Exhibit 10.3**Confidential Correspondence**April 13, 2007[NAME][ADDRESS]Dear [FIRST NAME]:As you know, Universal Compression Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “Universal”) has signed amerger agreement with Hanover Compressor Company. Under the terms of the merger agreement, bothcompanies will be combined in a merger of equals to create a new company. While the merger isstill subject to regulatory and shareholder approval, we remain optimistic that these approvalswill be granted and the merger will close some time in the third quarter of 2007.As a key employee, your participation in Universal’s continuing operations during this process willbe critical to enable Universal to successfully consummate the merger. As a result we are pleasedto provide you with a “Retention Bonus” in the amount of $XXXX to encourage you to stay withUniversal through your “Key Dates.” For these purposes, your first Key Date will be the later of 6months after the closing date of the merger or April 30, 2008, and your second Key Date will be thelater of 12 months after the closing date of the merger or October 31, 2008. If you remain withthe Company or its successor (i) through your first Key Date, 50% of the Retention Bonus will bepaid to you in a single lump sum within 10 days after the first Key Date, and (ii) through yoursecond Key Date, the remaining 50% of the Retention Bonus will be paid to you in a single lump sumwithin 10 days after the second Key Date. If you terminate your employment with the Company or itssuccessor prior to either Key Date, you will forfeit your right to receive all unpaid amounts ofthe Retention Bonus. In the event that your employment is terminated by the Company or itssuccessor for any reason other than cause, you will be entitled to an accelerated payment of allunpaid amounts of your Retention Bonus within 10 days of such event. All Retention Bonus paymentsare subject to the terms, conditions and contingencies contained in the Universal CompressionHoldings, Inc. Retention Bonus Plan (the “Retention Plan”), a copy of which is included with thisletter.It is important that your Retention Bonus information be kept confidential, as it only pertains toyou. If you have any questions regarding this letter or the Retention Plan, please direct thosequestions to your Human Resources representative.This letter is not a contract of employment or an agreement of employment for a definite term.Except as otherwise required by applicable law, your employment remains terminable at will byeither party, at any time and for any reason or no reason. This letter may not be amended ormodified except through a written amendment signed by the Company or its successor and you. Thisletter is governed by and subject to the terms of the Retention Plan. In the event there aredifferences between the terms of this letter and the Retention Plan, please understand that theRetention Plan document controls.If you understand and agree to the above, please sign below and return to Rick Klein – Director ofHuman Resources. With your help, we can make this merger a success. We look forward to workingwith you during this exciting time.Sincerely,Executive OfficerAccepted and Agreed: