CARRIZO OIL & GAS INC
10-K, 1999-03-31
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
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                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
 
                                   FORM 10-K

                 ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998               COMMISSION NO. 0-22915
 
                            CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
                    TEXAS                                        76-0415919
       (State or other jurisdiction of                        (I.R.S. Employer
        incorporation or organization)                      Identification No.)

       14811 ST. MARY'S LANE, SUITE 148                            77079
                HOUSTON, TEXAS                                   (Zip Code)
        (Principal executive offices)
</TABLE>
 
       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (281) 496-1352
 
          Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
 
                          COMMON STOCK, $.01 PAR VALUE
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
 
                            YES [X]          NO [ ]
 
     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. _________
 
     At March 26, 1999, the aggregate market value of the registrant's Common
Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $5.3 million
based on the closing price of such stock on such date of $1 11/32.
 
     At March 26, 1999, the number of shares outstanding of the registrant's
Common Stock was 10,375,000.
 
                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
     Portions of the definitive proxy statement for the Registrant's 1999 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form
10-K. Such definitive proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission not later than 120 days subsequent to December 31, 1998.
 
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<PAGE>   2
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
PART I......................................................    1
  Item 1. and Item 2. Business and Properties...............    1
  Item 3. Legal Proceedings.................................   22
  Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security
     Holders................................................   22
  Executive Officers of the Registrant......................   22
PART II.....................................................   23
  Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Stock and Related
     Shareholder Matters....................................   23
  Item 6. Selected Financial Data...........................   24
  Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
     Condition and Results of Operations....................   25
  Item 7A. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About
     Market Risk............................................   34
  Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.......   35
  Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on
     Accounting and Financial Disclosure....................   35
PART III....................................................   35
  Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the
     Registrant.............................................   35
  Item 11. Executive Compensation...........................   35
  Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
     and Management.........................................   35
  Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Party
     Transactions...........................................   35
PART IV.....................................................   35
  Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and
     Reports on Form 8-K....................................   35
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   3
 
                                     PART I
 
ITEM 1. AND ITEM 2. BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES
 
GENERAL
 
     Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. ("Carrizo" or the "Company") is an independent oil
and gas company engaged in the exploration, development, exploitation and
production of natural gas and crude oil. The Company's operations are currently
focused onshore in proven oil and gas producing trends along the Gulf Coast,
primarily in Texas and Louisiana in the Frio, Wilcox and Vicksburg trends. The
Company believes that the availability of economic onshore 3-D seismic surveys
has fundamentally changed the risk profile of oil and gas exploration in these
regions. Recognizing this change, the Company has aggressively sought to control
significant prospective acreage blocks for targeted 3-D seismic surveys. As of
December 31, 1998, the Company had assembled approximately 407,123 gross acres
under lease or option and acquired 31 3-D seismic surveys. The Company typically
seeks to acquire seismic permits from landowners that include options to lease
the acreage prior to conducting proprietary surveys. In other circumstances,
including when the Company participates in 3-D group shoots, the Company
typically seeks to obtain leases or farm-ins rather than lease options.
 
     Approximately 90% of the Company's current acreage position is covered by
3-D seismic data that the Company has acquired, or is in the process of
acquiring. The Company expects to acquire or cause to be acquired additional 3-D
seismic data during the remainder of 1999 that will cover most of the remaining
current acreage position.
 
     Carrizo has amassed a large drillsite inventory from the 3-D surveys, with
as many as 280 gross wells that could be drilled over the next four years,
assuming sufficient capital resources. In addition, the Company anticipates that
as its existing 3-D seismic data is further evaluated, and 3-D seismic data is
acquired over the balance of its acreage, additional prospects will be generated
for drilling beyond 2002.
 
     The Company's primary drilling targets have been shallow (from 4,000 to
7,000 feet), normally pressured reservoirs that generally involve moderate cost
(typically $150,000 to $400,000 per completed well) and risk. Many of these
drilling prospects also have secondary, deeper, over-pressured targets which
have greater economic potential but generally involve higher cost (typically $1
million to $2 million per completed well) and risk. The Company often seeks to
sell a portion of these deeper prospects to reduce its exploration risk and
financial exposure while still allowing the Company to retain significant upside
potential. The Company operates the majority of its projects through the
exploratory phase but may relinquish operator status to qualified partners in
the production phase to control costs and focus resources on the higher-value
exploratory phase. As of December 31, 1998, the Company operated 75 producing
oil and gas wells, which accounted for 39% of the wells in which the Company had
an interest.
 
The Company has experienced rapid increases in reserves, production and EBITDA
from its inception in 1993 through 1997 due to the growth of its 3-D based
drilling and development activities. From January 1, 1996 to December 31, 1998,
the Company participated in the drilling of 147 gross wells (51.9 net) with a
commercial well success rate of approximately 67%. This drilling success
contributed to the Company's total proved reserves as of December 31, 1997 of
43.2 Bcfe with a PV-10 Value of $26.1 million. During 1998, the Company added
6.4 Bcfe to proved reserves through drilling and acquisitions, however total
proved reserves decreased to approximately 32.0 Bcfe, with a PV-10 Value of
$18.7 million, as a result of production and 1.4 Bcfe of reserves deemed
uneconomic due to low oil and gas prices at December 31, 1998. While the
Company's production increased 2% from 3,424 MMcfe for the year ended December
31, 1997 to 3,495 MMcfe for the year ended December 31, 1998, EBITDA decreased
from $4,787,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997 to $2,707,000 for the year
ended December 31, 1998 due to significantly lower oil and gas sales prices.
 
     Certain terms used herein relating to the oil and natural gas industry are
defined in "Glossary of Certain Industry Terms" below.
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   4
 
EXPLORATION APPROACH
 
     The Company's strategy has been to rapidly accumulate large amounts of 3-D
seismic data along prolific, producing trends of the onshore Gulf Coast after
obtaining options to lease areas covered by the data. The Company then uses 3-D
seismic data to identify or evaluate prospects before drilling the prospects
that fit its risk/reward criteria. The Company typically seeks to explore in
locations within its core areas of expertise that it believes have (i) numerous
accumulations of normally pressured reserves at shallow depths and in geologic
traps that are difficult to define without the interpretation of 3-D seismic
data and (ii) the potential for large accumulations of deeper, over-pressured
reserves.
 
     As a result of the increased availability of economic onshore 3-D seismic
surveys and the improvement and increased affordability of data interpretation
technologies, the Company has relied almost exclusively on the interpretation of
3-D seismic data in its exploration strategy. The Company generally does not
invest any substantial portion of the costs for an exploration well without
first interpreting 3-D seismic data. The principal advantage of 3-D seismic data
over traditional 2-D seismic analysis is that it affords the geoscientist the
ability to interpret a three dimensional cube of data representing a specific
project area as compared to interpreting between widely separated two
dimensional vertical profiles. As a consequence, the geoscientist is able to
more fully and accurately evaluate prospective areas, improving the probability
of drilling commercially successful wells in both exploratory and development
drilling. The use of 3-D seismic allows the geoscientist to identify and use
areas of irregular sand geometry to augment or replace structural interpretation
in the identification of potential hydrocarbon accumulations. Additionally,
detailed analysis and correlation of the 3-D seismic response to lithology and
contained fluids assist geoscientists in identifying and prioritizing drilling
targets. Because 3-D analysis is completed over an entire target area cube,
shallow, intermediate and deep objectives can be analyzed. Additionally, the
more precise structural definition allowed by 3-D seismic data combined with
integration of available well and production data assists in the positioning of
new development wells.
 
     The Company has sought to obtain large volumes of 3-D seismic data either
by participating in large seismic data acquisition programs either alone or
pursuant to joint venture arrangements with other energy companies, or through
"group shoots" in which the Company shares the costs and results of seismic
surveys. By participating in joint ventures and group shoots, the Company is
able to share the up-front costs of seismic data acquisition and interpretation,
thereby enabling it to participate in a larger number of projects and diversify
exploration costs and risks. Most of the Company's operations are conducted
through joint operations with industry participants. As of December 31, 1998,
the Company was actively involved in 45 project areas.
 
     The Company's primary strategy for acreage acquisition is to obtain leasing
options covering large geographic areas in connection with 3-D seismic surveys.
Prior to conducting proprietary surveys, the Company typically seeks to acquire
seismic permits that include options to lease the acreage, thereby ensuring the
price and availability of leases on drilling prospects that may result upon
completing a successful seismic data acquisition program over a project area.
The Company generally attempts to obtain these options covering at least 80% of
the project area for these proprietary surveys. The size of these surveys has
ranged from 10 to 80 square miles. When the Company participates in 3-D group
shoots, it generally seeks prospective leases as quickly as possible following
interpretation of the survey. In connection with some group shoots in which the
Company believes that competition for acreage may be especially strong, the
Company may seek to obtain lease options or leases in prospective areas prior to
the receipt or interpretation of 3-D seismic data.
 
     The Company maintains a flexible and diversified approach to project
identification by focusing on the estimated financial results of a project area
rather than limiting its focus to any one method or source for obtaining leads
for new project areas. The Company's current project areas resulted from leads
developed by its project generation network that includes small, independent
"prospect generators", the Company's joint venture partners and the Company's
internal staff. The Company believes that it has been able to increase the
number of potential projects and reduce its costs through the use of these
outside sources of project generation. When identifying specific drillsites from
within a project area, the Company relies upon its own geoscientists.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   5
 
OPERATING APPROACH
 
     The Company's management team has extensive experience in the development
and management of projects along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast. The Company
believes that the experience of its management in the development of 3-D
projects in its core operating areas is a competitive advantage for the Company.
The Company's technical and operating employees have an average of 16 years of
industry experience, in many cases with major and large independent oil
companies, including Shell Oil Company, Vastar Resources, Inc., Pennzoil Company
and Tenneco Inc.
 
     The Company generally seeks to obtain lease operator status and control
over field operations, and in particular seeks to control decisions regarding
3-D survey design parameters and drilling and completion methods. As of December
31, 1998, the Company operated 75 producing oil and natural gas wells.
 
     The Company emphasizes preplanning in project development to lower capital
and operational costs and to efficiently integrate potential well locations into
the existing and planned infrastructure, including gathering systems and other
surface facilities. In constructing surface facilities, the Company seeks to use
reliable, high quality, used equipment in place of new equipment to achieve cost
savings. The Company also seeks to minimize cycle time from drilling to hook-up
of wells, thereby accelerating cash flow and improving ultimate project
economics.
 
     The Company seeks to use advanced production techniques to exploit and
expand its reserve base. Following the discovery of proved reserves, the Company
typically continues to evaluate its producing properties through the use of 3-D
seismic data to locate undrained fault blocks and identify new drilling
prospects and performs further reserve analysis and geological field studies
using computer aided exploration techniques. The Company seeks to integrate its
3-D seismic data with reservoir characterization and management systems through
the use of geophysical workstations which are compatible with industry standard
reservoir simulation programs.
 
SIGNIFICANT PROJECT AREAS
 
     The Company is currently evaluating 45 exploration project areas. As of
December 31, 1998, the Company had an existing 3-D seismic database of 1,673
square miles and was acquiring an additional 98 square miles of data (totaling
1,771 square miles of 3-D seismic data). To date, all project areas for which
seismic data has been interpreted have yielded multiple prospects and
drillsites. The Company is continuing to receive and interpret data covering
these project areas and believes that each project area has the potential for
additional prospects and drillsites.
 
     The Company generally groups its exploration projects into four
geographical/geological trends and areas.
 
TEXAS -- WILCOX/YEGUA TREND
 
     Carrizo has acquired 12 3-D surveys totaling 727 square miles in the
prolific Wilcox trend of south Texas. Eleven of the surveys also include the
Yegua and/or Cook Mountain sections.
 
TEXAS FRIO/VICKSBURG TREND
 
     Carrizo has acquired 15 3-D surveys totaling 908 square miles in the
Frio/Vickburg productive trend of South Texas. Three of these surveys also have
downdip Wilcox/Yegua exploration potential.
 
TEXAS -- SOUTHEAST TEXAS AREAS
 
     3-D surveys have been acquired over four areas in Southeast Texas including
Nacogdoches, Liberty and Chambers Counties, totaling 130 square miles.
Exploration targets include Cotton Valley Lime, Yegua/Cook Mountain and Expanded
Frio/Vicksburg. As of December 31, 1998, the Company had received data in two of
these areas.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   6
 
LOUISIANA-SOUTH LOUISIANA AREAS
 
     3-D seismic has been acquired over two of the Company's three most
attractive Louisiana areas. In these areas, the Company typically leases ahead
of large speculative surveys then seeks access to relevant data through data
agreements with the seismic contractor.
 
                    1999 EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           SQ. MILES OF 3-D
                                            GROSS          SEISMIC DATA AT
                                           ACREAGE        DECEMBER 31, 1999
                                          LEASED OR     ----------------------
                                            UNDER                   BUDGETED                     AVERAGE
                                          OPTION AT     EXISTING       FOR         AVERAGE         NET
                                         DECEMBER 31,   OR BEING   ACQUISITION     WORKING       REVENUE
             PROJECT AREAS                   1998       ACQUIRED      1999       INTEREST(1)   INTEREST(1)
             -------------               ------------   --------   -----------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                      <C>            <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>
TEXAS
  Starr/Hidalgo........................      4,435         340(2)       --           50.0%         37.5%
  Encinitas/Kelsey.....................      9,110          32          --           27.5%         23.0%
  Buckeye..............................     11,946          62(2)       --           65.0%         48.75%
  La Rosa..............................      5,827          22          --           31.2%         23.6%
  Mexican Sweetheart...................      6,182          40          --           25.0%         18.8%
  McFaddin Ranch ......................      5,374          15          --           34.4%         25.8%
  Cologne..............................      7,134          40          --           25.0%         18.8%
  South Cabeza Creek...................      3,349          65(2)       --           77.5%         39.4%
  Western 325..........................        499         250(2)       --           50.0%         37.5%
  Highway 59...........................      5,633          36          --           25.0%         15.0%
  Geronimo.............................     10,139         107          --           15.0%         11.3%
  RPP Welder...........................     25,633          60          --           15.0%         11.3%
  Cedar Point..........................     10,112          30                       25.0%         18.7%
  Felicia/Devers.......................      2,981          52(2)                    87.5%         75.0%
  Jailhouse............................      9,400                      50           12.5%          9.25%
  Scott-Farish.........................     22,811          42                       70.0%         52.5%
  Higgins..............................     30,087          66(2)                   100.0%         75.0%
  Ganado...............................     13,682          32                       50.0%         37.5%
  Lost Bridge..........................      4,658          17          --           70.0%         52.5%
  Metro................................      7,032          30          --           25.0%         18.7%
  South Texas Syndicate................     38,032          65          --           44.375%       34.70%
  Victoria.............................      3,924          50          --           50.0%         42.75%
  Matagorda............................     19,870          51(2)                    98.0%         73.5%
  Driscoll Ranch ......................     59,000          84                       23.88%        17.8%
  Other (14 Areas).....................     84,481         177          --           53.03%        40.36%
LOUISIANA
  Calcasieu............................      1,342          --          --          100.0%         75.0%
  N. Tigre Lagoon......................        437           6          --          100.0%         75.0%
  Other (5 Areas)......................      4,013          --           6           23.92%        17.94%
                                           -------       -----         ---
          Total........................    407,123       1,771          56           49.07%        36.68%
                                           =======       =====         ===
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Anticipated interests based on ownership or contractual rights as of
    December 31, 1998.
(2) Represents non-proprietary "group shoots" in which the Company is a
    participant.
 
     Set forth below are descriptions of the Company's key project areas where
it is actively exploring for potential oil and natural gas prospects and in some
cases currently has production. The 3-D surveys the Company is using to analyze
its project areas range from regional, non-proprietary "group shoots" to single
field proprietary surveys. The Company has, in many cases, participated in these
project areas with industry
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   7
 
partners to share the up-front costs associated with obtaining option
arrangements with landowners, seismic data acquisition and related data
interpretation, to mitigate its exploration risk and to increase the number of
projects in which it is able to participate.
 
     Although the Company is currently pursuing prospects within the project
areas described below, there can be no assurance that these prospects will be
drilled at all or within the expected time frame. In some project areas, the
Company has budgeted for wells that are based upon statistical results of
drilling activities in other project areas; these wells are subject to greater
uncertainties than wells for which drillsites have been identified. The final
determination with respect to the drilling of any identified drillsites or
budgeted wells will be dependent on a number of factors, including (i) the
results of exploration efforts and the acquisition, review and analysis of the
seismic data, (ii) the availability of sufficient capital resources by the
Company and the other participants for the drilling of the prospects (not all of
which resources are currently available), (iii) the approval of the prospects by
other participants after additional data has been compiled, (iv) the economic
and industry conditions at the time of drilling, including prevailing and
anticipated prices for oil and natural gas and the availability of drilling rigs
and crews, (v) the financial resources and results of the Company and its
partners and (vi) the availability of leases on reasonable terms and permitting
for the prospect. There can be no assurance that these projects can be
successfully developed or that any identified drillsites or budgeted wells
discussed will, if drilled, encounter reservoirs of commercially productive oil
or natural gas. The Company may seek to sell or reduce all or a portion of its
interest in a project area or with respect to prospects or wells within a
project area.
 
     The success of the Company will be materially dependent upon the success of
its exploratory drilling program. Exploratory drilling involves numerous risks,
including the risk that no commercially productive oil or natural gas reservoirs
will be encountered. The cost of drilling, completing and operating wells is
often uncertain, and drilling operations my be curtailed, delayed or canceled as
a result of a variety of factors, including unexpected drilling conditions,
pressure or irregularities in formations, equipment failures or accidents,
adverse weather conditions, compliance with governmental requirements and
shortages or delays in the availability of drilling rights and the delivery of
equipment. Although the Company believes that its use of 3-D seismic data and
other advanced technologies should increase the probability of success of its
exploratory wells and should reduce average finding costs through elimination of
prospects that might otherwise be drilled solely on the basis 2-D seismic data,
exploratory drilling remains a speculative activity. Even when fully utilized
and properly interpreted, 3-D seismic data and other advanced technologies only
assist geoscientists in identifying subsurface structures and do not enable the
interpreter to know whether hydrocarbons are in fact present in such structures.
In addition, the use of 3-D seismic data and other advanced technologies
requires greater predrilling expenditures than traditional drilling strategies
and the Company could incur losses as a result of such expenditures. The
Company's future drilling activities may not be successful, and if unsuccessful,
such failure will have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of
operations and financial condition. There can be no assurance the Company's
overall drilling success rate or its drilling success rate for activity within a
particular project area will not decline. The Company may choose not to acquire
option and lease rights prior to acquiring seismic data and, in many cases, the
Company may identify a prospect or drilling location before seeking option or
lease rights in the prospect or location. Although the Company has identified or
budgeted for numerous drilling prospects, there can be no assurance that such
prospects will ever be leased or drilled (or drilled within the scheduled or
budgeted time frame) or that oil or natural gas will be produced from any such
prospects or any other prospects. In addition, prospects may initially be
identified through a number of methods, some of which do not include
interpretation of 3-D or other seismic data. Wells that are currently in the
Company's capital budget may be based upon statistical results of drilling
activities in other 3-D project areas that the Company believes are geologically
similar, rather than on analysis of seismic or other data. Actual drilling and
results are likely to vary from such statistical results and such variance may
be material. Similarly, the Company's drilling schedule may vary from its
capital budget because of future uncertainties, including those described above.
The description of a well as "budgeted" does not mean that the Company currently
has or will have the capital resources to drill the well. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   8
 
     The reserve data set forth below is based upon the reserve report (the
"Ryder Scott Report") dated February 19, 1999 prepared by Ryder Scott company,
independent petroleum engineers ("Ryder Scott") and the reserve report (the
"Fairchild Report" and collectively with the Ryder Scott Report, the "Reserve
Reports") dated March 11, 1999 prepared by Fairchild, Ancell & Wells, Inc.,
independent petroleum engineers ("Fairchild"). The are numerous uncertainties in
estimating quantities of proved reserves, including many factors beyond the
control of the Company. See "-- Oil and Natural Gas Reserves."
 
TEXAS -- WILCOX/YEGUA TRENDS
 
  Buckeye Project Area: Jackson and Wilcox Formations
 
     The Buckeye Project Area is located in Live Oak County, Texas. As of
December 31, 1998, the Company and its partner currently hold 11,946 acres under
lease. The approximately 62 square mile 3-D seismic survey has led to the
successful exploitation of shallow zones of the Hockley, Pettus and Yegua
formations. In addition, deeper zones within the expanded Wilcox section have
been identified within four prospect closures. Lease control is complete and the
first test well is budgeted to be drilled in 1999, depending on available
financing for both the Company and its partners. During the quarter ended
December 31, 1998, the Company's share of production from wells in this project
area averaged approximately 100 barrels per day of oil and 1.1 MMcf per day of
natural gas. As of December 31, 1998, the Company and its partners have drilled
32 wells in this project area, resulting in 25 producing wells. The estimated
proved reserves net to the Company for this project area were 90 MBbls of oil
and 1.2 BCF of natural gas at December 31, 1998.
 
  South Cabeza Creek Project Area: Frio, Yegua and Wilcox Formations
 
     The South Cabeza Creek Project Area is located in Goliad County, Texas in
an area having significant production in the shallow Frio and Wilcox trends. The
Company has received 65 square miles of data from a non exclusive shoot
completed in December of 1998. Several Wilcox prospects and shallow lead areas
have been defined from the 3-D interpretation. The initial prospect is budgeted
to be drilled in 1999, depending on available financing for both the Company and
its partners. The Company and its partners had 1,926 acres under lease and 1,423
acres under seismic option as of December 31, 1998.
 
  Western 325 Project Area: Wilcox and Jackson Formations
 
     The Western 325 Project Area is located in Webb and Duval Counties, Texas
in the Wilcox and Jackson-Yegua formations. The Company and a partner have
joined others in underwriting a non-proprietary 3-D seismic data shoot covering
approximately 320 square miles in the project area. Multiple prospects have been
identified from data received to date. The Company is currently attempting to
acquire land control over what it believes are the highest potential prospects
identified so far.
 
  Highway 59 Project Area: Yegua and Wilcox Formations
 
     The Highway 59 Project Area is located in Fort Bend and Wharton Counties,
Texas in an area of several historical field discoveries and production in the
Frio and Yegua formations and in the highly competitive Wharton County Wilcox
trend. A cooperative shoot effort resulted in access to 36 square miles of 3-D
seismic to define both Wilcox and Yegua/Cook Mountain prospects. The drilling of
the initial well is budgeted for 1999, depending on available financing for both
the Company and its partners. The well is designed to test a highside Wilcox
closure as well as gain information within the Yegua.
 
  Metro Project Area: Yegua and Wilcox Formations
 
     The Metro Project Area is located in Dewitt County, Texas in the active
Wilcox producing trend. Target reservoirs include the Frio, Yegua, upper and
middle Wilcox ranging in depth from 3,500 feet to 14,500 feet. A 30 square mile
3-D seismic program has been completed and numerous drilling opportunities have
been identified. The Company has participated in two successful shallow wells,
one successful upper Wilcox well and is currently drilling a follow up
development well to the 1998 Wilcox discovery. The Company has budgeted the
drilling of two additional shallow wells and one additional Wilcox well in 1999
depending upon
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   9
 
available financing for the Company and its partners. The Company and its
partners had 7,032 acres under lease as of December 31, 1998.
 
  South Texas Syndicate: Oligocene through Jurassic Formations
 
     The South Texas Syndicate Project Area is located in LaSalle and McMullen
Counties, Texas. A 65 square mile 3-D survey has been completed with data
received in December 1998. Ten prospect areas have been identified from the
Wilcox through the Jurassic. Land control over these areas has been completed
and drilling of the initial well is budgeted in 1999, depending on the available
financing for both the Company and its partners. The Company and its partners
had 38,032 acres under option as of December 31, 1998.
 
  Driscoll Project Area: Frio through Yegua Formations
 
     The Driscoll Project Area is located in Jim Wells and Duval Counties,
Texas. Industry activity in this area is high with substantial activity to the
north and east. Eighty-four square miles of 3-D seismic data was acquired in
1998 and interpretation began in November 1998. Numerous structural closures in
the Yegua have been identified and lease options are being exercised in
preparation for drilling. The Company has budgeted to drill two wells in 1999,
depending on the available financing for both the Company and its partners. The
Company and its partners had 59,000 acres under option as of December 31, 1998.
 
  Scott/Farish Ranch Project Area: Frio/Jackson/Wilcox Formations
 
     The Scott/Farish Ranch Project Area is located in Bee County, Texas and
targets structural and stratigraphic traps in the Frio through Yegua intervals
with deeper prospectivity in the Wilcox Formations. Approximately 42 square
miles of data was acquired in 1998 with interpretation beginning February 1999.
Over 10 shallow prospects have been identified along with one deeper Wilcox
prospect. Leasing is currently underway with drilling of the initial prospect
budgeted for late 1999, depending on available financing for both the Company
and its partners. As of December 31, 1998, the Company and its partners had
22,811 acres under option.
 
TEXAS -- FRIO/VICKSBURG TRENDS
 
  Starr/Hidalgo Project Area: Frio and Vicksburg Formations
 
     The Starr/Hidalgo Project Area is located in Starr and Hidalgo Counties,
Texas in the Frio and Vicksburg formations. The Company and a partner licensed
approximately 340 square miles of non-proprietary 3-D seismic data that was
delivered during August 1995 and June 1996. More than 70 prospects were
identified in the shallow Frio trend and the deeper, structurally complex
Vicksburg trend. As of December 31, 1998, the Company and its partner had leases
covering 3,715 acres and options covering 720 acres in this project. During
1997, production from the Company's wells in the Wheeler area was curtailed by
the Texas Railroad Commission. The Company has sought to return the production,
however the curtailment is presently continuing. The Company estimates that it
has 4,000 Mcfe/d of production shut-in as of December 31, 1998. The Company's
share of production from wells in this project area during 1998 was
approximately 30 Bbls/d of oil and 1.5 MMcf/d natural gas. As of December 31,
1998, the Company and its partners had drilled a total of 27 wells in this
project area, resulting in 18 producing wells. The estimated proved reserves net
to the Company for this project area was 100 MBbls of oil and 1.7 Bcf of natural
gas at December 31, 1998. The Company and its partners have identified four
locations that have been or are budgeted to be drilled during 1999, depending on
available financing for both the Company and its partners. The Company believes
that continuing interpretation and seismic processing of the Starr/Hidalgo
Project Area 3-D seismic data will result in additional prospects and drilling
locations.
 
  Mexican Sweetheart Project Area: Frio Yegua/ Formations
 
     The Mexican Sweetheart Project Area is located in southwestern Jackson
County, Texas in the Frio producing trend and proximate to successful industry
activity in the expanded Yegua. The 40 square mile shoot has identified shallow
Frio prospects as well as two approximately 1,000 acre Yegua prospects. Both
lead
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   10
 
areas are lease controlled and the initial prospect is budgeted to be drilled in
1999, depending on available financing for both the Company and its partners. As
of December 31, 1998, the Company and its partners had 6,182 acres under lease.
 
  Cologne Project Area: Frio and Wilcox Formations
 
     The Cologne Project Area is located in Goliad and Victoria Counties, Texas
in the Frio and Wilcox formations. A 40 square mile 3-D seismic survey has been
shot over the project area, has been interpreted and yielded drillsites to
evaluate prospectivity from the Frio through the Wilcox formations. As of
December 31, 1998, the Company had drilled five successful Frio wells in six
attempts. In addition, three large highside Wilcox structures covering over
2,500 areas have been identified and leased. The first of these structures is
budgeted to be drilled in 1999, depending on available financing for both the
Company and its partners. As of December 31, 1998, the Company and its partner's
leasehold covered 7,134 acres.
 
  Matagorda Project Area: Frio Formation
 
     The Matagorda Project Area is located in Matagorda County, Texas covering
numerous Middle Frio structural opportunities in addition to the Lower Frio
expanded section. The preliminary data from the 3-D has identified over ten
prospects from the Middle and Lower Frio. Options are currently being exercised
in preparation for drilling in third quarter of 1999. The Company has budgeted
to drill as many as three to five wells in this project area in 1999, depending
on available financing for both the Company and its partners. The Company had
acquired 1,756 acres of leasehold and lease options covering 18,114 acres as of
December 31, 1998.
 
  McFaddin Ranch Project Area: Miocene and Frio Formations
 
     The McFaddin Ranch Project Area is located in Victoria County, Texas in the
Miocene and Frio formations. The 15 square mile 3-D seismic survey has yielded
seven prospect areas targeting the upper through basal Frio. One unsuccessful
well was drilled in 1998. All additional prospect areas are leased and a minimum
of two additional drillsites have been identified. As of December 31, 1998, the
Company and its partners had leases in this area covering 5,374 acres.
 
TEXAS -- SOUTHEAST TEXAS AREAS
 
  Felicia/Devers Project Area: Frio Yegua Cook Mountain Formations
 
     The Felicia/Devers Project Area is located in Liberty County, Texas and
targets amplitude supported Frio and structural-stratigraphic targets in the
Yegua and Cook Mountain Formations. The 3-D seismic survey was acquired in 1998
with 52 square miles of data in house for interpretation in February 1999. Over
10 prospects have been identified to date and leasing is currently underway for
initial drilling budgeted to commence in late 1999, depending on available
financing for both the Company and its partners. As of December 31, 1998, the
Company had 2,981 acres under lease or option.
 
  Cedar Point Project Area: Lower Frio to Vicksburg Formations
 
     The Cedar Point Project Area is located in Chambers County adjacent to
Trinity Bay and targets the lower Frio and Vicksburg Formations. The 30 square
mile 3-D seismic was acquired in 1998 and delivered for interpretation in
September 1998. Over 14 prospects have been identified within the Frio,
Vicksburg and Yegua Formations. The primary prospects are lease controlled and
initial drilling is budgeted for late 1999, depending on available financing for
both the Company and its partners. As of December 31, 1998, the Company and its
partners had 10,112 acres under seismic option.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   11
 
LOUISIANA -- SOUTH LOUISIANA AREAS
 
  North Tigre Lagoon Prospect: Vermilion Parish
 
     The North Tigre Lagoon Prospect lies in the prolific lower Miocene
producing trend of Southwest Louisiana. The prospect targets normally pressured
Rob. C., Rob. C. 2 and Siph. D. Sands. The Company has budgeted to drill a test
well in 1999, depending on available financing for both the Company and its
partners.
 
  West Bay Prospect: Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana
 
     The West Bay Prospect is located in the prolific upper and middle Miocene
producing trend of Southeast Louisiana. It lies proximate to successful industry
activity in the West Bay Field complex. The prospect targets normally pressured
upper Miocene sands. The Company has budgeted to drill a test well in 1999,
depending on available financing for both the Company and its partners.
 
  Ursa Minor Prospect: Cameron Parish, Louisiana
 
     The prospect is located in the prolific Miocene producing trend of
Southwest Louisiana. The prospective play is a series of stratigraphic traps,
with associated seismic amplitude anomalies, located on the north flank of a
major, regional salt withdrawal minibasin. The prospect targets normally
pressured middle Miocene sands between 4,000 feet and 8,000 feet. The Company
has budgeted to drill a test well in 1999, depending on available financing for
both the Company and its partners.
 
OTHER PROJECT AREAS
 
     In addition to the project areas described above, the Company has 19
additional project areas in various stages of development as of December 31,
1998. These project areas are located in the onshore Texas and Louisiana Gulf
Coast regions, as well as one project area in the Cotton Valley Lime Reef trend.
The Company is in the process of evaluating and acquiring interests with respect
to most of these project areas and as of December 31, 1998 had acquired leases
and seismic options covering 88,494 acres. 3-D seismic surveys covering an
aggregate of approximately 6 square miles are budgeted for acquisition during
1999.
 
CAMP HILL PROJECT
 
     The Company owns interests in eight leases totaling approximately 900 gross
acres in the Camp Hill field in Anderson County, Texas. The Company currently
operates six of these leases. During the year ended December 31, 1998, the
project produced 97 barrels per day of 19 API gravity oil. The project produces
from a depth of 500 feet and utilizes a tertiary steam drive as an enhanced oil
recovery process. Although efficient at maximizing oil recovery, the steam drive
process is relatively expensive to operate because natural gas or produced crude
is burned to create the steam injectant. Lifting costs during the year ended
December 31, 1998 averaged $14.10 per barrel ($2.35 per Mcfe). In response to
lower commodity prices, steam injection was reduced in November 1998, resulting
in fourth quarter lifting costs of $11.35 per barrel. Because profitability
increases when natural gas prices drop relative to oil prices, the project is a
natural hedge against decreases in natural gas prices relative to oil prices.
The crude oil produced, although viscous, commands a higher price (an average
premium of $.75 per barrel during the year ended December 31, 1998) than West
Texas intermediate crude due to its suitability as a lube oil feedstock. As of
December 31, 1998, the Company had 3,290 MBbls of oil of proved reserves in this
project, with 837 MBbls of oil currently developed reflecting a loss of 1,372
MBbls of reserves deemed uneconomic at year end due to low oil prices. The
Company anticipates that it will drill additional wells and increase steam
injection to develop the proved undeveloped reserves in this project, with the
timing and amount of expenditures depending on the relative prices of oil and
natural gas. The Company has an average working interest of 92.5% in its leases
in this field and an average net revenue interest of 74.0%.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   12
 
JONES BRANCH PROPERTIES
 
     During November, 1998 the Company acquired an interest in four oil and gas
producing properties along with rights to participate in certain exploration
prospects (primarily in the Wilcox formation) in Wharton County, Texas and
associated rights of access to certain 2-D and 3-D seismic data and related
information and other related assets. The Company has an average working
interest of 31.3% and an average net revenue interest of 23.7%. The wells were
producing at a combined rate of 1,994 Mcf per day and 152 Bbls of condensate per
day during December 1998.
 
OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVES
 
     The following table sets forth estimated net proved oil and natural gas
reserves of the Company and the PV-10 Value of such reserves as of December 31,
1998. The reserve data and the present value as of December 31, 1998 were
prepared by Ryder Scott Company and Fairchild, Ancell & Wells, Inc., Independent
Petroleum Engineers. For further information concerning Ryder Scott's and
Fairchild's estimate of the proved reserves of the Company at December 31, 1998,
see the Reserve Reports included as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The PV-10 Value was prepared using constant prices as of the calculation date,
discounted at 10% per annum on a pretax basis, and is not intended to represent
the current market value of the estimated oil and natural gas reserves owned by
the Company. For further information concerning the present value of future net
revenue from these proved reserves, see Note 12 of Notes to Financial
Statements.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 PROVED RESERVES
                                                        ---------------------------------
                                                        DEVELOPED   UNDEVELOPED    TOTAL
                                                        ---------   -----------   -------
                                                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>           <C>
Oil and condensate (MBbls)............................     1,112        2,535       3,647
Natural gas (MMcf)....................................     9,097        1,058      10,155
Total proved reserves (MMcfe).........................    15,770       16,266      32,036
PV-10 Value(1)........................................   $15,154      $ 3,601     $18,755
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) The PV-10 Value as of December 31, 1998 is pre-tax and was determined by
    using the December 31, 1998 sales prices, which averaged $10.15 per Bbl of
    oil, $2.18 per Mcf of natural gas and $8.24 per Bbl of NGL.
 
     No estimates of proved reserves comparable to those included herein have
been included in reports to any federal agency other than the Commission.
 
     In accordance with Commission regulations, the Reserve Reports used oil and
natural gas prices in effect at December 31, 1998. The prices used in
calculating the estimated future net revenue attributable to proved reserves do
not necessarily reflect market prices for oil and natural gas production
subsequent to December 31, 1998. There can be no assurance that all of the
proved reserves will be produced and sold within the periods indicated, that the
assumed prices will actually be realized for such production or that existing
contracts will be honored or judicially enforced.
 
     There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating oil and natural gas
reserves and their estimated values, including many factors beyond the control
of the producer. The reserve data set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K
represent only estimates. Reservoir engineering is a subjective process of
estimating underground accumulations of oil and natural gas that cannot be
measured in an exact manner. Estimates of economically recoverable oil and
natural gas reserves and of future net cash flows necessarily depend upon a
number of variable factors and assumptions, such as historical production from
the area compared with production from other producing areas, the assumed
effects of regulations by governmental agencies and assumptions concerning
future oil and natural gas prices, future operating costs, severance and excise
taxes, development costs and workover and remedial costs, all of which may in
fact vary considerably from actual results. For these reasons, estimates of the
economically recoverable quantities of oil and natural gas attributable to any
particular group of properties, classifications of such reserves based on risk
of recovery, and estimates of the future net cash flows expected therefrom
prepared by different engineers or by the same engineers but at different times
may vary substantially and such reserve estimates may be subject to
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   13
 
downward or upward adjustment based upon such factors. Actual production,
revenues and expenditures with respect to the Company's reserves will likely
vary from estimates, and such variances may be material. In addition, the 10%
discount factor, which is required by the Commission to be used in calculating
discounted future net cash flows for reporting purposes, is not necessarily the
most appropriate discount factor based on interest rates in effect from time to
time and risks associated with the Company or the oil and natural gas industry
in general.
 
     In general, the volume of production from oil and natural gas properties
declines as reserves are depleted, with the rate of decline depending on
reservoir characteristics. Except to the extent the Company conducts successful
exploration and development activities or acquires properties containing proved
reserves, or both, the proved reserves of the Company will decline as reserves
are produced. The Company's future oil and natural gas production is, therefore,
highly dependent upon its level of success in finding or acquiring additional
reserves. The business of exploring for, developing or acquiring reserves is
capital intensive. To the extent cash flow from operations is reduced and
external sources of capital become limited or unavailable, the Company's ability
to make the necessary capital investment to maintain or expand its asset base of
oil and natural gas reserves would be impaired. The failure of an operator of
the Company's wells to adequately perform operations, or such operator's breach
of the applicable agreements, could adversely impact the Company. In addition,
there can be no assurance that the Company's future exploration, development and
acquisition activities will result in additional proved reserves or that the
Company will be able to drill productive wells at acceptable costs. Furthermore,
although the Company's revenues could increase if prevailing prices for oil and
natural gas increase significantly, the Company's finding and development costs
could also increase. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations."
 
VOLUMES, PRICES AND OIL & GAS OPERATING EXPENSE
 
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the production
volumes of, average sales prices received for and average production costs
associated with the Company's sales of oil and natural gas for the periods
indicated. The table includes the impact of hedging activities.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                             ------------------------
                                                              1996     1997     1998
                                                             ------   ------   ------
<S>                                                          <C>      <C>      <C>
Production volumes
  Oil (MBbls)..............................................     107      113      140
  Natural gas (MMcf).......................................   1,273    2,749    2,655
  Natural gas equivalent (MMcfe)...........................   1,915    3,424    3,495
Average sales prices
  Oil (per Bbl)............................................  $21.54   $18.66   $12.30
  Natural gas (per Mcf)....................................    2.27     2.41     2.31
  Natural gas equivalent (per Mcfe)........................    2.71     2.54     2.25
Average costs (per Mcfe)
  Camp Hill operating expenses.............................  $ 3.15   $ 2.59   $ 2.35
  Other operating expenses.................................    0.94     0.54     0.69
  Total operating expenses(1)..............................    1.24     0.68     0.79
</TABLE>
 
- ----------
(1) Includes direct lifting costs (labor, repairs and maintenance, materials and
    supplies), workover costs and the administrative costs of production
    offices, insurance and property and severance taxes.
 
FINDING AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS
 
     From inception through December 31, 1998, the Company has incurred total
gross development, exploration and acquisition costs of approximately $80.7
million. Total exploration, development and acquisition activities from
inception through December 31, 1998 have resulted in the addition of
approximately 52.5 Bcfe, net to the Company's interest, of proved reserves at an
average finding and development cost of $1.54 per Mcfe.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   14
 
     The Company's finding and development costs have historically fluctuated on
a year-to-year basis. Finding and development costs, as measured annually, may
not be indicative of the Company's ability to economically replace oil and
natural gas reserves because the recognition of costs may not necessarily
coincide with the addition of proved reserves.
 
DEVELOPMENT, EXPLORATION AND ACQUISITION CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
 
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the gross
costs incurred in the purchase of proved and unproved properties and in
development and exploration activities.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                       ---------------------------------
                                                        1996         1997         1998
                                                       ------   --------------   -------
                                                                (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                    <C>      <C>              <C>
Acquisition costs
  Unproved prospects.................................  $   51      $14,223       $ 9,619
  Proved properties..................................   1,908        5,492        16,197
Exploration..........................................   4,724        9,328        10,429
Development..........................................   1,956        2,257           313
                                                       ------      -------       -------
          Total costs incurred(1)....................  $8,639      $31,300       $36,558
                                                       ======      =======       =======
</TABLE>
 
- ----------
 
(1) Excludes capitalized interest on unproved properties of $422,493, $699,625
    and $291,496 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998,
    respectively.
 
DRILLING ACTIVITY
 
     The following table sets forth the drilling activity of the Company for the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998. In the table, "gross" refers to
the total wells in which the Company has a working interest and "net" refers to
gross wells multiplied by the Company's working interest therein. As shown
below, the Company's drilling activity from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 1998
has resulted in a commercial success rate of approximately 67%.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                -----------------------------------------
                                                   1996           1997           1998
                                                -----------   ------------   ------------
                                                GROSS   NET   GROSS   NET    GROSS   NET
                                                -----   ---   -----   ----   -----   ----
<S>                                             <C>     <C>   <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>
Exploratory Wells
  Productive..................................   16     6.0    39     15.7    29      9.3
  Nonproductive...............................    4     1.1    23      9.4    24      7.0
                                                 --     ---    --     ----    --     ----
          Total...............................   20     7.1    62     25.1    53     16.3
                                                 ==     ===    ==     ====    ==     ====
Development Wells
  Productive..................................   --     --      7      1.8     3      1.0
  Nonproductive...............................   --     --      1      0.6     1       --
                                                 --     ---    --     ----    --     ----
          Total...............................   --     --      8      2.4     4      1.0
                                                 ==     ===    ==     ====    ==     ====
</TABLE>
 
PRODUCTIVE WELLS
 
     The following table sets forth the number of productive oil and natural gas
wells in which the Company owned an interest as of December 31, 1998.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                COMPANY
                                                OPERATED        OTHER           TOTAL
                                              ------------   ------------   -------------
                                              GROSS   NET    GROSS   NET    GROSS    NET
                                              -----   ----   -----   ----   -----   -----
<S>                                           <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>
Oil.........................................   55     53.3     31    10.9     86     64.2
Natural gas.................................   20     11.8     84    26.7    104     38.5
                                               --     ----    ---    ----    ---    -----
          Total.............................   75     65.1    115    37.6    190    102.7
                                               ==     ====    ===    ====    ===    =====
</TABLE>
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   15
 
ACREAGE DATA
 
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Company's
developed and undeveloped lease acreage as of December 31, 1998. Developed acres
refers to acreage within producing units and undeveloped acres refers to acreage
that has not been placed in producing units. Leases covering substantially all
of the undeveloped acreage in the following table will expire within the next
three years. In general, the Company's leases will continue past their primary
terms if oil or natural gas in commercial quantities is being produced from a
well on such leases.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              DEVELOPED ACREAGE    UNDEVELOPED ACREAGE         TOTAL
                              ------------------   --------------------   ----------------
                                GROSS      NET        GROSS       NET      GROSS     NET
                              ---------   ------   -----------   ------   -------   ------
<S>                           <C>         <C>      <C>           <C>      <C>       <C>
Louisiana...................      302         33       5,505      2,393     5,807    2,426
Texas.......................   32,664     11,691     123,643     38,623   156,307   50,314
                               ------     ------     -------     ------   -------   ------
          Total.............   32,966     11,724     129,148     41,016   162,114   52,740
                               ======     ======     =======     ======   =======   ======
</TABLE>
 
     The table does not include 245,009 gross acres (114,362 net) that the
Company had a right to acquire pursuant to various seismic option agreements at
December 31, 1998. Under the terms of its option agreements, the Company
typically has the right for a period of one year, subject to extensions, to
exercise its option to lease the acreage at predetermined terms. The Company's
lease agreements generally terminate if wells have not been drilled on the
acreage within a period of three years.
 
MARKETING
 
     The Company's production is marketed to third parties consistent with
industry practices. Typically, oil is sold at the wellhead at field-posted
prices plus a bonus and natural gas is sold under contract at a negotiated price
based upon factors normally considered in the industry, such as distance from
the well to the pipeline, well pressure, estimated reserves, quality of natural
gas and prevailing supply/demand conditions.
 
     The Company's marketing objective is to receive the highest possible
wellhead price for its product. The Company is aided by the presence of multiple
outlets near its production in the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast. The Company
takes an active role in determining the available pipeline alternatives for each
property based upon historical pricing, capacity, pressure, market
relationships, seasonal variances and long-term viability.
 
     There are a variety of factors which affect the market for oil and natural
gas, including the extent of domestic production and imports of oil and natural
gas, the proximity and capacity of natural gas pipelines and other
transportation facilities, demand for oil and natural gas, the marketing of
competitive fuels and the effects of state and federal regulations on oil and
natural gas production and sales. The Company has not experienced any
difficulties in marketing its oil and natural gas. The oil and natural gas
industry also competes with other industries in supplying the energy and fuel
requirements of industrial, commercial and individual customers. The
availability of a ready market for the Company's oil and natural gas production
depends on the proximity of reserves to, and the capacity of, oil and natural
gas gathering systems, pipelines and trucking or terminal facilities. The
Company delivers natural gas through gas gathering systems and gas pipelines
that it does not own. Federal and state regulation of natural gas and oil
production and transportation, tax and energy policies, changes in supply and
demand and general economic conditions all could adversely affect the Company's
ability to produce and market its oil and natural gas.
 
     The Company from time to time markets its own production where feasible
with a combination of market-sensitive pricing and forward-fixed pricing.
Forward pricing is utilized to take advantage of anomalies in the futures market
and to hedge a portion of the Company's production deliverability at prices
exceeding forecast. All of such hedging transactions provide for financial
rather than physical settlement. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations-General Overview."
 
     Despite the measures taken by the Company to attempt to control price risk,
the Company remains subject to price fluctuations for natural gas sold in the
spot market due primarily to seasonality of demand and
                                       13
<PAGE>   16
 
other factors beyond the Company's control. Domestic oil prices generally follow
worldwide oil prices, which are subject to price fluctuations resulting from
changes in world supply and demand. The Company continues to evaluate the
potential for reducing these risks by entering into, and expects to enter into,
additional hedge transactions in future years. In addition, the Company may also
close out any portion of hedges that may exist from time to time as determined
to be appropriate by management. At December 31, 1998, there were no open hedge
positions. Total natural gas purchased and sold under such swap arrangements
during the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 were 60,000 MMBtu,
210,000 MMBtu and 1,760,000 MMBTU, respectively. Gains (losses) realized by the
Company under such swap arrangements were ($26,887), ($48,000) and $167,000 for
the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively.
 
COMPETITION AND TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES
 
     The Company encounters competition from other oil and natural gas companies
in all areas of its operations, including the acquisition of exploratory
prospects and proven properties. The Company's competitors include major
integrated oil and natural gas companies and numerous independent oil and
natural gas companies, individuals and drilling and income programs. Many of its
competitors are large, well-established companies with substantially larger
operating staffs and greater capital resources than those of the Company and
which, in many instances, have been engaged in the oil and natural gas business
for a much longer time than the Company. Such companies may be able to pay more
for exploratory prospects and productive oil and natural gas properties and may
be able to identify, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of
properties and prospects than the Company's financial or human resources permit.
In addition, such companies may be able to expend greater resources on the
existing and changing technologies that the Company believes are and will be
increasingly important to the current and future success of oil and natural gas
companies. The Company's ability to explore for oil and natural gas prospects
and to acquire additional properties in the future will be dependent upon its
ability to conduct its operations, to evaluate and select suitable properties
and to consummate transactions in this highly competitive environment. The
Company believes that its exploration, drilling and production capabilities and
the experience of its management generally enable it to compete effectively.
Many of the Company's competitors, however, have financial resources and
exploration and development budgets that are substantially greater than those of
the Company, which may adversely affect the Company's ability to compete with
these companies.
 
     The oil and gas industry is characterized by rapid and significant
technological advancements and introductions of new products and services
utilizing new technologies. As others use or develop new technologies, the
Company may be placed at a competitive disadvantage, and competitive pressures
may force the Company to implement such new technologies at substantial cost. In
addition, other oil and gas companies may have greater financial, technical and
personnel resources that allow them to enjoy technological advantages and may in
the future allow them to implement new technologies before the Company. There
can be no assurance that the Company will be able to respond to such competitive
pressures and implement such technologies on a timely basis or at an acceptable
cost. One or more of the technologies currently utilized by the Company or
implemented in the future may become obsolete. In such case, the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially
adversely affected. If the Company is unable to utilize the most advanced
commercially available technology, the Company's business, financial condition
and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
 
REGULATION
 
     The availability of a ready market for oil and gas production depends upon
numerous factors beyond the Company's control. These factors include regulation
of oil and natural gas production, federal and state regulations governing
environmental quality and pollution control, state limits on allowable rates of
production by well or proration unit, the amount of oil and natural gas
available for sale, the availability of adequate pipeline and other
transportation and processing facilities and the marketing of competitive fuels.
For example, a productive natural gas well may be "shut-in" because of an
oversupply of natural gas or lack of an available natural gas pipeline in the
areas in which the Company may conduct operations. State and federal regulations
generally are intended to prevent waste of oil and natural gas, protect rights
to produce oil and
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   17
 
natural gas between owners in a common reservoir, control the amount of oil and
natural gas produced by assigning allowable rates of production and control
contamination of the environment. Pipelines are subject to the jurisdiction of
various federal, state and local agencies. The Company is also subject to
changing and extensive tax laws, the effects of which cannot be predicted. The
following discussion summarizes the regulation of the United States oil and gas
industry. The Company believes that it is in substantial compliance with the
various statutes, rules, regulations and governmental orders to which the
Company's operations may be subject, although there can be no assurance that
this is or will remain the case. Moreover, such statutes, rules, regulations and
government orders may be changed or reinterpreted from time to time in response
to economic or political conditions, and there can be no assurance that such
changes or reinterpretations will not materially adversely affect the Company's
results of operations and financial condition. The following discussion is not
intended to constitute a complete discussion of the various statutes, rules,
regulations and governmental orders to which the Company's operations may be
subject.
 
     Regulation of Oil and Natural Gas Exploration and Production. The Company's
operations are subject to various types of regulation at the federal, state and
local levels. Such regulation includes requiring permits for the drilling of
wells, maintaining bonding requirements in order to drill or operate wells and
regulating the location of wells, the method of drilling and casing wells, the
surface use and restoration of properties upon which wells are drilled, the
plugging and abandoning of wells and the disposal of fluids used in connection
with operations. The Company's operations are also subject to various
conservation laws and regulations. These include the regulation of the size of
drilling and spacing units or proration units and the density of wells that may
be drilled in and the unitization or pooling of oil and gas properties. In this
regard, some states allow the forced pooling or integration of tracts to
facilitate exploration while other states rely primarily or exclusively on
voluntary pooling of lands and leases. In areas where pooling is voluntary, it
may be more difficult to form units, and therefore more difficult to develop a
project if the operator owns less than 100% of the leasehold. In addition, state
conservation laws establish maximum rates of production from oil and natural gas
wells, generally prohibit the venting or flaring of natural gas and impose
certain requirements regarding the ratability of production. The effect of these
regulations may limit the amount of oil and natural gas the Company can produce
from its wells and may limit the number of wells or the locations at which the
Company can drill. The regulatory burden on the oil and gas industry increases
the Company's costs of doing business and, consequently, affects its
profitability. Inasmuch as such laws and regulations are frequently expanded,
amended and reinterpreted, the Company is unable to predict the future cost or
impact of complying with such regulations.
 
     Regulation of Sales and Transportation of Natural Gas. Federal legislation
and regulatory controls have historically affected the price of natural gas
produced by the Company and the manner in which such production is transported
and marketed. Under the Natural Gas Act of 1938, the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (the "FERC") regulates the interstate transportation and the sale in
interstate commerce for resale of natural gas. The FERC's jurisdiction over
interstate natural gas sales was substantially modified by the Natural Gas
Policy Act, under which the FERC continued to regulate the maximum selling
prices of certain categories of gas sold in "first sales" in interstate and
intrastate commerce. Effective January 1, 1993, however, the Natural Gas
Wellhead Decontrol Act (the "Decontrol Act") deregulated natural gas prices for
all "first sales" of natural gas, including all sales by the Company of its own
production. As a result, all of the Company's domestically produced natural gas
may now be sold at market prices, subject to the terms of any private contracts
which may be in effect. The FERC's jurisdiction over natural gas transportation
was not affected by the Decontrol Act.
 
     The Company's natural gas sales are affected by intrastate and interstate
gas transportation regulation. Beginning in 1985, the FERC adopted regulatory
changes that have significantly altered the transportation and marketing of
natural gas. These changes were intended by the FERC to foster competition by,
among other things, transforming the role of interstate pipeline companies from
wholesaler marketers of gas to the primary role of gas transporters. All gas
marketing by the pipelines was required to be divested to a marketing affiliate,
which operates separately from the transporter and in direct competition with
all other merchants. As a result of the various omnibus rulemaking proceedings
in the late 1980s and the individual pipeline restructuring proceedings of the
early to mid-1990s, the interstate pipelines are now required to provide open
and
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   18
 
nondiscriminatory transportation and transportation-related services to all
producers, gas marketing companies, local distribution companies, industrial end
users and other customers seeking service. Through similar orders affecting
intrastate pipelines that provide similar interstate services, the FERC expanded
the impact of open access regulations to intrastate commerce.
 
     More recently, the FERC has pursued other policy initiatives that have
affected natural gas marketing. Most notable are (i) the large-scale divestiture
of interstate pipeline-owned gas gathering facilities to affiliated or
non-affiliated companies, (ii) further development of rules governing the
relationship of the pipelines with their marketing affiliates, (iii) the
publication of standards relating to the use of electronic bulletin boards and
electronic data exchange by the pipelines to make available transportation
information on a timely basis and to enable transactions to occur on a purely
electronic basis, (iv) further review of the role of the secondary market for
released pipeline capacity and its relationship to open access service in the
primary market and (v) development of policy and promulgation of orders
pertaining to its authorization of market-based rates (rather than traditional
cost-of-service based rates) for transportation or transportation-related
services upon the pipeline's demonstration of lack of market control in the
relevant service market. It remains to be seen what effect the FERC's other
activities will have on access to markets, the fostering of competition and the
cost of doing business.
 
     As a result of these changes, sellers and buyers of gas have gained direct
access to the particular pipeline services they need and are better able to
conduct business with a larger number of counterparties. The Company believes
these changes generally have improved the Company's access to markets while, at
the same time, substantially increasing competition in the natural gas
marketplace. The Company cannot predict what new or different regulations the
FERC and other regulatory agencies may adopt, or what effect subsequent
regulations may have on the Company's activities.
 
     In the past, Congress has been very active in the area of gas regulation.
However, as discussed above, the more recent trend has been in favor of
deregulation and the promotion of competition in the gas industry. Thus, in
addition to "first sale" deregulation, Congress also repealed incremental
pricing requirements and gas use restraints previously applicable. There are
other legislative proposals pending in the Federal and state legislatures which,
if enacted, would significantly affect the petroleum industry. At the present
time, it is impossible to predict what proposals, if any, might actually be
enacted by Congress or the various state legislatures and what effect, if any,
such proposals might have on the Company. Similarly, and despite the trend
toward federal deregulation of the natural gas industry, whether or to what
extent that trend will continue, or what the ultimate effect will be on the
Company's sales of gas, cannot be predicted.
 
     The Company owns certain natural gas pipelines that it believes meet the
standards the FERC has used to establish a pipeline's status as a gatherer not
subject to FERC jurisdiction under the NGA. State regulation of gathering
facilities generally includes various safety, environmental, and in some
circumstances, nondiscriminatory take requirements, but does not generally
entail rate regulation. Natural gas gathering may receive greater regulatory
scrutiny at both state and federal levels in the post-Order No. 636 environment.
 
     Oil Price Controls and Transportation Rates. Sales of crude oil, condensate
and gas liquids by the Company are not currently regulated and are made at
market prices. The price the Company receives from the sale of these products
may be affected by the cost of transporting the products to market. Effective as
of January 1, 1995, the FERC implemented regulations generally grandfathering
all previously approved interstate transportation rates and establishing an
indexing system for those rates by which adjustments are made annually based on
the rate of inflation, subject to certain conditions and limitations. These
regulations may tend to increase the cost of transporting oil and natural gas
liquids by interstate pipeline, although the annual adjustments may result in
decreased rates in a given year. These regulations have generally been approved
on judicial review. The Company is not able at this time to predict the effects
of these regulations, if any, on the transportation costs associated with oil
production from the Company's oil producing operations.
 
     Environmental Regulations. The Company's operations are subject to numerous
federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the discharge of
materials into the environment or otherwise relating to environmental
protection. These laws and regulations may require the acquisition of a permit
before drilling commences, restrict the types, quantities and concentration of
various substances that can be released into the
                                       16
<PAGE>   19
 
environment in connection with drilling and production activities, limit or
prohibit drilling activities on certain lands within wilderness, wetlands and
other protected areas, require remedial measures to mitigate pollution from
former operations, such as pit closure and plugging abandoned wells, and impose
substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from production and drilling
operations. Public interest in the protection of the environment has increased
dramatically in recent years. The trend of more expansive and stricter
environmental legislation and regulations applied to the oil and natural gas
industry could continue, resulting in increased costs of doing business and
consequently affecting profitability. To the extent laws are enacted or other
governmental action is taken that restricts drilling or imposes more stringent
and costly waste handling, disposal and cleanup requirements, the business and
prospects of the Company could be adversely affected.
 
     The Company generates wastes that may be subject to the federal Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA") and comparable state statutes. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and various state agencies have limited
the approved methods of disposal for certain hazardous and nonhazardous wastes.
Furthermore, certain wastes generated by the Company's oil and natural gas
operations that are currently exempt from treatment as "hazardous wastes" may in
the future be designated as "hazardous wastes," and therefore be subject to more
rigorous and costly operating and disposal requirements.
 
     The Company currently owns or leases numerous properties that for many
years have been used for the exploration and production of oil and gas. Although
the Company believes that it has used good operating and waste disposal
practices, prior owners and operators of these properties may not have used
similar practices, and hydrocarbons or other wastes may have been disposed of or
released on or under the properties owned or leased by the Company or on or
under locations where such wastes have been taken for disposal. In addition,
many of these properties have been operated by third parties whose treatment and
disposal or release of hydrocarbons or other wastes was not under the Company's
control. These properties and the wastes disposed thereon may be subject to the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA"),
RCRA and analogous state laws as well as state laws governing the management of
oil and gas wastes. Under such laws, the Company could be required to remove or
remediate previously disposed wastes (including wastes disposed of or released
by prior owners or operators) or property contamination (including groundwater
contamination) or to perform remedial plugging operations to prevent future
contamination.
 
     The Company's operations may be subject to the Clean Air Act ("CAA") and
comparable state and local requirements. Amendments to the CAA were adopted in
1990 and contain provisions that may result in the gradual imposition of certain
pollution control requirements with respect to air emissions from the operations
of the Company. The EPA and states have been developing regulations to implement
these requirements. The Company may be required to incur certain capital
expenditures in the next several years for air pollution control equipment in
connection with maintaining or obtaining operating permits and approvals
addressing other air emission-related issues. However, the Company does not
believe its operations will be materially adversely affected by any such
requirements.
 
     Federal regulations require certain owners or operators of facilities that
store or otherwise handle oil, such as the Company, to prepare and implement
spill prevention, control, countermeasure ("SPCC") and response plans relating
to the possible discharge of oil into surface waters. The Company has
acknowledged the need for SPCC plans at certain of its properties and believes
that it will be able to develop and implement these plans in the near future.
The Oil Pollution Act of 1990, ("OPA") contains numerous requirements relating
to the prevention of and response to oil spills into waters of the United
States. The OPA subjects owners of facilities to strict joint and several
liability for all containment and cleanup costs and certain other damages
arising from a spill, including, but not limited to, the costs of responding to
a release of oil to surface waters. The OPA also requires owners and operators
of offshore facilities that could be the source of an oil spill into federal or
state waters, including wetlands, to post a bond, letter of credit or other form
of financial assurance in amounts ranging from $10 million in specified state
waters to $35 million in federal outer continental shelf waters to cover costs
that could be incurred by governmental authorities in responding to an oil
spill. Such financial assurances may be increased by as much as $150 million if
a formal risk assessment indicates that the increase is warranted. Noncompliance
with OPA may result in varying civil and criminal penalties and liabilities.
Operations of the Company are also subject to the federal Clean Water Act
("CWA") and analogous state
                                       17
<PAGE>   20
 
laws. In accordance with the CWA, the state of Louisiana has issued regulations
prohibiting discharges of produced water in state coastal waters effective July
1, 1997. The Company plans to drill a well in Louisiana coastal waters. Assuming
that production from the planned well is feasible, the Company will be obligated
to comply with these regulations. Pursuant to other requirements of the CWA, the
EPA has adopted regulations concerning discharges of storm water runoff. This
program requires covered facilities to obtain individual permits, participate in
a group permit or seek coverage under an EPA general permit. While certain of
its properties may require permits for discharges of storm water runoff, the
Company believes that it will be able to obtain, or be included under, such
permits, where necessary, and make minor modifications to existing facilities
and operations that would not have a material effect on the Company. Like OPA,
the CWA and analogous state laws relating to the control of water pollution
provide varying civil and criminal penalties and liabilities for releases of
petroleum or its derivatives into surface waters or into the ground.
 
     CERCLA, also known as the "Superfund" law, and similar state laws impose
liability, without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct, on
certain classes of persons that are considered to have contributed to the
release of a "hazardous substance" into the environment. These persons include
the owner or operator of the disposal site or sites where the release occurred
and companies that disposed or arranged for the disposal of the hazardous
substances found at the site. Persons who are or were responsible for releases
of hazardous substances under CERCLA may be subject to joint and several
liability for the costs of cleaning up the hazardous substances that have been
released into the environment, for damages to natural resources and for the
costs of certain health studies, and it is not uncommon for neighboring
landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and
property damage allegedly caused by the hazardous substances released into the
environment.
 
     The Company also is subject to a variety of federal, state and local
permitting and registration requirements relating to protection of the
environment. Management believes that the Company is in substantial compliance
with current applicable environmental laws and regulations and that continued
compliance with existing requirements will not have a material adverse effect on
the Company.
 
OPERATING HAZARDS AND INSURANCE
 
     The oil and natural gas business involves a variety of operating hazards
and risks such as well blowouts, craterings, pipe failures, casing collapse,
explosions, uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas or well fluids, fires,
formations with abnormal pressures, pipeline ruptures or spills, pollution,
releases of toxic gas and other environmental hazards and risks. These hazards
and risks could result in substantial losses to the Company from, among other
things, injury or loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property,
natural resources and equipment, pollution or other environmental damage,
cleanup responsibilities, regulatory investigation and penalties and suspension
of operations. In addition, the Company may be liable for environmental damages
caused by previous owners of property purchased and leased by the Company. As a
result, substantial liabilities to third parties or governmental entities may be
incurred, the payment of which could reduce or eliminate the funds available for
exploration, development or acquisitions or result in the loss of the Company's
properties. In accordance with customary industry practices, the Company
maintains insurance against some, but not all, of such risks and losses. The
Company does not carry business interruption insurance or protect against loss
of revenues. There can be no assurance that any insurance obtained by the
Company will be adequate to cover any losses or liabilities. The Company cannot
predict the continued availability of insurance or the availability of insurance
at premium levels that justify its purchase. The occurrence of a significant
event not fully insured or indemnified against could materially and adversely
affect the Company's financial condition and operations. The Company may elect
to self-insure if management believes that the cost of insurance, although
available, is excessive relative to the risks presented. In addition, pollution
and environmental risks generally are not fully insurable. The occurrence of an
event not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on the
financial condition and results of operations of the Company. The Company
participates in a substantial percentage of its wells on a nonoperated basis,
which may limit the Company's ability to control the risks associated with oil
and natural gas operations.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   21
 
TITLE TO PROPERTIES; ACQUISITION RISKS
 
     The Company believes it has satisfactory title to all of its producing
properties in accordance with standards generally accepted in the oil and
natural gas industry. The Company's properties are subject to customary royalty
interests, liens incident to operating agreements, liens for current taxes and
other burdens which the Company believes do not materially interfere with the
use of or affect the value of such properties. As is customary in the industry
in the case of undeveloped properties, little investigation of record title is
made at the time of acquisition (other than a preliminary review of local
records). Investigations, including a title opinion of local counsel, are
generally made before commencement of drilling operations. The Company's
revolving credit facility is secured by substantially all of its oil and natural
gas properties.
 
     The successful acquisition of producing properties requires an assessment
of recoverable reserves, future oil and natural gas prices, operating costs,
potential environmental and other liabilities and other factors. Such
assessments are necessarily inexact and their accuracy inherently uncertain. In
connection with such an assessment, the Company performs a review of the subject
properties that it believes to be generally consistent with industry practices,
which generally includes on-site inspections and the review of reports filed
with various regulatory entities. Such a review, however, will not reveal all
existing or potential problems nor will it permit a buyer to become sufficiently
familiar with the properties to fully assess their deficiencies and
capabilities. Inspections may not always be performed on every well, and
structural and environmental problems are not necessarily observable even when
an inspection is undertaken. Even when problems are identified, the seller may
be unwilling or unable to provide effective contractual protection against all
or part of such problems. There can be no assurances that any acquisition of
property interests by the Company will be successful and, if unsuccessful, that
such failure will not have an adverse effect on the Company's future results of
operations and financial condition.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     At December 31, 1998, the Company had 28 full-time employees, including six
geoscientists and four engineers. The Company believes that its relationships
with its employees are good.
 
     In order to optimize prospect generation and development, the Company
utilizes the services of independent consultants and contractors to perform
various professional services, particularly in the areas of 3-D seismic data
mapping, acquisition of leases and lease options, construction, design, well
site surveillance, permitting and environmental assessment. Field and on-site
production operation services, such as pumping, maintenance, dispatching,
inspection and testings, are generally provided by independent contractors. The
Company believes that this use of third party service providers has enhanced its
ability to contain general and administrative expenses.
 
     The Company depends to a large extent on the services of certain key
management personnel, the loss of, any of which could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's operations. The Company does not maintain key-man life
insurance with respect to any of its employees.
 
GLOSSARY OF CERTAIN INDUSTRY TERMS
 
     The definitions set forth below shall apply to the indicated terms as used
herein. All volumes of natural gas referred to herein are stated at the legal
pressure base of the state or area where the reserves exist and at 60 degrees
Fahrenheit and in most instances are rounded to the nearest major multiple.
 
     After payout. With respect to an oil or gas interest in a property, refers
to the time period after which the costs to drill and equip a well have been
recovered.
 
     Bbl. One stock tank barrel, or 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume, used herein
in reference to crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
 
     Bbls/d. Stock tank barrels per day.
 
     Bcf. Billion cubic feet.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   22
 
     Bcfe. Billion cubic feet equivalent, determined using the ratio of six Mcf
of natural gas to one Bbl of crude oil, condensate or natural gas liquids.
 
     Before payout. With respect to an oil or gas interest in a property, refers
to the time period before which the costs to drill and equip a well have been
recovered.
 
     Btu or British Thermal Unit. The quantity of heat required to raise the
temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
 
     Completion. The installation of permanent equipment for the production of
oil or gas or, in the case of a dry hole, the reporting of abandonment to the
appropriate agency.
 
     Developed acreage. The number of acres which are allocated or assignable to
producing wells or wells capable of production.
 
     Development well. A well drilled within the proved area of an oil or gas
reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.
 
     Dry hole or well. A well found to be incapable of producing hydrocarbons in
sufficient quantities such that proceeds from the sale of such production exceed
production expenses and taxes.
 
     Exploratory well. A well drilled to find and produce oil or gas reserves
not classified as proved, to find a new reservoir in a field previously found to
be productive of oil or gas in another reservoir or to extend a known reservoir.
 
     Farm-in or farm-out. An agreement whereunder the owner of a working
interest in an oil and natural gas lease assigns the working interest or a
portion thereof to another party who desires to drill on the leased acreage.
Generally, the assignee is required to drill one or more wells in order to earn
its interest in the acreage. The assignor usually retains a royalty or
reversionary interest in the lease. The interest received by an assignee is a
"farm-in" while the interest transferred by the assignor is a "farm-out."
 
     Field. An area consisting of a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs all
grouped on or related to the same individual geological structural feature
and/or stratigraphic condition.
 
     Finding costs. Costs associated with acquiring and developing proved oil
and natural gas reserves which are capitalized by the Company pursuant to
generally accepted accounting principles, including all costs involved in
acquiring acreage, geological and geophysical work and the cost of drilling and
completing wells.
 
     Gross acres or gross wells. The total acres or wells, as the case may be,
in which a working interest is owned.
 
     MBbls. One thousand barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
 
     MBbls/d. One thousand barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons per
day.
 
     Mcf. One thousand cubic feet.
 
     Mcf/d. One thousand cubic feet per day.
 
     Mcfe. One thousand cubic feet equivalent, determined using the ratio of six
Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl of crude oil, condensate or natural gas liquids.
 
     MMBbls. One million barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
 
     MMBtu. One million British Thermal Units.
 
     Mmcf. One million Cubic feet.
 
     MMcf/d. One million cubic feet per day.
 
     MMcfe. One million cubic feet equivalent, determined using the ratio of six
Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl of crude oil, condensate or natural gas liquids,
which approximates the relative energy content of crude oil,
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   23
 
condensate and natural gas liquids as compared to natural gas. Prices have
historically been higher or substantially higher for crude oil than natural gas
on an energy equivalent basis.
 
     Net acres or net wells. The sum of the fractional working interests owned
in gross acres or gross wells.
 
     Normally pressured reservoirs. Reservoirs with a formation-fluid pressure
equivalent to 0.465 psi per foot of depth from the surface. For example, if the
formation pressure is 4,650 psi at 10,000 feet, then the pressure is considered
to be normal.
 
     Over-pressured reservoirs. Reservoirs subject to abnormally high pressure
as a result of certain types of subsurface formations.
 
     Petrophysical study. Study of rock and fluid properties based on well log
and core analysis.
 
     Present value. When used with respect to oil and natural gas reserves, the
estimated future gross revenue to be generated from the production of proved
reserves, net of estimated production and future development costs, using prices
and costs in effect as of the date indicated, without giving effect to
nonproperty-related expenses such as general and administrative expenses, debt
service and future income tax expense or to depreciation, depletion and
amortization, discounted using an annual discount rate of 10%.
 
     Productive well. A well that is found to be capable of producing
hydrocarbons in sufficient quantities such that proceeds from the sale of such
production exceed production expenses and taxes.
 
     Proved developed nonproducing reserves. Proved developed reserves expected
to be recovered from zones behind casing in existing wells.
 
     Proved developed producing reserves. Proved developed reserves that are
expected to be recovered from completion intervals currently open in existing
wells and able to produce to market.
 
     Proved developed reserves. Proved reserves that can be expected to be
recovered from existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods.
 
     Proved reserves. The estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas and
natural gas liquids that geological and engineering data demonstrate with
reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs
under existing economic and operating conditions.
 
     Proved undeveloped location. A site on which a development well can be
drilled consistent with spacing rules for purposes of recovering proved
undeveloped reserves.
 
     Proved undeveloped reserves. Proved reserves that are expected to be
recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage or from existing wells where a
relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.
 
     PV-10 Value. The present value of estimated future revenues to be generated
from the production of proved reserves calculated in accordance with Commission
guidelines, net of estimated production and future development costs, using
prices and costs as of the date of estimation without future escalation, without
giving effect to non-property related expenses such as general and
administrative expenses, debt service, future income tax expense and
depreciation, depletion and amortization, and discounted using an annual
discount rate of 10%.
 
     Recompletion. The completion for production of an existing well bore in
another formation from that in which the well has been previously completed.
 
     Reservoir. A porous and permeable underground formation containing a
natural accumulation of producible oil and/or gas that is confined by
impermeable rock or water barriers and is individual and separate from other
reservoirs.
 
     Royalty interest. An interest in an oil and natural gas property entitling
the owner to a share of oil or gas production free of costs of production.
 
     3-D seismic data. Three-dimensional pictures of the subsurface created by
collecting and measuring the intensity and timing of sound waves transmitted
into the earth as they reflect back to the surface.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   24
 
     Undeveloped acreage. Lease acreage on which wells have not been drilled or
completed to a point that would permit the production of commercial quantities
of oil and natural gas regardless of whether such acreage contains proved
reserves.
 
     Working interest. The operating interest that gives the owner the right to
drill, produce and conduct operating activities on the property and a share of
production.
 
     Workover. Operations on a producing well to restore or increase production.
 
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     From time to time the Company is a party to various legal proceedings
arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company is not currently a party
to any litigation that it believes could have a material adverse effect on the
financial position of the Company.
 
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
     None.
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
     Pursuant to Instruction 3 to Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K and General
Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K, the following information is included in Part I
of this Form 10-K.
 
     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to
executive officers of the Company:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 NAME                   AGE                  POSITION
                 ----                   ---                  --------
<S>                                     <C>   <C>
S.P. Johnson IV.......................  42    President and Chief Executive Officer
Frank A. Wojtek.......................  43    Chief Financial Officer, Vice
                                              President,
                                                Secretary and Treasurer
George F. Canjar......................  41    Vice President of Exploration
                                              Development
Kendall A. Trahan.....................  48    Vice President of Land
</TABLE>
 
     Set forth below is a description of the backgrounds of each of the
executive officers of the Company:
 
     S.P. Johnson IV has served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and a
director of the Company since December 1993. Prior to that, he worked 15 years
for Shell Oil Company. His managerial positions included Operations
Superintendent, Manager of Planning and Finance and Manager of Development
Engineering. Mr. Johnson is a Registered Petroleum Engineer and has a B.S. in
Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado.
 
     Frank A. Wojtek has served as the Chief Financial Officer, Vice President,
Secretary, Treasurer and a director of the Company since 1993. In addition, from
1992 to 1997, Mr. Wojtek was the Assistant to the Chairman of the Board of
Reading & Bates Corporation ("Reading & Bates") (an offshore drilling company).
Mr. Wojtek also holds the positions of Vice President and Secretary /Treasurer
for Loyd and Associates, Inc. (a private financial consulting and investment
banking firm). Mr. Wojtek held the positions of Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Griffin-Alexander Drilling Company from 1984 to 1987,
Treasurer of Chiles-Alexander International Inc. from 1987 to 1989 and Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of India Offshore Inc. from 1989 to 1992,
all of which are companies in the offshore drilling industry. Mr. Wojtek is a
Certified Public Accountant and holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University
of Texas.
 
     George F. Canjar has been head of the Company's exploration activities
since joining the Company in July 1996 and was elected Vice President of
Exploration Development in June 1997. Prior thereto he worked for over 15 years
for Shell Oil Company and its overseas affiliates where he held various
technical and managerial positions, including Technical Manager-Geology &
Petrophysics, Section Head Geology & Seismology and Team Leader for numerous
integrated production, development, exploration and project
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   25
 
execution groups. Mr. Canjar is a Registered Petroleum Engineer, Registered
Geologist and has a B.S. in Geological Engineering from the Colorado School of
Mines.
 
     Kendall A. Trahan has been head of the Company's land activities since
joining the Company in March 1997 and was elected Vice President of Land of the
Company in June 1997. From 1994 to February 1997, he served as a Director of
Joint Ventures Onshore Gulf Coast for Vastar Resources, Inc. From 1982 to 1994,
he worked as an Area Landman and then a Division Landman and Director of
Business Development for Arco Oil & Gas Company. Prior to that, Mr. Trahan
served as a Staff Landman for Amerada Hess Corporation and as an independent
Landman. He is a Certified Professional Landman and holds a B.S. degree from the
University of Southwestern Louisiana.
 
                                    PART II
 
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
 
     The Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"),
has been publicly traded through the Nasdaq National Market tier of The Nasdaq
Stock Market under the symbol CRZO since the Company's initial public offering
(the "Offering") effective August 6, 1997. The following table sets forth the
quarterly high and low bid prices for each indicated quarter.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       QUARTER ENDED                            HIGH            LOW
                       -------------                            ----            ---
<S>                                                           <C>             <C>
September 30, 1997..........................................     15              10 15/16
December 31, 1997...........................................     17 1/4           7 7/8
March 31, 1998..............................................      8 3/4           6 1/16
June 30, 1998...............................................      7 1/2           5 1/2
September 30, 1998..........................................      5 3/4           2 5/8
December 31, 1998...........................................      3 1/16          1 1/8
</TABLE>
 
     There were approximately 60 shareholders of record (excluding brokerage
firms and other nominees) of the Company's Common Stock as of March 26, 1999.
 
     The Company has not paid any dividends in the past and does not intend to
pay cash dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future. The Company
currently intends to retain any earnings for the future operation and
development of its business, including exploration, development and acquisition
activities. The Company's revolving line of credit with Compass Bank (the
"Company Credit Facility") and the terms of its 9% Series A Preferred Stock, par
value $.01 per share (the "Preferred Stock"), restrict the Company's ability to
pay dividends. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources."
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   26
 
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The financial information of the Company set forth below for each of the
five years ended December 31, 1998, has been derived from the audited combined
financial statements of the Company. The following table also sets forth certain
pro forma income taxes, net income and net income per share information. The
information should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the audited
financial statements of the Company and the related notes thereto included
elsewhere herein.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                              ------------------------------------------------
                                               1994     1995      1996       1997       1998
                                              ------   -------   -------   --------   --------
                                                   (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                           <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Oil and natural gas revenues................  $  596   $ 2,428   $ 5,195   $  8,712   $  7,859
Costs and expenses:
  Oil and natural gas operating expenses....     518     1,814     2,384      2,334      2,770
  Depreciation, depletion and
     amortization...........................      98       488     1,136      2,358      3,952
  Write-down of oil and gas properties......      --        --        --         --     20,305
  General and administrative................     238       425       515      1,591      2,667
                                              ------   -------   -------   --------   --------
          Total costs and expenses..........     854     2,727     4,035      6,283     29,694
                                              ------   -------   -------   --------   --------
Operating income (loss).....................    (258)     (299)    1,160      2,429    (21,835)
Interest expense (net of income and amounts
  capitalized)..............................      (7)     (192)      (80)       (98)       285
Other income................................       6        24        20         --         --
                                              ------   -------   -------   --------   --------
Income (loss) before income taxes...........    (259)     (467)    1,100      2,331    (21,550)
Deferred income taxes(1)....................      --        --        --      2,300     (2,218)
                                              ------   -------   -------   --------   --------
Net income (loss)(1)........................  $ (259)  $  (467)  $ 1,100   $     31   $(19,332)
                                              ======   =======   =======   ========   ========
Basic (loss) earnings per share(1)..........  $(0.04)  $ (0.07)  $  0.15   $   0.00   $  (2.15)
                                              ======   =======   =======   ========   ========
Diluted (loss) earnings per share(1)........  $(0.04)  $ (0.07)  $  0.15   $   0.00   $  (2.15)
                                              ======   =======   =======   ========   ========
Basic weighted average shares outstanding...   6,501     7,021     7,476      8,639     10,375
Diluted weighted average shares
  outstanding...............................   6,501     7,021     7,545      8,810     10,375
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW DATA:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
  activities................................  $ (258)  $   406   $ 3,325   $  3,068   $  2,774
Net cash used in investing activities.......    (819)   (6,785)   (8,221)   (28,141)   (37,178)
Net cash provided by financing activities...   1,183     6,343     6,319     26,255     32,916
OTHER OPERATING DATA:
EBITDA (2)(4)...............................  $ (158)  $   189   $ 2,296   $  4,787   $  2,707
Operating cash flow (3)(4)..................    (159)       21     2,236      4,689      2,422
Capital expenditures........................     819     6,857     9,480     32,234     36,570
Debt repayments(5)..........................      --        --     2,084     20,409      7,950
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             AS OF DECEMBER 31,
                                              ------------------------------------------------
                                               1994     1995      1996       1997       1998
                                              ------   -------   -------   --------   --------
<S>                                           <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital.............................  $  152   $  (265)  $(1,025)  $ (2,276)  $ (5,204)
Property and equipment, net.................     803     6,960    15,206     45,083     57,878
Total assets................................   1,057     7,645    18,869     53,658     64,988
Long-term debt, including current
  maturities................................     533     3,480     9,684      7,950     12,056
Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock......      --        --        --         --     30,731
Equity......................................     452     3,381     4,596     32,895     11,202
</TABLE>
 
- ----------
 
(1) On May 16, 1997, Carrizo and a number of affiliated entities were combined
    with the Company in a series of transactions in connection with its initial
    public offering (the "Combination Transactions"). Prior to that date,
    Carrizo and those other entities were not required to pay federal income
    taxes due to their status as partnerships or Subchapter S corporations. The
    amounts shown reflect pro forma income
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   27
 
    taxes that represent federal income taxes which would have been reported
    under Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 109, "Accounting for Income
    Taxes," had Carrizo and such entities been tax-paying entities during each
    of the periods presented. See Notes 2 and 5 to the Company's financial
    statements.
 
(2) EBITDA represents earnings before interest expense, income taxes,
    depreciation, depletion, amortization and writedown of oil and gas
    properties.
 
(3) Operating cash flow represents cash flows from operating activities prior to
    changes in assets and liabilities.
 
(4) Management of the Company believes that EBITDA and operating cash flow may
    provide additional information about the Company's ability to meet its
    future requirements for debt service, capital expenditures and working
    capital. EBITDA and operating cash flow are financial measures commonly used
    in the oil and gas industry and should not be considered in isolation or as
    a substitute for net income, operating income, cash flows from operating
    activities or any other measure of financial performance presented in
    accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or as a measure of
    a company's profitability or liquidity. Because EBITDA excludes some, but
    not all, items that affect net income and because operating cash flow
    excludes changes in assets and liabilities and these measures may vary among
    companies, the EBITDA and operating cash flow data presented above may not
    be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
 
(5) Debt repayments include amounts refinanced.
 
     Forward Looking Statements. The statements contained in all parts of this
document, (including any portion attached hereto) including, but not limited to,
those relating to the Company's schedule, targets, estimates or results of
future drilling, including the number, timing and results of wells, budgeted
wells, increases in wells, expected working or net revenue interests, prospects
budgeted and other future capital expenditures, risk profile of oil and gas
exploration, acquisition of 3-D seismic data (including number, timing and size
of projects), use of proceeds from the Company's initial public offering and the
sale of shares of Preferred Stock and the warrants, expected production or
reserves, increases in reserves, acreage, working capital requirements, hedging
activities, the ability of expected sources of liquidity to implement its
business strategy, future hiring, future exploration activity and any other
statements regarding future operations, financial results, business plans and
cash needs and other statements that are not historical facts are forward
looking statements. When used in this document, the words "anticipate,"
"budgeted", "potential" "estimate," "expect," "may," "project," "believe" and
similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify
forward looking statements. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties,
including, but not limited to, those relating to the Company's dependence on its
exploratory drilling activities, the volatility of oil and natural gas prices,
the need to replace reserves depleted by production, operating risks of oil and
natural gas operations, the Company's dependence on its key personnel, factors
that affect the Company's ability to manage its growth and achieve its business
strategy, risks relating to its limited operating history, technological
changes, significant capital requirements of the Company, the potential impact
of government regulations, litigation, competition, the uncertainty of reserve
information and future net revenue estimates, property acquisition risks and
other factors detailed herein and in the Company's other filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or
uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect,
actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated.
 
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS
 
GENERAL OVERVIEW
 
     The Company began operations in September 1993 and initially focused on the
acquisition of producing properties. As a result of the increasing availability
of economic onshore 3-D seismic surveys, the Company began to obtain 3-D seismic
data and options to lease substantial acreage in 1995 and began to drill its 3-D
based prospects in 1996. The Company drilled 20, 70 and 56 wells in 1996, 1997
and 1998 respectively. The Company has budgeted to drill a range of between 18
to 44 gross wells (4.6 to 17.8 net) in 1999; however, in order to drill more
than the minimum expected number of wells the Company will need to obtain
additional
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   28
 
financing and the actual number of wells drilled will vary depending upon the
Company's ability to obtain this financing, weather delays and other factors. If
the Company drills the number of wells it has budgeted for 1999, depreciation,
depletion and amortization are expected to decrease and oil and gas operating
expenses are expected to increase over levels incurred in 1998. The Company has
typically retained the majority of its interests in shallow, normally pressured
prospects and sold a portion of its interests in deeper, over-pressured
prospects.
 
     The financial statements set forth herein are prepared on the basis of a
combination of Carrizo and the entities that were a party to the Combination
Transactions. Carrizo and the entities combined with it in the Combination
Transactions were not required to pay federal income taxes due to their status
as partnerships or Subchapter S corporations, which are not subject to federal
income taxation. Instead, taxes for such periods were paid by the shareholders
and partners of such entities. On May 16, 1997, Carrizo terminated its status as
an S corporation and thereafter became subject to federal income taxes. In
accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes," the Company
established a deferred tax liability in the second quarter of 1997 resulting in
a noncash charge to income of approximately $1.6 million.
 
     The Company has primarily grown through the internal development of
properties within its exploration project areas, although the Company acquired
properties with existing production in the Camp Hill Project in late 1993, the
Encinitas Project in early 1995 and the La Rosa Project in 1996. The Company
made these acquisitions through the use of limited partnerships with Carrizo or
Carrizo Production, Inc. as the general partner. In addition, in November 1998
the Company acquired assets in Wharton County, Texas in the Jones Branch project
area for approximately $3,000,000.
 
     Prior to the Offering, Carrizo conducted its oil and natural gas operations
directly, with industry partners and through the following affiliated entities:
Carrizo Production, Inc., Encinitas Partners Ltd., La Rosa Partners Ltd.,
Carrizo Partners Ltd. and Placedo Partners Ltd. Concurrently with the closing of
the Offering, Combination Transactions were closed. The Combination Transactions
consisted of the following: (i) Carrizo Production, Inc. merged into Carrizo;
(ii) Carrizo acquired Encinitas Partners Ltd. in two steps: (a) Carrizo acquired
the limited partner interests in Encinitas Partners Ltd. held by certain of the
Company's directors and (b) Encinitas Partners Ltd. merged into Carrizo; (iii)
La Rosa Partners Ltd. merged into Carrizo; and (iv) Carrizo Partners Ltd. merged
into Carrizo. As a result of the merger of Carrizo and Carrizo Partners Ltd.,
Carrizo became the owner of all of the partnership interest in Placedo Partners
Ltd.
 
     The Company uses the full-cost method of accounting for its oil and gas
properties. Under this method, all acquisition, exploration and development
costs, including any general and administrative costs that are directly
attributable to the Company's acquisition, exploration and development
activities, are capitalized in a "full-cost pool" as incurred. The Company
records depletion of its full-cost pool using the unit-of-production method. To
the extent that such capitalized costs in the full-cost pool (net of
depreciation, depletion and amortization and related deferred taxes) exceed the
present value (using a 10% discount rate) of estimated future net after-tax cash
flows from proved oil and gas reserves, such excess costs are charged to
operations. At December 31, 1998, the Company recorded a full cost ceiling test
write down of its oil and natural gas properties of $20.3 million primarily as a
result of declines in product pricing and revisions to prior estimates of proved
reserves. Once incurred, a write-down of oil and gas properties is not
reversible at a later date.
 
     Oil and natural gas prices have declined significantly over the last year.
Average prices at December 31, 1998 were $10.15 per Bbl for oil and $2.18 per
Mcf for natural gas (excluding the effect of hedging). Continued product pricing
at these levels or any decrease in pricing could continue to adversely effect
the Company, and the Company could be required to make additional charges to
earnings related to its oil and gas properties.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  Year Ended December 31, 1998 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 1997
 
     Oil and natural gas revenues for 1998 decreased 10% to $7.9 million from
$8.7 million in 1997. Production volumes for natural gas in 1998 decreased 3% to
2,655.1 MMcf from 2,749.2 MMcf in 1997.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   29
 
Average natural gas prices decreased 4% to $2.31 per Mcf in 1998 from $2.41 per
Mcf in 1997. Production volumes for oil in 1998 increased 24% to 140 MBbls from
112.5 MBbls in 1997. Average oil prices decreased 34% to $12.30 per barrel in
1998 from $18.66 per barrel in 1997.
 
     The following table summarizes production volumes, average sales prices and
operating revenues for the Company's oil and natural gas operations for the
years ended December 31, 1997 and 1998:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1998 PERIOD COMPARED TO
                                                                       1997 PERIOD
                                            DECEMBER 31,         -----------------------
                                       -----------------------    INCREASE    % INCREASE
                                          1997         1998      (DECREASE)   (DECREASE)
                                       ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
<S>                                    <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Production volumes
  Oil and condensate (MBbls).........       112.5          140        27.5        24%
  Natural gas (MMcf).................     2,749.2      2,655.1       (94.1)       (3)%
Average sales prices (1)
  Oil and condensate (per Bbl).......  $    18.66   $    12.30   $   (6.36)      (34)%
  Natural gas (per Mcf)..............        2.41         2.31        0.10        (4)%
Operating revenues
  Oil and condensate.................  $2,099,699   $1,721,162   $(378,537)      (18)%
  Natural gas........................   6,611,955    6,137,340    (474,615)       (7)%
                                       ----------   ----------   ----------
          Total......................  $8,711,654   $7,858,502   $(853,152)      (10)%
                                       ==========   ==========   ==========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Including impact of hedging.
 
     Oil and natural gas operating expenses for 1998 increased 19% to $2.8
million from $2.3 million in 1997. Oil and natural gas operating expenses
increased primarily as a result of the addition of new oil and gas wells drilled
and completed since December 31, 1996. Operating expenses per equivalent unit in
1998 increased to $.81 per Mcfe from $.68 per Mcfe in 1997. The per unit cost
increased primarily as a result of decreased production of natural gas as wells
naturally decline.
 
     DD&A expense for 1998 increased 68% to $4.0 million from $2.4 million in
1997. This increase was primarily due to the increased production, additional
land, seismic and drilling costs.
 
     Primarily as a result of quantity revisions and depressed commodity prices,
the Company recorded a write-down of oil and gas properties of $20.3 million in
1998. The Company had not previously been required to record any such
write-downs.
 
     General and administrative expense for 1998 increased 68% to $2.7 million
from $1.6 million for 1997 reflecting ramp-up expenses relating to the hiring of
additional technical and administrative staff to handle the Company's increased
level of exploration activities and operations as well as other costs related to
being a public company.
 
     Interest expense for 1998 decreased 94% to $9,000 from $151,000 in 1997.
This decrease was primarily due to lower interest expense in 1998 which allowed
a larger percentage of the interest to be capitalized.
 
     As a result of the adoption of SFAS 109 in the second quarter of 1997, the
Company recorded a one-time non-cash charge to income of $1.6 million to
establish a deferred tax liability.
 
     Dividends and accretion of discount on preferred stock increased to $2.9
million in 1998 from none in 1997 as a result of the sale of preferred stock in
the first quarter of 1998.
 
     Net income for 1998 decreased to a loss of $22.2 million from income of
$31,000 in 1997 as a result of the factors described above.
 
Year Ended December 31, 1997 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 1996
 
     Oil and natural gas revenues for 1997 increased 68% to $8.7 million from
$5.2 million in 1996. Production volumes for natural gas in 1997 increased 116%
to 2,749.2 MMcf from 1,272.5 MMcf in 1996. Average
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   30
 
natural gas prices increased 6% to $2.41 per Mcf in 1997 from $2.27 per Mcf in
1996. Production volumes for oil in 1997 increased 5% to 112.5 MBbls from 107.3
MBbls in 1996. Average oil prices decreased 13% to $18.66 per barrel in 1997
from $21.54 per barrel in 1996. The increase in oil and natural gas production
was due primarily to new wells being successfully drilled and completed during
1997, along with recompletions of existing wells.
 
     The following table summarizes production volumes, average sales prices and
operating revenues for the Company's oil and natural gas operations for the
years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1997 PERIOD COMPARED TO
                                                                        1996 PERIOD
                                             DECEMBER 31,         -----------------------
                                        -----------------------    INCREASE    % INCREASE
                                           1996         1997      (DECREASE)   (DECREASE)
                                        ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Production volumes
  Oil and condensate (MBbls)..........       107.3        112.5          5.2        5%
  Natural gas (MMcf)..................     1,272.5      2,749.2      1,476.7      116%
Average sales prices(1)
  Oil and condensate (per Bbl)........  $    21.54   $    18.66   $    (2.88)     (13)%
  Natural gas (per Mcf)...............        2.27         2.41         0.14        6%
Operating revenues
  Oil and condensate..................  $2,310,798   $2,099,699   $ (211,099)      (9)%
  Natural gas.........................   2,883,911    6,611,955    3,728,044      129%
                                        ----------   ----------   ----------
          Total.......................  $5,194,709   $8,711,654   $3,516,945       68%
                                        ==========   ==========   ==========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1)  Including impact of hedging.
 
     Oil and natural gas operating expenses for 1997 decreased 2% to $2.3
million from $2.4 million in 1996. Oil and natural gas operating expenses
decreased primarily as a result of cost reductions in older wells and the
addition of lower cost production in new oil and gas wells drilled and completed
since December 31, 1995. Operating expenses per equivalent unit in 1997
decreased to $.68 per Mcfe from $1.24 per Mcfe in 1996. The per unit cost
decreased as a result of increased production of natural gas, which had lower
per unit operating costs.
 
     DD&A expense for 1997 increased 118% to $2.4 million from $1.1 million in
1996. This increase was primarily due to the increased production, additional
seismic and drilling costs and depreciation on 3-D computer equipment and
related software.
 
     General and administrative expense for 1997 increased 209% to $1.6 million
from $515,000 for 1996 reflecting ramp-up expenses relating to the hiring of
additional technical and administrative staff to handle the Company's increased
level of drilling and operations, and expenses related to the initial public
offering.
 
     Interest expense for 1997 increased 90% to $151,000 from $80,000 in 1996.
This increase was primarily due to the increase in capital expenditures and
related debt levels in anticipation of the initial public offering.
 
     Net income for 1997 decreased to $31,000 from $1.1 million in 1996 as a
result of the factors described above.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     Note 3 to the Financial Statements notes that the financial statements have
been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern but also
notes the uncertainties about the Company's future ability to pay its
obligations when they become due and the lack of firm commitments for additional
capital raised substantial doubt about the ability of the Company to continue as
a going concern. As noted in that paragraph, the financial statements do not
include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of
asset carrying amounts or the amount and classification of liabilities that
might result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. See
Note 3 to the Notes to the Company's Financial Statements.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   31
 
     The Company has made and will be required to make oil and gas capital
expenditures substantially in excess of its net cash flow from operations in
order to complete the exploration and development of its existing properties.
 
     The Company will require additional sources of financing to fund drilling
expenditures on properties currently owned by the Company and to fund leasehold
costs and geological and geophysical cost on its active exploration projects.
 
     Management of the Company continues to seek financing for its capital
program from a variety of sources. The Company is seeking common or preferred
equity investors. The Company is also seeking additional debt financing,
although it has no additional borrowings currently available under its credit
agreement. No assurance can be given that the Company will be able to obtain
additional financing by these or other means on terms that would be acceptable
to the Company. The Company's inability to obtain additional financing would
have a material adverse effect on the Company. Without raising additional
capital, the Company anticipates that it will be required to limit or defer its
planned oil and gas exploration and development program, which could adversely
affect the recoverability and ultimate value of the Company's oil and gas
properties. The Company may also be required to pursue other financial
alternatives, which could include sales of assets or a sale or merger of the
Company.
 
     The Company's primary sources of liquidity have included proceeds from the
Offering and from the sale of shares of Preferred Stock and the Warrants, funds
generated by operations, equity capital contributions and borrowings, primarily
under revolving credit facilities.
 
     Cash flows provided by operations (after changes in working capital) were
$3.3 million, $3.1 million and $2.7 million for 1996, 1997 and 1998,
respectively. The decrease in cash flows provided by operations in 1997 as
compared to 1996 was due primarily to increases in accounts receivable relating
to joint interest billings and prepayments on upcoming outside operated drilling
projects. The decrease in cash flows provided by operations in 1998 as compared
to 1997 was due primarily to decreases in commodity prices.
 
     The Company has budgeted capital expenditures in 1999 of approximately $2.2
million to $9.5 million of which $500,000 is expected to be used to fund 3-D
seismic surveys and land acquisitions and $1.7 million to $9.0 million of which
is expected to be used for drilling activities in the Company's project areas.
The Company budgeted to drill approximately 18 to 44 gross wells (4.6 to 17.8
net) in 1999. The actual number of wells drilled and capital expended is
dependent upon available financing and cash flow. This decrease in planned
drilling activity resulted primarily from the lack of availability of capital
resources.
 
     The Company has continued to reinvest a substantial portion of its cash
flows into increasing its 3-D prospect portfolio, improving its 3-D seismic
interpretation technology and funding its drilling program. Oil and gas capital
expenditures were $9.1 million, $32.2 and $36.6 million for 1996, 1997 and 1998,
respectively. The Company's drilling efforts resulted in the successful
completion of 18 gross wells (6.9 net) in 1996, 46 gross wells (17.5 net) in
1997 and 31 gross wells (10.3 net) in 1998.
 
FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
 
     In connection with the Offering, the Company entered into an amended
revolving credit agreement with Compass Bank (the "Company Credit Facility"), to
provide for a maximum loan amount of $25 million, subject to borrowing base
limitations. Under the Company Credit Facility, the principal outstanding is due
and payable upon maturity in June 2000 with interest due monthly. The Company
Credit Facility was subsequently amended in September 1998 to provide for a term
loan under the facility (the "Term Loan") in addition to the revolving credit
facility limited by the Company's borrowing base. The Term Loan was initially
due and payable upon maturity in September 1999. The interest rate for
borrowings is calculated at a floating rate based on the Compass index rate or
LIBOR plus 2 percent. The Company's obligations are secured by certain of its
oil and gas properties and cash or cash equivalents included in the borrowing
base.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   32
 
     Under the Company Credit Facility, Compass, in its sole discretion, will
make semiannual borrowing base determinations based upon the proved oil and
natural gas properties of the Company. Compass may redetermine the borrowing
base and the monthly borrowing base reduction at any time and from time to time.
The Company may also request borrowing base redeterminations in addition to its
required semiannual reviews at the Company's cost. As of December 31, 1998, the
borrowing base was $6,076,000 and borrowings outstanding were $5,056,000.
 
     Proceeds from the Borrowing Base portions of this credit facility have been
used to provide funding for exploration and development activity. Substantially
all of Carrizo's oil and natural gas property and equipment is pledged as
collateral under this facility. At December 31, 1997, and 1998, borrowings under
this facility totaled $4,950,000 and $5,056,000, respectively, with an
additional $276,000 and $1,020,000, respectively, available for future
borrowings. Borrowings outstanding under the Term Loan portion of the facility
were zero and $7,000,000 at December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively. The
facility was also available for letters of credit, one of which has been issued
for $224,000 at December 31, 1997 and 1998. The weighted average interest rates
for 1997 and 1998 on the Facility were 9 and 8 percent, respectively.
Outstanding borrowings at December 31, 1997 were repaid with the proceeds of the
Company's Preferred Stock sale (see Note 9). The term loan is guaranteed by
certain members of the Board of Directors.
 
     The Company is subject to certain covenants under the terms of the Company
Credit Facility, including, but not limited to, (a) maintenance of specified
tangible net worth and (b) maintenance of a ratio of quarterly cash flow (net
income plus depreciation and other noncash charges, less noncash income) to
quarterly debt service (payments made for principal in connection with the
credit facility plus payments made for principal other than in connection with
such credit facility) of no less than 1.25 to 1.00. The Company Credit Facility
also places restrictions on, among other things, (a) incurring additional
indebtedness, loans and liens, (b) changing the nature of business or business
structure, (c) selling assets and (d) paying dividends. In March 1999, the
Company Credit Facility was amended to decrease the required specified tangible
net worth covenant.
 
     In December 1997, the Company and Compass entered into an amendment to the
Company Credit Facility that provides for a term loan of $3 million. Interest
for borrowings under the term loan was calculated at a floating rate based on
the Company's index rate plus 2 percent. The amount outstanding under the term
loan as of December 31, 1997 was $3 million, which was repaid in January 1998.
 
     In March 1999, the Company borrowed an additional $2 million on the term
loan portion of the Company Credit Facility increasing the total outstanding
borrowing under the Term Loan to $9 million. Certain members of the Board of
Directors have guaranteed the Term Loan. The maturity date of the Term Loan was
amended to provide for twelve monthly installments of $750,000 beginning January
1, 2000. The Company also received a deferral of principal payments due under
the borrowing base facility until July 1, 1999. At such time, the available
borrowing base portion of the loan will be reviewed and is expected to begin to
reduce ratably at $325,000 per month with any difference between the available
borrowing base and amounts outstanding being currently due. Should the Company
be able to add sufficient value to its borrowing base through drilling
activities, the required principal payments would be reduced. Certain members of
the Board of Directors have provided $2 million in collateral primarily in the
form of marketable securities to secure the borrowing base facility.
 
     In January 1998, the Company consummated the sale of 300,000 shares of
Preferred Stock and Warrants to purchase 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock to
affiliates of Enron Corp. The net proceeds received by the Company from this
transaction were approximately $28.8 million and were used primarily for oil and
natural gas exploration and development activities in Texas and Louisiana and to
repay related indebtedness. The Preferred Stock provides for annual cumulative
dividends of $9.00 per share, payable quarterly in cash or, at the option of the
Company until January 15, 2002, in additional shares of Preferred Stock. The
Company expects to continue PIK dividends due in 1999. Dividend payments for the
12 months ended December 31, 1998 were made by the issuance of an additional
27,286.69 shares of Preferred Stock. As of January 15, 1999 there were 32,728.69
shares of Preferred Stock outstanding.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   33
 
     The Preferred Stock is required to be redeemed by the Company (i) on
January 8, 2005, or (ii) after a request for redemption from the holders of at
least 30,000 shares of the Preferred Stock (or, if fewer than such number of
shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding, all of the outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock) and the occurrence of the following events: (a) the Company has
failed at any point in time to declare and pay any two dividends in the amount
then due and payable on or before the date the second of such dividends is due
and such dividends remain unpaid at such time, (b) the Company breaches certain
other covenants concerning the payment of dividends or other distributions on or
redemption or acquisition of shares of its capital stock ranking at parity with
or junior to the Preferred Stock, (c) for two consecutive fiscal quarterly
periods the quarterly Cash Flow (as defined below) of the Company is less than
the amount of the dividends accrued in respect to the Preferred Stock, (d) the
Company fails to pay certain amounts due on indebtedness for borrowed money or
there has otherwise been an acceleration of such indebtedness for borrowed
money, (e) there is a violation of the Shareholders' Agreement that is not
waived or (f) the Company sells, leases, exchanges or otherwise disposes of all
or substantially all of its property and assets which transaction does not
provide for the redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock. "Cash Flow" means
net income prior to preferred dividends and accretion (i) plus (to the extent
included in net income prior to preferred dividends and accretion) depreciation,
depletion and amortization and other non-cash charges and losses on the sale of
property (ii) minus non-cash income items and required principal payments on
indebtedness for borrowed money with a maturity from the original date of
incurrence of such indebtedness of six months or greater (excluding voluntary
prepayments and refinancing, but including prepayments (other than in connection
with refinancing) which would otherwise be due under such indebtedness within a
60-day period following the date of such prepayment). The Preferred Stock also
may be redeemed at the option of the Company at any time in whole or in part.
All redemptions are at a price per share, together with dividends accumulated
and unpaid to the date of redemption, decreasing over time from an initial rate
of $104.50 per share to $100.00 per share. If the Company fails to meet its
redemption obligations, the holders of the Preferred Stock will generally have
the right, voting separately as a class, to elect additional directors, which in
most cases will constitute a majority of the board.
 
     The Company currently expects that its Cash Flow (as defined above) for the
three months ended March 31, 1999 will be less than the amount of the dividends
accrued with respect to the Preferred Stock for such period. There can be no
assurance as to whether the Company's Cash Flow for the three months ended June
30, 1999 will exceed the amount of the dividends to be accrued with respect to
the Preferred Stock.
 
EFFECTS OF INFLATION AND CHANGES IN PRICE.
 
     The Company's results of operations and cash flows are affected by changing
oil and gas prices. If the price of oil and gas increases (decreases), there
could be a corresponding increase (decrease) in the operating cost that the
Company is required to bear for operations, as well as an increase (decrease) in
revenues. Inflation has had a minimal effect on the Company.
 
ABILITY TO MANAGE GROWTH AND ACHIEVE BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
     The Company's growth has placed, and is expected to continue to place, a
significant strain on the Company's financial, technical, operational and
administrative resources. The Company has relied in the past and expects to
continue to rely on project partners and independent contractors that have
provided the Company with seismic survey planning and management, project and
prospect generation, land acquisition, drilling and other services. At December
31, 1998, the Company had 28 full-time employees. There will be additional
demands on the Company's financial, technical, operational and administrative
resources and continued reliance by the Company on project partners and
independent contractors, and these strains on resources, additional demands and
continued reliance may negatively affect the Company. The Company's ability to
grow will depend upon a number of factors, including its ability to obtain
leases or options on properties for 3-D seismic surveys, its ability to acquire
additional 3-D seismic data, its ability to identify and acquire new exploratory
sites, its ability to develop existing sites, its ability to continue to retain
and attract skilled personnel, its ability to maintain or enter into new
relationships with project partners and independent contractors, the results of
its drilling program, hydrocarbon prices, access to capital and other factors.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   34
 
Although the Company intends to continue to upgrade its technical, operational
and administrative resources and to increase its ability to provide internally
certain of the services previously provided by outside sources, there can be no
assurance that it will be successful in doing so or that it will be able to
continue to maintain or enter into new relationships with project partners and
independent contractors. The failure of the Company to continue to upgrade its
technical, operational and administrative resources or the occurrence of
unexpected expansion difficulties, including difficulties in recruiting and
retaining sufficient numbers of qualified personnel to enable the Company to
expand its seismic data acquisition and drilling program, or the reduced
availability of project partners and independent contractors that have
historically provided the Company seismic survey planning and management,
project and prospect generation, land acquisition, drilling and other services,
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations. In addition, the Company has only limited
experience operating and managing field operations, and there can be no
assurances that the Company will be successful in doing so. Any increase in the
Company's activities as an operator will increase its exposure to operating
hazards. See "Business and Properties -- Operating Hazards and Insurance." The
Company's lack of capital will also constrain its ability to grow and achieve
its business strategy. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
successful in achieving growth or any other aspect of its business strategy.
 
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS.
 
     In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities". The Statement establishes accounting and
reporting standards requiring that every derivative instrument, including
certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, be recorded in the
balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. The
Statement requires that changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized
currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Special
accounting for qualifying hedges allows a derivative's gains and losses to
offset related results on the hedged item in the income statement, and requires
that a company must formally document, designate, and assess the effectiveness
of transactions that receive hedge accounting.
 
     Statement No. 133 is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15,
1999. A company may also implement the Statement as of the beginning of any
fiscal quarter after issuance. Statement No. 133 cannot be applied
retroactively. Statement No. 133 must be applied to (a) derivative instruments
and (b) certain derivative instruments embedded in hybrid contracts that were
issued, acquired, or substantively modified after December 31, 1997 and, at the
company's election, before January 1, 1998. The Company routinely enters into
financial instrument contracts to hedge price risks associated with the sale of
crude oil and natural gas. Statement No. 133 amends, modifies and supercedes
significantly all of the authoritative literature governing the accounting for
and disclosure of derivative financial instruments and hedging activities. As a
result, adoption of Statement No. 133 will impact the accounting for and
disclosure of the Company's operations. The Company is assessing the impact
Statement No. 133 will have on its financial accounting and disclosures and
intends to adopt the provisions of such statement in accordance with the
requirements provided by the statement.
 
     In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No.
130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" ("Statement No. 130") and Statement No.
131, "Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information
("Statement No. 131"). In February 1998, the FASB issued Statement No. 132
"Employers' Disclosure About Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefits"
("Statement No. 132") that revised disclosure requirements for pension and other
post-retirement benefits. Statement No. 132 does not impact Carrizo's disclosure
or reporting. During the first quarter of 1998, the Accounting Standards
Executive Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts
issued two Statements of Position ("SOP"), SOP 98-5 "Reporting on the Costs of
Start-up Activities" and SOP 98-1 "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software
Developed or Obtained for Internal Use".
 
     SOP 98-1 establishes guidance on the accounting for the costs of computer
software developed or obtained for internal use. The Company's current
accounting policies adhere to the provisions of the SOP.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   35
 
     SOP 98-5 provides guidance on the accounting for start up costs and
organization costs, and must be adopted for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 1998. At adoption, the Company will be required to record the
cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle to write off any
unamortized start up or organization costs remaining on the balance sheet. The
Company plans to adopt the SOP in the first quarter of 1999 and does not expect
the adoption to have a material impact on its financial statements or results of
operations.
 
VOLATILITY OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS PRICES
 
     The Company's revenues, future rate of growth, results of operations,
financial condition and ability to borrow funds or obtain additional capital, as
well as the carrying value of its properties, are substantially dependent upon
prevailing prices of oil and natural gas. Historically, the markets for oil and
natural gas have been volatile, and such markets are likely to continue to be
volatile in the future. Prices for oil and natural gas are subject to wide
fluctuation in response to relatively minor changes in the supply of and demand
for oil and natural gas, market uncertainty and a variety of additional factors
that are beyond the control of the Company. These factors include the level of
consumer product demand, weather conditions, domestic and foreign governmental
regulations, the price and availability of alternative fuels, political
conditions in the Middle East, the foreign supply of oil and natural gas, the
price of foreign imports and overall economic conditions. It is impossible to
predict future oil and natural gas price movements with certainty. Declines in
oil and natural gas prices may materially adversely affect the Company's
financial condition, liquidity, and ability to finance planned capital
expenditures and results of operations. Lower oil and natural gas prices also
may reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that the Company can produce
economically. Oil and natural gas prices have declined in the recent past and
there can be no assurance that prices will recover or will not decline further.
See "Business and Properties -- Marketing."
 
     The Company periodically reviews the carrying value of its oil and natural
gas properties under the full cost accounting rules of the Commission. Under
these rules, capitalized costs of proved oil and natural gas properties may not
exceed the present value of estimated future net revenues from proved reserves,
discounted at 10%. Application of this ceiling test generally requires pricing
future revenue at the unescalated prices in effect as of the end of each fiscal
quarter and requires a write-down for accounting purposes if the ceiling is
exceeded, even if prices were depressed for only a short period of time. The
Company may be required to write down the carrying value of its oil and natural
gas properties when oil and natural gas prices are depressed or unusually
volatile. For example, at December 31, 1998, the Company recorded a full cost
ceiling test write down of its oil and natural gas properties of $20.3 million
because its carrying cost of proved reserves was in excess of the present value
of estimated future net revenues from those reserves. If additional write-downs
are required, they would result in additional charges to earnings, but would not
impact cash flow from operating activities. Once incurred, a write-down of oil
and natural gas properties is not reversible at a later date.
 
     In order to reduce its exposure to short-term fluctuations in the price of
oil and natural gas, the Company periodically enters into hedging arrangements.
The Company's hedging arrangements apply to only a portion of its production and
provide only partial price protection against declines in oil and natural gas
prices. Such hedging arrangements may expose the Company to risk of financial
loss in certain circumstances, including instances where production is less than
expected, the Company's customers fail to purchase contracted quantities of oil
or natural gas or a sudden, unexpected event materially impacts oil or natural
gas prices. In addition, the Company's hedging arrangements limit the benefit to
the Company of increases in the price of oil and natural gas. Total natural gas
purchased and sold under swap arrangements during the years ended December 31,
1996, 1997 and 1998 was 60,000 MMBTU, 210,000 MMBTU and 1,760,000 MMBTU,
respectively. Income and (losses) realized by the Company under such swap
arrangements were ($26,887), $48,000 and $167,000 for the years ended December
31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. The Company had outstanding no hedge
positions as of December 31, 1998. See "Business and Properties -- Marketing."
 
YEAR 2000
 
     The "Year 2000 Issue" is a general term used to refer to certain business
implications of the arrival of the new millennium. In simple terms, on January
1, 2000, all computerized systems that use the two-digit
                                       33
<PAGE>   36
 
convention to identify the applicable year, including both information
technology systems and non-information technology systems that use embedded
technology, could fail completely or create erroneous data as a result of the
system failing to recognize the two digit internal date "00" as representing the
year 2000.
 
     The Company has completed its initial assessment of Year 2000 compliance of
its internal information technology systems, which consist primarily of
financial and accounting systems and geological evaluation systems, and does not
believe that these systems have any material issues with respect to Year 2000
compliance. The Company's internal information technology systems are all new
and widely utilized. Its vendors have advised the Company that all of these
systems are either Year 2000 compliant or can be easily upgraded to be Year 2000
compliant. The Company anticipates that its Year 2000 remediation efforts for
information technology systems, consisting primarily of software upgrades, will
continue through 1999, and anticipates incurring less than $10,000 in connection
with these efforts.
 
     The Company has not identified any non-information technology systems the
use embedded technology on which it relies; however such assessment is expected
to continue through 1999.
 
     Through communications with industry partners and others, the Company is
also evaluating the risk presented by potential Year 2000 non-compliance of
third parties. Because such risks vary substantially, companies are being
contacted based on the estimated magnitude of the risk posed to the Company by
their potential Year 2000 non-compliance. The Company anticipates that these
efforts will continue through 1999 and will not result in significant costs to
the Company.
 
     The Company's assessment of its Year 2000 issues involves many assumptions.
There can be no assurance that the Company's assumptions will prove accurate,
and actual results could differ significantly from the assumptions. In
conducting its Year 2000 compliance efforts, the Company has relied primarily on
vendor representations with respect to its internal computerized systems and
representations from third parties with which the Company has business
relationships and has not independently verified these representations. There
can be no assurance that these representations will prove to be accurate. A Year
2000 failure could result in a business disruption that adversely affects the
Company's business, financial condition or results of operations. Although it is
not currently aware of any likely business disruption, the Company is developing
contingency plans to address Year 2000 failures and expects this work to
continue through 1999.
 
ITEM 7A. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
     COMMODITY RISK. The Company's major market risk exposure is the commodity
pricing applicable to its oil and natural gas production. Realized commodity
prices received for such production are primarily driven by the prevailing
worldwide price for crude oil and spot prices applicable to natural gas. The
effects of such pricing volatility have been discussed above, and such
volatility is expected to continue. A 10% fluctuation in the price received for
oil and gas production would have an approximate $800,000 impact on the
Company's annual revenues and operating income.
 
     To mitigate some of this risk, the Company engages periodically in certain
limited hedging activities but only to the extent of buying protection price
floors. Costs and any benefits derived from these price floors are accordingly
recorded as a reduction or increase, as applicable, in oil and gas sales revenue
and were not significant for any year presented. The costs to purchase put
options are amortized over the option period. The Company does not hold or issue
derivative instruments for trading purposes. Income and (losses) realized by the
Company related to these instruments were $(27,000), $48,000 and $167,000 or
$(2.22), $4.38 and $10.54 per MMBtu for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997
and 1998, respectively.
 
     INTEREST RATE RISK. The Company's exposure to changes in interest rates
results from its floating rate debt. In regards to its Revolving Credit
Facility, the result of a 10% fluctuation in short-term interest rates would
impact 1999 cash flow by approximately $150,000.
 
     FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS & DEBT MATURITIES. The Company's financial
instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts
payable and bank borrowings. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents,
accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the
highly liquid nature of these short-term instruments. The fair values of the
bank borrowings approximate the carrying
                                       34
<PAGE>   37
 
amounts as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and were determined based upon
interest rates currently available to the Company for borrowings with similar
terms. Current maturities of the debt are $930,000 in 1999 and $11,126,000 in
2000.
 
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
     The response to this item is included elsewhere in this report.
 
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
     None.
 
                                    PART III
 
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
     The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to
information under the caption "Proposal 1-Election of Directors" and to the
information under the caption "Section 16(a) Reporting Delinquencies" in the
Company's definitive Proxy Statement (the "1999 Proxy Statement") for its 1999
annual meeting of shareholders. The 1999 Proxy Statement will be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") not later than 120 days
subsequent to December 31, 1998.
 
     On February 6, 1999, Roberto Marsella resigned as a member of the Board of
Directors of the Company.
 
     Pursuant to Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K, the information required by this
item with respect to executive officers of the Company is set forth in Part I of
this report.
 
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference
to the 1999 Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the Commission not later
than 120 days subsequent to December 31, 1998.
 
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
     The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference
to the 1999 Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the Commission not later
than 120 days subsequent to December 31, 1998.
 
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
     The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference
to the 1999 Proxy Statement which will be filed with the Commission not later
than 120 days subsequent to December 31, 1998.
 
                                    PART IV
 
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
     (A)(1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     THE RESPONSE TO THIS ITEM IS SUBMITTED IN A SEPARATE SECTION OF THIS
REPORT.
 
     (A)(2) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
     All schedules and other statements for which provision is made in the
applicable regulations of the Commission have been omitted because they are not
required under the relevant instructions or are inapplicable.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   38
 
     (A)(3) EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<C>                      <C>  <S>
           +2.1           --  Combination Agreement by and among the Company, Carrizo
                              Production, Inc., Encinitas Partners Ltd., La Rosa Partners
                              Ltd., Carrizo Partners Ltd., Paul B. Loyd, Jr., Steven A.
                              Webster, S.P. Johnson IV, Douglas A.P. Hamilton and Frank A.
                              Wojtek dated as of June 6, 1997 (Incorporated herein by
                              reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Registration
                              Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-29187)).
           +3.1           --  Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the
                              Company (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
                              the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                              December 31, 1997).
           +3.2           --  Statement of Resolution Establishing Series of Shares
                              designated 9% Series A Preferred Stock (Incorporated herein
                              by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Annual Report
                              on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997).
           +3.3           --  Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended by
                              Amendment No. 1 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
                              3.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A
                              (Registration No. 000-22915).
           +4.1           --  First Amended, Restated, and Combined Loan Agreement between
                              the Company and Compass Bank dated August 28, 1997
                              (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
                              Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
                              ended September 30, 1997).
           +4.2           --  First Amendment to First Amended, Restated, and Combined
                              Loan Agreement between the Company and Compass Bank dated
                              December 23, 1997 (Incorporated herein by reference to
                              Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                              the year ended December 31, 1997).
           +4.3           --  Second Amendment to First Amended, Restated, and Combined
                              Loan Agreement between the Company and Compass Bank dated
                              December 30, 1997 (Incorporated herein by reference to
                              Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
                              the year ended December 31, 1997).
                              The Company is a party to several debt instruments under
                              which the total amount of securities authorized does not
                              exceed 10% of the total assets of the Company and its
                              subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Pursuant to paragraph
                              4(iii)(A) of Item 601(b) of Regulation S-K, the Company
                              agrees to furnish a copy of such instruments to the
                              Commission upon request.
           +4.4           --  Fourth Amendment to First Amended, Restated, and Combined
                              Loan Agreement by and between Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. and
                              Compass Bank (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
                              4.5 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                              quarter ended September 30, 1998).
           +4.5           --  Limited Guaranty by Douglas A. P. Hamilton for the benefit
                              of Compass Bank (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
                              4.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                              quarter ended September 30, 1998).
           +4.6           --  Notice of Final Agreement with respect to a term loan from
                              Compass Bank (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
                              4.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                              quarter ended September 30, 1998).
           +4.7           --  Limited Guaranty by Paul B. Loyd, Jr. for the benefit of
                              Compass Bank (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
                              4.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                              quarter ended September 30, 1998).
           +4.8           --  Limited Guaranty by Steven A. Webster for the benefit of
                              Compass Bank (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
                              4.4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                              quarter ended September 30, 1998).
</TABLE>
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   39
<TABLE>
<C>                      <C>  <S>
          +10.1           --  Incentive Plan of the Company (Incorporated herein by
                              reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Registration
                              Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-29187)).
          +10.2           --  Employment Agreement between the Company and S.P. Johnson IV
                              (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the
                              Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration
                              No. 333-29187)).
          +10.3           --  Employment Agreement between the Company and Frank A. Wojtek
                              (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the
                              Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration
                              No. 333-29187)).
          +10.4           --  Employment Agreement between the Company and Kendall A.
                              Trahan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to
                              the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
                              (Registration No. 333-29187)).
          +10.5           --  Employment Agreement between the Company and George Canjar
                              (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the
                              Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration
                              No. 333-29187)).
          +10.6           --  Indemnification Agreement between the Company and each of
                              its directors and executive officers (Incorporated herein by
                              reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Annual Report on
                              Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997).
          +10.7           --  Registration Rights Agreement by and among the Company, Paul
                              B. Loyd, Jr., Steven A. Webster, S.P. Johnson IV, Douglas
                              A.P. Hamilton and Frank A. Wojtek dated as of June 6, 1997
                              (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the
                              Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration
                              No. 333-29187)).
          +10.8           --  S Corporation Tax Allocation, Payment and Indemnification
                              Agreement among the Company and Messrs. Loyd, Webster,
                              Johnson, Hamilton and Wojtek (Incorporated herein by
                              reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Registration
                              Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-29187)).
          +10.9           --  S Corporation Tax Allocation, Payment and Indemnification
                              Agreement among Carrizo Production, Inc. and Messrs. Loyd,
                              Webster, Johnson, Hamilton and Wojtek (Incorporated herein
                              by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Registration
                              Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-29187)).
          +10.10          --  Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 8, 1998 among the
                              Company, Enron Capital & Trade Resources Corp. and Joint
                              Energy Development Investments II Limited Partnership.
                              (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the
                              Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 8, 1998).
          +10.11          --  Warrant Certificates (Incorporated herein by reference to
                              Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
                              dated January 8, 1998.)
          +10.12          --  Shareholders' Agreement dated January 8, 1998 among the
                              Company, S.P. Johnson IV, Frank A. Wojtek, Steven A.
                              Webster, Paul B. Loyd, Jr., Douglas A.P. Hamilton, DAPHAM
                              Partnership, L.P., The Douglas A.P. Hamilton 1997 GRAT,
                              Enron Capital & Trade Resources Corp. and Joint Energy
                              Development Investments II Limited Partnership.
                              (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the
                              Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 8, 1998).
          +10.13          --  Form of Amendment to Executive Officer Employment Agreement.
                              (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the
                              Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 8, 1998).
           21.1           --  Subsidiaries of the Company.
           23.1           --  Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
           23.2           --  Consent of Ryder Scott Company Petroleum Engineers.
</TABLE>
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   40
<TABLE>
<C>                      <C>  <S>
           23.3           --  Consent of Fairchild, Ancell & Wells, Inc.
           27.1           --  Financial Data Schedule.
           99.1           --  Summary of Reserve Report of Ryder Scott Company Petroleum
                              Engineers as of December 31, 1998.
           99.2           --  Summary of Reserve Report of Fairchild, Ancell & Wells, Inc.
                              as of December 31, 1998.
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------------
 
+ Incorporated by reference as indicated.
 
     REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
     On December 28, 1998, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K (as
amended by Form 8-K/A filed on February 23, 1999) to report under Item 2 thereof
its acquisition (the "Acquisition") of certain oil and gas producing properties
in Wharton County, Texas, along with certain rights to participate in certain
exploration prospects (primarily in the Wilcox formation) in Wharton County,
Texas and associated rights of access to certain 2-D and 3-D seismic data and
related information and certain other related assets (collectively, the
"Assets") from Hall-Houston Oil Company, a Texas corporation, Hall-Houston 1996
Exploration and Development Facility Overriding Royalty Trust, a Texas trust,
and Hall-Houston Oil Company Employee Royalty Trust, a Texas trust
(collectively, "Hall-Houston"). A Statement of Revenues and Direct Operating
Expenses for the Oil and Gas Properties of Hall-Houston Oil Company, et al
Acquired by Carrizo Oil and Gas Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1997 was
included in such Current Report.
 
     Such Current Report also included unaudited pro forma statements of
operations for the year ended December 31, 1997 and the nine months ended
September 30, 1998, and the unaudited pro forma balance sheet as of September
30, 1998 based on the historical financial statements of the Company and the
historical statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of the oil and
gas properties acquired from Hall-Houston, et al (the "Hall-Houston, et al
Properties Acquisition"), adjusted to give effect to the Hall-Houston, et al
Properties Acquisition and borrowings under the Company's bank loan.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   41
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
                                            CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC.
 
                                            By:    /s/ FRANK A. WOJTEK
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                      Frank A. Wojtek
                                               Chief Financial Officer, Vice
                                                         President,
                                                  Secretary and Treasurer
 
Date: March 31, 1999.
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        NAME                                      CAPACITY                   DATE
                        ----                                      --------                   ----
<C>                                                    <S>                              <C>
 
                /s/ S. P. JOHNSON IV                   President, Chief Executive       March 31, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------  Officer and Director (Principal
                  S. P. Johnson IV                     Executive Officer)
 
                 /s/ FRANK A. WOJTEK                   Chief Financial Officer, Vice    March 31, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------  President, Secretary, Treasurer
                   Frank A. Wojtek                     and Director (Principal
                                                       Financial Officer and Principal
                                                       Accounting Officer)
 
                /s/ STEVEN A. WEBSTER                  Chairman of the Board            March 31, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Steven A. Webster
 
             /s/ DOUGLAS A. P. HAMILTON                Director                         March 31, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
               Douglas A. P. Hamilton
 
                /s/ PAUL B. LOYD, JR.                  Director                         March 31, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Paul B. Loyd, Jr.
</TABLE>
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   42
 
                            CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC.
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               PAGE
                                                               ----
<S>                                                            <C>
 
Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.  --
  Report of Independent Public Accountants..................   F-2
  Balance Sheets, December 31, 1997 and 1998................   F-3
  Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31,
     1996, 1997 and 1998....................................   F-4
  Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Years Ended
     December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998.......................   F-5
  Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31,
     1996, 1997 and 1998....................................   F-6
  Notes to Financial Statements.............................   F-7
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   43
 
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Shareholders and
Board of Directors of
Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.
(a Texas corporation) as of December 31, 1997 and 1998, and the related
statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1998. These financial statements
are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December
31, 1997 and 1998, and the results of its operations and cash flows for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
 
     The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the
Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 3 to the
financial statements, due principally to depressed oil and gas prices, the
Company's operating cash flows have decreased significantly in 1998 and through
the first quarter of 1999. The Company projects that, at current commodity price
levels, its cash sources will exceed its planned needs for cash in 1999. The
Company also has specific plans which involve, among other things, cost
reductions, hedging activities to lock in higher prices and the drilling of high
probability exploration and development prospects that it believes will generate
the necessary borrowing capacity and cash flow to fund its 1999 obligations.
There are no assurances, however, that the Company will be able to generate cash
flows sufficient to pay all of its 1999 obligations as they become due because
of the sensitivity of such cash flow projections to factors such as oil and gas
sales price volatility, production levels, operating cost fluctuations, and
other variables inherent in the oil and gas industry. The current uncertainties
surrounding the sufficiency of its future cash flows and the lack of firm
commitments for additional capital raise substantial doubt about the ability of
the Company to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to
these matters are also described in Note 3. The accompanying financial
statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and
classification of asset carrying amounts or the amount and classification of
liabilities that might result should the Company be unable to continue as a
going concern.
 
                                        ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Houston, Texas
March 22, 1999
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   44
 
                            CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   AS OF DECEMBER 31,
                                                               --------------------------
                                                                  1997           1998
                                                               -----------   ------------
<S>                                                            <C>           <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................   $ 2,674,837   $  1,187,656
  Accounts receivable, trade................................     1,794,175      1,421,964
  Accounts receivable, joint interest owners................     1,841,329      2,805,401
  Advances to operators.....................................     1,817,990      1,192,079
  Other current assets......................................       108,633        117,614
                                                               -----------   ------------
          Total current assets..............................     8,236,964      6,724,714
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net (full-cost method of accounting
  for oil and gas properties)...............................    45,082,833     57,878,191
OTHER ASSETS................................................       338,638        385,127
                                                               -----------   ------------
                                                               $53,658,435   $ 64,988,032
                                                               ===========   ============
                          LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable, trade...................................   $10,433,479   $ 10,003,376
  Dividends payable.........................................            --        720,360
  Other current liabilities.................................        79,328        275,116
  Current maturities of long-term debt......................            --        930,000
                                                               -----------   ------------
          Total current liabilities.........................    10,512,807     11,928,852
LONG-TERM DEBT..............................................     7,950,000     11,126,000
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES.......................................     2,300,267             --
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 7)
MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK (10,000,000 shares
  authorized with none and 320,110.53 issued and outstanding
  at December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively) (Note 9).....            --     30,730,695
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Warrants..................................................            --        300,000
  Common stock, $0.01 per share par value, 40,000,000 shares
     authorized with 10,375,000 issued and outstanding
     December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively...............       103,750        103,750
  Additional paid in capital................................    32,845,727     32,845,727
  Retained earnings (deficit)...............................       365,690    (21,907,082)
  Deferred compensation.....................................      (419,806)      (139,910)
                                                               -----------   ------------
                                                                32,895,361     11,202,485
                                                               -----------   ------------
                                                               $53,658,435   $ 64,988,032
                                                               ===========   ============
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   45
 
                            CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                         --------------------------------------
                                                            1996         1997          1998
                                                         ----------   ----------   ------------
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>          <C>
OIL AND NATURAL GAS REVENUES...........................  $5,194,709   $8,711,654   $  7,858,502
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
  Oil and natural gas operating expenses (exclusive of
     depreciation shown separately below)..............   2,384,145    2,334,009      2,769,595
  Depreciation, depletion and amortization.............   1,135,797    2,358,256      3,951,548
  Write-down of oil and gas properties.................          --           --     20,305,448
  General and administrative...........................     514,644    1,590,358      2,667,234
                                                         ----------   ----------   ------------
          Total costs and expenses.....................   4,034,586    6,282,623     29,693,825
                                                         ----------   ----------   ------------
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)................................   1,160,123    2,429,031    (21,835,323)
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES:
  Interest income......................................          --       53,417        293,736
  Interest expense.....................................    (312,409)    (713,999)      (300,083)
  Interest expense, related parties....................    (189,881)    (137,067)            --
  Capitalized interest.................................     422,493      699,625        291,496
  Other income.........................................      19,525           --             --
                                                         ----------   ----------   ------------
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES.............................   1,099,851    2,331,007    (21,550,174)
INCOME TAXES...........................................          --    2,300,267     (2,218,027)
                                                         ----------   ----------   ------------
NET INCOME (LOSS)......................................  $1,099,851   $   30,740   $(19,332,147)
                                                         ==========   ==========   ============
LESS: DIVIDENDS AND ACCRETION ON PREFERRED SHARES......          --           --      2,940,625
                                                         ----------   ----------   ------------
NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS.....  $1,099,851   $   30,740   $(22,272,772)
                                                         ==========   ==========   ============
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE (Note 2)........  $     0.15   $     0.00   $      (2.15)
                                                         ==========   ==========   ============
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE (Note 2)......  $     0.15   $     0.00   $      (2.15)
                                                         ==========   ==========   ============
BASIC WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES
  OUTSTANDING (Note 2).................................   7,475,650    8,638,699     10,375,000
                                                         ==========   ==========   ============
DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES
  OUTSTANDING (Note 2).................................   7,545,063    8,809,572     10,375,000
                                                         ==========   ==========   ============
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   46
 
                            CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC.
 
               STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (NOTES 1 AND 2)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             WARRANTS             COMMON STOCK        ADDITIONAL      RETAINED
                                       --------------------   ---------------------     PAID IN       EARNINGS       DEFERRED
                                        NUMBER      AMOUNT      SHARES      AMOUNT      CAPITAL      (DEFICIT)     COMPENSATION
                                       ---------   --------   ----------   --------   -----------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                    <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>           <C>            <C>
BALANCE, January 1, 1996.............         --   $     --    7,451,300   $ 74,513   $ 4,071,487   $   (764,901)   $      --
  Net income.........................         --         --           --         --            --      1,099,851           --
  Distributions......................         --         --           --         --      (335,000)            --           --
  Common stock issued to
    unitholders......................         --         --       48,700        487       449,513             --           --
                                       ---------   --------   ----------   --------   -----------   ------------    ---------
BALANCE, December 31, 1996...........         --   $     --    7,500,000   $ 75,000   $ 4,186,000   $    334,950    $      --
  Net income.........................         --         --           --         --            --         30,740           --
  Distributions......................         --         --           --         --       (90,000)            --           --
  Public offering....................         --         --    2,875,000     28,750    28,050,049             --           --
  Deferred compensations related to
    certain stock options............         --         --           --         --       699,678             --     (699,678)
  Amortization of deferred
    compensation.....................         --         --           --         --            --             --      279,872
                                       ---------   --------   ----------   --------   -----------   ------------    ---------
BALANCE, December 31, 1997...........         --   $     --   10,375,000   $103,750   $32,845,727   $    365,690    $(419,806)
  Net loss...........................         --         --           --         --            --    (19,332,147)          --
  Warrants issued....................  1,000,000    300,000           --         --            --             --           --
  Dividends and accretion on
    preferred shares.................         --         --           --         --            --     (2,940,625)          --
  Amortization of deferred
    compensation.....................         --         --           --         --            --             --      279,896
                                       ---------   --------   ----------   --------   -----------   ------------    ---------
BALANCE, December 31, 1998...........  1,000,000   $300,000   10,375,000   $103,750   $32,845,727   $(21,907,082)   $(139,910)
                                       =========   ========   ==========   ========   ===========   ============    =========
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                       SHAREHOLDERS'
                                          EQUITY
                                       -------------
<S>                                    <C>
BALANCE, January 1, 1996.............  $  3,381,099
  Net income.........................     1,099,851
  Distributions......................      (335,000)
  Common stock issued to
    unitholders......................       450,000
                                       ------------
BALANCE, December 31, 1996...........  $  4,595,950
  Net income.........................        30,740
  Distributions......................       (90,000)
  Public offering....................    28,078,799
  Deferred compensations related to
    certain stock options............            --
  Amortization of deferred
    compensation.....................       279,872
                                       ------------
BALANCE, December 31, 1997...........  $ 32,895,361
  Net loss...........................   (19,332,147)
  Warrants issued....................       300,000
  Dividends and accretion on
    preferred shares.................    (2,940,625)
  Amortization of deferred
    compensation.....................       279,896
                                       ------------
BALANCE, December 31, 1998...........  $ 11,202,485
                                       ============
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   47
 
                            CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                      -----------------------------------------
                                                         1996           1997           1998
                                                      -----------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>            <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income (loss).................................  $ 1,099,851   $     30,740   $(19,332,147)
  Adjustment to reconcile net income (loss) to net
     cash provided by (used in) operating
     activities --
     Depreciation, depletion and amortization.......    1,135,797      2,358,256      3,951,548
  Write-down of oil and gas properties..............           --             --     20,305,448
  Deferred income taxes.............................           --      2,300,267     (2,300,267)
  Changes in assets and liabilities --
     Accounts receivable............................   (1,457,950)    (1,819,598)      (591,861)
     Other current assets...........................          322        (93,161)        (8,981)
     Other assets...................................           --             --       (249,175)
     Accounts payable, trade........................    2,422,257        475,268        803,867
     Interest payable to related parties and other
       current liabilities..........................      125,164       (183,845)       195,788
                                                      -----------   ------------   ------------
          Net cash provided by operating
            activities..............................    3,325,441      3,067,927      2,774,220
                                                      -----------   ------------   ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Capital expenditures -- accrual basis.............   (9,479,561)   (32,234,351)   (36,569,773)
  Adjustment to cash basis..........................    1,258,132      5,911,784     (1,233,970)
  Advances to operators.............................           --     (1,817,990)       625,911
                                                      -----------   ------------   ------------
          Net cash used in investing activities.....   (8,221,429)   (28,140,557)   (37,177,832)
                                                      -----------   ------------   ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Net proceeds from sale of common stock............           --     28,078,799             --
  Net proceeds from sale of preferred stock and
     warrants.......................................           --             --     28,810,431
  Proceeds from debt issuance.......................    6,910,000     18,544,454     12,056,000
  Debt repayments...................................   (2,083,684)   (20,408,934)    (7,950,000)
  Proceeds from related party notes payable.........    1,377,739        130,545             --
  Capital contributions.............................      450,000             --             --
  Capital distributions.............................     (335,000)       (90,000)            --
                                                      -----------   ------------   ------------
          Net cash provided by financing
            activities..............................    6,319,055     26,254,864     32,916,431
                                                      -----------   ------------   ------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH
  EQUIVALENTS.......................................    1,423,067      1,182,234     (1,487,181)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year........       69,536      1,492,603      2,674,837
                                                      -----------   ------------   ------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year..............  $ 1,492,603   $  2,674,837   $  1,187,656
                                                      ===========   ============   ============
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES:
  Cash paid for interest (net of amounts
     capitalized)...................................  $        --   $    151,441   $      8,587
                                                      ===========   ============   ============
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   48
 
                             CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS, COMBINATION AND OFFERING
 
NATURE OF OPERATIONS
 
     Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. (Carrizo, a Texas corporation; together with its
affiliates and predecessors, the Company) is an independent energy company
engaged in the exploration, development, exploitation and production of oil and
natural gas. Its operations are focused on Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast
trends, primarily the Frio, Wilcox and Vicksburg trends. The Company has
acquired or is in the process of acquiring 1,771 square miles of 3-D seismic
data. Additionally, the Company has assembled approximately 407,123 gross acres
under lease or option.
 
THE COMBINATION
 
     Carrizo was formed in 1993 and is the surviving entity after a series of
combination transactions (the Combination) consumated on August 11, 1997. The
Combination included the following transactions: (a) Carrizo Production, Inc. (a
Texas corporation and an affiliated entity with ownership identical to Carrizo)
was merged into Carrizo and the outstanding shares of capital stock of Carrizo
Production, Inc. were exchanged for an aggregate of 343,000 shares of common
stock of Carrizo (the Common Stock); (b) Carrizo acquired Encinitas Partners
Ltd. (a Texas limited partnership of which Carrizo Production, Inc. served as
the general partner) as follows: Carrizo acquired from the shareholders who
serve as directors of Carrizo (the Founders) their limited partner interests in
Encinitas Partners Ltd. for an aggregate consideration of 468,533 shares of
Common Stock and, on the same date, Encinitas Partners Ltd. was merged into
Carrizo and the outstanding limited partner interests in Encinitas Partners Ltd.
were exchanged for an aggregate of 860,699 shares of Common Stock; (c) La Rosa
Partners Ltd. (a Texas limited partnership of which Carrizo served as the
general partner) was merged into Carrizo and the outstanding limited partner
interests in La Rosa Partners Ltd. were exchanged for an aggregate of 48,700
shares of Common Stock; and (d) Carrizo Partners Ltd. (a Texas limited
partnership of which Carrizo served as the general partner) was merged into
Carrizo and the outstanding limited partner interests in Carrizo Partners Ltd.
were exchanged for an aggregate of 569,068 shares of Common Stock.
 
     The Combination was accounted for as a reorganization of entities as
prescribed by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Staff Accounting Bulletin
47 because of the high degree of common ownership among, and the common control
of, the combining entities. Accordingly, the accompanying financial statements
have been prepared using the historical costs and results of operations of the
affiliated entities up to the date of the Combination. There were no significant
differences in accounting methods or their application among the combining
entities. All intercompany balances have been eliminated. Certain
reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the
current period's financial statement presentation.
 
INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
 
     Simultaneous with the Combination, the Company completed its initial public
offering (the Offering) of 2,875,000 shares of its common stock at a public
offering price of $11.00 per share. The Offering provided the Company with
proceeds of approximately $28.1 million, net of expenses.
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
OIL AND NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES
 
     Investments in oil and natural gas properties are accounted for using the
full-cost method of accounting. All costs directly associated with the
acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties are
capitalized. Such costs include lease acquisitions, seismic surveys, and
drilling and completion equipment. During the years ended December 31, 1997 and
1998, the Company capitalized as oil and natural gas
 
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   49
                             CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
properties $279,872 and $279,896, respectively, of deferred compensation related
to stock options granted to personnel directly associated with exploration
activities. (See Note 8.)
 
     Oil and natural gas properties are amortized based on the
unit-of-production method using estimates of proved reserve quantities.
Investments in unproved properties are not amortized until proved reserves
associated with the projects can be determined or until impairment occurs.
Unevaluated properties are evaluated quarterly for impairment on a
property-by-property basis. If the results of an assessment indicate that the
properties are impaired, the amount of impairment is added to the proved oil and
natural gas property costs to be amortized. The amortizable base includes
estimated future development costs and, where significant, dismantlement,
restoration and abandonment costs, net of estimated salvage values. The
depletion rate per thousand cubic feet equivalent (Mcfe) for 1996, 1997 and
1998, was $0.59, $0.69 and $1.06, respectively.
 
     Dispositions of oil and gas properties are accounted for as adjustments to
capitalized costs with no gain or loss recognized, unless such adjustments would
significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved
reserves.
 
     The net capitalized costs of proved oil and gas properties are subject to a
"ceiling test," which limits such costs to the estimated present value,
discounted at a 10 percent interest rate, of future net cash flows from proved
reserves, based on current economic and operating conditions. If net capitalized
costs exceed this limit, the excess is charged to operations through
depreciation, depletion and amortization. No write-down of the Company's oil and
natural gas assets was necessary in 1996 or 1997. Primarily as a result of
downward reserve quantity revisions combined with depressed oil and natural gas
prices, the Company recorded a ceiling test write-down of $20,305,448 in 1998.
 
     Depreciation of other property and equipment is provided using the
straight-line method based on estimated useful lives ranging from five to 10
years.
 
FINANCING COSTS
 
     Long-term debt financing costs included in other assets of $226,247 and
$300,005 as of December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively, are being amortized
over the term of the loans (June 1, 2000.)
 
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
     For statement of cash flow purposes, all highly liquid investments with
original maturities of three months or less are considered to be cash
equivalents.
 
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
     The Company's financial instruments consist of cash, receivables, payables
and long-term debt. The carrying amount of cash, receivables and payables
approximates fair value because of the short-term nature of these items. The
carrying amount of long-term debt approximates fair value as the individual
borrowings bear interest at floating market interest rates.
 
HEDGING ACTIVITIES
 
     The Company periodically enters into hedging arrangements to manage price
risks related to oil and natural gas sales and not for speculative purposes. The
Company's hedging arrangements apply only to a portion of its production,
provide only partial price protection against declines in oil and natural gas
prices and limit potential gains from future increases in prices. For financial
reporting purposes, gains and losses related to hedging are recognized as income
when the hedged transaction occurs. Should the necessary correlation between the
hedged item and the designated hedging instrument be lost, the gain or loss
would no longer be
 
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   50
                             CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
deferred and would be recognized in the period the correlation is lost. Total
oil and natural gas quantities sold under swap arrangements in 1996, 1997, and
1998 were 3,000 Bbls, 0 Bbls and 0 Bbls, respectively, and 60,000 MMBtu, 210,000
MMBtu, and 1,760,000 MMBtu, respectively. Hedging gains (losses) are included in
oil and natural gas revenues and amounted to $(27,000), $48,000 and $167,000 for
the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. At December 31,
1997, the Company had 364,000 MMBtu of outstanding hedged positions (at an
average price of $2.86 per MMBtu for first quarter 1998 production.) These
instruments had a fair value market of $250,000 as of December 31, 1997. At
December 31, 1998, the Company had no outstanding hedged positions.
 
INCOME TAXES
 
     Through May 15, 1997, Carrizo and its affiliated entities had elected to be
treated as S Corporations under the Internal Revenue Code or were otherwise not
taxed as entities for federal income tax purposes. The taxable income or loss
was therefore allocated to the equity owners of Carrizo and the affiliated
entities. Accordingly, no provision was made for income taxes in the
accompanying historical financial statements for the year ended December 31,
1996. The Company entered into tax indemnification agreements with the founders
of the Company pertaining to periods in which the Company was an S Corporation.
 
     On May 16, 1997, Carrizo terminated its status as an S corporation and
thereafter became subject to federal income taxes. The Company, beginning with
the termination of its tax exempt status, provides income taxes for the
difference in the tax and financial reporting bases of its assets and
liabilities in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
("SFAS") No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." The termination of its tax
exempt status in 1997 required the Company to establish a deferred tax
liability, which resulted in a one-time noncash charge to income in 1997 of
$1,623,000. Had Carrizo been a taxpaying entity prior to May 17, 1997, its net
income and earnings per share would have been as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     PRO FORMA
                                                              ------------------------
                                                                 1996          1997
                                                              ----------    ----------
                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Net income (after unaudited pro forma income taxes of
  $395,946 and $816,852 in 1996 and 1997, respectively).....  $  703,905    $1,514,155
                                                              ==========    ==========
Diluted earnings per share..................................  $     0.09    $     0.17
                                                              ==========    ==========
Weighted average diluted number of common shares
  outstanding...............................................   7,545,063     8,809,572
                                                              ==========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
USE OF ESTIMATES
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Significant
estimates include depreciation, depletion and amortization of proved oil and
natural gas properties. Oil and natural gas reserve estimates, which are the
basis for unit-of-production depletion and the ceiling test, are inherently
imprecise and are expected to change as future information becomes available.
 
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
 
     Substantially all of the Company's accounts receivable result from oil and
natural gas sales or joint interest billings to third parties in the oil and
natural gas industry. This concentration of customers and joint interest owners
may impact the Company's overall credit risk in that these entities may be
similarly affected by changes in economic and other conditions. Historically,
the Company has not experienced credit losses on such receivables.
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   51
                             CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
     Supplemental earnings per share information is provided below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              INCOME                                SHARES                    PER-SHARE AMOUNT
                                -----------------------------------   ----------------------------------   ----------------------
                                   1996       1997         1998         1996        1997         1998      1996    1997     1998
                                ----------   -------   ------------   ---------   ---------   ----------   -----   -----   ------
<S>                             <C>          <C>       <C>            <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>     <C>     <C>
Net income (loss).............  $1,099,851   $30,740   $(19,332,147)
Less: Dividends and accretion
  on preferred stock..........          --        --     (2,940,625)
                                ----------   -------   ------------
Basic earnings per Share
  Net income (loss) available
    to common shareholders....   1,099,851    30,740    (22,272,772)  7,475,650   8,638,699   10,375,000   $0.15   $0.00   $(2.15)
                                                                                                           =====   =====   ======
Stock options.................                                               --     170,873           --
                                                                      ---------   ---------   ----------
Diluted earnings per share
  Net Income (loss) available
    to common shareholders
    plus assumed
    conversions...............  $1,099,851   $30,740   $(22,272,772)  7,475,650   8,809,572   10,375,000   $0.15   $0.00   $(2.15)
                                ==========   =======   ============   =========   =========   ==========   =====   =====   ======
</TABLE>
 
     Net income (loss) per common share has been computed by dividing net income
(loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding
during the periods. During the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1998, the
Company had outstanding 250,000 and 443,550 stock options, respectively, and
warrants to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock at December 31, 1998,
which were antidilutive and were therefore not included in the calculation
because the exercise price of these instruments exceeded the underlying market
value of the options and warrants.
 
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
     In June 1997, The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 130 "Reporting
Comprehensive Income." This statement requires the reporting of comprehensive
income which includes net income plus all other changes in equity during the
period not reflected in net income such as the impact of foreign currency
translation. This statement is effective for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998. The Company did not have any items of other comprehensive income for any
of the periods presented herein.
 
     The FASB has also issued SFAS No. 131 "Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information." This statement requires the reporting of
expanded information of a company's operating segments and expands the
definition of what constitutes an entity's operating segments. This statement is
effective for the year ended December 31, 1998. This statement did not have an
impact on the Company's disclosure as the Company has only one reportable
operating segment as defined by SFAS 131.
 
3. GOING CONCERN
 
     The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the
Company will continue as a going concern. Due principally to depressed oil and
gas prices, the Company's operating cash flows have decreased significantly in
1998 and through the first quarter of 1999. The Company projects that, after
considering advances and borrowing base adjustments obtained during the first
quarter of 1999, and without further increases in borrowing base capacity under
its existing revolving credit facility, debt repayments totaling approximately
$1,950,000 will be required in 1999. The Company raised $2 million in additional
financing under its existing credit facility in March 1999; however, it is
anticipated that these proceeds will be utilized to fund the Company's ongoing
drilling program and for working capital. The Company must find additional oil
and gas reserves in order to significantly increase the financing available
through its existing revolving credit facility.
 
     The Company projects that, at current commodity price levels, its cash
sources will exceed its planned needs for cash in 1999. Such cash sources
include additional borrowings subject to borrowing availability, cash
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   52
                             CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
flows from currently producing properties along with those nearing completion or
pending pipeline hookup and projected net cash flows from wells to be drilled.
Cash needs in 1999 include debt requirements, working capital, drilling
expenditures, lease bonus payments, geological and geophysical costs on its
active exploration projects and cash general and administrative costs. The
Company also has specific plans which involve, among other things, cost
reductions, hedging activities to lock in higher prices and the drilling of high
probability exploration and development prospects that it believes will generate
the necessary borrowing capacity and cash flow to fund its 1999 obligations.
There are no assurances, however, that the Company will be able to generate cash
flows sufficient to pay all of its 1999 obligations as they become due because
of the sensitivity of such cash flow projections to factors such as oil and gas
sales price volatility, production levels, operating cost fluctuations, and
other variables inherent in the oil and gas industry. The current uncertainties
surrounding the sufficiency of its future cash flows and the lack of firm
commitments for additional capital raise substantial doubt about the ability of
the Company to continue as a going concern. The accompanying financial
statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and
classification of asset carrying amounts or the amount and classification of
liabilities that might result should the Company be unable to continue as a
going concern.
 
     As of December 31, 1998, the Company had $37,060,418 of investment in
unevaluated properties. In order to fully realize this investment through the
exploration and development of these properties, additional capital resources
above the amount borrowed in March 1999 and currently available net cash flow
from operations will be necessary to fund such capital expenditures. The Company
is continuing to seek additional financing from a variety of sources, including
new common or preferred equity investors and additional debt financing. No
assurance can be given that additional financing will be available by these or
other means on terms acceptable to the Company. Without an increase in commodity
prices, successful drilling or raising additional capital, the Company
anticipates that it will be required to limit or defer its planned oil and gas
exploration and development program, which could adversely affect the
recoverability and ultimate value of the Company's oil and gas properties. The
Company has the ability to control the pace of drilling in projects where it has
a 100 percent working interest. In other projects where the Company only has a
partial ownership, the Company generally has the right, but not the obligation,
to participate for its percentage interest in drilling wells and can decline to
participate if it does not have sufficient capital resources at the time such
drilling operations commence. The Company may also transfer its right to
participate in drilling wells in exchange for cash, a reversionary interest, or
some combination thereof or may seek to sell or transfer all or a portion of its
interest in undeveloped properties.
 
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
     At December 31, 1997 and 1998, property and equipment consisted of the
following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   DECEMBER 31,
                                                            --------------------------
                                                               1997           1998
                                                            -----------   ------------
<S>                                                         <C>           <C>
Proved oil and natural gas properties.....................  $26,994,076   $ 48,390,909
Unproved oil and natural gas properties...................   21,678,368     37,060,418
Other equipment...........................................      225,069        295,854
                                                            -----------   ------------
          Total property and equipment....................   48,897,513     85,747,181
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization......   (3,814,680)   (27,868,990)
                                                            -----------   ------------
Property and equipment, net...............................  $45,082,833   $ 57,878,191
                                                            ===========   ============
</TABLE>
 
     Oil and natural gas properties not subject to amortization consist of the
cost of undeveloped leaseholds, undesignated seismic costs, exploratory wells in
progress, and secondary recovery projects before the assignment of proved
reserves. These costs are reviewed periodically by management for impairment,
with the
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   53
                             CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
impairment provision included in the cost of oil and natural gas properties
subject to amortization. Factors considered by management in its impairment
assessment include drilling results by the Company and other operators, the
terms of oil and natural gas leases not held by production, production response
to secondary recovery activities and available funds for exploration and
development. Of the $37,060,418 of unproved property costs at December 31, 1998
being excluded from the amortizable base, $1,201,873, $13,087,450 and
$22,771,095 were incurred in 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. The Company
expects it will complete its evaluation of the properties representing the
majority of these costs within the next two years.
 
5. INCOME TAXES
 
     Actual income tax expense differs from income tax expense computed by
applying the U.S. federal statutory corporate rate of 35 percent to pretax
income as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ------------------------
                                                                 1997         1998
                                                              ----------   -----------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Provision at the statutory tax rate.........................  $  816,852   $(7,542,561)
Increase in valuation allowance pertaining to net operating
  loss......................................................          --     5,324,534
Increase resulting from change in tax exempt status.........   1,483,415            --
                                                              ----------   -----------
Income tax provision (benefit)..............................  $2,300,267   $(2,218,027)
                                                              ==========   ===========
</TABLE>
 
     Deferred income tax provisions result from temporary differences in the
recognition of income and expenses for financial reporting purposes and for tax
purposes. At December 31, 1997 and 1998, the tax effects of these temporary
differences resulted principally from the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ------------------------
                                                                 1997         1998
                                                              ----------   -----------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Deferred income tax asset:
  Statutory depletion carryforward..........................  $   78,159   $    78,159
  Write-down of oil and properties..........................          --     7,106,907
  Valuation allowance.......................................          --    (5,271,079)
                                                              ----------   -----------
                                                                  78,159     1,913,987
Deferred income tax liabilities:
  Intangible drilling costs.................................   1,944,634     1,378,171
  Capitalized interest......................................     433,792       535,816
                                                              ----------   -----------
                                                               2,378,426     1,913,987
                                                              ----------   -----------
          Net deferred income tax liability.................  $2,300,267   $        --
                                                              ==========   ===========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   54
                             CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
6. LONG-TERM DEBT:
 
     At December 31, 1997 and 1998, notes payable and long-term debt consisted
of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ------------------------
                                                                 1997         1998
                                                              ----------   -----------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Bridge loan payable to Compass Bank.........................  $3,000,000   $        --
Credit facility
  Borrowing base facility...................................   4,950,000     5,056,000
  Term loan facility........................................          --     7,000,000
                                                              ----------   -----------
                                                               7,950,000    12,056,000
Less: current maturities....................................          --      (930,000)
                                                              ----------   -----------
                                                              $7,950,000   $11,126,000
                                                              ==========   ===========
</TABLE>
 
     In connection with the Offering, Carrizo amended its existing credit
facility with Compass Bank, (the "Company Credit Facility"), to provide for a
maximum loan amount of $25 million, subject to borrowing base limitations. Under
the Company Credit Facility, the principal outstanding was due and payable upon
maturity in June 2000 with interest due monthly. The Company Credit Facility was
subsequently amended in September 1998 to provide for a term loan under the
facility (the "Term Loan") in addition to the revolving credit facility limited
by the Company's borrowing base. The Term Loan was initially due and payable
upon maturity in September 1999. The interest rate for borrowings is calculated
at a floating rate based on the Compass index rate or LIBOR plus 2 percent. The
Company's obligations are secured by certain of its oil and gas properties and
cash or cash equivalents included in the borrowing base.
 
     Under the Company Credit Facility, Compass, in its sole discretion, will
make semiannual borrowing base determinations based upon the proved oil and
natural gas properties of the Company. Compass may redetermine the borrowing
base and the monthly borrowing base reduction at any time and from time to time.
The Company may also request borrowing base redeterminations in addition to its
required semiannual reviews at the Company's cost. As of December 31, 1998, the
borrowing base was $6,076,000 and borrowings outstanding were $5,056,000.
 
     Proceeds from the Borrowing Base portions of this credit facility have been
used to provide funding for exploration and development activity. Substantially
all of Carrizo's oil and natural gas property and equipment is pledged as
collateral under this facility. At December 31, 1997, and 1998, borrowings under
this facility totaled $4,950,000 and $5,056,000, respectively, with an
additional $276,000 and $1,020,000, respectively, available for future
borrowings. Borrowings outstanding under the Term Loan portion of the facility
were zero and $7,000,000 at December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively. The
facility was also available for letters of credit, one of which has been issued
for $224,000 at December 31, 1997 and 1998. The weighted average interest rates
for 1997 and 1998 on the Facility were 9 and 8 percent, respectively.
Outstanding borrowings at December 31, 1997 were repaid with the proceeds of the
Company's Preferred Stock sale (see Note 9). The term loan is guaranteed by
certain members of the Board of Directors.
 
     The Company is subject to certain covenants under the terms of the Company
Credit Facility, including but not limited to (a) maintenance of specified
tangible net worth and (b) maintenance of a ratio of quarterly cash flow (net
income plus depreciation and other noncash expenses, less noncash net income) to
quarterly debt service (payments made for principal in connection with each
credit facility plus payments made for principal other than in connection with
such credit facility) of no less than 1.25 to 1.00. The Company Credit Facility
also places restrictions on, among other things, (a) incurring additional
indebtedness, guaranties, loans and liens, (b) changing the nature of business
or business structure, (c) selling assets and (d) paying dividends. In March
1999, the Company Credit Facility was amended to decrease the required specified
tangible net worth covenant
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   55
                             CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     In December 1997, the Company entered into a term loan facility with
Compass Bank bearing interest at 10.5% and due June 1, 1998 (the Bridge Loan).
Proceeds from the facility were used to fund continuing exploration activities
until the Company had completed its Preferred Stock sale discussed in Note 9. At
December 31, 1997, $3,000,000 was outstanding under the Bridge Loan. The Bridge
Loan was paid with proceeds from the Preferred Stock sale.
 
     In March 1999, the Company borrowed an additional $2 million on the term
loan portion of the Company Credit Facility increasing the total outstanding
borrowing under the Term Loan to $9 million. Certain members of the Board of
Directors have guaranteed the Term Loan. The maturity date of the Term Loan was
amended to provide for twelve monthly installments of $750,000 beginning January
1, 2000. The Company also received a deferral of principal payments due under
the borrowing base facility until July 1, 1999. At such time, the available
borrowing base portion of the loan will be reviewed and is expected to begin to
reduce ratably at $325,000 per month with any difference between the available
borrowing base and amounts outstanding being currently due. Should the Company
be able to add sufficient value to its borrowing base through drilling
activities, the required principal payments would be reduced. Certain members of
the Board of Directors have provided $2 million in collateral primarily in the
form of marketable securities to secure the borrowing base facility.
 
     Estimated maturities of debt at December 31, 1998 are $930,000 in 1999 and
$11,126,000 in 2000.
 
7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
     From time to time, the Company is party to certain legal actions and claims
arising in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these events
cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not expect these matters to
have a materially adverse effect on the financial position or results of
operations of the Company.
 
     At December 31, 1998, Carrizo was obligated under a noncancelable operating
lease for office space. Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997
and 1998, was $14,900, $80,000 and $108,700 respectively. Following is a
schedule of the remaining future minimum lease payments under this lease:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
1999..............................................  $108,700
2000..............................................  $ 54,350
</TABLE>
 
8. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
     On June 4, 1997, the board of directors authorized a 521-for-1 split of the
Company's common stock and increased the number of authorized shares to 40
million shares of common stock and 10 million shares of preferred stock. All
common share amounts presented in these financial statements are presented on a
retroactive, post-split basis.
 
     On July 19, 1996, and March 1, 1997, the Company entered into separate
stock option agreements (the "Pre-IPO Options") with two executives of Carrizo
whereby such employees were granted the option to purchase 138,825 shares and
83,295 shares of Carrizo common stock, respectively, at an exercise price of
$3.60 per share. The options vest ratably through August 1, 1998, and March 1,
1999, respectively.
 
     The Company did not record any compensation expense related to the July,
1996 options because the related exercise price was at or above the estimated
fair value of Carrizo's common stock at the time such options were granted. In
connection with an initial public offering, the Company recorded deferred
compensation related to the March 1997 stock option agreement as additional
paid-in capital and an offsetting contra-equity account. This compensation
accrual is based on the difference between the option price and the fair value
of Carrizo's common stock when the options were granted (using an estimate of
the initial public offering common stock price as an estimate of fair value).
The deferred compensation is amortized in the
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   56
                             CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
period in which the options vest, which resulted in $279,872 and $279,896 being
recorded in the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively.
 
     The following table summarizes information for the options outstanding at
December 31, 1998:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
                                             --------------------------------------     OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
                                                             WEIGHTED                 -----------------------
                                              NUMBER OF       AVERAGE      WEIGHTED    NUMBER OF     WEIGHTED
                                               OPTIONS       REMAINING     AVERAGE      OPTIONS      AVERAGE
                                             OUTSTANDING    CONTRACTUAL    EXERCISE   EXERCISABLE    EXERCISE
RANGE OF EXERCISE PRICES                     AT 12/31/98   LIFE IN YEARS    PRICE     AT 12/31/98     PRICE
- ------------------------                     -----------   -------------   --------   ------------   --------
<S>                                          <C>           <C>             <C>        <C>            <C>
$ 3.60.....................................    222,120         7.97         $ 3.60      180,473       $ 3.60
$ 6.00-7.00................................    193,500         9.44         $ 6.20           --       $   --
$11.00.....................................    250,000         8.40         $11.00       83,333       $11.00
</TABLE>
 
     In June of 1997, the Company established the Incentive Plan of Carrizo Oil
& Gas, Inc. ("the Incentive Plan"). The Company accounts for this plan under APB
Opinion No. 25, under which no compensation cost has been recognized. Had
compensation cost been determined consistent with SFAS No. 123 "Accounting for
Stock Based Compensation" for all options, the Company's net income and earnings
per share would have been as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1996        1997         1998
                                                  ----------   --------   ------------
<S>                                               <C>          <C>        <C>
Net Income (loss)
  As reported...................................  $1,099,851   $ 30,740   $(22,272,772)
  Pro forma.....................................  $1,038,490   $(75,582)  $(23,020,534)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
  As reported...................................  $     0.14   $     --   $      (2.15)
  Pro forma.....................................  $     0.13   $   (.01)  $      (2.22)
</TABLE>
 
     The Company may grant options ("Incentive Plan Options") to purchase up to
1,000,000 shares under the Incentive Plan and has granted options on 443,500
shares through December 31, 1998. Under the Incentive Plan, the option exercise
price equals the stock market price on the date of grant. Options granted under
the plan vest ratably over three years and have a term of ten years. Through
December 31, 1998, no stock options have been exercised. A summary of the status
of the Company's stock options at December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 is presented
in the table below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1996
                                                     -------------------------------------
                                                                WEIGHTED
                                                                AVERAGE
                                                                EXERCISE      RANGE OF
                                                      SHARES     PRICES    EXERCISE PRICES
                                                     --------   --------   ---------------
<S>                                                  <C>        <C>        <C>
Outstanding at beginning of year...................        --        --
Granted (Pre-IPO Options)..........................   138,825    $ 3.60        $  3.60
                                                     --------    ------
Outstanding at end of year.........................   138,825    $ 3.60        $  3.60
                                                     ========    ======
Exercisable at end of year.........................    46,275
Weighted average of fair value per share of options
  granted during year..............................  $   2.21
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   57
                             CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1997
                                                     -------------------------------------
                                                                WEIGHTED
                                                                AVERAGE
                                                                EXERCISE      RANGE OF
                                                      SHARES     PRICES    EXERCISE PRICES
                                                     --------   --------   ---------------
<S>                                                  <C>        <C>        <C>
Outstanding at beginning of year...................   138,825    $ 3.60      $      3.60
Granted (Pre-IPO Options)..........................    83,295    $ 3.60      $      3.60
Granted (Incentive Plan Options)...................   250,000    $11.00      $     11.00
                                                     --------    ------
Outstanding at end of year.........................   472,120    $ 7.52      $3.60-11.00
                                                     ========    ======
Exercisable at end of year.........................   120,315
Weighted average of fair value of options granted
  during the year..................................  $   6.91
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1998
                                                     -------------------------------------
                                                                WEIGHTED
                                                                AVERAGE
                                                                EXERCISE      RANGE OF
                                                      SHARES     PRICES    EXERCISE PRICES
                                                     --------   --------   ---------------
<S>                                                  <C>        <C>        <C>
Outstanding at beginning of year...................   427,120    $ 7.52      $3.60-11.00
Granted (Incentive Plan Options))..................   193,500    $ 6.20      $6.00- 6.88
                                                     --------    ------
Outstanding at end of year.........................   620,620    $ 6.63      $3.60-11.00
                                                     ========    ======
Exercisable at end of year.........................   277,688
Weighted average of fair value of options granted
  during the year..................................  $   3.05
</TABLE>
 
     The fair value of each option grant was estimated on the date of grant
using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions used
for grants in 1996, 1997 and 1998: risk free interest rate of 6.82%, 6.26% and
5.81% respectively, expected dividend yield of 0%, expected life of 10 years and
expected volatility of 30%, 39.4% and 80.6%, respectively.
 
9. MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
     In January 1998, the Company consummated the sale of 300,000 share of
Preferred Stock and Warrants to purchase 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock to
affiliates of Enron Corp. The net proceeds received by the Company from this
transaction were approximately $28.8 million. A portion of the proceeds were
used to repay indebtedness, as described in Note 6, above. The remaining
proceeds were used primarily for oil and natural gas exploration and development
activities in Texas and Louisiana. The Preferred Stock provides for annual
cumulative dividends of $9.00 per share, payable quarterly in cash or, at the
option of the Company until January 15, 2002, in additional shares of Preferred
Stock. The Warrants, which had a fair value at issuance of $0.30 per share, will
be accreted along with offering costs through the term of the Preferred Stock to
the redemption value.
 
     The Preferred Stock is required to be redeemed by the Company (i) on
January 8, 2005, or (ii) after a request for redemption from the holders of at
least 30,000 shares of the Preferred Stock (or, if fewer than such number of
shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding, all of the outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock) and the occurrence of the following events: (a) the Company has
failed at any point in time to declare and pay any two dividends in the amount
then due and payable on or before the date the second of such dividends is due
and such dividends remain unpaid at such time, (b) the Company breaches certain
other covenants concerning the payment of dividends or other distributions on or
redemption or acquisition of shares of its capital stock ranking at parity with
or junior to the Preferred Stock, (c) for two consecutive fiscal quarterly
periods the quarterly Cash Flow (as defined below) of the Company is less than
the amount of the dividends accrued in
                                      F-16
<PAGE>   58
                             CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
respect to the Preferred Stock, (d) the Company fails to pay certain amounts due
on indebtedness for borrowed money or there has otherwise been an acceleration
of such indebtedness for borrowed money, (e) there is a violation of the
Shareholders' Agreement that is not waived or (f) the Company sells, leases,
exchanges or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of its property and
assets which transaction does not provide for the redemption of the Series A
Preferred Stock. "Cash Flow" means net income prior to preferred dividends and
accretion (i) plus (to the extent included in net income prior to preferred
dividends and accretion) depreciation, depletion and amortization and other
non-cash charges and losses on the sale of property (ii) minus non-cash income
items and required principal payments on indebtedness for borrowed money with a
maturity from the original date of incurrence of such indebtedness of six months
or greater (excluding voluntary prepayments and refinancing, but including
prepayments (other than in connection with refinancing) which would otherwise be
due under such indebtedness within a 60-day period following the date of such
prepayment). The Preferred Stock also may be redeemed at the option of the
Company any time in whole or in part. All redemptions are at a price per share,
together with dividends accumulated and unpaid to the date of redemption,
decreasing over time from an initial rate of $104.50 per share to $100 per
share. The Warrants (i) enable the holders to purchase 1,000,000 shares of
Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share (payable in cash, by "cashless
exercise" and certain other methods), subject to adjustments, (ii) expire after
a seven-year term, and (iii) are exercisable after one year. In the third
quarter of 1998, the Company did not meet the Cash Flow test as described above.
However, the Company did meet the Cash Flow test during the fourth quarter of
1998. Should the Company be unable to redeem the Preferred Stock, the holders of
the Preferred Stock would have the right to elect the majority of the members of
the Company's Board of Directors.
 
     In 1998, the Company issued preferred stock dividends to the holders of the
Preferred Stock of 20,110.53 shares. At December 31, 1998, the redemption value
of the existing shares of the Preferred Stock is $33.4 million. The total
redemption value as of January 8, 2005 would be $32.0 million.
 
10. BUSINESS COMBINATION
 
     During the fourth quarter of 1998, Carrizo acquired from Hall Houston Oil
Company, Hall Houston 1996 Exploration and Development Facility Overriding Trust
and Hall Houston Oil Company Employee Royalty Trust (Hall Houston) certain
proved oil and gas properties located in Wharton County, Texas (the Hall Houston
Properties Acquisition) for approximately $3 million.
 
     The Hall Houston Properties Acquisition was accounted for under the
purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the cash price paid was recorded
as evaluated oil and gas properties. The results of operations of the acquired
Hall-Houston properties are included in the results of operations beginning on
the date acquired. The following table reflects certain unaudited pro forma
information for the periods presented as if the Hall Houston Properties
Acquisition had occurred on January 1, 1997.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                          ----------------------------
                                                             1997             1998
                                                          ----------      ------------
<S>                                                       <C>             <C>
Pro forma revenues......................................  $8,718,736      $  9,198,212
                                                          ==========      ============
Pro forma net income (loss).............................  $   33,237      $(18,523,141)
                                                          ==========      ============
Pro forma net income (loss) per share:
  Basic.................................................  $     0.00      $      (2.07)
                                                          ==========      ============
  Diluted...............................................  $     0.00      $      (2.07)
                                                          ==========      ============
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>   59
                             CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
11. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
     In August 1996, the Company entered into the Master Technical Services
Agreement (the MTS Agreement) with Reading & Bates Development Co. (R&B), which
is a subsidiary of R&B Falcon Corporation, a company that was created by the
merger of Falcon Drilling, Inc. and Reading & Bates Corporation. Paul Loyd, a
member of the board of the Company, was the chairman of the board, president,
chief executive officer and a director of Reading & Bates Corporation. Under the
MTS Agreement, certain employees of the Company provide engineering and
technical services to R&B at market rates in connection with R&B's technical
service, procurement and construction projects in offshore drilling and floating
production. The Company provided $117,726 and $103,161 in service fees under
this agreement in 1996 and 1997, respectively. No services were performed under
this agreement in 1998.
 
     The Company had an agreement with Loyd & Associates Inc., which is owned by
Paul Loyd, a director of Carrizo, and Frank Wojtek, vice president, chief
financial officer and a director of Carrizo, to provide certain financial
consulting and administrative services at market rates to the Company. Payments
were made monthly and total payments to Loyd & Associates Inc. for services
rendered were $60,000 and $38,113 in 1996 and 1997, respectively. These
expenditures were included in general and administrative expenses for each year.
This arrangement was terminated in August, 1997 concurrent with the Company's
initial public offering.
 
     As discussed in Note 6, in September, 1998 and March, 1999, certain members
of the Board of Directors have guaranteed a portion of the Company's outstanding
indebtedness.
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>   60
                             CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
12. SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION ON OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT
    AND PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES (UNAUDITED)
 
     The following disclosures provide unaudited information required by SFAS
No. 69, "Disclosures About Oil and Gas Producing Activities."
 
COSTS INCURRED
 
     Costs incurred in oil and natural gas property acquisition, exploration and
development activities are summarized below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                 --------------------------------------
                                                    1996         1997          1998
                                                 ----------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>           <C>
Property acquisition costs --
  Unproved.....................................  $   50,720   $14,222,674   $ 9,618,647
  Proved.......................................   1,907,890     5,491,839    16,196,887
Exploration cost...............................   4,724,102     9,328,210    10,429,247
Development costs..............................   1,955,917     2,257,375       313,391
                                                 ----------   -----------   -----------
          Total costs incurred(1)..............  $8,638,629   $31,300,098   $36,558,172
                                                 ==========   ===========   ===========
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Excludes capitalized interest on unproved properties of $422,493, $699,625
    and $291,496 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998,
    respectively.
 
OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVES
 
     Proved reserves are estimated quantities of oil and natural gas which
geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be
recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and
operating conditions. Proved developed reserves are proved reserves that can
reasonably be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing
equipment and operating methods.
 
     Proved oil and natural gas reserve quantities at December 31, 1997 and
1998, and the related discounted future net cash flows before income taxes are
based on estimates prepared by Ryder Scott Company and Fairchild, Ancell &
Wells, Inc., independent petroleum engineers. Such estimates have been prepared
in accordance with guidelines established by the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>   61
                             CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     The Company's net ownership interests in estimated quantities of proved oil
and natural gas reserves and changes in net proved reserves, all of which are
located in the continental United States, are summarized below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 BARRELS OF
                                                             OIL AND CONDENSATE
                                                              AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                     ----------------------------------
                                                       1996        1997         1998
                                                     --------   ----------   ----------
<S>                                                  <C>        <C>          <C>
Proved developed and undeveloped reserves --
  Beginning of year................................  3,810,000  3,895,000     5,169,500
  Purchases of oil and gas properties..............    12,000          --        81,000
  Discoveries......................................   180,000     285,000        82,000
  Extensions.......................................        --   1,102,000        14,000
  Revisions........................................        --          --    (1,559,500)
  Production.......................................  (107,000)   (112,500)     (140,000)
                                                     --------   ---------    ----------
End of year........................................  3,895,000  5,169,500     3,647,000
                                                     ========   =========    ==========
Proved developed reserves at end of year...........  1,048,000  1,146,000     1,112,000
                                                     ========   =========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        THOUSANDS OF CUBIC FEET OF
                                                               NATURAL GAS
                                                             AT DECEMBER 31,
                                                   ------------------------------------
                                                      1996         1997         1998
                                                   ----------   ----------   ----------
<S>                                                <C>          <C>          <C>
Proved developed and undeveloped reserves --
  Beginning of year..............................   5,437,000   12,148,000   12,142,000
  Purchases of oil and gas properties............     338,000    7,696,000    1,325,000
  Discoveries and extensions.....................   7,646,000    6,946,000    4,039,000
  Revisions......................................          --   (7,190,000)  (4,696,000)
  Sales of oil and gas properties................          --   (4,709,000)          --
  Production.....................................  (1,273,000)  (2,749,000)  (2,655,000)
                                                   ----------   ----------   ----------
End of year......................................  12,148,000   12,142,000   10,155,000
                                                   ==========   ==========   ==========
Proved developed reserves at end of year.........   8,110,000    9,299,000    9,097,000
                                                   ==========   ==========   ==========
</TABLE>
 
STANDARDIZED MEASURE
 
     The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to
the Company's ownership interests in proved oil and natural gas reserves as of
year-end is shown below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                              -----------------------------------------
                                                  1996           1997          1998
                                              ------------   ------------   -----------
<S>                                           <C>            <C>            <C>
Future cash inflows.........................  $126,155,000   $103,842,000   $59,095,000
  Future oil and natural gas operating
     expenses...............................    47,675,000     55,484,000    28,582,000
  Future development costs..................     9,375,000     13,230,000     4,841,000
  Future income tax expenses................    19,864,000      6,870,000            --
                                              ------------   ------------   -----------
  Future net cash flows.....................    49,241,000     28,258,000    25,672,000
  10% annual discount for estimating timing
     of cash flows..........................    16,220,000      7,285,000     6,917,000
                                              ------------   ------------   -----------
  Standardized measure of discounted future
     net cash flows.........................  $ 33,021,000   $ 20,973,000   $18,755,000
                                              ============   ============   ===========
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>   62
                             CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     Future cash flows are computed by applying year-end prices of oil and
natural gas to year-end quantities of proved oil and natural gas reserves.
Prices used in computing year end 1996, 1997 and 1998 future cash flows were
$20.88, $16.37 and $10.15 for oil, respectively and $3.69, $2.56 and $2.18 for
natural gas, respectively. Future operating expenses and development costs are
computed primarily by the Company's petroleum engineers by estimating the
expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the Company's proved oil
and natural gas reserves at the end of the year, based on year end costs and
assuming continuation of existing economic conditions.
 
     Future income taxes are based on year-end statutory rates, adjusted for tax
basis and applicable tax credits. A discount factor of 10 percent was used to
reflect the timing of future net cash flows. The standardized measure of
discounted future net cash flows is not intended to represent the replacement
cost or fair market value of the Company's oil and natural gas properties. An
estimate of fair value would also take into account, among other things, the
recovery of reserves not presently classified as proved, anticipated future
changes in prices and costs, and a discount factor more representative of the
time value of money and the risks inherent in reserve estimates.
 
CHANGE IN STANDARDIZED MEASURE --
 
     Changes in the standardized measure of future net cash flows relating to
proved oil and natural gas reserves are summarized below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                               ----------------------------------------
                                                  1996           1997          1998
                                               -----------   ------------   -----------
<S>                                            <C>           <C>            <C>
Changes due to current-year operations --
  Sales of oil and natural gas, net of oil
     and natural gas operating expenses......  $(2,811,000)  $ (6,378,000)  $(5,089,000)
  Extensions and discoveries.................   19,641,000     16,074,000     5,003,000
  Purchases of oil and gas properties........    2,079,000      6,954,000     2,889,000
Changes due to revisions in standardized
  variables --
  Prices and operating expenses..............    9,781,000    (29,115,000)   (5,820,000)
  Income taxes...............................   (8,834,000)    11,410,000     5,098,000
  Estimated future development costs.........     (670,000)    (2,683,000)    6,757,000
  Quantities.................................           --     (3,449,000)   (9,056,000)
  Sales of reserves in place.................           --     (3,933,000)           --
  Accretion of discount......................    1,647,000      4,634,000     2,607,000
  Production rates (timing) and other........      207,000     (5,562,000)   (4,607,000)
                                               -----------   ------------   -----------
Net change...................................   21,040,000    (12,048,000)   (2,218,000)
Beginning of year............................   11,981,000     33,021,000    20,973,000
                                               -----------   ------------   -----------
End of year..................................  $33,021,000   $ 20,973,000   $18,755,000
                                               ===========   ============   ===========
</TABLE>
 
     Sales of oil and natural gas, net of oil and natural gas operating
expenses, are based on historical pretax results. Sales of oil and natural gas
properties, extensions and discoveries, purchases of minerals in place and the
changes due to revisions in standardized variables are reported on a pretax
discounted basis, while the accretion of discount is presented on an after-tax
basis.
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>   63
                             CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
 
                     SUPPLEMENTAL QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          FIRST         SECOND         THIRD          FOURTH
                                        ----------    ----------    -----------    ------------
<S>                                     <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>
1998
Revenues..............................  $2,338,882    $1,848,765    $ 1,508,897    $  2,161,958
Expenses, net.........................   2,153,347     1,955,539      2,004,086      21,077,677
                                        ----------    ----------    -----------    ------------
Net Income (Loss).....................  $  185,535    $ (106,774)   $  (495,189)   $(18,915,719)
                                        ==========    ==========    ===========    ============
Dividends and accretion...............     670,494       741,444        756,595         772,091
                                        ----------    ----------    -----------    ------------
Net income (loss) available
  To Common Shareholders..............  $ (489,959)   $ (848,218)   $(1,251,784)   $(19,687,810)
                                        ==========    ==========    ===========    ============
Diluted net income (loss)
  per share(1)........................  $    (0.05)   $    (0.08)   $     (0.12)   $      (1.90)
                                        ==========    ==========    ===========    ============
1997
Revenues..............................  $1,853,170    $2,311,854    $ 2,069,237    $  2,477,393
Expenses, net.........................   1,137,554     3,675,879      1,787,800       2,079,681
                                        ----------    ----------    -----------    ------------
Net income (loss).....................     715,616    (1,364,025)       281,437         397,712
                                        ==========    ==========    ===========    ============
Diluted net income (loss) per
  share(1)............................  $     0.09    $    (0.18)   $      0.03    $       0.04
                                        ==========    ==========    ===========    ============
1996
Revenues..............................  $  790,513    $1,428,139    $ 1,588,354    $  1,387,703
Expenses, net.........................     646,166     1,085,439      1,085,781       1,277,472
                                        ----------    ----------    -----------    ------------
Net income............................     144,347       342,700        502,573         110,231
                                        ==========    ==========    ===========    ============
Diluted net income per share(1)(2)....  $     0.02    $     0.04    $      0.07    $       0.01
                                        ==========    ==========    ===========    ============
</TABLE>
 
(1) The sum of individual quarterly net income per common share may not agree
    with year-to-date net income per common share as each period's computation
    is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during
    that period.
(2) Net income per common share amounts have been restated to conform to the
    provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 "Earnings
    Per Share."
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>   64
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION
        -------                                  -----------
<C>                      <S>
          +2.1           -- Combination Agreement by and among the Company, Carrizo
                            Production, Inc., Encinitas Partners Ltd., La Rosa
                            Partners Ltd., Carrizo Partners Ltd., Paul B. Loyd, Jr.,
                            Steven A. Webster, S.P. Johnson IV, Douglas A.P. Hamilton
                            and Frank A. Wojtek dated as of June 6, 1997
                            (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the
                            Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
                            (Registration No. 333-29187)).
          +3.1           -- Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the
                            Company.
          +3.2           -- Statement of Resolution Establishing Series of Shares
                            designated 9% Series A Preferred Stock.
          +3.3           -- Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended by
                            Amendment No. 1 (Incorporated herein by reference to
                            Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on
                            Form 8-A (Registration No. 000-22915).
          +4.1           -- First Amended, Restated, and Combined Loan Agreement
                            between the Company and Compass Bank dated August 28,
                            1997 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to
                            the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                            quarter ended September 30, 1997).
          +4.2           -- First Amendment to First Amended, Restated, and Combined
                            Loan Agreement between the Company and Compass Bank dated
                            December 23, 1997.
          +4.3           -- Second Amendment to First Amended, Restated, and Combined
                            Loan Agreement between the Company and Compass Bank dated
                            December 30, 1997.
                         -- The Company is a party to several debt instruments under
                            which the total amount of securities authorized does not
                            exceed 10% of the total assets of the Company and its
                            subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Pursuant to
                            paragraph 4(iii)(A) of Item 601(b) of Regulation S-K, the
                            Company agrees to furnish a copy of such instruments to
                            the Commission upon request.
         +10.1           -- Incentive Plan of the Company (Incorporated herein by
                            reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Registration
                            Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-29187)).
         +10.2           -- Employment Agreement between the Company and S.P. Johnson
                            IV (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to
                            the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
                            (Registration No. 333-29187)).
         +10.3           -- Employment Agreement between the Company and Frank A.
                            Wojtek (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3
                            to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
                            (Registration No. 333-29187)).
         +10.4           -- Employment Agreement between the Company and Kendall A.
                            Trahan (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4
                            to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
                            (Registration No. 333-29187)).
         +10.5           -- Employment Agreement between the Company and George
                            Canjar (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5
                            to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
                            (Registration No. 333-29187)).
         +10.6           -- Indemnification Agreement between the Company and each of
                            its directors and executive officers.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   65
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION
        -------                                  -----------
<C>                      <S>
         +10.7           -- Registration Rights Agreement by and among the Company,
                            Paul B. Loyd, Jr., Steven A. Webster, S.P. Johnson IV,
                            Douglas A.P. Hamilton and Frank A. Wojtek dated as of
                            June 6, 1997 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
                            10.7 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
                            (Registration No. 333-29187)).
         +10.8           -- S Corporation Tax Allocation, Payment and Indemnification
                            Agreement among the Company and Messrs. Loyd, Webster,
                            Johnson, Hamilton and Wojtek (Incorporated herein by
                            reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Registration
                            Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-29187)).
         +10.9           -- S Corporation Tax Allocation, Payment and Indemnification
                            Agreement among Carrizo Production, Inc. and Messrs.
                            Loyd, Webster, Johnson, Hamilton and Wojtek (Incorporated
                            herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's
                            Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No.
                            333-29187)).
         +10.10          -- Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 8, 1998 among the
                            Company, Enron Capital & Trade Resources Corp. and Joint
                            Energy Development Investments II Limited Partnership.
                            (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the
                            Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 8,
                            1998).
         +10.11          -- Warrant Certificates (Incorporated herein by reference to
                            Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K
                            dated January 8, 1998.)
         +10.12          -- Shareholders' Agreement dated January 8, 1998 among the
                            Company, S.P. Johnson IV, Frank A. Wojtek, Steven A.
                            Webster, Paul B. Loyd, Jr., Douglas A.P. Hamilton, DAPHAM
                            Partnership, L.P., The Douglas A.P. Hamilton 1997 GRAT,
                            Enron Capital & Trade Resources Corp. and Joint Energy
                            Development Investments II Limited Partnership.
                            (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the
                            Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 8,
                            1998).
         +10.13          -- Form of Amendment to Executive Officer Employment
                            Agreement. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
                            99.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
                            January 8, 1998).
          21.1           -- Subsidiaries of the Company.
          23.1           -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
          23.2           -- Consent of Ryder Scott Company Petroleum Engineers.
          23.3           -- Consent of Fairchild, Ancell & Wells, Inc.
          27.1           -- Financial Data Schedule.
          99.1           -- Summary of Reserve Report of Ryder Scott Company
                            Petroleum Engineers as of December 31, 1998.
          99.2           -- Summary of Reserve Report of Fairchild, Ancell & Wells,
                            Inc. as of December 31, 1998.
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
+ Incorporated by reference as indicated.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 21.1



                             SUBSIDIARIES OF COMPANY


The Company has no subsidiaries.



<PAGE>   1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of 
our report included in this Form 10-K, into the Company's previously filed 
Registration Statement File No. 333-35245 on Form S-8.



                                                  ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Houston, Texas
March 31, 1999



<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2



                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS


         We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-35245; the "Registration Statement")
of Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc., (the "Company"), relating to the 1997 Incentive Plan
of the Company of information contained in our reserve report that is summarized
as of December 31, 1998, in our summary letter dated March 29, 1999, relating to
the oil and gas reserves and revenue, as December 31, 1998, of certain interests
of the Company.

         We hereby consent to all references to such reports, letters and/or to
this firm in each of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus to which the
Registration Statement relates, and further consent to our being named as an
expert in each of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus to which the
Registration Statement relates.


                                         Ryder Scott Company Petroleum Engineers


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3



                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS


         We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-35245; the "Registration Statement")
of Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc., (the "Company"), relating to the 1997 Incentive Plan
of the Company of information contained in our reserve report that is summarized
as of December 31, 1998, in our summary letter dated March 11, 1999, relating to
the oil and gas reserves and revenue, as December 31, 1998, of certain interests
of the Company.

         We hereby consent to all references to such reports, letters and/or to
this firm in each of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus to which the
Registration Statement relates, and further consent to our being named as an
expert in each of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus to which the
Registration Statement relates.


                                                 Fairchild, Ancell & Wells, Inc.


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                       1,187,656
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                1,421,964
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             6,724,714
<PP&E>                                      85,747,181
<DEPRECIATION>                              24,504,539
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              64,988,032
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       11,928,852
<BONDS>                                              0
                       30,730,695
                                          0
<COMMON>                                       103,750
<OTHER-SE>                                  11,071,735
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                64,988,032
<SALES>                                      7,858,502
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             7,858,502
<CGS>                                       27,026,591
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               27,026,591
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             2,667,234
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,587
<INCOME-PRETAX>                           (21,550,174)
<INCOME-TAX>                               (2,218,027)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                       (19,332,147)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                              (19,332,147)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (2.15)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (2.15)
        

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1






                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1


                                 March 29, 1999



Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.
14811 St. Mary's Lane, Suite 148
Houston, Texas  77079

Gentlemen:

         At your request, we have prepared an estimate of the reserves, future
production, and income attributable to certain leasehold and royalty interests
of Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. (Carrizo) as of December 31, 1998. The subject
properties are located in the states of Louisiana and Texas. The income data
were estimated using the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) guidelines for
future price and cost parameters.

         The estimated reserves and future income amounts presented in this
report are related to hydrocarbon prices. December 1998 hydrocarbon prices were
used in the preparation of this report as required by SEC guidelines; however,
actual future prices may vary significantly from December 1998 prices.
Therefore, volumes of reserves actually recovered and amounts of income actually
received may differ significantly from the estimated quantities presented in
this report. The results of this study are summarized below.

                                 SEC PARAMETERS
                     Estimated Net Reserves and Income Data
                   Certain Leasehold and Royalty Interests of
                             CARRIZO OIL & GAS, INC.
                             As of December 31, 1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Proved
                                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Developed                                               
                                        ------------------------------------------                                Total
                                           Producing              Non-Producing          Undeveloped              Proved
                                        -----------------       ------------------     ----------------       ---------------
<S>                                           <C>                      <C>                     <C>                 <C>    
NET REMAINING RESERVES
  Oil/Condensate - Barrels                    190,518                  84,612                  82,126              357,256
  Plant Products - Barrels                      1,796                       0                       0                1,796
  Gas - MMCF                                    5,260                   3,826                   1,058               10,144
                                                                                      
INCOME DATA                                                                           
  Future Gross Revenue                    $12,502,069             $ 8,431,150             $ 2,921,052          $23,854,271
  Deductions                                3,078,834               2,115,616               1,196,253            6,390,703
                                          -----------             -----------             -----------          -----------
  Future Net Income (FNI)                 $ 9,423,235             $ 6,315,534             $ 1,724,799          $17,463,568
                                                                                      
  Discounted FNI @ 10%                    $ 8,115,439             $ 4,124,412             $   915,791          $13,155,642
</TABLE>

         Liquid hydrocarbons are expressed in standard 42 gallon barrels. All
gas volumes are sales gas expressed in millions of cubic feet (MMCF) at the
official temperature and pressure bases of the areas in which the gas reserves
are located.



<PAGE>   2
Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.
March 29, 1999
Page 2




         The future gross revenue is after the deduction of production taxes.
The deductions are comprised of the normal direct costs of operating the wells,
ad valorem taxes, recompletion costs, development costs, and certain abandonment
costs net of salvage. The future net income is before the deduction of state and
federal income taxes and general administrative overhead, and has not been
adjusted for outstanding loans that may exist nor does it include any adjustment
for cash on hand or undistributed income. No attempt was made to quantify or
otherwise account for any accumulated gas production imbalances that may exist.
Gas reserves account for approximately 86 percent and liquid hydrocarbon
reserves account for the remaining 14 percent of total future gross revenue from
proved reserves.

RESERVES INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT

         The proved reserves included herein conform to the definition as set
forth in the Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation S-X Part 210.4-10
(a) as clarified by subsequent Commission Staff Accounting Bulletins. The
definition of proved reserves is included in the section entitled "Definitions
of Reserves" which is attached with this report.

         The proved developed non-producing reserves included herein are
comprised of shut-in and behind pipe categories. The various reserve status
categories are defined in the section entitled "Reserve Status Categories (SEC)"
which is attached with this report.

ESTIMATES OF RESERVES

         In general, the reserves included herein were estimated by performance
methods or the volumetric method; however, other methods were used in certain
cases where characteristics of the data indicated such other methods were more
appropriate in our opinion. The reserves estimated by the performance method
utilized extrapolations of various historical data in those cases where such
data were definitive. Reserves were estimated by the volumetric method in those
cases where there were inadequate historical performance data to establish a
definitive trend or where the use of production performance data as a basis for
the reserve estimates was considered to be inappropriate.

         The reserves included in this report are estimates only and should not
be construed as being exact quantities. They may or may not be actually
recovered, and if recovered, the revenues therefrom and the actual costs related
thereto could be more or less than the estimated amounts. Moreover, estimates of
reserves may increase or decrease as a result of future operations.

FUTURE PRODUCTION RATES

         Initial production rates are based on the current producing rates for
those wells now on production. Test data and other related information were used
to estimate the anticipated initial production rates for those wells or
locations which are not currently producing. If no production decline trend has
been established, future production rates were held constant, or adjusted for
the effects of curtailment where appropriate, until a decline in ability to
produce was anticipated. An estimated rate of decline was then applied to
depletion of the reserves. If a decline trend has been established, this trend
was used as the basis for estimating future production rates. For reserves not
yet on production, sales were estimated to commence at an anticipated date
furnished by Carrizo.

         In general, we estimate that future gas production rates limited by
allowables or marketing conditions will continue to be the same as the average
rate for the latest available 12 months of actual production until such time
that the well or wells are incapable of producing at this rate. The well or
wells were then projected to decline at their decreasing delivery capacity rate.
Our general 





<PAGE>   3

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.
March 29, 1999
Page 3


policy on estimates of future gas production rates is adjusted when necessary to
reflect actual gas market conditions in specific cases.

         The future production rates from wells now on production may be more or
less than estimated because of changes in market demand or allowables set by
regulatory bodies. Wells or locations which are not currently producing may
start producing earlier or later than anticipated in our estimates of their
future production rates.

HYDROCARBON PRICES

         Carrizo furnished us with prices in effect at December 31, 1998 and
these prices were held constant except for known and determinable escalations.
In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission guidelines, changes in
liquid and gas prices subsequent to December 31, 1998 were not taken into
account in this report. Future prices used in this report are discussed in more
detail in the section entitled "Hydrocarbon Pricing Parameters" which is
attached with this report.

COSTS

         Operating costs for the leases and wells in this report are based on
the operating expense reports of Carrizo and include only those costs directly
applicable to the leases or wells. When applicable, the operating costs include
a portion of general and administrative costs allocated directly to the leases
and wells under terms of operating agreements. No deduction was made for
indirect costs such as general administration and overhead expenses, loan
repayments, interest expenses, and exploration and development prepayments that
are not charged directly to the leases or wells.

         Development costs were furnished to us by Carrizo and are based on
authorizations for expenditure for the proposed work or actual costs for similar
projects. The estimated net cost of abandonment after salvage was included for
properties where abandonment costs net of salvage are significant. At the
request of Carrizo, their estimate of zero abandonment costs after salvage value
for onshore properties was used in this report. Ryder Scott has not performed a
detailed study of the abandonment costs nor the salvage value and makes no
warranty for Carrizo's estimate.

         Current costs were held constant throughout the life of the properties.

GENERAL


         While it may reasonably be anticipated that the future prices received
for the sale of production and the operating costs and other costs relating to
such production may also increase or decrease from existing levels, such changes
were, in accordance with rules adopted by the SEC, omitted from consideration in
making this evaluation.

         The estimates of reserves presented herein were based upon a detailed
study of the properties in which Carrizo owns an interest; however, we have not
made any field examination of the properties. No consideration was given in this
report to potential environmental liabilities which may exist nor were any costs
included for potential liability to restore and clean up damages, if any, caused
by past operating practices. Carrizo has informed us that they have furnished us
all of the accounts, records, geological and engineering data, and reports and
other data required for this investigation. The ownership interests, prices, and
other factual data furnished by Carrizo were accepted without 




<PAGE>   4

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.
March 29, 1999
Page 4



independent verification. The estimates presented in this report are based on
data available through November 1998.

         Neither we nor any of our employees have any interest in the subject
properties and neither the employment to make this study nor the compensation is
contingent on our estimates of reserves and future income for the subject
properties.

         This report was prepared for the exclusive use and sole benefit of
Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. The data, work papers, and maps used in this report are
available for examination by authorized parties in our offices. Please contact
us if we can be of further service.

                                                   Very truly yours,

                                                   RYDER SCOTT COMPANY
                                                   PETROLEUM  ENGINEERS



                                                   Michael F. Stell, P.E.
                                                   Vice President
MFS/sw




<PAGE>   5






                             DEFINITIONS OF RESERVES



PROVED RESERVES  (SEC DEFINITION)

         Proved reserves of crude oil, condensate, natural gas, and natural gas
liquids are estimated quantities that geological and engineering data
demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in the future from known
reservoirs under existing operating conditions, i.e., prices and costs as of the
date the estimate is made. Prices include consideration of changes in existing
prices provided only by contractual arrangements, but not on escalation based on
future conditions.

         Reservoirs are considered proved if economic producibility is supported
by either actual production or conclusive formation test. In certain instances,
proved reserves are assigned on the basis of a combination of core analysis and
electrical and other type logs which indicate the reservoirs are analogous to
reservoirs in the same field which are producing or have demonstrated the
ability to produce on a formation test. The area of a reservoir considered
proved includes (1) that portion delineated by drilling and defined by fluid
contacts, if any, and (2) the adjoining portions not yet drilled that can be
reasonably judged as economically productive on the basis of available
geological and engineering data. In the absence of data on fluid contacts, the
lowest known structural occurrence of hydrocarbons controls the lower proved
limit of the reservoir.

         Reserves that can be produced economically through the application of
improved recovery techniques are included in the proved classification when
these qualifications are met: (1) successful testing by a pilot project or the
operation of an installed program in the reservoir provides support for the
engineering analysis on which the project or program was based, and (2) it is
reasonably certain the project will proceed. Improved recovery includes all
methods for supplementing natural reservoir forces and energy, or otherwise
increasing ultimate recovery from a reservoir, including (1) pressure
maintenance, (2) cycling, and (3) secondary recovery in its original sense.
Improved recovery also includes the enhanced recovery methods of thermal,
chemical flooding, and the use of miscible and immiscible displacement fluids.

         Proved natural gas reserves are comprised of non-associated, associated
and dissolved gas. An appropriate reduction in gas reserves has been made for
the expected removal of natural gas liquids, for lease and plant fuel, and for
the exclusion of non-hydrocarbon gases if they occur in significant quantities
and are removed prior to sale. Estimates of proved reserves do not include crude
oil, natural gas, or natural gas liquids being held in underground or surface
storage.

         Proved reserves are estimates of hydrocarbons to be recovered from a
given date forward. They may be revised as hydrocarbons are produced and
additional data become available.



<PAGE>   6






                         RESERVE STATUS CATEGORIES (SEC)



         Reserve status categories define the development and producing status
of wells and/or reservoirs.

PROVED DEVELOPED

         Proved developed oil and gas reserves are reserves that can be expected
to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating
methods. Additional oil and gas expected to be obtained through the application
of fluid injection or other improved recovery techniques for supplementing the
natural forces and mechanisms of primary recovery should be included as "proved
developed reserves" only after testing by a pilot project or after the operation
of an installed program has confirmed through production response that increased
recovery will be achieved.

         Developed reserves may be subcategorized as producing or non-producing
using the SPE/WPC Definitions:

         Producing
         Reserves sub-categorized as producing are expected to be recovered from
         completion intervals which are open and producing at the time of the
         estimate. Improved recovery reserves are considered producing only
         after the improved recovery project is in operation.

         Non-Producing
         Reserves sub-categorized as non-producing include shut-in and behind
         pipe reserves. Shut-in reserves are expected to be recovered from (1)
         completion intervals which are open at the time of the estimate but
         which have not started producing, (2) wells which were shut-in for
         market conditions or pipeline connections, or (3) wells not capable of
         production for mechanical reasons. Behind pipe reserves are expected to
         be recovered from zones in existing wells, which will require
         additional completion work or future recompletion prior to the start of
         production.

PROVED UNDEVELOPED

         Proved undeveloped oil and gas reserves are reserves that are expected
to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells
where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion. Reserves on
undrilled acreage shall be limited to those drilling units offsetting productive
units that are reasonably certain of production when drilled. Proved reserves
for other undrilled units can be claimed only where it can be demonstrated with
reasonable certainty that there is continuity of production from the existing
productive formation. Estimates for proved undeveloped reserves are attributable
to any acreage for which an application of fluid injection or other improved
technique is contemplated, only when such techniques have been proved effective
by actual tests in the area and in the same reservoir.




<PAGE>   7





                         HYDROCARBON PRICING PARAMETERS

                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PARAMETERS



OIL AND CONDENSATE

         Carrizo furnished us with oil and condensate prices in effect at
December 31, 1998 and these prices were held constant to depletion of the
properties. In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission guidelines,
changes in liquid prices subsequent to December 31, 1998 were not considered in
this report.

PLANT PRODUCTS

         Carrizo furnished us with plant product prices in effect at December
31, 1998 and these prices were held constant to depletion of the properties.

GAS

         Carrizo furnished us with gas prices in effect at December 31, 1998 and
with its forecasts of future gas prices which take into account SEC guidelines,
current spot market prices, contract prices, and fixed and determinable price
escalations where applicable. In accordance with SEC guidelines, the future gas
prices used in this report make no allowances for future gas price increases
which may occur as a result of inflation nor do they make any allowance for
seasonal variations in gas prices which may cause future yearly average gas
prices to be somewhat lower than December 31, 1998 gas prices. For gas sold
under contract, the contract gas price including fixed and determinable
escalations, exclusive of inflation adjustments, was used until the contract
expires and then was adjusted to the current market price for the area and held
at this adjusted price to depletion of the reserves.










<PAGE>   1


                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.2

                                 March 11, 1999



Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.
14811 St. Mary's Lane, Suite 148
Houston, Texas  77079

Re:      Reserves Evaluation to the Interests of Carrizo Oil & Gas Corp.
         Heavy Oil Properties, Anderson County, Texas

Gentlemen:

At your request, Fairchild, Ancell & Wells, Inc. (FAW) has performed an
evaluation to estimate proved reserves and future cash flows attributable to
Carrizo's proposed "high grade" development program for the subject properties.

This development plan targets only the thicker regions of the oil sand and
thereby provides for better heat utilization, improved recovery and fewer
overall patterns to be developed and operated.

Our resulting estimate of proved reserves and cash flows as of January 1, 1999
is summarized below. These estimates have incorporated Carrizo's most recent
fuel and oil prices, operating costs and development costs.


                                     SUMMARY
                 ESTIMATED PROVED RESERVES AND FUTURE CASH FLOWS
                    CAMP HILL FIELD - ANDERSON COUNTY, TEXAS
                  TO THE INTERESTS OF CARRIZO OIL AND GAS CORP.
                          (HIGH GRADE DEVELOPMENT PLAN)

                                EFFECTIVE 1/1/99


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      Future
                                                Net                               Cash Flows (M$)
                                                                  ------------------------------------------------
                                          Reserves Mbbls             Undiscounted            Discounted at 10%
                                          --------------             ------------            -----------------

<S>                                            <C>                      <C>                        <C>    
Proved Producing
    18 Pattern Leases                          691.8                    2,794.8                    2,334.9
    10 Pattern Lease                           145.2                      414.9                      350.8
                                             -------                    -------                    -------
Total Proved Producing                         837.0                    3,209.7                    2,685.7
                                                                                              
Proved Undeveloped                                                                            
    Delaney A Lease                            329.2                      362.1                      182.1
    Temple Eastex C Lease                    1,448.3                    2,880.3                    1,806.4
    C. Rosson Lease                            675.2                    1,756.4                      925.4
                                             -------                    -------                    -------
Total Proved Undeveloped                     2,452.7                    4,998.9                    2,913.9
                                                                                              
Total Proved                                 3,289.7                    8,208.6                    5,599.6
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   2
Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.
March 11 1999
                                                                          Page 2


                    FUTURE CASH FLOW - TOTAL PROJECT BY YEAR

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Future
                                               Cash Flows (M$)
                            ------------------------------------------------------
                  Year         Undiscounted               Discounted at 10%
                  ----         ------------               -----------------

<S>                                  <C>                            <C> 
                  1999              -101.0                         -96.3
                  2000               232.3                         201.4
                  2001             1,814.8                       1,430.0
                  2002             2,272.8                       1,628.1
                  2003             1,921.0                       1,251.0
                  2004             1,419.0                         840.1
                  2005               560.4                         301.6
                  2006                89.3                          43.7
                  2007                 0.0                           0.0

                 TOTAL             8,208.6                      5,599.6
</TABLE>

The reserves and future cash flows to the evaluated interests were based on
economic parameters and operating conditions considered applicable and are
pursuant to the financial reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC). Hydrocarbon prices in effect on 1/1/99 were used in the
preparation of this report and current costs were held constant throughout the
life of the properties.

The estimated reserves and future cash flows shown in this report are for proved
developed producing and proved undeveloped reserves. Our estimates do not
include any value which might be attributed to interests in undeveloped acreage
beyond those tracts for which reserves have been assigned.

In performance of this evaluation, we have relied upon information furnished by
Carrizo with respect to property interests owned, production from such
properties, current costs of operation and development, current prices for
production, agreements relating to current and future operations and sale of
production. With respect to the technical files supplied by Carrizo, we have
accepted the authenticity and sufficiency of the data contained therein.

Future cash flow is presented after deducting production taxes and after
deducting future capital costs and operating expenses, but before consideration
of Federal income taxes. The future cash 




<PAGE>   3

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.
March 11 1999
                                                                          Page 3



flow has been discounted at an annual rate of 10 percent to determine its
"present worth." The present worth is shown to indicate the effect of time on
the value of money and should not be construed as being the fair market value of
the properties. Our estimates of future revenue do not include any salvage value
for the lease and well equipment nor the costs of abandoning the properties.

Fairchild, Ancell & Wells, Inc. expresses no opinion as to the fair market value
of the evaluated properties.

The reserves included in this report are estimates only and should not be
construed as being exact quantities. They may or may not be actually recovered,
and if recovered, the revenues therefrom and the actual costs related thereto
could be more or less than the estimated amounts. Because of governmental
policies and uncertainties of supply and demand, the actual sales rates and the
prices actually received for the reserves along with the costs incurred in
recovering such reserves may vary from those assumptions included in this
report. Also, estimates of reserves may increase or decrease as a result of
future operations.

In evaluating the information at our disposal concerning this report, we have
excluded from our consideration all matters as to which legal or accounting,
rather than engineering, interpretation may be controlling. As in all aspects of
oil and gas evaluation, there are uncertainties inherent in the interpretation
of engineering data and, therefore, our conclusions necessarily represent only
informed professional judgments.

The titles to the properties have not been examined by Fairchild, Ancell &
Wells, Inc. nor has the actual degree or type of interest owned been
independently confirmed. We are independent petroleum engineers and geologists;
we do not own an interest in these properties and are not employed on a
contingent basis. Basic geologic and field performance data together with our
engineering worksheets are maintained on file in our office and are available
for review.

We appreciate this opportunity to provide our services.


                                Yours very truly,





                                FAIRCHILD, ANCELL & WELLS, INC.



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