LOMAK PETROLEUM INC
DEF 14A, 1998-04-16
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
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<PAGE>   1
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

                                (Rule 14a - 101)

                     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

                Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

{X}      Filed by Registrant
{ }      Filed by a Party other than the Registrant

Check the appropriate box:

<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                                         <C>      <C>
{ }      Preliminary Proxy Statement                 { }      Confidential, for the Use of
{X}      Definitive Proxy Statement                           the Commission Only (as
{ }      Definitive Additional Materials                      permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
{ }      Soliciting Material Pursuant to section 240.14a-11(c) or section 240.14a-12
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name of Persons(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

<TABLE>
<S>      <C>      <C>    
{X}      No fee required.
{ }      Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

         (1)      Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

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

         (2)      Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

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         (3)      Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
                  computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11. (Set forth the
                  amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
                  was determined):

                  --------------------------------------------------------------
         (4)      Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

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         (5)      Total fee paid:

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</TABLE>

{ }Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

{ }      Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
         Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
         fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
         statement number or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

         (1)      Amount previously paid:

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                  --------------------------------------------------------------
         (4)      Date Filed:

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

<PAGE>   2


Dear Stockholders:

         On behalf of the Board of Directors, it is our pleasure to invite you
to attend Lomak's 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the Fort
Worth Club, 306 West Seventh Street, 12th Floor, Fort Worth, Texas on Thursday,
May 28, 1998 at 9:00 a.m. local time.

         Details of the meeting are given in the enclosed Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders. During the meeting, we plan to review the business and
affairs of the Company. The Company's expanded development and exploration
activities will also be discussed.

         We hope you personally attend the meeting, but whether or not you
expect to attend, please sign and return the enclosed proxy card at your
earliest convenience so that your shares will be represented and voted at the
Annual Meeting. You may revoke your proxy prior to, or at the meeting, and still
vote in person if you so desire.


                                               Sincerely,


                                               John H. Pinkerton
                                               President











April 14, 1998
Fort Worth, Texas


                                       2
<PAGE>   3

                              LOMAK PETROLEUM, INC.
                       500 THROCKMORTON STREET, SUITE 1900
                             FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76102

                                    NOTICE OF
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

                           TO BE HELD ON MAY 28, 1998

To the Stockholders of Lomak Petroleum, Inc.:

         The Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Meeting") of Lomak Petroleum,
Inc. (the "Company") will be held at the Fort Worth Club, 306 West Seventh
Street, 12th Floor, Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, May 28, 1998 at 9:00 a.m.
local time. The list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting will be
open to the examination of any stockholder during ordinary business hours for a
period of ten days prior to the Meeting at the Company's headquarters, 500
Throckmorton Street, Fort Worth, Texas. Such list will also be produced at the
time and place of the Meeting and be kept open during the Meeting for the
inspection by any stockholder who may be present. The purposes for which the
Meeting is to be held are as follows.

         1.       To elect a board of seven Directors, each for one-year terms.

         2.       To transact such other business as may properly come before
                  the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

         The holders of shares of Common Stock and the $2.03 Convertible
Exchangeable Preferred Stock of record at the close of business on March 31,
1998 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment
thereof.

         WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE
AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED. ANY PERSON
GIVING A PROXY HAS THE POWER TO REVOKE IT AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO ITS EXERCISE AND,
IF PRESENT AT THE MEETING, MAY WITHDRAW IT AND VOTE IN PERSON.

                                   BY THE ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                         Jeffery A. Bynum
                                         Secretary

April 14, 1998
Fort Worth, Texas


                                       3
<PAGE>   4

                              LOMAK PETROLEUM, INC.

                                 PROXY STATEMENT

                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

                           TO BE HELD ON MAY 28, 1998

         The enclosed proxy is solicited by and on behalf of the Board of
Directors (the "Board") of LOMAK PETROLEUM, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held Thursday,
May 28, 1998 at 9:00 a.m. local time, at the Fort Worth Club, 306 West Seventh
Street, 12th Floor, Fort Worth, Texas 76102 and any adjournment thereof (the
"Meeting"). The matters to be considered and acted upon at the Meeting are
described in the foregoing Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and this
Proxy Statement. This Proxy Statement and the related form of proxy are being
mailed on or about April 14, 1998, to all holders of the Company's Common Stock,
$.01 par value (the "Common Stock") and the Company's $2.03 Convertible
Exchangeable Preferred Stock, $1 par value (the "Preferred Stock") (collectively
the "Stockholders") of record on March 31, 1998. Shares of the Common Stock and
Preferred Stock represented by proxies will be voted as hereinafter described or
as otherwise specified by each Stockholder. Any proxy given by a Stockholder may
be revoked by the Stockholder at any time prior to the voting of the proxy by
delivering a written notice to the Secretary of the Company, by executing and
delivering a later-dated proxy or by attending the meeting and voting in person.

         The persons named as proxies are John H. Pinkerton and Chad L.
Stephens, President and Senior Vice President of the Company, respectively. The
cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the proxy, this Proxy Statement and
the other material enclosed and all clerical and other expenses of solicitation
will be borne by the Company. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by use
of the mails, directors, officers and employees of the Company may solicit
proxies by telephone, telegram or personal interview. The Company also will
request brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to
forward soliciting material to the beneficial owners of Common Stock and
Preferred Stock held of record by such custodians and will reimburse such
custodians for their expenses in forwarding soliciting materials.

                                  VOTING RIGHTS


         Only holders of shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock of record at
the close of business on March 31, 1998 will be entitled to vote at the Meeting.
On March 26, 1998, the Company had 21,193,742 issued and outstanding shares of
Common Stock, each such share entitling the holder thereof to one vote on each
matter and 1,149,840 outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, each such share
entitling the holder thereof to one vote on each matter. Holders of shares of
Common Stock and Preferred Stock are not entitled to cumulative voting rights.

         The presence at the Meeting in person or by proxy of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock in the
aggregate entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business. If a quorum is present, the affirmative vote of a plurality of the
shares cast at the Meeting and entitled to vote will be required to act on the
election of directors, and the affirmative vote by the holders of a majority of
the shares cast at the Meeting will be required to act on all other matters to
come properly before the Meeting. If a stockholder, present in person or by
proxy, abstains on any matter, the stockholder's shares will not be voted on
such matter and will be not treated as a vote against such matter. Broker
non-votes are treated as shares as to which voting power has been withheld by
the beneficial owners of such shares and, therefore, as votes not cast. A broker
non-vote occurs if a broker or other nominee does not have discretionary
authority and has not received instruction with respect to a particular item.

         All shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock represented by properly
executed and unrevoked proxies will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with
the direction on the proxies. IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED, THE SHARES WILL BE
VOTED "FOR" THE ELECTIONS OF THE NOMINEES NAMED HEREIN AS DIRECTORS. The Company
does not know af any matters, other than those described above, which will come
before the Meeting. If any other matters are properly presented for action at
the meeting, the persons named in the proxies and acting thereunder will have
discretion to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgement.



                                       4
<PAGE>   5

                               SECURITY OWNERSHIP

         The following table sets forth certain information as of March 26, 1998
regarding (i) the share ownership of the Company by each person known to the
Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company, (ii) the share ownership of the
Company by each Director and each of the four Named Executive Officers (as
defined under "Executive Compensation - Summary Compensation Table"), and (iii)
the share ownership of the Company by all Directors and executive officers, as a
group. The business address of each officer and Director listed below is: c/o
Lomak Petroleum, Inc., 500 Throckmorton Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           COMMON STOCK                       PREFERRED STOCK
                                                         --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               NUMBER OF SHARES                      NUMBER OF SHARES
                                                                 BENEFICIALLY           PERCENT        BENEFICIALLY       PERCENT
OWNER                                                                OWNED              OF CLASS           OWNED          OF CLASS
- -------------------------------                          ------------------------     -----------    ------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>                      <C>        <C>                <C>
Thomas J. Edelman                                                  1,058,066 (1)            4.95%            0                 0%
John H. Pinkerton                                                    504,476 (2)            2.36%            0                 0%
C. Rand Michaels                                                     335,162 (3)            1.58%            0                 0%
Robert E. Aikman                                                      95,776 (4)            0.45%            0                 0%
Anthony V. Dub                                                        72,200 (5)            0.34%            0                 0%
Allen Finkelson                                                       19,320 (6)            0.09%            0                 0%
Ben A. Guill                                                          73,715 (7)            0.35%            0                 0%
Steven L. Grose                                                      106,728 (8)            0.50%            0                 0%
Chad L. Stephens                                                     140,984 (9)            0.66%            0                 0%
Thomas W. Stoelk                                                      39,250 (10)           0.18%            0                 0%
All Directors and executive officers as a group (16 persons)       2,650,018 (11)          12.01%            0                 0%

Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio                         1,250,000 (12)           5.90%            0                 0%
Franklin Resources Inc                                             1,531,490 (13)           7.23%            0                 0%
Cincinnati Financial Corporation                                           0                   0%       86,957 (14)         7.56%
Guardian Life Insurance Company of America                                 0                   0%      191,304 (15)        16.64%
Highbridge Capital Corporation                                             0                   0%       83,000 (16)         7.22%
Palisade Capital                                                           0                   0%      121,739 (17)        10.59%
Merrill Lynch Asset Management                                             0                   0%       91,304 (18)         7.94%
Pecks Management                                                           0                   0%       86,957 (19)         7.56%
Putman Investments                                                         0                   0%       52,174 (20)         4.54%


<FN>
- -----------------
(1)      Includes 195,000 shares which may be purchased under currently exercisable stock options or options that are
         exercisable within 60 days; 113,333 shares held under IRA, KEOGH and pension plan accounts; 37,916 shares owned by Mr.
         Edelman's spouse; and 92,850 shares owned by Mr. Edelman's minor children, to which Mr. Edelman disclaims beneficial
         ownership.
(2)      Includes 215,000 shares which may be purchased under currently exercisable stock options or options that are
         exercisable within 60 days; 115,899 shares held under IRA and pension plan accounts; 4,772 shares owned by Mr.
         Pinkerton's minor children; and 3,499 shares owned by Mr. Pinkerton's spouse, to which Mr. Pinkerton disclaims
         beneficial ownership.
(3)      Includes 72,500 shares which may be purchased under currently exercisable stock options or options that are exercisable
         within 60 days; 1,804 shares held under the IRA account; 107,011 shares owned by Mr. Michael's spouse; and 19,460
         shares owned by Mr. Michael's children, to which Mr. Michaels disclaims beneficial ownership.
(4)      Includes 28,200 shares which may be purchased under currently exercisable stock options or options that are exercisable
         within 60 days; 9,366 shares owned by Mr. Aikman's spouse; and 10,010 shares owned by Mr. Aikman's minor children, to
         which Mr. Aikman disclaims beneficial ownership.
(5)      Includes 7,200 shares which may be purchased under currently exercisable stock options or options that are exercisable
         within 60 days.
(6)      Includes 13,200 shares which may be purchased under currently exercisable stock options or options that are exercisable
         within 60 days.
(7)      Includes 7,200 shares which may be purchased under currently exercisable stock options or options that are exercisable
         within 60 days.
(8)      Includes 72,500 shares which may be purchased under currently exercisable stock option or options that are exercisable
         within 60 days.
(9)      Includes 72,500 shares which may be purchased under currently exercisable stock options or options that are exercisable
         within 60 days; 15,000 shares owned by Mr. Stephens' spouse; and 3,879 shares owned by Mr. Stephens' minor children, to
         which Mr. Stephens disclaims beneficial ownership.
(10)     Includes 38,250 shares which may be purchased under currently exercisable stock options or options that are exercisable
         within 60 days.
(11)     Includes 862,900 shares which may be purchased under currently exercisable stock options or options that are
         exercisable within 60 days.
(12)     Such stockholder's address is 227 East Town Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
(13)     Such stockholder's address is 777 Mariners Island Blvd., 6th Floor, San Mateo, California 94404.
(14)     Such stockholder's address is 6200 South Gilmore Road, Fairfield, Ohio 45014-5141.
(15)     Such stockholder's address is 201 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10003.
(16)     Such stockholder's address is PO Box 30554 Seven Miles Beach, Grand Cayman Islands.
(17)     Such stockholder's address is One Bridge Plaza, Suite 695, Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024.
(18)     Such stockholder's address is 800 Scuddersmill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536.
(19)     Such stockholder's address is 1 Rockefeller Place, Suite 320, New York, New York 10020.
(20)     Such stockholder's address is One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
</FN>
</TABLE>



                                       5
<PAGE>   6

                       PROPOSAL I -- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

         The Board has nominated Messrs. Robert E. Aikman, Anthony V. Dub,
Thomas J. Edelman, Allen Finkelson, Ben A. Guill, C. Rand Michaels, and John H.
Pinkerton (all of whom are currently members of the Board) to serve as Directors
of the Company for terms of one year expiring at the 1999 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified.

         Unless otherwise specified, shares represented by proxies will be voted
in favor of the election of all of the nominees, except that, in the event any
nominee should not continue to be available for election, such proxies will be
voted for the election of such other persons as the Board may recommend.
Management does not presently contemplate that any of the nominees will become
unavailable for election for any reason.

         THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES.

INFORMATION CONCERNING NOMINEES

         The following table sets forth the names of the nominees and certain
information with regard to each nominee.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          HELD
  NAME OF NOMINEE              AGE    OFFICE SINCE        POSITION WITH COMPANY
  ---------------              ---    ------------        ---------------------
<S>                            <C>        <C>             <C>     
 Robert E. Aikman              66         1990            Director

 Anthony V. Dub                48         1995            Director

 Thomas J. Edelman             47         1988            Chairman and Director

 Allen Finkelson               51         1994            Director

 Ben A. Guill                  47         1995            Director

 C. Rand Michaels              61         1976            Vice Chairman
                                                          and Director

 John H. Pinkerton             44         1988            President, Chief Executive
                                                          Officer and Director
</TABLE>

         ROBERT E. AIKMAN, a Director, joined the Company in 1990. Mr. Aikman
has more than 40 years experience in petroleum and natural gas exploration and
production throughout the United States and Canada. From 1984 to 1994 he was
Chairman of the Board of Energy Resources Corporation. From 1979 through 1984,
he was the President and principal shareholder of Aikman Petroleum, Inc. From
1971 to 1977, he was President of Dorchester Exploration Inc. and from 1971 to
1980, he was a Director and a member of the Executive Committee of Dorchester
Gas Corporation. Mr. Aikman is also Chairman of Provident Trade Company,
President of EROG, Inc. and President of The Hawthorne Company, an entity which
organizes joint ventures and provides advisory services for the acquisition of
oil and gas properties, including the financial restructuring, reorganization
and sale of companies. He was President of Enertec Corporation which was
reorganized under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in December 1994. In
addition, Mr. Aikman is a director of the Panhandle Producers and Royalty Owners
Association and a member of the Independent Petroleum Association of America,
Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association and American
Association of Petroleum Landmen. Mr. Aikman graduated from the University of
Oklahoma in 1952.



                                       6
<PAGE>   7

         ANTHONY V. DUB, was elected to serve as a Director of the Company in
1995. Mr. Dub is Chairman of Indigo Capital, LLC, a financial advisory firm
based in New York City. Prior to forming Indigo Capital in 1997, he served as an
officer of Credit Suisse First Boston, an investment banking firm. Mr. Dub
joined Credit Suisse First Boston in 1971 and was named a Managing Director in
1981. Mr. Dub also serves as a Director of Nimbus CD International Inc. Mr. Dub
received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Princeton University in 1971.

         THOMAS J. EDELMAN, holds the office of Chairman and is Chairman of the
Board of Directors. Mr. Edelman joined the Company in 1988 and served as its
Chief Executive Officer until 1992. From 1981 to 1997, Mr. Edelman served as a
director and President of Snyder Oil Corporation ("SOCO"), an independent,
publicly traded oil and gas company. In 1996, Mr. Edelman was appointed
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Patina Oil & Gas Corporation.
Prior to 1981, Mr. Edelman was a Vice President of The First Boston Corporation.
From 1975 through 1980, Mr. Edelman was with Lehman Brothers Kuhn Loeb
Incorporated. Mr. Edelman received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Princeton
University and his Masters Degree in Finance from Harvard University's Graduate
School of Business Administration. Mr. Edelman serves as a director of Petroleum
Heat & Power Co., Inc., a Connecticut-based fuel oil distributor, Star Gas
Corporation, a private company, which is the general partner of Star Gas
Partners, L.P., a publicly-traded master limited partnership, which distributes
propane gas, as well as, Paradise Music & Entertainment, Inc., and Weatherford
Enterra, Inc.

         ALLEN FINKELSON, was appointed a Director in 1994. Mr. Finkelson has
been a partner at Cravath, Swaine & Moore since 1977, with the exception of the
period from September 1983 through August 1985, when he was a managing director
of Lehman Brothers Kuhn Loeb Incorporated. Mr. Finkelson was first employed by
Cravath, Swaine & Moore as an associate in 1971. Mr. Finkelson received his
Bachelor of Arts Degree from St. Lawrence University and his Doctor of Laws
Degree from Columbia University School of Law.

         BEN A. GUILL, was elected to serve as a Director of the Company in
1995. Mr. Guill is a Partner and Managing Director of Simmons & Company
International, an investment banking firm located in Houston, Texas focused
exclusively on the oil service and equipment industry. Mr. Guill has been with
Simmons & Company since 1980. Prior to joining Simmons & Company, Mr. Guill was
with Blyth Eastman Dillon & Company from 1978 to 1980. Mr. Guill received his
Bachelor of Arts Degree from Princeton University and his Masters Degree in
Finance from the Wharton Graduate School of Business at the University of
Pennsylvania.

         C. RAND MICHAELS, who holds the office of Vice Chairman and is a
Director, served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from
1976 through 1988 and Chairman of the Board from 1984 through 1988, when he
became Vice Chairman. Mr. Michaels received his Bachelor of Science Degree from
Auburn University and his Master of Business Administration Degree from the
University of Denver. Mr. Michaels is also a director of American Business
Computers Corporation, a public company serving the beverage dispensing and fast
food industries, and North Coast Energy, Inc. ("North Coast").

         JOHN H. PINKERTON, President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director,
joined the Company in 1988. He was appointed President in 1990 and Chief
Executive Officer in 1992. Previously, Mr. Pinkerton was a Senior Vice
President-Acquisitions of SOCO. Prior to joining SOCO in 1980, Mr. Pinkerton was
with Arthur Andersen & Co. Mr. Pinkerton received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Business Administration from Texas Christian University and his Master of Arts
Degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas. Mr. Pinkerton is
also director of North Coast and Venus Exploration, Inc. publicly traded
exploration and production companies in which Lomak owned 24% and 21%,
respectively, at December 31, 1997.

INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES

         During 1997, the Board met seventeen times. During 1997, each Director
attended or participated in at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and of the
Committees on which they served. In addition, management confers frequently with
its Directors on an informal basis to discuss Company affairs.

         The committees of the Board, the current members and the primary
functions of the committees are as follows:



                                       7
<PAGE>   8

         EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The Executive Committee was established in 1994 to
review and authorize actions required in the management of the business and
affairs of the Company, which would otherwise be determined by the Board, where
it is not practicable to convene the full Board. The members of the Executive
Committee are Messrs. Edelman, Finkelson and Pinkerton. During 1997, the
Executive Committee held no meetings.

         COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves
executive salaries and administers bonus, incentive compensation and stock
option plans of the Company. This Committee advises and consults with management
regarding pensions and other benefits and significant compensation policies and
practices of the Company. This Committee also considers nominations of
candidates for corporate officer positions. The members of Compensation
committee are Messrs. Aikman, Finkelson and Guill. During 1997, the Compensation
Committee held five meetings.

         AUDIT COMMITTEE. The Audit Committee reviews the professional services
provided by the Company's independent public accountants and the independence of
such accountants from management of the Company. This Committee also reviews the
scope of the audit coverage, the annual financial statements of the Company and
such other matters with respect to the accounting, auditing and financial
reporting practices and procedures of the Company as it may find appropriate or
as have been brought to its attention. The members of the audit committee are
Messrs. Aikman, Dub and Guill. During 1997, the Audit Committee held two
meetings.

         DIVIDEND COMMITTEE. The Dividend Committee was established in late 1997
and is authorized and directed to approve the payment of dividends on all of the
Company's securities at the same rates as were paid by the Company to its
shareholders in the previous quarter. The members of the Dividend Committee are
Messrs. Edelman and Pinkerton. During 1997, the Dividend Committee held four
meetings.

         INSIDER TRANSACTION REVIEW COMMITTEE. The Insider Transaction Review
Committee was established in late 1996 and is responsible for reviewing certain
grants, issuances and dispositions of the Company's common stock under each of
the Company's benefit plans. In June 1997 the Insider Transaction Review
Committee was dissolved and its duties were taken over by the Compensation
Committee. The members of the Insider Transaction Review Committee were Messrs.
Finkelson and Guill. During 1997, the Insider Transaction Review Committee held
no meetings.

         Non-officer Directors receive $25,000 per annum and are reimbursed for
expenses in attending Board and Committee meetings. The Directors receive no
compensation for Committee meetings attended. Directors who are officers of the
Company or its affiliates are not compensated for their Board and Committee
activities.

         The Company's Outside Directors Stock Option Plan (the "Directors
Plan"), which is administered by the Compensation Committee, provides for the
granting of options to purchase shares of Common Stock to outside directors of
the Company. The plan permits optionees to acquire up to 200,000 shares of
Common Stock. All options issued under the plan vest 30% after one year, 60%
after two years and 100% after three years. At December 31, 1997 a total of
108,000 options had been granted under the plan of which 40,800 were exercisable
at that date. The options outstanding at December 31, 1997 were granted at
exercise prices ranging from $7.75 to $16.88 per share. The exercise price of
all such options was equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the
date of grant.



                                       8
<PAGE>   9

                               EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

         Set forth below is certain information, as of April 1, 1998, regarding
the executive officers of the Company:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  NAME                         AGE    OFFICER SINCE       POSITION(S) WITH COMPANY
  ----                         ---    -------------       ------------------------

<S>                            <C>        <C>             <C>     
  Thomas J. Edelman            47         1988            Chairman

  John H. Pinkerton            44         1988            President and Chief Executive Officer

  C. Rand Michaels             61         1976            Vice Chairman

  Steven L. Grose              49         1980            Senior Vice President - Appalachia Region

  Chad L. Stephens             43         1990            Senior Vice President - Southwest Region

  Thomas W. Stoelk             42         1994            Senior Vice President -  Finance and Administration

  Paul F. Blanchard            37         1997            Vice President - Midcontinent Division

  Jeffery A. Bynum             43         1985            Vice President - Land and Secretary

  John R. Frank                42         1994            Vice President - Information Management

  Danny M. Sowell              47         1996            Vice President - Energy Services

  George A. Teer               50         1997            Vice President - Permian Division

  Geoffrey T. Doke             31         1996            Controller
</TABLE>

         For biographical information with respect to Messrs. Edelman, Pinkerton
and Michaels, see "Election of Directors - Information Concerning Nominees"
above.

         STEVEN L. GROSE, Senior Vice President - Appalachia Region, joined the
Company in 1980. Previously, Mr. Grose was employed by Halliburton Services,
Inc. as a Field Engineer from 1971 until 1974. In 1974, he was promoted to
District Engineer and in 1978, was named Assistant District Superintendent based
in Pennsylvania. Mr. Grose is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and
a trustee of The Ohio Oil and Gas Association. Mr. Grose received his Bachelor
of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering from Marietta College. Mr. Grose is
also a director of North Coast.

         CHAD L. STEPHENS, Senior Vice President - Southwest Region, joined the
Company in 1990. Previously, Mr. Stephens was with Duer Wagner & Co., an
independent oil and gas producer, since 1988. Prior thereto, Mr. Stephens was an
independent oil operator in Midland, Texas for four years. From 1979 to 1984,
Mr. Stephens was with Cities Service Company and HNG Oil Company. Mr. Stephens
received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Finance and Land Management from the
University of Texas.

         THOMAS W. STOELK, Senior Vice President - Finance and Administration,
joined the Company in 1994. Mr. Stoelk is a Certified Public Accountant and was
a Senior Manager with Ernst & Young LLP. Prior to rejoining Ernst & Young LLP in
1986 he was with Partners Petroleum, Inc. Mr. Stoelk received his Bachelor of
Science Degree in Industrial Administration from Iowa State University.

                                       9
<PAGE>   10

         PAUL F. BLANCHARD, Vice President - Midcontinent Division, joined the
Company in March 1997. Previously Mr. Blanchard was operations manager for the
Oklahoma Division of Enron Oil & Gas Company, where he was employed from 1991 to
1997. From 1990 to 1991, Mr. Blanchard was with Louisiana Land and Exploration
Company. Prior to that, Mr. Blanchard was with Texas Oil & Gas Company. Mr.
Blanchard received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering from
the University of Oklahoma.

         JEFFERY A. BYNUM, Vice President - Land and Secretary, joined the
Company in 1985. Previously, Mr. Bynum was employed by Crystal Oil Company and
Kinnebrew Energy Group. Mr. Bynum holds a Professional Certification with
American Association of Petroleum Landmen and attended Louisiana State
University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Centenary College in Shreveport,
Louisiana.

         JOHN R. FRANK, Vice President - Information Management, joined the
Company in 1990. Prior to being appointed Vice President, he served as
Controller. Previously Mr. Frank was with Appalachian Exploration, Inc. from
1977 to 1990, with the last portion being Vice President, Finance. Mr. Frank
received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting and Management from Walsh
College and attended graduate studies at the University of Akron.

         DANNY M. SOWELL, Vice President - Energy Services, joined the Company
in 1996. Previously, Mr. Sowell was President and Chief Executive Officer of Jay
Gas Marketing, which Lomak acquired in 1996. Prior to founding Jay Gas, Mr.
Sowell was Director of Marketing for a subsidiary of Oklahoma Gas & Electric
Company. Mr. Sowell received his Master and Bachelor of Science Degrees in
Mathematics from Lamar University.

         GEORGE A. TEER, Vice President - Permian Division, joined the Company
in 1994. Previously Mr. Teer was with Bass Enterprises from 1974 to 1994, with
the last portion being Manager of their West Texas Division. Mr. Teer received
his Bachelor of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M
University.

         GEOFFREY T. DOKE, Controller, joined the Company in 1991. He was
appointed Treasurer in 1996 and Controller in 1997. Previously, Mr. Doke served
in the accounting department of Edisto Resources Corporation. Mr. Doke received
his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Finance and International
Business from Baylor University and his Master of Business Administration Degree
from Case Western Reserve University.

                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

         The Compensation Committee of the Board establishes the general
compensation policies of the Company, establishes the compensation plans and
specific compensation levels for officers and certain other managers and
administers the Company's stock option plan for all employees.

         In establishing compensation policies, the Committee believes that the
cash compensation of executive officers, as well as other key employees, should
be competitive with other similar size oil and gas companies while, within the
Company, being fair and discriminating on the basis of personal performance.
Annual awards of stock options and restricted stock grants are intended both to
retain executives and to motivate them to improve long-term stock market
performance.

         In establishing total compensation (salary plus bonus) for its
executives, the Company targets the median cash compensation for competitors of
executives having similar responsibilities. Base salaries have historically been
set below the median, so that bonuses, which are primarily determined by
individual performance, will constitute a larger portion of cash compensation.
The base salary for Mr. Pinkerton was increased 37% during 1997. Mr. Pinkerton's
bonus is based on Company performance. The Committee has not established any
particular formula or singled out particular factors as more important than
others. In determining Mr. Pinkerton's bonus for 1997, the Committee considered
the fact that 1997 constituted the eighth consecutive year in which the Company
substantially increased its revenues, cash flow, production and reserves. In
addition, the Committee considered more subjective criteria, such as steps taken
during 1997 to improve the Company's long-term prospects. The bonuses of other
executives


                                       10
<PAGE>   11

are influenced by Company performance, but are determined primarily based upon
performance of the executive's duties and success in attaining performance goals
which are directed toward improving Company performance.

         Stock options and bonuses are awarded to Mr. Pinkerton and other
executives and key employees to retain and motivate the grantees and to improve
long-term market performance. The Committee generally determines the number of
options granted and the amount of the bonuses awarded to Mr. Pinkerton and to
other executives and key employees based on how an individual's responsibilities
might affect the long-term price of the Common Stock. The Committee occasionally
grants additional options when the Committee believes additional incentives are
appropriate. To date, options have been granted only at the prevailing market
price and will have value only if the price of the Common Stock increases.
Generally, to provide incentives for its executives to remain with the Company
and to benefit for the improvement in the performance of the Company, options
have a term of five years and vest over three years. An employee must be
employed by the Company at the time of vesting in order to exercise the options.
In addition, officer annual bonuses are awarded whereby no more than 50% of 
the amount is payable in the year of the award, with the remaining 50% vesting 
over a one to three year period. These bonuses are payable, at the option of
the officer, in cash or shares of the Company's Common Stock. An officer must
be employed by the Company at the time of vesting in order to receive the
vested bonus previously granted to such officer. The restricted stock issued
pursuant to the bonuses represents unregistered shares  and therefore initially
cannot be sold by the recipient.

         In the aggregate, approximately 32% of the Named Executive Officers'
cash compensation for 1997 consisted of incentive bonuses tied to Company and
individual performance. Mr. Pinkerton received approximately 44% of his cash
compensation for 1997 from incentive bonuses. When the potential future value of
stock options and restricted stock grants are included (assuming a 10% annual
increase in the stock price), approximately 74% of the total compensation of Mr.
Pinkerton for 1997 is from incentives which are linked to creation of
stockholder value.

         No voting member of the Committee is a former or current officer or
employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. No member of the
Compensation Committee had any Compensation Committee Interlocks during the
Company's last fiscal year.

         The foregoing report has been furnished by the members of the Committee

                                 Robert Aikman
                                 Allen Finkelson
                                 Ben A. Guill

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

         The voting members of the Company's Compensation Committee consists of
Messrs. Aikman, Finkelson and Guill, none of whom are officers of the Company.





                                       11
<PAGE>   12

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

         The following table sets forth information for the years ended 
December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995 representing all compensation awarded to,
earned by or paid to the five highest paid executive officers (the "Named
Executive Officers").



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     Long-term
                                                          Annual Compensation       Compensation
                                                     ---------------------------  -----------------
           Name and                                                                  Stock Option       All Other
      Principal Position                     Year       Salary ($)     Bonus($)       Awards (#)    Compensation ($)(a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>        <C>            <C>              <C>           <C>    
Thomas J. Edelman                            1997       $172,500       $125,000 (b)     50,000        $39,992
Chairman                                     1996        133,333        187,500 (c)     50,000         36,996
                                             1995        120,833         75,000 (e)     50,000         10,608

John H. Pinkerton                            1997        281,666        250,000 (b)     50,000         39,992
President & Chief Executive                  1996        210,000        375,000 (c)     50,000         23,976
Officer                                      1995        179,167        150,000 (e)     50,000         14,062

Steven L. Grose                              1997        121,250         60,000 (d)     25,000         20,002
Senior Vice President-Appalachia             1996        100,417         50,000 (d)     25,000          8,137
                                             1995         88,750         30,000 (e)

Chad L. Stephens                             1997        125,833         50,000 (d)     25,000         21,504
Senior Vice President-Midcontinent           1996        102,917         75,000 (d)     25,000         18,430
                                             1995         90,000         50,000 (e)     25,000          7,093

Thomas W. Stoelk                             1997        126,250         70,000 (d)     25,000         22,102
Senior Vice President-Finance and            1996        105,833         65,000 (d)     25,000         13,863
Administration                               1995         96,667         35,000 (e)     25,000          8,159

<FN>
         (a)      Represents the Company's contribution to the 401(k) and deferred compensation plans on behalf of the named
                  executive.
         (b)      Bonus amounts include $125,000 of contributions made to the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan on behalf of the
                  named executive which vest in three equal amounts occurring annually on January 1st if they remain employed by 
                  the Company.
         (c)      Messrs. Edelman and Pinkerton bonus amounts include $112,500 and $225,000, respectively, of contributions made to
                  the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan on behalf of the named executive which vest in three equal amounts 
                  occurring annually on January 1st if they remain employed by the Company.
         (d)      Fifty percent of bonus amounts vest on January 1st of the following year if they remain employed by the Company.
         (e)      Fifty percent of bonus amounts vest in two equal installments occurring annually on January 1st if they remain
                  employed by the Company.
</TABLE>

STOCK OPTION GRANTS AND EXERCISES

         The Company's stock option plan, which is administered by the
Compensation Committee, provides for the granting of options to purchase shares
of Common Stock to key employees and certain other persons who are not employees
for advice or other assistance or services to the Company. The plan permits
optionees to acquire up to 3 million shares of Common Stock to be outstanding at
any time subject to the limitation that the outstanding options cannot exceed
10% of all outstanding Common Stock on a fully diluted basis. All options issued
under the plan vest 30% after one year, 60% after two years and 100% after three
years. At December 31, 1997, a total of 1,499,692 options were outstanding under
the plan of which 688,457 were exercisable at that date. The options outstanding
at December 31, 1997 were granted at exercise prices ranging from $3.38 to
$18.00 per share. The exercise price of all such options was equal to the fair
market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant.


                                       12
<PAGE>   13

STOCK OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

         The following table sets forth information for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997, respecting the grant of stock options to the Named Executive
Officers. The stock options were granted at the market price on the date of
grant. No stock appreciation rights have ever been granted by the Company.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         
                                                                                         Potential Realizable  
                                                                                           Value at Assumed    
                                                                                            Annual Rates of    
                                                                                              Stock Price      
                                                                                           Appreciation for    
                                                        Individual Grants                   Option Term (a)    
                   -------------------------------------------------------------   ----------------------------
                        Number of        Percent of                                      
                       Securities       Total Options 
                       Underlying        Granted to 
                        Options         Employees in    Exercise     Expiration 
        Name           Granted (#)       Fiscal Year     Price          Date            5%             10%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>              <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>     
Thomas J. Edelman         50,000           10.7%         $17.75        3/12/02       $245,000       $542,000
John H. Pinkerton         50,000           10.7%          17.75        3/12/02        245,000        542,000
Steven L. Grose           25,000            5.3%          17.75        3/12/02        122,500        271,000
Chad L. Stephens          25,000            5.3%          17.75        3/12/02        122,500        271,000
Thomas W. Stoelk          25,000            5.3%          17.75        3/12/02        122,500        271,000

<FN>
         (a)      The assumed annual rates of stock price appreciation used in showing the potential
                  realizable value of stock option grants are prescribed by the Securities and Exchange
                  Commission. The actual realized value of the options may be significantly greater or less
                  than assumed amounts. For options granted in 1997, the values shown for 5% and 10%
                  appreciation equate to a stock price of $22.65 and $28.59, respectively, at the expiration
                  date of the options.
</FN>
</TABLE>

YEAR END OPTION VALUES TABLE

         The following table sets forth information at December 31, 1997,
respecting exercisable and non-exercisable options held by the Named Executive
Officers. The table also includes the value of "in-the-money" options which
represents the spread between the exercise price of the existing stock options
and the year end Common Stock price of $16.25.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 
                                                                       Number of Securities       Value of     
                                                                             Underlying          Unexercised    
                                                                            Unexercised         In-the-Money    
                                                                        Options at Fiscal     Options at Fiscal   
                                     Shares                                Year-End 1997         Year-End 1997    
                                   Acquired on        Value             (Unexercisable (U)/   (Unexercisable (U)/ 
          Name                      Exercise (#)     Realized             Exercisable (E))      Exercisable (E))  
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>              <C>                      <C>           <C>            
Thomas J. Edelman                     -0-            $  -0-                    55,000 U     $   386,250 U  
                                                                              145,000 E       1,107,500 E  
                                                                                                           
John H. Pinkerton                     -0-               -0-                    55,000 U         386,250 U  
                                                                               21,667 E       1,739,204 E  
                                                                                                           
Steven L. Grose                      5,000            58,750                   27,500 U         193,125 U  
                                                                               55,166 E         467,198 E  
                                                                                                           
Chad L. Stephens                     5,000            58,750                   27,500 U         193,125 U  
                                                                               56,167 E         478,339 E  
                                                                                                           
Thomas W. Stoelk                    19,250           194,531                   27,500 U         193,125 U  
                                                                               13,250 E          93,812 E  
                                                                             
</TABLE>


                                       13
<PAGE>   14

STOCKHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE PRESENTATION

         Set forth below is a line graph comparing the percentage change in the
cumulative total return of the Common Stock, Dow Jones Secondary Oils Index, and
the S&P 500 Index for the five year period ending December 31, 1997. The graph
assumes that $100 was invested in Common Stock and each index on December 31,
1992. Furthermore, dividends are reinvested on the ex-dividend dates.


                                    [GRAPH]

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     1992      1993         1994        1995        1996          1997
                                     ----      ----         ----        ----        ----          ----
<S>                                  <C>       <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>           <C> 
Lomak Petroleum, Inc.                $100      $171         $162        $229        $403          $382
DJ Secondary Oils                     100       111          118         133         163           170
S&P 500                               100       111          111         149         181           237
</TABLE>



EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS AND CHANGE IN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS

         The Company has no employment agreements with any of its executives or
other employees.

         The Board has adopted a change in control plan pursuant to which a key
employee group comprised of executive officers and other key employees of the
Company designated by the Board (the "Management Group") will receive a certain
level of severance and vesting benefits if there is a change in control of the
Company and all other employees of the Company (the "Employee Group") will
receive more limited severance and vesting benefits. Upon a change in control of
the Company all non-vested securities of the Company held by persons in both the
Executive Group and the Employee Group, including, without limitation, all
non-vested options to purchase Common Stock held by them, will automatically
vest.

         If any person in the Management Group is terminated within one year of
such change in control or if job responsibilities or compensation of a person in
the Management Group is materially altered within one year of such change in
control, then such person shall receive a lump sum payment (the "Management
Payment") equal to (i) an amount equal to such person's base salary for the year
in which the Management Payment is to be made plus (ii) an amount equal to the
average of such person's bonuses for the two years prior thereto. If any person
in the Employee Group is terminated within one year of such change in control,
then such person shall receive a lump sum payment (the "Employee Payment") equal
to (i) an amount equal to one quarter of such person's base salary for the year
in which the 


                                       14
<PAGE>   15

Employee Payment is to be made plus (ii) an amount equal to one quarter of the
average of such person's bonuses for the two years prior thereto.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amount of either the Management
Payment or the Employee Payment (collectively, the "Payment") is dependent upon
the duration of employment with the Company, with each person receiving
one-third of the Payment if they have been employed by the Company for less than
two years, two-thirds of the Payment if they have been employed by the Company
for between two and three years and receiving the full amount of the Payment if
they have been employed by the Company for at least three years.

                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

         Mr. Edelman, Chairman of the Company, previously served as an executive
officer and is currently a stockholder of Snyder Oil Corporation ("SOCO"). Mr.
Edelman also serves as executive officer and major shareholder of Patina Oil &
Gas Corporation. The Company SOCO and Patina did not have any transactions or
hold interests in any of the same properties during 1997.

           COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1934

         Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires executive
officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of
the Company's stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes
of ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the NYSE. Copies of
such reports are required to be furnished to the Company.

         Based solely on a review of such forms furnished to the Company and
certain written representations from the executive officers and directors, the
Company believes that all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its
executive officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were
complied with on a timely basis.

                                 OTHER BUSINESS

         Management of the Company knows of no other business which will be
presented for consideration at the meeting, but should any other matters be
brought before the Meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the
accompanying proxy will vote such proxy at their discretion.

         It is expected that representatives of Arthur Andersen will be present
at the Meeting with an opportunity to make a statement should they desire to do
so and to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.

                                  ANNUAL REPORT

         The Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997,
accompanies this proxy statement. The Annual Report does not constitute a part
of the proxy soliciting material.

                  STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 1999 ANNUAL MEETING

         Any stockholder desiring to present to stockholders a stockholder
proposal at the 1999 Annual Meeting must transmit such proposal to the Company
so that it is received by the Company on or before November 28, 1998. All such
proposals should be in compliance with applicable Securities and Exchange
Commission regulations.

                                             BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS




                                             Jeffery A. Bynum
                                             Secretary

April 14, 1998



                                       15
<PAGE>   16

FRONT:
- ------


                              LOMAK PETROLEUM, INC.


<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>      <C>             <C>      <C>
1.  Election of Directors  For      Withheld        For All
     (see reverse)         All         All           Except  _____________________________________________
                           ___         ___            ___    Print Nominee Exception



                  Area reserved for
                  Name & Address



                                                             Date:  ________________________________, 1998

                                                             Signature(s) ________________________________

                                                             Signature(s) ________________________________
</TABLE>

THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY
THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES NAMED. In accordance with their judgment the
proxies are authorized to vote upon any other matters that may properly come
before the meeting. The signer hereby revokes all proxies heretofore given by
the signer to vote at said meeting or any adjournments thereof. NOTE: Please
sign exactly as name appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign.
When signing as attorney, administrator, trustee, or guardian, please give full
title as such.





BACK:
- -----

<TABLE>
<S>                                        <C>                                                                          <C>
PROXY                                                                                                                   PROXY
                                                           LOMAK PETROLEUM, INC.
                                            PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                                           FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS - MAY 28, 1998
</TABLE>

The undersigned hereby appoints Chad L. Stephens and John H. Pinkerton, and each
of them, his/her true and lawful agents and proxies with full power of
substitution and revocation, to vote, as designated on the reverse side hereof,
all the Common and Preferred Stock of Lomak Petroleum, Inc. which the
undersigned has power to vote, with all powers which the undersigned possess if
personally present, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Lomak Petroleum,
Inc. to be held on May 28, 1998, and at any adjournments thereof.

1.   To elect a board of seven Directors, each for a one-year term: The nominees
     of the Board of Directors are: Robert E. Aikman, Anthony V. Dub, Thomas J.
     Edelman, Allen Finkelson, Ben A. Guill, C. Rand Michaels and John H.
     Pinkerton

You are encouraged to specify your choice by marking the appropriate box, SEE
REVERSE SIDE. Your shares cannot be voted unless you sign and return this card.

<TABLE>
<S>               <C>
 PLEASE VOTE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
                  (Continued and to be signed on reverse side)
</TABLE>








                                       16


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