MAGNUM PETROLEUM INC /NV/
8-K, 1996-07-12
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   ----------


                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


                                                               
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)     June 28, 1996


                             MAGNUM PETROLEUM, INC.
               --------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                     Nevada
                -------------------------------------------------
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

              1-12508                                    87-0462881
     ----------------------                    -------------------------------
    (Commission File Number)                  (IRS Employer Identification No.)


         600 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039
        -----------------------------------------------------------------
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)


                                                                       
    Registrant's telephone number, including area code     (214) 401-0752


           -----------------------------------------------------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


<PAGE>

Item 2.  Acquisition of Assets.

On June 28, 1996, the Registrant  purchased  approximately 500 natural gas wells
and 427  miles  of a gas  gathering  pipeline  system  from  Meridian  Oil  Inc.
("Meridian"),  a wholly-owned  subsidiary of Burlington Resources,  Inc. The net
purchase price after certain purchase price  adjustments was  approximately  $35
million for all of Meridian's  interest in certain gas wells and a gas gathering
system  located in the  Panhandle of Texas and Western  Oklahoma,  more commonly
referred to as the "Panoma Properties."

The  aforementioned  consideration  was  determined  as a result of arm's length
negotiations  between  Meridian  and  the  Registrant.   The  principal  factors
considered  in the  determination  of the  consideration  given  for the  Panoma
Properties include (a) the reserve and pipeline values of the Panoma Properties,
(b) the results of past operations of the Panoma Properties and (c) the expected
future  operations  and  related  contributions  that the Panoma  Properties  is
expected to make to the total value of the Registrant.

The current daily production volumes from the acquired wells is approximately 14
million  cubic  feet per day with  total  delivery,  including  third  party gas
purchased by the gathering  system, of almost 19 million cubic feet per day. The
Registrant  has  estimated  the monthly  cash flow from the  acquisition  of the
Panoma Properties to be approximately $500,000 per month. The existing wells and
gas gathering  system are in three fields,  the West Panhandle  Field,  the East
Panhandle  Field,  and the South  Erick  Field,  all  located in Gray,  Wheeler,
Collingsworth  and  Donley  Counties,  Texas and  Beckham  and  Greer  Counties,
Oklahoma. The Registrant's  wholly-owned  subsidiary,  Gruy Petroleum Management
Co., has become the operator of all wells,  the gas gathering  pipeline  system,
and associated assets.

The  Registrant  funded the  acquisition  by drawing on its line of credit  with
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Agent, and Banque Paribas, as Co-agent.

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

         (a)  Financial Statements of Business Acquired
              -----------------------------------------

It is  impracticable at this time to file the required  financial  statements of
the acquired business. The Registrant,  however,  believes that such information
will be filed within 45 days and hereby  undertakes to file such  information as
soon as practicable, but in no event later than 60 days from July 15, 1996.

         (b)  Pro Forma Financial Information
              -------------------------------

It is  impracticable  at this  time to file the  required  pro  forma  financial
information relative to the acquired business. The Registrant, however, believes
that such information will be filed within 45 days and hereby undertakes to file
such information as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 60 days from
July 15, 1996.

         (c)  Exhibits
              --------

     2.1  Purchase and Sale Agreement  between the Registrant and Meridian dated
          May 17, 1996.


<PAGE>

                                    SIGNATURE


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

                             MAGNUM PETROLEUM, INC.


                                 /s/ Gary C. Evans
                             By: Gary C. Evans
                                 President and CEO


Dated: July 11, 1996


<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit                                                           Sequentially
Number                                                            Numbered Page
- ------                                                            -------------

2.1      Purchase and Sale Agreement between the Registrant
         and Meridian dated May 17, 1996.
















                                   EXHIBIT 2.1



<PAGE>


                           PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT dated this 17th day of May, 1996, is between MERIDIAN OIL INC., a
Delaware corporation  ("Seller"),  with offices at 5051 Westheimer,  Suite 1400,
Houston,  Texas 77056-2124,  and CONMAG ENERGY CORPORATION,  a Texas corporation
("Buyer"),  with offices at 600 East Las Colinas Boulevard,  Suite 1200, Irving,
Texas 75039.

WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell, and Buyer desires to purchase, upon and subject
to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, all of Seller's right, title,
and interest in and to the following assets:

          (i)  The  oil  and  gas  leases,  leasehold  interests,  term  royalty
               interests,  rights and interests attributable or allocable to the
               oil and gas leases or  leasehold  interests by virtue of pooling,
               unitization, communitization, and operating agreements, licenses,
               permits and other agreements,  and other properties and interests
               described on Exhibit "A-1"  attached  hereto  (collectively,  the
               "Leases"),  together with identical undivided interests in and to
               the  property and rights  incident  thereto,  including,  but not
               limited to, as of the  Effective  Time,  rights in, to, and under
               agreements, leases, permits, rights-of-way,  easements, licenses,
               farmouts,  farmins,  options,  orders,  and  other  contracts  or
               agreements of a similar nature in any way relating thereto;

          (ii) The wells, equipment, materials, fixtures and improvements on the
               Leases as of the Effective Time,  appurtenant  thereto or used or
               obtained in  connection  with the Leases or with the  production,
               treatment,  sale or disposal of  hydrocarbons  or waste  produced
               therefrom  or  attributable   thereto,  and  other  appurtenances
               thereunto   belonging  (the  "Equipment");   provided,   however,
               Equipment  shall not  include  leased  equipment  located  on the
               Leases;

          (iii)The unitization,  pooling and operating agreements, and the units
               created thereby which relate to the Leases or interests described
               in Exhibit "A-1" or which relate to units or wells located on the
               Leases,  including  the units formed under  orders,  regulations,
               rules,  and other  official  acts of the  governmental  authority
               having jurisdiction, together with any right, title, and interest
               created thereby in the Leases;

          (iv) Gas purchase  contracts and product  purchase and sale agreements
               related to the Leases;
                                       1
<PAGE>

          (v)  The  Panoma  No.  1 Field  Plant  together  with  all  equipment,
               supplies,   machinery,   materials,  taps,  meters,  compressors,
               dehydrator,  auxiliary electrical generators,  valves, piping and
               other personal property,  and certain real property,  all as more
               particularly   set  forth  on  Exhibit  "A-2"   attached   hereto
               (collectively, the "Field Plant");

          (vi) The Panoma No. 2 Compressor  Station together with all equipment,
               supplies,   machinery,   materials,  taps,  meters,  compressors,
               valves,  piping and other  personal  property,  and certain  real
               property,  all as more  particularly  set forth on Exhibit  "A-3"
               attached hereto (collectively, the "Compressor Station");

          (vii)Gathering  lines more  particularly  described  on Exhibit  "A-4"
               attached hereto, liquid and gas lines, taps, meters and all other
               equipment,   supplies,   machinery,   materials   or   facilities
               appurtenant to or considered  part of such lines (the  "Gathering
               System");

          (viii) Rights-of-way, easements, and surface use leases appurtenant to
               the Gathering System,  as more particularly  described on Exhibit
               "A-5" attached hereto (the "Easements");

          (ix) Equipment  leases  and  rental  contracts,  as more  particularly
               described  on Exhibit  "A-6"  attached  hereto (to the extent the
               same are assignable);

          (x)  Gas gathering agreements,  gas processing  agreements,  contracts
               and  other  agreements  of a similar  nature  used  primarily  in
               connection with the Leases,  the Equipment,  the Field Plant, the
               Compressor  Station,  and the Gathering System (to the extent the
               same are assignable);

          (xi) Vehicles, as set forth on Exhibit "A-7" attached hereto; and

          (xii)Shamrock  office  facility,  including all  equipment,  fixtures,
               supplies,  machinery,   materials  and  other  personal  property
               appurtenant  thereto,  located on certain real property set forth
               on Exhibit "A-8" (the "Shamrock Facility").

Seller's  interests  in these assets is herein  collectively  referred to as the
"Interests";  provided,  however,  the Interests shall not include, and there is
excepted,  reserved  and  excluded  from this  Agreement  the  personal and real
property set forth in Exhibit "G" attached hereto (the "Excluded Interests").

                                       2
<PAGE>

NOW, THEREFORE,  in consideration of the above recitals and of the covenants and
agreements herein contained, Seller and Buyer agree as follows:

1.   PURCHASE  AND SALE.  Subject  to and upon all of the  terms and  conditions
     herein set forth, Seller shall sell, transfer,  assign, convey, and deliver
     the Interests to Buyer,  and Buyer shall  purchase,  receive,  pay for, and
     accept the Interests  from Seller,  effective  April 1, 1996, 7 a.m.  local
     time at the Leases (the "Effective Time").

2.   PURCHASE PRICE AND PERFORMANCE DEPOSIT.

          (a)  The purchase price for the Interests  shall be THIRTY SIX MILLION
               FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS  ($36,500,000)  (the "Base Purchase
               Price"),  subject to any applicable  purchase price adjustment as
               provided for herein.

          (b)  Buyer shall, upon execution of this Agreement,  deliver to Seller
               a performance  deposit of TWO MILLION DOLLARS  ($2,000,000)  (the
               "Performance  Deposit") to assure Buyer's performance  hereunder.
               At Closing,  the Performance  Deposit,  plus interest at a simple
               rate of nine  percent (9%) per annum,  shall be a Buyer's  credit
               against the Base Purchase Price. The Performance Deposit shall be
               refundable  to Buyer  only in the event  that the  conditions  to
               Buyer's  obligations  to close as set forth in Section 6 have not
               been  met,  in which  event  Seller  shall  promptly  return  the
               Performance Deposit, together with interest thereon, to Buyer. In
               the event this transaction is not consummated on the Closing Date
               for any  reason  other  than the  condition  of Closing by Seller
               contained  in  Section   5(c)  hereof,   Seller  may  retain  the
               Performance  Deposit,  together with interest thereon,  as agreed
               liquidated  damages  and not as a penalty,  it being  agreed that
               actual  damages  would be difficult  to  ascertain  and that such
               amount is reasonable.

          (c)  Seller and Buyer  agree  that the Base  Purchase  Price  shall be
               allocated among the Interests as set forth on Exhibit "B" for the
               purpose  of (i)  establishing  a basis for  certain  taxes,  (ii)
               giving notices of value to the owners of any preferential  rights
               to purchase the Interests,  and (iii)  determining the value of a
               Title  Defect  or an  Environmental  Defect  and  handling  those
               instances in which the Base Purchase Price is to be adjusted.

                                       3
<PAGE>

3.   TITLE DEFECTS. As used herein, the term:

          (a)  "Defensible  Title" shall mean, as to the  Interests,  such title
               held  by  Seller,  that,  subject  to and  except  for  Permitted
               Encumbrances (as hereinafter defined):

               (i)  Entitles  Seller to receive  not less than the "Net  Revenue
                    Interest"  as set forth in Exhibit "B" of all oil,  gas, and
                    associated liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons produced,  saved,
                    and marketed from the Interests;

               (ii) Obligates Seller to bear costs and expenses  relating to the
                    maintenance, development, and operation of all wells located
                    on the  Interests in an amount not greater than the "Working
                    Interest" set forth in Exhibit "B";

               (iii)Is free and clear of any and all  encumbrances,  charges and
                    liens;

               (iv) Is free and clear of any provision or  obligation  affecting
                    the  Interests   contained  in  any  contract  or  agreement
                    disclosed in the Records (as hereafter defined) which is not
                    customary  to  currently   accepted  oil  and  gas  industry
                    standards and (a) requires an  extraordinary  expenditure in
                    connection with the acquisition, exploration, development or
                    operation of the Interests or (b) would materially  diminish
                    the Net  Revenue  Interest  set  forth on  Exhibit  "B",  or
                    materially  increase  the  Working  Interest  set  forth  on
                    Exhibit "B".

          (b)  "Permitted Encumbrances" shall mean:

               (i)  Lessor's   royalties,   overriding   royalties,   production
                    payments,  and reversionary  interests if the net cumulative
                    effect of such  burdens  does not  operate to reduce the Net
                    Revenue  Interest  of any  Interest  to  less  than  the Net
                    Revenue Interest set forth in Exhibit "B";

               (ii) Sales  contracts  covering oil, gas or associated  liquid or
                    gaseous hydrocarbons;

                                       4
<PAGE>

               (iii)Preferential  rights to purchase  and  required  third party
                    consents to assignments and similar  agreements with respect
                    to which (i)  waivers  or  consents  are  obtained  from the
                    appropriate  parties,  or (ii)  required  notices  have been
                    given to the holders of such rights and the appropriate time
                    period for  asserting  such  rights has  expired  without an
                    exercise of such rights;

               (iv) Liens for taxes or assessments  not due or not delinquent on
                    the Closing Date;

               (v)  All rights to consent by, required notices to, filings with,
                    or other actions by governmental agencies in connection with
                    the sale or  conveyance  of oil and gas leases or  interests
                    therein  or sale of  production  therefrom  if the  same are
                    customarily obtained subsequent to such sale or conveyance;

               (vi) Easements,   rights-of-way,   servitudes,  permits,  surface
                    leases, and other rights in respect of surface operations on
                    or  over  any of the  Interests  which  do  not  operate  to
                    interfere with current operations on the Interests;

               (vii)Liens of operators  relating to  obligations  not yet due or
                    pursuant   to  which   Seller   is  not  in   default,   and
                    materialmen's,  mechanics,  repairmen's,  or  other  similar
                    liens or charges  arising in the ordinary course of business
                    incidental to construction,  maintenance or operation of the
                    Interests  that  are  not  such  as to  interfere  with  the
                    operation, value or use of the Interests;

               (viii) The agreements  set forth on Exhibit "I" attached  hereto;
                    and

               (ix) Any Title Defects  waived by Buyer  pursuant to the terms of
                    this Agreement.

          (c)  The Interests  shall be deemed to have a "Title Defect" if Seller
               has less than Defensible Title to the Interests.

                                       5
<PAGE>

4.   PURCHASE PRICE ADJUSTMENTS FOR TITLE DEFECTS.

          (a)  Buyer  may,  by  delivery  of  written  notice  to  Seller of the
               existence of an alleged  Title Defect,  request  reduction of the
               purchase price for the Interest affected. The Title Defect notice
               shall  clearly  indicate  the  nature  of the Title  Defect,  the
               Interest to which it relates,  an explanation of the Title Defect
               including the supporting  legal theories,  the allocated value of
               the Interest as to which all or some portion of which is affected
               by the Title Defect,  and the amount by which Buyer  believes the
               value of the affected  Interest  has been reduced  because of the
               Title Defect,  with the computation  and  information  upon which
               Buyer's belief is based.  In determining  whether a portion of an
               Interest contains a Title Defect, it is the intent of the parties
               to include,  when  possible,  only that portion of such  Interest
               materially  and  adversely   affected.   If  the  value  properly
               allocated to a Title Defect  cannot be  determined  directly from
               Exhibit "B" because the Title Defect is included within, but does
               not totally  comprise,  the Interest to which the allocated value
               relates,  Buyer and Seller  shall  attempt,  where  feasible,  to
               proportionately reduce the allocated value in Exhibit "B".

          (b)  The Title Defect  notice by Buyer shall be delivered to Seller on
               or before  June 17,  1996.  In the  event any such  notice is not
               timely  delivered,  all Title  Defects shall be deemed waived for
               all  purposes and Buyer shall  thereafter  have no right to claim
               Title Defects; and in the event the Title Defect notice is timely
               delivered,  all Title Defects not claimed in such notice shall be
               deemed waived for all purposes.  Seller shall have the right, but
               not the  obligation,  to attempt to cure any alleged Title Defect
               prior to Closing.  In the event  Seller is unable or unwilling to
               cure an alleged Title Defect, Buyer and Seller shall meet and use
               their best efforts to agree on the validity of the claim of Title
               Defect and the amount of any required  purchase price adjustment.
               In  evaluating  the  significance  of  a  fact,  circumstance  or
               condition  for purposes of  determining  an alleged Title Defect,
               due  consideration  shall be given to the length of time that the
               particular  Lease has been producing  hydrocarbon  substances and
               whether  such  fact,  circumstance  or  condition  is of the type
               expected to be encountered in the area involved, and is usual and
               customarily  acceptable to reasonable and prudent persons engaged
               in the business of the ownership,  development,  and operation of
               oil and gas  properties  with  knowledge  of all of the facts and
               appreciation of their legal significance.

                                       6
<PAGE>

          (c)  In the event the  parties  cannot  mutually  agree on a  purchase
               price  adjustment  for an alleged Title Defect,  Buyer shall have
               the right to (i) proceed to Closing and accept the Interest  with
               the alleged Title Defect with no purchase  price  adjustment,  or
               (ii) terminate this Agreement as to the Interest  affected by the
               alleged Title Defect and receive a purchase price  adjustment for
               such  Interest as set forth in Exhibit "B",  or, where  feasible,
               the proportionate allocated value.

          (d)  There shall be no purchase  price  adjustment  for Title  Defects
               unless  the  aggregate  total of all Title  Defects  exceeds  ONE
               HUNDRED EIGHTY TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($182,500).

          (e)  In the event that Buyer shall determine that Seller's net revenue
               interests  in the  Interests  are  greater  than the Net  Revenue
               Interests set forth on Exhibit "B", Buyer shall notify Seller and
               Seller shall be entitled to a mutually  agreeable  purchase price
               adjustment.

5.   CONDITIONS  OF  CLOSING  BY SELLER.  The  obligation  of Seller to close is
     subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

          (a)  The  representations  of Buyer  contained in Section 8 hereof are
               true on and as of the Closing Date;

          (b)  Buyer shall have delivered to Seller a legal opinion  rendered by
               counsel to the  effect  that (i) Buyer is a  corporation  validly
               existing  and in good  standing  under  the laws of the  State of
               Texas and has all  requisite  power and  authority to execute and
               deliver  this  Agreement  and  to  consummate  the   transactions
               contemplated  hereby;  (ii) the  execution  and  delivery of, and
               consummation of the transactions  contemplated by, this Agreement
               by Buyer have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the
               part of the  Buyer;  and  (iii)  this  Agreement  has  been  duly
               executed and delivered by Buyer and  constitutes  a legal,  valid
               and binding obligation of Buyer and is enforceable  against Buyer
               in accordance with its terms, except that such enforcement may be
               subject to  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  moratorium  or similar laws
               affecting creditors' rights;

          (c)  Adjustments  to  the  purchase  price  in  accordance   with  the
               provisions  of Sections 4 and 13 hereof  shall not have  exceeded
               THREE MILLION SIX HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($3,650,000);

          (d)  On or before Closing,  Seller shall have obtained the consent and
               approval  of the Board of  Directors  of its  parent,  Burlington
               Resources  Inc., to consummate the  transactions  contemplated by
               this Agreement; and

          (e)  Buyer shall have  delivered  to Seller a guaranty in the form set
               forth on Exhibit "H" attached  hereto  wherein  Magnum  Petroleum
               Inc.,   Magnum  Hunter   Production,   Inc.  and  Gruy  Petroleum
               Management  Company,  collectively  as  guarantor,  guarantee the
               performance by Buyer under this Agreement.

6.   CONDITIONS OF CLOSING BY BUYER. The obligation of Buyer to close is subject
     to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

          (a)  The  representations  of Seller  contained  in Section 7 shall be
               true on and as of the Closing Date;

                                       7
<PAGE>

          (b)  Buyer and Seller shall have adjusted the Base Purchase  Price for
               Title Defects and  Environmental  Defects in accordance  with the
               provisions of Sections 4 and 13 hereof; and

          (c)  Seller shall have delivered to Buyer a legal opinion  rendered by
               Seller's  corporate  counsel to the  effect  that (i) Seller is a
               corporation  validly existing and in good standing under the laws
               of the  State  of  Delaware  and  has  all  requisite  power  and
               authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate
               the  transactions  contemplated  hereby;  (ii) the  execution and
               delivery of, and  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated
               by, this  Agreement  by Seller have been duly  authorized  by all
               necessary action on the part of Seller;  and (iii) this Agreement
               has been duly executed and delivered by Seller and  constitutes a
               legal,  valid and binding obligation of Seller and is enforceable
               against  Seller in  accordance  with its terms,  except that such
               enforcement may be subject to bankruptcy,  insolvency, moratorium
               or similar laws affecting creditors' rights.

7.   REPRESENTATIONS OF SELLER. Seller represents to Buyer that:

          (a)  Seller is a  corporation  validly  existing and in good  standing
               under the laws of the State of Delaware and is duly  qualified to
               own its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now
               being conducted;

          (b)  Subject to the condition set forth in Section 5(d) hereof, Seller
               has the requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this
               Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
               The  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement by Seller and the
               consummation of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby have been
               duly authorized;

          (c)  Subject to the condition  set forth in Section 5(d) hereof,  this
               Agreement  has been duly  executed  and  delivered  by Seller and
               constitutes   the  valid  and  binding   obligation   of  Seller,
               enforceable  against  it in  accordance  with the  terms  hereof,
               subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
               moratorium,  and similar laws  affecting  creditors'  rights.  No
               other act,  approval or  proceeding  on the part of Seller or any
               other party is required to authorize  the  execution and delivery
               of  this  Agreement  by  Seller  or  the   consummation   of  the
               transactions contemplated hereby;

                                       8
<PAGE>

          (d)  Subject to the condition  set forth in Section 5(d) hereof,  this
               Agreement,  and the execution and delivery hereof by Seller, does
               not and the consummation of the transactions  contemplated hereby
               will not (i)  conflict  with or result in a breach of the charter
               or bylaws of Seller or any other  governing  documents of Seller,
               (ii) violate, or conflict with, or constitute a default under, or
               result in the creation or  imposition  of any security  interest,
               lien or  encumbrance  upon any property or assets of Seller under
               any mortgage, indenture or agreement to which it is a party or by
               which the  Interests  are bound,  which  violation,  conflict  or
               default might  adversely  affect the ability of Seller to perform
               its obligation under this Agreement, or (iii) violate any statute
               or  law  or  any  judgment,   decree,  order,  writ,  injunction,
               regulation or rule of any court or governmental authority,  which
               violation might adversely affect the ability of Seller to perform
               its obligations under this Agreement;

          (e)  Seller has incurred no liability,  contingent  or otherwise,  for
               brokers'  or   finders'   fees   relating  to  the   transactions
               contemplated  by this  Agreement  for which  Buyer shall have any
               responsibility whatsoever;

          (f)  Seller is not a "foreign  person"  as defined in Section  1445 of
               the  Internal  Revenue  Code  of  1986  and  in  any  regulations
               promulgated thereunder;

          (g)  Except as set forth on Exhibit "E" attached  hereto,  to the best
               of Seller's  knowledge,  there are no claims,  actions,  suits or
               proceedings (including condemnation or similar proceedings) filed
               or threatened  against the Interests or any portion  thereof that
               would have a material adverse affect on the value or operation of
               the Interests;

          (h)  To the best of Seller's  knowledge,  Seller has not  violated any
               environmental  statute,  rule,  regulation or order applicable to
               the  Interests  which  violation  would have a  material  adverse
               effect on the value or operation of the Interests; and

          (i)  To the best of Seller's  knowledge and after  Seller's  review of
               the Records (as hereafter defined), Seller has received no notice
               of default with  respect to the Leases and any other  agreements,
               contracts,  leases,  permits,  rights-of-way,  easements or other
               agreements or contracts  related to the Leases which would have a
               material  adverse  effect  on  the  value  or  operation  of  the
               Interests  assigned  to  Buyer  and,  to  the  best  of  Seller's
               knowledge,  (i) no events have occurred  which with the giving of
               notice  or the  passage  of time or both  could  cause  any  such
               agreement or  instruments  to be in default,  and (ii) all monies
               and  performance due and required under the terms thereof through
               the Effective Time shall have been paid and performed.

       In those instances where Seller's  representations  are made on the basis
       of "Seller's  knowledge",  such representations are made by Seller on the
       basis of Seller's actual knowledge, without any investigation;  provided,
       however,  that Seller's supervisory  personnel have no notice of material
       facts which would cause them to reasonably  believe that an investigation
       should be conducted.

8.   REPRESENTATIONS OF BUYER. Buyer represents to Seller that:

          (a)  Buyer is a  corporation  validly  existing  and in good  standing
               under the laws of the State of Texas and is duly qualified to own
               its  properties  and assets and the Interests and to carry on its
               business as now being conducted;

                                       9
<PAGE>

          (b)  Buyer  has the  requisite  power and  authority  to  execute  and
               deliver  this  Agreement  and  to  consummate  the   transactions
               contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
               by Buyer and the  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated
               hereby have been duly authorized;

          (c)  This  Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Buyer and
               constitutes   the  valid  and   binding   obligation   of  Buyer,
               enforceable  against  it in  accordance  with the  terms  hereof,
               subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
               moratorium,  and similar laws  affecting  creditors'  rights.  No
               other act,  approval  or  proceeding  on the part of Buyer or any
               other party is required to authorize  the  execution and delivery
               of  this   Agreement  by  Buyer  or  the   consummation   of  the
               transactions contemplated hereby;

          (d)  This  Agreement,  and the execution and delivery hereof by Buyer,
               does not and the  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated
               hereby  will not (i)  conflict  with or result in a breach of the
               charter or bylaws of Buyer or any other  governing  documents  of
               Buyer,  or  (ii)  violate  any  statute  or law or any  judgment,
               decree, order, writ, injunction,  regulation or rule of any court
               or governmental authority, which violation might adversely affect
               the  ability  of Buyer to  perform  its  obligations  under  this
               Agreement;

          (e)  Buyer's affiliate,  Gruy Petroleum Management Company,  possesses
               all required governmental licenses, permits, bonds, certificates,
               orders,  and  authorizations  necessary  to  own or  operate  the
               Interests and will be named on such  documents as operator of the
               Interests;

          (f)  Buyer  has,  and will have on the  Closing  Date and  thereafter,
               sufficient  cash  or  credit  to  enable  it to make  payment  in
               immediately  available  funds of the purchase  price when due and
               any other amounts to be paid by it hereunder;

          (g)  Buyer is an experienced and knowledgeable investor in the oil and
               gas business.  Buyer is not acquiring the Interests in connection
               with a distribution  or resale thereof in violation of federal or
               state  securities laws and the rules and regulations  thereunder;
               and

          (h)  Buyer has incurred no liability,  contingent  or  otherwise,  for
               brokers'  or   finders'   fees   relating  to  the   transactions
               contemplated  by this  Agreement  for which Seller shall have any
               responsibility whatsoever.

                                       10
<PAGE>

9.   CLAIMS.  "Claims" shall mean any and all claims,  losses,  damages,  costs,
     expenses, diminutions in value, suits, causes of action or judgments of any
     kind or character with respect to any and all  liabilities  and obligations
     or alleged or threatened  liabilities and obligations,  including,  but not
     limited to, any interest,  penalty, and any attorneys' fees and other costs
     and expenses  incurred in connection  with  investigating  or defending any
     claims  or  actions,   whether  or  not  resulting  in  any  liability.  An
     "Environmental  Claim"  means a Claim  attributable  to or arising out of a
     violation (i) of any environmental  statute,  rule,  regulation or order of
     any governmental agency having jurisdiction over the Interests or Seller in
     effect and applicable to conditions existing on the Effective Time and (ii)
     to which prompt  remedial or corrective  action either is required or would
     be undertaken by a prudent  operator of oil and gas  properties  and/or gas
     gathering systems.

10.  INDEMNITIES OF SELLER.

          (a)  Seller shall,  to the fullest extent  permitted by law,  protect,
               defend,  indemnify, and hold Buyer and its affiliates,  including
               its directors,  officers,  employees, agents, and representatives
               of each of them,  harmless  from and  against  any and all Claims
               attributable  to or  arising  out of (i) any act or  omission  by
               Seller involving or related to the Interests occurring before the
               Effective Time, except as limited in (x), (y) and (z) below, (ii)
               the lawsuit  styled  Retha Sue Penney,  et al, v. C&S  Transport,
               Incorporated,  Meridian Oil Inc.,  and  Franklin S. Oren,  as set
               forth on Exhibit  "E"  hereto,  and (iii) the breach by Seller of
               the  representations  contained  in  Section 7 hereof;  provided,
               however, this indemnity is limited and shall not cover or include
               (x) matters  pertaining to title to the  Interests,  all of which
               will be governed by Section 4 hereof, (y) any Claims with respect
               to any and all  gas  balancing  liabilities  and  obligations  or
               alleged or threatened  liabilities and obligations,  all of which
               will be  governed  by Section 11 hereof,  or (z) any Claims  with
               respect to any  Environmental  Defects waived pursuant to Section
               13 hereof.

                                       11
<PAGE>

          (b)  Seller shall,  to the fullest extent  permitted by law,  protect,
               defend,   and  indemnify  and  hold  Buyer  and  its  affiliates,
               including  its  directors,   officers,   employees,   agents  and
               representatives  of each of them,  harmless  from and against (i)
               all  Claims  of  persons  or  entities  claiming  under  the  GLA
               Assignment  (referenced  on  Exhibit  "E"  hereto)  for  improper
               payment of overriding  royalties prior to the Effective Time, and
               (ii) all  Claims of persons or  entities  claiming  under the GLA
               Assignment  for payment of  overriding  royalties on or after the
               Effective Time in amounts in excess of the amount  determined due
               and owing (without  regard to the Amendment to the GLA Assignment
               dated March 31, 1976, or any other amendment attempting to set or
               further define market value) as calculated in accordance with the
               following:

                    On gas, including casinghead gas or other gaseous substance,
                    sold  or used  off the  premises  or in the  manufacture  of
                    gasoline or other  products  therefrom,  the market value at
                    the well of a 3/32nds  of the gas so sold or used,  provided
                    that on gas sold at the well the overriding royalty shall be
                    3/32nds of the amount realized from such sale.

               Provided,  however, this indemnity is limited and shall not cover
               or include any Claims made for payments  due after the  Effective
               Time relating to Buyer's deduction of any post-production  costs,
               including, but not limited to, costs and expenses of compression,
               dehydration, treating, gathering, transportation, processing, and
               marketing.

          (c)  After Closing, any assertion by Buyer that Seller is liable under
               the terms of the  indemnities  provided  by Section  10(a)(i)  or
               10(a)(iii)  must be made by Buyer in writing and must be given to
               Seller on or prior to December 31, 1996; provided however,  there
               shall be no time  limitation  for  Claims  related  to the proper
               payment of (i) taxes, (ii) royalties,  overriding royalties,  and
               similar  burdens on production,  (iii) joint interest  audits for
               periods prior to the Effective Time, or (iv) broker's or finder's
               fees.  Any notice to Seller  shall state the facts known to Buyer
               that  give  rise to such  notice  in  sufficient  detail to allow
               Seller to evaluate the assertion.

          (d)  If a Claim arises for which Buyer intends to seek  indemnity with
               respect thereto under Section 10(a)(i) or 10(a)(iii), Buyer shall
               promptly  notify  Seller of such Claim.  Seller shall have thirty
               (30) days after receipt of such notice to undertake,  conduct and
               control,  through  counsel  of its  own  choosing  and at its own
               expense,  the  settlement  or defense  thereof,  and Buyer  shall
               cooperate with Seller in connection therewith.  So long as Seller
               has undertaken the defense of, and  responsibility  for, any such
               Claim and is reasonably  contesting any such Claim in good faith,
               by  appropriate  proceedings  (including the filing or posting of
               appeal bonds,  supersedeas bonds and similar bonds),  Buyer shall
               not pay or settle any such  Claim.  Buyer shall have the right to
               pay or settle  any such  Claim,  provided  that in such  event it
               shall waive any right to indemnity  by Seller for such Claim.  If
               Seller does not notify  Buyer  within  thirty (30) days after the
               receipt of Buyer's notice of a claim of indemnity  hereunder that
               it elects to undertake the defense thereof, then Buyer shall have
               the right to contest,  settle or compromise the Claim,  but shall
               not thereby  waive any right to  indemnity  therefor  pursuant to
               this Section 10.

                                       12
<PAGE>

          (e)  In the event of any notice of a Claim  which is an  Environmental
               Claim  given by Buyer to  Seller  pursuant  to this  Section  10,
               Seller's  total   liability   hereunder  for  any  and  all  such
               Environmental  Claims  shall  be  limited  to THREE  MILLION  SIX
               HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($3,650,000), payable as follows:

               (i)  the first FIVE HUNDRED  THOUSAND DOLLARS  ($500,000)  toward
                    satisfaction  of any  such  Claims  shall be  Seller's  sole
                    responsibility; and

               (ii) the  next  SIX  MILLION  THREE  HUNDRED   THOUSAND   DOLLARS
                    ($6,300,000) toward satisfaction of any such Claims shall be
                    split equally between Seller and Buyer.

11.  ASSUMPTION OF OBLIGATIONS AND INDEMNITIES OF BUYER.

          (a)  As of the Effective Time,  Buyer agrees to assume and perform any
               and  all  of  the  liabilities  and  obligations  or  alleged  or
               threatened liabilities and obligations of Seller that arise under
               the  agreements  set forth on Exhibit  "I",  existing oil and gas
               leases,  assignments,   operating  agreements,  leases,  permits,
               rights-of-way, licenses, easements, options, orders, gas purchase
               contracts,  product purchase and sale  agreements,  gas gathering
               agreements, gas processing agreements, or any other agreements or
               contracts  attributable to, affecting,  or otherwise  relating to
               the  Interests,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  any  and all
               liabilities  and  obligations  (i) to pay and deliver  royalties,
               overriding  royalties,  non-participating  royalties,  and  other
               burdens on production,  (ii) in connection with or arising out of
               balancing  of   overproduction   or   underproduction   from  the
               Interests,  and  (iii)  necessary  to  comply  with  all laws and
               governmental   regulations   with   respect  to  the   Interests,
               including,   but  not  limited  to,  the  lawful   plugging   and
               abandonment  of oil and gas  wells  and  the  restoration  of the
               surface  of  the  land  or  any  governmental  request  or  other
               requirement  to abandon  any  pipeline  or  facility  or take any
               clean-up, remedial or other action with respect to the Interests,
               regardless of when the events occurred that caused such condition
               to exist or the  obligation to arise.  Without  limitation of the
               foregoing,  as of the  Effective  Time Buyer agrees to assume and
               perform any and all of the obligations and liabilities or alleged
               or  threatened   liabilities   and   obligations  of  Seller  for
               Environmental Claims with respect to the Interests, regardless of
               when the events  occurred that caused such  condition to exist or
               the obligation to arise. The assumption of liabilities  hereunder
               by Buyer shall include those arising  solely from or  contributed
               to by the negligence of Seller,  whether active or passive, or of
               any kind or nature.

                                       13
<PAGE>

          (b)  Buyer shall,  to the fullest  extent  permitted by law,  protect,
               defend,  indemnify, and hold Seller and its directors,  officers,
               employees,  agents,  and  representatives  of each  of them  (the
               "Seller  Parties"),  harmless from and against any and all Claims
               attributable  to or  arising  out of  (i)  Buyer's  ownership  or
               operation of the Interests subsequent to the Effective Time, (ii)
               Buyer's  assumption of any  obligation or liability  contained in
               this Section 11 (but only to the extent  Seller has not agreed to
               provide  Buyer with  indemnity  pursuant  to Section 10  hereof),
               (iii) the  breach by Buyer of the  representations  contained  in
               Section  8  hereof;  and (iv) the  breach  by Buyer of any of the
               agreements and covenants contained in this Agreement.

          (c)  THE INDEMNIFICATION,  RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION  PROVISIONS PROVIDED
               FOR IN THIS  AGREEMENT  SHALL BE  APPLICABLE  WHETHER  OR NOT THE
               LOSSES,  COSTS,  EXPENSES AND DAMAGES IN QUESTION AROSE SOLELY OR
               IN  PART  FROM  THE  GROSS,  ACTIVE,  PASSIVE,   COMPARATIVE,  OR
               CONCURRENT  NEGLIGENCE,  STRICT  LIABILITY  OR OTHER FAULT OF THE
               SELLER PARTIES.

                                       14
<PAGE>

12.  DUE DILIGENCE REVIEW.

          (a)  Prior  to  Closing,   Seller,  in  Seller's  offices,  will  make
               available  to Buyer and Buyer's  authorized  representatives  for
               examination  as Buyer may  reasonably  request,  all lease files,
               land files,  well files,  product  purchase  and sale  contracts,
               division order files, abstracts, title opinions,  engineering and
               geological data, reports,  maps, logs, and well records contained
               in Seller's  files  relating to the Interests  (collectively  the
               "Records");  provided, however, the Records shall not include any
               geophysical data. Prior to Closing,  Buyer, at Buyer's sole cost,
               may copy any  portion  of the  Records  as Buyer  may  reasonably
               request. Prior to Closing, Seller, in Seller's offices, will also
               make  available to Buyer and Buyer's  authorized  representatives
               for  examination  as Buyer  may  reasonably  request,  any  joint
               interest  billings,  check receipts and third party  disbursement
               records, and any records relating to ad valorem, excise and other
               production  related taxes relating to the Interests  ("Accounting
               Data").  Prior to Closing,  Buyer, at Buyer's sole cost, may copy
               any  portion  of the  Accounting  Data as  Buyer  may  reasonably
               request.

          (b)  Seller shall permit Buyer and Buyer's authorized  representatives
               to consult with Seller's  employees  during  reasonable  business
               hours and to conduct, at Buyer's sole risk and expense,  wellsite
               inspections   and   inventories   of  the   Interests   that  are
               Seller-operated.  During such  inspections,  Buyer shall have the
               right to review the  Interests  to  determine  the  environmental
               condition  of the  Equipment,  Field Plant,  Compressor  Station,
               Gathering System,  Shamrock Facility,  and Lease premises. To the
               extent  Buyer  desires  similar  access to Seller's  non-operated
               Interests,  Seller shall  assist Buyer in obtaining  such access;
               provided,  however,  Buyer shall not contact the  Operator of the
               non-operated Interests directly.

13.  PURCHASE PRICE ADJUSTMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DEFECTS.

          (a)  "Environmental   Defect"  shall  mean  a  violation  (i)  of  any
               environmental   statute,   rule,   regulation  or  order  of  any
               governmental  agency  having  jurisdiction  over the Interests or
               Seller and (ii) to which  prompt  remedial or  corrective  action
               either is required or would be undertaken  by a prudent  operator
               of oil and gas properties and/or gas gathering systems.

                                       15
<PAGE>

          (b)  Buyer  may,  by  delivery  of  written  notice  to  Seller of the
               existence of an alleged Environmental  Defect,  request reduction
               of  the   purchase   price  for  the   Interest   affected.   The
               Environmental Defect notice shall clearly indicate the nature and
               a detailed description of the Environmental  Defect, the Interest
               to which it relates,  and the dollar amount which Buyer  believes
               it would take to rectify or remediate the Environmental Defect.

          (c)  The  Environmental  Defect  notice by Buyer shall be delivered to
               Seller on or before June 17,  1996.  In the event any such notice
               is not timely delivered, all Environmental Defects of which Buyer
               has  notice  as of such  date  shall  be  deemed  waived  for all
               purposes  and  Buyer  shall  thereafter  have no  right  to claim
               Environmental  Defects; and in the event the Environmental Defect
               notice is timely delivered,  all  Environmental  Defects of which
               Buyer has notice as of such and not claimed in such notice  shall
               be deemed waived for all  purposes.  Seller shall have the right,
               but  not  the   obligation,   to  attempt  to  cure  any  alleged
               Environmental  Defect  prior to Closing.  In the event  Seller is
               unable or  unwilling  to cure an  alleged  Environmental  Defect,
               Buyer and Seller  shall meet and use their best  efforts to agree
               on the validity of the claim of the Environmental  Defect and the
               amount of any required purchase price adjustment.

          (d)  In the event the parties  cannot  mutually  agree on the purchase
               price adjustment for an alleged Environmental Defect, Buyer shall
               have the right to (i) proceed to Closing and accept the  Interest
               with the alleged  Environmental  Defect  with no  purchase  price
               adjustment,  or (ii)  terminate this Agreement as to the Interest
               affected  by the  alleged  Environmental  Defect  and  receive  a
               purchase  price  adjustment  for such  Interest  as set  forth in
               Exhibit "B",  or, where  feasible,  the  proportionate  allocated
               value.

          (e)  There shall be no purchase  price  adjustment  for  Environmental
               Defects unless the aggregate total of all  Environmental  Defects
               exceeds ONE HUNDRED  EIGHTY TWO  THOUSAND  FIVE  HUNDRED  DOLLARS
               ($182,500).

14.  CONFIDENTIALITY.  All Records,  Accounting Data, and all other confidential
     data provided to Buyer, whether before or after the date of this Agreement,
     and all  title  matters  and  environmental  reports  prepared  by Buyer or
     Buyer's  representatives  relating  to the  Interests,  shall be treated by
     Buyer as strictly  confidential,  and shall not be disclosed to any person,
     firm or  corporation  without the prior written  consent of Seller.  In the
     event this purchase and sale does not close,  this  covenant  shall survive
     termination  of this  Agreement;  and in the  event the sale  closes,  this
     covenant shall terminate at Closing.

                                       16
<PAGE>

15.  DISCLAIMERS.  THE INSTRUMENTS OF CONVEYANCE  EXECUTED PURSUANT HERETO SHALL
     BE EXECUTED  WITHOUT ANY  REPRESENTATION,  WARRANTY OR COVENANT OF TITLE OF
     ANY KIND OR NATURE, EITHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY. THE INTERESTS ARE
     BEING  CONVEYED  AND ASSIGNED TO AND ACCEPTED BY THE BUYER IN THEIR "AS IS,
     WHERE IS" CONDITION  AND STATE OF REPAIR,  AND WITH ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS,
     WITHOUT  ANY  REPRESENTATION,  WARRANTY  OR COVENANT OF ANY KIND OR NATURE,
     EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF
     MARKETABILITY,  QUALITY, CONDITION, CONFORMITY TO SAMPLES, MERCHANTABILITY,
     AND/OR  FITNESS  FOR A  PARTICULAR  PURPOSE,  ALL OF  WHICH  ARE  EXPRESSLY
     DISCLAIMED BY SELLER AND WAIVED BY BUYER.  THE INTERESTS HAVE BEEN USED FOR
     OIL AND GAS  PIPELINE,  TRANSPORTATION,  STORAGE  AND  RELATED  OPERATIONS.
     PHYSICAL  CHANGES IN THE  INTERESTS AND IN THE LANDS  BURDENED  THEREBY MAY
     HAVE  OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF SUCH USES.  THE  INTERESTS  MAY ALSO  INCLUDE
     BURIED  PIPELINES  AND OTHER  EQUIPMENT,  THE LOCATIONS OF WHICH MAY NOT BE
     KNOWN BY  SELLER  OR  READILY  APPARENT  BY A  PHYSICAL  INSPECTION  OF THE
     INTERESTS.  IT IS  UNDERSTOOD  AND AGREED THAT BUYER  SHALL HAVE  INSPECTED
     PRIOR TO CLOSING  (OR SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE  WAIVED ITS RIGHT TO INSPECT)
     THE LEASES,  THE EQUIPMENT,  THE FIELD PLANT, THE COMPRESSOR  STATION,  THE
     GATHERING  SYSTEM,  THE SHAMROCK  FACILITY AND THE ASSOCIATED  PREMISES AND
     SATISFIED  ITSELF AS TO THEIR PHYSICAL AND  ENVIRONMENTAL  CONDITION,  BOTH
     SURFACE  AND  SUBSURFACE,  AND THAT BUYER  SHALL  ACCEPT ALL OF THE SAME IN
     THEIR "AS IS, WHERE IS" CONDITION AND STATE OF REPAIR,  AND WITH ALL FAULTS
     AND  DEFECTS,  INCLUDING,  BUT NOT  LIMITED TO, THE  PRESENCE OF  NATURALLY
     OCCURRING RADIO ACTIVE MATERIAL (NORM) AND MAN-MADE MATERIAL FIBERS (MMMF).
     IN ADDITION, SELLER MAKES NO REPRESENTATION, COVENANT OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS,
     IMPLIED OR  STATUTORY,  AS TO THE ACCURACY OR  COMPLETENESS  OF ANY DATA OR
     RECORDS DELIVERED TO THE BUYER WITH RESPECT TO THE INTERESTS, OR CONCERNING
     THE QUALITY OR QUANTITY OF HYDROCARBON  RESERVES,  IF ANY,  ATTRIBUTABLE TO
     THE INTERESTS, OR THE ABILITY OF THE INTERESTS TO PRODUCE HYDROCARBONS,  OR
     THE PRICES  WHICH  BUYER IS OR WILL BE  ENTITLED  TO  RECEIVE  FOR ANY SUCH
     HYDROCARBONS.

16.  DTPA  Waiver.  TO THE EXTENT  APPLICABLE  TO THE  INTERESTS  OR ANY PORTION
     THEREOF, BUYER AND SELLER HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RIGHTS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF
     THE TEXAS DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES ACT, CHAPTER 17, SUBCHAPTER E, SECTIONS
     17.41 THROUGH 17.63,  INCLUSIVE  (OTHER THAN SECTION  17.555,  WHICH IS NOT
     WAIVED),  OF THE  TEXAS  BUSINESS  &  COMMERCIAL  CODE  (A LAW  THAT  GIVES
     CONSUMERS  SPECIAL  RIGHTS AND  PROTECTIONS).  AFTER  CONSULTATION  WITH AN
     ATTORNEY  OF ITS  CHOICE,  BUYER AND  SELLER  VOLUNTARILY  CONSENT  TO THIS
     WAIVER.

17.  CLOSING.  The  Closing  shall be held on or before  June 28,  1996,  at the
     offices of Seller at 5051  Westheimer,  Suite 1400,  Houston,  Texas, or at
     such other time and place as Seller and Buyer may mutually agree in writing
     (the "Closing" or the "Closing Date").

                                       17
<PAGE>

18.  TRANSACTIONS AT CLOSING.

          (a)  Seller  shall  execute,  acknowledge,  and  deliver  to Buyer the
               instruments  of  conveyance in the forms as set forth in Exhibits
               "C-1",  "C-2", "C-3", "C-4", "C-5", "C-6", "C-7" and "C-8" hereto
               conveying the Interests;

          (b)  Seller and Buyer shall execute and deliver a Preliminary  Closing
               Statement  that shall set forth the Base Purchase  Price and each
               adjustment  and  the  calculation  of  such  adjustments  used to
               determine  such amount (the "Closing  Amount") in the form as set
               forth in Exhibit "D" hereto;

          (c)  Seller shall deliver to Buyer copies of the Records;

          (d)  Seller and Buyer shall execute,  acknowledge and deliver mutually
               agreeable  transfer  orders or  letters-in-lieu  prepared  by the
               Buyer,  directing  all  purchasers  of  production to make future
               payments  of  proceeds   attributable   to  production  from  the
               Interests to Buyer;

          (e)  Seller  shall  deliver to Buyer a  certificate  stating  that the
               representations  of Seller contained in Section 7 hereof are true
               as of the Closing Date;

          (f)  Seller shall  deliver to Buyer the legal  opinion  referenced  in
               Section 6(c) hereof;

          (g)  Buyer  shall  deliver to Seller a  certificate  stating  that the
               representations  of Buyer  contained in Section 8 hereof are true
               as of the Closing Date;

          (h)  Buyer shall  deliver to Seller the legal  opinion  referenced  in
               Section 5(b) hereof;

          (i)  Buyer  shall  deliver  to  Seller  a  complete  copy  of  Buyer's
               environmental assessment, including, but not limited to, reports,
               data, valuation, assessments and conclusions;

          (j)  Seller  shall  deliver  to  Buyer  possession  of the  Interests,
               subject to any  applicable  operating  agreement or other related
               agreement affecting the Interests;

          (k)  Buyer shall  deliver to Seller the guaranty in the form set forth
               on Exhibit "H" hereto;

          (l)  Seller shall deliver to Buyer executed  change-of-operator  forms
               to be filed with the relevant  regulatory  agency naming Buyer or
               its designee the operator of the  Interests,  including all wells
               (active and inactive) that are subject to this Agreement; and

          (m)  Buyer shall deliver to Seller cash by wire transfer in the amount
               of the Closing Amount to the following account:

                  Bank:                         Mellon Bank, Pittsburgh, PA.
                  ABA/Routing Number:           043-000-261
                  Account:                      104-9050
                  For Credit To:                Meridian Oil Services Inc.

                                       18
<PAGE>

19.  FURTHER  ASSURANCE.  Incidental  and  subsequent  to  Closing,  each of the
     parties shall execute,  acknowledge,  and deliver to the other such further
     instruments,  and take such other actions as may be reasonably necessary to
     carry out the provisions of this Agreement.

20.  POST-CLOSING ADJUSTMENTS.  On or before November 1, 1996, the parties shall
     undertake to agree with respect to the  adjustments  or payments  that were
     not  finally  determined  as of  Closing,  and the amount due from Buyer or
     Seller, as the case may be, pursuant to the Post-Closing adjustment.  On or
     before  October 1, 1996,  Seller shall  provide  Buyer with a Final Closing
     Statement setting forth the Post-Closing adjustments.  Seller shall provide
     Buyer access to such of Seller's records as may be reasonably  necessary to
     verify the  Post-Closing  adjustments.  Payment by Buyer or Seller shall be
     made in immediately  available funds within five (5) days of agreement.  If
     the Final Closing  Statement has not been agreed upon on or before the date
     set forth  herein,  either  party may seek to enforce  any rights it claims
     pursuant to this Agreement.

21.  PRORATION OF TAXES. All ad valorem taxes,  real property taxes, and similar
     obligations  with  respect  to the tax period in which the  Effective  Time
     occurs (the "current tax period") shall be  apportioned  between Seller and
     Buyer as of the  Effective  Time based on an  estimate  of the  immediately
     preceding  tax period  assessment,  and the Base  Purchase  Price  shall be
     reduced at Closing by the amount of such estimated taxes owed by Seller for
     that portion of the current tax period prior to the Effective Time.

22.  PROCEEDS.

          (a)  All  proceeds,  including,  but not limited to,  proceeds held in
               suspense  or escrow and  proceeds  for oil  produced  and held in
               storage  on the  Leases  but not sold as of the  Effective  Time,
               attributable to the Interests and accruing to the period prior to
               the  Effective  Time  shall  belong to Seller.  Seller  shall not
               retain  overhead  charges  and  rates  received  by Seller in its
               capacity  as  Operator  under any  operating  agreement  or COPAS
               accounting  procedure  attributable  to the  Interests  from  the
               Effective  Time  through  the end of the  month in which  Closing
               occurs.

          (b)  All proceeds  attributable  to the  Interests and accruing to the
               period on and after the Effective Time shall belong to Buyer.  In
               the event Seller has received  proceeds  belonging to Buyer after
               the  Effective  Time,  Seller  will  account  to  Buyer  for such
               proceeds at the same price Seller  received for the production in
               accordance with its existing product purchase and sale contracts.

                                       19
<PAGE>

23.  EMPLOYEES.  Buyer  intends to  continue  to operate  the  Interests  in the
     ordinary  course of business.  Buyer shall  evaluate all active,  full-time
     employees of Seller  currently  employed by Seller and directly  engaged in
     the operation of the Interests as set forth on Exhibit "F" attached hereto.
     At  Closing,   Buyer  shall  offer  employment  or  independent  contractor
     agreements to substantially  all employees  reasonably  determined by Buyer
     essential  to the  ongoing  operation  of the  Interests.  Persons  offered
     full-time  employment by Buyer shall receive from Buyer  substantially  the
     same employee benefits as Buyer's current employees are receiving.

24.  OPERATIONS  PENDING  CLOSING.  Seller  shall  operate  the  Seller-operated
     Interests using the same standard of care as an ordinary  prudent  Operator
     under the same or similar  circumstances  until Closing, or such later time
     as  any  applicable  joint  operating  agreement  may  require,  when  such
     operation shall be turned over to, and become the  responsibility of, Buyer
     or its  designee.  During the  period  from the date of this  Agreement  to
     Closing,  Seller shall (i) permit Buyer,  at its sole risk and expense,  to
     have access to, for inspection only, those Interests operated by Seller and
     use reasonable  efforts to provide Buyer with access to those Interests not
     operated by Seller,  (ii) consult with Buyer with respect to all AFE's over
     TEN THOUSAND  DOLLARS  ($10,000)  net to the  interests of Seller which are
     received by Seller with respect to any  Interest  and will receive  Buyer's
     consent  before  approving  such AFE's,  and with  respect to all  material
     decisions  to be made with  respect to the  Interests,  including,  without
     limitation,  settlement  of any gas  imbalances  and incurring of costs for
     discretionary expenditures for operations in excess of TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS
     ($10,000)  net to the interest of Seller for which AFE's are not  prepared,
     (iii) shall operate the Interests in its ordinary course of business and in
     accordance with applicable  industry standards and the terms and conditions
     of all applicable contracts, laws and regulations, (iv) not transfer, sell,
     hypothecate, encumber, abandon or otherwise dispose of any material portion
     of the Interests  (other than the sale of production in the ordinary course
     of  business)  or as  required  in  connection  with the  exercise of third
     parties of preferential rights to purchase any of the Interests without the
     express written consent of Buyer,  and (v) notify Buyer of any cessation of
     production in connection with the Interests.

25.  NOTICES. All notices hereunder shall be sufficiently given for all purposes
     hereunder if in writing and delivered personally,  or to the extent receipt
     is confirmed by the party charged with notice, sent by documented overnight
     delivery  service,  by  United  States  Mail,  telecopy,  telefax  or other
     electronic transmission service to the appropriate address or number as set
     forth below. Notices to Seller or Buyer shall be addressed to:

              SELLER                                       BUYER

        Meridian Oil Inc.                        ConMag Energy Corporation
        5051 Westheimer                          600 East Las Colinas Blvd.
        Suite 1400                               Suite 1200
        Houston, Texas  77056-2124               Irving, Texas  75039

        Attn: Manager, Divestitures              Attn: Gary C. Evans, President

        Fax:  713-624-9449                       Fax: 214-401-3110


                                       20
<PAGE>

26.  ENTIRE   AGREEMENT.   This  instrument  states  the  entire  agreement  and
     supersedes all prior agreements (except any prior Confidentiality Agreement
     between the Buyer and Seller)  between the parties  concerning  the subject
     matter  hereof.  This  Agreement  may be  supplemented,  altered,  amended,
     modified or revoked by writing only, signed by both parties.

27.  OPERATIONS.  Should Seller presently operate any Interest,  Seller makes no
     representation, warranty or covenant that the Buyer will become operator of
     any or all of the Interests.  Buyer  acknowledges  that  operations will be
     governed by the applicable operating agreements or other related agreements
     affecting the Interests.

28.  OCCASIONAL  SALE.  Seller and Buyer  believe that this purchase and sale of
     the Interests constitutes an isolated or occasional sale and is not subject
     to sales tax;  provided,  however,  if any sales,  transfers,  use taxes or
     other  similar  taxes are due or should  hereafter  become  due  (including
     penalty and interest  thereon) by reason of this  transaction,  Buyer shall
     timely pay and solely bear all such taxes.

29.  RECORDING DOCUMENTS. Buyer shall pay all documentary, filing, and recording
     fees  incurred  in  connection   with  the  filing  and  recording  of  the
     instruments of  conveyance.  As soon as  practicable  after Closing,  Buyer
     shall provide  Seller with recorded  copies of all documents  conveying the
     Interests to Buyer.

30.  COUNTERPART.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  by Buyer and Seller in any
     number  of  counterparts,  each  of  which  shall  be  deemed  an  original
     instrument,  but all of which  together  shall  constitute one and the same
     instrument.

31.  TIME OF ESSENCE. Time is of the essence in this Agreement.

32.  ANNOUNCEMENTS.  Seller and Buyer shall consult with each other prior to the
     release  of any press  releases  and other  announcements  concerning  this
     Agreement or the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Any press release or
     other  announcements will be at a time and in a form reasonably  acceptable
     to Seller and Buyer.

                                       21
<PAGE>

33.  WAIVER.  Any  of  the  terms,   provisions,   covenants,   representations,
     warranties or conditions hereof may be waived only by a written  instrument
     executed by the party waiving  compliance.  The failure of any party at any
     time or times to require  performance of any provisions  hereof shall in no
     manner  affect such party's  right to enforce the same. No waiver of any of
     the  provisions  of this  Agreement  shall be deemed or shall  constitute a
     waiver of any other provisions  hereof (whether or not similar),  nor shall
     such waiver  constitute  a continuing  waiver  unless  otherwise  expressly
     provided.

34.  SURVIVAL  OF  REPRESENTATIONS   AND  COVENANTS.   All  representations  and
     covenants of the parties to the extent not fully  performed or waived prior
     to Closing shall survive the Closing other than those contained in Sections
     4, 5, 6, and 13 hereof.

35.  RELIANCE. Prior to executing and/or closing this Agreement,  Buyer has been
     afforded an  opportunity  to (i)  ---------  examine the Interests and such
     materials  as it has  requested  to be  provided  to it by Seller,  (ii) to
     discuss with  representatives  of Seller such  materials and the nature and
     operation  of the  Interests  and (iii) to  investigate  of the  condition,
     including  subsurface  condition,  of the  Interests.  In entering into and
     closing   this   Agreement,   Buyer  has  relied   solely  on  the  express
     representations and covenants of Seller in this Agreement,  its independent
     investigation  of, and  judgment  with respect to, the  Interests,  and the
     advice  of  its  own  legal,  tax,  economic,  environmental,  engineering,
     geological and geophysical advisors,  and not on any comments or statements
     of Seller or any  representatives  or agents of, or consultants or advisors
     engaged by, Seller.

36.  GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties
     hereto shall be governed,  construed,  and enforced in accordance  with the
     laws of the State of Texas. The parties agree that any litigation  relating
     directly  or  indirectly  to this  Agreement  must be  brought  before  and
     determined by a court of competent jurisdiction within the State of Texas.

37.  LEGAL FEES. The prevailing party in any legal  proceeding  brought under or
     to enforce this Agreement shall be  additionally  entitled to recover court
     costs and reasonable attorneys' fees from the non-prevailing party.

                                       22
<PAGE>

38.  AGREEMENT FOR THE PARTIES'  BENEFIT ONLY. This Agreement is not intended to
     confer upon any person not a party hereto any rights or remedies hereunder,
     and no person,  including,  but not limited to, those  persons  affected by
     Section 23 hereof, other than the parties hereto is entitled to rely on any
     representation, covenant, or agreement contained herein.

39.  SEVERABILITY.  If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid,
     illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy,
     all other  conditions and provisions of this Agreement  shall  nevertheless
     remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal  substance
     of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby is not  affected  in any adverse
     manner  to any  party.  Upon  such  determination  that  any  term or other
     provision is invalid,  illegal or incapable of being enforced,  the parties
     hereto  shall  negotiate  in good faith to modify this  Agreement  so as to
     effect the  original  intent of the  parties as closely as  possible  in an
     acceptable manner to the end that the transactions  contemplated hereby are
     fulfilled to the extent possible.

40.  BINDING  EFFECT;   ASSIGNMENT.   All  the  terms,  provisions,   covenants,
     representations, and conditions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and
     inure to the benefit of and be  enforceable by the parties hereto and their
     respective  successors;  provided,  however,  this Agreement or any portion
     thereof and the rights and obligations hereunder shall not be assignable or
     delegable by any party  without the express  prior  written  consent of the
     non-assigning or non-delegating party.

41.  ENFORCEMENT.  Should  Buyer or Seller  default in the  performance  of this
     Agreement,  the non-defaulting  party shall be entitled to enforce specific
     performance of this Agreement, or exercise any other right or remedy it may
     have at law or in equity by reason of such default.

42.  FAILURE TO CLOSE. If all of the conditions to Closing set forth in Sections
     5 and 6 have not been satisfied or waived by the  respective  parties on or
     before  July 15,  1996 (or such later  date as  hereafter  may be  mutually
     agreed upon by the parties in  writing),  this  Agreement  shall  terminate
     automatically,  and no party hereto shall have any further  obligations  or
     any  liability  to the other party  pursuant to this  Agreement;  provided,
     however,  that in the event that the  conditions to Buyer's  obligations to
     close as set forth in Section 6 hereof have not been satisfied or waived by
     such date, or in the event this  transaction is not  consummated due to the
     condition of Closing  contained in Section  5(c)  hereof,  the  Performance
     Deposit,  together  with  interest  thereon,  shall be  returned  to Buyer;
     provided,  further,  that  nothing  herein  shall  relieve  any party  from
     liability  for its  willful  failure to satisfy any  conditions  to Closing
     required to be satisfied  by it. Upon any  termination  of this  Agreement,
     Seller  shall be free  immediately  to enjoy all rights of ownership of the
     Interests  and to sell,  transfer,  encumber  or  otherwise  dispose of the
     Interests to any party without any restriction under this Agreement.

                                       23
<PAGE>


EXECUTED as of the date first above mentioned.

                                     SELLER

                                     MERIDIAN OIL INC.


                                     By:/s/ Mark E. Ellis
                                        Mark E. Ellis, Vice President

                                     BUYER

                                     CONMAG ENERGY CORPORATION


                                     By:/s/ Gary C. Evans
                                        Gary C. Evans, President


                                       24
<PAGE>


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