SABA PETROLEUM CO
8-K, 1997-09-24
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

Daate of Report: (Date of earliest event reported) September 9, 1997

SABA PETROLEUM COMPANY (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Delaware       1-12322             47-0617589
========================================================
(State or      (Commission         (IRS Employer
other          File Number)        Identification No.)
jurisdiction
of incorporation)

3201 Airpark Drive Suite 201, Santa Maria, CA                    93455
(Address of principal executiove offices)                   (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:    (805) 347-8700

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report) Not Applicable


ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.


         On  September  9, 1997,  the Company  acquired by purchase an undivided
eighty percent working interest (revenue  interests varying from a low of 79% to
a high of 84%) in oil and gas leases  covering  3400 acres in the Potash  field,
Plaquemines  Parish,  Louisiana.  At the  same  time  and as  part  of the  same
transaction,  Energy Asset Management Company,  L.L.C. a non-affiliated  limited
liability company,  acquired the remaining twenty percent working interest.  The
purchase  price for the 100%  interest was $10 million,  of which $8 million was
the Company=s share. At the date of acquisition,  the interests  acquired by the
Company  were  producing  approximately  880 gross (563 net)  barrels of oil and
equivalents  per day from 10 of the 22 wells  acquired.  The  field  contains  a
number of other  wells that have been  suspended,  a number of which the Company
believes may be restored to production. Production from these wells is primarily
natural gas. The Company  established  the purchase  price through  negotiations
with the seller,  Statoil  Exploration  (US), Inc., a non-affiliate,  relying in
part upon engineering  advice secured through the Company's outside  engineering
consultants  and the  evaluations of the Company=s  personnel.  No  relationship
exists  between  the  seller  and any of the  affiliates  or  associates  of the
Company.  As part of the acquisition,  the Company acquired a significant amount
of technical data concerning the field.  The Company intends to further evaluate
such data and may conduct  additional  geophysical  investigation of portions of
the field. The Company also intends to rework existing and suspended wells in an
effort to increase production from the field.

         The purchase  price was funded by the proceeds of a ten million  dollar
short term loan from the Company=s primary bank, Bank One, Houston, Texas, which
was  secured by one  hundred  percent  of the  acquired  assets.  As part of the
transaction,  the  Company  lent two million  dollars of the  proceeds to Energy
Asset  Management  Company at an  interest  rate which  exceeded  the  Company's
borrowing  rate by one  hundred  basis  points.  The  Company is operator of the
acquired interests.



PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT




   This PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT (this  "Agreement") is made and entered into
this 19th day of AuGust,  1997 by and between STATOIL  EXPLORATION  (US)INC.,  a
Delaware  corporation  with  offices  at 2700  Post Oak  Boulevard,  Suite  700,
Houston,  Texas  77056,  as  seller  ("Seller"),   and  SABA  ENERGY  OF  TEXAS,
INCORPORATED,  a Texas corporation with offices at 1603 S.E. 19th Street,  Suite
202, Edmond, Oklahoma 73103, as purchaser ("Purchaser").


                                    RECITAL:
                  WHEREAS,  Seller  desires to sell to Purchaser,  and Purchaser
desires to purchase from Seller,  on the terms and  conditions  set forth herein
all of the oil, gas and other  mineral  properties  and  interests  described in
Section 1.01 below.
                  NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  mutual  covenants
contained  herein,  the benefits to be derived by each party hereunder and other
good and valuable consideration,  the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged,  Purchaser and Seller, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree
as follows.


                                    ARTICLE I
                         Purchase and Sale of Interests





<PAGE>



         1.01 Purchase and Sale of Interests.  Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of this Agreement,  Seller hereby agrees to sell to Purchaser, and to
convey,  transfer,  assign and deliver to  Purchaser,  and  Purchaser  agrees to
purchase  and acquire from Seller all of Seller's  right,  title and interest in
and to the  following  properties,  assets,  rights and  interests,  hereinafter
referred to collectively as the "Subject Properties":

                  (A)      Leases,  OverridiniG Royalty Interests,  Convertible
  Interests:  All right, title and interest in and under the oil,  gas and
mineral  leases  described  on Exhibit A; any and all implied  rights and
privileges arising by operation of law or otherwise in relation to the Leases;
 all the lands described by the Leases;  and all land,  leases, and properties
pooled or unitized with the Leases or Wells (collectively, the "Leases");
                  (B)      Wells:  All oil, gas and other wells  located on the
Leases,  including but not limited to those  described  on Exhibit B and shown
on that  certain  Base Map of Potash  Field  dated  January  16, 1997
prepared by C. H. Fenstermaker & Associates, Inc. (the "Wells");
                  (C) Hvdrocarbons:  All oil, gas,  casinghead gas,  condensate,
distillate,  liquid hydrocarbons,  gaseous hydrocarbons and all products refined
therefrom,  together  with all  minerals  produced  in  association  with  these
substances  (collectively  called the "Hydrocarbons") in and under and which may
be  produced  and saved from or  attributable  to the  Leases or Wells,  and all
rents, issues, profits,  proceeds,  products,  revenues and other income from or
attributable thereto;


                  (D) Production Facilities: All oil wells, gas wells, injection
wells,  disposal  wells,  or other wells;  buildings,  field offices  (including
appliances  in  such  offices)  and  structures;  field  separators  and  liquid
extraction plants; plant and gas compressors;  pumps and pumping units; pipeline
systems,  field gathering systems, and flow lines; and tanks and tank batteries,
all as used in connection  with the ownership or operation of the Leases and the
Wells (collectively called the "Production Facilities");
                  (E)  Equipment  and  Personal  Propertv:   All  equipment  and
personal  property,  tenements,  hereditaments,  appurtenances and properties in
anyway  appertaining,  belonging,  affixed or incidental to the  properties  and
interests  described in  subparagraphs  (A), (B), (C) and (D) above,  including,
without limitation, all furniture, office supplies, and office equipment located
in any field offices; valves, fittings,  meters,  apparatus,  equipment,  tools,
fixtures,  implements,  cables, wires, towers, casing, tubing and rods, situated
upon, used, held for use, or useful in connection with the operating, working or
development of any of the Leases, Wells and Production Facilities  (collectively
called the "Equipment");
                  (F)   Material   Agreements:   All  material   contracts   and
agreements,   together   with   all   amendments,   additions,    substitutions,
replacements,  accessions and attachments thereto, associated with the interests
referred to in subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E) above,
                                                         2
including  but  not  limited  to,  surface  leases,  rights-of-way,   easements,
licenses, permits, franchises, rights-of-way,  easements, servitudes; agreements
with lessors,  division  orders,  licenses,  and  servitudes;  all  unitization,
communitization,  pooling  agreements and  declarations  of pooled units and the
units created thereby (including,  without  limitation,  all units created under
orders, regulations, rules or other official acts of any federal, state or other
governmental  body or agency  having  jurisdiction)  which may affect all or any
portion of the Leases or Wells;  all oil and gas sales and purchase  agreements,
contracts  and other  agreements  relating to the  production,  sale,  purchase,
exchance or processing of production from or attributable to the Leases or Wells
(collectively called the "Material Contracts"); and
                  (G) Records: All records,  reports,  files and title documents
relating  to  the  Subject  Properties  including  correspondence,   records  of
production,  maintenance, revenue, sales, expenses, and warranties, lease files,
land  files,  well files,  division  order  files,  abstracts,  title  opinions,
assignments,  reports,  maps,  engineering,  geological,  and,  subject  to  any
applicable licensing or confidentiality  agreement, all geophysical information,
material, and data, together with other files, contracts,  and other records and
data  of  Seller   relating  to  the  Subject   Properties   and  including  all
interpretative maps of any kind or character, whether originals,  reproductions,
microfilm,  or computer records,  and wherever located  (collectively called the
"Records").
         1.02 Excluded Assets.  As used herein,  "Excluded Assets" means (a) all
trade credits and all accounts, instruments and general intangibles attributable
to the  Subject  Properties  with  respect  to any  period of time  prior to the
Effective  Date;  (b) all claims and causes of action of Seller (i) arising from
acts,  omissions or events,  or damage to or destruction of property,  occurring
prior to the Effective Date, or (ii) with respect to any of the Excluded Assets;
(c) all of the interest of Seller (A) under any policy or agreement of insurance
or  indemnity,  (B) under  any bond,  or (C) to any  insurance  or  condemnation
proceeds  or awards  arising  from acts,  omissions  or events,  or damage to or
destruction  of  property,  occurring  prior  to the  Effective  Date;  (d)  all
Hydrocarbons produced and sold from the Leases with respect to all periods prior
to the Effective Date,  together with all proceeds from or of such Hydrocarbons;
(e) claims of Seller for refunds of or loss carry  forwards  with respect to (A)
production or any other taxes  attributable to any period prior to the Effective
Date, (B) income or franchise taxes, or (C) any taxes attributable to the
                                                         3
 Excluded  Assets;  (f) all amounts due or payable to Seller by vendors or other
independent  contractors as adjustments or refunds under any Material  Contracts
that relate to periods prior to the Effective  Date;  all amounts due or payable
to  Seller  as  adjustments  to  insurance'  premiums  related  to  the  Subject
Properties  with  respect to any period  prior to the  Effective  Date;  (h) all
proceeds,  income or revenues (any security or other deposits made) attributable
to (A) the Subject  Properties for any period to the Effective  Date, or (B) any
Excluded Assets; (i) all of Seller's  proprietary  computer  software,  patents,
trade secrets,  and other  intellectual  property,  and all audit rights arisina
under any of the  Material  Contracts  or  otherwise  with respect to any of the
Excluded Assets.
         1.03     Effective  Date.  The  purchase  and sale of the Subject
Properties  shall be  effective as of 7:00 a.m., Central Daylight Savincs Time,
 on June 1, 1997 ("Effective Date").
         1.04 Assumption of 0perations.  Purchaser shall assume ownership of the
Subject  Properties at Closing (as defined in Section  9.01),  and shall at such
time assume the  obligations of Seller as operator of the Subject  Properties on
and after the Closing Date (as defined  Section  9.01).  Seller shall  cooperate
with  Purchaser to obtain any  instruments  which are  prescribed,  permitted or
required  to be filed  with any  governmental  authority  or agency in order for
Purchaser to serve as operator of any of the Subject Properties.


                                   ARTICLE 11
                                 Purchase Price



                  2.01     Consideration for Sale and Transfer of the Subject
Properties".  The purchase price for the Subject Properties
(the "Purchase Price") shall be Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000),

adjusted  as set forth in  Sections  2.02(A)  and  2.02(B)  herein.  At Closing,
Purchaser  will deliver to Seller,  or upon  Seller's  instructions  to Seller's
account at Texas Commerce Bank,  Account  Number  00101340991,  or to such other
institution or account as Seller may specify in writing,  the Adjusted  Purchase
Price (as hereinafter defined) as provided in Section 9.02(B) herein.
         2.02     Adjustments to Purchase Price.  The Purchase Price shall be
adjusted as follows and the resulting amount shall be referred to as the
"Adjusted Purchase Price":
                    (A)    The  Purchase  Price shall be adjusted  upward by the
                           following:
                                                         4
                           (i)      The  aggregate  amount  of all  additional
 reasonable costs of operations  conducted on the Subject  Properties,  incurred
and paid  from the  Effective  Date to the  Closing  Date,  except  those  costs
incurred  by  Seller  associated  with the Pit  Remediation,  including  without
limitation,  royalties, ad valorem, production,  property,  severance,  windfall
profit and similar taxes and assessments based upon or
 measured by the ownership of property,  the production of  Hydrocarbons,  and
 prepaid expenses  attributable to the Subject  Properties which are paid by
Seller  and  which  are,  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted   accounting
principles,  attributable  to the period of time between the Effective  Date and
the Closing Dat e; and


                           (ii)   The   amount   of   $8,000   per   month   for
                    administrative overhead incurred by Seller during the period
                    of time between the Effective Date and the Closing Date. (B)
                    The  Purchase  Price  shall  be  adjusted  downward  by  the
                    following:
                           (i)      The aggregate  amount of all proceeds and
revenues, other than that referred to in Section 2.02(B)(ii),  actually received
or accrued in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles by Seller
attributable  to the Subject  Properties  during the period of time  between the
Effective Date and the Closing Date;
                           (ii)     The proceeds received by Seller from the
sublease,  sale or other disposition (which sublease,  sale or other disposition
 from the execution of this Agreement until Closing shall not occur without the
prior written consent of Purchaser) of all or any portion of the Subject
Properties; and
                           (iii)    An amount  equal to all unpaid ad valorem,
 property, production, severance and similar taxes and assessments based upon or
 measured by the ownership of the property or production of  Hydrocarbons or the
 receipt of proceeds therefrom accruing to the Subject Properties in
  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting   principles  prior  to  the
Effective  Date,  which amount shall be based upon such taxes  assessed  against
production  attributable  to the  Subject  Properties  in each  case for any tax
period that includes the Effective Date;

                    (C) Not later than  forty-eight (48) hours prior to Closing.
Seller shall deliver to Purchaser a statement of Seller's good faith estimate of
the adjustments to Purchase Price provided for in Sections  2.02(A) and (B), and
specifying the Adjusted Purchase Price to be paid to Seller at Closing.
         2.03 Performance Deposit.  Upon execution of this Agreement,  Purchaser
shall deliver to Seller,  by wire transfer in immediately  available  funds, the
amount of five percent (5%) of the Purchase Price as a performance  deposit (the
"Performance Deposit").  Seller shall hold the Performance Deposit until Closing
or  until  it  is  returned  to  Purchaser  pursuant  to  this  Agreement.  Upon
consummation  of the transaction at Closing,  the  Performance  Deposit shall be
credited against the Purchase Price, and the Adjusted  Purchase Price to be paid
to Seller at Closing shall be reduced by the amount of then retained  portion of
the Performance Deposit.
         2.04  Liquidated  Damages.  If the  purchase  and  sale of the  Subject
Properties  is not  completed as  contemplated  herein by reason of any material
breach or default by Purchaser  and Seller is not in material  breach or default
and is otherwise  ready,  willinc,,  and able to fully  perform its  obligations
under this  Agreement,  then Seller  shall in  consideration  of having held the
Subject  Properties and as liquidated  damages in lieu of all other damages (and
as Seller's  sole remedy),  be entitled to liquidated  darnaces in the amount of
the  Performance  Deposit.  The parties  hereby  acknowledge  that the extent of
damages  to Seller  occasioned  by such  breach or default or failure to proceed
byPurchaser  would  be  impossible  to  ascertain  and that  the  amount  of the
Performance  Deposit is a fair and reasonable estimate of such damages under the
circumstances.  If the  purchase  and  sale  of the  Subject  Properties  is not
completed as contemplated  herein by reason of any material breach or default by
Seller and  Purchaser  is not in  material  breach or default  and is  otherwise
ready,  willing, and able to fully perform its obligations under this Acreement,
then Purchaser  shall, in  consideration  of having  committed its resources and
assets to this  acquisition and foregoing other business  opportunities,  and as
liquidated  damages  in lieu of all  other  damages  (and  as  Purchaser's  sole
remedy),  be entitled to return of its Performance  Deposit.  The parties hereby
acknowledge  the extent of damages to  Purchaser  occasioned  by such  breach or
default or failure to proceed by Seller would be
                                                         6
impossible  or extremely  difficult  to  ascertain  and that the amount of these
stipulated  liquidated damages is a fair and reasonable estimate of such damages
under the circumstances.


                                   ARTICLE III
                              Due Diligence Review



         3.O1  Purchaser  shall have until 5:00 p.m. on the third  business  day
preceding  the  Closing  Date  (the  "Notice  Date")  in order to  conduct a due
diligence  review,  at Purchaser's sole cost and expense,  with respect to title
matters affectincy the Subject Properties (the "Review"). If Purchaser believes,
in Purchaser's sole opinion, that there is a Material Title Defect (as hereafter
defined in Section  7.01(B)(iv),  also called "Defect")  relating to the Subject
Properties,  Purchaser shall immediately  notify Seller of the existence of such
Material  Title Defect (the "Defects  Report").  The Defects  Report shall be in
writing and shall describe the Defect(s),  specify the Property affected and set
forth  Purchaser's  assessment  of the actions and the cost required to cure the
Defect(s) (the  "Estimate").  Seller shall have the option to cure the Defect(s)
or commence negotiations with Purchaser, prior to the Closing Date,to agree upon
a mutually  satisfactory  adjustment to the Purchase Price to reflect the amount
of the Estimate.  If by 5:00 p.m. on the business day prior to the Closing Date,
Purchaser  and Seller are unable to agree  upon an  adjustment  to the  Purchase
Price,  Purchaser  may either (i)  terminate  this  Agreement  or (ii) waive the
Material  Title  Defect and  proceed  with the  Closing  and the  payment of the
Purchase  Price  without  adjustment  for the  Defect.  If  Purchaser  elects to
terminate this Agreement  pursuant to this Section,  Purchaser shall immediately
send a written  notice to the Seller  indicating  such  election and in no event
later than 5:00 p.m. on the business day prior to the Closing Date.  Upon proper
delivery of such notice in compliance  with this Section,  this Agreement  shall
terminate  and  neither  Purchaser  nor  Seller  shall have any  further  rights
hereunder,  except for the right of Purchaser to receive and the  obligation  of
Seller to refund  the  Performance  Deposit.  In the  event  Purchaser  fails to
deliver  written notice of its election to terminate,  Purchaser shall be deemed
to have waived such Defect(s) and the parties shall then proceed  immediately to
Closing.


7

                                   ARTICLE IV
                         Representations and Warranties



         4.01   Representations   and   Warranties   of  Seller.   The   express
representations  and  warranties  of  Seller  contained  in  this  paragraph  or
otherwise  stated in this  Agreement  are exclusive and are in lieu of all other
representations and warranties, express, implied, statutory, or otherwise.


                    (A)  Seller  is  a  corporation,   duly  organized,  validly
existing  and in good  standing  under  the  laws of  Delaware  and is  properly
qualified to do business in the state of Louisiana;


                      (B) Seller has the requisite  power and authority to carry
  on its  business  as  presently  conducted  and has the  requisite  power  and
  authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement;  the
  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  will not
  conflict  with,  or result in a  violation  or breach  of, or give rise to any
  rights of acceleration or any default under the articles of  incorporation  or
  by-laws of Seller,  or any  provision of any  mortgage,  indenture,  contract,
  material  agreement or other instrument to which Seller is a party or by which
  any of its material assets are bound or any judgment,  decree, order, statute,
  rule or regulation  applicable  to Seller or to which any material  portion of
  their respective properties and assets are subject;
                      (C) The execution and delivery of this Agreement,  and the
  execution and delivery of all certificates, documents and instruments required
  to be  executed  and  delivered  by  Seller,  and  the  consun-unation  of the
  transactions  contemplated  hereby as of the  Effective  Date,  have been duly
  authorized by all necessary action;
                      (D)  This  Agreement  has duly and  validly  executed  and
  delivered by Seller and will constitute a legal, valid and bindinc, obligation
  of Seller  enforceable  against  it in  accordance  with its  terms,  subject,
  however, to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,  moratorium
  and similar laws as well as to general principles of equity;
                      (E) Except with respect to the Pit Remediation (as defined
  and provided for in Section  5.01(C)  below) and as otherwise  expressly  made
  known to Purchaser, no action, suit or
 proceeding  is pending or, to the  knowledge  of Seller  threatened  before any
court or  governmental  ac,ency or  arbitral  body  which  might have a material
adverse  effect  with  respect  to the  Subject  Properties  or  which  seeks to
invalidate, enjoin or restrain the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby or any action taken or to be taken in connection therewith;
                    (F) Seller has not incurred  any  obligation  or  liability,
contingent  or  otherwise,  for  brokers'  or  finders'  fees in  respect of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
                    (G) All ad  valorem,  property,  production,  severance  and
similar taxes and assessments  based on or measured by the ownership of property
or the  production of  Hydrocarbons  or the receipt of proceeds  therefrom  with
respect to the Subject  Properties  for all periods prior to the Effective  Date
have been properly paid  according to industry  standards and all such taxes and
assessments  which must be paid prior to the Closing Date shall be properly paid
by Seller;


                    (H) To Seller's knowledge, all royalties,  rentals and other
payments  (including any due by virtue of any  take-or-pay or other gas contract
settlement)  due by Seller  under all the Leases have been  properly  and timely
paid and all  conditions  necessary  to keep the same in force  have been  fully
performed  except as to (i)  funds  which  have been  placed in escrow by Seller
pursuant  to the Leases as a result of,  among,  other  reasons,  defects in the
title to  royalty  owners,  the  inability  to cure  defects in said  title,  or
inability to locate and/or identify royalty owners entitled to payments and (ii)
such  non-performance  which would not reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on the ownership or operation of the Subject Properties;
                                    (I)     Seller is not obligated by virtue of
any  prepayment  arrangement  under any contract  for the sale of  Hydrocarbons,
including take-or-pay obligation,  imbalance of production or similar provisions
or a production  payment or any other  arrangement to deliver  Hydrocarbons from
the Subject Properties at some future time without then or thereafter  receiving
full payment therefor;


                    (J)  Seller  has  all  material  governmental  licenses  and
permits and has, to Seller's  knowledge,  properly  made all  material  filings,
necessary or  appropriate to obtain such licenses and permits to own and operate
the Subject Properties as presently being owned and


9

  operated, and such licenses, permits and filings are in full force and effect,
  except where the failure to have made any such filings or to have received any
  such licenses or permits would not have a material  adverse effect on Seller's
  ownership or operation of the Subject Properties, and to Seller's knowledge no
  material violations exist in respect of any such licenses, permits or filings,
  no proceeding is pending or to Seller's knowledge is threatened looking toward
  the  challenging,  revocation or limitation of any such  licenses,  permits or
  filings;  and Seller, to its knowledge,  has complied in all material respects
  with all  laws,  rules,  regulations,  ordinances,  codes,  orders,  licenses,
  concessions and permits relating to any of the Subject Properties,  except for
  any such violations or  non-compliance  that would not have a material adverse
  effect on Seller ownership or operation of the Subject Properties;
                    (K) With respect to title to the Subject Properties,  except
as to Permitted Encumbrances,  Seller's right, title, and interest in and to the
Subject Properties is Good and Marketable (as defined herein);

                                    (L)     To Seller's knowledge, it has not
sold, nor to its knowledge  permitted to be sold, any  Hydrocarbons in violation
of any law, ordinance, rule or regulation pertaining to the pricing, production,
conservation or allocation of Hydrocarbons;

                      (M)  There  exists  no  preferential  right  or any  other
  agreement,  arrangement or  understanding  with any person not a party to this
  Agreement to purchase a portion of the Subject Properties;


                    (N) All of the Wells included in the Subject Properties have
been drilled and completed  within the boundaries of such Subject  Properties or
within the limits  otherwise  permitted by contract,  pooling or unit agreement,
and by law, and all drilling and completion of said Wells have been conducted in
material compliance with all applicable laws, ordinances,


rules, regulations and permits, and judgments,  orders and decrees of any court,
tribal or  governmental  body or  agency,  and no Well is  subject  to  material
penalties on allowables after tfie date hereof because of any  overproduction or
any other violation of applicable laws, rules,
                                                        10
regulations  or  permits  or  judgments,  orders  or  decrees  of any  court  or
governmental body or agency which would prevent such well from being entitled to
its full  legal  and  regular  allowable  from and  after  the  date  hereof  as
prescribed by any court or governmental body or agency;
                    (0)  Seller is not a "public  utility  holding  company"  as
 defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended;
                    (P) Seller has not received notice of any pending claims for
cancellation from any lessors with respect to the Leases;
                    (Q)    There are no gas  balancing  obligations  or makeup
rights  relating  to the  Subject Properties;
                    (R) The  Subject  Properties  are not subject to any back-in
arrangements which will diminish the interests set forth on Exhibit B;
                    (S) There are no surface use or access agreements  currently
 in force and effect, which are not being assicned by this Agreement, that would
 materially interfere with oil and gas operations on the Leases;
                      (T)    Environmental Matters.
                            (i)      Without limiting the generality or
applicability  of any other provision of this Agreement,  and except for the Pit
Remediation,  oil  and gas  activities  on the  Subject  Properties  do not,  to
Seller's knowledge,  violate any federal, state, local, or tribal law (including
common law), ordinance, rule, standard,  prohibition,  or regulation relating to
health,  safety, or the environment  (collectively  "Environmental  Laws"),  and
Seller to its  knowledge  has timely  filed all required  reports,  obtained all
required approvals and permits,  and generated and maintained all required data,
documentation and records under any applicable Environmental Laws;


                           (ii)     To Seller's knowledge, except for the Pit
Remediation,  there has not been, and is not occurring, any discharge or release
of any hazardous  substances in or on any of the Subject Properties  operated by
the Seller in amounts or  concentrations  which  reasonably could be expected to
give rise to liabilities or  obligations  exceeding  $100,000 in any instance or
exceeding $500,000 in the aggregate and, except for the Pit Remediation,  Seller
does not have any liabilities or obligations in excess of the aforesaid  amounts
with respect to the  introduction  of hazardous  substances into the environment
for activities relating, to the operation of the Subject Properties prior to the
Closing Date;
                           (iii)   To Seller's knowledge, there are no existing,
 naturally                 occurring  radioactive  materials  (NORM)  within the
                           Subject Properties;  (iv) To Seller's knowledge there
                           are no pending or
 threatened  claims  nor any basis for claims  against  Seller  relating  to the
Subject Properties under Environmental Laws, except for the Pit Remediation;
                           (v)      To Seller's knowledge, no polychlorinated
biphenyls  (PCBS)  nor  transformers,  compressors  nor  other  equipment  which
contains PCBs have been constructed,  placed, deposited, stored, disposed of nor
located on the Subject Properties;
                    (U)  There are no calls on  production,  forward  sales,  or
price hedging arrangements in place and affecting the Subject Properties;
                    (V) Other than the Wells  listed on Exhibit B and  disclosed
to  Purchaser  in the  data  room in  Seller's  offices  during  the  course  of
Purchaser's due diligence review,  to Seller's  knowledge there are no other oil
and gas wells or disposal  wells located on the Subject  Properties,  and Seller
has received no demands or requests for plugging and abandoning any of the Wells
or any other wells which might be located on the Subject Properties; and
                   (W)     Except for the Pit Remediation, prior to the
Effective Date, and to the extent required by, and in accordance with, rules and
 regulations of the Louisiana  Commissioner of Conservation and other applicable
laws,  rules  and  regulations  and other  obligations  imposed  upon  Seller by
contract,  Seller has restored associated or affected surface areas,  conforming
to and  satisfying  the terms and conditions of the Leases and/or any agreement,
laws, orders, rules, regulations, or permit
 obligations pertinent thereto.

       4.02   Limited Warranty. ANY ASSIGNMENT AND BILL OF SALE, DEED, SUBLEASE
 OR OTHER CONVEYANCE EXECUTED PURSUANT HERETO SHALL BE WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OR
REPRESENTATION OF TITLE, EITHER EXPRESS,
IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, EXCEPT BY, THROUGH, AND UNDER SELLER, AND SHALL
BE WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS,  IMPLIED,  STATUTORY OR OTHER WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION
AS TO THE  CONDITION,  QUANTITY,  QUALITY,  FITNESS  FOR A  PARTICULAR  PURPOSE,
FREEDOM FROM  REDHIBITORY  VICES OR DEFECTS,  CONFORMITY TO MODELS OR SAMPLES OF
MATERIALS  OR  MERCHANTABILITY  OF ANY OF THE  EQUIPMENT  OR ITS FITNESS FOR ANY
PURPOSE, AND WITHOUT ANY OTHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED,  STATUTORY OR OTHER WARRANTY OR
REPRESENTATION  WHATSOEVER.  PURCHASER IS RELYING SOLELY UPON ITS OWN INSPECTION
OF THE SUBJECT  PROPERTIES,  AND EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT,
PURCHASER  SHALL  ACCEPT THE  SUBJECT  PROPERTIES  IN THEIR "AS IS,  "WHERE IS'@
CONDITION,  EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN TO THE  CONTRARY.  IN ADDITION,
SELLER MAKES NO WARRANTY,  EXPRESS,  IMPLIED,  STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, AS TO THE
ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY DATA, REPORTS, RECORDS, PROJECTIONS, INFORMATION
OR  MATERIALS  NOW,  HERETOFORE  OR  HEREAFTER  FURNISHED  OR MADE  AVAILABLE TO
PURCHASER,  INCLUDING,  WITHOUT  LIMITATION,  ANY  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  SUBJECT
PROPERTIES,  PRICING ASSUMPTIONS, OR QUALITY OR QUANTITY OF HYDROCARBON RESERVES
(IF ANY)  ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE SUBJECT  PROPERTIES OR THE ABILITY OR POTENTIAL OF
THE SUBJECT PROPERTIES TO PRODUCE  HYDROCARBON OR ANY OTHER MATTERS CONTAINED IN
THE  PROPRIETARY  DATA OR ANY OTHER  MATERIALS  FURNISHED  OR MADE  AVAILABLE TO
PURCHASER BY SELLER OR BY SELLER'S AGENTS OR  REPRESENTATIVES.  ANY AND ALL SUCH
DATA, RECORDS, REPORTS PROJECTIONS, INFORMATION AND OTHER MATERIALS FURNISHED BY
SELLER OR OTHERWISE  MADE  AVAILABLE TO  PURCHASER  ARE PROVIDED  PURCHASER AS A
CONVENIENCE,  AND SHALL NOT CREATE OR GIVE RISE TO ANY  LIABILITY  OF OR AGAINST
SELLER. ANY RELIANCE ON OR USE OF THE SAME SHALL BE AT THE PURCHASER'S SOLE RISK
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT
                                                        13
PERMITTED BY LAW; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, SELLER REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS NOT KNOWINGLY
FAILED TO PROVIDE TO PURCHASER FOR ITS REVIEW ANY RECORDS OR MATERIAL  CONTRACTS
IN ITS  POSSESSION  OR CONTROL OR TO WHICH IT HAS  ACCESS.  PURCHASER  EXPRESSLY
WAIVES THE WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR INTENDED PURPOSES OR GUARANTEE AGAINST HIDDEN
OR LATENT  REDHIBITORY VICES UNDER LOUISIANA LAW INCLUDING  LOUISIANA CIVIL CODE
ARTICLES  2520  THROUGH  2548;  WAIVES ALL  RIGHTS IN  REDHIBITION  PURSUANT  TO
LOUISIANA CIVIL CODE ARTICLE 2520 ET SEQ.; ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS EXPRESS WAIVER
SHALL  BE  CONSIDERED  A  MATERIAL  AND  INTEGRAL  PART  OF  THIS  SALE  AND THE
CONSIDERATION THEREOF; AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS WAIVER HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE
ATTENTION  OF THE  PURCHASER  AND  EXPLAINED  IN DETAIL AND THAT  PURCHASER  HAS
VOLUNTARILY AND KNOWINGLY CONSENTED TO THIS WAIVER OF WARRANTY


AGAINST REDHIBITORY VICES AND DEFECTS



OF FITNESS AND/OR WARRANTY AGAINST REDHIBITORY VICES AND DEFECTS FOR THE SUBJECT
PROPERTIES.  THE  ASSIGNMENTS  AND  BILLS  OF  SALE,  SUBLEASES,  DEEDS OR OTHER
CONVEYANCES  TO BE DELIVERED BY SELLER AT CLOSING SHALL  EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THE
DISCLAIMERS OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION 4.02.


4.03    Representations and Warranties of Purchaser. Purchaser represents and
warrant to Seller:


                  (A) Purchaser is duly organized, validly existing, and in good
standing  under  the laws of the  state of Texas and is  properly  qualified  to
transact  business in the state of  Louisiana,  or will be so  qualified  by the
Closing Date;

                  (B) Purchaser has all requisite power and authority, corporate
and otherwise,  to carry on its business as presently  conducted,  to enter into
this  Agreement,  to purchase the Subject  Properties on the terms  described in
this Agreement and to perform its other  obligations  under this Agreement.  The
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement

                CP

                                                        14

will not violate, or be in conflict with, any provisions of Purchaser's articles
of incorporation or by-laws, or of Purchasers  agreements or governing documents
or any material  agreement  or  instrument  to which  Purchaser is a party or by
which it is bound, or any judgment,  decree,  order, statute, rule or regulation
applicable to Purchaser;
                  (C)  The  execution  and  delivery  of  this  Agreement,   all
certificates,  documents,  and instruments required to be executed and delivered
by Purchaser, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby as of
the Effective Date, are duly authorized by all requisite action;


                  (D) This  Agreement  constitutes  a legal,  valid and  binding
obligation of Purchaser,  enforceable  against it in accordance  with its terms,
subject,  however,  to the effects of  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,
moratorium and similar laws as well as to general principles of equity;
                  (E)  To  the  knowledge  of  Purchaser,  no  action,  suit  or
proceeding is pending,  or threatened  before any court or  governmental  agency
which  seeks  to  invalidate,   enjoin  or  restrain  the  consummation  of  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby,  or  any  action  taken  or to be  taken  in
connection therewith;
                  (F) Purchaser has adequate financial  resources to make timely
payment  of the  Purchase  Price and to pay and  perform  its other  obligations
hereunder and all financial  statements  furnished to Seller accurately  reflect
Purchaser's current financial position;
                  (G)  Purchaser  has  incurred  no  liability,   contingent  or
otherwise,   for  brokers'  or  finders'  fees  relating  to  the   transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement for which Seller shall have any  responsibility
whatsoever;
                  (H) Purchaser has been afforded an  opportunity to (a) examine
the Subject  Properties and such materials as it has requested to be provided to
it by Seller, (b) discuss with  representatives of Seller such materials and the
nature  and  operation  of  the  Subject  Properties  and  (c)  investigate  the
condition,  including subsurface condition, of the Leases and Material Contracts
and the condition of the Equipment. Purchaser acknowledges that in entering into
this Agreement,  Purchaser has relied upon its independent investigations of and
judgment  with  respect  to the  Subject  Properties  in  addition  to  Seller's
representations, warranties and covenants hereunder;


         (I) The consummation of the transactions contemplated herein are not 44
prohibited transactions" with respect to Purchaser under the Employee
      Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"),  and the Consummation of
      the transactions contemplated herein will not violate any other provisions
      of ERISA with respect to Purchaser;
                         (J) To the extent required by, and in accordance  with,
      rules and regulations of the Louisiana  Commissioner  of Conservation  and
      other applicable laws, rules and regulations and other obligations imposed
      upon  Purchaser  by contract,  Purchaser  shall plug and abandon all Wells
      (including,  but not  limited  to,  any salt  water  disposal  wells,  but
      excluding  any  wells  the  existence  of  which  would  violate  Seller's
      representation in Section 4.01(V) above) and shall remove all abandoned or
      unused  production  facilities and equipment,  which,  as of the Effective
      Date or  thereafter,  are located on the lands  subject to the Leases,  or
      otherwise in which Seller's interests are hereby transferred;


                  (K)  After the  Closing,  Date but as of the  Effective  Date,
except for the Pit  Remediation,  to the extent  required by, and in  accordance
with,  rules and regulations of the Louisiana  Commissioner of Conservation  and
other applicable laws,  rules and regulations and other  obligations  imposed by
contract,  Purchaser shall restore  associated or affected  surface areas of the
Subject Properties, conforming to and satisfying the terms and conditions of the
Leases  and/or  any  agreements,  laws,  orders,  rules,  regulations  or permit
obligations pertinent thereto;
                  (L)  Purchaser   shall  pay  the  cost  of  all  plugging  and
abandonment of the Wells,  all removal of  facilities,  equipment and pipelines,
and all restoration of lands or water bottoms,  Leases,  Production  Facilities,
Equipment or pipelines  located on the Subject  Properties  or on lands or water
bottoms  unitized  therewith,  including but not limited to any such costs which
Seller is obligated to pay to the extent that these  obligations  arise from and
after the Effective Date; and


16

                  (M)  Purchaser  warrants  that  it is  acquiring  the  Subject
Properties  for its sole  account and not for resale,  in whole or part,  to any
other  person,  firm or entity in any manner that will  violate  any  applicable
state or federal securities law.


                                    ARTICLE V
                                    Covenants



           5.01     Covenants and Agreements of Seller.  Seller covenants and
agrees that:
                  (A) Seller agrees after Closing to provide  reasonable revenue
and expense accounting support regarding the Subject Properties for a reasonable
period of time.
                  (B) Seller agrees to cooperate with Purchaser in the execution
and delivery of any agreements or documents  reasonably  necessary to effect the
transaction contemplated hereby.


(C)  Seller has been  required  by the  Louisiana  Department  of  Environmental
Quality  ("DEQ") to remediate a certain pit,  identified  by and with the DEQ as
"Pit #' )8PO80,


Sections 7, 8 & 9" (the "Pit  Remediation").  Seller  agrees to complete the Pit
Remediation  to the  satisfaction  of the  DEQ.  and to  bear  the  cost of such
remediation regardless of the completion date of such remediation.  Seller shall
provide written notice to Purchaser at such time as Seller has completed the Pit
Remediation ("Remediation Completion Notice").
                    (D)  Seller  agrees  to use its best  efforts  to cause  the
Subject  Properties to be maintained  and operated in a prudent and  workmanlike
marine r in  accordance  with  standard oil and gas industry  practices  for the
general  area  during,  the period  between the date of this  Agreement  and the
Closing Date.
                  (E) During the period  from the date of this  Agreement  until
the Closing Date,  Seller will not (i) abandon or permit the  abandonment of any
material part of the Subject  Properties or conveyed or disposed of any material
part of the  Subject  Properties  (other  than  Hydrocarbons  produced  from the
Subject Properties in the ordinary course of business).
                                                       17

           5.02     Covenants and Agreements of Purchaser=.  Purchaser covenants
and agrees that:
                  (A)  From  and  after  the  Closing  Date  and to  the  extent
necessary  to  facilitate  the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated
herein,  in addition to the assumption by Purchaser of the obligations of Seller
attributable to the Subject Properties after the Closing Date, Purchaser agrees,
to the extent  required by applicable law or the terms of any Leases or Material
Contracts,  to enter into specific agreements of assumption with respect to said
obligations of Seller to specific third parties or  governmental  authorities to
the extent such obligations are attributable to the Subject Properties after the
Effective Date;
                  (B) Purchaser agrees to cooperate with Seller in the execution
and delivery of any agreements or documents  reasonably  necessary to effect the
transaction contemplated hereby;


                  (C) Purchaser  accepts the Subject  Properties  subject to all
existing  Naturally  Occurring   Radioactive  Material  (NORM)  and  oil  and/or
saltwater spills and damages on the Leases, except for the Pit Remediation; and



                  (D) Purchaser  agrees to conduct a 3D seismic  survey (the "3D
Survey") over all or a substantial portion of the Lease lands within twenty-four
(24) months after Closing, subject to the timely receipt of necessary permits to
begin and complete the 3D Survey.  Failure by Purchaser to conduct the 3D Survey
within the 24 month time  period  will not  constitute  a breach of  contract or
constitute grounds for a claim by Seller for indemnification, provided Purchaser
is proceeding in good faith to complete the Survey.

ARTICLE VI
Title Matters



        6.01    Good and Marketable Title.
(A) As used herein,  the term "Good and Marketable  Title" shall mean, as to the
Leases, such title held by the Seller,  that, subject to and after giving effect
to the Permitted


1 8

Encumbrances:  (i)  entitles  Seller to receive  not less than the "Net  Revenue
Interests"  set  forth on  Exhibit  B of the  Hydrocarbons  produced,  saved and
marketed from the Wells; or (ii) obligates Seller for the life of the applicable
leasehold  or  other  interest  to  bear  costs  and  expenses  relating  to the
maintenance,  development  and operation of the Subject  Properties in an amount
not  greater  than the  "Working  Interest"  set forth on  Exhibit B, other than
Permitted Encumbrances.
                    (B) The term "Permitted Encumbrances", as used herein, shall
mean:
                           (i)      lessors'  royalties,  overriding  royalties,
and other leasehold  burdens of
whatever  nature,  of record or reflected  on Exhibits A and B, sales  contracts
covering oil, gas or  associated  liquid or gaseous  hydrocarbons,  reversionary
interests  and  similar  burdens to the  extent to which they do not  operate to
reduce the Net Revenue  Interest in any of the Subject  Properties  to less than
the Net Revenue Interest set forth for the affected property on Exhibit B;

                          (iii)  liens for taxes or assessments not yet due or
not yet delinquent;
                           (iv)     all rights to consent by,  required  notices
 to,  filings with, or actions by
governmental  entities in connection  with the sale or conveyance of oil and gas
leases or interests therein if the same are customarily  obtained  subsequent to
such sale or conveyance;
                           (v)      all outstanding contracts, agreements,
instruments,  obligations, defects and
irregularities  affecting  the  Subject  Properties  that  are  not  such  as to
interfere,  individually  or in the aggregate,  materially with the operation or
use of the  Subject  Properties  in the  judgment  of a  reasonable  and prudent
operator in the area where the Subject Properties are located;


                           (vi)     the terms and conditions of all agreements,
orders,  instruments,  documents which do not, individually or in the aggregate,
 reduce the Net Revenue Interest of any of the Subject Properties to less
than the Net Revenue  Interest  set forth on Exhibit B;


19

                           (vii)    rights reserved to or vested in any
municipality  or  governmental,  statutory  or public  authority  to  control or
regulate any of the Subject  Properties in any manner,  and all applicable laws,
rules, and orders of governmental authority;
                           (viii)   gas contracts and crude oil purchase
contracts that are terminable within 30 days or less notice; and
                           (ix)     such Title  Defects (as defined  herein) or
 other  defects as  Purchaser  has
waived pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
                  (C) A  "Title  Defect"  shall  be  any  material  encumbrance,
encroachment,  irregularity,  defect in or objection to Seller's title to any of
the Leases that does not constitute a Permitted  Encumbrances,  or that alone or
in combination  with other defects renders  Seller's title to any portion of the
Leases less than Good and Marketable Title.


ARTICLE VII
Indemnification



         7.01     Survival and indemnification
(A) Survival. Notwithstanding any investigation made before or after the Closing
Date by or on behalf of any party to this Agreement,  (1) the covenants,  except
for  Seller's  covenant in Section  5.01(C)  which shall expire six months after
Purchaser's  receipt of the Remediation  Completion Notice, (ii) the agreements,
excluding  agreements  to  indemnify  which shall  survive for the time  periods
hereinafter specified, and (iii) the representations and warranties,  except for
Seller's  representations  made in  Sections  4.01(T) and  4.01(W),  and farther
excluding Section 4.01(K) which shall expire at Closing,  of the parties to this
Agreement will survive for one (1) year from the Closing Date.
                  (B) Obligations of Seller. Seller agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless  Purchaser  and  its  shareholders,   directors,   officers,  partners,
employees,  their  agents  and  assigns  from and  against  any  loss or  damage
(including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs) reasonably
incurred  (excluding any  consequential  damage or loss) (a "Loss") by Purchaser
resulting from, based upon, or arising from, directly or indirectly:
                                                        20
                           (i)      For a period of one year after Closing, any
inaccuracy  in, or breach or  non-performance  of,  any of the  representations,
warranties,  covenants,  or  agreements  made by Seller in or  pursuant  to this
Agreement,  except for  representations  made in Sections 4.01(K),  4.01 (T) and
4.01 (W);


                           (ii)     The Pit Remediation  provided for in Section
  5.01(C),  including any demands
made by the DEQ for additional  remediation  measures in connection with the Pit
Remediation,  provided  that such demands by the DEQ or any other demand made in
connection  with  the  Pit  Remediaton  is  made  within  six  months  following
Purchaser's receipt of the Remediation Completion Notice;
                             (iii)  For a period of one year after  Closing,
any other matter as to which Seller
  in other  provisions  of this  Agreement  has  expressly  agreed to  indemnify
  Purchaser unless expressly provided otherwise.
                    (C) Obligations of Purchaser.  Purchaser agrees to indemnify
  and hold harmless Seller and its shareholders, directors, officers, employees,
  agents and assigns from and against any Loss of Seller  resulting from,  based
  upon or arising from, directly or indirectly:
                             (1)    For a period  of one year  after  Closing,
 any  inaccuracy  in, or breach or
  non-performance of any of Purchaser's  representations and warranties,  except
  for  Sections  4.0-')(J),  (K)  and  (L),  covenants,  or  agreements  made by
  Purchaser in or pursuant to this Agreement;


                       (ii)     Any inaccuracy in Sections 4.03(J), (K) and (L);
                       (ii)     Any  other  matter  as  to  which  Purchaser  in
  other provisions of  this Agreement has expressly agreed to indemnify Seller;
                      (iii)    Except as may be otherwise  expressly
provided  for  in  this  Agreement,  any  lawsuits,  liens,  judgments,   costs,
reasonable  attorneys' fees, claims or proceedings of any nature relating to the
Subject  Properties  and arising  out of any act,  transaction  or  circumstance
involving  Purchaser,  whether based on  negligence or otherwise,  and occurring
after the Closing Date; and
                      (iv)     Any claims, losses, damages,  lawsuits,  liens,
judgments,  costs, reasonable
attorneys'  fees,  claims or  proceedings  of any nature made by third  parties,
including any and all  governmental  entities,  subject to Section  7.01(B)(ii),
relating to the Subject 21

Properties,  whether  such claims are related to incidents  occurring  before or
after the Effective Date or the Closing Date.
                  (D) Notice and  Opl2ortunitv  to Defend.  After receipt by any
party  hereto  (the  "Indemnified  Party") of notice of any  demand,  claim,  or
circumstances  that, with the lapse of time,  could give rise to a claim, or the
commencement  (or  threatened  commencement)  of  any  action,   proceeding,  or
investigation, that in either case could give rise to a right to indemnification
pursuant to this Article VII (an "Asserted  Liability"),  the Indemnified  Party
will give the party that may become obligated to provide  indemnification  under
this Article VII (the  "Indemnifying,  Party")  written  notice  describing  the
Asserted Liability in reasonable detail and indicating the amount (estimated, if
necessary)  of the  Loss  that has been or may be  suffered  by the  Indemnified
Party.  After  accepting in writing its obligation to indemnify the  lndemnified
Party against the Assumed  Liability,  the Indemnifying Party may defend, at its
own expenses and by its own counsel, any Asserted Liability, and the Indemnified
Party will  cooperate in such defense  against such Asserted  Liability.  If the
Indemnified  Party fails to defend the  Asserted  Liability  within  thirty (30)
calendar  days after  notice  thereof  (or sooner if the nature of the  Asserted
Liability  so  requires) or contests  its  obligation  to  indemnify  under this
Agreement,  the Indemnified Party may pay,  compromise,  or defend such Asserted
Liability  for the  account,  and at the  expense  of, the  Indemnifying  Party.
Notwithstanding   the  foregoing,   neither  the  Indemnifying   Party  nor  the
Indemnified  Party may settle or compromise  any claim over the objection of the
other;  provided,  however, that consent to settlement or compromise will not be
unreasonably  withheld.  In  connection  with  the  defense  of any  claim,  the
Indemnified  Party will make  available  to the  Indemnifying,  Party any books,
records, or other documents within its control that are necessary or appropriate
for such defense. In addition, any Indemnifying, Party will be subrogated to the
rights of the Indemnified Party with respect to the respective Loss.
                    (E) Limitation.  Notwithstanding  anythind,  in this Article
  VII with respect to the  obligation  of Seller to indemnify  Purchaser for any
  Loss,  Seller will not be required to indemnify  Purchaser until the aggregate
  of all amounts for which indemnity would otherwise be due exceeds $200,000, in
  which case Seller will be responsible for all indemnifiable amounts 22

excluding  the first  $200,000.  With respect to the  obligation of Purchaser to
Seller for any Loss,  Purchaser  will not be required to indemnify  Seller until
the aggregate of all amounts for which  indemnity would otherwise be due exceeds
$200,000,  in which case  Purchaser will be  responsible  for all  indemnifiable
amounts excluding the first $200,000. This limitation shall not


apply to any costs,  losses or damages  arising  out of Seller's  obligation  in
respect of the Pit Remediation provided for in Section 5.01(C).
                  (F) Neither  Purchaser nor Seller shall be entitled to recover
from Seller or Purchaser,  respectively,  for any losses,  costs,  expenses,  or
damages  arising under this  Agreement or in connection  with or with respect to
the  transactions  contemplated  in this  Agreement  any amount in excess of the
actual compensatory damages,  court costs and reasonable attorney fees, suffered
by such  party.  Neither  Purchaser  nor Seller  shall have any right to recover
punitive,  special,  exemplary and  consequential  damages arising in connection
with or with respect to the transactions contemplated in this Agreement.
                  (G) If the Closing-  occurs,  the sole and exclusive remedy of
each of the  Purchaser  and the Seller with  respect to the purchase and sale of
the Properties  shall be pursuant to the express  indemnification  provisions of
this Article VII. If the Closing occurs, Purchaser and Seller shall be deemed to
have waived,  to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, any right of
contribution  against  Seller or any of its  affiliates  and any and all rights,
claims and causes of action it may have against  Seller or any of its affiliates
or Purchaser or any of its affiliates,  respectively,  arising under or based on
any federal,  state or local  statute,  law,  ordinance,  rule or  regulation or
common law or otherwise.
                  (H)  No  person  entitled  to  indemnification   hereunder  or
otherwise  to damages in  connection  with or with  respect to the  transactions
contemplated in this Agreement shall settle, compromise or take any other action
with respect to any claim,  demand,  assertion of liability or legal  proceeding
that could  prejudice  or otherwise  adversely  impact the ability of the person
providing such  indemnification or potentially liable for such damages to defend
or otherwise settle or compromise with respect to such claim, demand,  assertion
of liability or legal proceeding.



                 (I) Seller and Purchaser acknowledge that the payment of money,
as limited by the terms of this Agreement,  shall be adequate  compensation  for
breach of any representation,  warranty,  covenant or agreement contained herein
or for any other claim arising in connection with or with respect to the
 transactions contemplated in this Agreement.  As the payment of


                                                        24
money shall be adequate  compensation,  Purchaser  and Seller waive any right to
rescind this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby.

              (J) Each person entitled to indemnification hereunder or otherwise
to damages in connection  with the  transactions  contemplated in this Agreement
shall take all  reasonable  steps to mitigate  all losses,  costs,  expenses and
damages after becoming, aware of any event or circumstance that could reasonably
be expected to give rise to any losses,  costs,  expenses  and damages  that are
indemnifiable or recoverable hereunder or in connection herewith.
                  (K) THE  INDEMNIFICATION,  RELEASE AND  ASSUMPTION  PROVISIONS
PROVIDED FOR IN THIS  AGREEMENT  SHALL BE APPLICABLE  WHETHER OR NOT THE LOSSES,
COSTS, EXPENSES AND DAMAGES IN QUESTION AROSE SOLELY OR IN PART FROM THE ACTIVE,
PASSIVE OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE (EXCLUDING GROSS NEGLIGENCE),  STRICT LIABILITY
OR  OTHER  FAULT,  EXCLUDING  WILLFUL  MISCONDUCT,  OF  ANY  INDEMNIFIED  PARTY.
PURCHASER AND SELLER  ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS STATEMENT  COMPLIES WITH THE EXPRESS
NEGLIGENCE RULE AND IS CONSPICUOUS.
                  (L) Neither Seller nor Purchaser  shall have any obligation or
liability  under this  Agreement  or in  connection  with or with respect to the
transactions contemplated in this Agreement for any breach, misrepresentation or
noncompliance  with  respect  to  any  representation,   warranty,  covenant  or
obligation if such breach, or misrepresentation or noncompliance shall have been
waived by the other party, any  misrepresentation  or breach of warranty if such
other party had knowledge of the relevant facts at or before Closing or any
                                       t-)


24

misrepresentation  or breach of warranty if such other party  should have known,
in the exercise of  reasonable  diligence,  of the  relevant  facts at or before
Closing.


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                              Conditions to Closing



         8.01     Seller's Conditions.  The obligations of Seller to consummate
 the transactions contemplated hereby are subject, at the option of Seller, to
the satisfaction of the following conditions:

                  (A) All  representations and warranties of Purchaser contained
in this Agreement shall be true in all material respects as of the Closing Date,
and  Purchaser  has  performed  and  satisfied  all material  agreements  in all
material  respects  required by this Agreement to be performed and satisfied by'
Purchaser prior to the Closing Date.
                  (B) Seller shall have received a  certificate  dated as of the
Closing Date,  executed by  Purchaser,  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to
Seller,  to the effect that the statements in Sections 8.01(A) above are true at
and as of the Closing  Date,  and  Purchaser's  conditions  to Closing have been
waived  or  satisfied  by  Purchaser  in   connection   with  the   transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
                  (C) No suit or other  proceeding,  shall be pending before any
court or governmental agency seeking, to restrain,  prohibit or declare illegal,
or  seeking  substantial  damages  in  connection  with  the  purchase  and sale
contemplated by this Agreement.


         8.02     Purchaser's Conditions. The obligations of Purchaser to
consummate  the   transactions contemplated hereby are subject, at the option of
Purchaser, to the satisfaction of the following      conditions:
                  (A) All  representations and warranties of Seller contained in
this Agreement  shall be true in all material  respects at and as of the Closing
Date, and Seller shall have  performed and satisfied all material  agreements in
all material  respects  required by this Agreement to be performed and satisfied
by Seller at or prior to the Closing Date.
                  (B) Purchaser  shall have  received a certificate  dated as of
the Closing  Date,  executed by Seller,  in form and substance  satisfactory  to
Seller,  to the effect that the statements in Sections 8.02(A) above are true at
and as of the Closing, Date, and Seller's conditions to Closing have been waived
or satisfied by Seller in connection with the transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement.
                  (C) No suit or other  proceeding  shall be pending  before any
court or governmental  agency seeking to restrain,  prohibit or declare illegal,
or seeking,  substantial  damages in  connection  with,  the  purchase  and sale
contemplated by this Agreement.



                  (D)     Seller shall convey to Purchaser title to the Subject
 Properties and to the properties and rights described in Section 1.03 herein,
without warranty of title,  expressed or implied,  except by, through, and under
Seller, subject to Permitted Encumbrances and/or waived Material Title Defects.


                                   ARTICLE IX
                                     Closing



                  9.01  Time  of  Closing.   The  closing   ("Closing")  of  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby shall take place at a place  mutually  agreed
upon in  writing by the  parties on or before  September  1,1997  (the  "Closing
Date").

                  9.02 Actions of Seller and  Purchaser at Closing.  At Closing,
the following events shall occur, each being a condition precedent to the others
and each being deemed to have occurred simultaneously with the others:
                  (A)  Seller  shall  execute,   acknowledge,   and  deliver  to
Purchaser the instruments (in sufficient  counterparts to facilitate  recording)
necessary to convey the Subject  Properties.  The assignment and bill of sale of
the Leases and Wells and  attendant  property and fixtures  shall be on the form
attached  hereto as Exhibit D.  Assignments  on forms  required by  governmental
entities  shall be prepared to be executed and  delivered by Seller to Purchaser
at Closing;


(B) Purchaser  shall  deliver to Seller the Adjusted  Purchase  Price,  less the
Performance Deposit, by wire transfer to an account designated by Seller;
                                                     26
 (C) Seller  shall  deliver to  Purchaser  exclusive  possession  of the Subject
Properties  conveyed  to  Purchaser;  (D) Seller and  Purchaser  shall  execute,
acknowledge,  and  deliver  to  each  other  such  additional  documents  as are
reasonable and customary to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including
conveyances, assignments, transfers, bills of sale, and resignations of
                                       ZD
Seller as operator,  and other instruments  necessary to convey to Purchaser the
title, rights, and obligations in and to the Subject Properties;



                  (E) Seller and Purchaser  shall  execute and deliver  transfer
orders,  letters in lieu thereof or other  instruments which may be necessary or
desirable  to cause all  proceeds  of  production  attributable  to the  Subject
Properties to be made to Purchaser as provided in this Agreement;
  t@


(F)    Seller shall deliver to Purchaser the certificate provided for in Section
8.02(B);



(G)    Purchaser shall deliver to Seller the certificate provided for in Section
8. 01 (B); and



                  (H) At Closing, or within 180 days following Closing,,  Seller
shall  deliver to Purchaser  all funds  representing  the value or proceeds from
production  removed or sold from third  party  interests  related to the Subject
Properties  and held by  Seller  in  accounts  from  which  payments  have  been
suspended  ("Suspended Funds").  Purchaser shall accept the Suspended Funds and,
thereafter,  be solely responsible for the proper  distribution of the Suspended
Funds, including any obligation to identify, locate and pay the persons entitled
to the  Suspended  Funds and to  report  and to escrow  the  Suspended  Funds as
required by any applicable  law;  provided that Seller advises  Purchaser of the
specific  property(s)  to which the Suspended  Funds are  attributable,  and all
information in the possession of Seller  relative to the division of interest of
the Suspended Funds, Purchaser shall indemnify,  hold harmless and defend Seller
against any and all losses,  claims,  suites,  causes of action,  controversies,
liability  and  expenses  arising  directly  or  indirectly  out of  Purchaser's
improper  or  untimely  disbursement,  escrow  or  continued  suspension  of the
Suspended Funds. For a period of one year after Closing, Seller shall remain 27
 liable for any interest and penalties  incurred by Purchaser in connection with
the  Suspended  Funds,  to the extent that such  penalties  and/or  interest are
attributable  to  Seller's  possession  of  the  Suspended  Funds  prior  to the
Effective Date; provided,  however, that Purchaser shall not make any settlement
with any claimant to the Suspended  Funds which would include  penalties  and/or
interest  allocable to Seller  pursuant to this  Section  without the consent of
Seller. In addition,  for a period of one year after Closing,  in the event that
any final judicial determination finds that the Suspended Funds are insufficient
to satisfy the claims of any claimant to the  Suspended  Funds,  Seller shall be
liable for any such  deficiency  but only to the extent that such  deficiency is
attributable  to the period of Seller's  possession of the Suspended Funds prior
to the Effective Date.


                                    ARTICLE X
                           Obligations after Closinig



         10.01 Post-Closing  Adjustmenta.  As soon as practicable after Closing,
but not later than December ' ) 1, 1997,  Seller and Purchaser shall prepare and
deliver to each other, in accordance with this Agreement and generally  accepted
accounting  principles,  a statement (herein  respectively  called  "Purchaser's
Final  Settlement  Statement"  and "Seller's  Final  Settlement  Statement"  and
collectively  the  "Final  Settlement   Statements")  each  setting  forth  each
adjustment or payment that was not finally  determined as of Closing and showing
the  calculation of such  adjustments.  As soon as practicable  after receipt of
such Final Settlement Statements,  and no later than ten (10) days after receipt
of such Final Settlement Statement,  each party shall deliver to the other party
a written  report,  containing any chances that each such party proposes be made
to the other party's Final Settlement Statement.  The parties shall undertake to
agree with respect to the "Final Purchase  Price" pursuant to such  post-Closing
adjustments  no later than December 1, 1997.  The date upon which such agreement
is reached  or upon  which the Final  Purchase  Price is  established,  shall be
herein called the "Final Settlement Date". In the event the Final Purchase Price
is more than the Purchase  Price,  Purchaser  shall pay the difference to Seller
within thirty (30) days. If the Final  Purchase  Price is less than the Adjusted
Purchase Price,  Seller shall pay the difference to Purchaser  within thirty (-'
)0) days.
                                                       28
          10.02 Files and  Records.  At Closing,  but in no event later than ten
(10)  business  days  following  Closing,  Seller shall deliver to Purchaser all
files and records  relating to the Subject  Properties,  including  all Material
Contracts and Records,  seismic data,  geological maps,  logs,  interpretations,
evaluations,  scouting reports and magnetic  surveys,  but excluding  accounting
records for dates prior to the Effective  Date.  Seller may retain copies of all
such files and records at its sole expense. From and after Closing, Seller shall
permit  Purchaser or its  designated  representatives  reasonable  access during
normal  business  hours  to the  accounting  and  financial  records  of  Seller
pertaining to the Subject  Properties and in Seller's  possession (which records
shall be  maintained  for a period of no less than three  (-'))  years after the
Closing Date), as such requests for access may be made by Purchaser from time to
time and provided that such access by Purchaser does not unreasonably  interfere
with the other operations of Seller.


10.0') Sales Taxes and



         10.0') Sales Taxes and Recordin2  Fees.  Purchaser  shall pay all sales
taxes  occasioned  by  the  sale  of  the  Subject  Properties,  any  interests,
properties or rights  provided for herein and all  documentary,  filing fees and
recording  fees  required in  connection  with the filing and  recording  of any
assignments or bills of sale.


         10.04 Further  Assurances.  After Closing,  Seller and Purchaser  shall
execute,  acknowledge  and  deliver or cause to be  executed,  acknowledged  and
delivered such instruments and take such action  including  payment of monies as
may be  necessary  or  advisable  to carry  out  their  obligations  under  this
Agreement  and under any document,  certificate  or other  instrument  delivered
pursuant  hereto or required by law. If at any time subsequent to Closing either
party comes into  possession of money or property  belonging to the other,  such
money or property shall be promptly turned over to the party entitled thereto.


ARTICLE XI
Termination



         I 1.01  Termination.  This  Agreement  and the  transactions  completed
hereby may be terminated  and be of no further force and effect in the following
instances:
             (A) By Purchaser if any  condition  set forth in Section 8.02 shall
not be satisfied at or before Closing.


29

             (B) By Seller if any  condition set forth in Section 8.01 shall not
 be satisfied at or before Closing.
             (C)  By the mutual written consent of Purchaser and Seller.  (D) As
                  set forth in Article III.


                                   ARTICLE XII
                                  Miscellaneous



         12.01 Notices.  Any notice,  request,  instruction,  correspondence  or
other  communication  to be given or made hereunder to either party to the other
(herein  collectively  called "Notice") shall be in writing and (a) delivered in
hand,  (b)  mailed  by  certified  mail,  postage  prepaid  and  return  receipt
requested; (c) sent by telecopier, or (d) sent be Express Mail, Federal Express,
or other delivery service, as follows:


If to Seller to:           Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.  Barbara J. Bordelon,
General Counsel 2700 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 700 Houston, Texas 77056



Telephone:        (281) 694-1809
Facsimile:    (281) 694-1899



If to Purchaser to:      Saba Energy of Texas, Incorporated
           Bradley Katzung, President
           160'j' S.E. 19th Street, Suite 202
           Edmond, Oklahoma 73103



Telephone:        (405) 340-3600
Facsimile:    (405) 340-3691



         Notice given by hand, Federal Express or other express delivery service
or by mail shall be effective  upon actual  receipt.  Notice given by telecopier
shall be effective upon actual receipt if received during the recipient's normal
business hours,  or at the beginning of the recipient's  next business day after
receipt if not  received  during the  recipient's  normal  business  hours.  All
Notices by facsimile shall be confirmed  promptly after  transmission in writing
by certified mail


30

or personal delivery.  Any party may change any address to which Notice is to be
given to it by giving Notice as provided above of such change of address.


         12.02 Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement,  together  with the Exhibits
hereto  (which are hereby  incorporated  by reference in and made a part of this
Agreement for all purposes), constitute the entire agreement between the parties
hereto relating, to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements
between Seller and Purchaser whether written or oral.
         12.03 Headings.  The headings  contained  herein are for convenience of
reference  only and  shall  not be deemed to be a part of or to modify or affect
the meaning of any of the provisions contained herein.
         12.04  Counterparts.   This  Agreement  may  be  executed  in  multiple
counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall
together constitute but one and the same instrument.
         12.05  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  shall be governed by and by in
accordance  with the laws of the state of Louisiana  relating- to contracts made
and  to be  fully  performed  therein.  Seller  and  Purchaser  agree  that  any
litigation  affecting this Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated  herein
will be held in a court of proper jurisdiction within the state of Louisiana.
         12.6     Arbitration.
                  (A) Binding  Arbitration.  On the request of any party hereto,
whether  made  before or after the  institution  of any  legal  proceeding,  any
action,  dispute,  claim or  controversy  of any kind now  existing or hereafter
arising between any of the parties hereto in any way arising out of,  pertaining
to or in  connection  with this  Agreement  (a  "Dispute")  shall be resolved by
binding  arbitration  in  accordance  with the terms  hereof.  Any party may, by
summary  proceedings,  bring an  action in court to  compel  arbitration  of any
Dispute.
                  (B) Governing Rules. Any arbitration  shall be administered by
the American Arbitration Association (the "AAA") in accordance with the terms of
this Section,  the Commercial  Arbitration Rules of the AAA, and, to the maximum
extent applicable,  the Federal  Arbitration Act. Judgment on any award rendered
by an arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.



3 1

                  (C) Arbitrators. Any arbitration shall be conducted before one
arbitrator.  The arbitrator shall be a practicing  attorney licensed to practice
in the State of Texas who is  knowledgeable in the subject matter of the Dispute
selected by agreement between the parties hereto. If the parties cannot agree on
an  arbitrator  within 30 days after the  request for an  arbitration,  then any
party may request the AAA to select an  arbitrator.  The  arbitrator  may engage
engineers,  accountants or other consultants that the arbitrator deems necessary
to render a conclusion in the arbitration proceeding
                  (D) Conduct of Arbitration. To the maximum extent practicable,
an arbitration  proceeding  hereunder shall be concluded  within 180 days of the
filing of the Dispute with the AAA.  Arbitration  proceedings shall be conducted
in Houston,  Texas.  Arbitrators  shall be empowered to impose  sanctions and to
take such other actions as the  arbitrators  deem necessary to the same extent a
judge could impose  sanctions or take such other actions pursuant to the Federal
Rules  of  Civil  Procedure  and  applicable  law.  At  the  conclusion  of  any
arbitration  proceeding,  the arbitrator shall make specific written findings of
fact and  conclusions  of law.  The  arbitrator  shall  have the  power to award
recovery of all costs and fees to the  prevailing  party.  Each party  agrees to
keep all Disputes and arbitration  proceedings strictly  confidential except for
disclosure of information required by applicable law.
                  (E) Costs of  Arbitration.  All fees of the arbitrator and any
engineer,  accountant or other  consultant  engaged by the arbitrator,  shall be
paid by Purchaser and Seller equally unless otherwise awarded by the arbitrator.
         12.07 Announcements.  After Closing, Seller and Purchaser shall consult
with each other with regard to all press releases and other announcements issued
concerning this Agreement or the transactions  contemplated hereby and except as
may be required by applicable  laws or the applicable  rules and  regulations of
any governmental  agency,  self-regulatory  organization or stock exchange,  and
Purchaser  and  Seller  shall not issue  such  press  release  or make any other
announcement without the prior written consent of the other party.
         12.08    Assignments.  Purchaser  may not assign its rights  under this
Agreement  without  the express written consent of Seller.
         12.9 Parties in Interest.  This  Agreement  shall be binding,  upon and
shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their permitted  successors
and assigns;  and nothing  contained in this Agreement,  express or implied,  is
intended  to confer  upon any other  person or entity  any  benefits,  rights or
remedies.
         12.10 Facsimile  Signatures.  The parties acknowledge that execution of
this  Agreement by Purchaser may be first  presented by facsimile  transmission,
and the parties agree to accept such facsimile signature as correct and binding.
Purchaser  agrees to immediately  follow up the facsimile  transmission  with an
original  signatures and to submit  originals to Seller within two business days
of the facsimile execution.


IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be
executed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


WITNSSES:



STATOIL EXPLORATION (US) INC.
/s/ Sigmund Rodvelt

Manager Business Development



SABA ENERGY OF TEXAS, INCORPORATED
/s/ Bradley T. Katzung

President

Exhibit A



Attached to and made a part of that certain Purchase And Sale Agreement by and
between Statoil Exploration (US) Inc. and Saba Energy of Texas, Inc.
and dated August          1997.

<TABLE>

<S>                    <C>                        <C>                  <C>                 <C>   

Lease Date              Lessor                     Lessee               Recording Data      Gross acres          Net Acres



                        Board of Levee             Humble Oil &          COB 66,             2258.5             2258.5
Lease 1 11-08-28        Commissioners -            Refining Co.          Page 518
                        Orleans Levee District
Lease 2 01-23-36        State of LA                W. T. Burton          COB 81,             576                576
                        State Lease No. 3 3 5                            Page 004
Lease 3 11-21-41        State of LA                Humble Oil &          COB 105,            450                450
                        State Lease No. 508        Refining Co.          Page 392
Lease 4 03-11-47        Board of Levee             The Superior          COB 130,            132.85             132.85
                        Commissioners             Oil Company           Page 556
                                                                                 TOTAL       3417.35            3417.35


</TABLE>
*References to Recording Data are to the public records of Plaquemines Parish,
Louisiana.

**As the leases are more fully described on pages 2 and 3 of Exhibit A



LEASE-1



That certain oil, gas and mineral lease effective  November 8, 1928,  granted by
the Board of Levee  commissioners  of the  Orleans  Levee  District  in favor of
Humble Oil & Refining  Company,  recorded in COB 66, Polio 518,  LESS AND EXCEPT
land lying within the surface boundaries of the Pengo Petroleum,  Inc. Voluntary
Unit "B" created by instrument  dated  effective  July 1, 1978,  recorded in COB
482, Folio 429, Entry No. 76 containing  132.846 acres,  more or less,  from the
surface down to the stratigraphic equivalent of the base of the TEXT W Sand seen
at a depth of 13,500 feet measured depth on the ISFSonic Log,, Run No. 1 for the
Orleans Levee Board B-1 Well, dated November 10, 1975,



LEASE 2




That certain oil, gas and mineral lease granted by the
State of Louisiana to W. T. Burton,  effective January 23, 1936, recorded in COB
81, Folio 4, designated State Lease 335, as to all land covered thereby lying in
Townships  17 and 18 South,  Range 15 East LESS AND  EXCEPT (1) lands and depths
released  therefrom  on November 1, 1943,  July 30,  1974,  February 5, 1986 and
September  7. 1989 and (2) all land lying within the surface  boundaries  of the
Pengo Petroleum,  Inc.  Voluntary Unit *B* created by instrument dated effective
July 1, 1978,  recorded in COB 482, Folio 429, Entry No. 76, containing  132.846
acres more or less, from the surface to the stratigraphic equivalent of the base
of the  TEXT W Sand  seen  at a depth  of  13,500  feet  measured  depth  on the
ISF-Sonic  Log, Run No. 1, for the Orleans Levee Board B-1 Well,  dated November
10r  1975,r  but not less and  except  the Mio 10 Sand as found at 9,500 feet to
10,240 feet measured  depth on the ISF-Sonic Log Run No. 1 for the Orleans Levee
Board B-1 Well, dated

November 10, 1975.



Exhibit A, Page 2 of 3

I   LAAAS-1



That  certain  oil,  gas and mineral  lease dated  effective  November 21, 1941,
granted by the State of  Louisiana  in favor of Humble  Oil & Refining  Company,
recorded in COB 105, Folio 392, designated State Lease SOB.- LESS AND EXCEPT (1)
forty acres surrounding the State Lease 508 No. 13 Well.  described as beginning
at the point X  2,517,580.06  and Y -  307,462.15,  then  South 360 36' 35' East
11320 feet,  then South 530 23' 25" West 1,320 feet, then North 360 36' 350 West
1,320 feet,  then North 530 23' 25" East 1,320 feet to the point of beginning-as
to all depths from the surface to 100 feet below the stratigraphic equivalent of
the base of the MIO 12F Sand seen at 11,818 feet (log depth) on the electric log
for the Humble State Lease 508 No. 5 Well, (2) forty acres surrounding the State
Lease 508 No. 15/15-D Wells described as beginning at the point X = 2,517,715.00
and Y = 307,443.15,  then North 600 East 1,320 feet,, then South 300 East 1,,320
feet,  then South 600 West 1,320  feet,  then North 300 West  1.,320 feet to the
point of  beginning  as to all  depths  from the  surface  to 100 feet below the
stratigraphic  equivalent  of the base of the MIO 12F Sand seen at  11,818  feet
(log  depth)  in the  state  Lease  508 No. 5 Well  and (3) all land and  depths
released therefrom on May 6.. 1971,, September 9,, 1983, September 5., 1991, and
July 30, 1992.



Lease-A



That  certain  oi1, gas and mineral  lease  effective  March 11, 1947 granted by
Board of Levee  Commissioners  of the Orleans Levee District to The Superior Oil
Company,  recorded  in COB 130,  Folio 556,  LESS AND EXCEPT (1) land and depths
released on March 18, 1985, (2) the 160 acres of the lease in Sections 3 and 10,
Township 18 South,  Range 15 East  reserved by The Superior Oil Company from the
sublease to Gulf Oil Corporation  and Humble Oil & Refining  Company on December
2, 1959 (3) land lying within the surface  boundaries of 'the Pengo  Petroleum..
Inc. Voluntary Unit "B" created by instrument  effective July 1, 1978,  recorded
in COB 482, Folio 429, Entry No.76, containing 132.846 acres from the surface to
the  stratigraphic  equivalent of the base of the TEXT W Sand seen at a depth of
13,500 feet measured depth on the ISFSonic Log, Run No. 1, for the Orleans Levee
Board B-1 Well,  dated November 10, 1975, but =t less and except the MIO 10 Sand
as found at 9,500 feet to 10,240 feet measured  depth on the ISF-Sonic  Log, Run
No. 1 for the Orleans Levee Board B-1 Well, dated November 10, 1975.



Exhibit A, Page 3 of 3


Exhibit B
Attached to and made a part of that certain  Purchase and Sale  Agreement by and
between Statoil Exploration (US) and Saba Energy of Texas, Inc. and dated August
20, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

UNIT/WELL SUMMARY SHEET
<S>                     <C>                                <C>            <C>       <C>       <C>  
                                                                                     NRI
Unit/Well Name           Operator                           WI             OIL                 GAS
===========================================================================================================

OLB #90; MIO 9D R9
VUA (Order 364-D-2)      Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.      100.00%        84.5                84.5

OLB #62                  Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.      100.00%        83.684731           83.684731

OLB#B-7                  Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.      100.00%        84.231446           84.231446

OLB#B-10                 Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.      100.00%        84.379981           84.379981

OLB#B-11                 Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.      100.00%        84.23143            84.23143

OLB #B-11  RI            Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.      100.00%        0.001               0.01

OLB#68                   Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.      100.00%        84.5                84.5

OLB#73                   Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.      100.00%        84.5                84.5

OLB#92                   Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.      100.00%        84.5                84.5

OLB#93                   Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.      100.00%        84.5                84.5

OLB#37                   SWD

OLB#77                   SHUT-IN

OLB#52                   SHUT-IN

SL508#25& 25D            Statiol Exploration (US) Inc.      100.00%        78.967262           84.5

SL508 #26 &26D           Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.      100.00%        78.967262           84.5

SL508#15/15D             Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.      100.00%        79.866076           79.866076

SL508#13&14              SHUT-IN

VU B; Orleans
Levee Board B-3          Vintage Petroleum, Inc. (1)        0.00%          10.059617           10.059617
===============================================================================================================
(1) ORRI
</TABLE>




                                                 FOURTH AMENDMENT

                                                        TO
                                     FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT
                                             DATED SEPTEMBER 23, 1996
                                   BY AND BETWEEN SABA PETROLEUM COMPANY, ET AL.
                                             AND BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A.



         This Fourth  Amendment to the First Amended and Restated Loan Agreement
dated September 23, 1996 (this "Fourth Amendment") by and between SABA PETROLEUM
COMPANY, a Delaware corporation,  successor by merger to Saba Petroleum Company,
a Colorado  corporation  (the  "Borrower") et al., and BANK ONE, TEXAS,  N.A., a
national  banking  association (the "Bank") , is entered into on this 9th day of
September 1997.



                                         W I T N E S S E T H:

         Borrower and Bank have entered into a First  Amended and Restated  Loan
Agreement dated  September 23, 1996, as amended by the First  Amendment  thereto
dated November 5, 1996, the Second Amendment  thereto dated August 28, 1997, and
the Third  Amendment  thereto dated September 5, 1997  (collectively,  the "Loan
Agreement").



         Borrower has requested that Bank provide a term loan to Borrower in the
approximate amount of $10,000,000.00,  and that Bank amend certain provisions of
the Loan  Agreement,  and Bank  has  agreed  to such  amendments  to the  extent
expressly set forth herein.



        NOW, THEREFORE,  in consideration of the promises herein contained,  and
for other good and valuable consideration,  the receipt and sufficiency of which
are  acknowledged by the Borrower and the Bank, and each intending to be legally
bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:



I.      Specific Amendments to Loan Agreement.

Article I is hereby amended by adding or replacing, as applicable, the following
definitions:



"Fourth  Amendment"  means the Fourth  Amendment to this  Agreement  executed by
Borrower and Bank on September 9, 1997.



         "Notes"  means,  collectively,  the  Note and the  Term  Note,  and any
extension,  renewal,  rearrangement  of, or substitute for either of such Notes.
All references to the defined term,  "Note,  throughout  this  Agreement,  as it
existed  prior to the Fourth  Amendment,  shall be construed to refer to both of
the Notes,  with the  exception of the  references  to the term,  "Note,  in the
definitions  of "Loan Excess" and "Note,  11 and in Sections 2.01,  2.02,  2.04,
2.10,  2.12,  2.21, 3.01, and 3.03, all of which shall remain singular and shall
be construed to refer to the Note evidencing the Revolving Loan.



                                   "Statoil" means Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.
                                                         1


=88.10

         "Statoil Purchase" means the acquisition by SETI of those certain Oil &
Gas  Properties  described  on Exhibit  "All to that  certain  Purchase and Sale
Agreement dated August 19, 1997, between SETI and Statoil.



         Term Loan" means that  certain  term loan made or to be made by Bank to
Borrower pursuant to Section 2.23 hereof, to be evidenced by the Term Note.



         "Term Loan Maturity Date" means December 31, 1997.

         "Term Loan Rate" means:  (a) prior to December 1, 1997, the Bank's Base
Rate in effect  from time to time plus one  percent  (1%),  and (b) on and after
December  1,  1997,  the Bank's  Base Rate in effect  from time to time plus two
percent (2%).



         "Term Note" means the promissory  note dated September 9, 1997, made by
Borrower payable to the order of Bank, in substantially the form attached to the
First  Amendment  as  Exhibit  "A,"  together  with  all  deferrals,   renewals,
extensions,   amendments,   modifications  or  rearrangements   thereof,   which
promissory  note shall  evidence  the  advances to Borrower by Bank  pursuant to
Section 2.15 hereof.



         If  Termination  Date"  means July 1, 2002;  provided  that solely with
respect to Borrowing Base II Loans, "Termination Date" means April 30, 1998.



Section 2.13 is hereby amended to add the following  sentence at the end of such
Section.



Upon execution of the Fourth  Amendment,  Borrower shall pay to Bank a fee equal
to Two  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars  ($200,000.00)  as  consideration  for Bank's
agreement to make the Term Loan.



Article II is hereby amended to add the following new sections thereto:



         2.23     Term  Loan.  Subject  to the  terms and  conditions  and 
relying  on the  representations  and warranties  contained  in this  Agreement,
Bank agrees to make the Term Loan to Borrower in a single  advance on
September 9, 1997.



2.24 The Term Note.  The obligation of Borrower to repay
the Term Loan shall be evidenced by the Term Note.



         2.25  Repayment  of Term  Loan.  Interest  on the  Term  Note  shall be
calculated  at the Term Loan Rate per annum on the basis of a year of 365 or 366
days, as  applicable,  and for the actual  number of days elapsed,  and shall be
repaid by  Borrower  in  monthly  installments  on the  first day of each  month
following the advance from Bank to ]Borrower  pursuant to Section 2.23,  through
and including the Term Loan Maturity



222288.10

Date,  when the entire unpaid  balance of the Term Loan,  inclusive of principal
and interest, shall be paid in full.



Article III is hereby amended by adding the following new Section 3.16 thereto:



3.       16  Closing  of  Fourth  Amendment.  Prior to or  contemporaneous  with
the  funding  of the Term  Loan pursuant to the Fourth  Amendment,  in addition
to Borrower  satisfying the  requirements of the other applicable Sections of 
Article III, the Bank shall have received:



(a) Evidence satisfactory to the Bank, in its sole discretion,  that the Statoil
Acquisition  has been  unconditionally  consummated  and that SETI has  acquired
Marketable  Title to the Statoil  Properties,  subject only to filing for record
the assignment from Statoil to SETI of the Statoil Properties.



(b) The Term Note and the Fourth Amendment, duly executed on
behalf of Borrower.



(c) Such  Collateral  Documents  as may  reasonably  be requested by the Bank to
grant to the Bank,  under  Louisiana  law, a mortgage,  security  interest,  and
assignment of production on the Statoil  Properties,  the personal  property and
equipment  therein and  thereon,  the oil and gas  produced  therefrom,  and the
products and proceeds thereof, together with such financing statements as may be
reasonably  requested  by the Bank to perfect the liens and  security  interests
created by such  Collateral  Documents,  and such  letters  in lieu of  transfer
orders  as  may be  necessary  or  desirable  to  implement  any  assignment  of
production contained in or resulting from such Collateral Documents.



(d) A guaranty agreement duly executed by Sabacol, in form substantially similar
to the Guaranty heretofore  executed by each other Guarantor,  provided that the
Indebtedness  to be guaranteed  by Sabacol shall be limited to the  Indebtedness
evidenced by the Term Note.



(e) Certificates of the secretary or assistant secretary of Borrower,  SETI, and
Sabacol,  respectively,  attesting to the adoption of  resolutions  by Borrower,
SETI, and Sabacol  authorizing the  transactions by each such party as evidenced
by the Fourth Amendment.



(f)      A Compliance Certificate executed by Borrower.

(g)      Such other documents and instruments as Bank may
reasonably request.



222288.10

Section 5.01 is hereby  amended by adding the following  text at the end of such
Section:



         Borrower shall use the proceeds advanced under the Term Loan to make an
advance in a like amount to SETI,  which Borrower shall cause SETI to use solely
for the  purpose of  acquiring  the Statoil  Properties  pursuant to the Statoil
Acquisition.



II. Ratification of Guaranties.  Each Guarantor hereby ratifies and confirms its
liability under the Guaranty  heretofore executed by it, and confirms and agrees
that the same  continues  in full  force and effect  with  respect to all of the
Indebtedness  covered  by the  Loan  Agreement,  as the  same  may be  restated,
amended, modified,  renewed, or rearranged from time to time, including, but not
limited to, the  Indebtedness  evidenced by the Term Note. This  ratification is
given for the purpose of inducing the Bank to make the advances evidenced by the
Term Note,  and each  Guarantor  is aware that,  but for such  ratification  and
agreement  contained herein, the Bank would not extend such additional credit to
the Borrower.



III.  Reaffirmation  of  Representations  and Warranties.  To induce the Bank to
enter  into this  Fourth  Amendment,  the  Borrower  and each  Guarantor  hereby
reaffirms,  as of the date hereof, its representations and warranties  contained
in Article IV of the Loan Agreement and in all other documents executed pursuant
thereto, and additionally represents and warrants as follows:



        A.  The  execution  and  delivery  of  this  Fourth  Amendment  and  the
performance  by the Borrower and each  Guarantor of its  obligations  under this
Fourth Amendment are within the Borrower's and each Guarantor's power, have been
duly authorized by all necessary  corporate action,  have received all necessary
governmental  approval  (if any  shall  be  required)  , and do not and will not
contravene or conflict with any provision of law or of the charter or by-laws of
the ]Borrower or any Guarantor or of any agreement  binding upon the Borrower or
any Guarantor.



         13. The Loan Agreement as amended by this Fourth  Amendment  represents
the legal,  valid and binding  obligations  of the Borrower and each  Guarantor,
enforceable against each in accordance with their respective terms subject as to
enforcement only to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,  moratorium or other
similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally.



C.   No Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing as of the date hereof.



IV.      Defined Terms.  Except as amended hereby, terms used herein that are 
defined in the Loan Agreement shall have the same meanings herein.



222288.10                                                          4

V. Reaffirmation of Loan Agreement.  This Fourth Amendment shall be deemed to be
an amendment to the Loan Agreement,  and the Loan Agreement,  as further amended
hereby,  is hereby  ratified,  approved and confirmed in each and every respect.
All  references  to  the  Loan  Agreement  herein  and in  any  other  document,
instrument,  agreement or writing shall hereafter be deemed to refer to the Loan
Agreement as amended hereby.



VI. Entire Agreement.  The Loan Agreement,  as hereby further amended,  embodies
the entire  agreement  between the  Borrower,  the  Guarantors  and the Bank and
supersedes all prior proposals,  agreements and  understandings  relating to the
subject  matter  hereof.  The Borrower and each  Guarantor  certifies that it is
relying on no representation,  warranty,  covenant or agreement except for those
set  forth in the  Loan  Agreement  as  hereby  further  amended  and the  other
documents previously executed or executed of even date herewith.



VII.  Governing Law. THIS FOURTH AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE  WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE  APPLICABLE  LAWS OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.  This Fourth Amendment has been entered into in Harris
County,  Texas,  and it shall be performable  for all purposes in Harris County,
Texas. Courts within the State of Texas shall have jurisdiction over any and all
disputes between the Borrower and the Bank, whether in law or equity, including,
but not  limited  to, any and all  disputes  arising  out of or relating to this
Fourth  Amendment  or any other  Loan  Document;  and venue in any such  dispute
whether in federal or state court shall be laid in Harris County, Texas.



viii. ' Severability.  Whenever possible each provision of this Fourth Amendment
shall  be  interpreted  in  such  manner  as to be  effective  and  valid  under
applicable  law,  but if  any  provision  of  this  Fourth  Amendment  shall  be
prohibited  by  or  invalid  under  applicable  law,  such  provision  shall  be
ineffective  to  the  extent  of  such   prohibition   or  invalidity,   without
invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this
Fourth Amendment.



ix.  Execution in  Counterparts.  This Fourth  Amendment  may be executed in any
number of counterparts  and by the different  parties on separate  counterparts,
and each  such  counterpart  shall be  deemed  to be an  original,  but all such
counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument,  and any
signed  counterpart  shall be  deemed  delivered  by the  party  executing  such
counterpart  if  sent  to  any  other  party  hereto  by  electronic   facsimile
transmission.



x .  Section Captions.
Amendment  are for  convenience  of  reference  only,  and shall not  affect the
construction of this Fourth Amendment.

Section captions used in this Fourth



XI.      Successors and Assiqns.  This Fourth Amendment shall be binding upon 
the Borrower, each Guarantor and the Bank and their respective successors and 
assigns, and shall inure to the benefit



222288.10                                                          5

of the Borrower, each Guarantor and the Bank, and the respective
successors and assigns of the Bank.



XII.  Non-Application  of Chapter 15 of Texas Credit  Codes.  The  provisions of
Chapter 15 of the Texas  Credit Code  (Vernon's  Texas Civil  Statutes,  Article
5069-15) are specifically declared by the parties hereto not to be applicable to
the Loan Agreement as hereby further  amended or any of the other Loan Documents
or to the transactions contemplated hereby.



xiii.    Notice.  THIS  FOURTH  AMENDMENT  TOGETHER  WITH  THE  LOAN  AGREEMENT,
AND THE  OTHER  LOAN  DOCUMENTS REPRESENT  THE  FINAL  AGREEMENT  ]BETWEEN  THE
PARTIES  AND MAY  NOT BE  CONTRADICTED  BY  EVIDENCE  OF  PRIOR,
CONTEMPORANEOUS  OR SUBSEQUENT  ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.  THERE ARE NO 
UNWRITTEN ORAL  AGREEMENTS  BETWEEN THE PARTIES.



         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this  Fourth
Amendment to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.



BORROWER

SABA PETROLEUM COMPANY



By:
         Bradley T. Katzung
         Vice President



                                                       BANK

BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A.



By:

         Linda F. Masera
         Vice President



GUARANTORS:

SABA ENERGY OF TEXAS, INCORPORATED



By:
         Bradley T. Katzung
         President



SABA PETROLEUM, INC.



By: @ z       -.@ -
         Walton- C. Vance
         Secretary



222288.10                                                          6

SABA PETROLEUM OF MICHIGAN, INC.



                                                        By:
         Bradley T. Katzung
         President



MV VENTURES, G. P.

By:      Saba Energy of Texas, Incorporated,
                  Managing Partner



By:
         Bradley T. Katzung
         President



SABACOL, INC.



By:
Walton C. Vance

         Secretary



222288.10                                                          7

EXHIBIT "All



                                                  TERM NOTE

$9,687,769.00             Houston, Texas         September 9, 1997



                  FOR  VALUE  RECEIVED,   SABA  PETROLEUM  COMPANY,  a  Colorado
corporation,  whose  address is 3201  Airpark  Drive,  Suite 201,  Santa  Maria,
California  93455 (herein called "Maker") , promises to pay to the order of BANK
ONE, TEXAS,  NA, a national  banking  association  (herein called "Payee," which
term shall also refer to any subsequent  owner or holder of this Note),  the sum
of NINE MILLION SIX HUNDRED  EIGHTY-SEVEN  THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED SIXTY-NINE AND
N01100  DOLLARS  ($9,687,769.00)  , in  lawful  money of the  United  States  of
America,  together  with  interest  accruing  from  the date of  advance  on the
principal  amount from time to time remaining  unpaid,  at the varying per annum
rate from day to day equal to the lesser of (a) the Maximum Rate (as hereinafter
defined),  or (b) the Term  Loan  Rate  (as  prescribed  in the Loan  Agreement,
hereafter  defined) , calculated on a year of three hundred  sixty-five (365) or
three  hundred  sixty-six  (366)  days,  as  applicable.  All  payments  of both
principal and interest shall be payable to Payee at 910 Travis Street,  Houston,
Harris County,  Texas 77002,  or such other place as Payee may from time to time
designate to Maker in writing.



                  "Loan   Agreement['  means  that  certain  First  Amended  and
Restated Loan Agreement dated September 23, 1996, by and among Payee,  Maker, et
al., as heretofore amended and as the same may be hereafter  amended,  extended,
restated, rearranged and/or renewed from time to time.



                  "Maximum Rate" means the maximum rate of nonusurious  interest
from time to time  permitted by applicable  usury laws, as more fully defined in
the Loan Agreement.



                All  past due  principal  hereof  and  accrued  unpaid  interest
thereon shall bear interest from the maturity of such  principal and interest at
the lesser of (i) the Maximum Rate or (ii) the Term Loan Rate as  prescribed  in
the  Loan  Agreement,  calculated  on the  basis  of a  year  of  three  hundred
sixty-five (365) or three hundred sixty-six (366) days, as applicable.



The principal of the indebtedness  evidenced hereby shall be repaid on or before
December 31, 1997.



                  Interest  shall be paid monthly in arrears on the first day of
each calendar month commencing October 1, 1997, and continuing  regularly on the
first day of each calendar month  thereafter  until December 31, 1997,  when the
entire amount of accrued, unpaid interest, shall be due and payable.



Maker may prepay at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, and without
any premium or penalty therefor, the



222288.10                                                          1

Initials

principal amount hereof then remaining unpaid together with all accrued interest
payable on said  principal  so prepaid,  all as more fully set forth in the Loan
Agreement.  Any such prepayment  hereunder shall be applied first to accrued but
unpaid  interest  on the  principal  so prepaid,  and the  balance to  principal
installments  in the inverse order of maturity,  but no part  prepayment  shall,
until this Note is fully paid and satisfied,  affect the obligations to continue
to pay the regular installments required hereunder until the entire indebtedness
has been paid.



                  If any payment  hereunder  falls due on a Saturday,  Sunday or
public  holiday on which  commercial  banks in Houston,  Texas are  permitted or
required by law to be closed, the time for such payment shall be extended to the
next day on which the Payee is open for  business,  and such  extension  of time
shall be included in the calculation of interest accruing and payable hereunder.



                  Payment  of this Note is secured  by the  security  interests,
mortgages  and liens granted by Maker to Payee  pursuant to the Loan  Agreement,
the terms and conditions of which,  together with all amendments and supplements
thereto, are incorporated herein by reference.



                  Upon  happening of an Event of Default (as defined in the Loan
Agreement) specified in Subsections 7. 01 (f) or (g) of the Loan Agreement,  the
entire aggregate  principal amount of the indebtedness  evidenced hereby and the
interest accrued thereon shall automatically become immediately due and payable,
and during the continuation of any other Event of Default, Payee may declare the
entire aggregate principal amount of all indebtedness then outstanding hereunder
and the interest  accrued thereon  immediately due and payable.  In either case,
the entire  principal and interest shall  thereupon  become  immediately due and
payable,  without notice  (including,  without  limitation,  notice of intent to
accelerate   maturity  or  notice  of  acceleration  of  maturity)  and  without
presentment,  demand,  protest,  notice of protest or other notice of default or
dishonor of any kind,  except as provided to the contrary  elsewhere in the Loan
Agreement, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Maker.



                  If this  Note or any  installment  hereof is not paid when due
(whether the same becomes due by demand,  acceleration  or otherwise)  and it is
placed in the hands of an attorney for collection,  or if collected  through any
legal  proceedings  including  but not limited to suit,  probate,  insolvency or
bankruptcy proceedings, Maker agrees to pay reasonable attorneys, fees and costs
of collection.



                  It is the  intention  of the  parties  hereto to  comply  with
applicable  usury  laws;  accordingly,  notwithstanding  any  provision  to  the
contrary in this Note, or in any of the  documents  securing  payment  hereof or
otherwise relating hereto including without limitation the Loan Agreement, in no
event  shall  this Note or such  documents  require  the  payment  or permit the
collection of interest



222288.10                                                          2

Initials

in excess of the  maximum  amount  permitted  by such law. If any such excess of
interest is  contracted  for,  charged or received  under this Note or under the
terms of any of the  documents  securing  payment  hereof or otherwise  relating
hereto, or in the event the maturity of the indebtedness  evidenced by this Note
is  accelerated  in whole or in part,  or in the  event  that all or part of the
principal  or interest of this Note shall be prepaid,  so that under any of such
circumstances  the amount of interest  contracted for, charged or received under
this Note or under any of the instruments  securing  payment hereof or otherwise
relating hereto,  on the amount of principal  actually  outstanding from time to
time under this Note shall  exceed the maximum  amount of interest  permitted by
applicable  usury  law,  then  in any  such  event  (a) the  provisions  of this
paragraph  shall govern and control,  (b) neither  Maker nor any other person or
entity now or hereafter liable for the payment hereof, shall be obligated to pay
the amount of such  interest  to the extent  that it is in excess of the maximum
amount of interest  permitted by applicable usury law, (c) any such excess which
may have been  collected  shall be either  applied as a credit  against the then
unpaid principal amount hereof or refunded to Maker, at Payee's option,  and (d)
the effective  rate of interest  shall be  automatically  reduced to the maximum
lawful  contract  rate allowed  under  applicable  usury law as now or hereafter
construed  by the courts  having  jurisdiction  thereof.  Without  limiting  the
foregoing,  all calculations of the rate of interest  contracted for, charged or
received  under this Note or under such other  documents  which are made for the
purpose of  determining  whether such rate exceeds the maximum  lawful  contract
rate, shall be made, to the extent  permitted by law, by amortizing,  prorating,
allocating  and  spreading  in equal parts  during the period of the full stated
term of the indebtedness  evidenced hereby,  all interest at any time contracted
for,  charged or received  from Maker or otherwise by Payee in  connection  with
such indebtedness.



                  Except as otherwise  expressly provided to the contrary in the
Loan Agreement, Maker and any and all sureties, guarantors and endorsers of this
Note and all other  parties now or  hereafter  liable  hereon,  severally  waive
grace, demand,  presentment for payment, notice of dishonor, notice of intent to
accelerate,  notice of  acceleration,  protest and notice of protest,  any other
notice and  diligence in  collecting  and bringing suit against any party hereto
and agree (i) to all extensions and partial  payments,  with or without  notice,
before or after maturity,  (ii) to any substitution,  exchange or release of any
security now or hereafter given for this Note, (iii) to the release of any party
primarily or secondarily  liable hereon,  and (iv) that it will not be necessary
for Payee,  in order to enforce  payment of this  Note,  to first  institute  or
exhaust  Payee's  remedies  against Maker or any other party liable  therefor or
against any security for this Note.



                Any  check,  draft,  money  order or other  instrument  given in
payment of all or any  portion  hereof may be  accepted  by Payee and handled in
collection in the customary  manner,  but the same shall not constitute  payment
hereunder or diminish any rights of



222288.10                                                          3

Initials

Payee  except to the extent  that actual cash  proceeds of such  instrument  are
unconditionally received by Payee.



                  INTERNAL  LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE UNITED  STATES OF
AMERICA;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, THAT VERNON'S TEXAS CIVIL STATUTES,  ARTICLE 5069,
CHAPTER 15 (WHICH REGULATES CERTAIN REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN ACCOUNTS AND REVOLVING
TRIPARTY ACCOUNTS) SHALL NOT APPLY TO THIS NOTE.



SABA PETROLEUM COMPANY



By:
      Bradley T. Katzung
      Vice President





Exhibit A

<TABLE>
<S>                <C>                      <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>  


Lease Date          Lessor                   Lessee              *RecordingData      Gross Acres         **Net Acres
                    Board of Levee           Humble Oil &         COB 66,            2258.5                   2258.5
Lease 1 11-08-28    Commissioners -          Refining Co.         Page 518
                    Orleans Levee District
Lease 2 01-23-36    State of LA              W. T. Burton         COB 8 1,           576                      576
                    State Lease No. 3 3 5                         Page 004
Lease 3 11-21-41    State of LA              Humble Oil &         COB 105,           450                      450
                    State Lease No. 508      Refining Co.         Page 392
Lease 4 03-11-47    Board of Levee           The Superior         COB 130,           132.85                   132.85
                    Commissioners            Oil Company          Page 556
                                                                                 TOTAL3417.353417.35



*References to Recording Data are to the public records of Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.



**As the leases are more fully described on pages 2 and 3 of Exhibit A


</TABLE>
Exhibit A,     Page I of 5

Lease 1



That certain oil, gas and mineral lease effective  November 8, 1928,  granted by
the Board of Levee  Commissioners  of the  Orleans  Levee  District  in favor of
Humble oil & Refining  Company,  recorded in COB 66, Folio 518,, LESS AND EXCEPT
land lying within the surface boundaries of the Pengo Petroleum,  Inc. Voluntary
Unit "B" created by instrument  dated  effective  July 1, 1978,  recorded in COB
482, Folio 429, Entry No. 76 containing  132.846 acres,  more or less,  from the
surface down to the stratigraphic equivalent of the base of the TEXT W Sand seen
at a depth of 13, 500 feet  measured  depth on the ISFSonic  Log, Run No. 1, for
the Orleans Levee Board B-1 Well, dated November 10, 1975, but = less and except
the MIO 10 Sand as found at 9,500  feet to  10,240  feet  measured  depth on the
ISF-Sonic Log, Run No - 1 f or the Orleans Levee Board B-1 Well,  dated November
10, 1975.



Lease--2



That certain oil, gas and mineral  lease granted by the State of Louisiana to W.
T. Burton,  effective January 23, 1936,  recorded in COB 81, Folio 4, designated
State Lease 335, as to all land  covered  thereby  lying in  Townships 17 and 18
South,  Range 15 East LESS AND EXCEPT (1) lands and depths released therefrom on
November 1, 1943, July 30, 1974,  February 5, 1986 and September 7, 1989 and (2)
all land lying  within  the  surface  boundaries  of the Pengo  Petroleum,  Inc.
Voluntary Unit *B" created by instrument dated effective July 1, 1978,  recorded
in COB 482,  Folio 429,  Entry No. 76,  containing  132.846 acres more or less,,
from the surface to the stratigraphic  equivalent of the base of the TEXT W Sand
seen at a depth of 13,500 feet measured  depth on the ISF-Sonic  Log, Run No. 1,
for the Orleans Levee Board B-1 Well,  dated  November 10, 1975,  but = less and
except the Mio 10 Sand as found at 9,500 feet to 10,240 feet  measured  depth on
the  ISF-Sonic  Logo,  Run No. 1 for the  Orleans  Levee  Board B-1 Well,  dated
November 10, 1975.



Exhibit A. Page 2 of 5

That  certain  oil,  gas and mineral  lease dated  effective  November 21, 1941,
granted by the State of  Louisiana  in favor of Humble  oil & Refining  Company,
recorded in COB 105, Folio 392, designated State Lease 508., LESS AND EXCEPT (1)
forty acres surrounding the State Lease 508 No. 13 Well.  described as beginning
at the point X  2,517,580.06  and Y -  307,462.15,  then  South 360 36' 35' East
1,320 feet,  then South 530 23' 25" West 1,320 feet, then North 360 36' 350 West
1,320 feet,  then North 530 23' 250 East 1,320 feet to the point of beginning-as
to all depths from the surface to 100 feet below the stratigraphic equivalent of
the base of the MIO 12F Sand seen at 11,818 feet (log depth) on the electric log
for the Humble State Lease 508 No. 5 Well, (2) forty acres surrounding the State
Lease 508 No. 15/15-D Wells described as beginning at the point X = 2,517,715-00
and Y =  307,443.15,  then North 600 East 1,320 feet,  then South 300 East 1,320
feet,  then South 600 West 1,320  feet,  then North 300 West  1,,320 feet to the
point of  beginning  as to all  depths  from the  surface  to 100 feet below the
stratigraphic  equivalent  of the base of the MIO 12F Sand seen at  11,818  feet
(log  depth)  in the  State  Lease  508 No. 5 Well  and (3) all land and  depths
released therefrom on May 6,, 1971,,  September 9, 1983,  September 5, 1991, and
7uly 30, 1992.



Lease 4

That  certain  oil, gas and mineral  lease  effective  March 11, 1947 granted by
Board of Levee  Commissioners  of the Orleans Levee District to The Superior Oil
Company,  recorded  in COB 130,  Folio 556,  LESS AND EXCEPT (1) land and depths
released on March 18, 1985, (2) the 160 acres of the lease in Sections 3 and 10,
Township 18 South,  Range 15 East  reserved by The Superior Oil Company from the
sublease to Gulf Oil Corporation  and Humble Oil & Refining  Company on December
2,, 1959 (3) land lying within the surface  boundaries  of the Pengo  Petroleum,
Inc. Voluntary Unit "B" created by instrument  effective July 1, 1978,  recorded
in COB 482, Folio 429, Entry No.76, containing 132.846 acres from the surface to
the  stratigraphic  equivalent of the base of the TEXT W Sand seen at a depth of
13,500 feet measured depth on the ISFSonic Log, Run No. 1, for the Orleans Levee
Board B-1 Well,  dated  November 10, 1975, but = less and except the MIO 10 Sand
as found at 9,500 feet to 10,240 feet measured  depth on the ISF-Sonic  Log, Run
No. 1 for the Orleans Levee Board B-1 Well, dated November 10, 1975.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                     UNIT/WELL SUMMARY SHEET
<S>    <C>                                   <C>                <C>                        <C>        <C>  <C>

                                                                                                            NRI
        Unit/Well Name                        Operator           WI                          OIL       GAS

  OLB #90; MO 9D R9
  VUA (Order 364-D-2)               Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.100.00%         84.5     84.5

  OLB #62                           Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.100.000/0  83.684731     83.684731

  OLB #B-7                          Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.100.00%    84.231446     84.231446

  OLB #B-10                         Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.100.00%    84.379981     84.379981

  OLB #B-1 I                      Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.100.00%       84.23143     84.23143

  OLB #B-1 I RI                   Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.100.00%         2.8639       2.8639

  OLB #68                         Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.100.00%           84.5     84.5

  OLB #73                         Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.100.00%           84.5     84.5

  OLB #92                         Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.100.00%           84.5     84.5

  OLB #93                         Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.100.00%           84.5     84.5

OLB#37                            SWD

OLB #77                           SHUT-IN

OLB #52                           SHUT-IN

SL508 #25 & 25D                   Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.100.00%      78.967262     84.5

SL508 #26 & 26D                   Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.100.00%      78.967262     84.5

SL508 #15/15-D                    Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.100.00%      79.866076     79.866076

SL508 #13 & 14                    SHUT-IN

VU B; Orleans                     Vintage Petroleum, Inc. (1)0.00%          10.059617     10.059617
Levee Board B-3

(1) ORRI

                                                                                 Exhibit A, Page 4 of 5

                                                       UNIT/WELL SUMMARY SHEET

                                                                                                 NRI
      Unit[Well Name                       Operator                     WI              OIL                 GAS

BOL 5 RM SUA                    Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.          100.00%

OLB 490; MIO 9D R9
VUA (Order 364-D-2)             Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.          100.00%         84.5,.             84.5

- -OLB #73                        Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.          100.00%         84.5               84.5

OLB #62                         Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.          100.00%         83.684731          83.684731

OLB #B-7                        Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.          100.00%         84.231446          84.231446

  OLB #B- IO                    Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.          100.00%         84-379981.         84.379981

  OLB #B-1 I                    Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.          100.00%         84.23143           84.23143

  OLS #B-1 I RI                 Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.          100.00%          0.028639            0.028639

  OLB #68                       Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.          100.00%         84.5               84.5


  OLB #92                       Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.           100.00%         84.5              84.5

  OLB #93                       Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.           100.00%         84.5                84.5

  SL508 #25 & 25D                 Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.         100.00%         78.967262           84.5

  SL508 #26 & 26D-                Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.         100.00%         78.967262           84.5

  SL508 #I 5115-D                 Statoil Exploration (US) Inc.         100.00%         79.866076           79.866076
                                                                              1
  VU B; Orleans                   Vintage Petroleum, Inc.                0.00%
  Levee Board B-3


</TABLE>





Exhibit A, Page 5 of 5



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