BAKER MICHAEL CORP
8-K, 1999-09-15
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
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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): SEPTEMBER 1, 1999
                                                         -----------------


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


PENNSYLVANIA                             1-6627                25-0927646
- ------------                             ------                ----------
(State or other                        (Commission          (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of incorporation)          File Number)         Identification No.)


AIRPORT OFFICE PARK, BUILDING 3, 420 ROUSER ROAD, CORAOPOLIS, PA     15108
- ----------------------------------------------------------------     -----
(Address of principal executive offices)                             (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (412) 269-6300
                                                           --------------

<PAGE>



ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.
         -------------------------------------

(a) On September 1, 1999, Baker/MO Services,  Inc. ("Baker/MO"),  a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Michael Baker  Corporation (the  "Company"),  purchased all of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of Steen Production Service, Inc. ("Steen"),
a Louisiana  corporation,  from its  shareholders,  Messrs. J. Orville Steen and
Stephen P. Roan (the "Sellers").  Steen is an operations and maintenance company
which  provides  pumping and gauging  services to oil and gas  facilities in the
Gulf of Mexico. Steen has annual revenues totaling approximately $17 million and
about 300 full-time operations, supervisory and administrative personnel.

The  purchase  price  (the  "Purchase  Price")  for  the  shares  of  Steen  was
$10,951,063,  including  promissory  notes  totaling  $4,380,425,  which will be
repaid to the Sellers in two equal annual  installments,  and including  certain
non-competition covenants valued at $2,000,000. Interest on the promissory notes
will  accrue from  September  1, 1999 at the prime rate as  announced  by Mellon
Bank,  N.A., and also will be paid in two annual  installments.  The Company has
guaranteed  Baker/MO's  obligation to repay all principal and interest under the
promissory  notes. In addition,  the Company,  through its Baker/MO  subsidiary,
entered into five-year employment agreements with each of the Sellers.

The Purchase Price was determined through negotiation between the parties. Funds
used to pay the portion of the Purchase Price due to the Sellers at closing were
borrowed under the Company's $25 million credit agreement with Mellon Bank, N.A.

Steen's   assets   comprise   primarily   liquid  items   consistent   with  the
service-oriented   nature  of  their  business.   Customer  accounts  receivable
typically represents  approximately  two-thirds of Steen's total assets. Steen's
remaining assets comprise cash and cash equivalents, other miscellaneous current
assets and certain fixed assets,  primarily marine equipment required to operate
the business.

(b) The  Company  currently  intends  that all of the Steen  fixed  assets  will
continue to be deployed in the  ordinary  course of operating  Steen's  existing
business.


ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
         ----------------------------------

(a) It is  impracticable to file herewith the financial  statements  required by
this Item. Such financial statements shall be filed as soon as practicable,  but
not later than November 15, 1999.



<PAGE>


(b) It is  impracticable  to file  herewith the pro forma  financial  statements
required by this Item.  Such pro forma  financial  statements  shall be filed as
soon as practicable, but not later than November 15, 1999.

(c) The exhibit identified below is filed herewith as a part of this report. The
Company hereby agrees to furnish to the Commission,  upon request, a copy of any
omitted schedule or exhibit to the agreement identified below.

    Exhibit 10.1  Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Baker/MO Services, Inc.,
                  Steen Production Service, Inc., J. Orville Steen and
                  Stephen P. Roan


                                   SIGNATURES

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


                                    MICHAEL BAKER CORPORATION

Date:  September 15, 1999           /s/  J. ROBERT WHITE
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                    J. Robert White
                                    Executive Vice President, Chief
                                     Financial Officer and Treasurer






<PAGE>
                                                                    Exhibit 10.1





                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                  BY AND AMONG

                            BAKER/MO SERVICES, INC.,

                         STEEN PRODUCTION SERVICE, INC.,

                                J. ORVILLE STEEN

                                       AND

                                 STEPHEN P. ROAN


















Dated September 1, 1999

<PAGE>


                              TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                   PAGE

                                INTRODUCTION.........................1


                    ARTICLE I: PURCHASE AND SALE OF STOCK............1

      1.1.  Purchase and Sale........................................1

      1.2.  Consideration............................................1

            (a)  Purchase Price......................................1

            (b)  Debt Repayment......................................2

      1.3.  Adjustment...............................................2

      1.4.  Closing..................................................3


                 ARTICLE II: REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES..........3

      2.1.  Representations and Warranties by Sellers................3

            (a)  Title to Shares.....................................3

            (b)  Organization, Standing and Power....................3

            (c)  Binding Agreement...................................4

            (d)  Conflicts; Consents.................................4

            (e)  Capitalization; Equity Interests....................4

            (f)  Material Facts......................................4

            (g)  Extraordinary Distributions.........................5

            (h)  Absence of Changes..................................5

            (i)  Tax Matters.........................................5

            (j)  Assets, Property and Related Matters................5

            (k)  Patents, Trademarks and Similar Rights..............6

            (l)  Agreements, etc.....................................6

                                       -i-

<PAGE>


            (m)  Litigation, etc.....................................6

            (n)  Compliance; Governmental Authorizations.............7

            (o)  Labor Relations; Employees..........................8

            (p)  Brokers.............................................9

            (q)  Financial Statements................................9

            (r)  No Undisclosed Liabilities.........................10

            (s)  No Debt............................................10

            (t)  Subsidiaries and Shareholders......................10

            (u)  Insurance..........................................10

            (v)  Year 2000..........................................10

      2.2.  Representations and Warranties by Buyer.................11

            (a)  Organization, Standing and Power...................11

            (b)  Authority; Binding Agreement.......................11

            (c)  Conflicts; Consents................................11

            (d)  Investment Representations.........................11


                     ARTICLE III: ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS.............11

      3.1.  Expenses, Sales Taxes...................................11

      3.2.  Conduct of Business.....................................12

      3.3.  Further Assurances......................................12

      3.4.  Access and Information..................................12

      3.5.  Public Announcements....................................12

      3.6.  Confidentiality.........................................12

      3.7.  Employees...............................................12

      3.8.  Due Diligence...........................................13

      3.9.  Certain Actions to be Taken Prior to Closing............13

      3.10. Guarantees by Sellers...................................13

                                      -ii-

<PAGE>


      3.11.  Accounts Receivable....................................13

      3.12.  Books of the Company...................................13


                       ARTICLE IV: CLOSING CONDITIONS...............14

      4.1.   Conditions of Obligations of Buyer.....................14

             (a)  Representations and Warranties....................14

             (b)  Representations and Warranties Certificate........14

             (c)  Share Certificates and Corporate Records..........14

             (d)  Consents, Etc.....................................14

             (e)  Opinion of Counsel................................14

             (f)  Certificate.......................................14

             (g)  Organizational Documents..........................14

             (h)  Resignations and Termination......................14

             (i)  No Orders or Proceedings..........................15

             (j)  Unpaid Dividends..................................15

             (k)  Employment Agreement..............................15

             (l)  Payoff Letter and Lien Releases...................15

             (m)  Additional Conditions.............................15

             (n)  Termination of the Steen Plan.....................15

             (o)  Other Documents...................................15

      4.2.   Conditions to Obligations of Sellers...................15

             (a)  Representations and Warranties....................15

             (b)  Certificates......................................16

             (c)  Promissory Notes..................................16

             (d)  Opinion of Counsel................................16

             (e)  Secretary's Certificates..........................16

             (f)  No Orders or Proceedings..........................16

                                      -iii-

<PAGE>


             (g)  Receipt of Cash Purchase Price....................16

             (h)  Employment Agreement..............................16

             (i)  Debt Repayment....................................16

             (j)  Other Documents...................................16


                            ARTICLE V: INDEMNITY....................17

      5.1.   General................................................17

      5.2.   Notices................................................18

      5.3.   Insurance..............................................19


                  ARTICLE VI: RESTRICTIONS ON COMPETITION...........19

      6.1.   Restrictions on Competition............................19

      6.2.   Non-Solicitation of Customers and Suppliers............19

      6.3.   Non-Solicitation of Employees..........................19


                         ARTICLE VII: MISCELLANEOUS.................19

      7.1.   Entire Agreement.......................................19

      7.2.   Descriptive Headings; Certain Interpretations..........20

      7.3.   Notices................................................20

      7.4.   Counterparts...........................................21

      7.5.   Survival...............................................22

      7.6.   Benefits of Agreements.................................22

      7.7.   Amendments and Waivers.................................22

      7.8.   Governing Law..........................................22

      7.9.   Arbitration............................................22

      7.10.  Severability...........................................23

      7.11.  Time of Essence........................................23

      7.12.  Attorney's Fees........................................23

      7.13.  Consent to Jurisdiction................................23

                                      -iv-

<PAGE>


      7.14.  Service of Process.....................................23

      7.15.  Venue..................................................24


Exhibits
   A.  Form of Promissory Note
   B.  Form of Guaranty and Suretyship Agreement
   C.  Form of Employment Agreement for Stephen P. Roan
   D.  Form of Employment Agreement for J. Orville Steen


                                       -v-

<PAGE>


STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated September 1, 1999, by and among STEEN PRODUCTION
SERVICE,  INC., a Louisiana corporation,  (the "Company"),  J. ORVILLE STEEN and
STEPHEN P. ROAN (each a "Seller" and, collectively, the "Sellers"), and BAKER/MO
SERVICES, INC., a Texas corporation ("Buyer") (the "Agreement").


                                 INTRODUCTION
                                 ------------


Sellers  own all of the issued and  outstanding  shares of capital  stock of the
Company (the "Shares").

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Sellers desire to sell to
Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase from Sellers, all of the Shares.

In consideration of the mutual benefits to be derived from this Agreement and of
the representations,  warranties,  conditions, agreements and promises contained
herein and other good and valuable consideration, intending to be legally bound,
the parties agree as follows:


                                   ARTICLE I
                           PURCHASE AND SALE OF STOCK
                           --------------------------

1.1. PURCHASE AND SALE. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, on
     the Closing Date (as defined in Section 1.3), Sellers will sell and deliver
     to Buyer,  and Buyer will  purchase  from  Sellers,  the Shares free of any
     Claims (as defined in Section  2.1(a)  hereof) and together with all rights
     attaching thereto on the date of this Agreement.

1.2. CONSIDERATION.  In consideration  for the Shares,  and subject to the terms
     and conditions herein, Buyer will pay Sellers the following net amount:

     (a)  PURCHASE  PRICE.  On the Closing  Date,  (i) Buyer will pay to Sellers
          $6,570,637.80  by wire transfer in immediately  available  funds;  and
          (ii)  Buyer  will  deliver  to  Sellers  Promissory  Notes in favor of
          Sellers   in  an   aggregate   principal   amount   of   $4,380,425.36
          substantially   in  the  form  of  Exhibit  A,  attached  hereto  (the
          "Promissory  Notes"),  which  will  provide  that the Buyer  shall pay
          Sellers an aggregate principal amount of $1,952,399 to Stephen P. Roan
          and  $2,428,027  to J.  Orville  Steen  payable  in two  equal  annual
          installments  (collectively,  the "Cash Purchase Price").  Buyer shall
          cause  its  parent,  Michael  Baker  Corporation,   to  guarantee  the
          repayment of the  Promissory  Notes  pursuant to a Guaranty  Agreement
          substantially  in the form of Exhibit B. Buyer and Sellers  agree that
          $2,000,000 of the Cash Purchase Price will be in  consideration of the
          Sellers making the non-competition  provisions contained in Article VI
          hereof,  and that the Sellers  have the right to allocate  such amount
          between the amounts paid under the Promissory Notes.

                                       -1-

<PAGE>


     (b)  DEBT REPAYMENT.  On the Closing Date,  Buyer will pay by wire transfer
          in immediately  available  funds all  indebtedness of the Company (the
          "Debt  Repayment") (i) to Bank One,  Louisiana,  National  Association
          ("Bank")  pursuant to a certain  Loan  Agreement  dated as of June 30,
          1999 (the "Loan  Agreement")  between  Bank and  Company and any other
          promissory notes from the Company to the Bank (collectively, the "Bank
          Debt"),  and (ii) to Doyle  Landry  (Doyle  Landry  and the Bank  are,
          collectively,  the "Lenders")  pursuant to a certain  Promissory  Note
          dated as of March 1, 1996 (the  "Landry  Debt";  the Bank Debt and the
          Landry Debt are,  collectively,  the  "Debt").  In exchange  therefor,
          Sellers will cause Lenders to acknowledge the full satisfaction of the
          Debt,  to cancel all  promissory  notes from Company to Lenders and to
          deliver to Buyer documentation to the satisfaction of Buyer and signed
          by the  applicable  Lender to release  all liens and  mortgages  on or
          against any of the Company's assets.

The Cash  Purchase  Price and Debt  Repayment  are  collectively,  the "Purchase
Price."

1.3. ADJUSTMENT.

     (a)  Within 30 days after the Closing Date,  Sellers will prepare a balance
          sheet  of the  Company  as of the  Closing  Date  in  accordance  with
          generally accepted accounting  principles (the "Closing Date Financial
          Statements").   Sellers  will  deliver  the  Closing  Date   Financial
          Statements to an auditor  selected by Buyer and Buyer shall cause such
          auditors to audit the Closing Date Financial Statements within 30 days
          after   receipt   thereof  (the   "Audited   Closing  Date   Financial
          Statements"). Sellers shall have 14 days to review the Audited Closing
          Date  Financial  Statements  after receipt  thereof,  and shall notify
          Buyer  within  14 days of their  objections,  if any,  to the  Audited
          Closing  Date  Financial  Statements.  In the event  that any  dispute
          arises  between the parties with  respect to the Audited  Closing Date
          Financial  Statements,  the  parties  will  attempt  in good  faith to
          resolve  such  issue;  provided,  however,  that if such  issue is not
          resolved  within 14 days,  such  dispute  will be settled by referring
          such matter to a third party independent auditor satisfactory to Buyer
          and Sellers to review the Audited  Closing Date Financial  Statements.
          Such third  party  auditor's  audit will be final and  accepted by the
          Buyer  and the  Sellers.  When  the  Audited  Closing  Date  Financial
          Statements are finally determined,  then Buyer or Sellers, as the case
          may be, shall pay the Purchase Price Adjustment, as defined below.

          The "Purchase  Price  Adjustment"  will be the difference  between (i)
          $663,891,  which is the  estimated net book value of the Company as of
          the Closing  Date (the  "Estimated  Net Book  Value") and (ii) the net
          book value of the  Company as set forth in the  Audited  Closing  Date
          Financial  Statements  (the "Audited Net Book Value").  If the Audited
          Net Book Value is less than the Estimated Net Book Value, then Sellers
          will pay Buyer the  difference,  and if the  Audited Net Book Value is
          greater than the Estimated Net Book Value, then Buyer will pay Sellers
          the difference. The payment of the Purchase Price Adjustment,  will be
          made by wire  transfer  on the  tenth  business  day  following  final
          determination of the Audited Closing Date Financial Statements.

                                       -2-

<PAGE>


     (b)  On or before  October 31,  2000,  (i) the Sellers will pay to Buyer by
          wire  transfer  an  amount  equal to the  accounts  receivable  of the
          Company as of the Closing  Date (the  "Closing  Accounts  Receivable")
          which remain uncollected as of the first anniversary of this Agreement
          together  with  interest in such amount  accruing from the date of the
          first  anniversary  of the Closing Date to the date of payment of such
          amount at a rate equal to the prime rate in effect on the Closing Date
          as announced by Mellon Bank, N.A., (the "Prime Rate"),  and (ii) Buyer
          shall assign such Closing  Accounts  Receivable  uncollected as of the
          Closing Date to Sellers. Seller shall not be required to pay Buyer for
          any Closing Accounts Receivable which Buyer agreed to accept less than
          its face value in cash.

1.4. CLOSING.   The  closing  (the  "Closing")  for  the   consummation  of  the
     transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement shall take place at 9:00 a.m.
     (Pittsburgh  time) on September 1, 1999 at the offices of Reed Smith Shaw &
     McClay,  LLP or at such other place or on such other date  mutually  agreed
     upon by the parties (such date of the Closing being hereinafter  called the
     "Closing Date").  The Closing shall be deemed effective as of 12:01 a.m. on
     September 1, 1999.

                                  ARTICLE II
                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                        ------------------------------

2.1. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES BY SELLERS. For the purposes of this Section
     2.1, any  representation  or warranty made with respect to the Company that
     relates  to any date on or before (or any  period  beginning  on or before)
     December  31, 1998 shall be deemed to include  Production  Barges,  Inc., a
     Louisiana  corporation,  which was merged into the Company  effective as of
     December 31, 1998  ("Barges").  Sellers  represent  and warrant to Buyer as
     follows:

     (a)  TITLE TO SHARES. Sellers are the sole registered and beneficial owners
          of the Shares,  and have,  and at the Closing will  transfer to Buyer,
          good and  marketable  title to the Shares and will transfer the Shares
          free and clear of all security  interests,  liens,  pledges,  charges,
          escrows,  options,  rights of first  refusal,  mortgages,  indentures,
          security  agreements  or  other  encumbrances  (each  a  "Claim"  and,
          collectively, "Claims"), and with no restriction on the voting rights,
          transfer  rights  and the other  incidents  of record  and  beneficial
          ownership pertaining to the Shares.

     (b)  ORGANIZATION,  STANDING  AND POWER.  The Company (i) is a  corporation
          duly organized,  validly  existing and in good standing under the laws
          of the State of Louisiana and (ii) has all requisite  corporate  power
          and authority to own,  lease and operate its  properties  and to carry
          out its business as now being conducted.  The Company is not qualified
          to do business,  and, except as set forth in Schedule  2.1(b),  is not
          required to be qualified to do business,  as a foreign  corporation in
          any other  jurisdiction,  except  where the failure to be so qualified
          does not result in a Material  Adverse  Effect.  The Company has never
          adopted  bylaws.  Lack of  bylaws  does not and will  not  impair  the
          validity  of  any  action  heretofore  taken  by  the  Company  or its
          shareholders or taken in connection with the authorization,  execution
          and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transaction
          contemplated hereby.

                                       -3-

<PAGE>


          As used in this Agreement, a "Material Adverse Effect" means an event,
          circumstance or condition which: (i) if quantifiable,  would result in
          a cost, liability or other expense or diminution in value of more than
          $25,000 or (ii) if not  quantifiable,  would otherwise have a material
          adverse  effect on the assets,  business or  financial  condition  the
          Company or ability to perform under this Agreement.

     (c)  BINDING AGREEMENT. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
          by Sellers and Company pursuant to all necessary  authorization and is
          the valid and binding  obligation of Sellers and Company,  enforceable
          against Sellers and Company in accordance with its terms,  subject, as
          to  enforcement,  to  bankruptcy,   insolvency,  fraudulent  transfer,
          reorganization,  moratorium  and other laws of  general  applicability
          relating  to or  affecting  creditors'  rights and to  general  equity
          principles.

     (d)  CONFLICTS;  CONSENTS.  Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(d), neither
          the execution and delivery of this Agreement,  the consummation of the
          transactions  contemplated  hereby nor  compliance  by Sellers and the
          Company with any of the  provisions  hereof will (i) conflict  with or
          result in a breach of the charter,  resolutions or other  constitutive
          documents of the Company,  (ii)  conflict  with or result in a default
          (or  give  rise  to  any  right  of   termination,   cancellation   or
          acceleration)  under any of the  provisions of any material  agreement
          binding  upon  Sellers or the  Company,  except for such  conflict  or
          default as to which  requisite  waivers or consents  shall be obtained
          before  the  Closing,  or  (iii)  violate  any law,  statute,  rule or
          regulation or order, writ,  injunction or decree applicable to Sellers
          or the  Company or  Sellers' or the  Company's  properties  or assets.
          Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(d),  no consent or approval by, or
          any  notification  of or filing with,  any public body or authority is
          required  to be obtained or made at or prior to the Closing by Sellers
          or the  Company,  in  connection  with  the  execution,  delivery  and
          performance  by  Sellers  or the  Company  of  this  Agreement  or the
          consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

     (e)  CAPITALIZATION;  EQUITY INTERESTS. Except for the Shares, there are no
          other  shares of capital or other  equity  securities  of the  Company
          issued or  outstanding.  All of the  Shares  are  validly  issued  and
          outstanding,  fully paid and  nonassessable.  Neither  Sellers nor any
          other  person is entitled  to any  preemptive  or similar  rights with
          respect to the  Shares.  There are no rights to  acquire  or  options,
          warrants, call agreements, convertible securities or other commitments
          to issue, exchange or acquire, directly or indirectly, any unissued or
          treasury shares of capital stock or other  securities or share capital
          of the  Company,  and no  other  securities  or share  capital  of the
          Company  are  reserved  for  issuance  for any  purpose.  There are no
          agreements relating to the Shares to which Sellers or the Company is a
          party or by which any of them is bound.

     (f)  MATERIAL  FACTS.  There is no fact  known to  Sellers  or the  Company
          relating  to the  Company  (other  than  general  economic or industry
          conditions)  that is likely to have a Material  Adverse  Effect on the
          business,  prospects,  financial condition or results of operations of
          the Company.  No  representations or warranties made by Sellers and/or
          the Company hereunder omit to state a material fact necessary to make

                                       -4-

<PAGE>


          the statements contained herein in light of the circumstances in which
          they were made, not misleading.

     (g)  EXTRAORDINARY  DISTRIBUTIONS.  Except as set forth in Schedule 2.1(g),
          since the date of the Year-End  Financial  Statements  (referred to in
          Section 2.1(q)) there have been no extraordinary distributions of cash
          or benefits, in the form of compensation, bonuses or otherwise, to any
          officer,   director,   employee,   agent,  subsidiary,   affiliate  or
          stockholder of the Company or any family member thereof.

     (h)  ABSENCE  OF  CHANGES.   Since  the  date  of  the  Year-End  Financial
          Statements  and except as set forth in  Schedules  2.1(g) and  2.1(h),
          there has been no change,  or event having, or which may reasonably be
          expected  to  have,  a  Material  Adverse  Effect  on  the  prospects,
          consolidated business operations, financial condition or assets of the
          Company.

     (i)  TAX MATTERS. (i) All federal, state, local and foreign tax returns and
          tax reports required to be filed on or prior to the Closing Date by or
          with respect to the Company have been filed,  or an extension has been
          filed  with  respect  thereto,   on  a  timely  basis  (including  any
          extensions)  with  the  appropriate   governmental   agencies  in  all
          jurisdictions  in which such  returns and  reports are  required to be
          filed;  (ii) all such  returns  and  reports  are  true,  correct  and
          complete in all  material  respects;  and (iii) all  income,  profits,
          franchise,  sales, use, occupation,  property,  excise, employment and
          other taxes (including interest, penalties and withholdings payable in
          respect of such taxes) (collectively, "Taxes") due from and payable by
          or with  respect to the Company  prior to the  Closing  Date have been
          fully  paid on a timely  basis or  properly  protested.  The books and
          records  maintained by the Company properly reflect,  and the Year-End
          Financial Statements and the Interim Financial Statements (referred to
          in Section  2.1(q))  reflect  as of the date  thereof  and  subject to
          normal year-end  adjustments  consistent  with past practice,  accrued
          liabilities  for all  taxes  which  are not yet due and  payable.  The
          Company is not and has never been a member of a consolidated group for
          tax purposes.

     (j)  ASSETS,  PROPERTY AND RELATED MATTERS.  The Company has good title to,
          or a valid  leasehold  interest in, as  applicable,  all of the assets
          reflected on the Interim Balance Sheet (referred to in Section 2.1(q))
          free and clear of all material liens,  claims or encumbrances,  except
          as set forth on Schedule  2.1(j)-1.  The Company does not own any real
          property.  Schedule  2.1(j)-2  sets forth a list of all real  property
          leased by the Company.  With respect to property leased by the Company
          in  connection  with its business as indicated on Schedule  2.1(j)- 2,
          (i) the Company is the owner and holder of all the leasehold interests
          and  estates  purported  to be  granted  by  such  leases  and has not
          received any notice from any landlord  under any such lease that it is
          in  default  or breach  thereof  and (ii) all such  leases are in full
          force and effect and constitute  valid and binding  obligations of the
          Company,  and of the other parties thereto,  enforceable in accordance
          with their terms. The use, occupancy and leasing by the Company of any
          buildings,  structures  or  other  improvements  located  at any  real
          property leased by the Company does not violate any zoning  ordinances
          or any other codes or regulations.  All of the buildings,  structures,
          improvements  and assets reflected on the Interim Balance Sheet are in
          good operating condition and repair (except for ordinary wear and tear
          and routine maintenance requirements) and are adequate for the uses to

                                       -5-

<PAGE>


          which  they are being  put.  No such real  property  is subject to any
          pending  or  threatened  condemnation  proceeding  by  any  public  or
          quasi-public agency or other authority.

     (k)  PATENTS,  TRADEMARKS AND SIMILAR  RIGHTS.  Schedule  2.1(k) contains a
          complete and accurate list and summary description of all Intellectual
          Property (as defined  below)  owned,  used or licensed by the Company.
          All such Intellectual Property owned by the Company are free and clear
          of all Claims and restrictions.  No Intellectual  Property owned, used
          or licensed by the Company  infringes  any rights owned or held by any
          other person or entity,  other than infringements which would not have
          a Material  Adverse Effect.  No person is infringing the rights of the
          Company in any  Intellectual  Property.  No product or service sold by
          the Company  violates or infringes  any  intellectual  property  right
          owned or held by any other person or entity,  other than infringements
          which would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

          An "Intellectual Property" means any trademark,  service mark, service
          name,  trade name,  design right,  patent or  copyright,  in each case
          whether registered or unregistered,  and any trade secret,  invention,
          process,  formula,   technology,   know-how,  design,  utility  model,
          computer software (including  documentation and object and source code
          listings),  drawing,  proprietary data,  research and development data
          and  other  intangible   property,   or  any  other  similar  type  of
          proprietary  intellectual  property right (including any registrations
          or applications  for  registration of any of the foregoing and whether
          or not capable of protection by patent or by registration).

     (l)  AGREEMENTS,  ETC. Schedule 2.1(l) contains a true and complete list of
          all contracts,  agreements and other  instruments to which the Company
          is a party  or  which is  binding  on the  Company  relating  to:  (i)
          commitments to pay in excess of $5,000 in any one calendar year,  (ii)
          any  restriction  on the  ability  of the  Company  to  engage  in any
          business  or to do business in any  geographic  area,  (iii) any joint
          venture or  partnership  agreement  or similar  arrangement,  (iv) any
          arrangement  with  any  officer,  director,  employee  or agent of the
          Company  or any  affiliate  thereof  or a member of any such  person's
          immediate  family,  (v) any contract or arrangement  pursuant to which
          the Company expects to receive in excess of $5,000 in any one calendar
          year, (vi) any license referred to in Section 2.1(k),  (vii) any lease
          referred  to  in  Section  2.1(j),  (viii)  any  guaranty  or  similar
          undertaking  with respect to payment or  performance by a third party,
          (ix) any  power of  attorney,  or (x) any  business  to be  transacted
          outside  the  United  States or with any  non-United  States  party in
          excess of $5,000  in any one  calendar  year.  The  Company  is not in
          default under any such  contract,  agreement or instrument to which it
          is a party where such default would,  individually or in the aggregate
          with defaults under other  agreements or instruments,  have a Material
          Adverse Effect and all such contracts,  agreements and instruments are
          in full force and effect.

     (m)  LITIGATION,  ETC.  Except as listed on Schedule  2.1(m),  there are no
          lawsuits,  actions, claims,  investigations or legal or administrative
          or  arbitration  proceedings  in  respect  of the  Company  pending or
          threatened,  whether at law or in equity, or before or by any federal,
          state, local,  foreign or other governmental  department,  commission,
          board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, (i) individually or in  the

                                       -6-

<PAGE>
          aggregate  which,  if  adversely  determined,  could  have a  Material
          Adverse Effect or (ii) which  questions the validity of this Agreement
          or any  action  taken or to be  taken by  Sellers  or the  Company  in
          connection herewith.

     (n)  COMPLIANCE;  GOVERNMENTAL  AUTHORIZATIONS.  At  all  times  up to  and
          including the Closing  Date,

          (i)  the  Company  has  complied  with and is in  compliance  with all
               federal, state, local and foreign laws, ordinances,  regulations,
               interpretations  and orders,  applicable  to the Company,  as the
               case may be,  the  failure  to comply  with  which  would  have a
               Material  Adverse  Effect.  The Company has all  federal,  state,
               local and foreign governmental  licenses and permits necessary to
               conduct its business as presently being  conducted,  except where
               the failure to obtain such  licenses or permits  would not have a
               Material Adverse Effect, and all such licenses and permits are in
               full force and effect.

          (ii) The   Company   has  held  and  holds  all   permits,   licenses,
               certificates   and   authorizations   ("Environmental   Permits")
               required  under all  applicable  laws,  ordinances,  regulations,
               rules,  requirements,  orders and  judgments and relating to use,
               treatment,  storage,  handling or disposal  of  materials  or the
               discharge of  chemicals,  gases or other  substances or materials
               into the environment  (the  "Environmental  Laws"),  and all such
               Environmental  Permits are in full force and effect.  The Company
               has not violated nor is in violation of any  requirements  of any
               Environmental Laws in connection with the conduct of its business
               or in connection  with the use,  maintenance  or operation of any
               real property now or previously  owned,  used, leased or operated
               by it or any appurtenances thereto or improvements thereon, other
               than violations  which would not have a Material  Adverse Effect.
               There are no present or past  conditions  relating to the Company
               or relating to any real property now or previously owned, used or
               operated  by  it  or   improvements   thereon  or  real  property
               previously  owned,  used or operated by the Company or any of its
               present or past  affiliates  that could lead to any  liability of
               the Company for violation of the  Environmental  Laws, other than
               liabilities  which would not have a Material Adverse Effect.  The
               Company has not received  notice from any authority  charged with
               the  enforcement  of  Environmental  Laws of a  violation  of any
               requirements of any Environmental  Laws, no proceeding is pending
               to revoke or limit any  Environmental  Permit held by the Company
               and there is no basis for any such proceeding.

         (iii) There has been no release of any  hazardous  or toxic  materials,
               pollutants or contaminants in, on or affecting any properties now
               or  previously  owned,  leased or  operated  by the  Company.  No
               underground  storage  tanks are  located at any  property  now or
               previously  owned or  leased  by the  Company.  All  above-ground
               storage tanks  located on any property now or  previously  owned,
               leased or operated by the Company  have been used and  maintained
               in compliance  with all  applicable  legal  requirements,  and no
               leakage or spillage has occurred with respect to any such storage
               tank which would have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (iv) The Company has not  received any notice that any property now or
               previously owned,  operated or leased by the Company is listed or
               is proposed for listing on the National  Priorities List pursuant
               to the  Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,  Compensation and
               Liability Act, as amended ("CERCLA"), or the Comprehensive

                                       -7-
<PAGE>
               Environmental  Response,  Compensation and Liability  Information
               System List  ("CERCLIS")  or on any similar state or foreign list
               of sites requiring investigation or cleanup; and no lien has been
               filed against either the personal or real property of the Company
               under any Environmental Law, regulation promulgated thereunder or
               order issued with respect thereto.

     (o)  LABOR  RELATIONS;  EMPLOYEES.

          (i)  The Company has  delivered to Buyer true and  complete  copies of
               each  contract  or other  agreement  between  the Company and any
               labor union,  trade union or other  association  representing any
               employees  of the Company and any such  contract or  agreement to
               which the  Company is subject.  (A) There is no labor  dispute or
               work  stoppage  pending or  threatened  against the Company,  (B)
               there is no unfair  labor  practice  charge or complaint or other
               action  against  the  Company  pending or  threatened  before the
               National  Labor  Relations  Board or any other  U.S.  or  similar
               foreign  governmental  authority  or agency,  (C) during the past
               three  years,  there has been no labor  strike  or work  stoppage
               actually pending or threatened  against or affecting the Company,
               (D)  no  question   concerning   representation   is  pending  or
               threatened  respecting  employees  of  the  Company,  and  (E) no
               written  grievance is pending.  The Company has complied with all
               material  legal  requirements   relating  to  employment,   equal
               employment opportunity,  nondiscrimination,  immigration,  wages,
               hours,  benefits,  collective  bargaining,  the payment of social
               security and similar taxes,  occupational  safety and health, and
               plant closing.

          (ii) Company has delivered to Buyer:  (A) true and complete  copies of
               each pension,  retirement,  savings,  deferred compensation,  and
               profit-sharing  plan and each stock option,  stock  appreciation,
               stock purchase, performance share, bonus or other incentive plan,
               severance  plan,  health,  group insurance or other welfare plan,
               vacation policies, holiday pay policies,  severance pay policies,
               sick or personal pay policies,  incentive bonus programs, company
               car policies and service award  policies,  or other similar plans
               or  arrangements  and any  "employee  benefit  plan"  within  the
               meaning  of  Section  3(3)  of  the  Employee  Retirement  Income
               Security  Act of 1974,  as  amended  ("ERISA"),  under  which the
               Company  has any current or future  obligation  or  liability  or
               under which any employee or former  employee (or  beneficiary  of
               any  employee or former  employee) of the Company has or may have
               any current or future  right to benefits  (the term "plan"  shall
               include any contract,  agreement,  policy or understanding,  each
               such  plan  being  hereinafter  referred  to  individually  as  a
               "Plan");  (B) any correspondence  from or to the Internal Revenue
               Service  ("IRS"),  Department  of  Labor  ("DOL"),  or any  other
               governmental  entity during the last three (3) years  relating to
               such Plan(s); and (C) a list of all such Plan(s) and arrangements
               as set forth on the attached Schedule 2.1(o)(ii)(C).

         (iii) Each Plan which is an "employee  pension benefit plan" within the
               meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA and related  trust is qualified,
               both as to form and operation,  under Sections  401(a) and 501(a)
               of the Code and has been determined to be qualified as to form by
               the IRS, and, no amendment to, or failure to amend, any such Plan
               adversely affects its tax qualified  status,  and with respect to
               each such Plan:  (A) no  transaction  prohibited by ERISA section
               406 has  occurred;  (B) the Company has no  liability  to the IRS
               with respect to any such Plan, including any excise tax liability
               imposed  by  Chapter  43 of the  Code;  (C)  the  Company  has no
                                       -8-
<PAGE>

               liability to pay any civil  penalty  under ERISA  sections 502 or
               4071;  and (D) the Company has timely filed all required  reports
               (including,  but not limited to, Form 5500 Annual  Reports),  and
               all notices and disclosures have been timely provided to affected
               Plan participants, as required by ERISA and the Code.

          (iv) Each such Plan which is an "employee welfare benefit plan" within
               the meaning of ERISA section 3(1) has been operated in accordance
               with ERISA, the Code, and all other  applicable laws,  including,
               but not limited  to, the  requirements  of ERISA  section 601 and
               Code section 4980B.

          (v)  The  Company  (A)  does  not  maintain,  and has  not  previously
               maintained,  a  "multi-employer  plan"  or a  "multiple  employer
               welfare arrangement" as those terms are defined in ERISA sections
               3(37)  and  3(40),   or  a  "voluntary   employees'   beneficiary
               association"  as that term is defined in Code section  501(c)(9);
               (B) does not have any contract,  plan or commitment to create any
               additional  Plans or to materially  modify any existing Plan; (C)
               except  to the  extent  required  by ERISA  section  601 and Code
               section  4980B,  has not  agreed to  provide  health  or  welfare
               benefits to any retired or former  employees and is not obligated
               to provide  health or  welfare  benefits  to any active  employee
               following   such   employee's   retirement  or   termination   of
               employment;  (D) has not agreed to make any payment  that is owed
               or may become due to any individual  that will be  non-deductible
               to the  Company  or  Subsidiary,  or is subject to tax under Code
               sections 280G or 4999, or "gross up" or otherwise  compensate any
               such individual  because of the imposition of any excise tax on a
               payment to such individual;  or (E) does not have any unfunded or
               accrued liabilities under any Plan.

          (vi) There are no lawsuits,  actions, claims,  investigations or legal
               or administrative or arbitration  proceedings (other than routine
               claims for benefits)  pending or threatened,  with respect to any
               Plan or the assets of any Plan.  With  respect to each Plan,  all
               contributions (including employee salary reduction contributions)
               and all  material  insurance  premiums  that have become due have
               been paid, and any such expense  accrued but not yet due has been
               properly  reflected in the Year-End  Financial  Statements or the
               Interim Financial Statements. Except as reflected in the Year-End
               Financial Statements and the Interim Financial Statements,  there
               is no  liability  relating to any Plan that would have a Material
               Adverse Effect.

     (p)  BROKERS. No agent, broker, investment banker or other Person acting on
          behalf of the  Sellers or the  Company or under the  authority  of the
          Sellers  or the  Company is or will be  entitled  to any  broker's  or
          finder's  fee or any other  commission  or  similar  fee  directly  or
          indirectly  from any of the parties  hereto in connection  with any of
          the transactions contemplated hereby.

     (q)  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Company has delivered to Buyer: (a) reviewed
          balance sheets of the Company as at December 31, 1998 (including notes
          thereto,  collectively the "Year-End Balance Sheet"),  and the related
          reviewed  statements  of income,  changes in  stockholders'  equity or
          shareholders' shareholdings, as the case may be, and cash flow for the
          fiscal  year  then  ended   (collectively,   the  "Year-End  Financial
          Statements"),  and (b) unaudited  balance  sheets of the Company as at
          July 31, 1999 (collectively, the "Interim Balance  Sheet")  and the

                                       -9-

<PAGE>


          related  unaudited  statements  of income,  changes  in  stockholders'
          equity or  shareholders'  shareholdings,  as the case may be, and cash
          flow for the seven months then ended, including in each case any notes
          thereto  (collectively,  the  "Interim  Financial  Statements").  Such
          financial  statements and notes fairly and  accurately  present a true
          and fair view of the  assets,  liabilities  and the state of  business
          affairs of the Company and the financial  condition and the results of
          operations,  changes  in  stockholders'  equity,  and cash flow of the
          Company as at the respective  dates of and for the periods referred to
          in  such  financial  statements,  all in  accordance  with  applicable
          generally accepted  accounting  principles (except, in the case of the
          Interim  Financial  Statements,  for the omission of certain footnotes
          and other presentation items required by generally accepted accounting
          principles with respect to annual financial  statements and subject to
          other normal year-end adjustments).

     (r)  NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES.  The Company does not have any liabilities
          or  obligations  of any nature  (whether  known or unknown and whether
          absolute, accrued, contingent, or otherwise) except (i) liabilities or
          obligations  reflected  or reserved  against in the  Year-End  Balance
          Sheet  or the  Interim  Balance  Sheet,  or (ii)  current  liabilities
          incurred in the ordinary course of business since the respective dates
          thereof.

     (s)  NO DEBT.  Upon  Closing,  after giving effect to Section  1.2(b),  the
          Company will have no indebtedness other than (i) ordinary course trade
          payables,  wages, salaries and employee expense reimbursements accrued
          in the ordinary course of business  consistent with past practices and
          (ii) the  obligations  of the Company to J.  Orville  Steen under that
          certain  Amended  and  Restated  Promissory  Note dated as of the date
          hereof for a principal  amount of $472,906 (the "Steen Note").  Except
          as  indicated  on  Schedule  2.1(s),  all liens and  mortgages  on the
          Company's assets shall be released as of the Closing Date.

     (t)  SUBSIDIARIES  AND  SHAREHOLDERS.  The Company has no  subsidiaries  or
          equity investments,  whether such equity investments are marketable or
          nonmarketable. The Company has no shareholders other than those listed
          on Schedule 2.1(a) attached hereto.

     (u)  INSURANCE.  Schedule 2.1(u) lists all insurance contracts to which the
          Company  is a  party  or a  third  party  beneficiary.  The  insurance
          contracts  listed in  Schedule  2.1(u) are in full force and valid and
          have not been  terminated and all premiums owed  thereunder  have been
          paid by the Company when due. No notice of cancellation or termination
          has  been  received  by the  Company  with  respect  to any  insurance
          contract listed in Schedule 2.1(u).

     (v)  YEAR 2000. The Company has conducted a  comprehensive  internal review
          and  assessment  and   determined   that  its  computer   systems  and
          applications  are year 2000  compliant and as such will  calculate and
          perform prior to, during and after the year 2000. For purposes of this
          Agreement,  year 2000  compliant is defined as  accurately  processing
          date-related  data from,  into and  between the year 1999 and the year
          2000, including leap year calculations, and specifically including any
          error  relating  to, or the product of, date data or date  information
          that  represents  or references  different  centuries or more than one
          century.  Based  on the  foregoing  review,  assessment  and  inquiry,
          Sellers  reasonably  believe  that any  problem  related  to year 2000
          compliance will not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                                      -10-

<PAGE>


2.2. REPRESENTATIONS  AND WARRANTIES BY BUYER.  Buyer represents and warrants to
     Sellers as follows:

     (a)  ORGANIZATION,  STANDING  AND POWER.  Buyer (i) is a  corporation  duly
          organized and validly  existing and is in good standing under the laws
          of its  jurisdiction  of  incorporation  and  (ii)  has all  requisite
          corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties
          and to carry on its  business  in all  material  respects as now being
          conducted.

     (b)  AUTHORITY;  BINDING AGREEMENT. Buyer has all requisite corporate power
          and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its
          obligations  hereunder.  This  Agreement  has been duly  executed  and
          delivered by Buyer pursuant to all necessary  corporate  authorization
          and is the valid and binding obligation of Buyer,  enforceable against
          Buyer in accordance with its terms,  subject,  as to  enforcement,  to
          bankruptcy,    insolvency,   fraudulent   transfer,    reorganization,
          moratorium  and other laws of  general  applicability  relating  to or
          affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles.

     (c)  CONFLICTS;  CONSENTS.  Neither  the  execution  and  delivery  of this
          Agreement,  the consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby
          nor  compliance  by Buyer with any of the  provisions  hereof will (i)
          conflict  with  or  result  in  a  breach  of  the  charter  or  other
          constitutive  documents of Buyer,  (ii)  conflict  with or result in a
          default  (or give rise to any right of  termination,  cancellation  or
          acceleration)  under any of the  provisions of any material  agreement
          binding upon Buyer, except for such conflict,  breach or default as to
          which  requisite  waivers or  consents  shall be  obtained  before the
          Closing,  or (iii)  violate any law,  statute,  rule or  regulation or
          order,  writ,   injunction  or  decree  applicable  to  Buyer  or  its
          respective  properties  or assets.  No consent or approval  by, or any
          notification  of or filing  with,  any  public  body or  authority  is
          required  to be  obtained  at or  prior  to the  Closing  by  Buyer in
          connection  with the execution,  delivery and  performance by Buyer of
          this Agreement or the  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated
          hereby.

     (d)  INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS.  Buyer is acquiring the Shares for its own
          account  for  investment  and  not  with a  view  to or  for  sale  in
          connection  with the  distribution  thereof in violation of applicable
          securities  laws.  Sellers  may  place a  legend  on the  certificates
          representing the Shares to this effect.


                                   ARTICLE III
                              ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
                              ---------------------

3.1. EXPENSES,  SALES TAXES. Sellers and Buyer shall each bear its own costs and
     expenses incurred in connection with the transactions  contemplated hereby,
     including any fees or commissions of any broker engaged by such party,  and
     the cost of all  income,  single  business,  sales,  transfer,  use,  gross
     receipts,  registration,  stamp  and  similar  taxes  arising  out of or in
     connection with the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement.  Sellers
     will  cause  the  Company  not  to  incur  any  out-of-pocket  expenses  in
     connection with this Agreement  unless such expenses are properly  recorded
     on the Interim Balance Sheet.

                                      -11-

<PAGE>


3.2. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. From the date hereof until the Closing Date, except as
     otherwise consented to by Buyer in writing, Sellers shall cause the Company
     to, and the Company shall, operate only in the ordinary course of business.

3.3. FURTHER  ASSURANCES.   Each  of  the  parties  hereto  agrees  to  use  all
     commercially  reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action,
     and to do, or cause to be done, all things  necessary,  proper or advisable
     under applicable laws and regulations, to consummate and make effective the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement as expeditiously as practicable
     and to ensure  that the  conditions  set  forth in  Article  IV hereof  are
     satisfied,  insofar as such  matters are within the control of any of them.
     In case at any time after the Closing Date any further  action is necessary
     or  desirable  to carry out the  purposes  of this  Agreement,  each of the
     parties  to this  Agreement  shall  take or  cause  to be  taken  all  such
     necessary  action,  including  the  execution  and delivery of such further
     instruments  and  documents,  as may be  reasonably  requested by any other
     party  for  such   purposes  or   otherwise  to  complete  or  perfect  the
     transactions contemplated hereby.

3.4. ACCESS  AND   INFORMATION.   The  Company   shall   permit  Buyer  and  its
     representatives  and agents to have access to the Company and its officers,
     counsel,  auditors,  books and records,  and the opportunity to investigate
     the Company's title to property and the condition and nature of its assets,
     business and  liabilities,  in each case upon reasonable  notice and during
     normal business hours. All information  furnished by Sellers or the Company
     pursuant to this Section 3.4 or otherwise, shall be subject to the terms of
     Section 3.6. In the event the transactions  contemplated  hereunder are not
     consummated,  Buyer will return all such  written  information  promptly to
     Sellers or the Company, as applicable.

3.5. PUBLIC  ANNOUNCEMENTS.  The parties  shall  consult  with each other before
     issuing, and provide each other the opportunity to review and comment upon,
     any press release or other public statements with respect to this Agreement
     or the transactions  contemplated  hereby and, except as may be required by
     applicable  law or any  listing  agreement  with  any  national  securities
     exchange, will not issue any such release or make any such public statement
     prior to such consultation.

3.6. CONFIDENTIALITY.   All   Confidential   Information   (as  defined  in  the
     Non-Disclosure Agreement by and among Sellers and Michael Baker Corporation
     dated as of ____________ (the "Non-Disclosure  Agreement")) exchanged shall
     be subject to and protected by the Non-Disclosure Agreement.

3.7. EMPLOYEES.  Buyer will be  responsible  for  severance  and any other costs
     associated  with the  termination  of any Company  employees  terminated by
     Buyer after the Closing. Sellers shall be responsible for severance and any
     other costs  associated  with the  terminations  of any  Company  employees
     terminated prior to or at the Closing. Before the Closing, Sellers agree to
     take all necessary  corporate  action to terminate the Company  401(k) Plan
     (the "Steen Plan")  effective as of the Closing Date and take all necessary
     corporate action to vest all Company  employees  participating in the Steen
     Plan as of the Closing Date. Thereafter, Buyer shall take or cause to be

                                      -12-

<PAGE>


     taken any and all steps necessary and proper to complete the administration
     of the  termination of the Steen Plan,  including  filing the same with the
     Internal  Revenue  Service  to obtain a  favorable  determination  that the
     termination  does not adversely  effect the prior  qualified  status of the
     Plan.

3.8. DUE  DILIGENCE.  Buyer  is,  with  the  assistance  of  its  attorneys  and
     accountants,  conducting  an  independent  review of the  Company,  and the
     business,  operations,  assets,  liabilities and financial condition of the
     Company,  based,  in  part,  on the  information  provided  to  Buyer,  its
     attorneys and accountants by Sellers and the Company.  Notwithstanding such
     review,  Sellers  agree that Buyer shall not be prevented  from claiming or
     recovering  against  Sellers  for  Sellers'  breach  of  a  representation,
     warranty  or  covenant   contained  herein  as  provided  herein  or  under
     applicable law.

3.9. CERTAIN  ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN  PRIOR TO  CLOSING.  Sellers  shall  cause the
     Company to take the following  actions to the  satisfaction  of Buyer on or
     before the Closing Date: (a) to cancel or otherwise cause the Company to be
     released from the leases for automobiles identified on Schedule 3.9, (b) to
     cause J.  Orville  Steen to  release  any and all liens on or  against  the
     Company's assets, including the Barge EBX-4; and (c) cancel any accounts or
     return to Company any assets held in the Company  name but used by Sellers'
     wives or family  members or to which  Sellers' wives or family members have
     access, including any cellular phones, credit cards or other accounts.

3.10.GUARANTEES  BY  SELLERS.  Sellers  have  from time to time  guaranteed  the
     repayment  of certain of the  Company's  obligations  under  certain  trade
     accounts and under the Loan  Agreement.  Before the Closing  Date,  Sellers
     shall use their reasonable best efforts to identify each Company obligation
     that they individually or collectively have agreed to guarantee.  Buyer and
     Sellers will  cooperate  to remove  Sellers as  guarantors  of such Company
     obligations as of the Closing Date or as soon as is reasonably  practicable
     thereafter.

3.11.ACCOUNTS  RECEIVABLE.  Buyer will use reasonable best efforts to diligently
     collect the Closing  Accounts  Receivable for their face value in cash. All
     payments  from a customer  will be credited  first to the  account  balance
     which has been  outstanding  for the  longest  period of time,  unless  the
     customer  has a bona fide  dispute  with the  Company  involving a specific
     invoice.

3.12.BOOKS OF THE  COMPANY.  Buyer shall keep all of the books of  accounts  and
     records of the Company existing as of the Closing Date for a period of five
     years from the  Closing  Date.  Buyer will  permit the  Sellers or Seller's
     agents, at Sellers' expense, to examine such books at such reasonable times
     and to  request  copies of such  books as may be  reasonably  requested  by
     Sellers or Seller's agents.

                                      -13-

<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE IV
                               CLOSING CONDITIONS
                               ------------------

4.1. CONDITIONS TO  OBLIGATIONS  OF BUYER.  The  obligations of Buyer to perform
     this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing,
     of the following conditions, unless waived by Buyer:

     (a)  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  The representations and warranties of
          Sellers  contained  herein  shall be true and correct in all  material
          respects as of the date  hereof and as of the Closing  Date as if made
          on and as of the Closing Date,  and Sellers  shall have  performed and
          complied with all covenants and agreements required to be performed or
          complied with by them on or prior to the Closing Date.

     (b)  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CERTIFICATE.  Buyer shall have received
          a  certificate  of Sellers and an  authorized  officer of the Company,
          confirming  the  matters  set  forth in  Section  4.1(a),  in form and
          substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer.

     (c)  SHARE CERTIFICATES AND CORPORATE  RECORDS.  Buyer shall have received:
          (i) the share certificates representing the Shares; (ii) the corporate
          seal of the Company;  (iii) the minute books, share register and share
          transfer  records of the Company;  and (iv) evidence  satisfactory  to
          Buyer of the release or satisfaction of any liens or encumbrances with
          respect to the Shares.

     (d)  CONSENTS,  ETC. Buyer shall have received  copies of all duly executed
          and   delivered   waivers,   consents,   terminations   and  approvals
          contemplated  by Section 2.1(d) and Schedule  2.1(d),  all in form and
          substance reasonably satisfactory to Buyer.

     (e)  OPINION OF COUNSEL.  Buyer shall have received the opinion,  dated the
          Closing Date, of Chris Verret, counsel to Sellers and the Company.

     (f)  CERTIFICATE.  Buyer shall have received a certificate of the Secretary
          or an  Assistant  Secretary of the  Company,  dated the Closing  Date,
          setting forth the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company
          authorizing the execution,  delivery and performance of this Agreement
          by the Company and certifying that such  resolutions were duly adopted
          and have not been rescinded or amended as of the Closing Date.

     (g)  ORGANIZATIONAL  DOCUMENTS.  Buyer  shall  have  received  (i) a  copy,
          certified by the Secretary of the State of Louisiana,  of the Articles
          of Incorporation of the Company,  and (ii) good standing  certificates
          of the Company in the State of Louisiana.

     (h)  RESIGNATIONS  AND  TERMINATION.  Buyer  shall have  received  executed
          resignations or terminations from all Directors of the Company and any
          corporate officers, as requested by Buyer.

                                      -14-

<PAGE>


     (i)  NO ORDERS OR PROCEEDINGS. There shall be in effect no order, decree or
          injunction of a court of competent  jurisdiction  which either enjoins
          or prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions  contemplated
          by this  Agreement,  and no proceeding  with respect  thereto shall be
          pending or threatened.

     (j)  UNPAID  DIVIDENDS.  Sellers shall have delivered to Buyer a waiver and
          release,  in form and substance  satisfactory  to Buyer, of all unpaid
          dividends with respect to the Shares.

     (k)  EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT. Buyer shall have received an executed Employment
          Agreement from Stephen P. Roan in substantially the form of Exhibit C,
          attached hereto, and an executed Employment  Agreement from J. Orville
          Steen in substantially the form of Exhibit D, attached hereto.

     (l)  PAYOFF  LETTER AND LIEN  RELEASES.  Lender and Doyle Landry shall have
          delivered to Buyer pay-off letters acknowledging the repayment in full
          of the Bank Debt and the Doyle  Landry Note and waiving and  releasing
          any  further  rights or claims  each may have  against  the  Company's
          assets.  Sellers shall, and Sellers shall cause Lenders to acknowledge
          the full satisfaction of the Debt, to cancel all promissory notes from
          Company  to  Lenders  and to  deliver  to Buyer  documentation  to the
          satisfaction  of Buyer and signed by the applicable  Lender to release
          all liens and  mortgages  on or against any of the  Company's  assets.
          Except as set forth in Section 2.1(s) or disclosed in Schedule 2.1(s),
          all liens and mortgages on the Company's properties, including but not
          limited to any liens or mortgages held by the Lenders, shall have been
          released  by  the  secured  parties  and   appropriate   releases  and
          satisfaction  pieces,  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to Buyer,
          shall have been properly filed or recorded in all  appropriate  filing
          offices or delivered to Buyer.

     (m)  ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS.  Buyer shall have received evidence to its sole
          satisfaction  that the requirements set forth in Section 3.9 have been
          met.

     (n)  TERMINATION  OF THE STEEN PLAN.  Seller shall have  provided  evidence
          satisfactory  to Buyer that all  shareholder and board action required
          to be taken in Section 3.7 has been taken.

     (o)  OTHER  DOCUMENTS.  Buyer shall have received such other  certificates,
          documents or other  information  in connection  with the  transactions
          contemplated hereby as Buyer may reasonably request.

4.2. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF SELLERS. The obligations of Sellers to perform
     this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing,
     of the following conditions, unless waived by Sellers:

     (a)  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  The representations and warranties of
          Buyer  contained  herein  shall be true and  correct  in all  material
          respects as of the date  hereof and as of the Closing  Date as if made

                                      -15-

<PAGE>


          on and as of the  Closing  Date,  and Buyer shall have  performed  and
          complied with all covenants and agreements required to be performed or
          complied with by it on or prior to the Closing Date.

     (b)  CERTIFICATES.   Sellers  shall  have  received  a  certificate  of  an
          authorized  officer  of Buyer  confirming  the  matters  set  forth in
          Section  4.2(a),  in form and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to
          Sellers.

     (c)  PROMISSORY  NOTES.  Sellers  shall have received  executed  Promissory
          Notes from  Buyer in  substantially  the Form of  Exhibit A,  attached
          hereto and an executed Guaranty and Suretyship  Agreement from Michael
          Baker  Corporation  in  substantially  the Form of Exhibit B, attached
          hereto.

     (d)  OPINION OF COUNSEL. Sellers shall have received the opinion, dated the
          Closing Date, of Reed Smith Shaw & McClay LLP, counsel to Buyer.

     (e)  SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATES. Sellers shall have received a certificate of
          the  Secretary or an Assistant  Secretary of Buyer,  dated the Closing
          Date, setting forth the resolutions of the Board of Directors of Buyer
          authorizing the execution,  delivery and performance of this Agreement
          by Buyer and certifying  that such  resolutions  were duly adopted and
          have not been rescinded or amended as of the Closing Date.

     (f)  NO ORDERS OR PROCEEDINGS. There shall be in effect no order, decree or
          injunction of a court of competent  jurisdiction  which either enjoins
          or prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions  contemplated
          by this  Agreement,  and no proceeding  with respect  thereto shall be
          pending or, to the knowledge of Buyer, threatened.

     (g)  RECEIPT OF CASH PURCHASE PRICE. Sellers' and Escrow Agent's receipt of
          the Cash Purchase Price as set forth in Section 1.2(a).

     (h)  EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT.  Stephen P. Roan shall have received an executed
          Employment  Agreement from Buyer in substantially  the form of Exhibit
          C,  attached  hereto,  and J.  Orville  Steen  shall have  received an
          executed Employment  Agreement from Buyer in substantially the form of
          Exhibit D, attached hereto.

     (i)  DEBT  REPAYMENT.   Sellers  shall  have  received  evidence  to  their
          reasonable  satisfaction  that the Debt has been  paid by Buyer  under
          Section 1.2(b).

     (j)  OTHER DOCUMENTS.  Sellers shall have received such other certificates,
          documents or other  information  in connection  with the  transactions
          contemplated hereby as Sellers may reasonably request.

                                      -16-

<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE V
                                    INDEMNITY
                                    ---------

5.1. GENERAL.

     (a)  Sellers  shall  jointly  and  severally  release,  indemnify  and hold
          harmless Buyer and Buyer's  parents,  subsidiaries  and its affiliates
          and its former,  present and future  directors,  officers,  employees,
          shareholders and other agents and representatives and the Company from
          and against any and all liabilities,  judgments,  claims, settlements,
          losses,  damages,  fees,  liens,  taxes,  penalties,  obligations  and
          expenses  (including  reasonable  attorney's  fees and  disbursements)
          (collectively,  "Damages")  incurred or suffered by any such person or
          entity  arising  from or by  reason  of (i) any  misrepresentation  or
          breach of any  representation or warranty of Sellers contained in this
          Agreement,  (ii) any breach of any  covenant of Sellers  contained  in
          this  Agreement,  (iii) any event,  act or occurrence  relating to the
          Company prior to the Closing,  (iv) any claim or liability arising out
          of or relating to Company's merger with Barges,  (v) any environmental
          remediation required in connection with any property now or previously
          owned, used, leased or operated by the Company or Barges to the extent
          not  attributable  to operations by Buyer at such  property,  (vi) any
          self-insurance  medical  costs of  Company  incurred  on or before the
          Closing  Date,  (vii) any  liability  for Taxes  payable by,  assessed
          against or relating to (x) the Company for periods prior and including
          the Closing Date, (y) Barges,  and (z) Sellers,  (viii) any event, act
          or occurrence or any claim or liability  arising out of or relating to
          the sponsorship,  funding, maintenance,  operation,  administration of
          the Steen Plan prior to the Closing  Date,  or (ix) any Damages to the
          Company  or Buyer  resulting  from the  failure of Sellers to have all
          requisite  authorizations,  licenses or approvals to use in connection
          with the software  installed  on the  Company's  computer  hardware or
          otherwise used by the Company up to and including the Closing Date.

     (b)  Buyer shall  release,  indemnify  and hold  harmless  Sellers from and
          against  any and all Damages  incurred or suffered by Sellers  arising
          from  or by  reason  of (i) any  misrepresentation  or  breach  of any
          representation or warranty of Buyer contained in this Agreement,  (ii)
          any breach of any covenant of Buyer contained in this Agreement, (iii)
          any claim arising out of the operations of the Company as conducted by
          Buyer after the Closing  Date unless such claim arises out of a breach
          by Sellers of this Agreement or the transactions  contemplated  hereby
          or (iv) any actions taken by Company after Closing with respect to the
          Buyer's  obligations under Section 3.7, PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  that this
          shall not limit in any  respect  the  Damages for which Buyer shall be
          indemnified under Section 5.1(a)(viii).

     (c)  If a claim by a third party is made against an  Indemnified  Party (as
          defined in Section 5.2), an Indemnifying  Party (as defined in Section
          5.2) under this Section 5.1 shall be entitled to  participate  in and,
          if  (i) in the  judgment  of the  Indemnified  Party  such  claim  can
          properly be resolved by money damages alone and the Indemnifying Party
          has  the  financial  resources  to  pay  such  damages  and  (ii)  the
          Indemnifying  Party admits that this indemnity  fully covers the claim
          or litigation,  the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to direct the
          defense  of any  claim  at its  expense,  but  such  defense  shall be
          conducted by legal counsel reasonably  satisfactory to the Indemnified
          Party.  The party  undertaking  the defense in connection  with such a
          claim, shall not make any settlement of any claim or litigation  under

                                      -17-

<PAGE>


          this Section 5.1 without the written consent of the other party, which
          consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

     (d)  Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, Buyer will
          be entitled,  to the fullest  extent  permitted by law, to set-off the
          amount of any indemnity  obligations of Sellers under this Section 5.1
          or Section 1.3, as well as any other  amount of any other  obligations
          or liabilities of Sellers to Buyer, against the Promissory Notes up to
          an aggregate  amount of  $2,000,000.  If at any time that a payment is
          otherwise due from Buyer to Sellers under the Promissory Notes,  Buyer
          in  good  faith  believes  it has a claim  or a  potential  claim  for
          indemnification,  the Buyer will be entitled to withhold  such payment
          (or such lesser portion as Buyer deems appropriate) pending resolution
          of such claim. If an indemnity  obligation actually arises as a result
          of such claim,  then Buyer will be entitled to apply the amount of any
          withheld payment to the satisfaction of such indemnity obligation. The
          remaining  balance,  if any,  will be paid to Sellers with interest at
          the  Prime  Rate  plus 1.0%  from the date the  withheld  payment  was
          originally due.


     (e)  From time to time, either party (a "providing  party") may give notice
          (a "Notice") to the other party (the "receiving  party") specifying in
          reasonable  detail  the  nature  and  dollar  amount  of any  claim (a
          "Claim") it may have  hereunder;  either  party may make more than one
          claim with respect to any underlying  state of facts. If the receiving
          party  gives  Notice to the  providing  party  disputing  any Claim (a
          "Counter  Notice")  within 30 days  following  receipt  of the  Notice
          regarding  such  Claim,  such Claim  shall be  resolved as provided in
          Section  7.9.  If no Counter  Notice is  received  within  such 30-day
          period,  then the dollar  amount of damages  claimed by the  providing
          party as set forth in its Notice shall be deemed  established  and, at
          the end of such 30-day  period,  the receiving  party shall pay to the
          providing party the dollar amount claimed in the Notice.

     (f)  No Indemnified Party will seek indemnification under Section 5.1(a)(i)
          or Section 5.1(b)(i),  as the case may be, until the date on which all
          unreimbursed  claims by  parties  entitled  to  indemnification  under
          Section 5.1(a)(i) or (b)(i), as the case may be, exceed $25,000 in the
          aggregate,  in which case the  Indemnified  Party shall be entitled to
          indemnity  for the full  amount  of its  claims,  including  the first
          $25,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, Buyer may immediately
          seek  reimbursement  for claims  arising out of  misrepresentation  or
          breach of Section  2.1(s) without  regard to the $25,000  basket.  The
          aggregate  liability of either  Buyer or Sellers  under this Article V
          shall not exceed the aggregate of the  consideration  paid pursuant to
          Article I hereof.

5.2. NOTICES.  In case any  claim or  litigation  which  might  give rise to any
     obligation of a party under this Article V (each an  "Indemnifying  Party")
     shall come to the attention of the party seeking indemnification  hereunder
     (the "Indemnified  Party"), the Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the
     Indemnifying Party in writing of the existence and amount thereof,  but the
     failure to notify the Indemnifying  Party will not relieve the Indemnifying
     Party of any liability that it may have to any Indemnified Party, except to
     the extent that the  Indemnifying  Party  demonstrates  that the defense of
     such action is prejudiced by the Indemnifying  Party's failure to give such
     notice.

                                      -18-

<PAGE>


5.3. INSURANCE.   The  amount  of  any  claim  by  an   Indemnified   Party  for
     indemnification  pursuant  to this  Article  V  shall  be  computed  net of
     insurance  proceeds  (less  any  deductibles,  adjustments  or costs or any
     proceeds  from  Buyer's  or  Buyer's  affiliates   self-insurance  program)
     received by such Indemnified Party on account of such claim.


                                  ARTICLE VI
                          RESTRICTIONS ON COMPETITION
                          ---------------------------

6.1. RESTRICTIONS ON COMPETITION.  Sellers  covenant and agree that for a period
     of two (2)  years  commencing  on the  Closing  Date,  Sellers  shall  not,
     anywhere in the United States, engage,  directly or indirectly,  whether as
     principal   or  as  agent,   officer,   director,   employee,   consultant,
     shareholder,  or otherwise,  alone or in association with any other person,
     corporation  or other entity,  in any Competing  Business.  For purposes of
     this  Agreement,  the term  "Competing  Business"  shall mean:  any person,
     corporation  or other  entity  engaged  in the  business  of  providing  or
     attempting  to provide  operation  or  maintenance  services  to oil or gas
     production facilities or any other business in which the Company is engaged
     as of the second  anniversary  of the Closing Date. A "Competing  Business"
     shall not include a  publicly-held  entity with respect to which a Seller's
     only  connection  is the  ownership  of  less  than  5% of its  outstanding
     publicly held equity interests.


6.2. NON-SOLICITATION  OF CUSTOMERS  AND  SUPPLIERS.  Sellers agree that Sellers
     shall not, on behalf of any  Competing  Business,  directly or  indirectly,
     solicit  the  trade of, or trade  with,  any  customers  or  suppliers,  or
     prospective   customers  or  suppliers,   of  Buyer,  its  subsidiaries  or
     affiliates.

6.3. NON-SOLICITATION  OF EMPLOYEES.  Sellers agree that for a period of two (2)
     years  commencing  on the  Closing  Date,  Sellers  shall not,  directly or
     indirectly,  solicit  or induce,  or  attempt  to  solicit  or induce,  any
     employee of Buyer,  its  subsidiaries  or  affiliates  to leave Buyer,  its
     subsidiaries or affiliates for any reason whatsoever,  or hire any employee
     of Buyer, its subsidiaries or affiliates.

                                 ARTICLE VII
                                MISCELLANEOUS
                                -------------

7.1. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the Schedules and Exhibits contain the
     entire  agreement  among  the  parties  with  respect  to the  transactions
     contemplated  by this  Agreement  and  supersede  all prior  agreements  or
     understandings among the parties.

                                      -19-

<PAGE>


7.2. DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS; CERTAIN INTERPRETATIONS.

     (a)  Descriptive headings are for convenience only and shall not control or
          affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

     (b)  Except  as  otherwise  expressly  provided  in  this  Agreement,   the
          following rules of  interpretation  apply to this  Agreement:  (i) the
          singular  includes the plural and the plural  includes  the  singular;
          (ii) "or" and "either" are not exclusive and "include" and "including"
          are not limiting; (iii) a reference to any agreement or other contract
          includes schedules and exhibits thereto and permitted  supplements and
          amendments  thereof;  (iv) a reference to a law includes any amendment
          or  modification  to such  law and any  rules  or  regulations  issued
          thereunder;  (v)  a  reference  to a  Person  includes  its  permitted
          successors   and  assigns;   (vi)  "Person"   means  any   individual,
          corporation,  partnership,  limited liability company,  joint venture,
          estate, trust, association, organization, labor union, or other entity
          or  governmental  body or  authority;  and  (ix) a  reference  in this
          Agreement  to an  Article,  Section,  Exhibit  or  Schedule  is to the
          Article, Section, Exhibit or Schedule of this Agreement. Disclosure of
          a specific  item in any one Schedule will be deemed to be a disclosure
          of the same item in each other Schedule to which such item may relate.

     7.3. NOTICES.  All notices,  requests and other communications to any party
          hereunder  shall be in writing and sufficient if delivered  personally
          or sent by telecopy (with confirmation of receipt) or by registered or
          certified mail, postage prepaid,  return receipt requested,  addressed
          as follows:

          If to Buyer, to:

                  16340 Park Ten Place, Suite 320
                  Houston, Texas  77084
                  Telecopy:  281-579-4545
                  Attention:  Donald P. Fusilli, Jr.

                                      -20-

<PAGE>


          with a copy to:

                  Baker Energy, Inc.
                  Airport Office Park
                  Building #3
                  420 Rouser Road
                  Coraopolis, PA  15108
                  Telecopy:  412-269-2534
                  Attention:  H. James McKnight, Esq.

                  Reed Smith Shaw & McClay LLP
                  435 Sixth Avenue
                  Pittsburgh, PA  15219
                  Telecopy:  412-288-3218
                  Attention:  David L. DeNinno

          If to Sellers to:

                  J. Orville Steen
                  1305 E. Bayou Pkwy.
                  Lafayette, La.  70508

                  Stephen P. Roan
                  500 Fortune Rd.
                  Youngsville, La.  70592

          and with a copy to:

                  Chris A. Verret
                  1116-G Coolidge Boulevard
                  Lafayette, La.  70503



or to such other address or telecopy number as the party to whom notice is to be
given may have furnished to the other parties in writing in accordance herewith.
Each such notice, request or communication shall be effective when delivered.

7.4. COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts
     (including  executed  counterparts  delivered  and  exchanged  by facsimile
     transmission),  and each such  counterpart  hereof shall be deemed to be an
     original  instrument,  but all such counterparts  together shall constitute
     but one agreement.

                                      -21-

<PAGE>


7.5. SURVIVAL.  All covenants and  obligations  of the parties in this Agreement
     shall survive the Closing.  The  representations and warranties made by the
     Sellers or the Company  pursuant to Section 2.1(i) hereof shall survive for
     a period equal to the applicable statute of limitations with respect to any
     taxes  referred to  therein,  and the  representations  made by the Sellers
     pursuant  to  Sections  2.1(a),  2.1(j) and  2.1(k)  hereof  shall  survive
     indefinitely without expiration. The representations and warranties made by
     Company and Sellers  pursuant to Sections  2.1(n) and 2.1(o) shall  survive
     for  a  period  of  five  years  following  the  Closing  Date.  All  other
     representations  and warranties  contained in this Agreement  shall survive
     for a period of two years following the Closing Date.

7.6. BENEFITS OF AGREEMENT.  All of the terms and  provisions of this  Agreement
     shall be binding  upon and inure to the benefit of the  parties  hereto and
     their  respective  successors  and assigns.  This Agreement is for the sole
     benefit of the parties hereto and not for the benefit of any third party.

7.7. AMENDMENTS  AND  WAIVERS.  No  modification,  amendment  or waiver,  of any
     provision of, or consent  required by, this  Agreement,  nor any consent to
     any  departure  herefrom,  shall be  effective  unless it is in writing and
     signed by the  parties  hereto.  Such  modification,  amendment,  waiver or
     consent  shall  be  effective  only in the  specific  instance  and for the
     purpose for which given.

7.8. GOVERNING  LAW.  This  Agreement  shall be  governed  by and  construed  in
     accordance  with the laws of the State of Texas without regard to conflicts
     of laws principles.

7.9. ARBITRATION. Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of, relating to,
     or in connection  with,  this Agreement shall be finally settled by binding
     arbitration.  However,  notwithstanding  anything herein to the contrary, a
     party may bring an action for injunctive or equitable relief at any time in
     a court of competent jurisdiction.  In addition,  nothing contained in this
     Section 7.9 shall be construed  to limit or preclude a party from  bringing
     any action in any court of competent  jurisdiction  for injunctive or other
     provisional  relief to compel another party to comply with its  obligations
     under this Agreement during the pendency of the arbitration proceedings. No
     party, however,  shall demand a jury trial.  Arbitration shall be conducted
     in  accordance  with  the  Commercial  Arbitration  Rules  of the  American
     Arbitration  Association  ("AAA") in effect at the time of the arbitration,
     except as they may be modified in this  Section 7.9 or by mutual  agreement
     of Sellers  and Buyer.  Exclusive  venue for such  arbitration  shall be in
     Houston,  Texas and such  arbitration  shall be  conducted  in the  English
     language.

     The  arbitration  shall be conducted by three  arbitrators.  A party giving
     notice of any dispute  relating to this  Agreement (the  "Claimant")  shall
     appoint an  arbitrator  in such notice.  A party  receiving any such notice
     (the "Respondent")  shall appoint an arbitrator within 30 days of receiving
     such notice and shall notify the Claimant of such arbitrator's  identity in
     writing.  If the  Respondent  fails to appoint an  arbitrator  within  such
     30-day period,  the arbitrator for the Respondent shall be appointed by the
     Chairman of the AAA.  The two  arbitrators  appointed by or for the parties
     shall  appoint a third  arbitrator  within 30 days  after the  Respondent's
     arbitrator is appointed. If the two arbitrators appointed by or for the

                                      -22-

<PAGE>


     parties fail so to appoint a third arbitrator,  then the appointment of the
     third  arbitrator  shall  be made by the  Chairman  of the AAA.  The  third
     arbitrator shall act as Chairman of the panel.

     The arbitrators  shall apply the laws of the State of Texas (without regard
     to conflict of law rules) in  determining  the  substance  of the  dispute,
     controversy  or  claim  and  shall  decide  the  same  in  accordance  with
     applicable  usages and terms of trade.  The  arbitrators  shall permit such
     discovery as they  determine is appropriate  in the  circumstances,  taking
     into  account  the  needs of the  parties  and the  desirability  of making
     discovery  expeditious  and cost  effective.  Any such  discovery  shall be
     limited to  information  directly  related to the  controversy  or claim in
     arbitration and shall be concluded within 30 days after  appointment of the
     arbitration  panel. The arbitrators'  award shall be in writing,  shall set
     forth the findings and  conclusions  upon which the  arbitrators  based the
     award, and shall be final and binding on the parties. The arbitrators shall
     have the authority to grant any equitable and legal  remedies that would be
     available  in any  judicial  proceeding  instituted  to  resolve a dispute,
     controversy  or claim  hereunder.  Each  party  will bear its own costs and
     expenses in connection with any arbitration  including the  compensation to
     be paid to the arbitrator selected by it. In addition,  each party will pay
     50% of the  compensation  to be paid to the neutral  arbitrator in any such
     arbitration.  The cost of transcript  will be paid by the party  requesting
     the same.  Judgment  upon the award may be entered in any  federal or state
     court  sitting or  located in the  Houston,  Texas,  or in any other  court
     having  jurisdiction  thereof or having  jurisdiction  over the  parties or
     their assets.

7.10.SEVERABILITY.  If any  provision  of  this  Agreement  is held  invalid  or
     unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction,  the other provisions
     of this  Agreement  will remain in full force and effect.  Any provision of
     this  Agreement held invalid or  unenforceable  only in part will remain in
     full force and effect to the extent not held invalid or unenforceable.

7.11.TIME OF  ESSENCE.  With  regard to all dates and time  periods set forth or
     referred to in this Agreement, time is of the essence.

7.12.ATTORNEY'S  FEES. In the event any party hereto seeks legal  enforcement of
     the terms of this  Agreement,  the  prevailing  party  shall be paid by the
     nonprevailing  party, all reasonable  attorneys' and legal assistants' fees
     and costs  incurred  by the  prevailing  party,  whether  for  arbitration,
     negotiation, trial or appeal.

7.13.CONSENT TO JURISDICTION.  Sellers hereby irrevocably submit to the personal
     jurisdiction of any federal or state court located in Houston, Texas in any
     action or  proceeding  arising out of or relating  to this  Agreement,  and
     Sellers  hereby  irrevocably  agree  that all claims in respect of any such
     action or proceeding may be heard and determined in any such court.

7.14.SERVICE OF PROCESS.  Sellers hereby  irrevocably  consent to the service of
     any summons and  complaint and any other process which may be served in any
     action or proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement brought in
     any  federal or state  court  located in  Houston,  Texas by the mailing by
     certified or registered mail of copies of such process to such party at its
     or his address as set forth on the signature page hereof.

                                      -23-

<PAGE>


7.15.VENUE.  Sellers hereby  irrevocably  waive any objection which it or he now
     or  hereafter  may have to the laying of venue of any action or  proceeding
     arising  out of or  relating  to this  Agreement  brought in any federal or
     state court located in Houston,  Texas and any objection on the ground that
     any such action or  proceeding in any of such Courts has been brought in an
     inconvenient forum.  Nothing in this Section 7.15 shall affect the right of
     the Buyer to bring any action or proceeding  against Sellers or the Company
     in the courts of other  jurisdictions  where such  parties  may be found or
     served with process.

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  each of the parties has caused this  Agreement  to be duly
executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.



                             BAKER/MO SERVICES, INC.



                             By: /s/ DONALD P. FUSILLI, JR.
                                 --------------------------
                                 Donald P. Fusilli, Jr.
                                 President



                             STEEN PRODUCTION SERVICE, INC.



                             By: /s/ J. ORVILLE STEEN
                                 --------------------
                                 Name:  J. Orville Steen
                                 Title: President



                                 /s/ J. ORVILLE STEEN
                                 --------------------
                                 J. ORVILLE STEEN



                                 /s/  STEPHEN P. ROAN
                                 --------------------
                                 STEPHEN P. ROAN





                                      -24-



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