the Limited Rights.  A Limited Right shall
remain exercisable during the exercise periods specified in accordance with
Section 8.1 and this Section in the event of a termination of employment of the
Participant holding the Limited Right after a Change of 



                                      15


<PAGE>

Control; provided, however, that the Limited Right shall expire upon the 
expiration of the exercise period of the Stock Option to which it relates.  
Notwithstanding the above, upon a termination of the employment of the holder 
of the Limited Right before the occurrence of any Change of Control, the 
Limited Right shall expire immediately upon such termination.

     8.3  FORM OF PAYMENT.  If a Participant elects to exercise Limited Rights
as provided in Section 8.2, the Company shall pay to the Participant in cash the
amount set forth in Section 2.7 hereof, calculated with respect to the shares as
to which the Participant has exercised Limited Rights, within thirty days after
the date of exercise of the Limited Rights.  If such amount is not paid in full
within the prescribed period, the Company shall be liable to such Participant
for the costs of collection of such amount, including attorney's fees.

     8.4  TERMINATION.  When a Limited Right is exercised, the Stock Option to
which it relates, if any, shall cease to be exercisable to the extent of the
number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which such Limited Right was
exercised.  Upon the exercise or termination of a Stock Option, any Limited
Right granted with respect thereto shall terminate to the extent of the number
of shares as to which such Stock Option was exercised or terminated.

9.   NO CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT.

     Nothing in this Plan shall confer upon the Participant the right to
continue in the employ of the Company, or any Participating Subsidiary, nor
shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Company, or any such
Participating Subsidiary, to discharge the Participant at any time for any
reason whatsoever, with or without cause.  Nothing in this Article 9 shall
affect any rights or obligations of the Company or any Participant under any
written contract of employment.



                                      16


<PAGE>

10.  NO RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER.

     A Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any
shares of Common Stock subject to a Stock Option, until such Stock Option is
exercised and certificates representing the shares are issued.  Except as
provided in Section 6.2, no adjustment shall be made in the number of shares of
Common Stock issued to a Participant, or in any other rights of the Participant
upon exercise of a Stock Option by reason of any dividend, distribution or other
right granted to stockholders for which the record date is prior to the date of
issuance of shares upon exercise of the Participant's Stock Option.

11.  NON-TRANSFERABILITY.

     No Stock Option, Limited Right or Supplemental Bonus granted under this
Plan, nor any other rights acquired by a Participant under this Plan, shall be
assignable or transferable by a Participant, other than by will or the laws of
descent and distribution, or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as
defined under Section 1041 of the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, and any ISO shall be exercisable, during the
Participant's lifetime, only by him.  In the event of a Participant's death, the
Stock Option or any Limited Right or Supplemental Bonus may be exercised by the
personal representative of the Participant's estate or, if no personal
representative has been appointed, by the successor or successors in interest
determined under the Participant's will or under the applicable laws of descent
and distribution.

12.  COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 16b-3.

     It is the intent of the Company that the Plan comply in all respects with
Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act in connection with any award granted to a
person who is subject to Section 



                                      17


<PAGE>

16 of the Exchange Act.  Accordingly, if any provision of the Plan or any 
agreement hereunder does not comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 as 
then applicable to any such person, such provision shall be construed or 
deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements with 
respect to such person.

13.  AMENDMENT.

     The Company by action of the Board may amend, modify or terminate this 
Plan at any time or may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Option 
Agreement, except that any such amendment, modification or termination of the 
Plan shall be subject to the approval of the Company's stockholders within 
one year after such Board action if such stockholder approval is required by 
any federal or state law or regulation or the rules of any stock exchange or 
automated quotation system on which the Common Stock may be listed or quoted, 
or if the Board in its discretion determines that obtaining such stockholder 
approval is for any reason advisable.  Moreover, no action may be taken by 
the Company without the consent of the affected Participant which will 
materially impair the rights of such Participant under any award then 
outstanding or which will prevent an ISO from continuing to qualify under 
Section 422 of the Code.

14.  REGISTRATION OF OPTIONED SHARES.

     No Stock Option shall be exercisable unless the Company's sale of such
optioned shares is pursuant to an applicable effective registration statement
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or unless, in the opinion of
counsel to the Company, the Company's sale of such optioned shares would be
exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 



                                      18


<PAGE>

1933, as amended, and unless, in the opinion of such counsel, such sale would 
be exempt from the registration or qualification requirements of applicable 
state securities laws.

15.  WITHHOLDING TAXES.

     The Company or a Participating Subsidiary may take such steps as the Board
may deem necessary or appropriate for the withholding of any taxes which the
Company or the Participating Subsidiary is required by any law or regulation or
any governmental authority, whether federal, state or local, domestic or
foreign, to withhold in connection with any Stock Option, Limited Right or
Supplemental Bonus, and to take such other action as the Board may deem
necessary or advisable to enable the Company and Participants to satisfy
obligations for the payment of tax liabilities in excess of such withholding
obligations relating to any such award.  This authority shall include authority
to withhold or receive shares or other property and to make cash payments in
respect thereof in satisfaction of Participant's tax obligations.

16.  FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS.

     The Board, in its discretion, may enter into arrangements with one or more
banks, brokers or other financial institutions to facilitate the exercise, and
the disposition of shares acquired upon exercise, of Stock Options or
Supplemental Bonuses, including, without limitation, arrangements for the
simultaneous exercise of Stock Options (including a related Supplemental Bonus),
and sale of the shares acquired upon such exercise.

17.  NONEXCLUSIVITY OF THE PLAN.

     Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor the submission of the
Plan to stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating
any limitations on the power or authority of the Board to adopt such other or
additional incentive or other 



                                      19


<PAGE>

compensation arrangements or whatever nature as the Board may deem necessary 
or desirable or preclude or limit the continuation of any other plan, 
practice or arrangement for payment of compensation or fringe benefits to 
employees generally, or to any class or group of employees, which the Company 
or any subsidiary now has lawfully put into effect, including, without 
limitation, any retirement, pension, savings and stock purchase plan, 
insurance, death and disability benefits and executive short-term incentive 
plans.

18.  EFFECTIVE DATE.

     This Plan shall become effective on September 1, 1996 (the "Effective
Date"), subject to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 with respect
to the Common Stock, file number 333-08913, being declared effective by the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  If no such effectiveness is obtained on or
before one (1) year of the Effective Date, the Plan shall terminate, and all
Stock Options, Limited Rights and Supplemental Bonuses conditionally granted
hereunder shall be null and void and of no force or effect.  No ISO shall be
granted subsequent to ten years after the Effective Date.  Unless earlier
terminated by the Board, the Plan shall terminate when no shares of Common Stock
remain reserved and available for issuance and the Company has no further
obligation with respect to any award granted under the Plan.

     The foregoing 1996 Stock Option Plan of Costilla Energy, Inc. was adopted
and approved by the Board of Directors and stockholders of the Company on the
26th day of August, 1996.

                                   COSTILLA ENERGY, INC.


                                   By: /s/ MICHAEL J. GRELLA
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       Michael J. Grella
                                       President and Chief Operating Officer







                                      20



<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 7.4

                             JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

     This Joint Filing Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered into by
and among Cadell S. Liedtke, Michael J. Grella and Henry G. Musselman
(collectively, the "Reporting Persons"), with reference to the following facts:

     WHEREAS, each of the Reporting Persons beneficially own, as that term is
defined in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules
promulgated thereunder, in excess of five percent (5%) of the issued and
outstanding shares of common stock, $.10 par value, of Costilla Energy, Inc.

     WHEREAS, due to such stock ownership, each of the Reporting Persons is
required to file a Schedule 13D with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     WHEREAS, the Reporting Persons have determined that it would be most
efficient and provide the clearest disclosure if the Reporting Persons file a
joint statement on Schedule 13D as allowed by Rule 13d-1(f).

     NOW, THEREFORE, each of the Reporting Persons hereby agrees to join with
the other Reporting Persons in the preparation and filing of a joint statement
on Schedule 13D, and join in the preparation and filing of such amendments to
that schedule as may be required under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and the rules promulgated thereunder.

     EXECUTED as of the 15th day of October, 1996.

October 15, 1996                    /s/ Cadell S. Liedtke
- ----------------                    ----------------------------
     Date                           Cadell S. Liedtke



October 15, 1996                    /s/ Michael J. Grella
- ----------------                    ----------------------------
     Date                           Michael J. Grella


October 15, 1996                    /s/ Henry G. Musselman
- ----------------                    ----------------------------
     Date                           Henry G. Musselman



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