CHAPARRAL RESOURCES INC
8-K, 1996-12-10
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549



                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT


                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934


       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) November 22, 1996



                            CHAPARRAL RESOURCES, INC.
              ----------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)




       Colorado                      0-7261                    84-0630863
 ---------------------------    -------------------          ---------------
(State or other jurisdiction   (Commission File No.)        (I.R.S. Employer
 of incorporation)                                           Identification No.)




621 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1301, Denver, Colorado                80293
- ----------------------------------------------------               --------
    (Address of principal executive offices)                      (Zip Code)


        Registrant's telephone number including area code: (303) 293-2340







                                                                          
                                                                  53 Total Pages


<PAGE>


Item 5.  Other Events

     The Company has  borrowed  $1,850,000  for  interim  financing  pursuant to
unsecured convertible promissory notes that bear interest at 8% per annum, which
is payable monthly,  and that are due and payable on or before May 31, 1998. The
promissory notes are convertible into the Company's common stock at the lower of
$0.75 per share or 75% of the market  price of the  common  stock on the date of
the  conversion  if the market  price is less than $1.00 per share on such date.
The proceeds from the first of such loans was received on November 22, 1996.

     In connection with such borrowings, the Company agreed to issue the lenders
warrants  that  terminate on November  30, 1999,  to purchase a total of 462,500
shares of the  Company's  common  stock at $0.25 per share and agreed to add two
directors  selected by two of the  lenders,  Whittier  Ventures LLC and Whittier
Energy Company (collectively "Whittiers"),  to the Company's Board of Directors.
The Company further agreed that the Company would issue the lenders  warrants to
purchase an  additional  185,000  shares of the  Company's  common  stock if the
promissory  notes are not paid or  converted  by May 31,  1997,  and warrants to
purchase an  additional  370,000  shares of the  Company's  common  stock if the
promissory  notes are not paid or converted by November 30, 1997.  Such warrants
would be exercisable for a period of three years at $0.25 per share.

     In  connection  with the  transactions,  James A. Jeffs  resigned  from the
Company's  Board of Directors.  At the request of the Whittiers,  on December 2,
1996,  Arlo G. Sorensen  replaced Mr. Jeffs on the Company's Board of Directors.
Arlo G. Sorensen,  age 56, has been the president of M. H. Whittier Corporation,
an oil and gas production  company,  since 1985. Mr. Sorensen also has served as
Chairman of the Board and a Director of Whittier Trust Company, a trust company,
since 1988.  Mr.  Sorensen is a member of the National  Petroleum  Council and a
member and the Chief Financial Officer of Western States Petroleum Association.

     The  Company has not been  notified  as to the name of the second  director
that the Whittiers  have the right to select to serve on the Company's  Board of
Directors.  The Whittiers will have the right to have their two  representatives
nominated for directors of the Company until their  promissory notes are paid in
full or until  the time the  Whittiers  no  longer  have any  investment  in the
Company.

     Prior to making a loan to the Company,  Whittier  Ventures LLC beneficially
owned 2,000,000 shares or 5.3 percent of the Company's outstanding common stock.
The $750,000 loan of Whittier  Ventures LLC is convertible into 1,000,000 shares
of the  Company's  common  stock and the  initial  warrants  to be  received  by
Whittier  Ventures LLC in connection  with such loan are exercisable for 187,500
shares of the Company's  common stock.  As a result,  Whittier  Ventures LLC now
beneficially   owns   3,187,500   shares  of  the  Company's   common  stock  or
approximately 8.2 percent of the Company's  outstanding  common stock,  assuming
the promissory note is converted and the warrants are exercised.

                                        2

<PAGE>



     The Company will use the funds from the loans  primarily  for the Company's
obligation to provide financing for the Company's Karakuduk Project in Kazakstan
and to make a payment of $200,000 due in connection with the Company's  previous
purchase of 15% of the outstanding  shares of Central Asian  Petroleum  Guernsey
Limited  ("CAP-G")  from  one  individual.  CAP-G  owns  a 50%  interest  in the
Karakuduk Project and the Company owns 90% of the outstanding CAP-G shares.

     The  Company  has  established  oil  production  from the first  well to be
re-entered  in the  Karakuduk  Oil  Field.  The well is one of 22 wells  drilled
between 1972 and 1992 to delineate the  Karakuduk Oil Field.  None of such wells
were then placed on production.  Production now has been established from one of
six zones in the first well to be reentered and the remaining five zones will be
tested at a later  date,  when  additional  oil storage  and  upgraded  workover
equipment have been provided.  The well is now shut in and operations  have been
suspended  because of winter  conditions  and lack of ability to market the test
oil. It is currently  planned that  recommencement  of work-over  operations and
infrastructure construction will begin in April, 1997.

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

     (a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired

         None

     (b) Pro Forma Financial Information

     (c) Exhibits

     (3) Promissory Notes and Modifications of Promissory Notes











                                        3

<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date:    December 9, 1996

                                       CHAPARRAL RESOURCES, INC.



                                       By: /s/ Paul V. Hoovler
                                          ---------------------------------
                                          Paul V. Hoovler, President

                                       








                                        4


                         MODIFICATION TO PROMISSORY NOTE


     On November 19, 1996, John A. Schneider ("Payee") made a loan in the amount
of $100,000 to Chaparral Resources, Inc. ("Maker") pursuant to a Promissory Note
dated November 19, 1996.

     Paragraph 1(i) of such  Promissory Note sets forth  provisions  whereby the
Principal  Amount of the Promissory  Note will be payable prior to May 31, 1998.
The Maker and the Payee  hereby  agree  that the figure of the  $1,350,000  that
appears in  paragraph  1(I) of the  Promissory  Note be and hereby is changed to
$1,850,000 wherever it appears therein.

     Except as provided  herein,  the Promissory Note shall remain in full force
and effect.

                                              MAKER:
                                              CHAPARRAL RESOURCES, INC.



                                              By: /s/ Paul V. Hoovler
                                                 -----------------------------
                                              Name:   Paul V. Hoovler
                                              Title:  President


                                              PAYEE:
                                              JOHN A. SCHNEIDER



                                              By: /s/ John A. Schneider
                                                  ----------------------------

<PAGE>

THIS PROMISSORY NOTE AND THE SECURITIES ISSUED UPON CONVERSION  HEREOF,  MAY NOT
BE OFFERED  FOR SALE,  SOLD,  OR  OTHERWISE  TRANSFERRED  EXCEPT  PURSUANT TO AN
EFFECTIVE  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  FILED UNDER THE  SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT
WHICH SHALL BE ESTABLISHED TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE MAKER.



                                 PROMISSORY NOTE

November 19, 1996                                                    $100,000.00
New York, New York

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  CHAPARRAL RESOURCES,  INC. a Colorado corporation with
offices at 621 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1301, Denver, Colorado 80293 ("Maker"),
DOES  HEREBY  PROMISE to pay to the order of JOHN A.  SCHNEIDER,  an  Individual
("Payee"), the principal amount (the "Principal Amount") of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS ($100,000.00),  together with interest thereon at eight percent (8%) per
annum,  from the date hereof to and including the day on which the  indebtedness
evidence by this Promissory Note (this "Note") is paid in full.

     The following additional terms shall govern this Note:

     1. The entire  Principal  Amount of and accrued and unpaid interest on this
Note shall be due and payable on the day (the  "Repayment  Date") which shall be
the earlier to occur of:

          (i) the third  business  day  following  the  receipt  by Maker of net
          proceeds of  $1,350,000  from (A) the sale or issuance  after the date
          hereof,  by Maker,  of Maker's  equity or debt  securities  (including
          without limitation any securities convertible into or exchangeable for
          Maker's equity  securities),  whether in one or more public or private
          transactions,  or (B) any debt financing provided or guaranteed by the
          Overseas  Private  Investment  Corporation  or other  governmental  or
          quasi-governmental  organization or entity, or (C) the sale or farmout
          by the Maker of assets held by the Maker which  results in cash to the
          Maker,  or  any  combination  of  (A),  (B)  or  (C)  above  (each,  a
          "Financing"), provided, that in the event that the net proceeds of any
          such Financing are less than $1,350,000,  then the amount of principal
          and interest that becomes due by operation of this clause (i) shall be
          determined  by dividing the principal and interest due on this Note by
          $1,350,000  and  multiplying  the result thereof by the amount of such
          net  proceeds  and this clause (i) shall remain in effect with respect
          to each  subsequent  Financing;  providing  further  that Maker  shall
          immediately upon the happening of such event give Payee written notice
          thereof in  accordance  with the  provisions  of Section 21 hereof and
          that, unless waived by Payee, repayment may be rejected by Payee if it
          has not received at least two (2) business day advance notice prior to
          said payment; or



<PAGE>


          (ii) May 31, 1998.

     2.  Interest and  principal in respect of this Note shall be paid in lawful
currency of the United States, in immediately  available funds, at the principal
executive offices of Payee, c/o Allen & Company, 711 Fifth Avenue, New York, New
York 10022, or at such other place as Payee may designate in a written notice to
Maker.

     3. Payee  shall have the  ability to convert  all and not less than all the
interest and principal in respect of this Note into shares of the Maker's common
stock at $0.75 per share or at a 25% discount of the market price of the Maker's
common  stock as quoted on NASDAQ,  should  the last sale  price of the  Maker's
common  stock as quoted on NASDAQ be less than $1.00 per share on the date Payee
elects such conversion. Payee's conversion shall terminate on the earlier of the
date this Note has been paid in full or on May 31, 1998.

     Payee may  exercise  the  conversion  right  provided in this  Section 3 by
giving  written  notice (the  "Conversion  Notice") to the Maker of the exercise
right and  stating  the name or names in which the  stock  certificate  or stock
certificates  for the  shares of Maker's  common  stock are to be issued and the
address to which such certificates shall be delivered.

     Conversion shall be deemed to have been effected on the date the Conversion
Notice is given (the "Conversion  Date").  Within 10 business days after receipt
of the  Conversion  Notice,  the Maker shall issue and deliver by hand against a
signed  receipt  therefor or by United States  registered  mail,  return receipt
requested,  to the address  designated by the Payee in the Conversion  Notice, a
stock certificate or stock  certificates of the Maker representing the number of
shares of common  stock to which such Payee is entitled  and Payee shall  return
this Note to Maker.

     Any such conversion shall mean that this Note has been paid in full for all
purposes.

     4. All  interest  hereunder  shall be  computed  on the basis of the actual
number of days elapsed  over a year of 360 days and shall be payable  monthly in
arrears on the first day of each month beginning January 1, 1997.

     5. (a) As  additional  consideration  for the loan  evidenced by this Note,
Maker shall issue to Payee  warrants  (the  "Initial  Warrants") to purchase for
$0.25 per share, 25,000 shares of Maker's common stock,  exercisable at any time
and from time to time not later than November 30, 1999.

          (b) In the event that this Note has not been repaid in full (including
principal and accrued  interest) on or before May 31, 1997, Maker shall issue to
Payee  additional  warrants to purchase  for $0.25 per share,  10,000  shares of
Maker's common stock (subject to adjustment in the manner provided in subsection
(d) of Section 5),  exercisable at any time and from time to time not later than
May 31, 2000.



                                                                               2

<PAGE>



          (c) In the event that this Note has not been repaid in full (including
principal  and accrued  interest) on or before  November  30, 1997,  Maker shall
issue to Payee  additional  warrants  to  purchase  for $0.25 per share,  20,000
shares of Maker's common stock (subject to adjustment in the manner  provided in
subsection (d) of Section 5),  exercisable at any time and from time to time not
later than November 30, 2000.

          (d) The  warrants  issuable to Payee  pursuant to this  Section 5 (the
"Warrants")   shall  be  on  such  other  terms  and  in  such  form  (including
representations,  warranties  and  covenants) as shall be mutually  agreeable to
Payee and Maker. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,  the terms of
such Warrants shall include (i) economic  dilution  provisions  such that in the
event that any shares of Maker's common stock, or securities exchangeable for or
convertible  into  common  stock,  are issued for a price of less than $0.25 per
share, the exercise price of the Warrants shall be proportionately decreased and
the number of shares issuable under such Warrants shall be increased accordingly
and also provisions for adjustment for stock splits,  stock  dividends,  reverse
stock splits and similar changes;  and (ii) registration rights permitting Payee
(or its assigns) to  participate in any future  registrations  of Maker's common
stock  ("piggyback"  registration  rights) and permitting Payee (or its assigns)
not less than one demand registration. With respect to such registration rights,
it is  understood  and agreed that in the event that not later than November 30,
1997, Maker completes a private offering of its equity securities in which Maker
raises gross  proceeds of not less than  $1,000,000  and in which the purchasers
are granted  registration  rights,  Payee's  registration rights with respect to
shares issuable under the Warrants shall be  substantially  the same as the most
favorable rights granted to purchasers in the private  placement rather than the
registration  rights set forth above;  provided,  however,  that the exercise of
Payee's  registration  rights shall not be subject to any  requirement  that any
other holders of registration rights join Payee in any request to participate in
or  to  demand  a  registration,  and  any  participation  in  or  demand  for a
registration by any other holder of registration rights shall not affect Payee's
right to participate in or demand a registration on any future occasion.

     6. In the event that either the Warrants to be issued to Payee  pursuant to
Section 5 hereof  are not issued (i) in the case of the  Initial  Warrants,  not
later than January 31, 1997, and (ii) in the case of the remaining Warrants, not
later than thirty (30) days  following  the  respective  dates set forth in such
Section 5 as the dates on which such Warrants are to be issued, and in each case
on such terms and in such form as may be  acceptable  to Payee and  Maker,  then
notwithstanding   the   provisions   of  Section  1  hereof,   this  Note  shall
automatically  and without any further  notice or action on the part of Maker or
Payee, become a demand note and shall upon written demand made by Payee to Maker
become immediately due and payable.

     7. The  obligations of Maker hereunder are absolute and  unconditional  and
payment of the Principal  Amount and all interest  accrued  thereon shall not be
subject to any defense, counterclaim or right of set-off.


                                                                               3
<PAGE>



     8. Maker represents, warrants, covenants and agrees with Payee as follows:

          (a) From and after the date of this Note and until  this Note has been
satisfied  in  full,  Maker  will  furnish  to  Payee  such  reports  and  other
information  with  respect to Maker,  Maker's  business  and  Maker's  financial
condition as Payee may from time to time request.

          (b) This  Note has been duly  authorized  by all  necessary  corporate
action on the part of Maker.  This Note has been duly  executed and delivered by
Maker and  constitutes  the valid and binding  agreement  of Maker,  enforceable
against Maker in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability  hereof
may be subject to applicable bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  or other
similar laws affecting  creditors' rights generally and to general principles of
equity.

          (c) Neither the execution and delivery by Maker of this Note,  nor the
consummation by Maker of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by
Maker with any of the  provisions  hereof will (i) violate or conflict  with any
provision  of the  Certificate  or Articles of  Incorporation  or By-laws of the
Maker,  (ii)  result in a  violation  of any order,  writ,  injunction,  decree,
judgment,  ruling,  law,  rule,  or  regulation,  of any  court or  governmental
authority,  applicable  to Maker,  (iii)  result in the  breach of or  otherwise
affect any of the terms, conditions, or provisions of, any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, deed of trust, license,  franchise,  permit, contract,  agreement, or
other  instrument  or  commitment  or  obligation  of Maker,  or (iv) except for
filings that may be made under the securities laws and with NASDAQ,  require any
consent, approval, or authorization of, or notice to, or declaration, filing, or
registration with, any governmental or regulatory authority or any other person,
except for such  consents,  approvals,  authorizations,  notices,  declarations,
filings or  registrations  which have been obtained,  given or made, as the case
may be, and which are unconditional and in full force and effect.

          (d) Maker is a corporation duly organized,  validly  existing,  and in
good  standing  under the laws of the State of Colorado  and is  qualified to do
business in the  jurisdictions  where the nature of its  business or  properties
makes such qualification necessary.  Maker has all requisite corporate power and
authority to own, operate, and lease its properties and to carry on its business
as now being conducted.

          (e) As of the date hereof,  there are issued and  outstanding not more
than  40,825,000  shares of Maker's common stock  (including as if issued shares
issuable  under  outstanding  warrants,  options,  convertible  debt  and  other
securities  and rights  convertible  into or  exchangeable  for  Maker's  equity
securities) and such shares are the only shares of Maker's equity  securities of
any class or series that are issued and outstanding on the date hereof.

          (f) Maker is not in  default  (and no event of  default  has  occurred
which with notice or lapse of time, or both, will result in a default) under any
material agreements,  mortgages, deeds of trust, leases, franchises,  indentures
or other  instruments to which maker is a party or by which either or any of its
properties  may  be  bound.  Maker  is  not in  default  on any of its  material
obligations.



                                                                               4
<PAGE>



          (g)  There is no  litigation  or  proceeding  pending,  or to  Maker's
knowledge,  threatened against Maker or any of its property,  nor any reasonable
grounds for any such  litigation,  the results of which,  if decided  adversely,
might materially affect the financial condition, property or business of Maker.

     9. The following shall  constitute an "Event of Default" within the meaning
of this Note:

          (a) Maker  shall fail or refuse to make any  payment of  principal  or
interest with respect to this Note when the same shall become due; or

          (b) Any of the  representations  or warranties of Maker made or deemed
to be made in this  Note or in any  written  agreement  between  Maker and Payee
(including  without  limitation the Warrants)  shall prove to have been false or
misleading in any material respect when so made or deemed to be made; or

          (c) Maker shall default in the due observance or performance of any of
the covenants or  conditions  contained in this Note or in respect of any of its
obligations  under the terms of any written  agreement  between  Maker and Payee
(including  without limitation the Warrants) and such default shall continue for
10 days following written notice thereof to Maker; or

          (d) an event shall occur  which  constitutes,  or, upon the sending of
notice or the  passage of time or both,  would  constitute,  a breach or default
with  respect  to  the  payment  of  principal  or  interest   under  any  other
indebtedness of Maker; or

          (e) an event shall occur which  constitutes a breach or default (after
any  applicable  grace  periods),  other  than with  respect  to the  payment of
principal or interest, under any other indebtedness of Maker; or

          (f) an event shall occur which  constitutes a breach or default (after
any  applicable  grace  periods)  under the terms of any agreement or instrument
between Maker and any third party as a result of which Maker is rendered  liable
for an amount in  excess  of  $25,000  or  giving  such  third  party  rights of
acceleration  or similar rights  (whether or not exercised)  with respect to any
indebtedness in an amount of excess of $25,000; or

          (g) Maker  shall  make a general  assignment  for the  benefit  of its
creditors,  the  adjudication  in  bankruptcy  of the Maker,  or the filing of a
voluntary petition by the Maker under any of the provisions of the United States
Bankruptcy  Code;  the  filing of any  answer or other  pleading  admitting  the
material allegations of any petition filed against the Maker in any bankruptcy ,
insolvency or other such proceeding;  the filing of a petition against the Maker
under any of the  provisions  of any  bankruptcy  laws of the  United  States or
similar  laws  of any  jurisdiction  and the  failure  of  such  petition  to be
dismissed  within thirty days; or the petition  for, or the  appointment  of, or
possession  by,  a  custodian,  receiver,   liquidator,   assignee,  trustee  or
sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Maker or any substantial part of
its properties or assets.




                                                                               5
<PAGE>


     10. In the event of the  occurrence  of an Event of  Default  described  in
paragraphs  (a), (b),  (c), (d), (e), or (f) of Section 9 hereof,  Payee may, by
notice in writing to Maker,  declare the principal of this Note and all interest
accrued  thereon  to be  immediately  due and  payable;  and in the event of the
occurrence  of an Event of  Default  described  in  paragraph  (g) of  Section 9
hereof,  the  principal  of this Note and all  interest  accrued  thereon  shall
automatically   become  immediately  due  and  payable,  in  each  case  without
presentment,  demand, protest or any notice of any kind, all of which are hereby
waived.

     11.  Maker  shall  pay all  out-of-pocket  expenses  (including  reasonable
attorneys'  fees  and  expenses)  incurred  by  Payee  in  connection  with  the
enforcement or protection of Payee's rights hereunder and under any documents or
agreements  entered  into  between  Maker  and  Payee  in  connection  herewith,
including  without  limitation  those expenses and fees which may be incurred in
connection with appellate  proceedings and/or with the appointment of a receiver
and all  appearances  in  bankruptcy,  reorganization,  arrangement  or  similar
insolvency proceedings.

     12.  This Note shall  remain in full force and  effect and  continue  to be
effective  should any petition be filed by or against Maker for  liquidation  or
reorganization,  should Maker become  insolvent  or make an  assignment  for the
benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any
significant  part of Maker's  assets,  and shall  continue to be effective or be
reinstated,  if at any time  payment  and  performance  of  Maker's  obligations
hereunder,  or any part thereof,  is, pursuant to applicable  law,  rescinded or
reduced in amount,  or must  otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee of
Maker's obligations hereunder,  whether as a "voidable preference,"  "fraudulent
conveyance,"  or otherwise,  all as though such payment or  performance  had not
been made.  In the event that any payment,  or any part  thereof,  is rescinded,
reduced, restored or returned, Maker's obligations hereunder shall be reinstated
and deemed  reduced  only by such  amount  paid and not so  rescinded,  reduced,
restored or returned.

     13. This note shall in all respects be governed by the laws of the State of
Texas  applicable  to contracts  made and to be performed  entirely  within such
State. This Note may not be altered or amended,  except by a writing duly signed
by the party against whom such alteration or amendment is sought to be enforced.

     14. From and after the date of this Note, the outstanding  Principal Amount
may be prepaid by Maker,  in whole or in part, on written  notice given by Maker
to Payee specifying the date of prepayment  ("Prepayment  Date"), which shall be
not less than three (3) business days following receipt of notice (determined in
accordance with Section 21 hereof).  On the Prepayment  Date, Maker shall pay to
Payee the  Principal  Amount to be prepaid  plus  accrued  and  unpaid  interest
thereon to and including the prepayment Date and Payee shall return this Note to
Maker. In the event of a prepayment  hereunder of less than the entire Principal
Amount then outstanding, then promptly upon such partial prepayment, Maker shall
issue and deliver to Payee a new Note, of like tenor hereto,  equal in principal
amount to the unpaid Principal Amount of this Note.




                                                                               6
<PAGE>


     15.  Any  waiver  by Payee  of any  right or  remedy  hereunder  on any one
occasion  shall not be  construed  as a bar to any right or remedy  which  Payee
would otherwise have had on any future occasion.  No failure to exercise nor any
delay in  exercising  on the  part of  Payee,  any  right,  power  or  privilege
hereunder,  shall operate as a waiver  thereof,  nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or future
exercise  thereof or the exercise of any other right,  power or  privilege.  The
rights and  remedies  hereunder  provided  are  cumulative  and may be exercised
singly  or  concurrently,  and are not  exclusive  of any  rights  and  remedies
provided by law. In the event of any litigation with respect to this Note, Maker
hereby waives (to the extent permitted by law) the right to trial by jury.

     16. This Note and all  obligations of Maker hereunder shall be binding upon
the  successors  and assigns of Maker,  and shall,  together with the rights and
remedies of Payee  hereunder,  inure to the benefit of Payee, and its successors
and assigns.

     17. Any provision of this Note which is prohibited or  unenforceable in any
jurisdiction  shall,  as to such  jurisdiction,  be ineffective to the extent of
such prohibition or enforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions
hereof,  and any such prohibition or  unenforceability  of such provision in any
jurisdiction  shall not affect the validity or  enforceability of such provision
in any other jurisdiction.

     18. This Note and all  obligations of Maker hereunder shall be binding upon
the  successors  and assigns of Maker,  and shall,  together with the rights and
remedies of Payee  hereunder,  inure to the benefit of payee, and its successors
and assigns.

     19. Maker  hereby  agrees that it will execute and deliver to Payee any and
all documents,  in addition to those expressly provided for in this Note, all in
form and substance satisfactory to payee in Payee's sole discretion, that may be
reasonably  necessary or  appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Note and
the transactions contemplated hereby.

     20.  Maker  hereby  waives  presentment  for  payment,  demand,  notice  of
dishonor,  notice of protest and protest and  diligence  in taking any action to
collect amounts due hereunder.

     21. All  notices  hereunder  shall be sent via  Federal  Express or similar
overnight courier providing for "next day" delivery, and notices shall be deemed
delivered on the day following  deposit with such service.  Either party may, by
written  notice to the other,  change the  address  to which  notices  and other
communications should be sent.


                                          CHAPARRAL RESOURCES, INC.



                                          By: /s/ Paul V. Hoovler
                                             ---------------------------------
                                          Name:   Paul V. Hoovler
                                          Title:  President



                                                                               7



                         MODIFICATION TO PROMISSORY NOTE


     On November 20, 1996,  Whittier  Ventures LLC ("Payee")  made a loan in the
amount  of  $750,000  to  Chaparral  Resources,  Inc.  ("Maker")  pursuant  to a
Promissory Note dated November 20, 1996.

     Paragraph 1(i) of such  Promissory Note sets forth  provisions  whereby the
Principal  Amount of the Promissory  Note will be payable prior to May 31, 1998.
The Maker and the Payee  hereby  agree  that the figure of the  $1,350,000  that
appears in  paragraph  1(I) of the  Promissory  Note be and hereby is changed to
$1,850,000 wherever it appears therein.

     Except as provided  herein,  the Promissory Note shall remain in full force
and effect.

                                              MAKER:
                                              CHAPARRAL RESOURCES, INC.



                                              By: /s/ Paul V. Hoovler
                                                 -----------------------------
                                              Name:   Paul V. Hoovler
                                              Title:  President


                                              PAYEE:
                                              WHITTIER VENTURES LLC


                                              By: /s/ David A. Dahl
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                  David A. Dahl
                                                  President

<PAGE>

THIS PROMISSORY NOTE AND THE SECURITIES ISSUED UPON CONVERSION  HEREOF,  MAY NOT
BE OFFERED  FOR SALE,  SOLD,  OR  OTHERWISE  TRANSFERRED  EXCEPT  PURSUANT TO AN
EFFECTIVE  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  FILED UNDER THE  SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT
WHICH SHALL BE ESTABLISHED TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE MAKER.



                                 PROMISSORY NOTE

November 20, 1996                                                    $750,000.00
South Pasadena, California

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  CHAPARRAL RESOURCES,  INC. a Colorado corporation with
offices at 621 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1301, Denver, Colorado 80293 ("Maker"),
DOES HEREBY  PROMISE to pay to the order of WHITTIER  VENTURES  LLC., a Delaware
limited  liability  company  ("Payee"),  the  principal  amount (the  "Principal
Amount") of SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND  DOLLARS  ($750,000.00),  together with
interest  thereon at eight  percent (8%) per annum,  from the date hereof to and
including the day on which the  indebtedness  evidence by this  Promissory  Note
(this "Note") is paid in full.

     The following additional terms shall govern this Note:

     1. The entire  Principal  Amount of and accrued and unpaid interest on this
Note shall be due and payable on the day (the  "Repayment  Date") which shall be
the earlier to occur of:

          (i) the third  business  day  following  the  receipt  by Maker of net
          proceeds of  $1,350,000  from (A) the sale or issuance  after the date
          hereof,  by Maker,  of Maker's  equity or debt  securities  (including
          without limitation any securities convertible into or exchangeable for
          Maker's equity  securities),  whether in one or more public or private
          transactions,  or (B) any debt financing provided or guaranteed by the
          Overseas  Private  Investment  Corporation  or other  governmental  or
          quasi-governmental  organization or entity, or (C) the sale or farmout
          by the Maker of assets held by the Maker which  results in cash to the
          Maker,  or  any  combination  of  (A),  (B)  or  (C)  above  (each,  a
          "Financing"), provided, that in the event that the net proceeds of any
          such Financing are less than $1,350,000,  then the amount of principal
          and interest that becomes due by operation of this clause (i) shall be
          determined  by dividing the principal and interest due on this Note by
          $1,350,000  and  multiplying  the result thereof by the amount of such
          net  proceeds  and this clause (i) shall remain in effect with respect
          to each  subsequent  Financing;  providing  further  that Maker  shall
          immediately upon the happening of such event give Payee written notice
          thereof in  accordance  with the  provisions  of Section 23 hereof and
          that, unless waived by Payee, repayment may be rejected by Payee if it
          has not received at least two (2) business day advance notice prior to
          said payment; or



<PAGE>

          (ii) May 31, 1998.

     2.  Interest and  principal in respect of this Note shall be paid in lawful
currency of the United States, in immediately  available funds, at the principal
executive offices of Payee, 1600 Huntington  Drive,  South Pasadena,  California
91030,  or at such other  place as Payee may  designate  in a written  notice to
Maker.

     3. Payee  shall have the  ability to convert  all and not less than all the
interest and principal in respect of this Note into shares of the Maker's common
stock at $0.75 per share or at a 25% discount of the market price of the Maker's
common  stock as quoted on NASDAQ,  should  the last sale  price of the  Maker's
common  stock as quoted on NASDAQ be less than $1.00 per share on the date Payee
elects such conversion.  Payee's conversion right shall terminate on the earlier
of the date this Note has been paid in full or on May 31, 1998.

     Payee may  exercise  the  conversion  right  provided in this  Section 3 by
giving  written  notice (the  "Conversion  Notice") to the Maker of the exercise
right and  stating  the name or names in which the  stock  certificate  or stock
certificates  for the  shares of Maker's  common  stock are to be issued and the
address to which such certificates shall be delivered.

     Conversion shall be deemed to have been effected on the date the Conversion
Notice is given (the "Conversion  Date").  Within 10 business days after receipt
of the  Conversion  Notice,  the Maker shall issue and deliver by hand against a
signed  receipt  therefor or by United States  registered  mail,  return receipt
requested,  to the address  designated by the Payee in the Conversion  Notice, a
stock certificate or stock  certificates of the Maker representing the number of
shares of common  stock to which such Payee is entitled  and Payee shall  return
this Note to Maker.

     Any such conversion shall mean that this Note has been paid in full for all
purposes.

     4. All  interest  hereunder  shall be  computed  on the basis of the actual
number of days elapsed  over a year of 360 days and shall be payable  monthly in
arrears on the first day of each month beginning January 1, 1997.

     5. (a) As  additional  consideration  for the loan  evidenced by this Note,
Maker shall issue to Payee  warrants  (the  "Initial  Warrants") to purchase for
$0.25 per share, 187,500 shares of Maker's common stock, exercisable at any time
and from time to time not later than November 30, 1999.

          (b) In the event that this Note has not been repaid in full (including
principal and accrued  interest) on or before May 31, 1997, Maker shall issue to
Payee  additional  warrants to purchase  for $0.25 per share,  75,000  shares of
Maker's common stock (subject to adjustment in the manner provided in subsection
(d) of Section 5),  exercisable at any time and from time to time not later than
May 31, 2000.



                                                                               2
<PAGE>



          (c) In the event that this Note has not been repaid in full (including
principal  and accrued  interest) on or before  November  30, 1997,  Maker shall
issue to Payee  additional  warrants  to purchase  for $0.25 per share,  150,000
shares of Maker's common stock (subject to adjustment in the manner  provided in
subsection (d) of Section 5),  exercisable at any time and from time to time not
later than November 30, 2000.

          (d) The  warrants  issuable to Payee  pursuant to this  Section 5 (the
"Warrants")   shall  be  on  such  other  terms  and  in  such  form  (including
representations,  warranties  and  covenants) as shall be mutually  agreeable to
Payee and Maker. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,  the terms of
such Warrants shall include (i) economic  dilution  provisions  such that in the
event that any shares of Maker's common stock, or securities exchangeable for or
convertible  into  common  stock,  are issued for a price of less than $0.25 per
share, the exercise price of the Warrants shall be proportionately decreased and
the number of shares issuable under such Warrants shall be increased accordingly
and also provisions for adjustment for stock splits,  stock  dividends,  reverse
stock splits and similar changes;  and (ii) registration rights permitting Payee
(or its assigns) to  participate in any future  registrations  of Maker's common
stock  ("piggyback"  registration  rights) and permitting Payee (or its assigns)
not less than one demand registration. With respect to such registration rights,
it is  understood  and agreed that in the event that not later than November 30,
1997, Maker completes a private offering of its equity securities in which Maker
raises gross  proceeds of not less than  $1,000,000  and in which the purchasers
are granted  registration  rights,  Payee's  registration rights with respect to
shares issuable under the Warrants shall be  substantially  the same as the most
favorable rights granted to purchasers in the private  placement rather than the
registration  rights set forth above;  provided,  however,  that the exercise of
Payee's  registration  rights shall not be subject to any  requirement  that any
other holders of registration rights join Payee in any request to participate in
or  to  demand  a  registration,  and  any  participation  in  or  demand  for a
registration by any other holder of registration rights shall not affect Payee's
right to participate in or demand a registration on any future occasion.

     6. Effective immediately,  Payee and Whittier Energy Company acting jointly
shall have the right to be represented by a director, who shall be designated by
them and  elected to  Maker's  Board of  Directors.  Subject  to  receiving  the
requisite  vote of Maker's  shareholders  pursuant to Colorado law,  Maker shall
cause said designee to be nominated, elected and removed, as the case may be, in
accordance  with  the   instructions  of  Payee  and  Whittier  Energy  Company.
Initially,  James A. Jeffs shall serve as such  designee.  Upon his  resignation
(which is contemplated to occur in the near future), Arlo G. Sorensen will serve
as designee.

     Effective  on the first to occur of January  31, 1997 and the date on which
the size of Maker's Board of Directors is increased,  and thereafter for so long
as (i) any principal,  accrued interest or fees remain unpaid under this Note or
(ii) Payee and/or Whittier Energy Company holds any other investment interest in
Maker,  Payee and Whittier Energy Company acting jointly shall have the right to
be represented by two directors,  who shall be designated by them and elected to
Maker's Board of Directors.  Subject to receiving the requisite  vote of Maker's
shareholders  pursuant to Colorado law,  Maker shall cause said  designees to be
nominated,  elected  and  removed,  as the case may be, in  accordance  with the
instructions of Payee and Whittier Energy Company.



                                                                               3
<PAGE>



     7. In the event that either the Warrants to be issued to Payee  pursuant to
Section 5 hereof  are not issued (i) in the case of the  Initial  Warrants,  not
later than January 31, 1997, and (ii) in the case of the remaining Warrants, not
later than thirty (30) days  following  the  respective  dates set forth in such
Section 5 as the dates on which such Warrants are to be issued, and in each case
on such terms and in such form as may be  acceptable  to Payee and  Maker,  then
notwithstanding   the   provisions   of  Section  1  hereof,   this  Note  shall
automatically  and without any further  notice or action on the part of Maker or
Payee, become a demand note and shall upon written demand made by Payee to Maker
become immediately due and payable.

     8. The  obligations of Maker hereunder are absolute and  unconditional  and
payment of the Principal  Amount and all interest  accrued  thereon shall not be
subject to any defense, counterclaim or right of set-off.

     9. Maker represents, warrants, covenants and agrees with Payee as follows:

          (a) From and after the date of this Note and until  this Note has been
satisfied  in  full,  Maker  will  furnish  to  Payee  such  reports  and  other
information  with  respect to Maker,  Maker's  business  and  Maker's  financial
condition as Payee may from time to time request.

          (b) This  Note has been duly  authorized  by all  necessary  corporate
action on the part of Maker.  This Note has been duly  executed and delivered by
Maker and  constitutes  the valid and binding  agreement  of Maker,  enforceable
against Maker in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability  hereof
may be subject to applicable bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  or other
similar laws affecting  creditors' rights generally and to general principles of
equity.

          (c) Neither the execution and delivery by Maker of this Note,  nor the
consummation by Maker of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by
Maker with any of the  provisions  hereof will (i) violate or conflict  with any
provision  of the  Certificate  or Articles of  Incorporation  or By-laws of the
Maker,  (ii)  result in a  violation  of any order,  writ,  injunction,  decree,
judgment,  ruling,  law,  rule,  or  regulation,  of any  court or  governmental
authority,  applicable  to Maker,  (iii)  result in the  breach of or  otherwise
affect any of the terms, conditions, or provisions of, any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, deed of trust, license,  franchise,  permit, contract,  agreement, or
other  instrument  or  commitment  or  obligation  of Maker,  or (iv) except for
filings that may be made under the securities laws and with NASDAQ,  require any
consent, approval, or authorization of, or notice to, or declaration, filing, or
registration with, any governmental or regulatory authority or any other person,
except for such  consents,  approvals,  authorizations,  notices,  declarations,
filings or  registrations  which have been obtained,  given or made, as the case
may be, and which are unconditional and in full force and effect.




                                                                               4
<PAGE>


          (d) Maker is a corporation duly organized,  validly  existing,  and in
good  standing  under the laws of the State of Colorado  and is  qualified to do
business in the  jurisdictions  where the nature of its  business or  properties
makes such qualification necessary.  Maker has all requisite corporate power and
authority to own, operate, and lease its properties and to carry on its business
as now being conducted.

          (e) As of the date hereof,  there are issued and  outstanding not more
than  40,825,000  shares of Maker's common stock  (including as if issued shares
issuable  under  outstanding  warrants,  options,  convertible  debt  and  other
securities  and rights  convertible  into or  exchangeable  for  Maker's  equity
securities) and such shares are the only shares of Maker's equity  securities of
any class or series that are issued and outstanding on the date hereof.

          (f) Maker is not in  default  (and no event of  default  has  occurred
which with notice or lapse of time, or both, will result in a default) under any
material agreements,  mortgages, deeds of trust, leases, franchises,  indentures
or other  instruments to which maker is a party or by which either or any of its
properties  may  be  bound.  Maker  is  not in  default  on any of its  material
obligations.

          (g)  There is no  litigation  or  proceeding  pending,  or to  Maker's
knowledge,  threatened against Maker or any of its property,  nor any reasonable
grounds for any such  litigation,  the results of which,  if decided  adversely,
might materially affect the financial condition, property or business of Maker.

     10. The following shall constitute an "Event of Default" within the meaning
of this Note:

          (a) Maker  shall fail or refuse to make any  payment of  principal  or
interest with respect to this Note when the same shall become due; or

          (b) Any of the  representations  or warranties of Maker made or deemed
to be made in this  Note or in any  written  agreement  between  Maker and Payee
(including  without  limitation the Warrants)  shall prove to have been false or
misleading in any material respect when so made or deemed to be made; or

          (c) Maker shall default in the due observance or performance of any of
the covenants or  conditions  contained in this Note or in respect of any of its
obligations  under the terms of any written  agreement  between  Maker and Payee
(including  without limitation the Warrants) and such default shall continue for
10 days following written notice thereof to Maker; or

          (d) an event shall occur  which  constitutes,  or, upon the sending of
notice or the  passage of time or both,  would  constitute,  a breach or default
with  respect  to  the  payment  of  principal  or  interest   under  any  other
indebtedness of Maker; or

          (e) an event shall occur which  constitutes a breach or default (after
any  applicable  grace  periods),  other  than with  respect  to the  payment of
principal or interest, under any other indebtedness of Maker; or



                                                                               5
<PAGE>



          (f) an event shall occur which  constitutes a breach or default (after
any  applicable  grace  periods)  under the terms of any agreement or instrument
between Maker and any third party as a result of which Maker is rendered  liable
for an amount in  excess  of  $25,000  or  giving  such  third  party  rights of
acceleration  or similar rights  (whether or not exercised)  with respect to any
indebtedness in an amount of excess of $25,000; or

          (g) Maker  shall  make a general  assignment  for the  benefit  of its
creditors,  the  adjudication  in  bankruptcy  of the Maker,  or the filing of a
voluntary petition by the Maker under any of the provisions of the United States
Bankruptcy  Code;  the  filing of any  answer or other  pleading  admitting  the
material allegations of any petition filed against the Maker in any bankruptcy ,
insolvency or other such proceeding;  the filing of a petition against the Maker
under any of the  provisions  of any  bankruptcy  laws of the  United  States or
similar  laws  of any  jurisdiction  and the  failure  of  such  petition  to be
dismissed  within thirty days; or the petition  for, or the  appointment  of, or
possession  by,  a  custodian,  receiver,   liquidator,   assignee,  trustee  or
sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Maker or any substantial part of
its properties or assets.

     11. In the event of the  occurrence  of an Event of  Default  described  in
paragraphs  (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), or (f) of Section 10 hereof,  Payee may, by
notice in writing to Maker,  declare the principal of this Note and all interest
accrued  thereon  to be  immediately  due and  payable;  and in the event of the
occurrence  of an Event of  Default  described  in  paragraph  (g) of Section 10
hereof,  the  principal  of this Note and all  interest  accrued  thereon  shall
automatically   become  immediately  due  and  payable,  in  each  case  without
presentment,  demand, protest or any notice of any kind, all of which are hereby
waived.

     12. In the  event  that any  payment  hereunder  shall  not be made  within
fifteen (15) days of the date due, the interest rate hereunder shall increase to
the  maximum  rate  permitted  under  California  law (i.e.,  the greater of ten
percent  (10%) per annum or the rate which is five percent (5%) in excess of the
then applicable  federal  discount rate).  Interest not paid within fifteen (15)
days of the date due shall bear interest from the date due as said rate.

     13.  Maker  shall  pay all  out-of-pocket  expenses  (including  reasonable
attorneys'  fees  and  expenses)  incurred  by  Payee  in  connection  with  the
enforcement or protection of Payee's rights hereunder and under any documents or
agreements  entered  into  between  Maker  and  Payee  in  connection  herewith,
including  without  limitation  those expenses and fees which may be incurred in
connection with appellate  proceedings and/or with the appointment of a receiver
and all  appearances  in  bankruptcy,  reorganization,  arrangement  or  similar
insolvency proceedings.

     14.  This Note shall  remain in full force and  effect and  continue  to be
effective  should any petition be filed by or against Maker for  liquidation  or
reorganization,  should Maker become  insolvent  or make an  assignment  for the
benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any
significant  part of Maker's  assets,  and shall  continue to be effective or be
reinstated,  if at any time  payment  and  performance  of  Maker's  obligations
hereunder,  or any part thereof,  is, pursuant to applicable  law,  rescinded or
reduced in amount,  or must  otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee of
Maker's obligations hereunder,  whether as a "voidable preference,"  "fraudulent
conveyance,"  or otherwise,  all as though such payment or  performance  had not
been made.  In the event that any payment,  or any part  thereof,  is rescinded,
reduced, restored or returned, Maker's obligations hereunder shall be reinstated
and deemed  reduced  only by such  amount  paid and not so  rescinded,  reduced,
restored or returned.



                                                                               6
<PAGE>



     15. This note shall in all respects be governed by the laws of the State of
California applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within such
State. This Note may not be altered or amended,  except by a writing duly signed
by the party against whom such alteration or amendment is sought to be enforced.

     16. From and after the date of this Note, the outstanding  Principal Amount
may be prepaid by Maker,  in whole or in part, on written  notice given by Maker
to Payee specifying the date of prepayment  ("Prepayment  Date"), which shall be
not less than three (3) business days following receipt of notice (determined in
accordance with Section 23 hereof).  On the Prepayment  Date, Maker shall pay to
Payee the  Principal  Amount to be prepaid  plus  accrued  and  unpaid  interest
thereon to and including the prepayment Date and Payee shall return this Note to
Maker. In the event of a prepayment  hereunder of less than the entire Principal
Amount then outstanding, then promptly upon such partial prepayment, Maker shall
issue and deliver to Payee a new Note, of like tenor hereto,  equal in principal
amount to the unpaid Principal Amount of this Note.

     17.  Any  waiver  by Payee  of any  right or  remedy  hereunder  on any one
occasion  shall not be  construed  as a bar to any right or remedy  which  Payee
would otherwise have had on any future occasion.  No failure to exercise nor any
delay in  exercising  on the  part of  Payee,  any  right,  power  or  privilege
hereunder,  shall operate as a waiver  thereof,  nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or future
exercise  thereof or the exercise of any other right,  power or  privilege.  The
rights and  remedies  hereunder  provided  are  cumulative  and may be exercised
singly  or  concurrently,  and are not  exclusive  of any  rights  and  remedies
provided by law. In the event of any litigation with respect to this Note, Maker
hereby waives (to the extent permitted by law) the right to trial by jury.

     18. This Note and all  obligations of Maker hereunder shall be binding upon
the  successors  and assigns of Maker,  and shall,  together with the rights and
remedies of Payee  hereunder,  inure to the benefit of Payee, and its successors
and assigns.

     19. Any provision of this Note which is prohibited or  unenforceable in any
jurisdiction  shall,  as to such  jurisdiction,  be ineffective to the extent of
such prohibition or enforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions
hereof,  and any such prohibition or  unenforceability  of such provision in any
jurisdiction  shall not affect the validity or  enforceability of such provision
in any other jurisdiction.

     20. This Note and all  obligations of Maker hereunder shall be binding upon
the  successors  and assigns of Maker,  and shall,  together with the rights and
remedies of Payee  hereunder,  inure to the benefit of payee, and its successors
and assigns.




                                                                               7
<PAGE>


     21. Maker  hereby  agrees that it will execute and deliver to Payee any and
all documents,  in addition to those expressly provided for in this Note, all in
form and substance satisfactory to payee in Payee's sole discretion, that may be
reasonably  necessary or  appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Note and
the transactions contemplated hereby.

     22.  Maker  hereby  waives  presentment  for  payment,  demand,  notice  of
dishonor,  notice of protest and protest and  diligence  in taking any action to
collect amounts due hereunder.

     23. All  notices  hereunder  shall be sent via  Federal  Express or similar
overnight courier providing for "next day" delivery, and notices shall be deemed
delivered on the day following  deposit with such service.  Either party may, by
written  notice to the other,  change the  address  to which  notices  and other
communications should be sent.


                                          CHAPARRAL RESOURCES, INC.



                                          By: /s/ Paul V. Hoovler
                                              ------------------------------
                                          Name:   Paul V. Hoovler
                                          Title:  President




                         MODIFICATION TO PROMISSORY NOTE


     On November 20, 1996,  Whittier Energy Company ("Payee") made a loan in the
amount  of  $250,000  to  Chaparral  Resources,  Inc.  ("Maker")  pursuant  to a
Promissory Note dated November 20, 1996.

     Paragraph 1(i) of such  Promissory Note sets forth  provisions  whereby the
Principal  Amount of the Promissory  Note will be payable prior to May 31, 1998.
The Maker and the Payee  hereby  agree  that the figure of the  $1,350,000  that
appears in  paragraph  1(I) of the  Promissory  Note be and hereby is changed to
$1,850,000 wherever it appears therein.

     Except as provided  herein,  the Promissory Note shall remain in full force
and effect.

                                              MAKER:
                                              CHAPARRAL RESOURCES, INC.



                                              By: /s/ Paul V. Hoovler
                                                 -----------------------------
                                              Name:   Paul V. Hoovler
                                              Title:  President


                                              PAYEE:
                                              WHITTIER ENERGY COMPANY


                                              By: /s/ Arlo Sorensen
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                  Arlo Sorensen
                                                  President

<PAGE>

THIS PROMISSORY NOTE AND THE SECURITIES ISSUED UPON CONVERSION  HEREOF,  MAY NOT
BE OFFERED  FOR SALE,  SOLD,  OR  OTHERWISE  TRANSFERRED  EXCEPT  PURSUANT TO AN
EFFECTIVE  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  FILED UNDER THE  SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT
WHICH SHALL BE ESTABLISHED TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE MAKER.



                                 PROMISSORY NOTE

November 20, 1996                                                    $250,000.00
South Pasadena, California

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  CHAPARRAL RESOURCES,  INC. a Colorado corporation with
offices at 621 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1301, Denver, Colorado 80293 ("Maker"),
DOES HEREBY PROMISE to pay to the order of. WHITTIER  ENERGY  COMPANY,  a Nevada
corporation  ("Payee"),  the principal  amount (the  "Principal  Amount") of TWO
HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND  ($250,000.00),  together with interest  thereon at eight
percent (8%) per annum,  from the date hereof to and  including the day on which
the indebtedness evidence by this Promissory Note (this "Note") is paid in full.

     The following additional terms shall govern this Note:

     1. The entire  Principal  Amount of and accrued and unpaid interest on this
Note shall be due and payable on the day (the  "Repayment  Date") which shall be
the earlier to occur of:

          (i) the third  business  day  following  the  receipt  by Maker of net
          proceeds of  $1,350,000  from (A) the sale or issuance  after the date
          hereof,  by Maker,  of Maker's  equity or debt  securities  (including
          without limitation any securities convertible into or exchangeable for
          Maker's equity  securities),  whether in one or more public or private
          transactions,  or (B) any debt financing provided or guaranteed by the
          Overseas  Private  Investment  Corporation  or other  governmental  or
          quasi-governmental  organization or entity, or (C) the sale or farmout
          by the Maker of assets held by the Maker which  results in cash to the
          Maker,  or  any  combination  of  (A),  (B)  or  (C)  above  (each,  a
          "Financing"), provided, that in the event that the net proceeds of any
          such Financing are less than $1,350,000,  then the amount of principal
          and interest that becomes due by operation of this clause (i) shall be
          determined  by dividing the principal and interest due on this Note by
          $1,350,000  and  multiplying  the result thereof by the amount of such
          net  proceeds  and this clause (i) shall remain in effect with respect
          to each  subsequent  Financing;  providing  further  that Maker  shall
          immediately upon the happening of such event give payee written notice
          thereof in  accordance  with the  provisions  of Section 23 hereof and
          that, unless waived by Payee, repayment may be rejected by Payee if it
          has not received at least two (2) business day advance notice prior to
          said payment; or



<PAGE>


          (ii) May 31, 1998.

     2.  Interest and  principal in respect of this Note shall be paid in lawful
currency of the United States, in immediately  available funds, at the principal
executive offices of Payee, 1600 Huntington  Drive,  South Pasadena,  California
91030,  or at such other  place as Payee may  designate  in a written  notice to
Maker.

     3. Payee  shall have the  ability to convert  all and not less than all the
interest and principal in respect of this Note into shares of the Maker's common
stock at $0.75 per share or at a 25% discount of the market price of the Maker's
common  stock as quoted on NASDAQ,  should  the last sale  price of the  Maker's
common  stock as quoted on NASDAQ be less than $1.00 per share on the date Payee
elects such conversion.  Payee's conversion right shall terminate on the earlier
of the date this Note has been paid in full or May 31, 1998.

     Payee may  exercise  the  conversion  right  provided in this  Section 3 by
giving  written  notice (the  "Conversion  Notice") to the Maker of the exercise
right and  stating  the name or names in which the  stock  certificate  or stock
certificates  for the  shares of Maker's  common  stock are to be issued and the
address to which such certificates shall be delivered.

     Conversion shall be deemed to have been effected on the date the Conversion
Notice is given (the "Conversion  Date").  Within 10 business days after receipt
of the  Conversion  Notice,  the Maker shall issue and deliver by hand against a
signed  receipt  therefor or by United States  registered  mail,  return receipt
requested,  to the address  designated by the Payee in the Conversion  Notice, a
stock certificate or stock  certificates of the Maker representing the number of
shares of common  stock to which such Payee is entitled  and Payee shall  return
this Note to Maker.

     Any such conversion shall mean that this Note has been paid in full for all
purposes.

     4. All  interest  hereunder  shall be  computed  on the basis of the actual
number of days elapsed  over a year of 360 days and shall be payable  monthly in
arrears on the first day of each month beginning January 1, 1997.

     5. (a) As  additional  consideration  for the loan  evidenced by this Note,
Maker shall issue to Payee  warrants  (the  "Initial  Warrants") to purchase for
$0.25 per share, 62,500 shares of Maker's common stock,  exercisable at any time
and from time to time not later than November 30, 1999.

          (b) In the event that this Note has not been repaid in full (including
principal and accrued  interest) on or before May 31, 1997, Maker shall issue to
Payee  additional  warrants to purchase  for $0.25 per share,  25,000  shares of
Maker's common stock (subject to adjustment in the manner provided in subsection
(d) of Section 5),  exercisable at any time and from time to time not later than
May 31, 2000.



                                                                               2
<PAGE>



          (c) In the event that this Note has not been repaid in full (including
principal  and accrued  interest) on or before  November  30, 1997,  Maker shall
issue to Payee  additional  warrants  to  purchase  for $0.25 per share,  50,000
shares of Maker's common stock (subject to adjustment in the manner  provided in
subsection (d) of Section 5),  exercisable at any time and from time to time not
later than November 30, 2000.

          (d) The  warrants  issuable to Payee  pursuant to this  Section 5 (the
"Warrants")   shall  be  on  such  other  terms  and  in  such  form  (including
representations,  warranties  and  covenants) as shall be mutually  agreeable to
Payee and Maker. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,  the terms of
such Warrants shall include (i) economic  dilution  provisions  such that in the
event that any shares of Maker's common stock, or securities exchangeable for or
convertible  into  common  stock,  are issued for a price of less than $0.25 per
share, the exercise price of the Warrants shall be proportionately decreased and
the number of shares issuable under such Warrants shall be increased accordingly
and also provisions for adjustment for stock splits,  stock  dividends,  reverse
stock splits and similar changes;  and (ii) registration rights permitting Payee
(or its assigns) to  participate in any future  registrations  of Maker's common
stock  ("piggyback"  registration  rights) and permitting Payee (or its assigns)
not less than one demand registration. With respect to such registration rights,
it is  understood  and agreed that in the event that not later than November 30,
1997, Maker completes a private offering of its equity securities in which Maker
raises gross  proceeds of not less than  $1,000,000  and in which the purchasers
are granted  registration  rights,  Payee's  registration rights with respect to
shares issuable under the Warrants shall be  substantially  the same as the most
favorable rights granted to purchasers in the private  placement rather than the
registration  rights set forth above;  provided,  however,  that the exercise of
Payee's  registration  rights shall not be subject to any  requirement  that any
other holders of registration rights join Payee in any request to participate in
or  to  demand  a  registration,  and  any  participation  in  or  demand  for a
registration by any other holder of registration rights shall not affect Payee's
right to participate in or demand a registration on any future occasion.

     6. Effective  immediately,  Payee and Whittier  Ventures LLC acting jointly
shall have the right to be represented by a director, who shall be designated by
them and  elected to  Maker's  Board of  Directors.  Subject  to  receiving  the
requisite  vote of Maker's  shareholders  pursuant to Colorado law,  Maker shall
cause said designee to be nominated, elected and removed, as the case may be, in
accordance with the instructions of Payee and Whittier Ventures LLC.  Initially,
James A. Jeffs  shall serve as such  designee.  Upon his  resignation  (which is
contemplated  to occur in the  near  future),  Arlo G.  Sorensen  will  serve as
designee.

     Effective  on the first to occur of January  31, 1997 and the date on which
the size of Maker's Board of Directors is increased,  and thereafter for so long
as (i) any principal,  accrued interest or fees remain unpaid under this Note or
(ii) Payee and/or Whittier  Ventures LLC holds any other investment  interest in
Maker,  Payee and Whittier Energy Company acting jointly shall have the right to
be represented by two directors,  who shall be designated by them and elected to
Maker's Board of Directors.  Subject to receiving the requisite  vote of Maker's
shareholders  pursuant to Colorado law,  Maker shall cause said  designees to be
nominated,  elected  and  removed,  as the case may be, in  accordance  with the
instructions of Payee and Whittier Ventures LLC.



                                                                               3
<PAGE>



     7. In the event that either the Warrants to be issued to Payee  pursuant to
Section 5 hereof  are not issued (i) in the case of the  Initial  Warrants,  not
later than January 31, 1997, and (ii) in the case of the remaining Warrants, not
later than thirty (30) days  following  the  respective  dates set forth in such
Section 5 as the dates on which such Warrants are to be issued, and in each case
on such terms and in such form as may be  acceptable  to Payee and  Maker,  then
notwithstanding   the   provisions   of  Section  1  hereof,   this  Note  shall
automatically  and without any further  notice or action on the part of Maker or
Payee, become a demand note and shall upon written demand made by Payee to Maker
become immediately due and payable.

     8. The  obligations of Maker hereunder are absolute and  unconditional  and
payment of the Principal  Amount and all interest  accrued  thereon shall not be
subject to any defense, counterclaim or right of set-off.

     9. Maker represents, warrants, covenants and agrees with Payee as follows:

          (a) From and after the date of this Note and until  this Note has been
satisfied  in  full,  Maker  will  furnish  to  Payee  such  reports  and  other
information  with  respect to Maker,  Maker's  business  and  Maker's  financial
condition as Payee may from time to time request.

          (b) This  Note has been duly  authorized  by all  necessary  corporate
action on the part of Maker.  This Note has been duly  executed and delivered by
Maker and  constitutes  the valid and binding  agreement  of Maker,  enforceable
against Maker in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability  hereof
may be subject to applicable bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  or other
similar laws affecting  creditors' rights generally and to general principles of
equity.

          (c) Neither the execution and delivery by Maker of this Note,  nor the
consummation by Maker of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by
Maker with any of the  provisions  hereof will (i) violate or conflict  with any
provision  of the  Certificate  or Articles of  Incorporation  or By-laws of the
Maker,  (ii)  result in a  violation  of any order,  writ,  injunction,  decree,
judgment,  ruling,  law,  rule,  or  regulation,  of any  court or  governmental
authority,  applicable  to Maker,  (iii)  result in the  breach of or  otherwise
affect any of the terms, conditions, or provisions of, any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, deed of trust, license,  franchise,  permit, contract,  agreement, or
other  instrument  or  commitment  or  obligation  of Maker,  or (iv) except for
filings that may be made under the securities laws and with NASDAQ,  require any
consent, approval, or authorization of, or notice to, or declaration, filing, or
registration with, any governmental or regulatory authority or any other person,
except for such  consents,  approvals,  authorizations,  notices,  declarations,
filings or  registrations  which have been obtained,  given or made, as the case
may be, and which are unconditional and in full force and effect.




                                                                               4
<PAGE>



          (d) Maker is a corporation duly organized,  validly  existing,  and in
good  standing  under the laws of the State of Colorado  and is  qualified to do
business in the  jurisdictions  where the nature of its  business or  properties
makes such qualification necessary.  Maker has all requisite corporate power and
authority to own, operate, and lease its properties and to carry on its business
as now being conducted.

          (e) As of the date hereof,  there are issued and  outstanding not more
than  40,825,000  shares of Maker's common stock  (including as if issued shares
issuable  under  outstanding  warrants,  options,  convertible  debt  and  other
securities  and rights  convertible  into or  exchangeable  for  Maker's  equity
securities) and such shares are the only shares of Maker's equity  securities of
any class or series that are issued and outstanding on the date hereof.

          (f) Maker is not in  default  (and no event of  default  has  occurred
which with notice or lapse of time, or both, will result in a default) under any
material agreements,  mortgages, deeds of trust, leases, franchises,  indentures
or other  instruments to which maker is a party or by which either or any of its
properties  may  be  bound.  Maker  is  not in  default  on any of its  material
obligations.

          (g)  There is no  litigation  or  proceeding  pending,  or to  Maker's
knowledge,  threatened against Maker or any of its property,  nor any reasonable
grounds for any such  litigation,  the results of which,  if decided  adversely,
might materially affect the financial condition, property or business of Maker.


     10. The following shall constitute an "Event of Default" within the meaning
of this Note:

          (a) Maker  shall fail or refuse to make any  payment of  principal  or
interest with respect to this Note when the same shall become due; or

          (b) Any of the  representations  or warranties of Maker made or deemed
to be made in this  Note or in any  written  agreement  between  Maker and Payee
(including  without  limitation the Warrants)  shall prove to have been false or
misleading in any material respect when so made or deemed to be made; or

          (c) Maker shall default in the due observance or performance of any of
the covenants or  conditions  contained in this Note or in respect of any of its
obligations  under the terms of any written  agreement  between  Maker and Payee
(including  without limitation the Warrants) and such default shall continue for
10 days following written notice thereof to Maker; or

          (d) an event shall occur  which  constitutes,  or, upon the sending of
notice or the  passage of time or both,  would  constitute,  a breach or default
with  respect  to  the  payment  of  principal  or  interest   under  any  other
indebtedness of Maker; or




                                                                               5
<PAGE>



          (e) an event shall occur which  constitutes a breach or default (after
any  applicable  grace  periods),  other  than with  respect  to the  payment of
principal or interest, under any other indebtedness of Maker; or

          (f) an event shall occur which  constitutes a breach or default (after
any  applicable  grace  periods)  under the terms of any agreement or instrument
between Maker and any third party as a result of which Maker is rendered  liable
for an amount in  excess  of  $25,000  or  giving  such  third  party  rights of
acceleration  or similar rights  (whether or not exercised)  with respect to any
indebtedness in an amount of excess of $25,000; or

          (g) Maker  shall  make a general  assignment  for the  benefit  of its
creditors,  the  adjudication  in  bankruptcy  of the Maker,  or the filing of a
voluntary petition by the Maker under any of the provisions of the United States
Bankruptcy  Code;  the  filing of any  answer or other  pleading  admitting  the
material allegations of any petition filed against the Maker in any bankruptcy ,
insolvency or other such proceeding;  the filing of a petition against the Maker
under any of the  provisions  of any  bankruptcy  laws of the  United  States or
similar  laws  of any  jurisdiction  and the  failure  of  such  petition  to be
dismissed  within thirty days; or the petition  for, or the  appointment  of, or
possession  by,  a  custodian,  receiver,   liquidator,   assignee,  trustee  or
sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Maker or any substantial part of
its properties or assets.

     11. In the event of the  occurrence  of an Event of  Default  described  in
paragraphs  (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), or (f) of Section 10 hereof,  Payee may, by
notice in writing to Maker,  declare the principal of this Note and all interest
accrued  thereon  to be  immediately  due and  payable;  and in the event of the
occurrence  of an Event of  Default  described  in  paragraph  (g) of Section 10
hereof,  the  principal  of this Note and all  interest  accrued  thereon  shall
automatically   become  immediately  due  and  payable,  in  each  case  without
presentment,  demand, protest or any notice of any kind, all of which are hereby
waived.

     12. In the  event  that any  payment  hereunder  shall  not be made  within
fifteen (15) days of the date due, the interest rate hereunder shall increase to
the  maximum  rate  permitted  under  California  law (i.e.,  the greater of ten
percent  (10%) per annum or the rate which is five percent (5%) in excess of the
then applicable  federal  discount rate).  Interest not paid within fifteen (15)
days of the date due shall bear interest from the date due as said rate.

     13.  Maker  shall  pay all  out-of-pocket  expenses  (including  reasonable
attorneys'  fees  and  expenses)  incurred  by  Payee  in  connection  with  the
enforcement or protection of Payee's rights hereunder and under any documents or
agreements  entered  into  between  Maker  and  Payee  in  connection  herewith,
including  without  limitation  those expenses and fees which may be incurred in
connection with appellate  proceedings and/or with the appointment of a receiver
and all  appearances  in  bankruptcy,  reorganization,  arrangement  or  similar
insolvency proceedings.




                                                                               6
<PAGE>


     14.  This Note shall  remain in full force and  effect and  continue  to be
effective  should any petition be filed by or against Maker for  liquidation  or
reorganization,  should Maker become  insolvent  or make an  assignment  for the
benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any
significant  part of Maker's  assets,  and shall  continue to be effective or be
reinstated,  if at any time  payment  and  performance  of  Maker's  obligations
hereunder,  or any part thereof,  is, pursuant to applicable  law,  rescinded or
reduced in amount,  or must  otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee of
Maker's obligations hereunder,  whether as a "voidable preference,"  "fraudulent
conveyance,"  or otherwise,  all as though such payment or  performance  had not
been made.  In the event that any payment,  or any part  thereof,  is rescinded,
reduced, restored or returned, Maker's obligations hereunder shall be reinstated
and deemed  reduced  only by such  amount  paid and not so  rescinded,  reduced,
restored or returned.

     15. This note shall in all respects be governed by the laws of the State of
California applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within such
State. This Note may not be altered or amended,  except by a writing duly signed
by the party against whom such alteration or amendment is sought to be enforced.

     16. From and after the date of this Note, the outstanding  Principal Amount
may be prepaid by Maker,  in whole or in part, on written  notice given by Maker
to Payee specifying the date of prepayment  ("Prepayment  Date"), which shall be
not less than three (3) business days following receipt of notice (determined in
accordance with Section 23 hereof).  On the Prepayment  Date, Maker shall pay to
Payee the  Principal  Amount to be prepaid  plus  accrued  and  unpaid  interest
thereon to and including the prepayment Date and Payee shall return this Note to
Maker. In the event of a prepayment  hereunder of less than the entire Principal
Amount then outstanding, then promptly upon such partial prepayment, Maker shall
issue and deliver to Payee a new Note, of like tenor hereto,  equal in principal
amount to the unpaid Principal Amount of this Note.

     17.  Any  waiver  by Payee  of any  right or  remedy  hereunder  on any one
occasion  shall not be  construed  as a bar to any right or remedy  which  Payee
would otherwise have had on any future occasion.  No failure to exercise nor any
delay in  exercising  on the  part of  Payee,  any  right,  power  or  privilege
hereunder,  shall operate as a waiver  thereof,  nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or future
exercise  thereof or the exercise of any other right,  power or  privilege.  The
rights and  remedies  hereunder  provided  are  cumulative  and may be exercised
singly  or  concurrently,  and are not  exclusive  of any  rights  and  remedies
provided by law. In the event of any litigation with respect to this Note, Maker
hereby waives (to the extent permitted by law) the right to trial by jury.

     18. This Note and all  obligations of Maker hereunder shall be binding upon
the  successors  and assigns of Maker,  and shall,  together with the rights and
remedies of Payee  hereunder,  inure to the benefit of Payee, and its successors
and assigns.

     19. Any provision of this Note which is prohibited or  unenforceable in any
jurisdiction  shall,  as to such  jurisdiction,  be ineffective to the extent of
such prohibition or enforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions
hereof,  and any such prohibition or  unenforceability  of such provision in any
jurisdiction  shall not affect the validity or  enforceability of such provision
in any other jurisdiction.




                                                                               7
<PAGE>


     20. This Note and all  obligations of Maker hereunder shall be binding upon
the  successors  and assigns of Maker,  and shall,  together with the rights and
remedies of Payee  hereunder,  inure to the benefit of payee, and its successors
and assigns.

     21. Maker  hereby  agrees that it will execute and deliver to Payee any and
all documents,  in addition to those expressly provided for in this Note, all in
form and substance satisfactory to payee in Payee's sole discretion, that may be
reasonably  necessary or  appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Note and
the transactions contemplated hereby.

     22.  Maker  hereby  waives  presentment  for  payment,  demand,  notice  of
dishonor,  notice of protest and protest and  diligence  in taking any action to
collect amounts due hereunder.

     23. All  notices  hereunder  shall be sent via  Federal  Express or similar
overnight courier providing for "next day" delivery, and notices shall be deemed
delivered on the day following  deposit with such service.  Either party may, by
written  notice to the other,  change the  address  to which  notices  and other
communications should be sent.


                                           CHAPARRAL RESOURCES, INC.



                                           By: /s/ Paul V. Hoovler
                                              -------------------------------
                                           Name:   Paul V. Hoovler
                                           Title:  President






                         MODIFICATION TO PROMISSORY NOTE


     On November 25, 1996,  Black Diamond  Partners LP ("Payee")  made a loan in
the amount of $150,000 to  Chaparral  Resources,  Inc.  ("Maker")  pursuant to a
Promissory Note dated November 25, 1996.

     Paragraph 1(i) of such  Promissory Note sets forth  provisions  whereby the
Principal  Amount of the Promissory  Note will be payable prior to May 31, 1998.
The Maker and the Payee  hereby  agree  that the figure of the  $1,350,000  that
appears in  paragraph  1(I) of the  Promissory  Note be and hereby is changed to
$1,850,000 wherever it appears therein.

     Except as provided  herein,  the Promissory Note shall remain in full force
and effect.

                                              MAKER:
                                              CHAPARRAL RESOURCES, INC.



                                              By: /s/ Paul V. Hoovler
                                                 -----------------------------
                                              Name:   Paul V. Hoovler
                                              Title:  President


                                              PAYEE:
                                              BLACK DIAMOND PARTNERS LP


                                              By: /s/ Clint D. Carlson
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                  Clint D. Carlson
                                                  

<PAGE>

THIS PROMISSORY NOTE AND THE SECURITIES ISSUED UPON CONVERSION  HEREOF,  MAY NOT
BE OFFERED  FOR SALE,  SOLD,  OR  OTHERWISE  TRANSFERRED  EXCEPT  PURSUANT TO AN
EFFECTIVE  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  FILED UNDER THE  SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT
WHICH SHALL BE ESTABLISHED TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE MAKER.



                                 PROMISSORY NOTE

November 25, 1996                                                    $150,000.00
Ft. Worth, Texas

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  CHAPARRAL RESOURCES,  INC. a Colorado corporation with
offices at 621 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1301, Denver, Colorado 80293 ("Maker"),
DOES HEREBY  PROMISE to pay to the order of BLACK  DIAMOND  PARTNERS LP, a Texas
limited partnership ("Payee"),  the principal amount (the "Principal Amount") of
ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($150,000.00), together with interest thereon
at eight  percent (8%) per annum,  from the date hereof to and including the day
on which the indebtedness evidence by this Promissory Note (this "Note") is paid
in full.

     The following additional terms shall govern this Note:

     1. The entire  Principal  Amount of and accrued and unpaid interest on this
Note shall be due and payable on the day (the  "Repayment  Date") which shall be
the earlier to occur of:

          (i) the third  business  day  following  the  receipt  by Maker of net
          proceeds of  $1,350,000  from (A) the sale or issuance  after the date
          hereof,  by Maker,  of Maker's  equity or debt  securities  (including
          without limitation any securities convertible into or exchangeable for
          Maker's equity  securities),  whether in one or more public or private
          transactions,  or (B) any debt financing provided or guaranteed by the
          Overseas  Private  Investment  Corporation  or other  governmental  or
          quasi-governmental  organization or entity, or (C) the sale or farmout
          by the Maker of assets held by the Maker which  results in cash to the
          Maker,  or  any  combination  of  (A),  (B)  or  (C)  above  (each,  a
          "Financing"), provided, that in the event that the net proceeds of any
          such Financing are less than $1,350,000,  then the amount of principal
          and interest that becomes due by operation of this clause (i) shall be
          determined  by dividing the principal and interest due on this Note by
          $1,350,000  and  multiplying  the result thereof by the amount of such
          net  proceeds  and this clause (i) shall remain in effect with respect
          to each  subsequent  Financing;  providing  further  that Maker  shall
          immediately upon the happening of such event give Payee written notice
          thereof in  accordance  with the  provisions  of Section 21 hereof and
          that, unless waived by Payee, repayment may be rejected by Payee if it
          has not received at least two (2) business day advance notice prior to
          said payment; or



<PAGE>


          (ii) May 31, 1998.

     2.  Interest and  principal in respect of this Note shall be paid in lawful
currency of the United States, in immediately  available funds, at the principal
executive  offices of Payee, c/o Carlson Capital LP, 301 Commerce Street,  Suite
3300, Ft. Worth, Texas 76102, or at such other place as Payee may designate in a
written notice to Maker.

     3. Payee  shall have the  ability to convert  all and not less than all the
interest and principal in respect of this Note into shares of the Maker's common
stock at $0.75 per share or at a 25% discount of the market price of the Maker's
common  stock as quoted on NASDAQ,  should  the last sale  price of the  Maker's
common  stock as quoted on NASDAQ be less than $1.00 per share on the date Payee
elects such conversion. Payee's conversion shall terminate on the earlier of the
date this Note has been paid in full or on May 31, 1998.

     Payee may  exercise  the  conversion  right  provided in this  Section 3 by
giving  written  notice (the  "Conversion  Notice") to the Maker of the exercise
right and  stating  the name or names in which the  stock  certificate  or stock
certificates  for the  shares of Maker's  common  stock are to be issued and the
address to which such certificates shall be delivered.

     Conversion shall be deemed to have been effected on the date the Conversion
Notice is given (the "Conversion  Date").  Within 10 business days after receipt
of the  Conversion  Notice,  the Maker shall issue and deliver by hand against a
signed  receipt  therefor or by United States  registered  mail,  return receipt
requested,  to the address  designated by the Payee in the Conversion  Notice, a
stock certificate or stock  certificates of the Maker representing the number of
shares of common  stock to which such Payee is entitled  and Payee shall  return
this Note to Maker.

     Any such conversion shall mean that this Note has been paid in full for all
purposes.

     4. All  interest  hereunder  shall be  computed  on the basis of the actual
number of days elapsed  over a year of 360 days and shall be payable  monthly in
arrears on the first day of each month beginning January 1, 1997.

     5. (a) As  additional  consideration  for the loan  evidenced by this Note,
Maker shall issue to Payee  warrants  (the  "Initial  Warrants") to purchase for
$0.25 per share, 37,500 shares of Maker's common stock,  exercisable at any time
and from time to time not later than November 30, 1999.

          (b) In the event that this Note has not been repaid in full (including
principal and accrued  interest) on or before May 31, 1997, Maker shall issue to
Payee  additional  warrants to purchase  for $0.25 per share,  15,000  shares of
Maker's common stock (subject to adjustment in the manner provided in subsection
(d) of Section 5),  exercisable at any time and from time to time not later than
May 31, 2000.



                                                                               2
<PAGE>



          (c) In the event that this Note has not been repaid in full (including
principal  and accrued  interest) on or before  November  30, 1997,  Maker shall
issue to Payee  additional  warrants  to  purchase  for $0.25 per share,  30,000
shares of Maker's common stock (subject to adjustment in the manner  provided in
subsection (d) of Section 5),  exercisable at any time and from time to time not
later than November 30, 2000.

          (d) The  warrants  issuable to Payee  pursuant to this  Section 5 (the
"Warrants")   shall  be  on  such  other  terms  and  in  such  form  (including
representations,  warranties and covenants) as shall be reasonably  agreeable to
Payee and Maker. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,  the terms of
such Warrants shall include (i) economic  dilution  provisions  such that in the
event that any shares of Maker's common stock, or securities exchangeable for or
convertible  into  common  stock,  are issued for a price of less than $0.25 per
share, the exercise price of the Warrants shall be proportionately decreased and
the number of shares issuable under such Warrants shall be increased accordingly
and also provisions for adjustment for stock splits,  stock  dividends,  reverse
stock splits and similar changes;  and (ii) registration rights permitting Payee
(or its assigns) to  participate in any future  registrations  of Maker's common
stock  ("piggyback"  registration  rights) and permitting Payee (or its assigns)
not less than one demand registration. With respect to such registration rights,
it is  understood  and agreed that in the event that not later than November 30,
1997, Maker completes a private offering of its equity securities in which Maker
raises gross  proceeds of not less than  $1,000,000  and in which the purchasers
are granted  registration  rights,  Payee's  registration rights with respect to
shares issuable under the Warrants shall be  substantially  the same as the most
favorable rights granted to purchasers in the private  placement rather than the
registration  rights set forth above;  provided,  however,  that the exercise of
Payee's  registration  rights shall not be subject to any  requirement  that any
other holders of registration rights join Payee in any request to participate in
or  to  demand  a  registration,  and  any  participation  in  or  demand  for a
registration by any other holder of registration rights shall not affect Payee's
right to participate in or demand a registration on any future occasion.

     6. In the event that either the Warrants to be issued to Payee  pursuant to
Section 5 hereof  are not issued (i) in the case of the  Initial  Warrants,  not
later than January 31, 1997, and (ii) in the case of the remaining Warrants, not
later than thirty (30) days  following  the  respective  dates set forth in such
Section 5 as the dates on which such Warrants are to be issued, and in each case
on such  terms and in such  form as may be  reasonably  acceptable  to Payee and
Maker, then  notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1 hereof, and in addition
to any other  remedy  available  to Payee,  this Note  shall  automatically  and
without  any  further  notice or action on the part of Maker or Payee,  become a
demand  note and  shall  upon  written  demand  made by  Payee  to Maker  become
immediately due and payable.

     7. The  obligations of Maker hereunder are absolute and  unconditional  and
payment of the Principal  Amount and all interest  accrued  thereon shall not be
subject to any defense, counterclaim or right of set-off.


                                                                               3
<PAGE>





     8. Maker represents, warrants, covenants and agrees with Payee as follows:

          (a) From and after the date of this Note and until  this Note has been
satisfied  in  full,  Maker  will  furnish  to  Payee  such  reports  and  other
information  with  respect to Maker,  Maker's  business  and  Maker's  financial
condition as Payee may from time to time request.

          (b) This  Note has been duly  authorized  by all  necessary  corporate
action on the part of Maker.  This Note has been duly  executed and delivered by
Maker and  constitutes  the valid and binding  agreement  of Maker,  enforceable
against Maker in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability  hereof
may be subject to applicable bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  or other
similar laws affecting  creditors' rights generally and to general principles of
equity.

          (c) Neither the execution and delivery by Maker of this Note,  nor the
consummation by Maker of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by
Maker with any of the  provisions  hereof will (i) violate or conflict  with any
provision  of the  Certificate  or Articles of  Incorporation  or By-laws of the
Maker,  (ii)  result in a  violation  of any order,  writ,  injunction,  decree,
judgment,  ruling,  law,  rule,  or  regulation,  of any  court or  governmental
authority,  applicable  to Maker,  (iii)  result in the  breach of or  otherwise
affect any of the terms, conditions, or provisions of, any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, deed of trust, license,  franchise,  permit, contract,  agreement, or
other  instrument  or  commitment  or  obligation  of Maker,  or (iv) except for
filings that may be made under the securities laws and with NASDAQ,  require any
consent, approval, or authorization of, or notice to, or declaration, filing, or
registration with, any governmental or regulatory authority or any other person,
except for such  consents,  approvals,  authorizations,  notices,  declarations,
filings or  registrations  which have been obtained,  given or made, as the case
may be, and which are unconditional and in full force and effect.

          (d) Maker is a corporation duly organized,  validly  existing,  and in
good  standing  under the laws of the State of Colorado  and is  qualified to do
business in the  jurisdictions  where the nature of its  business or  properties
makes such qualification necessary.  Maker has all requisite corporate power and
authority to own, operate, and lease its properties and to carry on its business
as now being conducted.

          (e) As of the date hereof,  there are issued and  outstanding not more
than  40,825,000  shares of Maker's common stock  (including as if issued shares
issuable  under  outstanding  warrants,  options,  convertible  debt  and  other
securities  and rights  convertible  into or  exchangeable  for  Maker's  equity
securities) and such shares are the only shares of Maker's equity  securities of
any class or series that are issued and outstanding on the date hereof.

          (f) Maker is not in  default  (and no event of  default  has  occurred
which with notice or lapse of time, or both, will result in a default) under any
material agreements,  mortgages, deeds of trust, leases, franchises,  indentures
or other  instruments to which maker is a party or by which either or any of its
properties  may  be  bound.  Maker  is  not in  default  on any of its  material
obligations.



                                                                               4
<PAGE>



          (g)  There is no  litigation  or  proceeding  pending,  or to  Maker's
knowledge,  threatened against Maker or any of its property,  nor any reasonable
grounds for any such  litigation,  the results of which,  if decided  adversely,
might materially affect the financial condition, property or business of Maker.

     9. The following shall  constitute an "Event of Default" within the meaning
of this Note:

          (a) Maker  shall fail or refuse to make any  payment of  principal  or
interest with respect to this Note when the same shall become due; or

          (b) Any of the  representations  or warranties of Maker made or deemed
to be made in this  Note or in any  written  agreement  between  Maker and Payee
(including  without  limitation the Warrants)  shall prove to have been false or
misleading in any material respect when so made or deemed to be made; or

          (c) Maker shall default in the due observance or performance of any of
the covenants or  conditions  contained in this Note or in respect of any of its
obligations  under the terms of any written  agreement  between  Maker and Payee
(including  without limitation the Warrants) and such default shall continue for
10 days following written notice thereof to Maker; or

          (d) an event shall occur  which  constitutes,  or, upon the sending of
notice or the  passage of time or both,  would  constitute,  a breach or default
with  respect  to  the  payment  of  principal  or  interest   under  any  other
indebtedness of Maker; or

          (e) an event shall occur which  constitutes a breach or default (after
any  applicable  grace  periods),  other  than with  respect  to the  payment of
principal or interest, under any other indebtedness of Maker; or

          (f) an event shall occur which  constitutes a breach or default (after
any  applicable  grace  periods)  under the terms of any agreement or instrument
between Maker and any third party as a result of which Maker is rendered  liable
for an amount in  excess  of  $25,000  or  giving  such  third  party  rights of
acceleration  or similar rights  (whether or not exercised)  with respect to any
indebtedness in an amount of excess of $25,000; or

          (g) Maker  shall  make a general  assignment  for the  benefit  of its
creditors,  the  adjudication  in  bankruptcy  of the Maker,  or the filing of a
voluntary petition by the Maker under any of the provisions of the United States
Bankruptcy  Code;  the  filing of any  answer or other  pleading  admitting  the
material allegations of any petition filed against the Maker in any bankruptcy ,
insolvency or other such proceeding;  the filing of a petition against the Maker
under any of the  provisions  of any  bankruptcy  laws of the  United  States or
similar  laws  of any  jurisdiction  and the  failure  of  such  petition  to be
dismissed  within thirty days; or the petition  for, or the  appointment  of, or
possession  by,  a  custodian,  receiver,   liquidator,   assignee,  trustee  or
sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Maker or any substantial part of
its properties or assets.




                                                                               5
<PAGE>



     10. In the event of the  occurrence  of an Event of  Default  described  in
paragraphs  (a), (b),  (c), (d), (e), or (f) of Section 9 hereof,  Payee may, by
notice in writing to Maker,  declare the principal of this Note and all interest
accrued  thereon  to be  immediately  due and  payable;  and in the event of the
occurrence  of an Event of  Default  described  in  paragraph  (g) of  Section 9
hereof,  the  principal  of this Note and all  interest  accrued  thereon  shall
automatically   become  immediately  due  and  payable,  in  each  case  without
presentment,  demand, protest or any notice of any kind, all of which are hereby
waived.

     11.  Maker  shall  pay all  out-of-pocket  expenses  (including  reasonable
attorneys'  fees  and  expenses)  incurred  by  Payee  in  connection  with  the
enforcement or protection of Payee's rights hereunder and under any documents or
agreements  entered  into  between  Maker  and  Payee  in  connection  herewith,
including  without  limitation  those expenses and fees which may be incurred in
connection with appellate  proceedings and/or with the appointment of a receiver
and all  appearances  in  bankruptcy,  reorganization,  arrangement  or  similar
insolvency proceedings.

     12.  This Note shall  remain in full force and  effect and  continue  to be
effective  should any petition be filed by or against Maker for  liquidation  or
reorganization,  should Maker become  insolvent  or make an  assignment  for the
benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any
significant  part of Maker's  assets,  and shall  continue to be effective or be
reinstated,  if at any time  payment  and  performance  of  Maker's  obligations
hereunder,  or any part thereof,  is, pursuant to applicable  law,  rescinded or
reduced in amount,  or must  otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee of
Maker's obligations hereunder,  whether as a "voidable preference,"  "fraudulent
conveyance,"  or otherwise,  all as though such payment or  performance  had not
been made.  In the event that any payment,  or any part  thereof,  is rescinded,
reduced, restored or returned, Maker's obligations hereunder shall be reinstated
and deemed  reduced  only by such  amount  paid and not so  rescinded,  reduced,
restored or returned.

     13. This note shall in all respects be governed by the laws of the State of
Texas  applicable  to contracts  made and to be performed  entirely  within such
State. This Note may not be altered or amended,  except by a writing duly signed
by the party against whom such alteration or amendment is sought to be enforced.

     14. From and after the date of this Note, the outstanding  Principal Amount
may be prepaid by Maker,  in whole or in part, on written  notice given by Maker
to Payee specifying the date of prepayment  ("Prepayment  Date"), which shall be
not less than three (3) business days following receipt of notice (determined in
accordance with Section 21 hereof).  On the Prepayment  Date, Maker shall pay to
Payee the  Principal  Amount to be prepaid  plus  accrued  and  unpaid  interest
thereon to and including the prepayment Date and Payee shall return this Note to
Maker. In the event of a prepayment  hereunder of less than the entire Principal
Amount then outstanding, then promptly upon such partial prepayment, Maker shall
issue and deliver to Payee a new Note, of like tenor hereto,  equal in principal
amount to the unpaid Principal Amount of this Note.




                                                                               6
<PAGE>

     15.  Any  waiver  by Payee  of any  right or  remedy  hereunder  on any one
occasion  shall not be  construed  as a bar to any right or remedy  which  Payee
would otherwise have had on any future occasion.  No failure to exercise nor any
delay in  exercising  on the  part of  Payee,  any  right,  power  or  privilege
hereunder,  shall operate as a waiver  thereof,  nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or future
exercise  thereof or the exercise of any other right,  power or  privilege.  The
rights and  remedies  hereunder  provided  are  cumulative  and may be exercised
singly  or  concurrently,  and are not  exclusive  of any  rights  and  remedies
provided by law. In the event of any litigation with respect to this Note, Maker
hereby waives (to the extent permitted by law) the right to trial by jury.

     16. This Note and all  obligations of Maker hereunder shall be binding upon
the  successors  and assigns of Maker,  and shall,  together with the rights and
remedies of Payee  hereunder,  inure to the benefit of Payee, and its successors
and assigns.

     17. Any provision of this Note which is prohibited or  unenforceable in any
jurisdiction  shall,  as to such  jurisdiction,  be ineffective to the extent of
such prohibition or enforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions
hereof,  and any such prohibition or  unenforceability  of such provision in any
jurisdiction  shall not affect the validity or  enforceability of such provision
in any other jurisdiction.

     18. This Note and all  obligations of Maker hereunder shall be binding upon
the  successors  and assigns of Maker,  and shall,  together with the rights and
remedies of Payee  hereunder,  inure to the benefit of payee, and its successors
and assigns.

     19. Maker  hereby  agrees that it will execute and deliver to Payee any and
all documents,  in addition to those expressly provided for in this Note, all in
form and substance satisfactory to payee in Payee's sole discretion, that may be
reasonably  necessary or  appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Note and
the transactions contemplated hereby.

     20.  Maker  hereby  waives  presentment  for  payment,  demand,  notice  of
dishonor,  notice of protest and protest and  diligence  in taking any action to
collect amounts due hereunder.

     21. All  notices  hereunder  shall be sent via  Federal  Express or similar
overnight courier providing for "next day" delivery, and notices shall be deemed
delivered on the day following  deposit with such service.  Either party may, by
written  notice to the other,  change the  address  to which  notices  and other
communications should be sent.



                                              CHAPARRAL RESOURCES, INC.



                                              By: /s/ Paul V. Hoovler
                                                  ---------------------------
                                              Name:   Paul V. Hoovler
                                              Title:  President


                                                                               7


                         MODIFICATION TO PROMISSORY NOTE


     On November 25, 1996, Clint D. Carlson  ("Payee") made a loan in the amount
of $100,000 to Chaparral Resources, Inc. ("Maker") pursuant to a Promissory Note
dated November 25, 1996.

     Paragraph 1(i) of such  Promissory Note sets forth  provisions  whereby the
Principal  Amount of the Promissory  Note will be payable prior to May 31, 1998.
The Maker and the Payee  hereby  agree  that the figure of the  $1,350,000  that
appears in  paragraph  1(I) of the  Promissory  Note be and hereby is changed to
$1,850,000 wherever it appears therein.

     Except as provided  herein,  the Promissory Note shall remain in full force
and effect.

                                              MAKER:
                                              CHAPARRAL RESOURCES, INC.



                                              By: /s/ Paul V. Hoovler
                                                 -----------------------------
                                              Name:   Paul V. Hoovler
                                              Title:  President


                                              PAYEE:
                                              CLINT D. CARLSON


                                              By: /s/ Clint D. Carlson
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                  Clint D. Carlson

<PAGE>

THIS PROMISSORY NOTE AND THE SECURITIES ISSUED UPON CONVERSION  HEREOF,  MAY NOT
BE OFFERED  FOR SALE,  SOLD,  OR  OTHERWISE  TRANSFERRED  EXCEPT  PURSUANT TO AN
EFFECTIVE  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  FILED UNDER THE  SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT
WHICH SHALL BE ESTABLISHED TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE MAKER.



                                 PROMISSORY NOTE

November 25, 1996                                                    $100,000.00
Ft. Worth, Texas

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  CHAPARRAL RESOURCES,  INC. a Colorado corporation with
offices at 621 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1301, Denver, Colorado 80293 ("Maker"),
DOES  HEREBY  PROMISE  to pay to the order of CLINT D.  CARLSON,  an  Individual
("Payee"), the principal amount (the "Principal Amount") of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS ($100,000.00),  together with interest thereon at eight percent (8%) per
annum,  from the date hereof to and including the day on which the  indebtedness
evidence by this Promissory Note (this "Note") is paid in full.

     The following additional terms shall govern this Note:

     1. The entire  Principal  Amount of and accrued and unpaid interest on this
Note shall be due and payable on the day (the  "Repayment  Date") which shall be
the earlier to occur of:

          (i) the third  business  day  following  the  receipt  by Maker of net
          proceeds of  $1,350,000  from (A) the sale or issuance  after the date
          hereof,  by Maker,  of Maker's  equity or debt  securities  (including
          without limitation any securities convertible into or exchangeable for
          Maker's equity  securities),  whether in one or more public or private
          transactions,  or (B) any debt financing provided or guaranteed by the
          Overseas  Private  Investment  Corporation  or other  governmental  or
          quasi-governmental  organization or entity, or (C) the sale or farmout
          by the Maker of assets held by the Maker which  results in cash to the
          Maker,  or  any  combination  of  (A),  (B)  or  (C)  above  (each,  a
          "Financing"), provided, that in the event that the net proceeds of any
          such Financing are less than $1,350,000,  then the amount of principal
          and interest that becomes due by operation of this clause (i) shall be
          determined  by dividing the principal and interest due on this Note by
          $1,350,000  and  multiplying  the result thereof by the amount of such
          net  proceeds  and this clause (i) shall remain in effect with respect
          to each  subsequent  Financing;  providing  further  that Maker  shall
          immediately upon the happening of such event give Payee written notice
          thereof in  accordance  with the  provisions  of Section 21 hereof and
          that, unless waived by Payee, repayment may be rejected by Payee if it
          has not received at least two (2) business day advance notice prior to
          said payment; or



<PAGE>


          (ii) May 31, 1998.

     2.  Interest and  principal in respect of this Note shall be paid in lawful
currency of the United States, in immediately  available funds, at the principal
executive  offices of Payee, c/o Carlson Capital LP, 301 Commerce Street,  Suite
3300, Ft. Worth, Texas 76102, or at such other place as Payee may designate in a
written notice to Maker.

     3. Payee  shall have the  ability to convert  all and not less than all the
interest and principal in respect of this Note into shares of the Maker's common
stock at $0.75 per share or at a 25% discount of the market price of the Maker's
common  stock as quoted on NASDAQ,  should  the last sale  price of the  Maker's
common  stock as quoted on NASDAQ be less than $1.00 per share on the date Payee
elects such conversion. Payee's conversion shall terminate on the earlier of the
date this Note has been paid in full or on May 31, 1998.

     Payee may  exercise  the  conversion  right  provided in this  Section 3 by
giving  written  notice (the  "Conversion  Notice") to the Maker of the exercise
right and  stating  the name or names in which the  stock  certificate  or stock
certificates  for the  shares of Maker's  common  stock are to be issued and the
address to which such certificates shall be delivered.

     Conversion shall be deemed to have been effected on the date the Conversion
Notice is given (the "Conversion  Date").  Within 10 business days after receipt
of the  Conversion  Notice,  the Maker shall issue and deliver by hand against a
signed  receipt  therefor or by United States  registered  mail,  return receipt
requested,  to the address  designated by the Payee in the Conversion  Notice, a
stock certificate or stock  certificates of the Maker representing the number of
shares of common  stock to which such Payee is entitled  and Payee shall  return
this Note to Maker.

     Any such conversion shall mean that this Note has been paid in full for all
purposes.

     4. All  interest  hereunder  shall be  computed  on the basis of the actual
number of days elapsed  over a year of 360 days and shall be payable  monthly in
arrears on the first day of each month beginning January 1, 1997.

     5. (a) As  additional  consideration  for the loan  evidenced by this Note,
Maker shall issue to Payee  warrants  (the  "Initial  Warrants") to purchase for
$0.25 per share, 25,000 shares of Maker's common stock,  exercisable at any time
and from time to time not later than November 30, 1999.

          (b) In the event that this Note has not been repaid in full (including
principal and accrued  interest) on or before May 31, 1997, Maker shall issue to
Payee  additional  warrants to purchase  for $0.25 per share,  10,000  shares of
Maker's common stock (subject to adjustment in the manner provided in subsection
(d) of Section 5),  exercisable at any time and from time to time not later than
May 31, 2000.




                                                                               2
<PAGE>



          (c) In the event that this Note has not been repaid in full (including
principal  and accrued  interest) on or before  November  30, 1997,  Maker shall
issue to Payee  additional  warrants  to  purchase  for $0.25 per share,  20,000
shares of Maker's common stock (subject to adjustment in the manner  provided in
subsection (d) of Section 5),  exercisable at any time and from time to time not
later than November 30, 2000.

          (d) The  warrants  issuable to Payee  pursuant to this  Section 5 (the
"Warrants")   shall  be  on  such  other  terms  and  in  such  form  (including
representations,  warranties and covenants) as shall be reasonably  agreeable to
Payee and Maker. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,  the terms of
such Warrants shall include (i) economic  dilution  provisions  such that in the
event that any shares of Maker's common stock, or securities exchangeable for or
convertible  into  common  stock,  are issued for a price of less than $0.25 per
share, the exercise price of the Warrants shall be proportionately decreased and
the number of shares issuable under such Warrants shall be increased accordingly
and also provisions for adjustment for stock splits,  stock  dividends,  reverse
stock splits and similar changes;  and (ii) registration rights permitting Payee
(or its assigns) to  participate in any future  registrations  of Maker's common
stock  ("piggyback"  registration  rights) and permitting Payee (or its assigns)
not less than one demand registration. With respect to such registration rights,
it is  understood  and agreed that in the event that not later than November 30,
1997, Maker completes a private offering of its equity securities in which Maker
raises gross  proceeds of not less than  $1,000,000  and in which the purchasers
are granted  registration  rights,  Payee's  registration rights with respect to
shares issuable under the Warrants shall be  substantially  the same as the most
favorable rights granted to purchasers in the private  placement rather than the
registration  rights set forth above;  provided,  however,  that the exercise of
Payee's  registration  rights shall not be subject to any  requirement  that any
other holders of registration rights join Payee in any request to participate in
or  to  demand  a  registration,  and  any  participation  in  or  demand  for a
registration by any other holder of registration rights shall not affect Payee's
right to participate in or demand a registration on any future occasion.

     6. In the event that either the Warrants to be issued to Payee  pursuant to
Section 5 hereof  are not issued (i) in the case of the  Initial  Warrants,  not
later than January 31, 1997, and (ii) in the case of the remaining Warrants, not
later than thirty (30) days  following  the  respective  dates set forth in such
Section 5 as the dates on which such Warrants are to be issued, and in each case
on such  terms and in such  form as may be  reasonably  acceptable  to Payee and
Maker, then  notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1 hereof, and in addition
to any other  remedy  available  to Payee,  this Note  shall  automatically  and
without  any  further  notice or action on the part of Maker or Payee,  become a
demand  note and  shall  upon  written  demand  made by  Payee  to Maker  become
immediately due and payable.

     7. The  obligations of Maker hereunder are absolute and  unconditional  and
payment of the Principal  Amount and all interest  accrued  thereon shall not be
subject to any defense, counterclaim or right of set-off.


                                                                               3
<PAGE>



     8. Maker represents, warrants, covenants and agrees with Payee as follows:

          (a) From and after the date of this Note and until  this Note has been
satisfied  in  full,  Maker  will  furnish  to  Payee  such  reports  and  other
information  with  respect to Maker,  Maker's  business  and  Maker's  financial
condition as Payee may from time to time request.

          (b) This  Note has been duly  authorized  by all  necessary  corporate
action on the part of Maker.  This Note has been duly  executed and delivered by
Maker and  constitutes  the valid and binding  agreement  of Maker,  enforceable
against Maker in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability  hereof
may be subject to applicable bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  or other
similar laws affecting  creditors' rights generally and to general principles of
equity.

          (c) Neither the execution and delivery by Maker of this Note,  nor the
consummation by Maker of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by
Maker with any of the  provisions  hereof will (i) violate or conflict  with any
provision  of the  Certificate  or Articles of  Incorporation  or By-laws of the
Maker,  (ii)  result in a  violation  of any order,  writ,  injunction,  decree,
judgment,  ruling,  law,  rule,  or  regulation,  of any  court or  governmental
authority,  applicable  to Maker,  (iii)  result in the  breach of or  otherwise
affect any of the terms, conditions, or provisions of, any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, deed of trust, license,  franchise,  permit, contract,  agreement, or
other  instrument  or  commitment  or  obligation  of Maker,  or (iv) except for
filings that may be made under the securities laws and with NASDAQ,  require any
consent, approval, or authorization of, or notice to, or declaration, filing, or
registration with, any governmental or regulatory authority or any other person,
except for such  consents,  approvals,  authorizations,  notices,  declarations,
filings or  registrations  which have been obtained,  given or made, as the case
may be, and which are unconditional and in full force and effect.

          (d) Maker is a corporation duly organized,  validly  existing,  and in
good  standing  under the laws of the State of Colorado  and is  qualified to do
business in the  jurisdictions  where the nature of its  business or  properties
makes such qualification necessary.  Maker has all requisite corporate power and
authority to own, operate, and lease its properties and to carry on its business
as now being conducted.

          (e) As of the date hereof,  there are issued and  outstanding not more
than  40,825,000  shares of Maker's common stock  (including as if issued shares
issuable  under  outstanding  warrants,  options,  convertible  debt  and  other
securities  and rights  convertible  into or  exchangeable  for  Maker's  equity
securities) and such shares are the only shares of Maker's equity  securities of
any class or series that are issued and outstanding on the date hereof.

          (f) Maker is not in  default  (and no event of  default  has  occurred
which with notice or lapse of time, or both, will result in a default) under any
material agreements,  mortgages, deeds of trust, leases, franchises,  indentures
or other  instruments to which maker is a party or by which either or any of its
properties  may  be  bound.  Maker  is  not in  default  on any of its  material
obligations.



                                                                               4
<PAGE>


          (g)  There is no  litigation  or  proceeding  pending,  or to  Maker's
knowledge,  threatened against Maker or any of its property,  nor any reasonable
grounds for any such  litigation,  the results of which,  if decided  adversely,
might materially affect the financial condition, property or business of Maker.

     9. The following shall  constitute an "Event of Default" within the meaning
of this Note:

          (a) Maker  shall fail or refuse to make any  payment of  principal  or
interest with respect to this Note when the same shall become due; or

          (b) Any of the  representations  or warranties of Maker made or deemed
to be made in this  Note or in any  written  agreement  between  Maker and Payee
(including  without  limitation the Warrants)  shall prove to have been false or
misleading in any material respect when so made or deemed to be made; or

          (c) Maker shall default in the due observance or performance of any of
the covenants or  conditions  contained in this Note or in respect of any of its
obligations  under the terms of any written  agreement  between  Maker and Payee
(including  without limitation the Warrants) and such default shall continue for
10 days following written notice thereof to Maker; or

          (d) an event shall occur  which  constitutes,  or, upon the sending of
notice or the  passage of time or both,  would  constitute,  a breach or default
with  respect  to  the  payment  of  principal  or  interest   under  any  other
indebtedness of Maker; or

          (e) an event shall occur which  constitutes a breach or default (after
any  applicable  grace  periods),  other  than with  respect  to the  payment of
principal or interest, under any other indebtedness of Maker; or

          (f) an event shall occur which  constitutes a breach or default (after
any  applicable  grace  periods)  under the terms of any agreement or instrument
between Maker and any third party as a result of which Maker is rendered  liable
for an amount in  excess  of  $25,000  or  giving  such  third  party  rights of
acceleration  or similar rights  (whether or not exercised)  with respect to any
indebtedness in an amount of excess of $25,000; or

          (g) Maker  shall  make a general  assignment  for the  benefit  of its
creditors,  the  adjudication  in  bankruptcy  of the Maker,  or the filing of a
voluntary petition by the Maker under any of the provisions of the United States
Bankruptcy  Code;  the  filing of any  answer or other  pleading  admitting  the
material allegations of any petition filed against the Maker in any bankruptcy ,
insolvency or other such proceeding;  the filing of a petition against the Maker
under any of the  provisions  of any  bankruptcy  laws of the  United  States or
similar  laws  of any  jurisdiction  and the  failure  of  such  petition  to be
dismissed  within thirty days; or the petition  for, or the  appointment  of, or
possession  by,  a  custodian,  receiver,   liquidator,   assignee,  trustee  or
sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Maker or any substantial part of
its properties or assets.




                                                                               5
<PAGE>



     10. In the event of the  occurrence  of an Event of  Default  described  in
paragraphs  (a), (b),  (c), (d), (e), or (f) of Section 9 hereof,  Payee may, by
notice in writing to Maker,  declare the principal of this Note and all interest
accrued  thereon  to be  immediately  due and  payable;  and in the event of the
occurrence  of an Event of  Default  described  in  paragraph  (g) of  Section 9
hereof,  the  principal  of this Note and all  interest  accrued  thereon  shall
automatically   become  immediately  due  and  payable,  in  each  case  without
presentment,  demand, protest or any notice of any kind, all of which are hereby
waived.

     11.  Maker  shall  pay all  out-of-pocket  expenses  (including  reasonable
attorneys'  fees  and  expenses)  incurred  by  Payee  in  connection  with  the
enforcement or protection of Payee's rights hereunder and under any documents or
agreements  entered  into  between  Maker  and  Payee  in  connection  herewith,
including  without  limitation  those expenses and fees which may be incurred in
connection with appellate  proceedings and/or with the appointment of a receiver
and all  appearances  in  bankruptcy,  reorganization,  arrangement  or  similar
insolvency proceedings.

     12.  This Note shall  remain in full force and  effect and  continue  to be
effective  should any petition be filed by or against Maker for  liquidation  or
reorganization,  should Maker become  insolvent  or make an  assignment  for the
benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any
significant  part of Maker's  assets,  and shall  continue to be effective or be
reinstated,  if at any time  payment  and  performance  of  Maker's  obligations
hereunder,  or any part thereof,  is, pursuant to applicable  law,  rescinded or
reduced in amount,  or must  otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee of
Maker's obligations hereunder,  whether as a "voidable preference,"  "fraudulent
conveyance,"  or otherwise,  all as though such payment or  performance  had not
been made.  In the event that any payment,  or any part  thereof,  is rescinded,
reduced, restored or returned, Maker's obligations hereunder shall be reinstated
and deemed  reduced  only by such  amount  paid and not so  rescinded,  reduced,
restored or returned.

     13. This note shall in all respects be governed by the laws of the State of
Texas  applicable  to contracts  made and to be performed  entirely  within such
State. This Note may not be altered or amended,  except by a writing duly signed
by the party against whom such alteration or amendment is sought to be enforced.

     14. From and after the date of this Note, the outstanding  Principal Amount
may be prepaid by Maker,  in whole or in part, on written  notice given by Maker
to Payee specifying the date of prepayment  ("Prepayment  Date"), which shall be
not less than three (3) business days following receipt of notice (determined in
accordance with Section 21 hereof).  On the Prepayment  Date, Maker shall pay to
Payee the  Principal  Amount to be prepaid  plus  accrued  and  unpaid  interest
thereon to and including the prepayment Date and Payee shall return this Note to
Maker. In the event of a prepayment  hereunder of less than the entire Principal
Amount then outstanding, then promptly upon such partial prepayment, Maker shall
issue and deliver to Payee a new Note, of like tenor hereto,  equal in principal
amount to the unpaid Principal Amount of this Note.




                                                                               6
<PAGE>

     15.  Any  waiver  by Payee  of any  right or  remedy  hereunder  on any one
occasion  shall not be  construed  as a bar to any right or remedy  which  Payee
would otherwise have had on any future occasion.  No failure to exercise nor any
delay in  exercising  on the  part of  Payee,  any  right,  power  or  privilege
hereunder,  shall operate as a waiver  thereof,  nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or future
exercise  thereof or the exercise of any other right,  power or  privilege.  The
rights and  remedies  hereunder  provided  are  cumulative  and may be exercised
singly  or  concurrently,  and are not  exclusive  of any  rights  and  remedies
provided by law. In the event of any litigation with respect to this Note, Maker
hereby waives (to the extent permitted by law) the right to trial by jury.

     16. This Note and all  obligations of Maker hereunder shall be binding upon
the  successors  and assigns of Maker,  and shall,  together with the rights and
remedies of Payee  hereunder,  inure to the benefit of Payee, and its successors
and assigns.

     17. Any provision of this Note which is prohibited or  unenforceable in any
jurisdiction  shall,  as to such  jurisdiction,  be ineffective to the extent of
such prohibition or enforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions
hereof,  and any such prohibition or  unenforceability  of such provision in any
jurisdiction  shall not affect the validity or  enforceability of such provision
in any other jurisdiction.

     18. This Note and all  obligations of Maker hereunder shall be binding upon
the  successors  and assigns of Maker,  and shall,  together with the rights and
remedies of Payee  hereunder,  inure to the benefit of payee, and its successors
and assigns.

     19. Maker  hereby  agrees that it will execute and deliver to Payee any and
all documents,  in addition to those expressly provided for in this Note, all in
form and substance satisfactory to payee in Payee's sole discretion, that may be
reasonably  necessary or  appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Note and
the transactions contemplated hereby.

     20.  Maker  hereby  waives  presentment  for  payment,  demand,  notice  of
dishonor,  notice of protest and protest and  diligence  in taking any action to
collect amounts due hereunder.

     21. All  notices  hereunder  shall be sent via  Federal  Express or similar
overnight courier providing for "next day" delivery, and notices shall be deemed
delivered on the day following  deposit with such service.  Either party may, by
written  notice to the other,  change the  address  to which  notices  and other
communications should be sent.



                                              CHAPARRAL RESOURCES, INC.



                                              By: /s/ Paul V. Hoovler
                                                  ----------------------------
                                              Name:   Paul V. Hoovler
                                              Title:  President






THIS PROMISSORY NOTE AND THE SECURITIES ISSUED UPON CONVERSION  HEREOF,  MAY NOT
BE OFFERED  FOR SALE,  SOLD,  OR  OTHERWISE  TRANSFERRED  EXCEPT  PURSUANT TO AN
EFFECTIVE  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  FILED UNDER THE  SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT
WHICH SHALL BE  ESTABLISHED,  IF REQUIRED AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE MAKER BY
AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE MAKER.



                         8% CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE

December 6, 1996                                                     $500,000.00
New York, New York

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  CHAPARRAL RESOURCES,  INC. a Colorado corporation with
offices at 621 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1301, Denver, Colorado 80293 ("Maker"),
DOES  HEREBY  PROMISE  to pay to the order of VICTORY  VENTURES  LLC, a Delaware
limited  liability  company,  or  its  successors  and  assigns  ("Payee"),  the
principal  amount (the  "Principal  Amount") of FIVE  HUNDRED  THOUSAND  DOLLARS
($500,000.00),  together with interest  thereon at eight percent (8%) per annum,
from the date hereof to and including the day on which the indebtedness evidence
by this Promissory Note (this "Note") is paid in full.

     The following additional terms shall govern this Note:

     1. The entire  Principal  Amount of and accrued and unpaid interest on this
Note shall be due and payable on the day (the  "Repayment  Date") which shall be
the earlier to occur of:

        (i) the third  business  day  following  the  receipt  by Maker of net
          proceeds  of a minimum  of  $1,850,000  from (A) the sale or  issuance
          after the date hereof,  by Maker, of Maker's equity or debt securities
          (including  without  limitation  any  securities  convertible  into or
          exchangeable  for Maker's equity  securities),  whether in one or more
          public or private transactions,  or (B) any debt financing provided or
          guaranteed by the Overseas  Private  Investment  Corporation  or other
          governmental or quasi-governmental  organization or entity, or (C) the
          sale or farmout by the Maker of assets held by the Maker which results
          in cash to the Maker, or (D) any other  financing,  or any combination
          of (A), (B), (C) or (D) above (each, a "Financing"), provided, that in
          the event that the net  proceeds of any such  Financing  are less than
          $1,850,000, then the amount of principal and interest that becomes due
          by  operation of this clause (i) shall be  determined  by dividing the
          principal and interest due on this Note by $1,850,000 and  multiplying
          the result  thereof by the amount of such net proceeds and this clause
          (i) shall remain in effect with respect to each subsequent  Financing;
          providing  further that Maker shall  immediately upon the happening of
          such event give Payee written  notice  thereof in accordance  with the
          provisions  of  Section 21 hereof  and that,  unless  waived by Payee,
          repayment may be rejected by Payee if it has not received at least two
          (2) business day advance notice prior to said payment; or



<PAGE>


          (ii) May 29, 1998.

     2.  Interest and  principal in respect of this Note shall be paid in lawful
currency of the United States, in immediately  available funds, at the principal
executive offices of Payee, 645 Madison Avenue,  New York, New York 10022, or at
such other place as Payee may designate in a written notice to Maker.

     3. Payee shall have the ability to convert any, but not less than $100,000,
or all of the interest and  principal in respect of this Note into shares of the
Maker's common stock at $0.75 per share or at a 25% discount of the market price
of the Maker's  common stock as quoted on NASDAQ,  should the last sale price of
the Maker's common stock as quoted on NASDAQ be less than $1.00 per share on the
date Payee elects such  conversion.  Payee's  conversion  shall terminate on the
earlier of the date this Note has been paid in full or on May 29, 1998.

     Payee may  exercise  the  conversion  right  provided in this  Section 3 by
giving  written notice (the  "Conversion  Notice") to the Maker of such exercise
and  stating  the  name or  names  in  which  the  stock  certificate  or  stock
certificates  for the  shares of Maker's  common  stock are to be issued and the
address to which such certificates shall be delivered.

     Conversion shall be deemed to have been effected on the date the Conversion
Notice is given (the "Conversion  Date").  Within 10 business days after receipt
of the  Conversion  Notice,  the Maker shall issue and deliver by hand against a
signed  receipt  therefor or by United States  registered  mail,  return receipt
requested,  to the address  designated by the Payee in the Conversion  Notice, a
stock certificate or stock  certificates of the Maker representing the number of
shares of common  stock to which such Payee is entitled  and Payee shall  return
this Note to Maker.

     Any such  conversion  shall mean that this Note has been paid in full or in
part, as the case may be for all purposes.

     4. All  interest  hereunder  shall be  computed  on the basis of the actual
number of days elapsed  over a year of 360 days and shall be payable  monthly in
arrears on the first day of each month beginning January 1, 1997.

     5. (a) As  additional  consideration  for the loan  evidenced by this Note,
Maker shall issue to Payee  warrants  (the  "Initial  Warrants") to purchase for
$0.25 per share, 125,000 shares of Maker's common stock, exercisable at any time
and from time to time not later than November 30, 1999.

          (b) In the event that this Note has not been repaid in full (including
principal and accrued  interest) on or before May 31, 1997, Maker shall issue to
Payee  additional  warrants to purchase  for $0.25 per share,  50,000  shares of
Maker's common stock (subject to adjustment in the manner provided in subsection
(d) of Section 5),  exercisable at any time and from time to time not later than
May 31, 2000.



                                                                               2
<PAGE>



          (c) In the event that this Note has not been repaid in full (including
principal  and accrued  interest) on or before  November  30, 1997,  Maker shall
issue to Payee  additional  warrants  to purchase  for $0.25 per share,  100,000
shares of Maker's common stock (subject to adjustment in the manner  provided in
subsection (d) of Section 5),  exercisable at any time and from time to time not
later than November 30, 2000.

          (d) The  warrants  issuable to Payee  pursuant to this  Section 5 (the
"Warrants")   shall  be  on  such  other  terms  and  in  such  form  (including
representations,  warranties  and  covenants) as shall be mutually  agreeable to
Payee and Maker. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,  the terms of
such Warrants shall include (i) economic  dilution  provisions  such that in the
event that any shares of Maker's common stock, or securities exchangeable for or
convertible  into  common  stock,  are issued for a price of less than $0.25 per
share, the exercise price of the Warrants shall be proportionately decreased and
the number of shares issuable under such Warrants shall be increased accordingly
and also provisions for adjustment for stock splits,  stock  dividends,  reverse
stock splits and similar changes;  and (ii) registration rights permitting Payee
(or its assigns) to  participate in any future  registrations  of Maker's common
stock  ("piggyback"  registration  rights) and permitting Payee (or its assigns)
not less than one demand registration. With respect to such registration rights,
it is  understood  and agreed that in the event that not later than November 30,
1997, Maker completes a private offering of its equity securities in which Maker
raises gross  proceeds of not less than  $1,000,000  and in which the purchasers
are granted  registration  rights,  Payee's  registration rights with respect to
shares issuable under the Warrants shall be  substantially  the same as the most
favorable rights granted to purchasers in the private  placement rather than the
registration  rights set forth above;  provided,  however,  that the exercise of
Payee's  registration  rights shall not be subject to any  requirement  that any
other holders of registration rights join Payee in any request to participate in
or  to  demand  a  registration,  and  any  participation  in  or  demand  for a
registration by any other holder of registration rights shall not affect Payee's
right to participate in or demand a registration on any future occasion.

     6. In the event that either the Warrants to be issued to Payee  pursuant to
Section 5 hereof are not issued (i) in the case of the Initial  Warrants,  prior
to January 31, 1997, and (ii) in the case of the remaining  Warrants,  not later
than thirty (30) days following the respective dates set forth in such Section 5
as the dates on which such  Warrants are to be issued,  and in each case on such
terms  and  in  such  form  as  may be  acceptable  to  Payee  and  Maker,  then
notwithstanding   the   provisions   of  Section  1  hereof,   this  Note  shall
automatically  and without any further  notice or action on the part of Maker or
Payee, become a demand note and shall upon written demand made by Payee to Maker
become immediately due and payable.

     7. The  obligations of Maker hereunder are absolute and  unconditional  and
payment of the Principal  Amount and all interest  accrued  thereon shall not be
subject to any defense, counterclaim or right of set-off.


                                                                               3
<PAGE>



     8. Maker represents, warrants, covenants and agrees with Payee as follows:

          (a) From and after the date of this Note and until  this Note has been
satisfied in full, Maker will furnish to Payee within three (3) business days of
request  therefor,  such  reports and other  information  with respect to Maker,
Maker's business and Maker's financial  condition as Payee may from time to time
request.

          (b) This  Note has been duly  authorized  by all  necessary  corporate
action on the part of Maker.  This Note has been duly  executed and delivered by
Maker and  constitutes  the valid and binding  agreement  of Maker,  enforceable
against Maker in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability  hereof
may be subject to applicable bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  or other
similar laws affecting  creditors' rights generally and to general principles of
equity.

          (c) Neither the execution and delivery by Maker of this Note,  nor the
consummation by Maker of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by
Maker with any of the  provisions  hereof will (i) violate or conflict  with any
provision  of the  Certificate  or Articles of  Incorporation  or By-laws of the
Maker,  (ii)  result in a  violation  of any order,  writ,  injunction,  decree,
judgment,  ruling,  law,  rule,  or  regulation,  of any  court or  governmental
authority,  applicable  to Maker,  (iii)  result in the  breach of or  otherwise
affect any of the terms, conditions, or provisions of, any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, deed of trust, license,  franchise,  permit, contract,  agreement, or
other  instrument  or  commitment  or  obligation  of Maker,  or (iv) except for
filings that may be made under the securities laws and with NASDAQ,  require any
consent, approval, or authorization of, or notice to, or declaration, filing, or
registration with, any governmental or regulatory authority or any other person,
except for such  consents,  approvals,  authorizations,  notices,  declarations,
filings or  registrations  which have been obtained,  given or made, as the case
may be, and which are unconditional and in full force and effect.

          (d) Maker is a corporation duly organized,  validly  existing,  and in
good  standing  under the laws of the State of Colorado  and is  qualified to do
business in the  jurisdictions  where the nature of its  business or  properties
makes such qualification necessary.  Maker has all requisite corporate power and
authority to own, operate, and lease its properties and to carry on its business
as now being conducted.

          (e) As of the date hereof,  there are issued and  outstanding not more
than  41,850,000  shares  of  Maker's  common  stock  on a fully  diluted  basis
(including as if issued shares  issuable under  outstanding  warrants,  options,
convertible   debt  and  other   securities  and  rights   convertible  into  or
exchangeable for Maker's equity  securities) and such shares are the only shares
of  Maker's  equity  securities  of any  class or  series  that are  issued  and
outstanding on the date hereof.

          (f) Maker is not in  default  (and no event of  default  has  occurred
which with notice or lapse of time, or both, will result in a default) under any
material agreements,  mortgages, deeds of trust, leases, franchises,  indentures
or other  instruments to which maker is a party or by which either or any of its
properties  may  be  bound.  Maker  is  not in  default  on any of its  material
obligations.



                                                                               4
<PAGE>



          (g) There is no litigation,  governmental  investigation or proceeding
pending,  or to  Maker's  knowledge,  threatened  against  Maker  or  any of its
property,  nor any reasonable  grounds for any such  litigation,  the results of
which, if decided  adversely,  might materially affect the financial  condition,
property or business of Maker.

     9. The following shall  constitute an "Event of Default" within the meaning
of this Note:

          (a) Maker  shall fail or refuse to make any  payment of  principal  or
interest with respect to this Note when the same shall become due; or

          (b) Any of the  representations  or warranties of Maker made or deemed
to be made in this  Note or in any  written  agreement  between  Maker and Payee
(including  without  limitation the Warrants)  shall prove to have been false or
misleading in any material respect when so made or deemed to be made; or

          (c) Maker shall default in the due observance or performance of any of
the covenants or  conditions  contained in this Note or in respect of any of its
obligations  under the terms of any written  agreement  between  Maker and Payee
(including  without limitation the Warrants) and such default shall continue for
10 days following written notice thereof to Maker; or

          (d) an event shall occur  which  constitutes,  or, upon the sending of
notice or the  passage of time or both,  would  constitute,  a breach or default
with  respect  to  the  payment  of  principal  or  interest   under  any  other
indebtedness of Maker; or

          (e) an event shall occur which  constitutes a breach or default (after
any  applicable  grace  periods),  other  than with  respect  to the  payment of
principal or interest, under any other indebtedness of Maker; or

          (f) an event shall occur which  constitutes a breach or default (after
any  applicable  grace  periods)  under the terms of any agreement or instrument
between  Maker  and any  third  party as a result  of  which  Maker is  rendered
potentially liable for an amount in excess of $25,000 or giving such third party
rights of  acceleration  or similar rights  (whether or not  exercised)  against
Maker or its property with respect to any indebtedness in an amount of excess of
$25,000; or

          (g) Maker  shall  make a general  assignment  for the  benefit  of its
creditors, the adjudication in bankruptcy of the Maker; the admission in writing
of its inablity to pay its debts as they become due or the filing of a voluntary
petition  by the  Maker  under  any  of the  provisions  of  the  United  States
Bankruptcy  Code;  the  filing of any  answer or other  pleading  admitting  the
material allegations of any petition filed against the Maker in any bankruptcy ,
insolvency or other such proceeding;  the filing of a petition against the Maker
under any of the  provisions  of any  bankruptcy  laws of the  United  States or
similar  laws  of any  jurisdiction  and the  failure  of  such  petition  to be
dismissed  within thirty days; or the petition  for, or the  appointment  of, or
possession  by,  a  custodian,  receiver,   liquidator,   assignee,  trustee  or
sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Maker or any substantial part of
its properties or assets.



                                                                               5
<PAGE>



     10. In the event of the  occurrence  of an Event of  Default  described  in
paragraphs  (a), (b),  (c), (d), (e), or (f) of Section 9 hereof,  Payee may, by
notice in writing to Maker,  declare the principal of this Note and all interest
accrued  thereon  to be  immediately  due and  payable;  and in the event of the
occurrence  of an Event of  Default  described  in  paragraph  (g) of  Section 9
hereof,  the  principal  of this Note and all  interest  accrued  thereon  shall
automatically   become  immediately  due  and  payable,  in  each  case  without
presentment,  demand, protest or any notice of any kind, all of which are hereby
waived.

     11.  Maker  shall  pay all  out-of-pocket  expenses  (including  reasonable
attorneys'  fees  and  expenses)  incurred  by  Payee  in  connection  with  the
enforcement or protection of Payee's rights hereunder and under any documents or
agreements  entered  into  between  Maker  and  Payee  in  connection  herewith,
including  without  limitation  those expenses and fees which may be incurred in
connection with appellate  proceedings and/or with the appointment of a receiver
and all  appearances  in  bankruptcy,  reorganization,  arrangement  or  similar
insolvency proceedings.

     12.  This Note shall  remain in full force and  effect and  continue  to be
effective  should any petition be filed by or against Maker for  liquidation  or
reorganization,  should Maker become  insolvent  or make an  assignment  for the
benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any
significant  part of Maker's  assets,  and shall  continue to be effective or be
reinstated,  as the  case may be,  if at any time  payment  and  performance  of
Maker's obligations  hereunder,  or any part thereof, is, pursuant to applicable
law,  rescinded or reduced in amount,  or must otherwise be restored or returned
by  any  obligee  of  Maker's  obligations  hereunder,  whether  as a  "voidable
preference,"  "fraudulent  conveyance," or otherwise, all as though such payment
or  performance  had not been made.  In the event that any payment,  or any part
thereof,  is  rescinded,  reduced,  restored or  returned,  Maker's  obligations
hereunder  shall be reinstated  and deemed  reduced only by such amount paid and
not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

     13. This note shall in all respects be governed by the laws of the State of
New York  applicable to contracts made and to be performed  entirely within such
State. This Note may not be altered or amended,  except by a writing duly signed
by the party against whom such alteration or amendment is sought to be enforced.

     14. From and after the date of this Note, the outstanding  Principal Amount
may be prepaid by Maker,  in whole or in part, on written  notice given by Maker
to Payee specifying the date of prepayment  ("Prepayment  Date"), which shall be
not less than three (3) business days following receipt of notice (determined in
accordance with Section 21 hereof).  On the Prepayment  Date, Maker shall pay to
Payee the  Principal  Amount to be prepaid  plus  accrued  and  unpaid  interest
thereon to and including the prepayment Date and Payee shall return this Note to
Maker. In the event of a prepayment  hereunder of less than the entire Principal
Amount then outstanding, then promptly upon such partial prepayment, Maker shall
issue and deliver to Payee a new Note, of like tenor hereto,  equal in principal
amount to the unpaid Principal Amount of this Note.



                                                                               6
<PAGE>



     15. Any waiver by the holder hereof of any right or remedy hereunder on any
one  occasion  shall not be  construed as a bar to any right or remedy which the
holder hereof would  otherwise  have had on any future  occasion.  No failure to
exercise  nor any delay in  exercising  on the part of the  holder  hereof,  any
right,  power or privilege  hereunder,  shall operate as a waiver  thereof,  nor
shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege  hereunder
preclude  any other or future  exercise  thereof  or the  exercise  of any other
right,  power or  privilege.  The rights and  remedies  hereunder  provided  are
cumulative and may be exercised singly or concurrently, and are not exclusive of
any rights and  remedies  provided by law. In the event of any  litigation  with
respect to this Note,  Maker hereby waives (to the extent  permitted by law) the
right to trial by jury.

     16. This Note and all  obligations of Maker hereunder shall be binding upon
the  successors  and assigns of Maker,  and shall,  together with the rights and
remedies of holder hereunder, inure to the benefit of holder, and its successors
and assigns.

     17. Any provision of this Note which is prohibited or  unenforceable in any
jurisdiction  shall,  as to such  jurisdiction,  be ineffective to the extent of
such prohibition or enforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions
hereof,  and any such prohibition or  unenforceability  of such provision in any
jurisdiction  shall not affect the validity or  enforceability of such provision
in any other jurisdiction.

     18. Maker  hereby  agrees that it will execute and deliver to Payee any and
all documents,  in addition to those expressly provided for in this Note, all in
form and substance satisfactory to payee in Payee's sole discretion, that may be
reasonably  necessary or  appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Note and
the transactions contemplated hereby.

     19.  Maker  hereby  waives  presentment  for  payment,  demand,  notice  of
dishonor,  notice of protest and protest and  diligence  in taking any action to
collect amounts due hereunder.

     20. All  notices  hereunder  shall be sent via  Federal  Express or similar
overnight courier providing for "next day" delivery, and notices shall be deemed
delivered on the day following  deposit with such service.  Either party may, by
written  notice to the other,  change the  address  to which  notices  and other
communications should be sent.


                                              CHAPARRAL RESOURCES, INC.



                                              By: /s/ Paul V. Hoovler
                                                 -----------------------------
                                              Name:   Paul V. Hoovler
                                              Title:  President



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