<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>                                         <C>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRAMMELL DIRECTIONAL BORING, INC.                THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF SPRINGDALE      Loan Number
P.O. BOX 523                                     100 WEST EMMA - BOX 249                               ----------------
[___?], AR 72727                                 SPRINGDALE, AR 72765                       Date: December 29, 2000
                                                                                                  -----------------
                                                                                            Maturity Date Dec, 29, 2003
                                                                                                          -------------
                                                                                            Loan Amount $110,141.66
                                                                                                        ---------------
                                                                                            Renewal Of
                                                                                                      -----------------
          BORROWER'S NAME AND ADDRESS                    LENDER'S NAME AND ADDRESS          TID: 71-0619821
  "I" includes each borrower above, joint and     "You" means lender, its successors and
                  severally.                      assigns.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

For value received, I promise to pay you, or your order, at your address listed
above the PRINCIPAL sum of ONE HUNDRED TEN THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED FORTY ONE AND
66/100 * * * * * Dollars $110,141.66


|X| Single Advance: I will receive of this principal sum on DECEMBER 29, 2000 .
    No additional advances are contemplated under this note.

|_| Multiple Advance: The principal sum shown above is the maximum amount of
    principal I can borrow under this note. On
                                               ---------------------------------
    I will receive the amount $                and future principal advances are
                               ---------------
    contemplated.

    Conditions: The conditions for future advances are
                                                       -------------------------

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

    |_| Open End Credit: You and I agree that I may borrow up to the maximum
        amount of principal more than one time. This feature is subject to all
        other conditions and expires on
                                        ---------------------------.

    |_| Closed End Credit: You and I agree that I may borrow up to the maximum
        only one time (and subject to all other conditions).

INTEREST: I agree to pay interest on the outstanding principal balance from
    DEC. 29, 2000 at the rate of 9.500% per year until DECEMBER 29, 2003.
    -------------                ------                -----------------

|_|  Variable Rate: This rate may then change as stated below.

    |_|  Index Rate: The future rate will be                            the
                                             --------------------------
    following index rate:
                           ----------------------------------------------------

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

    |_| No Index: The future rate will not be subject to any internal or
        external index. It will be entirely in your control.

    |_|  Frequency and Timing: The rate on this note may change as often as
                                                                            ----
                                                             . A change in the
         ----------------------------------------------------
         interest rate will take effect
                                        ----------------------------------------

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

 |_| Limitations: During the term of this loan, the applicable annual interest
     rate will not be more than        % or less than %      .  The rate may not
                                ------                 ------
     change more than         % each
                      --------       ----------------------------.

    Effect of Variable Rate: A change in the interest rate will have the
    following effect on the payments:

    |_|  The amount of each scheduled               |_| The amount of the final
         payment will change.                           payment will change.

    |_|
         -----------------------------------------------------------------------

ACCRUAL METHOD: Interest will be calculated on a     ACTUAL/360         basis.
                                                 -----------------

POST MATURITY RATE: I agree to pay interest on the unpaid balance of this note
    owing after maturity, and until paid in full, as stated below:

    |X| on the same fixed or variable rate basis in effect before maturity (as
indicated above).

    |_|  at a rate equal to
                            ----------------------------------------------------

    LATE CHARGE: If a payment is made more than  10  days after it is due, I
                                                ----
    agree to pay a late charge of 5.000% OF THE LATE PAYMENT
                                   ---------------------------

|_|  ADDITIONAL CHARGES: In addition to interest, I agree to pay the following
     charges which   |_| are   |_| are not  included in the principal amount
     above:
           ---------------------------------------------------------------------

PAYMENTS: I agree to pay this note as follows:

|_| Interest: I agree to pay accrued interest
                                               ---------------------------------

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

|_| Principal: I agree to pay the principal
                                             -----------------------------------

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

|X| Installments: I agree to pay this note in  36  payments.  The first payment
                                              ----
    will be in the amount of $3,534.69 and will be due  JANUARY 29, 2001  .  A
                             ---------                  -----------------
    payment of $3,534.69 will be due ON THE 29TH DAY OF EACH MONTH   thereafter.
               ---------             -------------------------------
    The final payment of the entire unpaid balance of principal and interest
    shall be due DECEMBER 29, 2003
                 -------------------

ADDITIONAL TERMS: EACH PAYMENT SHALL BE PAID ON THE DATE DUE, OR IF SUCH DATE
    DOES NOT EXIST FOR THAT MONTH, THEN SUCH PAYMENT SHALL BE DUE ON THE LAST
    DAY OF THAT MONTH. I WILL FURNISH ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDING
    INCOME INFORMATION.

    |X| I am giving you a security interest in property to secure this loan. I
    understand that I must keep this property insured against loss, expense of
    damage due to fire, theft, collision or other such risks in the amounts you
    require. I f I fail to do so, you are authorized to purchase insurance to
    protect your interest in the property, and may add the cost to the amount I
    owe you.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                       <C>
---------------------------------------------------------------------
|X| SECURITY: This note is separately secured by (describe                 PURPOSE: The purpose of this loan is BUSINESS:  PURCHASE
separate document by type and date): EQUIPMENT                                                                  --------------------
                                                                           BORING MACHINE                                          .
                                                                           ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           SIGNATURES:  I AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS NOTE (INCLUDING
(This section is for your internal use. Failure to list a separate         THOSE ON PAGE 2). I have received a copy on today's date.
security document does not mean the agreement will not secure this
note.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Signature for Lender                                                  TRAMMELL DIRECTIONAL BORING, INC.
                                                                      --------------------------------------------------------------
X                                                                     By:  /s/ Lisa A. Trammell
--------------------------------------------------------------        --------------------------------------------------------------
MICHAEL HUGHES, VICE PRESIDENT                                        LISA A. TRAMMELL, PRES/SEC

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

                                                                      --------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

UNIVERSAL NOTE
(C) 1984, 1991 Bankers System, Inc.,                               (page 1 of 2)
    St. Cloud, MN (1-800-397-2341) Form UN-AR 8/27/97
51116


<PAGE>


DEFINITIONS: As used on page 1, "|X|" means the terms that apply to this loan.
"I," "me" or "my" means each Borrower who signs this note and each other person
or legal entity (including guarantors, endorsers, and sureties) who agrees to
pay this note (together referred to as "us"). "You" or "your" means the Lender
and its successors and assigns.

APPLICABLE LAW: The law of the state in which you are located will govern this
note. Any term of this note which is contrary to applicable law will not be
effective, unless the law permits you and me to agree to such a variation. If
any provision of this agreement cannot be enforced according to its terms,
this fact will not affect the enforceability of the remainder of this
agreement. No modification of this agreement may be made without your express
written consent. Time is of the essence in this agreement.

PAYMENTS: Each payment I make on this note will first reduce the amount I owe
you for charges which are neither interest nor principal. The remainder of each
payment will then reduce accrued unpaid interest, and then unpaid principal. If
you and I agree to a different application of payments, we will describe our
agreement on this note. I may prepay a part of, or the entire balance of this
loan without penalty, unless we specify to the contrary on this note. Any
partial prepayment will not excuse or reduce any later scheduled payment until
this note is paid in full (unless, when I make the prepayment, you and I agree
in writing to the contrary).

INTEREST: Interest accrues on the principal remaining unpaid from time to time,
until paid in full. If I receive the principal in more than one advance, each
advance will start to earn interest only when I receive the advance. The
interest rate in effect on this note at any given time will apply to the entire
principal advanced at that time. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, I do
not agree to pay and you do not intend to charge any rate of interest that is
higher than the maximum rate of interest you could charge under applicable law
for the extension of credit that is agreed to here (either before or after
maturity). If any notice of interest accrual is sent and is in error, we
mutually agree to correct it, and if you actually collect more interest than
allowed by law and this agreement, you agree to refund it to me.

INDEX RATE: The index will serve only as a device for setting the rate on this
note. You do not guarantee by selecting this index, or the margin, that the rate
on this note will be the same rate you charge on any other loans or class of
loans to me or other borrowers.

ACCRUAL METHOD: The amount of interest rate that I will pay on this loan will be
calculated using the interest rate and accrual method stated on page 1 of this
note. For the purpose of interest calculation, the accrual method will determine
the number of days in a "year". If no accrual method is stated, then you may use
any reasonable accrual method for calculating interest.

POST MATURITY RATE: For the purposes of deciding when the "Post Maturity Rate"
(shown on page 1) applies, the term "maturity" means the date of the last
scheduled payment indicated on page 1 of this note or the date you accelerate
payments on this note, whichever is earlier.

SINGLE ADVANCE LOANS: If this is a single advance loan you and I expect that you
make only one advance of principal. However, you may add other amounts to the
principal if you make any payments described in the "PAYMENTS BY LENDER"
paragraph below.

MULTIPLE ADVANCE LOANS: If this is a multiple advance loan, you and I expect
that you will make more than one advance of principal. If this is closed end
credit, repaying a part of the principal sum will not entitle me to additional
credit.

PAYMENTS BY LENDER: If you are authorized to pay on my behalf, charges I am
obligated to pay (such as property insurance premiums), then you may treat
those payments made by you as advances and add them to the unpaid principal
under this note, or you may demand immediate payment of the charges.

SET OFF: I agree that you may set off any amount due and payable under this note
against any right I have to receive money from you.

   "Right to receive money from you" means:

   (1) any deposit account balance I have with you;

   (2) any money owed to me on an item presented to you or in your possession
       for collection or exchange; and

   (3) any repurchase agreement or other nondeposit obligation.

   "Any amount due and payable under this note" means the total amount of which
you are entitled to demand payment under the terms of this note at the time you
set off. This total includes any balance the due date for which you properly
accelerate under this note.

   If my right to receive money from you is also owned by someone who has not
agreed to pay this note, your right of set off will apply to my interest in the
obligation and to any other amounts I could withdraw on my sole request or
endorsement. Your right of set off does not apply to an account or other
obligation where my rights are only as a representative. It also does not apply
to any Individual Retirement Account or other tax-deferred retirement account.

   You will not be liable for the dishonor of any check when the dishonor occurs
because you set off this debt against any of my accounts. I agree to hold you
harmless from any such claims arising as a result of your exercise of your right
to set off.

REAL ESTATE RESIDENCE OR SECURITY: IF this note is secured by real estate or a
residence that is personal property, the existence of a default and your
remedies for such a default will be determined by applicable law, by the terms
of any separate instrument creating the security interest and, to the extent not
prohibited by law and not contrary to the terms of the separate security
instrument, by the "Default" and "Remedies" paragraphs herein.

DEFAULT: I will be in default if any one or more of the following occur: (1) I
fail to make a payment on time or in the amount due; (2) I fail to keep the
property insured, if required; (3) I fail to pay, or keep any promise, on any
debt agreement I have with you; (4) any other creditor of mine attempts to
collect any debt I owe him through court proceedings; (5) I die, am declared
incompetent, make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or become
insolvent (either because my liabilities exceed my assets or I am unable to pay
my debts as they become due); (6) I make any written statement or provide any
financial information that is untrue or inaccurate at the time it was provided;
(7) I do or fail to do something which causes you to believe that you will have
difficulty collecting the amount I owe you; (8) any collateral securing this
note is used in a manner or for a purpose which threatens confiscation by a
legal authority; (9) I change my name or assume an additional name without first
notifying you before making such a change; (10) I fail to plant, cultivate and
harvest crops in due season if I am a producer of crops; (11) any loan proceeds
are used for a purpose that will contribute to excessive erosion of highly
erodible land or to the conversion of wetlands to produce an agricultural
commodity, as further explained in 7 C.F.R. Part 1940, Subsection G, Exhibit M.

REMEDIES: If I am in default on this note you have, but are not limited to, the
following remedies:

    (1) You may demand immediate payment of all I owe you under this note
        (principal, accrued unpaid interest and other accrued charges).

    (2) You may set off this debt against any right I have to the payment of
        money from you, subject to the terms of the "Set-Off" paragraph herein.

    (3) You may demand security, additional security, or additional parties to
        be obligated to pay this note as a condition for not using any other
        remedy.

    (4) You may refuse to make advances to me or allow purchases on credit by
        me.

    (5) You may use any remedy you have under state or federal law.

    By selecting any one or more of these remedies you do not give up your
        right to later use any other remedy. By waiving your right to declare an
        event to be default, you do not waive your right to later consider the
        event as a default if it continues or happens again.

COLLECTION COSTS AND ATTORNEY'S FEES: I agree to pay all costs of collection,
replevin or any other or similar type of cost if I am in default. In addition,
if you hire an attorney to collect this note, I also agree to pay any fee you
incur with such attorney plus court costs (except where prohibited by law). To
the extent permitted by the United States Bankruptcy Code, I also agree to pay
the reasonable attorney's fees and costs you incur to collect this debt as
awarded by an court exercising jurisdiction under the Bankruptcy Code.

WAIVER: I give up my rights to require you to do certain things. I will not
require you to:

    (1) demand payment of amounts due (presentment);

    (2) obtain official certification of nonpayment (protest); or

    (3) give notice that the amounts due have not been paid (notice of
        dishonor).

    I waive any defenses I have based on suretyship or impairment of collateral.

OBLIGATIONS INDEPENDENT: I understand that I must pay this note even if someone
else has also agreed to pay it (by, for example, signing this form or a separate
guarantee or endorsement). You may sue me alone, or anyone else who is obligated
on this note, or any number of us together, to collect this note. You may do so
without any notice that it has not been paid (notice of dishonor). Your may
without notice release any party of this agreement without releasing any other
party. If you give up any of your rights, with or without notice, it will not
affect my duty to pay this note. Any extension of new credit to any of us, or
renewal of this note by all or less than all of us will not release me from my
duty to pay it. (Of course, you are entitled to only one payment in full.) I
agree that you may at your option extend this note or the debt represented by
this note, or any portion of the note or debt, from time to time without limit
or notice and for any term without affecting my liability for payment of this
note. I will not assign my obligation under this agreement without your prior
written approval.

CREDIT INFORMATION: I agree and authorize you to obtain credit information about
me from time to time (for example, by requesting a credit report) and to report
to others your credit experience with me (such as a credit reporting agency). I
agree to provide you, upon request, any financial statement or information you
may deem necessary. I warrant that the financial statements and information I
provide to you are or will be accurate, correct and complete.

NOTICE: Unless otherwise required by law, any notice to me shall be given by
delivering it or by mailing it by first class mail addressed to me at my last
known address. My current address is on page 1. AI Agree to inform you in
writing of any changes in my address. I will give any notice to you by mailing
it first class to your address stated on page 1 of this agreement, or to any
other address that you have designated.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATE OF TRANSACTION     PRINCIPAL     BORROWER'S       PRINCIPAL       PRINCIPAL   INTEREST RATE   INTEREST PAYMENTS   INTEREST PAID
                         ADVANCE       INITIALS        PAYMENTS         BALANCE                                           THROUGH
                                          (not
                                        required)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                 <C>                                                                          <C>                 <C>
   /    /           $                             $                 $                         %  $                      /    /
------------------- --------------- ------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- ------------------- ---------------
   /    /           $                             $                 $                         %  $                      /    /
------------------- --------------- ------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- ------------------- ---------------
   /    /           $                             $                 $                         %  $                      /    /
------------------- --------------- ------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- ------------------- ---------------
   /    /           $                             $                 $                         %  $                      /    /
------------------- --------------- ------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- ------------------- ---------------
   /    /           $                             $                 $                         %  $                      /    /
------------------- --------------- ------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- ------------------- ---------------
   /    /           $                             $                 $                         %  $                      /    /
------------------- --------------- ------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- ------------------- ---------------
   /    /           $                             $                 $                         %  $                      /    /
------------------- --------------- ------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- ------------------- ---------------
   /    /           $                             $                 $                         %  $                      /    /
------------------- --------------- ------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- ------------------- ---------------
   /    /           $                             $                 $                         %  $                      /    /
------------------- --------------- ------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- ------------------- ---------------
   /    /           $                             $                 $                         %  $                      /    /
------------------- --------------- ------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- ------------------- ---------------
</TABLE>



UNIVERSAL NOTE
(C) 1984, 1991 Bankers System, Inc.,                               (page 2 of 2)
    St. Cloud, MN (1-800-397-2341) Form UN-AR 8/27/97