SABA PETROLEUM CO
10-Q, 1998-05-20
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
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                                     Page 1
                     U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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

                                    FORM 10-Q
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                   QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                   OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                         For the quarterly period ended
                                 March 31, 1998

                         Commission File Number 1-12322

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

                             SABA PETROLEUM COMPANY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         Delaware                                             47-0617589
(State or other jurisdiction of                                 (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                               Identification No.)

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) filed all reports  required to
be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding
12 months (or for such shorter  period that the  registrant was required to file
such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past
90 days.

                  YES   X                            NO_____

At May 11,  1998,  11,027,393  shares of Common  Stock,  $.001 par  value,  were
outstanding.


<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                     SABA PETROLEUM COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                    CONTENTS

                                                                                              Page(s)
   <S>                                                                                       <C>    


   PART I. - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   Item 1. Financial Statements

            Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 1998
            (Unaudited) and December 31, 1997                                                      3

            Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
            Three Months Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 (Unaudited)                                 4

            Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
            Three Months Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 (Unaudited)                                 5

            Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)                    6 - 11

   Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
               and Results of Operations                                                        12 - 20

   PART II. - OTHER INFORMATION

   Item 5. Other Information                                                                      21

   Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                                       21

   SIGNATURES                                                                                     22
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                     SABA PETROLEUM COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                                                                    March 31,                  December 31,
                                                                                      1998                         1997
ASSETS                                                                             (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                          <C>                         <C>  


Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                                                        $        317,902            $       1,507,641
   Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
          accounts of $72,000 (1998) and $69,000 (1997)                                    5,704,157                    6,459,074
   Other current assets                                                                    4,166,540                    4,589,501
                                                                              -----------------------     ------------------------
                                                                              -----------------------     ------------------------
          Total current assets                                                            10,188,599                   12,556,216
                                                                              -----------------------     ------------------------
                                                                              -----------------------     ------------------------
Property and equipment (Note 4):
   Oil and gas properties (full cost method)                                              79,205,396                   76,562,279
   Land, plant and equipment                                                               9,004,519                    8,368,405
                                                                              -----------------------     ------------------------
                                                                              -----------------------     ------------------------
                                                                                          88,209,915                   84,930,684
   Less accumulated depletion and depreciation                                          (35,013,745)                 (22,325,276)
                                                                              -----------------------     ------------------------
                                                                              -----------------------     ------------------------
          Total property and equipment                                                    53,196,170                   62,605,408
                                                                              -----------------------     ------------------------
                                                                              -----------------------     ------------------------

Other assets                                                                               2,341,038                    2,495,322
                                                                              -----------------------     ------------------------
                                                                              =======================     ========================
                                                                                      $   65,725,807             $     77,656,946
                                                                              =======================     ========================
                                                                              =======================     ========================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                                           $   10,598,799             $     10,104,519
   Income taxes payable                                                                      998,995                      733,887
   Current portion of long-term debt                                                      26,943,731                   13,441,542
                                                                              -----------------------     ------------------------
                                                                              -----------------------     ------------------------
          Total current liabilities                                                       38,541,525                   24,279,948

Long-term debt, net of current portion (Note 4)                                            5,855,725                   19,609,855
Other liabilities and deferred taxes                                                         186,293                      862,999
Minority interest in consolidated subsidiary                                                 751,024                      752,570

Preferred stock - $.001 par value, authorized
       50,000,000 shares; issued and
      outstanding 10,000 shares                                                            8,661,450                    8,511,450
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
Stockholders' equity:
   Common stock - no par value, authorized
     150,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding
     10,967,393 (1998) and 10,883,908 (1997) shares                                           10,967                       10,884
   Capital in excess of par value                                                         16,759,966                   17,321,680
   Retained earnings (deficit)                                                           (4,966,209)                    7,200,292
   Unearned compensation                                                                                                (803,000)
                                                                                                   -
   Cumulative translation adjustment                                                        (74,934)                     (89,732)
                                                                              -----------------------     ------------------------
                                                                              -----------------------     ------------------------
          Total stockholders' equity                                                      11,729,790                   23,640,124
                                                                              -----------------------     ------------------------
                                                                              -----------------------     ------------------------

                                                                                      $   65,725,807             $     77,656,946
                                                                              =======================     ========================


</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                     SABA PETROLEUM COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
               For the Three Months Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997
                                   (Unaudited)
                                                                              1998                      1997
                                                                              -----                     ----
<S>                                                                  <C>                         <C>   

Revenues:
   Oil and gas sales                                                         $     6,109,831             $ 9,668,592
   Other                                                                             363,638               (105,118)
                                                                      -----------------------     -------------------
                                                                      -----------------------     -------------------
            Total revenues                                                         6,473,469               9,563,474
                                                                      -----------------------     -------------------
                                                                      -----------------------     -------------------

Expenses:
   Production costs                                                                3,704,877               4,245,210
   General and administrative                                                      1,622,802                 926,422
   Depletion, depreciation and amortization                                        2,019,409               1,586,960
   Writedown of oil and gas properties                                            10,700,000
                                                                                                                   -
                                                                      -----------------------     -------------------
                                                                      -----------------------     -------------------
            Total  expenses                                                       18,047,088               6,758,592
                                                                      -----------------------     -------------------
                                                                      -----------------------     -------------------

Operating income (loss)                                                         (11,573,619)               2,804,882
                                                                      -----------------------     -------------------
                                                                      -----------------------     -------------------

Other income (expense):
   Other                                                                              56,010                 203,439
   Interest expense                                                                (727,210)               (390,800)
                                                                      -----------------------     -------------------
                                                                      -----------------------     -------------------
                 Total other income (expense)                                      (671,200)               (187,361)
                                                                      -----------------------     -------------------
                                                                      -----------------------     -------------------

            Income (loss) before income taxes                                   (12,244,819)               2,617,521

Provision (benefit) for taxes on income (loss)                                     (221,618)               1,087,509
Minority interest in earnings (loss) of
   consolidated subsidiary                                                           (6,701)                  88,430
                                                                      -----------------------     -------------------
                                                                      -----------------------     -------------------

            Net income (loss)                                                $  (12,016,500)             $ 1,441,582
                                                                      =======================     ===================
                                                                      =======================     ===================

            Comprehensive income (loss)                                      $  (12,001,702)             $ 1,418,358
                                                                      =======================     ===================
                                                                      =======================     ===================

Net earnings (loss) per common share:
            Basic                                                       $             (1.11)         $          0.14
                                                                      =======================     ===================
                                                                      =======================     ===================

            Diluted                                                     $             (1.11)         $          0.12
                                                                      =======================     ===================
                                                                      =======================     ===================

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
            Basic                                                                 10,917,991              10,442,356
                                                                      =======================     ===================
                                                                      =======================     ===================

            Diluted                                                               10,917,991              12,017,860
                                                                      =======================     ===================


</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                     SABA PETROLEUM COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
               For the Three Months Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997
                                   (Unaudited)
                                                                                                 1998                     1997
                                                                                                 ----                     ----
<S>                                                                                        <C>                        <C>   



Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income (loss)                                                                       $  (12,016,500)            $  1,441,582
   Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
     provided by operations:
        Depletion, depreciation and amortization                                                 2,019,409               1,586,960
        Writedown of oil and gas properties                                                     10,700,000
                                                                                                                                 -
        Deferred tax benefit                                                                     (685,550)
                                                                                                                                 -
        Compensation expense attributable to issuance of Common
           Stock options and shares of Common Stock                                                137,977
                                                                                                                            -
        Minority interest in earnings (loss) of consolidated subsidiary                            (6,701)                  88,430
        Gain on issuance of shares of subsidiary                                                                            (5,533)
                                                                                                       -
        Changes in:
             Accounts receivable                                                                   759,147                 458,035
             Other assets                                                                          320,531                 340,271
             Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                                              748,505               2,638,402
                                                                                        -----------------------    -----------------
                                                                                        -----------------------    -----------------
             Net cash provided by operating activities                                           1,976,818               6,548,147
                                                                                        -----------------------    -----------------
                                                                                        -----------------------    -----------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Expenditures for property and equipment                                                     (2,854,204)             (5,826,396)
                                                                                        -----------------------    -----------------
                                                                                        -----------------------    -----------------
             Net cash used in investing activities                                             (2,854,204)             (5,826,396)
                                                                                        -----------------------    -----------------
                                                                                        -----------------------    -----------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Proceeds from notes payable and long-term debt                                                                        4,551,129
                                                                                                        -
   Principal payments on notes payable and long-term debt                                        (618,040)             (5,490,159)
   Decrease in notes receivable                                                                    222,406                  89,223
   Net proceeds from exercise of Common Stock options                                               82,500                 130,000
                                                                                        -----------------------    -----------------
                                                                                        -----------------------    -----------------
            Net cash used in financing activities                                                (313,134)               (719,807)
                                                                                        -----------------------    -----------------
                                                                                        -----------------------    -----------------

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents                                                               (2,536)
                                                                                                       781
                                                                                        -----------------------    -----------------
                                                                                        -----------------------    -----------------
Net decrease  in cash                                                                           (1,189,739)                   (592)
Cash at beginning of period                                                                      1,507,641                 734,036
                                                                                        -----------------------    -----------------
                                                                                        -----------------------    -----------------

Cash at end of period                                                                    $         317,902           $     733,444
                                                                                        =======================    =================


</TABLE>

<PAGE>


                     SABA PETROLEUM COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                     Page 22
                                                                               
1. General

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been
prepared on a basis  consistent  with the  accounting  principles  and  policies
reflected in the financial  statements  for the year ended December 31, 1997 and
should be read in conjunction  with the  consolidated  financial  statements and
notes  thereto  included  in the  Company's  1997 Form 10-K.  In the  opinion of
management,   the  accompanying   unaudited  condensed   consolidated  financial
statements  contain all  adjustments  (consisting of normal  recurring  accruals
only) necessary to present fairly the Company's  consolidated financial position
as of March 31, 1998, and the  consolidated  results of operations for the three
month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 and the consolidated  cash flows for
the three month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997.

In June 1997,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  issued FAS No. 130,
"Reporting  Comprehensive  Income." FAS No. 130  establishes  standards  for the
reporting and display of  comprehensive  income and its components in a full set
of general-purpose  financial statements.  The statement is effective for fiscal
years  beginning  after  December 15, 1997.  The Company  adopted FAS No. 130 in
1998. Adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on the financial
statements of the Company for the three months ended March 31, 1998.

In June 1997,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  issued FAS No. 131,
"Disclosure  About Segments of an Enterprise and Related  Information."  FAS No.
131 establishes  standards for reporting information about operating segments in
annual financial  statements and requires that interim  financial reports issued
to shareholders  include  selected  information  about reporting  segments.  The
statement is effective for fiscal years  beginning  after December 15, 1997. The
Company will adopt FAS No. 131 in 1998.

2. Statements of Cash Flows

Following is certain supplemental information regarding cash flows for the three
month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997:
<TABLE>
         <S>                                                             <C>                 <C>   


                                                                                   1998                  1997
                                                                                   ----                  ----

          Interest paid                                                   $     685,954      $        313,676
                                                                            ============         =============

          Income taxes paid                                               $     129,892      $        234,459
                                                                            ============         =============

</TABLE>

Non-cash investing and financing transactions:

Debentures  in the  principal  amount of $24,000,  less related costs of $3,108,
were  converted  into 5,485 shares of Common Stock during the three months ended
March 31, 1998.

The Company incurred  credits to Stockholders'  Equity in the amounts of $22,600
and $77,500  resulting  from the  issuance  of fully  vested  stock  options and
performance  shares of Common Stock,  respectively,  to a consultant  during the
three months ended March 31, 1998.

The quarterly  dividend  obligation of $150,000 on the Series A Preferred  Stock
that was due and  payable on March 31,  1998 was  settled by an increase to that
issue's Conversion Amount.

Options to acquire  125,000 shares of Common Stock issued to a consultant in May
1997  resulted in deferred  compensation  expense of  $909,000.  Of this amount,
$106,000 was reported as compensation expense during the year ended December 31,
1997.  The  options  were  cancelled  in March  1998,  resulting  in a credit to
Stockholders'  Equity in the  amount of  $37,877  and a  reduction  of  deferred
compensation  expense in the amount of $765,123  during the three  months  ended
March 31, 1998.

Fee  interest  in  an  oil  property  owned  by  the  Company  was  acquired  by
seller-provided  financing  in the amount of  $375,000  during the three  months
ended March 31, 1998.

Cumulative foreign currency  translation gains (losses) of $19,172 and ($25,760)
were  recorded  during the three  month  periods  ended March 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.

Debentures  in the  principal  amount  of  $1,992,000,  less  related  costs  of
$155,122,  were  converted  into 455,295 shares of Common Stock during the three
months ended March 31, 1997.

3.  Oil and Gas Properties

The  Company  periodically  reviews  the  carrying  value  of its  oil  and  gas
properties  in  accordance  with   requirements  of  the  full  cost  method  of
accounting.  Under these rules,  capitalized costs of oil and gas properties may
not exceed the  present  value of  estimated  future net  revenues  from  proved
reserves,  discounted  at 10%,  plus the lower of cost or fair  market  value of
unproved  properties  ("ceiling").  Application  of this ceiling test  generally
requires  pricing future revenue at the  unescalated  prices in effect as of the
end of each fiscal quarter and requires a writedown for  accounting  purposes if
the ceiling is exceeded. At March 31, 1998, the capitalized costs for the United
States cost center exceeded the calculated ceiling amount by approximately $10.7
million, resulting in a charge against operations of that amount.

4. Long-Term Debt
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Long-term debt consists of the following at March 31, 1998:
           <S>                                                                          <C>  

            9% convertible senior subordinated debentures - due 2005                          $   3,575,000
            Revolving loan agreement with a bank                                                 17,100,000
            Term loan agreements with a bank                                                      8,661,769
            Demand loan agreement with a bank                                                     2,239,752
            Capital lease obligations                                                               499,571
            Promissory note                                                                         348,364
            Term loan with a bank                                                                   375,000
                                                                                         -------------------
                                                                                                 32,799,456
            Less current portion                                                                 26,943,731
                                                                                         ===================
                                                                                              $   5,855,725
                                                                                         ===================

</TABLE>


On December 26, 1995,  the Company issued  $11,000,000 of 9% convertible  senior
subordinated  debentures  ("Debentures")  due December 15, 2005.  On February 7,
1996, the Company issued an additional  $1,650,000 of Debentures pursuant to the
exercise of an over-allotment  option by the underwriting  group. The Debentures
are convertible  into Common Stock of the Company,  at the option of the holders
of the Debentures,  at any time prior to maturity at a conversion price of $4.38
per share,  subject to  adjustment in certain  events.  The Company has reserved
3,000,000  shares of its Common Stock for the conversion of the Debentures.  The
principal  use of  proceeds  from  the  sale  of the  Debentures  was to  retire
short-term   indebtedness  incurred  by  the  Company  in  connection  with  its
acquisitions  of producing oil and gas properties in Colombia.  A portion of the
proceeds  was  used to  reduce  the  balance  outstanding  under  the  Company's
revolving credit agreement.

Debentures in the amount of $9,051,000 had been converted into 2,068,728  shares
of Common Stock as of December 31, 1997.  An  additional  $24,000 of  Debentures
were  converted  into 5,485 shares of Common Stock during the three months ended
March 31, 1998.

The revolving loan ("Agreement") is subject to semi-annual  redeterminations and
is presently  scheduled  to convert to a  three-year  term loan on July 1, 1999.
Funds advanced under the facility are collateralized by substantially all of the
Company's  U.S.  oil and gas  producing  properties  and the common stock of its
principal subsidiaries.  The Agreement also provides for a second borrowing base
term loan of which $3.4 million was borrowed for the purpose of  development  of
oil and gas  properties  in  California,  with  the  outstanding  balance  ($3.0
million) at March 31, 1998, due April 30, 1998. At March 31, 1998, the borrowing
bases for the two loans  were  $17.1  million  and $3.0  million,  respectively.
Interest on the two loans is payable at the prime rate plus 0.25%, or LIBOR rate
pricing options plus 2.25%.  The weighted  average  interest rate for borrowings
outstanding under the loans at March 31, 1998 was 7.9%. The Agreement  requires,
among other things,  that the Company maintain at least a 1 to 1 working capital
ratio,  stockholders'  equity  of $18.0  million,  a ratio of cash  flow to debt
service of not less than 1.25 to 1.0 and general and administrative  expenses at
a level not  greater  than 20% of  revenue,  all as  defined  in the  Agreement.
Additionally,  the Company is  restricted  from paying  dividends  and advancing
funds in excess  of  specified  limits to  affiliates.  On March 30,  1998,  the
Agreement was amended to provide for deferrals of borrowing  base  reductions in
the amount of $542,000 per month for a period of three months.

In  September  1997,  the  Company  borrowed  $9.7  million  from its  principal
commercial  lender to finance the  acquisition  cost of a producing  oil and gas
property.  Interest  is payable at the prime rate (8.5% at March 31,  1998) plus
3.0%.  On December 31,  1997, a principal  payment in the amount of $7.0 million
was made reducing the outstanding balance to $2.7 million due April 30, 1998.

In November  1997 the Company  established  a term loan ($3.0  million) with its
principal  commercial  lender.  Interest  is  payable at the prime rate (8.5% at
March 31, 1998) plus 3.0%, with the outstanding  balance ($3.0 million) at March
31, 1998, due April 30, 1998.  Payment of this loan is personally  guaranteed by
the Company's Chief Executive Officer.

Loans in the  aggregate  principal  amount of $8.7 million that matured on April
30, 1998, were neither paid nor extended.  Based on the events  described above,
the  entire  principal  indebtedness  to  the  bank  ($25.8  million)  has  been
classified as currently payable at March 31, 1998.

The Company's Canadian subsidiary has available a demand revolving reducing loan
in the face amount of $2.8 million. Interest is payable at a variable rate equal
to the Canadian  prime rate plus 0.75% per annum (7.25% at March 31, 1998).  The
loan is collateralized by the subsidiary's oil and gas producing properties, and
a first and fixed  floating  charge  debenture in the  principal  amount of $3.6
million over all assets of the company.  The borrowing  base reduces at the rate
of  $56,000  per  month.  In  accordance  with the terms of the loan  agreement,
$676,000 of the loan balance is  classified  as  currently  payable at March 31,
1998.  Although the bank can demand  payment in full of the loan at any time, it
has provided a written commitment not to do so except in the event of default.

The Company leases certain  equipment  under  agreements  that are classified as
capital  leases.  Lease  payments  vary from three to four years.  The effective
interest  rate on the total amount of  capitalized  leases at March 31, 1998 was
8.8%.

The promissory  note ($348,364) is due to the seller of an oil and gas property,
which was acquired by the Company in December  1997.  The note bears interest at
the rate of 13.5%, and is classified as a current liability.

The  promissory  note  ($375,000)  is due to the  seller  of a fee  interest  in
property in which the Company owns mineral interests. The note bears interest at
the rate of 9.5%,  is  scheduled  for  repayment  in monthly  installments  to a
maturity  date of  February  2001,  and is  collateralized  by the fee  interest
acquired by the Company.

 5. Common Stock and Stock Options

In March 1998,  the Company  issued  options to acquire  30,000 shares of Common
Stock to a  consultant.  The options have an exercise  price equal to the market
value at date of grant and are fully vested. The Company recognized compensation
expense of $22,600 in the three months ended March 31, 1998, attributable to the
option grant.

In March 1998, the Company issued 20,000 performance shares of Common Stock to a
consultant  and recognized  compensation  expense of $77,500 in the three months
ended March 31, 1998.

As of March 31, 1998,  the Company had  outstanding  options to acquire  490,000
shares of Common Stock to certain employees of the Company. These options, which
are not covered by the Incentive Equity Plan, become exercisable  ratably over a
period of five years from the date of issue.  The exercise price of the options,
which  ranges from $1.25 to $4.38,  is the fair market value of the Common Stock
at the date of grant. There is no contractual  expiration date for exercise of a
portion of these options.  Options to acquire 58,000 shares of Common Stock were
exercised  during the three  months  ended  March 31,  1998.  Options to acquire
338,000 shares of Common Stock were exercisable at March 31, 1998.

On May 30,  1997,  the  Company  issued  options to acquire  470,000 and 125,000
shares of Common Stock to certain employees and a consultant,  respectively,  in
accordance  with the  provisions of the 1996 Incentive  Equity Plan.  Options to
acquire  22,500  shares  of Common  Stock  granted  to  certain  employees  were
subsequently  cancelled.  The options have an exercise price equal to the market
value at date of grant and become  exercisable over various periods ranging from
two to five years from the date of grant.  No options were exercised as of March
31, 1998. The Company recognized  deferred  compensation  expense of $909,000 in
the year ended December 31, 1997, resulting from the grant to the consultant. Of
this amount, $106,000 was reported as compensation expense during the year ended
December  31,  1997,  and an  additional  $37,877 was  reported as  compensation
expense  during the three  months  ended March 31,  1998.  The option  grant was
cancelled in March 1998, and the  unamortized  portion of deferred  compensation
expense was reversed from the applicable accounts.

In May 1997, the Company's stockholders approved the Company's 1997 Stock Option
Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the "Directors Plan"), which provided that each
non-employee director shall be granted, as of the date such person first becomes
a director and  automatically  on the first day of each year  thereafter  for so
long as he continues to serve as a non-employee  director,  an option to acquire
3,000 shares of the  Company's  Common Stock at fair market value at the date of
grant.  For as long as the director  continues  to serve,  the option shall vest
over five years at the rate of 20% per year on the first anniversary of the date
of grant. Subject to shareholder approval,  the Board of Directors increased the
number of shares of the  Company's  Common Stock subject to option from 3,000 to
15,000  vesting  20% per year.  Subject  to  certain  adjustments,  a maximum of
250,000  options to  purchase  shares (or shares  transferred  upon  exercise of
options  received) may be  outstanding  under the  Directors  Plan. At March 31,
1998, a total of 45,000 options had been granted under the Directors Plan.

6. Contingencies

The Company is subject to extensive Federal, state, and local environmental laws
and  regulations.  These  requirements,  which change  frequently,  regulate the
discharge of materials into the environment.  The Company believes that it is in
compliance with existing laws and regulations.


Environmental Contingencies

Pursuant to the  purchase  and sale  agreement  of an asphalt  refinery in Santa
Maria,  California,  the sellers agreed to perform certain remediation and other
environmental  activities  on portions of the refinery  property for a five year
period to June 1999.  Because the purchase and sale agreement  contemplates that
the  Company  might  also  incur  remediation  obligations  with  respect to the
refinery,   the  Company  engaged  an  independent   consultant  to  perform  an
environmental  compliance  survey for the refinery.  The survey did not disclose
required remediation in areas other than those where the sellers are responsible
for remediation,  but did disclose that it was possible that all of the required
remediation may not be completed in the five-year period. Should the sellers not
complete the work during the five-year  period,  because of uncertainties in the
language of the agreement,  there is some risk that a court could  interpret the
agreement  to shift the  burden of  remediation  to the  Company.  The  Company,
however, believes that all required remediation will be completed by the sellers
within the five-year period.  Environmental compliance surveys such as those the
Company has had  performed are limited in their scope and should not be expected
to disclose all environmental contamination as may exist.

In accordance with the Articles of Association for the Cocorna  Concession,  the
Concession  expired  during the quarter  ended March 31, 1997,  and the property
interest  reverted to Ecopetrol.  The property is presently  under  operation by
Ecopetrol. Under the terms of the acquisition of the Concession, the Company and
the operator were required to perform various environmental remedial operations,
which the operator advises have been  substantially,  if not wholly,  completed.
The Company and the operator are awaiting an inspection of the  Concession  area
by  Colombian  officials to determine  whether the  government  concurs with the
operator's conclusions.  Based upon the advice of the operator, the Company does
not  anticipate  any  significant  future   expenditures   associated  with  the
environmental requirements for the Cocorna Concession.

In 1993, the Company acquired a producing  mineral interest in California from a
major  oil  company  ("Seller").  At the  time  of  acquisition,  the  Company's
investigation  revealed  that the Seller had  suffered a discharge of diluent (a
light oil based fluid  which is often  mixed with  heavier  grade  crudes).  The
purchase  agreement  required  the Seller to  remediate  the area of the diluent
spill.  After the Company assumed operation of the property,  the Company became
aware of the fact that diluent was seeping into a drainage area, which traverses
the property. The Company took action to eliminate the fluvial contamination and
requested that the Seller bear the cost of remediation. The Seller has taken the
position that its obligation is limited to the specified  contaminated  area and
that the source of the  contamination is not within the area that the Seller has
agreed to remediate.  The Company has commenced an investigation into the source
of the  contamination  to ascertain  whether it is  physically  part of the area
which the Seller agreed to remediate or is a separate spill area.  Investigation
and discussions  with the Seller are ongoing.  Should the Company be required to
remediate  the area itself,  the cost to the Company could be  significant.  The
Company has spent approximately $240,000 to date in remediation activities,  and
present estimates are that the cost of complete  remediation could approach $1.0
million.  Since the investigation is not complete,  an accurate estimate of cost
cannot be made.

In 1995,  the Company agreed to acquire,  for less than $50,000,  an oil and gas
interest in  California  on which a number of oil wells had been  drilled by the
seller.  None of the wells were in  production at the time of  acquisition.  The
acquisition agreement required that the Company assume the obligation to abandon
any wells that the Company did not return to production, irrespective of whether
certain  consents of third  parties  necessary  to transfer  the property to the
Company would be obtained. The Company was unable to secure all of the requisite
consents to transfer the property but  nevertheless  may have the  obligation to
abandon  the wells.  The  leases  have  expired  and the  Company  is  presently
considering whether to attempt to secure new leases. The Company has been unable
to  determine  its exposure to third  parties if the Company  elects to plug and
abandon such wells without first  obtaining  necessary  consents.  A preliminary
estimate of the cost of  abandoning  the wells and  restoring  the well sites is
approximately $800,000.

The Company,  as is customary in the  industry,  is required to plug and abandon
wells and remediate facility sites on its properties after production operations
are completed.  There can be no assurance that material costs for remediation or
other  environmental  compliance  will  not  be  incurred  in  the  future.  The
incurrence of such environmental compliance costs could be materially adverse to
the Company.

7. Subsequent Event

Approximately  $8.7 million in principal amount of bank debt matured for payment
on April 30, 1998.  The Company and its bank were in  discussions to restructure
the terms of the loan  agreement  and extend the  maturities  of the  short-term
loans to a time which would accommodate the proposed  business  combination with
Omimex  provided  that a $2.0  million  payment was made on April 30, 1998 and a
definitive  agreement with Omimex was executed.  The  definitive  agreement with
Omimex has not as yet been concluded and the Company was unable to make the $2.0
million  payment.  Therefore,  no extension  was secured and the $8.7 million of
principal  indebtedness  remains due and payable.  The Company is continuing its
discussions  with the bank in an attempt to restructure the  indebtedness and is
continuing its discussions with Omimex to negotiate a definitive agreement.  The
bank has not  declared  the loan in default by giving  notice to the  Company as
required pursuant to the terms of the loan agreement.


<PAGE>


ITEM 2: MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
     OF OPERATIONS.

The  following  discussion  should  be read in  conjunction  with the  condensed
consolidated  financial  statements of the Company and notes  thereto,  included
elsewhere herein.

Overview

The  Company  is an  independent  energy  company  engaged  in the  acquisition,
exploration and development of oil and gas properties.  To date, the Company has
grown primarily through the acquisition of producing properties with significant
exploration and development potential in the United States, Colombia and Canada.
This  strategy  has enabled the Company to assemble a  significant  inventory of
properties  over the past five years.  The  Company's  strategy  has expanded to
emphasize growth through exploration and development drilling.

The Company's revenues are primarily comprised of oil and gas sales attributable
to properties in which the Company owns a majority or substantial interest.  The
Company  accounts for its oil and gas producing  activities  under the full cost
method of accounting.  Accordingly,  the Company  capitalizes,  in separate cost
centers,  all costs incurred in connection  with the  acquisition of oil and gas
properties and the exploration for and development of oil and gas reserves.  The
Company's financial  statements have been consolidated to reflect the operations
of its subsidiaries,  including the Company's approximate 74% ownership interest
in Beaver Lake Resources Corporation, a Canadian public company.

The Company's operating  performance is influenced by several factors,  the most
significant  of  which  are  the  price  received  for  its  oil and gas and the
Company's  production  volumes.  The price  received  by the Company for its oil
produced  in North  America is  influenced  by the world price for crude oil, as
adjusted for the  particular  grade of oil. The oil produced  from the Company's
California  properties is predominantly a heavy grade of oil, which is typically
sold at a discount to lighter oil. The oil produced from the Company's Colombian
properties  is  predominantly  a heavy grade of oil. The prices  received by the
Company for its Colombian  produced oil are determined  based on formulas set by
Ecopetrol.   Additional  factors  influencing   operating   performance  include
production expenses,  overhead  requirements,  the Company's method of depleting
reserves, and cost of capital.

Possible Business Combination

In early 1998, the Board of Directors of the Company  engaged  CIBC-Oppenheimer,
Inc.  ("Oppenheimer"),  an  investment  banking firm, to explore ways to enhance
shareholder   values.   This   engagement  was  prompted  by  several   factors,
predominately  the  declining  price of  Common  Stock  and the lack of  working
capital available to the Company. In March 1998, Oppenheimer presented the Board
with  its   recommendations,   which  included  exploring  a  possible  business
combination of the Company with another oil and gas company.  In March 1998, the
Company  achieved  a  preliminary  agreement  with  Omimex  Resources,  Inc.,  a
privately held Fort Worth, Texas oil and gas company ("Omimex") which operates a
substantial  portion  of the  Company's  producing  properties,  to enter into a
business  combination.  At  this  time,  all of  the  details  of  the  business
combination have not been fully negotiated.  However, it is intended that all of
the assets of the Company, except possibly for its California operations,  would
be  combined  with the assets of Omimex,  with the Company  being the  surviving
corporation.  The economic terms of the transaction include issuing Common Stock
to the  shareholders  of Omimex on a basis  proportionate  to the respective net
asset values of the two companies, determined by replacing the property accounts
on the respective  balance  sheets with the present  value,  calculated at a ten
percent  discount,  of the proved reserves of the apposite company and adjusting
that number for other assets and liabilities.  Credit is to be given for oil and
gas properties  deemed to have  exploration or development  potential.  Should a
definitive agreement be obtained and the combination consummated, it is expected
that the  Company  will  issue  Common  Stock to the  holders  of  Omimex  stock
resulting  in such  holders  owning  in the range of sixty  percent  of the then
outstanding  Common Stock.  Management of Omimex would become  management of the
Company,  which would be  headquartered  in Fort  Worth,  Texas.  The  Company's
California operations, if excluded from the transaction, may be sold or combined
into  an  existing  subsidiary,   the  shares  of  which  would  be  distributed
proportionately to the Company's  shareholders.  Consummation of the transaction
would require the consent of the holders of the Company's 9% Convertible  Senior
Subordinate  Debentures due 2005 ("the Debentures"),  the consent of the holders
of the  Company's  Series A  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  ("Series A Preferred
Stock"),  shareholder approval,  various governmental approvals and agreement on
various matters which are yet unresolved.

Acquisition, Exploration and Development

Drilling  activity  during the quarter  ended March 31,  1998,  consisted of the
drilling  and  completion  of four  gross  (1.0  net)  development  oil wells in
Colombia.  On March 9, 1998,  drilling  commenced on an exploratory  prospect in
Glenn County,  California, in which the Company will earn a 20% working interest
if the  well is  commercial.  At  March  31,  1998,  the  drilled  depth  was at
approximately  6,000 feet with a scheduled  total depth of  approximately  8,250
feet.

On April 9, 1998, the Company  completed the  acquisition of additional  working
interests  from  one  of the  joint  interest  partners  in  the  two  Louisiana
properties that had been acquired by the Company in 1996 and 1997. Consideration
for the two acquisitions consisted of the assumption of indebtedness owed to the
Company  as a result of the  original  purchases,  and the  issuance  of 200,000
shares of Common Stock. As a result of the acquisitions,  the Company now owns a
50.73%  working  interest in the Manila Village  property,  and a 100.0% working
interest in the Potash Field.



<PAGE>


ITEM 2: MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
     OF OPERATIONS (continued)

Results of Oil and Gas Producing Operations

Results of the Company's oil and gas  producing  activities  for the three month
periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


Three Months Ended March 31, 1998                                             United
- ---------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>                   <C>                  <C>                <C> 

                                                         Total                States               Canada             Colombia
                                                    -----------------     ----------------     ----------------   -----------------

Oil and gas sales                                        $ 6,109,831          $ 3,668,143           $  432,453         $ 2,009,235
Production costs                                         $ 3,704,877          $ 2,490,011           $  184,924         $ 1,029,942
Depletion                                                $ 1,838,648          $ 1,542,600           $  108,848         $   187,200
General and administrative expenses                      $ 1,527,753          $ 1,334,258           $  138,318        $     55,177

Oil volume (Bbls)                                            489,965              256,152               20,140             213,673
Gas volume (Mcf)                                             744,294              574,001              170,293
                                                                                                                                 -
Barrels of oil equivalent (BOE)                              614,013              351,818               48,522             213,673

Average per BOE:
   Sales price                                         $        9.95         $      10.43         $       8.91       $        9.40
   Production costs                                    $        6.03        $        7.08         $       3.81       $        4.82
   Depletion                                           $        2.99        $        4.38         $       2.24       $        0.88
   General and administrative expenses                 $        2.49        $        3.79         $       2.85       $        0.26

Three Months Ended March 31, 1997                                             United
- ---------------------------------
                                                         Total                States               Canada             Colombia
                                                    -----------------     ----------------     ----------------   -----------------

Oil and gas sales                                        $ 9,668,592          $ 5,623,441           $  737,230         $ 3,307,921
Production costs                                         $ 4,245,210          $ 2,318,381           $  223,262         $ 1,703,567
Depletion                                                $ 1,450,049          $   855,914          $    69,102         $   525,033
General and administrative expenses                      $   892,331          $   754,477           $  101,672        $     36,182

Oil volume (Bbls)                                            534,459              258,609               27,674             248,176
Gas volume (Mcf)                                             563,630              396,426              167,204
                                                                                                                                 -
Barrels of oil equivalent (BOE)                              628,397              324,680               55,541             248,176

Average per BOE:
   Sales price                                          $      15.39         $      17.32         $      13.27        $      13.33
   Production costs                                    $        6.76        $        7.14         $       4.02       $        6.86
   Depletion                                           $        2.31        $        2.64         $       1.24       $        2.12
   General and administrative expenses                 $        1.42        $        2.32         $       1.83       $        0.15



</TABLE>

<PAGE>


Results of Refining Operations:

In  June  1995,  the  Company  entered  into  a  processing  agreement  with  an
unaffiliated  company  pursuant to which the latter company  purchases crude oil
(including  that  produced  by  the  Company),  delivers  the  crude  oil to the
Company's  refinery,  reimburses the Company's out of pocket costs for refining,
then markets the asphalt and other refinery products.  Profits from the refinery
operations  (computed  after  recovery  of crude oil  costs  and other  costs of
operations)  are generally  shared  equally by the Company and the  unaffiliated
company.  The  processing  agreement has a term that ends December 31, 1998, and
the Company does not intend to renew the  arrangement on its present terms.  The
Company may negotiate an alternative  arrangement  with the other company or may
assume complete  responsibility for the services currently provided by the other
company,  including  marketing  and  financing of working  capital for crude oil
purchases, operating expenses, asphalt inventory and accounts receivable.

Processing  operations for the three month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997
are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                  1998            1997
                                                                  ----            ----
                        <S>                                     <C>             <C>   


                         Crude oil throughput (Bbls)                345,241          285,000

                         Production:
                         Asphalt (tons)                              38,228           32,000
                         Other products (Bbls)                      131,166          105,000

                         Sales:
                         Asphalt (tons)                              10,061           25,000
                         Other products (Bbls)                      159,044           91,000

                         Processing fee income                    $  50,616     $          -

</TABLE>

ITEM 2: MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
     OF OPERATIONS (continued)

The  asphalt  refining  business is seasonal  in nature,  and is  influenced  by
several factors,  including weather conditions in the marketing area. A majority
of the Company's  processing fee income is  attributable  to asphalt sales which
are recorded during the period April to October.

1998 compared to 1997

Oil and Gas Sales

Oil and gas sales  decreased  37.1% to $6.1  million for the three month  period
ended March 31,  1998,  from $9.7 million for the three month period ended March
31, 1997.  Average  sales price per BOE  decreased  35.3% to $9.95 for the three
month period  ended March 31,  1998,  from $15.39 per BOE for the same period in
1997.

In the United States,  production  from the Company's  mid-continent  properties
increased 52.6%, to 125,900 BOE for the three month period ended March 31, 1998,
from  82,500  BOE for the  same  period  in 1997.  The  increase  was  primarily
attributable  to the Company's  property  acquisitions  in Louisiana in November
1996 and September  1997.  Average sales price per BOE decreased 35.2% to $12.59
in 1998 from  $19.44 in 1997.  As a result of the  production  increase  and the
price decrease,  oil and gas sales from these  properties were unchanged at $1.6
million.   Production  volumes  from  the  Company's  Michigan  properties  were
unchanged;  however,  average sales price per BOE  decreased  36.9% to $12.72 in
1998 from $20.15 in 1997,  resulting in a 36.8% decrease in oil and gas sales to
$486,000 in 1998 from $769,000 in 1997. Production from the Company's California
properties  decreased  7.9% to  187,800  BOE in 1998 from  204,000  BOE in 1997.
Severe  weather  conditions  resulting in flooding and loss of electrical  power
hampered  production  during  the three  month  period  ended  March  31,  1998,
resulting in a decrease in production of approximately 29,000 BOE. Average sales
price  per BOE  decreased  46.6% to  $8.51  in 1998  from  $15.93  in 1997.  The
decreases in production  and sales price per BOE resulted in a 51.5% decrease in
oil and gas sales to $1.6 million in 1998 from $3.3 million in 1997.

In Canada,  production  decreased 12.6% to 48,500 BOE in 1998 from 55,500 BOE in
1997,  and sales price per BOE  decreased  32.9% to $8.91 in 1998 from $13.27 in
1997,  resulting  in a 41.4%  decrease  in oil and gas sales to $432,000 in 1998
from $737,000 in 1997.

Production from the Company's Colombia properties decreased 13.8% to 213,700 BOE
in 1998,  from 248,000 BOE in 1997. Of this decrease,  approximately  20,000 BOE
was  attributable  to reversion of the Cocorna  Concession  property in February
1997; the remainder was due to normal  production  declines  partially offset by
production  resulting from the  development  drilling  program that began in May
1997.  Sales price per BOE decreased 29.5% to $9.40 in 1998 from $13.33 in 1997.
The decreases in production and sales price per BOE resulted in a 39.4% decrease
in oil and gas sales to $2.0 million in 1998 from $3.3 million in 1997.

Other Revenues

Other  revenues  increased  446.7% to $364,000  for the three month period ended
March  31,  1998,  from a loss of  $105,000  for the same  period  in 1997.  The
increase was due  primarily to  additional  Velasquez-Galan  Pipeline  operating
expenses  in the amount of  $414,000  which were  invoiced to the Company by the
facility's operator in the first quarter of the year 1997.

Production Costs

Production  costs  decreased  11.9% to $3.7  million for the three month  period
ended March 31,  1998,  from $4.2  million for the same period in 1997.  Average
production costs per BOE decreased 10.8%, to $6.03 in 1998 from $6.76 in 1997.

In the United States,  production  increased  8.2%, to 351,800 BOE for the three
month period ended March 31, 1998, from 325,000 BOE for the same period in 1997.
Production  costs per BOE  decreased  0.8%, to $7.08 in 1998 from $7.14 in 1997.
The  increase in  production  volume and  decrease in  production  costs per BOE
resulted in a 8.7%  increase in  production  costs to $2.5  million in 1998 from
$2.3 million in 1997.

In Canada,  production decreased 12.6%, to 48,500 BOE in 1998 from 55,500 BOE in
1997.  Production  costs per BOE  decreased  5.2% to $3.81 in 1998 from $4.02 in
1997.  The decreases in production  and  production  costs per BOE resulted in a
17.0% decrease in production costs to $185,000 in 1998 from $223,000 in 1997.

In Colombia, production decreased 13.7%, to 214,000 BOE in 1998 from 248,000 BOE
in 1997.  Production  costs per BOE decreased 29.7%, to $4.82 in 1998 from $6.86
in 1997. The decreases in production and production  costs per BOE resulted in a
41.1% decrease in production costs, to $1.0 million in 1998 from $1.7 million in
1997.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and  administrative  expenses  increased  72.8% to $1.6  million for the
three month period ended March 31,  1998,  from  $926,000 for the same period of
1997.  The  overall  increase  in general and  administrative  expenses  was due
principally to the increase in employment in the Company's  domestic  offices to
support its scheduled oil and gas property drilling programs and expected levels
of operations.


<PAGE>



Depletion, Depreciation and Amortization

Depletion,  depreciation  and  amortization  expenses  increased  25.0%  to $2.0
million for the three month period  ended March 31, 1998,  from $1.6 million for
the same period of 1997.  Depletion  expense increased 20.0% to $1.8 million for
the three month  period  ended March 31,  1998,  from $1.5  million for the same
period of 1997. The increase was primarily  attributable to domestic  production
volume  increases  for the three month period ended March 31, 1998,  and capital
costs  recorded  by the  Company in its full cost pools and  anticipated  future
development  and  abandonment  costs  to be  incurred  in  connection  with  the
management of its oil and gas properties. Depreciation and amortization expenses
increased  39.2%,  to $181,000  for the three month period ended March 31, 1998,
from $130,000 for the same period of 1997.

Writedown of Oil and Gas Properties

The Company  incurred a cost  center  ceiling  writedown  in the amount of $10.7
million  attributable to its United States cost center in the three month period
ending  March 31, 1998.  During the period the price of West Texas  Intermediate
crude oil  decreased  14.5% to $13.25 per barrel at March 31, 1998,  from $15.50
per barrel at December 31, 1997.  Application  of March 31, 1998,  oil prices to
the  Company's  predominantly  heavy oil  reserves,  which sell at a discount to
higher gravity oil, resulted in a significant  reduction to the present value of
future net revenues at that date.

Other Income (Expense)

Other income (expense)  decreased 72.4% to income of $56,000 for the three month
period  ended March 31,  1998,  from  income of $203,000  for the same period of
1997.  The change was  primarily  due to  non-recurring  gains  realized  by the
Company in the three month period ended March 31, 1997.

Interest Expense

Interest  expense  increased  85.9% to $727,000 for the three month period ended
March 31,  1998,  from  $391,000  for the same  period of 1997.  The  change was
principally due to a 116.8% increase in borrowings from the Company's  principal
commercial  lender to $25.8  million at March 31,  1998,  from $ 11.9 million at
March 31, 1997, resulting from loan proceeds used to fund a property acquisition
and development drilling activities. The weighted average interest rate for such
indebtedness  increased 22 basis points,  to 8.71% at March 31, 1998, from 8.49%
at March 31, 1997.

Provision (Benefit) for Taxes on Income (Loss)

The Company  recorded a net tax benefit of $222,000  for the three month  period
ended  March  31,  1998 due to an  operating  loss for  that  period,  and a tax
provision of $1.1 million for the three month period ended March 31, 1997.

Net Income (Loss)

Net income  (loss)  decreased  to a loss of $12.0  million  for the three  month
period ended March 31, 1998, from net income of $1.4 million for the same period
of 1997. The decrease reflects the changes in oil and gas sales, other revenues,
production costs, general and administrative expenses,  depletion,  depreciation
and  amortization  expenses,  writedown  of oil  and  gas  properties,  interest
expense,  other income  (expense)  and  provision  (benefit) for taxes on income
(loss) discussed above.

The Company's oil and gas producing business is not seasonal in nature.
Liquidity and Capital Resources

Since 1991, the Company's strategy has emphasized growth through the acquisition
of producing properties with significant  exploration and development potential.
The Company recently expanded its focus to emphasize drilling, enhanced recovery
methods and increased production  efficiencies.  During the past five years, the
Company  financed its  acquisitions  and other  capital  expenditures  primarily
through  secured bank financing,  the creation of joint interest  operations and
production payment obligations,  and sales of Common Stock,  Preferred Stock and
the Debentures.  During 1997, the Company's capital expenditures did not produce
expected increases in reserves,  which, when coupled with the decline in oil and
gas  prices,  reduced  the amount of reserves  against  which the Company  could
borrow and the projected cash flow with which to service debt. The Company has a
working  capital deficit due  principally to the  reclassification  as a current
liability of the entire  indebtedness with its principal  commercial  lender. In
connection with the contemplated  business  combination  with Omimex  Resources,
Inc., the Company is in discussions with its bank to arrange for an extension of
its debt to a date  following  the closing of the  business  combination.  It is
expected that the bank debt of both  companies  will,  following the merger,  be
consolidated in one credit facility.  Apart from these discussions,  the Company
is negotiating  the sale of certain  non-core oil and gas assets and real estate
assets,  the  proceeds  of which  would be  applied  to reduce the bank loan and
provide working capital.

The Company's  capital  expenditure  budget for 1998 is dependent upon the price
for which its oil and gas is sold and upon the  ability of the Company to obtain
external  financing.  Subject to these  variables,  the Company  has  budgeted a
minimum  of $12.0  million  and a  maximum  of $18.3  million  for 1998  capital
expenditures.  As presently scheduled, the majority of these expenditures are to
commence  during  the  second  calendar  quarter  and  continue  throughout  the
remainder of 1998. A significant  portion of the capital  expenditures budget is
discretionary.  Due to the  decline  in oil prices  during the first  quarter of
1998, the Company  deferred certain capital  programs.  The Company may elect to
make further  deferrals of capital  expenditures if oil prices remain at current
levels.

Summary cash flow  information  for the three month periods ended March 31, 1998
and 1997 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                             1998                      1997
                                                                             ----                      ----
                  <S>                                                  <C>                       <C>    


                  Net cash provided by operating activities            $  1,977,000              $  6,548,000

                  Net cash used in investing activities                 $(2,854,000)              $(5,826,000)

                  Net cash used in financing activities                $(   313,000)             $(   720,000)

</TABLE>

Working Capital

The Company's  working capital  deficit  increased $16.7 million to a deficit of
$28.4 million at March 31, 1998, from a deficit of $11.7 million at December 31,
1997.  This  decrease was  primarily  due to the  reclassification  as a current
liability of all of the Company's  long-term debt with its principal  commercial
lender. A net increase of $2.7 million in accounts payable,  accrued liabilities
and income taxes payable over accounts  receivable and cash balances  during the
three month period ended March 31, 1998, was due primarily to costs incurred for
the  Company's  drilling  and  development  activities  and  contributed  to the
increase in the working capital deficit.

In that the current  maturities of the Company's  bank debt are in excess of the
Company's  apparent  ability  to meet such  obligations  as they  come due,  the
Company's  auditors have included an  explanatory  paragraph in their opinion on
the Company's 1997 financial  statement to state that there is substantial doubt
as to the Company's  ability to continue as a going  concern.  In the past,  the
Company  has  demonstrated  ability to secure  capital  through  debt and equity
placements,  and believes  that,  if given  sufficient  time, it will be able to
obtain the capital required to continue its operations.  Further, the Company is
in  negotiations  to divest itself of certain of its non-core and gas assets and
possibly its real estate assets,  with the proceeds of such  divestitures  to be
applied  to  reduction  of its bank  debt.  There can be no  assurance  that the
Company will be successful in obtaining  capital on favorable  terms, if at all.
Additionally,  there can be no  assurance  that the assets which are the present
object of the Company's  divestitures  efforts will be sold at prices sufficient
to reduce the bank debt to levels acceptable to the bank in order to allow for a
restructuring resulting in the elimination of the "Going Concern" opinion.

The Company is taking actions to address the working capital  deficit.  It is in
discussions with  institutions to secure capital either by the placement of debt
or equity.  Discussions  have been held with the Company's  principal  lender to
restructure  indebtedness to allow sufficient time for the contemplated business
combination to be concluded.

Operating Activities

The Company's  operating  activities  during 1998 provided net cash flow of $2.0
million.  Changes in the non-cash components of working capital were responsible
for $1.8 million of this amount.

Cash flows from operating  activities  provided net cash flow of $6.5 million in
1997.

Investing Activities

Investing   activities   during  1998,   consisting  of  oil  and  gas  property
acquisition,  development and exploration  expenditures,  resulted in a net cash
outflow of $2.9 million.

Investing activities during 1997, consisting principally of oil and gas property
acquisition,  development and exploration  expenditures,  resulted in a net cash
outflow of $5.8 million.

Financing Activities

Financing  activities  during 1998,  consisting  principally of payments on long
term debt,  reduced by  collections  on notes  receivable,  resulted in net cash
outflow of $313,000.

Financing  activities  during  1997,  which  resulted  in a net cash  outflow of
$720,000,  consisted  principally of activity on the Company's revolving line of
credit.

Credit Facilities

In September 1993, the Company established a reducing,  revolving line of credit
with Bank One,  Texas,  N.A. to provide funds for the retirement of a production
note payable, the retirement of other short-term fixed rate indebtedness and for
working capital.  At March 31, 1998, the borrowing base under the revolving loan
was $17.1  million  subject to a monthly  reduction of $400,000,  of which $17.1
million was outstanding.

The Company has a second  borrowing  base  credit  facility to fund  development
projects in California.  At March 31, 1998,  $3.0 million was  outstanding  that
matured  for  payment on April 30,  1998.  The payment was not made and the note
maturity was not extended.  In September 1997, the Company borrowed $9.7 million
from Bank One,  Texas,  N.A. to fund the  acquisition  cost of the Potash  Field
property.  On  December  31,  1997,  a  principal  payment in the amount of $7.0
million was made, reducing the outstanding balance to $2.7 million, due on April
30, 1998. The payment was not made and the note maturity was not extended.

In November,  1997, the Company  secured a short term loan in the face amount of
$3.0 million with Bank One,  Texas,  N.A. to be advanced in a series of tranches
as needed to fund working capital  requirements.  Amounts  outstanding under the
loan bear interest at the rate of prime plus 3% and matured for payment on April
30, 1998. At March 31, 1998,  the loan was fully  advanced.  The payment was not
made and the note maturity was not extended.

Pursuant to an amendment  dated  December 31, 1997, to the loan  agreement  with
Bank One, Texas N.A., the Company was required to make a payment of $3.0 million
in April 1998 and a minimum payment of $3.0 million in June 1998, in addition to
its scheduled monthly payments of principal and interest. On March 30, 1998, the
loan agreement with Bank One, Texas,  N.A. was amended to provide for a deferral
of monthly  reductions  totaling  $542,000 to the  borrowing  base loans for the
period February to April 1998. In addition,  the previous requirement for a $3.0
million  payment due April 1, 1998,  was reduced to $2.0 million and the payment
was extended to April 30,  1998.  This  payment,  which was to be applied to the
aggregate $8.7 million in debt due on April 30, 1998, has not been made.

Loans in the  aggregate  principal  amount of $8.7 million that matured on April
30, 1998, were neither paid nor extended.  Based on the events  described above,
the  entire  principal  indebtedness  to  the  bank  ($25.8  million)  has  been
classified as currently payable at March 31, 1998.

The Company's  Canadian  subsidiary has a demand revolving  reducing loan in the
face amount of $2.8 million,  that reduces at the rate of $56,000 per month.  At
March 31, 1998, the loan was fully advanced with an outstanding  balance of $2.2
million.

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements

Except for  historical  information  contained  herein,  the  statements in this
report are forward-looking  statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions   of  the  Private   Securities   Litigation   Reform  Act  of  1995.
Forward-looking  statements  involve known and unknown  risks and  uncertainties
which  may cause the  Company's  actual  results  in  future  periods  to differ
materially from forecasted results. These risks and uncertainties include, among
other things,  volatility of oil prices,  product  demand,  market  competition,
risks  inherent in the  Company's  international  operations,  including  future
prices paid for oil produced at the Colombian  oil  properties,  imprecision  of
reserve  estimates,  and the Company's ability to replace and expand oil and gas
reserves.  These  and other  risks are  described  elsewhere  herein  and in the
Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


<PAGE>




                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 5:  OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 6:  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K


o Exhibits filed for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 are as follows:

EXHIBIT NUMBER     DESCRIPTION

11.1                                  Computation of Earnings per Common Share

27.1                                  Financial Data Schedule


o Reports  filed under Form 8-K during the  quarter  ended March 31, 1998 are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


    FORM           DATE                              FILING
<S>               <C>                                <C>   


Form 8-K           January 16, 1998                  Item 5. Other Material Events, including the
                                                             issuance of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
                                                             and an amendment of the loan
                                                             agreement.

Form 8-K           March 31, 1998                    Item 5. Other Material Events, including the
                                                             proposed business combination with Omimex Resources, Inc.
</TABLE>




<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

In accordance with the  requirements of the Exchange Act, the issuer caused this
report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                             SABA PETROLEUM COMPANY
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>  



Date: May 20, 1998                                     By:  /S/ Ilyas Chaudhary
                                                            -------------------
                                                                Ilyas Chaudhary
                                                                Chief Executive Officer
                                                                (Principal Executive
                                                                 Officer)





Date: May 20, 1998                                      By: /S/ Walton C. Vance
                                                            ------------------
                                                                Walton C. Vance
                                                                Chief Financial Officer
                                                                (Principal Financial and
                                                                 Accounting Officer)
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

SABA PETROLEUM COMPANY
Exhibit 11.1
Computation of Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997
                                                                                       Three months Ended
                                                                                            March 31

                                                                                   1998                   1997
                                                                                   ----                   ----
<S>                                                                        <C>                     <C>   



Basic Earnings
      Net income (loss) before minority interest
        in earnings (loss) of consolidated subsidiary                             (12,023,201)              1,530,012

      Minority interest in earnings (loss) of
        consolidated subsidiary                                                          6,701               (88,430)
      Preferred Stock dividends                                                      (150,000)
                                                                                                                    -
                                                                            -------------------     ------------------
                                                                            ===================     ==================
      Net income (loss) available to Common                                       (12,166,500)              1,441,582
                                                                            ===================     ==================

Basic Shares
      Weighted average number of Common
                                                                            ===================     ==================
        Shares outstanding                                                          10,917,991             10,442,356
                                                                            ===================     ==================

Basic Earnings per Common Share
                                                                            ===================     ==================
      Net income (loss) available to Common                                      $ (1.11)                $ 0.14
                                                                            ===================     ==================

Diluted Earnings
      Net income (loss) before minority interest
        in earnings (loss) of consolidated
        subsidiary                                                                (12,023,201)              1,530,012

      Minority interest in earnings (loss) of
        consolidated subsidiary                                                          6,701               (88,430)

      Preferred stock dividends                                                      (150,000)              -

      Plus interest expense attributable
        to Debentures, net of related income taxes                                  -                          51,289

                                                                            -------------------
                                                                            ===================     ==================
      Net income (loss) available to Common                                       (12,166,500)              1,492,871
                                                                            ===================     ==================

Diluted Shares
      Weighted average number of Common
        Shares outstanding                                                          10,917,991             10,442,356
      Effect of dilutive securities:
        Of shares underlying options                                                -                         404,013
        Of shares underlying convertible
           Debentures                                                               -                       1,171,491
                                                                            -------------------
                                                                            ===================     ==================
      Diluted Shares                                                                10,917,991             12,017,860
                                                                            ===================     ==================

Diluted Earnings per Common Share
                                                                            ===================     ==================
      Net income (loss)                                                          $ (1.11)                $ 0.12
                                                                            ===================     ==================

</TABLE>








<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule  contains summary  financial  information  extracted from (A) tyhe
Company's condensed  consolidated statement of income for the three months ended
March 31,  1998,  and is  qualified  in its  entirety by  reference  to such (B)
financial  statements  presented in quarterly report Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended March 31, 1998. 
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                          0000312340
<NAME>                                         Saba Petroleum Company
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
<CURRENCY>                                     0
       
<S>                                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              Dec-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 Jan-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                   Mar-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                1
<CASH>                                         318
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  5,704
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (72)
<INVENTORY>                                    0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               4,167
<PP&E>                                         88,210
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (35,014)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 65,726
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          38,542
<BONDS>                                        5,856
                          0
                                    8,661
<COMMON>                                       16,771
<OTHER-SE>                                     (5,041)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   65,726
<SALES>                                        0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               6,473
<CGS>                                          0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  18,047
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             727
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (12,245)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (222)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (12,017)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (12,017)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (1.11)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (1.11)
        


</TABLE>


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