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                             AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
                                           

                                       between
                                           

                       EQUITY COMPRESSION SERVICES CORPORATION,
                                           

                             OEC ACQUISITION CORPORATION
                                           

                             OUACHITA ENERGY CORPORATION
                                           
                                         and
                                           
                                   DENNIS W. ESTIS
                                           
                                           
                               Dated as of May 15, 1997


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                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                      PAGE NO.
                                                                      --------

ARTICLE 1.............................................................    2 
    1.   THE MERGER...................................................    2 
         1.1  THE MERGER..............................................    2 
         1.2  THE CLOSING.............................................    2 
         1.3  EFFECTIVE TIME..........................................    2 
         1.4  SCHEDULES...............................................    2 
         1.5  DUE DILIGENCE PERIOD....................................    3 

ARTICLE 2.............................................................    3 
    2.   CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS OF THE
         SURVIVING CORPORATION........................................    3 
         2.1  CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION............................    3 
         2.2  BYLAWS..................................................    3 

ARTICLE 3.............................................................    3 
    3.   DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION..........    3 
         3.1  DIRECTORS...............................................    3 
         3.2  OFFICERS................................................    4 

ARTICLE 4.............................................................    4 
    4.   EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON SECURITIES OF MERGER SUB AND COMPANY.    4 
         4.2 COMPANY SECURITIES.......................................    4 
         4.3 EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING COMPANY 
             COMMON STOCK.............................................    5 

ARTICLE 5.............................................................
    5.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SHAREHOLDER.............    5 
         5.2  AUTHORIZATION, VALIDITY AND EFFECT OF AGREEMENTS........    6 
         5.3  CAPITALIZATION..........................................    6 
         5.4  OTHER INTERESTS.........................................    7 
         5.5  NO VIOLATION............................................    7 
         5.7  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS....................................    8 
         5.8  ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES..............................    9 
         5.9  TAXES...................................................   10 
         5.10 REORGANIZATION..........................................   11 
         5.11 CONTRACTS, AGREEMENTS, PLANS AND COMMITMENTS............   12 
         5.12 LITIGATION..............................................   13 
         5.13 TITLE TO PROPERTY; ABSENCE OF LIENS AND ENCUMBRANCES....   14 
         5.14 Employee Benefit Matters................................   15 
         5.15 LEASES..................................................   16 
         5.16 INSURANCE...............................................   16 
         5.17 PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHTS......................   17 
         5.18 PERMITS.................................................   17 

                                     -ii- 
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         5.19 PERSONNEL DATA; LABOR RELATIONS.........................   17 
         5.20 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS....................................   19 
         5.21 INVENTORY...............................................   19 
         5.22 TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES.......................   19 
         5.23 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE................................   19 
         5.24 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLES....................................   21 
         5.25 CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS.................................   22 
         5.26 IMPROPER PAYMENTS.......................................   22 
         5.27 NO BROKER...............................................   22 
         5.28 WARRANTY CLAIMS.........................................   23 
         5.29 INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION...............................   23 
         5.31 LIST OF BANK ACCOUNTS...................................   24 
         5.32 COMPLETENESS OF SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS; FULL DISCLOSURE.   24 

ARTICLE 6.............................................................   24 
    6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB........   24 
         6.1  EXISTENCE; GOOD STANDING; CORPORATE
              AUTHORITY; COMPLIANCE WITH LAW..........................   24 
         6.2  AUTHORIZATION, VALIDITY AND EFFECT OF AGREEMENTS........   25 
         6.3  Capitalization..........................................   25 
         6.4  Subsidiaries............................................   26 
         6.5  Other Interests.........................................   26 
         6.6  NO VIOLATION............................................   27 
         6.7  SEC DOCUMENTS...........................................   27 
         6.8  ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES..............................   28 
         6.9  LITIGATION..............................................   29 
         6.10 TAXES...................................................   30 
         6.11 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS....................................   30 
         6.12 CONTRACTS, AGREEMENTS, PLANS AND COMMITMENTS............   30 
         6.13 Employee Benefit Matters................................   31 
         6.14 Environmental Compliance................................   32 
         6.15 INSURANCE...............................................   33 
         6.16 PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHTS......................   33 
         6.17 PERMITS.................................................   34 
         6.18 PERSONNEL DATA; LABOR RELATIONS.........................   34 
         6.19 PARENT COMMON STOCK.....................................   35 
         6.20 CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES..................................   35 
         6.21 NO BROKERS..............................................   35 
         6.22 MERGER REPRESENTATIONS..................................   36 
         6.23 Customers and Suppliers.................................   36 
         6.24 IMPROPER PAYMENTS.......................................   36 
         6.25 COMPLETENESS OF SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS; FULL DISCLOSURE.   37 

ARTICLE 7.............................................................   37 
         7.1  Covenants of the Company and the Shareholder............   37 
              (A)  CERTAIN CHANGES....................................   37 
              (B)  OPERATION OF BUSINESS..............................   38 
              (C)  ACCESS.............................................   38 
              (D)  REASONABLE COMMERCIAL EFFORTS......................   39 
              (E)  PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS...............................   39 


                                     -iii- 
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              (F)  NOTICE.............................................   39 
              (G)  EXCLUSIVITY........................................   39 
              (H)  Reorganization.....................................   40 
              (I)  LEASE FOR FARM PROPERTY............................   40 
              (J)  PARENT COMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP......................   40 
         7.2  Covenants of the Merger Sub.............................   40 
              (A)  CERTAIN CHANGES....................................   40 
              (B)  OPERATION OF BUSINESS..............................   41 
              (C)  ACCESS.............................................   42 
              (D)  REASONABLE COMMERCIAL EFFORTS......................   42 
              (E)  PRESERVATION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS..................   42 
              (F)  PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS...............................   42 
              (G)  CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION...........................   42 
              (H)  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS................................   43 
              (I)  EMPLOYEE BENEFITS..................................   43 
              (J)  MERGER.............................................   43 

ARTICLE 8.............................................................   44 
         8.   CONDITIONS..............................................   44 
              8.1  CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE
              MERGER SUB AND THE PARENT...............................   44 
              (A)  COMPLIANCE.........................................   44 
              (B)  OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE..............................   44 
              (C)  LEGAL OPINION......................................   44 
              (D)  NO ORDERS..........................................   45 
              (E)  SECRETARY'S CLOSING CERTIFICATE....................   45 
              (F)  ABSENCE OF LITIGATION..............................   45 
              (G)  THIRD PARTY CONSENTS...............................   45 
              (H)  LEGISLATION........................................   45 
              (I)  TERMINATION OF EXISTING LEASE......................   45 
              (J)  EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT................................   46 
              (K)  OTHER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT.........................   46 
              (L)  MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE............................   46 
              (M)  BANK ACCOUNTS......................................   46 
              (N)  ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW REPORT........................   46 
              (O)  FINANCING..........................................   46 
              (P)  REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT......................   46 
              (R)  ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT...........................   46 
              (S)  INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT..........................   46 
              (T)  Shareholder Approval...............................   46 
              (U)  Reorganization.....................................   47 
         8.2  Conditions to the Obligations of the Company
              and the Shareholder.....................................   47 
              (A)  COMPLIANCE.........................................   47 
              (B)  OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE..............................   47 
              (C)  LEGAL OPINION......................................   47 
              (D)  NO ORDERS..........................................   47 
              (E)  ACTIONS AND PROCEDURES.............................   47 
              (F)  THE SHAREHOLDER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER
                   EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS..............................   47 
              (G)  BOARD SEATS........................................   48 
              (H)  REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT......................   48 
              (I)  ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT...........................   48 
              (J)  The Indemnification Agreement......................   48 


                                     -iv- 
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              (K)  SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL...............................   48 
              (L)  ABSENCE OF LITIGATION..............................   48 
              (M)  THIRD PARTY CONSENTS...............................   48 
              (N)  Reorganization.....................................   48 

ARTICLE 9.............................................................   48 
    9.   TERMINATION..................................................   48 
         9.1  GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION.................................   48 
         9.2  EFFECT OF TERMINATION...................................   49 

ARTICLE 10............................................................   50 
         10.1   SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND 
                AGREEMENTS............................................   50 
         10.2   Notices...............................................   50 
         10.3   Assignment, Binding Effect............................   51 
         10.4   ENTIRE AGREEMENT......................................   51 
         10.5   AMENDMENT.............................................   52 
         10.6   GOVERNING LAW.........................................   52 
         10.7   COUNTERPARTS..........................................   52 
         10.8   HEADINGS..............................................   52 
         10.9   INTERPRETATION........................................   52 
         10.10  Waivers...............................................   52 
         10.11  GENERAL INTERPRETIVE PRINCIPLES.......................   53 
         10.12  Reproduction of Documents.............................   53 
         10.13  SEVERABILITY..........................................   54 
         10.14  ENFORCEMENT OF AGREEMENT..............................   54 
         10.15  SUBSIDIARIES..........................................   54 
         10.16  CHANGES IN APPLICABLE LAW.............................   54 

                                     -v-
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                             AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
                                           
    This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "Agreement"), dated as of May 15, 
1997, by and between EQUITY COMPRESSION SERVICES CORPORATION, an Oklahoma 
corporation (the "Parent"), OEC ACQUISITION CORPORATION, a Delaware 
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (the "Merger Sub"), 
OUACHITA ENERGY CORPORATION, a Louisiana corporation (the "Company") and 
DENNIS W. ESTIS (the "Shareholder").  The Parent, the Merger Sub, the Company 
and the Shareholder are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the 
"Parties" and individually as a "Party".

                                       RECITALS
                                           
    WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Parent and Company each have 
determined that a business combination between Parent and Company is in the 
best interests of their respective companies and stockholders and presents an 
opportunity for their respective companies to achieve long-term strategic and 
financial benefits, and accordingly, have agreed to effect the merger 
provided for herein (the "Merger") upon the terms and subject to the 
conditions set forth herein; and

    WHEREAS, it is intended that, for federal income tax purposes, that the
Merger will qualify as a reorganization under the provisions of Sections
368(a)(1)(A) and 368(a)(2)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"); and 

    WHEREAS, the Parent, the Merger Sub, Ouachita Energy Partners, Ltd., a 
Louisiana corporation ("OEP"), Ouachita Compression Group, LLC., a Louisiana 
limited liability corporation ("OEG") and the Shareholder are parties to an 
Asset Purchase and Sales Agreement dated as of May 15, 1997 (the "Asset 
Purchase Agreement") under which the Merger Sub will acquire all or 
substantially all of the assets of and assume certain liabilities of OEP and 
OEG (collectively, the "Sellers") and acquire certain assets of the 
Shareholder; and

    WHEREAS, the Parent is the sole stockholder of the Merger Sub; and

    WHEREAS, the Shareholder is the principal shareholder/owner of each of 
the Sellers and the Company (collectively referred to herein as the 
"Companies"); and

    WHEREAS, the Parent, the Merger Sub, the Company and the Shareholder 
desire to make certain representations, warranties and agreements in 
connection with the Merger.

                                         -1- 
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    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the respective
representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and conditions contained
herein, and after good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound,
hereby contract and agree as follows:

                                      ARTICLE 1
                                           
    1.   THE MERGER.

    1.1  THE MERGER.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at
the Effective Time (as hereinafter defined), the Company shall be merged with
and into the Merger Sub in accordance with this Agreement, and the separate
corporate existence of the Company shall thereupon cease (the "Merger").  The
Merger Sub shall be the surviving corporation in the Merger (sometimes
hereinafter referred to as the "Surviving Corporation").  The Merger shall have
the effects specified in the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL") and
Section 115 of the Louisiana Business Corporation Law (the "LBCL").

    1.2  THE CLOSING.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
the closing of the Merger (the "Closing") shall take place (a) at the offices of
Schlanger, Mills, Mayer & Grossberg, LLP at 10:00 a.m., local time, on the first
business day immediately following the day on which the last to be fulfilled or
waived of the conditions set forth in Article 8 shall be fulfilled or waived in
accordance herewith or (b) at such other time, date or place as Parent and
Company may agree.  The date on which the Closing occurs is hereinafter referred
to as the "Closing Date."

    1.3  EFFECTIVE TIME.  If all the conditions to the Merger set forth in 
Article 8 shall have been fulfilled or waived in accordance herewith and this 
Agreement shall not have been terminated as provided in Article 9, the 
parties hereto shall cause a Certificate of Merger meeting the requirements 
of Section 251 of the DGCL and Section 112 of the LBCL to be properly 
executed and filed in accordance with such Section on the Closing Date.   The 
Merger shall become effective at the time of filing of the Certificate of 
Merger with the Secretaries of State of the States of Delaware and Louisiana 
in accordance with the DGCL and the LBCL or at such later time which the 
Parties shall have agreed upon and designated in such filing as the effective 
time of the Merger (the "Effective Time").

    1.4  SCHEDULES.  The Parties agree that each Party shall prepare and
deliver to the other Parties the schedules called for in this Agreement as
promptly as possible following the execution of this Agreement but in all events
prior to May 30, 1997 (the "Schedule Delivery Date").  The Parties acknowledge
that, as set 

                                         -2- 
<PAGE>

forth in the Confidentiality Agreement (as hereafter defined), the contracts 
and disclosures contained therein will omit the identity of the customers of 
each of the Parent and the Company, however each such Party shall disclose 
such information no later than three business days prior to the Closing.

    1.5  DUE DILIGENCE PERIOD.  The Parties agree that the obligation of the
Parties to close the transaction evidenced by this Agreement is subject to the
satisfactory completion by each Party of its due diligence on or before June
18, 1997 (the "Due Diligence Expiration Date").  If any Party elects not to
close, then such Party may cancel this Agreement by mailing or otherwise sending
to the other Parties written notice of its intent to terminate this Agreement
within five business days following the Due Diligence Expiration Date (the
"Termination Notice").  Upon mailing or otherwise sending to other Parties the
Termination Notice, the terminating Party and its affiliate (i.e. the Sellers
and the Shareholders on one hand and the Merger Sub and the Parent on the other
hand) shall be deemed released from all of their respective obligations,
liabilities, and duties under this Agreement and this Agreement shall be
considered to be terminated and of no further force or effect as of such date
except for any confidentiality obligations contained herein or in the
Confidentiality Agreement (as hereinafter defined).

                                      ARTICLE 2
                                           
    2.   CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION.

    2.1  CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.  The Certificate of Incorporation of the
Merger Sub in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, until duly amended in
accordance with applicable laws; provided, however, the name of the Merger Sub
shall be changed to be the same as the Company.

    2.2  BYLAWS.  The Bylaws of the Merger Sub in effect immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, until duly
amended in accordance with applicable law.

                                      ARTICLE 3
                                           
    3.   DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION.

    3.1  DIRECTORS.  The directors of the Merger Sub immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation as of the
Effective Time and until their successors are duly appointed or elected in
accordance with applicable law.

                                         -3- 
<PAGE>

    3.2  OFFICERS.  The officers of the Merger Sub immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation as of the
Effective Time and until their successors are duly appointed or elected in
accordance with applicable law.

                                      ARTICLE 4
                                           
    4.   EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON SECURITIES OF MERGER SUB AND COMPANY.

    4.1  MERGER SUB STOCK.  At the Effective Time, each share of common stock,
$0.01 par value, of the Merger Sub outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be converted into and exchanged for one validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable share of common stock, $0.01 par value, of the
Surviving Corporation.

    4.2 COMPANY SECURITIES.

    (a)  At the Effective Time, all of the shares of common stock $1.00 par
value per share of the Company (the "Company Common Stock") issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action on part of the holder thereof, be converted into
seven million six hundred thousand (7,600,000) shares (the "Merger
Consideration") of Parent Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share ("Parent
Common Stock").  Set forth on Schedule 4.2(A) attached hereto is an allocation
of the Merger Consideration among the shareholders of the Company.  The
Shareholder and the other shareholders of the Company (collectively the "Company
Shareholders") will prior to the Schedule Delivery Date authorize and direct the
Merger Sub and the Parent to pay and/or deliver the Merger Consideration in
accordance with the allocation set forth on such Schedule.

    (b)  As a result of the Merger and without any action on the part of the
holder thereof, at the Effective Time all shares of Company Common Stock shall
cease to be outstanding and shall be cancelled and retired and shall cease to
exist, and each holder of shares of Company Common Stock shall thereafter cease
to have any rights with respect to such shares of Company Common Stock, except
the right to receive, without interest, the Parent Common Stock upon the
surrender of a certificate (a "Company Certificate") representing such shares of
Company Common Stock.

    (c)  Each share of Company Common Stock issued and held in Company's
treasury at the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger, cease to be
outstanding and shall be cancelled and retired without payment of any
consideration therefor.

    (d)   All options (individually, a "Company Option" and collectively, the
"Company Options") outstanding at the Effective 

                                         -4- 
<PAGE>

Time under any Company stock option plan (the "Company Stock Option Plans") 
shall be cancelled as of the Effective Time. 

    4.3  EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING COMPANY COMMON STOCK.

    (a)  As of the Effective Time, Parent shall issue to the Company 
Shareholders certificates representing the shares of Parent Common Stock 
(such certificates representing shares of Parent Common Stock in exchange for 
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock as set forth on Schedule 4.2(a).  
The Company Shareholders shall deliver their Company Certificates 
representing all outstanding shares of Company Common Stock for cancellation 
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

    (b) At or after the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on the 
stock transfer books of Company of the shares of Company Common Stock which 
were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.  If, after the 
Effective Time, Company Certificates are presented to the Surviving 
Corporation, they shall be cancelled and exchanged for certificates for 
shares of Parent Common Stock deliverable in respect thereof pursuant to this 
Agreement in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article 4. 

    (c)  In the event any Company Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or 
destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person 
claiming such Company Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and in 
which such person agrees to indemnify and hold the Surviving Corporation 
harmless against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such 
Company Certificate, the Surviving Corporation will issue in exchange for 
such lost, stolen or destroyed Company Certificate the shares of Parent 
Common Stock deliverable in respect thereof pursuant to this Agreement.

                                      ARTICLE 5
                                           
    5.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SHAREHOLDER. The Shareholder 
represents and warrants to the Parent and the Merger Sub as to the following:

    5.1  EXISTENCE, GOOD STANDING, CORPORATE AUTHORITY, COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. 
The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good 
standing under the laws of the State of Louisiana.   The Company is duly 
licensed or qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good 
standing under the laws of any other state of the United States in which the 
character of the properties owned or leased by it or in which the transaction 
of its business makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure 
to be so qualified or to be in good standing would not have a material 
adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, 

                                         -5- 
<PAGE>

results of operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the 
Company and the Sellers on a combined basis (a "Company Material Adverse 
Effect").  The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to 
own, operate and lease its properties and carry on its business as now 
conducted.  The Company and the Shareholder will deliver to the Merger Sub 
true, correct and complete copies of the Certificates or Articles of 
Incorporation and bylaws, regulations or equivalent governing instruments, 
each as amended to the date hereof, of the Company on or prior to the 
Schedule Delivery Date. 

    5.2  AUTHORIZATION, VALIDITY AND EFFECT OF AGREEMENTS.  Subject to the 
approval of the Company Shareholders in accordance with applicable law, the 
execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the Shareholder, 
the performance by the Company and the Shareholder of all the terms and 
conditions hereof to be performed by the Company and the Shareholder and the 
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly 
authorized and approved by all requisite action (shareholder and board 
approval and otherwise) on the part of the Company.  The shareholders of the 
Company have approved or prior to the Schedule Delivery Date will approve the 
allocation of the Merger Consideration set forth on Schedule 4.2(A). Subject 
to the approval of the Company Shareholders, this Agreement constitutes the 
valid and binding obligation of each of the Company and the Shareholder 
enforceable against each of the Company and the Shareholder in accordance 
with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, 
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the rights 
of creditors generally and by general equitable principles (whether or not 
such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

    5.3  CAPITALIZATION.  The authorized capital stock of Company consists of 
1,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock at $1.00 par value.  As of the date 
hereof, there were the number of shares of Company Common Stock set forth on 
Schedule 5.3 issued and outstanding.  The Company has no outstanding bonds, 
debentures, notes or other obligations the holders of which have the right to 
vote (or which are convertible into or exercisable for securities having the 
right to vote) with the stockholders of the Company on any matter.  All 
issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock are duly authorized, 
validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights.  
Except as set forth on Schedule 5.3 hereof, there are not, at the date of 
this Agreement, any existing options, warrants, calls, subscriptions, 
convertible securities, or other rights, agreements or commitments which 
obligate the Company to issue, transfer or sell any 

                                         -6- 
<PAGE>

shares of capital stock of Company.  After the Effective Time, the Surviving 
Corporation will have no obligation to issue, transfer or sell any shares of 
capital stock of Company or the Surviving Corporation pursuant to any Company 
Benefit Plan (as defined in Section 5.10). (((MARK)))

    5.4   OTHER INTERESTS.  The Company does not own, directly or indirectly, 
any interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any corporation, 
partnership, joint venture, business, trust or entity other than investments, 
in short term investment securities and corporate partnering, development, 
cooperative marketing and similar undertakings entered into in the ordinary 
course of business.

    5.5   NO VIOLATION.  Neither the execution and delivery by Company of 
this Agreement nor, subject to the approval of the Company's Shareholders as 
set forth herein, the consummation by Company of the transactions 
contemplated hereby in accordance with the terms hereof, will: (i) conflict 
with or result in a breach of any provisions of the Certificate of 
Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company; (ii) result in a breach or violation 
of, a default under, or the triggering of any payment or other material 
obligations pursuant to, or accelerate vesting under, any of its existing 
Company Stock Option Plans, or any grant or award made under any of the 
foregoing; (iii) violate, conflict with, result in a breach of any provision 
of, constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or 
both, would constitute a default) under, result in the termination or in a 
right of termination or cancellation of, accelerate the performance required 
by, result in the triggering of any payment or other material obligations 
pursuant to, result in the creation of any lien, security interest, charge or 
encumbrance upon any of the material properties of Companies or any of them 
under, or result in being declared void, voidable, or without further binding 
effect, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, 
mortgage, indenture, deed of trust or any material license, franchise, 
permit, lease, contract, agreement or other instrument, commitment or 
obligation to which any of the Companies is a party, or by which any of the 
Companies or any of their respective properties is bound or affected, except 
for any of the foregoing matters which would not have a Company Material 
Adverse Effect; or (iv) other than the filings provided for in Article 1 
require any material consent, approval or authorization of, or declaration, 
filing or registration with, any domestic governmental or regulatory 
authority, the failure to obtain or make which would have a Company Material 
Adverse Effect.

    5.6  NO DEFAULT; COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS.  Except as set 
forth on Schedule 5.6 attached hereto, neither the Shareholder (as to the 
business of the Companies) nor any of the Companies are in default or in 
violation of, and no condition exists that with notice or lapse of time or 
both would constitute a default or violation of (i) any loan, contract, note, 
instrument, 

                                         -7- 
<PAGE>

or agreement, or (ii) law, rules or regulations applicable to any of the 
Companies or the Shareholder and there are no Orders (as defined in the Asset 
Agreement) by any Governmental Body (as defined in the Asset Agreement) or 
rendered against affecting any of the Companies.

    5.7  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  The Company and the Shareholder heretofore 
have delivered to the Merger Sub and the Parent copies of (i) the audited 
combined balance sheets of the Companies as of November 30, 1996 and 1995 and 
the related statements of income and cash flows for such periods (the "Annual 
Financial Statements"); and (ii) the unaudited combined balance sheet of the 
Companies as of March 31, 1997 (the "Balance Sheet Date") together with the 
related statements of income and cash flows for the four (4) month period 
then ended (the "Interim Financial Statements").

    The Annual Financial Statements and the Interim Financial Statements are 
collectively referred to as the "Financial Statements").  The Financial 
Statements present fairly, in accordance with GAAP (as hereinafter defined), 
the financial position of the Companies on a combined basis as of the dates 
indicated and the results of operations and changes in financial position of 
the Companies on a combined basis, for the periods reflected in the Financial 
Statements, except that the Interim Financial Statements do not contain 
customary footnote disclosures and are subject to normal year end 
adjustments. None of the Companies have any debt or liability of any kind, 
whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, including, without 
limitation, any debt or liability on account of taxes or any governmental 
charges or penalty, interest or fines, except as reflected in the Financial 
Statements or in a schedule attached to this Agreement other than liabilities 
or obligations incurred by the applicable Company in the ordinary course of 
business after the period covered by such Financial Statements.  All material 
income of each of the Companies as reflected on the Financial Statements 
consists solely of ordinary operating profits and none of such income 
consists of (i) income from a source other than operations of the business of 
the Companies or (ii) a transaction outside the ordinary course of business 
of the Companies, (whether or not such transaction would otherwise be 
considered extraordinary under GAAP).  "GAAP" means generally accepted 
accounting principles set forth in the Opinions of the Accounting Principles 
Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and in 
statements by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other 
statement by such other entity as may be generally recognized as the 
successors for the aforementioned; and shall also mean the accounting 
principles observed in a current period are comparable in all material 
respects to those applied in a preceding period unless specific exemption is 
noted in the financial statements where a change of accounting method, 
principle or presentation has occurred.

                                         -8- 
<PAGE>

    5.8  ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES.  Except as disclosed to the Merger Sub in
this Agreement, the Financial Statements, Schedule 5.8 attached hereto, or in
any other schedule to this Agreement, since the Balance Sheet Date, there has
not been:

         (i)  any material adverse change in the business, properties, assets 
     of the Companies (or any of them) other than changes caused by general 
     conditions in the industry in which the Companies transact business;

         (ii) any damages, destruction or loss, whether covered by insurance 
     or not, which has had, or might be expected to have, a Company Material 
     Adverse Effect;

         (iii) any material change by the Companies (or any of them) in 
     accounting methods or principles which would be required to be disclosed 
     under GAAP;

         (iv) any issuance by the Companies or any of them of any shares of 
     capital stock;

         (v)  any sale, lease or other disposition of properties and assets 
     of the Companies (or any of them), except in the ordinary course of 
     business;

         (vi) any merger or consolidation of the Companies (or any of them) 
     with any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, person
     or entity or any acquisition by the Companies (or any of them) of the 
     stock or business of another corporation, partnership, limited liability 
     company or other entity;

         (vii) any borrowing, or agreement to borrow funds, by the Companies 
     (or any of them) or any termination or material amendment of any evidence
     of indebtedness, contract, agreement, deed, mortgage, lease, license or 
     other instrument, commitment or agreement to which the Companies (or any 
     of them) are bound or by which their properties are bound and is material
     to the business, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operation
     or prospects of the Companies (or any of them);

         (viii) any declaration or payment of any dividend on, or any other 
     distribution with respect to, the equity securities of the Companies (or 
     any of them);

         (ix) any material increase in the compensation payable or to become 
     payable by the Companies (or any of them) to the directors, officers or 
     employees of Companies (or any of them) or the Shareholder, or any 
     increase in benefits or benefit plan costs (other than costs outside of 
     the control of the 

                                         -9- 
<PAGE>

     Companies), or any increase in any bonus, insurance, pension, compensation
     or other benefit plan made for or with or covering any directors, officers
     or directors;

         (x)  any reclassification of any asset or liability;

         (xi) any amendment, modification, or termination of any material 
     contract, agreement, plan or commitment;

         (xii) any mortgage, pledge, grant of any lien or security interest 
     or other encumbrance of any asset of the Companies (or any of them);

         (xiii) any waiver or release of any material right or claim of the 
     Companies (or any of them) that singly, or in the aggregate, is material 
     to the business, assets, condition (financial or otherwise), results of 
     operation or prospects of the Companies (or any of them);

         (xiv) any significant labor trouble or any damage, destruction or 
     loss of property by fire or other casualty, whether or not covered by 
     insurance, adversely affecting the property, assets, condition (financial
     or otherwise), prospects of the Companies (or any of them) or any related 
     property;

         (xv) removal, from any building, facility or real property of any of 
     the assets of the Companies (or any of them);

         (xvi) any transactions between or with affiliates of the Companies 
     (or any of them) or the Shareholder, except as set forth on Schedule 
     3.01(S) of the Asset Purchase Agreement; or

         (xvii) any contract, understanding or commitment to do any of the 
     foregoing.
 
     5.9  TAXES.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.9 attached hereto:

         (i)  The Companies have each timely filed or caused to be timely 
     filed all material federal, state and local tax returns for taxes, and
     all such tax returns are proper, complete and accurate and copies of 
     which have been delivered to the Merger Sub.

         (ii) The Companies have paid or caused to be paid all taxes which have
     become due, except for taxes the failure of which to pay would not have a
     Company Material Adverse Effect.

                                         -10- 
<PAGE>

         (iii) The amounts set up as provisions for taxes on the Interim 
    Financial Statements (and the notes and year-end accruals attached thereto)
    are sufficient for the payment of all accrued and unpaid taxes of any kind,
    except for taxes the failure of which to pay would not have a Company 
    Material Adverse Effect.

         (iv) Neither Companies (or any of them) nor the Shareholder have 
    received or have no knowledge of any notice of deficiency or assessment with
    respect to the Companies (or any of them) or any basis for any of the 
    foregoing, from any taxing authorities.   Neither the Companies (or any of 
    them) nor the Shareholder has been notified by the IRS that the IRS intends 
    to audit the federal income tax returns of the Companies (or any of them) or
    the Shareholder.

         (v)  There is no litigation, governmental or other proceeding 
    (formal or informal), or investigation pending, or, to the Shareholder's 
    knowledge, threatened with respect to any such federal, state or local 
    income tax return. There are no tax liens upon, pending against or, to the
    knowledge of the Company or the Shareholder, threatened against any property
    of the Companies or any of them.

         (vi) Neither the Companies (or any of them) or the Shareholder have 
    given or been requested to give any waiver of any statute of limitations 
    related to the payment of any foreign, federal, state or local tax.

         (vii) The amounts withheld by each of the Companies and paid to the 
    appropriate Governmental Body for all periods include all amounts necessary 
    to fully and completely comply with all withholding provisions of applicable
    law.

         (viii) To the best of the Shareholder's knowledge, consummation of 
    the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not result in the 
    imposition or creation of any tax obligation on any of the Companies.

    Other than the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 5.10,
5.14 and 5.19, the representations and warranties contained in this Section 5.9
are intended to the be sole representations and warranties of the Shareholder
with respect to compliance by the Companies with tax laws.

    5.10 REORGANIZATION.  With respect to the qualification of the Merger as 
a reorganization within the meaning of Sections 368(a)(1)(A) and 368(a)(2)(D) 
of the Code: (a) to the best knowledge of Shareholder, there is no plan or 
intention on the part of Company Shareholders to sell, exchange, or otherwise 
dispose of a number of shares of Parent Common Stock received in the Merger 

                                         -11- 
<PAGE>

that would reduce the Company Shareholders' ownership of Parent Common Stock 
to a number of shares of Parent Common Stock having a value, as of the date 
of the Merger, of less than 50 percent of the value of all of the formerly 
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock as of the same date, provided, 
that shares of Company Common Stock and Parent Common Stock held by holders 
of Company Common Stock and otherwise sold, redeemed or disposed of prior or 
subsequent to the Merger will be considered in making this representation; as 
of the Effective Time and immediately following the Merger, the Company will 
hold at least 90 percent of the fair market value of its net assets and at 
least 70 percent of the fair market value of its gross assets held immediately 
prior to the Merger, provided that all redemptions and distributions (except 
for regular, normal dividends) made by the Company will be included as assets 
of the Company immediately prior to the Merger; at the time of the Merger, 
the Company will not have outstanding any warrants, options, convertible 
securities or any other type of right pursuant to which any person could 
acquire Company Stock that, if exercised or converted, would affect Parent's 
acquisition or retention of control of Company, as defined in Section 368(c) 
of the Code; the Company is not an investment company as defined in Sections 
368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv) of the Code; on the date of the Merger, the fair 
market value of the assets of the Company will exceed the sum of its liabilities
plus (without duplication) the amount of liabilities, if any, to which the 
assets are subject; the Company is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a 
title 11 or similar case within the meaning of Section 368(a)(3)(A) of the 
Code; to the best of the Shareholder's knowledge, none of the compensation 
received by any shareholder-employees of the Company will be separate 
consideration for, or allocable to, any of their shares of Company Stock; to 
the best of the Shareholder's knowledge, none of the Parent Common Stock 
received by any shareholder-employees of the Company will be separate 
consideration for, or allocable to, any employment agreement; to the best of 
the Shareholder's knowledge, the compensation paid to any shareholder-employees
of the Company will be for services actually rendered and will be commensurate 
with amounts paid to third parties bargaining at arm's-length for similar 
services; to the best of the Shareholder's knowledge, the compensation paid to 
the Shareholder for the Farm Lease will be for the use of property actually 
provided and will be commensurate with amounts paid to third parties bargaining 
at arm's-length for the use of similar property; and no intercorporate 
indebtedness between Parent and the Company or between Merger Sub and the 
Company has been issued or acquired at a discount.

    5.11 CONTRACTS, AGREEMENTS, PLANS AND COMMITMENTS.  Schedule 5.11 attached
hereto sets forth a list or summary of all the material contracts, notes,
instruments, indentures, documents, agreements, plans and commitments, including
all amendments, modifications and supplements thereto (written or oral), to
which 

                                         -12- 
<PAGE>

the Companies (or any of them) are a party or by which the Companies (or
any of them) or any of their assets or properties are bound as of the date
hereof, provided, however, that as set forth in the Confidentiality Agreement
dated April 28, 1997 (the "Confidentiality Agreement"), the identity of the
customers of the Companies will be not be disclosed until three business days
prior to the Closing (the "Customer Disclosure").  For the purposes of this
Section 5.11 a contract shall be considered material if such contract or any
series of related or similar contracts involving the same subject matter
involves $100,000 or more of services to be rendered or obligations in any
twelve month period.  Also set forth on Schedule 5.11 is a list of all
agreements for the provision of compression services by the Companies
identifying the horsepower or type of equipment being leased, the amount of the
rental for such contract and the term of such contract, provided, however that
until the Customer Disclosure Date, such schedule will not include any
information concerning the location of such equipment or the identity of the
customer of the Companies with respect to such contract.  The Companies have
each complied with the provisions of all of their respective contracts and, to
the best of the Shareholder's knowledge, no default or event of default exists
under any of such agreements and such agreements constitute valid and legally
binding obligations of each of the Companies (or any of them) and, to the best
of the Shareholder's knowledge, of each other person, corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, governmental body or other entity (collectively a
"Person") that is a party thereto enforceable against each party in accordance
with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the rights of
creditors generally and by general equitable principles (whether or not such
enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).  The
contracts listed on such schedule comprise all of the contracts, agreements,
plans and commitments required in order to conduct the business of the Companies
as it has been and is now conducted, and, subject to receipt of the consents
listed on Schedule 5.11, all of such Contracts are transferable and will be
transferred to Merger Sub under and in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.

    5.12 LITIGATION.  Except as set forth in Schedule 5.12 attached hereto:

         (i)  There are no claims, proceedings or lawsuits pending or, to the
    knowledge of the Shareholder, threatened against the Companies (or any of
    them); and 

         (ii) None of the Companies are charged with a violation of, or, to 
    the knowledge of the Shareholder, threatened with a charge of a violation
    of, any provision of any law, rule or regulation or any Order. 

                                         -13- 
<PAGE>

    5.13 TITLE TO PROPERTY; ABSENCE OF LIENS AND ENCUMBRANCES.  Schedule 5.13
attached hereto contains a true, accurate and complete description of all real
property owned by the Shareholder on which the business of the Companies is
conducted.  Schedule 5.13 attached hereto contains a true, accurate and complete
list and description of all leasehold improvements and equipment, and of all
other tangible personal property and assets now owned by each of the Companies.
The Companies each own and have good and marketable title to all its respective
tangible personal properties, whether or not listed in Schedule 5.13 (except to
the extent such tangible personal properties are leased) free and clear of all
liens, security, interests, charges or encumbrances, except for (i) landlord
liens, (ii) rights of the real property on which the Companies' compression
equipment is located, and (iii) liens for taxes not yet due and owing.  The
Shareholder has good and indefeasible title to the Real Property in fee simple
and no improvement or structure on the Real Property encroaches on any adjacent
property.  To the best of the Shareholder's knowledge, the Real Property does
not violate any provisions of any applicable building code, fire, health, or
safety regulation, or any governmental ordinance, orders or regulations. No
condition exists with respect to the Real Property which would prevent, or
require repair or modification thereof as a prerequisite to, the Merger Sub
using the Real Property for the conduct of the business of the Companies.  To
the best of the Shareholder's knowledge, the zoning classification of the Real
Property is such that the Real Property may be used as currently used in the
business of the Companies.  There is no pending or, to the best of the
Shareholder's knowledge, threatened condemnation or similar proceeding or
assessment affecting the Real Property, or any part thereof.  The Companies each
have title policies in full force and effect for the Real Property insuring
title on such property (without title exceptions that will adversely affect
either the market value or marketable title of the Real Property) for at least
the amount reflected on the Interim Financial Statements as the book value of
such property.  To the best of the Company's and the Shareholder's knowledge,
such title policies are with solvent and financially responsible title
companies.  Except as shown in Schedule 5.13 attached to this Agreement, the
tangible personal property owned by each of the Companies and in use or leased
to third parties is in good condition and repair, is adequate in quantity and
quality to operate the Business as it has been and is now conducted and, to the
best of the Shareholder's knowledge, in compliance with all applicable laws,
rules and regulations (including without limitation any zoning ordinance), and
is all the property necessary to the operation of the Business as it has been
and is now being conducted and will be available for immediate use by the Merger
Sub on the Closing Date.

                                         -14- 
<PAGE>

    5.14  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT MATTERS.

          (i)  Schedule 6.13 attached hereto sets forth each "employee 
    benefit plan" (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA), stock purchase 
    plan, stock option plan, fringe benefit plan, bonus plan and any other 
    deferred compensation agreement or plan or funding arrangement sponsored, 
    maintained or to which contributions are made (a "Company Plan") by any of 
    the Companies or any of their affiliates or any other organization which is 
    a member of a controlled group of organizations (within the meaning of 
    Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code of which any of the Companies 
    is a member.

          (ii) The Company has delivered to the Company current, accurate and 
    complete copies of each Company Plan (including all trust agreements, 
    funding vehicles and other instruments relating thereto) and, to the extent
    applicable, copies of the most recent (a) Internal Revenue Service 
    determination letter and any outstanding request for a determination letter
    for each Company Plan; (b) Form 5500; (c) attorneys' response to an 
    auditor's request for information for any Company Plan; and (d) any ruling 
    letter and any outstanding request for a ruling letter with respect to the 
    tax-exempt status of any voluntary employees' beneficiary association 
    ("VEBA") which is implementing any Company Plan.

          (iii) With respect to each Company Plan: (a) each Company Plan which 
    is an "employee pension benefit plan" (as such term is defined in ERISA 
    Section 3(2)) has received a favorable determination letter as to its 
    qualification under the Code; (b) each VEBA which is intended to implement 
    any Company Plan has received a favorable ruling or determination letters to
    its tax-exempt status; (c) all forms, documents and other materials have 
    been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise 
    distributed as required by the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act or
    any regulation or rule promulgated thereunder; and (d) there are no leased 
    employees (as such term is defined in Code Section 414(n)) that must be 
    taken into account with respect to the requirements set forth under Code 
    Section 414(n)(3).

          (iv) None of the Companies presently maintains, or within the last 60 
    months has  maintained any (a) "multiemployer plan" (within the meaning of 
    Section 3(37) of ERISA), or (b) defined benefit plan.

          (v)  With respect to any Company Plan which is an employee welfare 
    benefit plan (within the meaning of ERISA Section 3(1)): (a) each and every 
    Company Plan which is a group health plan (as such term is defined in Code 
    Section 5000(b) complies in all material respects with the applicable 

                                         -15- 
<PAGE>

    requirements of Code Section 4980B; and (b) each Company Plan (including 
    any Company Plan covering former employees of any of the Companies) may be 
    amended or terminated by the Company on or at any time after the Closing 
    Date.

          (vi)  None of the Companies maintains any post-retirement health and 
    life insurance plans for employees and retirees.

    5.15  LEASES.  The Company and the Shareholder have delivered to the Merger 
Sub and the Parent true and complete copies of all leases referred to in 
Schedule 5.15 attached hereto (the "Leases"), which lists all agreements 
pertaining to the lease of real or personal property to which each of the 
Companies are a party.  The Leases are in full force and effect and are 
subsisting, valid and binding obligations of the applicable Company, except as 
such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, 
moratorium or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and by 
general equitable principles (whether or not such enforceability is considered 
in a proceeding at law or in equity).  None of the Companies are in default or, 
to the knowledge of the Shareholder, alleged to be in default thereunder. Except
as set forth in Schedule 5.15, the Sellers each have full legal power and 
authority to assign their rights under each of the Leases and rental agreements 
or arrangements applicable to such Seller, and the continuation, validity and 
effectiveness thereof on its present terms will not be affected by the 
occurrence of the Closing.  The Companies each have good and marketable title to
all leasehold interests and improvements and enjoy peaceful and undisturbed 
possession under all of the Leases and rental agreements as to which each of the
Companies are lessees.  To the knowledge of the Shareholder, the present use of 
real and personal property that are subject to the Leases comply with all 
applicable building or zoning codes, ordinances or regulations applicable 
thereto.  The Company and the Shareholder have also provided to the Merger Sub 
and the Parent a copy of the lease between the Company and the Shareholders (the
"Shareholder Lease") with respect to the Real Property. 

    5.16  INSURANCE.  Schedule 5.16 attached hereto sets forth a list of all 
insurance policies of each of the Companies by which the Companies or any of 
their assets or properties have been covered including the Business for the 
last three (3) years and those policies which are now in full force and 
effect.  The Company agrees to use its best efforts to maintain the existing 
policies (which are presently in force) in full force and effect at all times 
from the date of this Agreement until the Closing Date.  The insurance 
policies set forth on Schedule 5.16 attached hereto provide insurance against 
the risks involved in the Business and the operation of the Business of the 
Companies which are standard in the industry.  None of the Companies have 
received notice from any insurance carrier of the intention of such carrier 
to 

                                         -16- 
<PAGE>

discontinue any insurance coverage afforded to any of the Companies.

    5.17  PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHTS.  Schedule 5.17 attached hereto 
includes a true and complete list and description of all Intellectual 
Property applied for, issued to, or owned or used by each of the Companies or 
under which any of the Companies are licensed or franchised.  To the best of 
the Shareholder's knowledge, each of the Companies possess full rights, 
licenses or other authority to use all such Intellectual Property.  To the 
best of the Shareholder's knowledge, all licenses are in full force and 
effect, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, 
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the rights 
of creditors generally and by general equitable principles (whether or not 
such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity), and 
constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto, and 
there has not been any default or alleged default (or any event or condition 
which with notice, lapse of time or both would become a default) thereunder.  
To the best of the Shareholder's knowledge, provided the consents described 
in Schedule 5.17 attached hereto are obtained, the occurrence of the Closing 
will not affect the validity, continuation or effectiveness of any such 
rights on their present terms.  To the best of the Shareholder's knowledge, 
each of the Companies own or hold adequate licenses or other rights to use 
all Intellectual Property necessary for the conduct of their business as it 
has been and is now conducted, and that use does not and will not conflict 
with, infringe on or otherwise violate any rights of others.  None of the 
Companies (nor the Shareholder) have received notice, or have knowledge of, 
any infringements or unauthorized or unlawful use of such Intellectual 
Property by themselves or others or any allegation that they have infringed 
similar properties of others.

    5.18  PERMITS.  Schedule 5.18 attached hereto includes a true and complete 
list of all material Permits (as defined in the Asset Agreement).  To the best 
of the Shareholder's knowledge, the Permits are in full force and effect and 
comprise all the governmental authorizations materially necessary or desirable 
for the lawful conduct of the Business as it has been and is now conducted. 
Except as noted on Schedule 5.18, each of the Permits is freely transferrable 
to the Merger Sub, without consent of any Person, and none of the Permits 
obligate any of the Companies or will obligate the Merger Sub upon transfer for 
the payment of any further charges or assessments in order to maintain them in 
full force and effect.

    5.19  PERSONNEL DATA; LABOR RELATIONS.

          (i)  Schedule 5.19 attached hereto is a list of all employees of 
    the Companies, their current rates of 

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

    compensation, their length of service with each of the Companies, and a 
    complete and accurate description of all practices, policies, understandings
    and agreements with such persons relating to their employment. All employees
    are "at will" employees except as set forth on Schedule 5.19 and all 
    contracts and arrangements with any employee who is a party to an employment
    agreement are in full force and effect, and neither the Companies (or any of
    them) nor, to the best of the Shareholder's knowledge, any other person is 
    in default under either of them.  Each of the Companies in the conduct of 
    their affairs and business have each complied in all material respects with 
    all applicable laws and regulations relating to the employment of labor 
    including those related to wages, hours, discrimination, employee pension 
    and welfare benefit plans, collective bargaining, and the payment of Social
    Security or similar taxes, and each of the Companies have withheld and paid 
    to the appropriate governmental authority, all amounts required by law or 
    agreement to be withheld from wages or salaries of such employees.  All 
    increases in compensation during the eighteen month period prior to the 
    execution of this Agreement are described on Schedule 5.19.

          (ii) There is no pending, or, to the Company's or the Shareholder's 
    knowledge, any threatened labor dispute, strike or lockout, slow-down, 
    stoppage, unfair labor practice complaint, grievance procedure or 
    arbitration proceeding relating to any of the Companies or affecting their 
    respective business.  No representation question now exists respecting any 
    of the Companies and no collective bargaining agreement is currently being 
    negotiated.  Neither the Companies (or any of them) nor the Shareholder have
    received any notification of any unfair labor practices charges or 
    complaints pending before any agent having jurisdiction over any of the 
    Companies.  Neither the Company nor the Shareholder are aware of any union 
    organizing activities or proceedings involving, or act pending petition for
    the recognition of, a labor union or association as the exclusive bargaining
    agent for any group or groups of employees of any of the Companies.

          (iii) Attached hereto as Schedule 5.19(ii) are copies of all 
    Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA") reports having to do
    with each of the Companies, their operations or the Business and received 
    by any of the Companies during the last twelve months.  No other oral or 
    written complaints or notices have been received from OSHA, and no other 
    complaints, or notices have been received from other regulatory agencies 
    or offices having jurisdiction over any of the Companies during the last 
    twenty-four month period.

    Other than the representations and warranties contained in Section 5.14,
the representations and warranties contained in this 

                                         -18- 
<PAGE>

Section 5.19 are intended to the be sole representations and warranties of 
the Shareholder with respect to compliance by the Companies with employment 
laws.

    5.20 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.  None of the Companies are in violation in any
material respect of any laws, regulations or governmental orders (other than
with respect to laws, regulations and governmental orders pertaining to taxes,
employment and environmental matters, which are treated separately in this
Agreement) in a manner which could have a Company Material Adverse Effect and,
to the best of the Shareholder's knowledge, none of the Companies have been
charged with any such violation.  There are no judgments, orders, injunctions or
decrees of any court or governmental instrumentality affecting any of the
Companies or their respective businesses, the failure to comply with which could
have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

    5.21 INVENTORY.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.20 attached hereto (i)
all items of each of the Companies' inventory and related supplies reflected on
the Financial Statements or thereafter acquired (and not subsequently disposed
of in the ordinary course of business) are merchantable, for sale in the
ordinary course of business at normal mark-ups, (ii) none of such items of the
Companies' inventory is obsolete and (iii) each item of such inventory reflected
on the Financial Statements and the books and records of each of the Companies
is so reflected on the basis of a complete physical count and is valued at the
lower of cost or market in accordance with GAAP.

    5.22 TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES.  Except as disclosed in Schedule
5.33 attached hereto, there have been no payments or transactions between any of
the Companies and any Person who controls, is controlled by, or is under common
control with any of the Companies or the Shareholder or otherwise affiliated
with any of the Companies or the Shareholder.  Except as disclosed in Schedule
5.33 attached hereto, no officer, director, shareholder or employee of any of
the Companies or the Shareholder, nor any spouse, children, parent of either of
them, has any direct or indirect interest in any competitor, supplier or
customer of the businesses of any of the Companies. 

    5.23 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE.  For purposes of this Agreement,
"Environmental Laws" shall mean laws, including without limitation, federal,
state or local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, interpretations and orders
of courts or governmental agencies or authorities relating to pollution or
protection of the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air,
surface water, groundwater, land surface, and subsurface strata), including
without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1987,
the Resource Conservation and 

                                         -19- 
<PAGE>

Recover Act of 1976, the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendment of 1984 and the 
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, and any other laws relating to 
pollution or protection of the environment, or to the manufacture, 
processing, distribution, use, treatment, handling, storage, disposal or 
transportation or Polluting Substances (hereafter defined) in effect on the 
date of this Agreement and the Closing Date.  For the purposes of this 
Agreement, Polluting Substance means any solid or hazardous waste, hazardous 
substance, pollutant, contaminant, oil, petroleum product, commercial product 
or other substance (i) which is listed, regulated or designated as toxic or 
hazardous (or words of similar meaning or regulatory effect) or with respect 
to which remediation or cleanup obligations may be imposed under any 
Environmental Law or (ii) exposure to which may pose a safety or health 
hazard.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.23 attached hereto:

         (i)  The Companies are each in compliance in all material respects 
    with all applicable Environmental Laws and have obtained and are in material
    compliance with all permits, licenses and other authorizations required 
    under any Environmental Law.  There is no past or present event, condition 
    or circumstance that is likely to interfere with the conduct of the Business
    in the manner now conducted or which would interfere in any material respect
    with the Companies' compliance with Environmental Laws or constitute a 
    violation thereof including any prior release or discharge of any Polluting 
    Substance that could have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

         (ii) None of the Companies have leased, operated or owned any 
    facilities or real property with respect to which any of the Companies are 
    subject to any actual or, to the knowledge of the Company and the 
    Shareholder, potential action, claim, investigation, review or other 
    proceeding before any governmental, judicial or regulatory body, under any 
    Environmental Law.

         (iii) None of the Companies have sent Polluting Substances to any 
    off-site commercial waste management facilities for re-use, recycling, 
    reclamation, treatment, storage or disposal.

         (iv) None of the Companies are subject to any actual or, to the 
    knowledge of the Shareholder, potential proceeding for violation of any 
    Environmental Law with respect to any such facility presently or previously
    used by any of the Companies.

         (v)  There are no Polluting Substances in any inactive, closed or 
    abandoned storage or disposal areas or facilities or property currently or 
    in the past leased, operated or owned by any of the Companies.

                                         -20- 
<PAGE>

         (vi) No property currently, or in the past, leased operated or owned 
    by any of the Companies is subject to actual or, to the knowledge of the 
    Shareholder, potential investigation by federal, state or local officials or
    private litigation as a result of any previous on-site management, 
    treatment, storage or disposal of Polluting Substances.

         (vii) There are no above ground or underground storage tanks located 
    on any property owned, leased or operated by any of the Companies.

         (viii) Except in compliance with all Environmental Laws (including, 
    without limitation, the obtaining of all necessary Permits), no Polluting 
    Substances have been used, generated, manufactured, stored or treated, or 
    disposed of, landfilled or in any other way released (and no release is 
    threatened), on or about any property owned, operated or leased by  any of 
    the Companies or transported to such property.

         (ix) There are no obligations, undertakings, or liabilities arising 
    out of or relating to failure to comply with or violation of any 
    Environmental Laws which the Companies (or any of them) have agreed to, 
    assumed or retained, or indemnified a third party against, by the contract 
    or otherwise.

    The representations and warranties contained in this Section 5.23 are
intended to be the sole representations and warranties of the Shareholder with
respect to compliance by the Companies with Environmental Laws.

    5.24 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLES.  Each account receivable reflected on the
Financial Statements constitutes a bona fide receivable resulting from a bona
fide sale to a customer in the ordinary course of business, the amount of which
was actually due on the date thereof.  The books and records of the Companies
state correctly the facts with respect to each account receivable of the
Companies and the balance due thereon.  Each payment reflected on such books or
records as having been made to each such account receivable was made by the
respective account debtor and not directly or indirectly by any director,
officer, employee or agent of the Companies unless such person is shown on said
books and records as such account debtor and as set forth on Schedule 5.24
attached hereto.  To the best of the Shareholder's knowledge, each document and
instrument evidencing, securing or relating to each account receivable, is
correct and complete in all respects, is genuine and valid and is enforceable in
accordance with its terms, and is not subject to any defense, claim of
disability, counterclaim or offset and there is no threatened, intended or
proposed defense, claim of disability, counterclaim or offset with respect
thereto.  To the best of the Shareholder's knowledge, each 

                                         -21- 
<PAGE>

account receivable and each document and instrument and each transaction 
underlying or relating to it conforms in all material respects, including, 
without limitation, in respect of interest rates charged, notices given and 
disclosures made, to the requirements and provisions of each applicable law, 
rule, regulation or order relating to credit, consumer credit, credit 
practices, credit advertising, credit reporting, retail installment sales, 
credit cards, collections, usury, interest rates and truth-in-lending, 
including, without limitation, the Federal Truth in Lending Act, as amended 
and Regulation Z issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve 
System thereunder. 

    5.25 CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS.  Except for matters that would not have a
Company Material Adverse Effect, no supplier or customer of the Companies has
advised the Companies (or any of them) or the Shareholder formally or
informally, that such customer or supplier intends to terminate, discontinue or
substantially reduce its business with the Business and the occurrence of the
Closing is not expected to adversely affect such relationship.  

    5.26 IMPROPER PAYMENTS.  Neither the Companies, the Shareholder nor any
officer, agent or employee of the Companies or the Shareholder nor any
distributor or licensee of any of the foregoing, nor any other person
(including, without limitation, the Companies or an affiliate of the Companies)
acting on behalf of the Companies, or the Shareholder, in any case for which
such action may be attributable to the Companies (or any of them) or the
Shareholder, has directly or indirectly, on behalf of or with respect to the
Companies (or any of them) or the Shareholder, except as listed on Schedule 5.26
attached hereto, (i) made any illegal or unlawful political contributions, (ii)
made any payment which was not legal to make or which the Companies or the
Shareholder should have known was not legal for the payee to receive, (iii)
received any payment which was not legal to receive or which such Seller or the
Shareholder should have known was not legal for the payor to make, (iv) had any
material transaction or payment which is not properly booked in accordance with
GAAP, (v) had any off-book bank or cash accounts or "slush funds" of which the
Companies (or any of them) or the Shareholder were the beneficial owner, or (vi)
given or agreed to give any gift or similar benefit to any customer, supplier,
government employee or other Person which (a) if not given in the past, might
have had an adverse effect on the sales, assets, properties, condition
(financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Companies (or any of them) or the
Business or (b) if not continued in the future, might adversely affect the
assets, business, sales, properties, condition (financial or otherwise) or
prospects of the Companies (or any of them) or the Business.

    5.27 NO BROKER.  Other than a payment to the Reed Group, all negotiations
on behalf of the Companies relating to this Agreement 

                                         -22- 
<PAGE>

and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been carried on by 
the Companies and their agents directly with Merger Sub without the 
intervention of any other person in such manner as to give rise to any claim 
against Merger Sub or its affiliates, Companies or their affiliates for a 
brokerage commission, finder's fee or other like payment in connection with 
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

    5.28 WARRANTY CLAIMS.  Neither of the Companies nor the Shareholder know or
have reason to know of any existing or threatened material claims, or any facts
upon which a claim could be based against Companies (or any of them) for any
products or materials sold by the Companies (or any of them) prior to the
Closing Date which are defective or fail to meet any service or product
warranties.  The total amount of warranty claims asserted against the Companies
(or any of them) Companies during the last three (3) years prior to the date of
this Agreement is listed on Schedule 5.28 attached hereto.

    5.29 INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION.   The Shareholder is acquiring the Parent
Shares for its or his own account for investment purposes and not for the
purpose of effecting a distribution.   Other than the Company Shareholders
listed on Schedule 5.29, the Shareholder and each other person receiving shares
of Parent Common Stock are "accredited investors" within the meaning of
Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), and have such knowledge and experience in business and
financial matters that each such person are capable of evaluating the merits and
risks of the acquisition of the Parent Shares.  Each of the Companies and the
Shareholder have been provided with copies of the Parent's annual report on Form
10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1996 and the proxy statement submitted to
the shareholders of the Parent in connection with its annual meeting of
shareholders to be held on  May 21, 1997.  Each of the Companies and the
Shareholder have been afforded the opportunity to review, and has in fact
reviewed, any and all information concerning the Parent that he or it has sought
to review prior to making its decision to accept the Parent Shares, and has had
the opportunity to ask questions of the Parent and the management of the Parent
concerning the Parent, its business, results of operations and financial
condition, and all such questions have been answered to the full satisfaction of
each of the Companies and the Shareholder; provided, that such investigation
shall not relieve the Parent or the Merger Sub of its obligations under this
Agreement.  The certificate(s) representing the Parent Shares will be contain
the following legend:

          "THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT 
          BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,
          THE TEXAS SECURITIES ACT OR THE OKLAHOMA SECURITIES ACT.  


                                         -23- 
<PAGE>

          NEITHER THE RECORD NOR THE BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SAID SHARES
          MAY BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE 
          REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR SAID SHARES UNDER SAID ACTS AND ANY
          OTHER APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES UNLESS, IN THE
          OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, EXEMPTIONS FROM
          THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF SAID ACTS ARE AVAILABLE WITH 
          RESPECT TO SUCH SALE OR TRANSFER AND SAID SALE OR TRANSFER IS 
          MADE PURSUANT TO AND IN STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS AND 
          CONDITIONS OF SAID EXEMPTIONS."

    5.31 LIST OF BANK ACCOUNTS.  Set forth on Schedule 5.31 attached hereto is
true and complete list of all depositary accounts maintained by any of the
Companies and a list of depositary institutions at which any of the Companies
maintain an account or deposit of any kind. 

    5.32 COMPLETENESS OF SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS; FULL DISCLOSURE.  The
schedules and exhibits attached hereto, where provided by or on behalf of the
Company or the Shareholder present in all material respects the information
required by this Agreement to be set forth therein.  No representation or
warranty by the Company or the Shareholder herein and no information disclosed
in the schedules and exhibits hereto supplied by the Company or the Shareholder
contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
fact necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein not
misleading.  

                                      ARTICLE 6
                                           
    6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB.  The Parent and
the Merger Sub, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to the Company and
the Shareholder as follows:

    6.1   EXISTENCE; GOOD STANDING; CORPORATE AUTHORITY; COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. 
Each of the Parent and the Merger Sub is a corporation duly incorporated,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation.  The Parent is duly licensed or qualified to do business as a
foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of any other state of
the United States in which the character of the properties owned or leased by it
or in which the transaction of its business makes such qualification necessary,
except where the failure to be so qualified or to be in good standing would not
have a material adverse effect on the business, results of operations or
financial condition of Parent and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (a "Parent
Material Adverse Effect").  Parent has all requisite corporate power and
authority to own, operate and lease its 

                                         -24- 
<PAGE>

properties and carry on its business as now conducted.  Each of Parent's 
Significant Subsidiaries is a corporation or partnership duly organized, 
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of 
incorporation or organization, has the corporate or partnership power and 
authority to own its properties and to carry on its business as it is now 
being conducted, and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing 
in each jurisdiction in which the ownership of its property or the conduct of 
its business requires such qualification, except for jurisdictions in which 
such failure to be so qualified or to be in good standing would not have a 
Parent Material Adverse Effect.  Neither Parent nor any Parent Subsidiary is 
in violation of any order of any court, governmental authority or arbitration 
board or tribunal, or any law, ordinance, governmental rule or regulation to 
which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties 
or assets is subject, where such violation would have a Parent Material 
Adverse Effect.  Parent and its Subsidiaries have obtained all licenses, 
permits and other authorizations and have taken all actions required by 
applicable law or governmental regulations in connection with their business 
as now conducted, where the failure to obtain any such item or to take any 
such action would have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.  The copies of 
Parent's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws previously delivered to 
Company are true and correct.

    6.2  AUTHORIZATION, VALIDITY AND EFFECT OF AGREEMENTS.  Each of Parent and
Merger Sub has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and all agreements and documents contemplated hereby. 
The consummation by Parent and Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated
hereby has been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action.  This
Agreement constitutes, and all agreements and documents contemplated hereby
(when executed and delivered pursuant hereto for value received) will constitute
the valid and legally binding obligations of Parent and Merger Sub enforceable
in accordance with their respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws relating to creditors' rights and
general principles of equity.

    6.3  CAPITALIZATION.  The authorized capital stock of Parent consists of
40,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock, $0.01 par value, and 5,000,000 shares
of preferred stock, $0.01 par value (the "Parent Preferred Stock").  As of April
11, 1997, there were 21,040,168 shares of Parent Common Stock, and no shares of
Parent Preferred Stock, issued and outstanding.  Since such date, no additional
shares of capital stock of Parent have been issued except pursuant to the
exercise of options outstanding under Parent's stock option and employee stock
purchase plans (the "Parent Stock Option Plans").  Parent has no outstanding
bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations the holders of which have the
right to vote (or which are convertible into or exercisable for 

                                         -25- 
<PAGE>

securities having the right to vote) with the stockholders of Parent on any 
matter.  All such issued and outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock are 
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of 
preemptive rights.  Except as contemplated by this Agreement, there are not, 
at the date of this Agreement, any existing options, warrants, calls, 
subscriptions, convertible securities, or other rights, agreements or 
commitments which obligate Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, 
transfer or sell any shares of capital stock of Parent or any of its 
Subsidiaries.

    6.4  SUBSIDIARIES.

    (a)  Parent owns directly or indirectly each of the outstanding shares of
capital stock of each of Parent's Subsidiaries (or other ownership interests
having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of directors or
others performing similar functions with respect to such Parent Subsidiary). 
Each of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each of Parent's Subsidiaries
is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and is owned,
directly or indirectly, by Parent free and clear of all liens, pledges, security
interests, claims or other encumbrances other than liens imposed by local law
which are not material.  The following information for each Subsidiary of Parent
has been previously provided to Company, if applicable: (i) its name and
jurisdiction of incorporation or organization; (ii) its authorized capital stock
or share capital; and (iii) the number of issued and outstanding shares of
capital stock or share capital.

    (b)  The authorized capital stock of Merger Sub consists of 100,000 shares
of Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000 of which shares are issued and
outstanding and owned by Parent.  Notwithstanding any provisions to the
contrary, Parent may, in its sole discretion, increase the number of shares of
authorized Common Stock of Merger Sub and the number of shares of Common Stock
of Merger Sub issued and outstanding owned by Parent.  Merger Sub has not
engaged in any activities other than in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

    6.5   OTHER INTERESTS.  Except for interests in the Parent Subsidiaries,
neither Parent nor any Parent Subsidiary owns, directly or indirectly, any
interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any corporation, partnership,
joint venture, business, trust or entity, other than investments in short-term
investment securities.

                                         -26- 
<PAGE>

    6.6  NO VIOLATION.  Neither the execution and delivery by Parent and Merger
Sub of this Agreement, nor the consummation by Parent and Merger Sub of the
transactions contemplated hereby in accordance with the terms hereof, will: (i)
conflict with or result in a breach of any provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of Parent or Merger Sub; (ii) result in a breach or
violation of, a default under, or the triggering of any payment or other
material obligations pursuant to, or accelerate vesting under, any of the Parent
Stock Option Plans, or any grant or award under any of the foregoing; (iii)
violate, conflict with, result in a breach, of any provision of, constitute a
default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would
constitute a default) under, result in the termination or in a right of
termination or cancellation of, accelerate the performance required by, result
in the triggering of any payment or other material obligations pursuant to,
result in the creation of any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance
upon any of the material properties of Parent or its Subsidiaries under, or
result in being declared void, voidable, or without further binding effect, any
of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
deed of trust or any material license, franchise, permit, lease, contract,
agreement or other instrument, commitment or obligation to which Parent or any
of its Subsidiaries is a party, or by which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or
any of their respective properties is bound or affected, except for any of the
foregoing matters which would not have a Parent Material Adverse Effect; or (iv)
other than the Regulatory Filings, require any material consent, approval or
authorization of, or declaration, filing or registration with, any domestic
governmental or regulatory authority, the failure to obtain or make which would
have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

    6.7   SEC DOCUMENTS. The Parent has filed in a timely manner all forms,
reports, schedules, statements and registration statements required to be filed
by it with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") since
January 1, 1995 (collectively, the "SEC Reports").  As of their respective
dates, the SEC Reports did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except
for any statement or omission in any SEC Report which was corrected in a later
SEC Report.  The financial statements of the Parent included in the SEC Reports
were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
applied on a consistent basis, present fairly in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles the consolidated financial position, results of
operations and changes in financial position of the company and its consolidated
subsidiaries as of the dates and for the periods indicated and conform in all
material respects to all applicable requirements under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act").  Except 

                                         -27- 
<PAGE>

as reflected in the SEC Reports, the Parent as of the date of such SEC 
Reports has no material liabilities, obligations, or claims of any nature 
(whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to 
become due), including, without limitation, any tax liabilities or under 
funded pension plans, and the Parent does not have any knowledge of any basis 
for the existence of or the assertion against the Parent of any such 
liability, obligation or claim as of such date.  The income of the Parent 
as reflected in the SEC Reports consists solely of ordinary operating profits 
and none of such income consists of (i) income from a source other than 
operations of the business of the Parent and its Subsidiaries or (ii) a 
transaction outside the ordinary course of business of the Parent (whether or 
not such transaction would otherwise be considered extraordinary under GAAP).

    6.8  ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES.   Except as disclosed in the SEC Reports,
since December 31, 1996, the Parent has conducted its business in the ordinary
and usual course in all material respects and there has not been any material
adverse change in the financial condition, properties, business, results of
operations or prospects of the Parent.  Except as set forth on Schedule 6.8
attached hereto, since December 31, 1996, there has not been:

          (i)  any material adverse change in the business, properties, 
    assets of the Parent;

          (ii) any damages, destruction or loss, whether covered by insurance 
    or not, which has had, or might be expected to have, a material adverse 
    effect on the Parent;

          (iii) any material change by the Parent in accounting methods or 
    principles which would be required to be disclosed under GAAP;

          (iv) other than in connection with the exercise of stock options, 
    any issuance by the Parent or any of them of any shares of capital stock;

          (v)  any sale, lease or other disposition of properties and assets 
    of the Parent, except in the ordinary course of business;

          (vi) any merger or consolidation of the Parent with any other 
    corporation, partnership, limited liability company, person or entity or 
    any acquisition by the Parent of the stock or business of another 
    corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity;

          (vii) any borrowing, or agreement to borrow funds, by the Parent or 
    any termination or material amendment of any evidence of indebtedness, 
    contract, agreement, deed, mortgage, 

                                         -28- 
<PAGE>

    lease, license or other instrument, commitment or agreement to which the 
    Parent is bound or by which its properties are bound is material to the 
    business, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operation or 
    prospects of the Parent and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

          (viii) any declaration or payment of any dividend on, or any other 
    distribution with respect to, the equity securities of the Parent;

          (ix) any material increase in the compensation payable or to become 
    payable by the Parent to the directors, officers or employees of the Parent,
    or any increase in benefits or benefit plan costs (other than costs outside 
    of the control of the Parent), or any increase in any bonus, insurance, 
    pension, compensation or other benefit plan made for or with or covering any
    directors, officers or directors;

          (x)  any reclassification of any asset or liability;

          (xi) any material amendment, modification, or termination of any 
    contract, agreement, plan or commitment;

          (xii) any mortgage, pledge, grant of any lien or security interest 
    or other encumbrance of any asset of the Parent;

          (xiii) any waiver or release of any right or claim of the Parent 
    that singly, or in the aggregate, is material to the business, assets, 
    condition (financial or otherwise), results of operation or prospects of 
    the Parent and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

          (xiv) any significant labor trouble or any damage, destruction or 
    loss of property by fire or other casualty, whether or not covered by 
    insurance, adversely affecting the property, assets, condition (financial 
    or otherwise), prospects of the Parent and its Subsidiaries taken as a 
    whole or any related property;

          (xv) removal, from any building, facility or real property of any 
    of the assets of the Parent or its Subsidiaries; or

          (xvii)  any contract, understanding or commitment to do any of the 
    foregoing.

    6.9  LITIGATION.  There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending 
against Parent or the Parent Subsidiaries or, to the actual knowledge of the 
executive officers of Parent, threatened against Parent or the Parent 
Subsidiaries, at law or in equity, or before or by any federal or state 
commission, board, bureau, agency or 

                                         -29- 
<PAGE>

instrumentality, that are reasonably likely to have a Parent Material Adverse 
Effect.

    6.10 TAXES.  Parent and each of its Subsidiaries (i) have timely filed 
all material federal, state and foreign tax returns required to be filed by 
any of them for tax years ended prior to the date of this Agreement or 
requests for extensions have been timely filed and any such request shall 
have been granted and not expired, and all such returns are complete in all 
material respects, (ii) have paid or accrued all taxes shown to be due and 
payable on such returns, (iii) have properly accrued all such taxes for such 
periods subsequent to the periods covered by such returns, and (iv) have 
"open" years for federal income tax returns only as set forth in the Schedule 
6.10 attached hereto.

    6.11 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.  The Parent and each Subsidiary has complied 
with and is currently complying with all applicable federal, state and local 
laws, rules, ordinances and regulations, the noncompliance with which would 
have a material adverse effect on the Parent and its Subsidiaries taken as a 
whole.  

    6.12 CONTRACTS, AGREEMENTS, PLANS AND COMMITMENTS. Schedule 6.12 attached 
hereto sets forth a list of all material written and oral agreements, if any, 
contracts, agreements, plans and commitments, including all amendments, 
modifications and supplements thereto, to which the Parent or its Subsidiaries 
are a party or by which the Parent, its Subsidiaries or any of their assets 
or properties are bound as of the date hereof (the "Contracts").  For the 
purposes of this Section 6.12, a contract shall be considered material if 
such contract or any series of similar contracts involving the same subject 
matter involves $100,000 or more in services to be rendered or obligations 
during any twelve month period.  Also set forth on Schedule 6.12 is a list of 
all agreements for the provision of compression services by the Parent 
identifying the horsepower or type of equipment being leased, the amount of 
the rental for such contract and the term of such contract, provided, however 
that until the Customer Disclosure Date, such schedule will not include any 
information concerning the location of such equipment or the identity of the 
customer of the Parent with respect to such contract.  The Parent and its 
Subsidiaries have each complied with the provisions of all Contracts and no 
default or event of default exists under any of such agreements and such 
agreements constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Parent and 
its Subsidiary and to best knowledge of the Parent of each other Person that 
is a party thereto enforceable against each party in accordance with their 
terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, 
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the rights 
of creditors generally and by general equitable principles (whether or not 
such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).  To 
the best of the Parent's 

                                         -30- 
<PAGE>

knowledge, the Contracts comprise all of the contracts, agreements, plans and 
commitments required in order to conduct the business of the Company and the 
Subsidiary as it has been and is now conducted.

    6.13  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT MATTERS.

          (i)  Schedule 6.13 attached hereto sets forth each "employee 
    benefit plan" (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA), stock purchase
    plan, stock option plan, fringe benefit plan, bonus plan and any other 
    deferred compensation agreement or plan or funding arrangement sponsored, 
    maintained or to which contributions are made (a "Parent Plan") by the 
    Parent, any Subsidiary, or any of their affiliates or any other 
    organization which is a member of a controlled group of organizations 
    (within the meaning of Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code of 
    which the Parent or any of the Subsidiaries is a member.

          (ii) The Parent has delivered to the Company current, accurate and 
    complete copies of each Parent Plan (including all trust agreements, 
    funding vehicles and other instruments relating thereto) and, to the 
    extent applicable, copies of the most recent (a) Internal Revenue Service 
    determination letter and any outstanding request for a determination letter
    for each Parent Plan; (b) Form 5500; (c) attorneys' response to an 
    auditor's request for information for any Parent Plan; and (d) any ruling 
    letter and any outstanding request for a ruling letter with respect to the
    tax-exempt status of any voluntary employees' beneficiary association 
    ("VEBA") which is implementing any Parent Plan.

          (iii) With respect to each Parent Plan: (a) each Parent Plan which 
    is an "employee pension benefit plan" (as such term is defined in ERISA 
    Section 3(2)) has received a favorable determination letter as to its 
    qualification under the Code; (b) each VEBA which is intended to implement 
    any Parent Plan has received a favorable ruling or determination letters to 
    its tax-exempt status; (c) all forms, documents and other materials have 
    been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise 
    distributed as required by the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act 
    or any regulation or rule promulgated thereunder; and (d) there are no 
    leased employees (as such term is defined in Code Section 414(n)) that must
    be taken into account with respect to the requirements set forth under Code
    Section 414(n)(3).

          (iv) Neither the Parent nor any Subsidiary presently maintains, or 
    within the last 60 months has  maintained any (a) "multiemployer plan" 
    (within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA), or (b) defined benefit plan.

                                         -31- 
<PAGE>

          (v)  With respect to any Parent Plan which is an employee welfare 
    benefit plan (within the meaning of ERISA Section 3(1)): (a) each and every
    Parent Plan which is a group health plan (as such term is defined in Code 
    Section 5000(b) complies in all material respects with the applicable 
    requirements of Code Section 4980B; and (b) each Parent Plan (including any
    Parent Plan covering former employees of the Parent) may be amended or 
    terminated by the Parent or any Subsidiary on or at any time after the 
    Closing Date.

          (vi)  Neither the Parent nor any Subsidiary maintains any post-
    retirement health and life insurance plans for employees and retirees.

    6.14  ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE.  Except as set forth on Schedule 6.14 
attached hereto:

          (1)  The Parent and each of its Subsidiaries are in compliance in 
    all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws and has 
    obtained and is in compliance with all permits, licenses and other 
    authorizations required under any Environmental Law.  There is no past 
    or present event, condition or circumstance that is likely to interfere
    with the conduct of the business of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries
    in the manner now conducted or which would interfere in any material 
    respect with the Parent's or any of its Subsidiaries' compliance with 
    Environmental Laws or constitute a violation thereof.

          (2)  Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has leased, 
    operated or owned any facilities or real property with respect to which
    the Parent or such Subsidiary is subject to any actual or, to the knowledge
    of the Parent, after due inquiry, potential action, claim, investigation, 
    review or other proceeding before any governmental, judicial or regulatory
    body, under any Environmental Law.

          (3)  Except as discussed in Schedule 6.14, neither the Parent nor 
    any of its Subsidiaries has sent Hazardous Substances to any offsite 
    commercial waste management facilities for reuse, recycling, reclamation,
    treatment, storage or disposal.

          (4)  Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any 
    actual, or, to the knowledge of the Parent, after due inquiry, potential 
    proceeding under any Environmental Law with respect to any such facility 
    presently or previously used by the Company, or any of its Subsidiaries.

                                         -32- 
<PAGE>

          (5)  There are no Hazardous Substances in any inactive, closed or 
    abandoned storage or disposal areas or facilities on property currently or 
    in the past leased, operated or owned by the Parent or any or its 
    Subsidiaries.

          (6)  No property currently, or in the past, leased operated or owned 
    by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to actual or, to the 
    knowledge of the Parent, after due inquiry, potential investigation by 
    federal, state or local officials or private litigation as a result of any
    previous onsite management, treatment, storage or disposal of Polluting 
    Substances.

          (7)  There are no above-ground or underground storage tanks located 
    on any property owned or leased by the Parent or any Subsidiary.

    6.15  INSURANCE.  Schedule 6.15 attached hereto sets forth a list of all
insurance policies of the Parent by which the Parent, its Subsidiaries or any of
their assets or properties have been covered for the last three (3) years and
those policies which are now in full force and effect.  The Parent agrees to use
its best efforts to maintain the existing policies (which are presently in
force) in full force and effect at all times from the date of this Agreement
until the Closing Date.  The insurance policies set forth on Schedule 6.15
attached hereto provide insurance against the risks involved in the operation of
the business of the Parent and its Subsidiaries which are standard in the
industry.  Neither the Parent nor any or its Subsidiaries have received notice
from any insurance carrier of the intention of such carrier to discontinue any
insurance coverage afforded to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.

    6.16  PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHTS.  Schedule 6.16 attached hereto
includes a true and complete list and description of all Intellectual Property
applied for, issued to, or owned or used by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or
under which any of the Parent or its Subsidiaries are licensed or franchised. 
Each of the Parent and its Subsidiaries possess full rights, licenses or other
authority to use all such Intellectual Property.  All licenses are in full force
and effect and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the parties
thereto, and there has not been any default or alleged default (or any event or
condition which with notice, lapse of time or both would become a default)
thereunder.  Provided the consents described in Schedule 6.16 attached hereto
are obtained, the occurrence of the Closing will not affect the validity,
continuation or effectiveness of any such rights on their present terms.  Each
of the Parent and its Subsidiaries own or hold adequate licenses or other rights
to use all Intellectual Property necessary for the conduct of their business as
it has been and is now conducted, and that use does not and will not conflict
with, 

                                         -33- 
<PAGE>

infringe on or otherwise violate any rights of others.  None of the Parent or 
its Subsidiaries have received notice, or have knowledge of, any 
infringements or unauthorized or unlawful use of such Intellectual Property 
by themselves or others or any allegation that they have infringed similar 
properties of others.

    6.17  PERMITS.  Schedule 6.17 attached hereto includes a true and complete
list of all material Permits or the Parent and its Subsidiaries (the "Parent
Permits").  The Parent Permits are in full force and effect and comprise all the
governmental authorizations necessary or desirable for the lawful conduct of the
Business as it has been and is now conducted.  

    6.18  PERSONNEL DATA; LABOR RELATIONS.

          (i)  Schedule 6.18 attached hereto is a list of all employees of the 
    Parent and its Subsidiaries, their current rates of compensation, their 
    length of service with the Parent or the applicable Subsidiaries, and a 
    complete and accurate description of all practices, policies, understandings
    and agreements with such persons relating to their employment. All contracts
    and arrangements with employees are in full force and effect, and neither 
    the Parent, any Subsidiary nor any other person is in default under either 
    of them.  Each of the Parent and its Subsidiaries in the conduct of their 
    affairs and business have each complied in all material respects with all 
    applicable laws and regulations relating to the employment of labor 
    including those related to wages, hours, discrimination, employee pension 
    and welfare benefit plans, collective bargaining, and the payment of Social
    Security or similar taxes, and each of the Parent and its Subsidiaries have
    withheld and paid to the appropriate governmental authority, all amounts 
    required by law or agreement to be withheld from wages or salaries of such
    employees.  All increases in compensation during the eighteen month period
    prior to the execution of this Agreement are described on Schedule 6.18.

          (ii) There is no pending, or, to the Parent's knowledge, any 
    threatened labor dispute, strike or lockout, slow-down, stoppage, unfair 
    labor practice complaint, grievance procedure or arbitration proceeding 
    relating to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or affecting their 
    respective business.  No representation question now exists respecting the
    Parent or any of its Subsidiaries and no collective bargaining agreement is
    currently being negotiated.  Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries
    have received any notification of any unfair labor practices charges or 
    complaints pending before any agent having jurisdiction over any of the 
    Parent or its Subsidiaries.  The Parent is not aware of any union organizing
    activities or proceedings involving, or act pending petition 

                                         -34- 
<PAGE>

    for the recognition of, a labor union or association as the exclusive 
    bargaining agent for any group or groups of employees of the Parent or any
    of its Subsidiaries.

          (iii) Attached hereto as Schedule 6.18(ii) are copies of all 
    Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA") reports having to do
    with the Parent and each of its Subsidiaries, their operations or their 
    business and received by the Parent or any Subsidiary during the last 
    twelve months.  No other oral or written complaints or notices have been 
    received from OSHA, and no other complaints, or notices have been received 
    from other regulatory agencies or offices having jurisdiction over the 
    Parent or any or its Subsidiaries during the last twelve month period.

    6.19  PARENT COMMON STOCK.  The issuance and delivery by Parent of shares
of Parent Common Stock in connection with the Merger and this Agreement have
been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part
of Parent.  The shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in connection with
the Merger and this Agreement, when issued in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

    6.20 CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES.   Parent has no outstanding options, warrants
or other securities exercisable for, or convertible into, shares of Parent
Common Stock, the terms of which would require any anti-dilution adjustments by
reason of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

    6.21 NO BROKERS.  Parent has not entered into any contract, arrangement or
understanding with any person or firm which may result in the obligation of
Company or Parent to pay any finder's fee, brokerage or agent's commissions or
other like payments in connection with the negotiations leading to this
Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.  Other
than the foregoing arrangements, neither the Parent nor the Surviving
Corporation are aware of any claim for payment of any finder's fees, brokerage
or agent's commissions or other like payments in connection with the
negotiations leading to this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.










                                         -35- 
<PAGE>

    6.22  MERGER REPRESENTATIONS. 

          (a)  Prior to the Closing, the Parent will be in control of the 
    Merger Corporation within the meaning of Section 368(c)(1) of the Code.

          (b)  The Parent has no plan or intention to reacquire any of its 
    capital stock issued in connection with the Merger.

          (c)  The Parent has no plan or intention to liquidate the Surviving 
    Corporation; to merge the Surviving Corporation with and into another 
    corporation; to sell or otherwise dispose of the capital stock of the 
    Surviving Corporation; or to cause the Surviving Corporation to sell or 
    otherwise dispose of any of the assets of the Company acquired in connection
    with the Merger, except for dispositions made in the ordinary course of 
    business or transfers described in Section 368(a)(2)(C) of the Code.
 
          (d)  Neither the Parent nor the Surviving Corporation is an 
    investment company as defined in Section 368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv) of the 
    Code.

    6.23  CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS.  Except for matters that would not have a
Parent Material Adverse Effect, no supplier or customer of the Parent has
advised the Parent formally or informally, that such customer or supplier
intends to terminate, discontinue or substantially reduce its business with the
Parent and the occurrence of the Closing is not expected to adversely affect
such relationship.  

    6.24  IMPROPER PAYMENTS.  Neither the Parent, the Merger Sub nor any
officer, agent or employee of the Parent or the Merger Sub nor any distributor
or licensee of any of the foregoing, nor any other Person (including, without
limitation, any affiliate of the Parent) acting on behalf of the Parent, in any
case for which such action may be attributable to the Parent has directly or
indirectly, on behalf of or with respect to the Parent, except as listed on
Schedule 6.24 attached hereto, (i) made any illegal or unlawful political
contributions, (ii) made any payment which was not legal to make or which the
Parent should have known was not legal for the payee to receive, (iii) received
any payment which was not legal to receive or which the Parent should have known
was not legal for the payor to make, (iv) had any material transaction or
payment which is not properly booked in accordance with GAAP, (v) had any off-
book bank or cash accounts or "slush funds" of which the Parent was the
beneficial owner, or (vi) given or agreed to give any material gift to any
customer, supplier, government employee or other Person which (a) if not given
in the past, might have had a Parent Material Adverse Effect or (b) if not
continued in the future, might adversely affect the assets, business, sales,

                                         -36- 
<PAGE>

properties, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Parent. 

    6.25  COMPLETENESS OF SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS; FULL DISCLOSURE.  The
schedules and exhibits attached hereto, where provided by or on behalf of the
Merger Sub or the Parent present in all material respects the information
required by this Agreement to be set forth therein.  No representation or
warranty by the Parent or the Merger Sub herein and no information disclosed in
the schedules and exhibits hereto supplied by the Purchase or the Parent
contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
fact necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein not
misleading.  

                                      ARTICLE 7
                                           
    7.1  COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDER.  The Company and the
Shareholder, on a joint and several basis, covenant and agree with the Merger
Sub and the Parent as follows:

    (A)  CERTAIN CHANGES.  Except as expressly may be permitted or contemplated
hereunder, or set forth in the schedules attached hereto, the Company covenants
that, from the date hereof until the Closing Date, without first obtaining the
written consent of the Merger Sub, the Company will not and the Shareholder
shall not cause the Companies to:

         (i) make any material change in the conduct of its business or 
    operations;

         (ii) engage in any activity or transaction outside the ordinary course
    of business;

         (iii) terminate, amend, modify or change any Scheduled Contract, Lease
    or agreement required to be disclosed pursuant to Sections 5.11 or 5.15 
    other than in the ordinary course of business;

         (iv) declare, set aside or pay any dividends, or make any 
    distributions, in respect to its equity securities, or repurchase, redeem or
    otherwise acquire any such securities; 

         (v)  merge into or with or consolidate with any other person or acquire
    all or substantially all of the business or assets of any other Person;

         (vi) make any change in its articles of incorporation or bylaws or
    equivalent governing instruments;

         (vii) purchase any securities of any Person;

                                         -37- 
<PAGE>

         (viii) increase or decrease the indebtedness of the Companies (or any 
    of them) or their affiliates except for indebtedness incurred in the 
    ordinary course of business consistent with prior practices;

         (ix) other than pursuant to existing contracts or commitments, sell, 
    lease or otherwise dispose of any of the Property, other than in the 
    ordinary and usual course of business;

         (x)  grant any increase in compensation or pay or agree to pay or 
    accrue any bonus or like benefit to or for the benefit of any director,
    officer, employee or other Person, provided that the Company may continue
    to pay its field personnel bonuses in accordance with the Company's past 
    practices;

         (xi) file any motion, order, brief, settlement offer or other papers in
    any proceedings; 

         (xii)  enter into any single agreement or agreements of similar nature 
    with the same party or its affiliates other than in the ordinary course of 
    business or which involves capital expenditure of $200,000 for any one 
    transaction or $500,000 in the aggregate; or

         (xiv) commit itself to do any of the foregoing.

    (B)  OPERATION OF BUSINESS.  The Company and the Shareholder covenant and
agree with the Merger Sub and the Parent that from the date hereof until the
Closing Date, except as permitted hereunder or contemplated hereunder or as
consented to in writing by Merger Sub, the Companies shall carry on their
respective business in the usual and ordinary course and shall use reasonable
commercial efforts to preserve and maintain their business organization,
employees and advantageous business relationships.

    (C)  ACCESS.  Subject to the terms of that certain Confidentiality
Agreement dated April 28, 1997 (the "Confidentiality Agreement"), the Company
will afford to the Merger Sub, the Parent and their authorized representatives
access from the date hereof until the Closing Date, during normal business
hours, to the Company's personnel, agents and representatives, property, books
and records and will cause the Companies to furnish to the Merger Sub and the
Parent any and all information as such Party may request.  The Company will
cooperate with the Merger Sub's accountants who will be conducting and auditing
of historical financial information of the Company and the Companies.  The
Merger Sub shall have the right, at its sole cost, to conduct soil borings and
tests to determine the geologic subsurface and any possible existence of toxic
and hazardous materials on, about or 

                                         -38- 
<PAGE>

under the Real Property and, subject to the consent of the applicable 
landowner, any Property leased by the Company.  The Merger Sub intends to 
conduct and the Company and the Shareholder shall permit the Merger Sub or 
its representative to conduct a Phase I Environmental Assessment of the Real 
Property and, subject to the consent of the applicable landowner, the other 
property leased by the Companies on or before the Closing Date and if such 
Phase I Environmental Assessment indicates any potential problems, then the 
Merger Sub may conduct further tests and the Company and the Shareholders 
shall permit the Merger Sub to conduct such assessments.

    (D)  REASONABLE COMMERCIAL EFFORTS.  The Company and the Shareholder will
use reasonable commercial efforts to obtain the satisfaction of the conditions
to the Closing set forth in Section 8.1 hereof.  In addition, the Shareholder
agrees (i) to use reasonable commercial efforts to cause the shareholders of the
Company to approve the transactions contemplated by this Agreement on or before
the Schedule Delivery Date and (ii) to vote in favor of the transactions
contemplated hereby.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, however
nothing in this Agreement shall limit the right of the Company or the
Shareholder to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 1.5 or the
applicable provisions of Section 9.1.

    (E)  PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS.  Subject to applicable securities law or stock
exchange requirements, at all times until the Closing Date, the Company and the
Shareholder shall promptly advise, and obtain the approval of the Merger Sub
before issuing or permitting any of the Company's directors, officers, employees
or agents, or any of the Company's subsidiaries, to issue any press release with
respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

    (F)  NOTICE.  The Company and the Shareholder shall each give written
notice to the Merger Sub and the Parent promptly after the Company and the
Shareholder obtain knowledge of the occurrence, or promptly after receipt by the
Company, the Shareholder or any of their respective affiliates of any notice
claiming or alleging the occurrence of any event or omission which would result
in (i) any of the Company's or the Shareholder's representations or warranties
being or becoming inaccurate or misleading or (ii) any breach by the Company or
the Shareholder of this Agreement.

    (G)  EXCLUSIVITY.   During the term of this Agreement neither the Company
nor the Shareholder shall solicit, entertain or negotiate with respect to any
offer to acquire the Company, its assets or the securities or ownership interest
of the Company from any other person.  During the term of this Agreement,
neither the Company nor the Shareholder shall provide information to any other
person in connection with a possible acquisition of the Company, any asset of
the Company or the securities or ownership interest of 

                                         -39- 
<PAGE>

the Company.  Immediately upon receipt of any such unsolicited offer, the 
Company and/or the Shareholder will communicate the terms of any proposal or 
request for information and the identity of parties involved.

    (H)  REORGANIZATION.   The Shareholder and the Company agree to take 
positions consistent with, and report the Merger, as a tax free reorganization 
pursuant to Code Sections 368(a)(1)(A) and 368(a)(2)(D) in all tax returns to 
federal, state and local jurisdictions.  The Shareholder further agrees not 
to take any positions inconsistent with Code Sections 368(a)(1)(A) and 
368(a)(2)(D) in any tax return to federal, state or local tax jurisdictions.  
The Company Shareholders will not dispose of any Parent Common Stock received 
in the Merger in a manner which would cause the Merger to violate the continuity
of shareholder interest requirement set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 
1.368-1.  The Company Shareholders will take no action which will cause the 
Merger to fail to qualify as a tax-free reorganization under Code Sections 
368(a)(1)(A) and 368(a)(2)(D).  The Shareholder shall report all compensation 
under the Shareholder Employment Contract as wages in all tax returns to 
federal, state and local jurisdictions.  The Shareholder shall report all 
payments under the Farm Lease as rental income in all tax returns to federal, 
state and local jurisdictions.

    (I)  LEASE FOR FARM PROPERTY.   On or prior to the Closing, the Company has
or will distribute or transfer to the Shareholder the Company's interest in
approximately 1300 acres of farm land (the "Farm Property").  The Merger Sub
shall enter into a lease agreement for a the Farm Property on the terms set
forth on Exhibit H attached hereto (the "Farm Lease").

    (J)  PARENT COMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP.  For a two year period following the
Closing Date the Shareholder shall not dispose of any shares of Parent Common
Stock received in the Merger without the prior consent of the board of directors
of the Parent. 

    7.2  COVENANTS OF THE MERGER SUB.  The Merger Sub and the Parent, on a
joint and several basis, covenant and agree with the Companies and the
Shareholder as follows:

    (A)  CERTAIN CHANGES.  Except as expressly may be permitted hereunder, or 
set forth in the schedules attached hereto, the Company covenants that, from 
the date hereof until the Closing Date, without first obtaining the written 
consent of the Shareholder, the Parent will not:

         (i)  make any material change in the conduct of its business or 
    operations;

                                         -40- 
<PAGE>

         (ii) engage in any activity or transaction outside the ordinary 
    course of business;

         (iii) terminate, amend, modify or change any Scheduled Contract, 
    Lease or agreement required to be disclosed pursuant to this Agreement;

         (iv) declare, set aside or pay any dividends, or make any 
    distributions, in respect to its equity securities, or repurchase, redeem
    or otherwise acquire any such securities; 

         (v)  merge into or with or consolidate with any other person or 
    acquire all or substantially all of the business or assets of any other 
    Person;

         (vi) make any change in its articles of incorporation or bylaws or 
    equivalent governing instruments;

         (vii) purchase any securities of any Person;

         (viii) increase or decrease the indebtedness of the Parent or its
    Subsidiaries except for indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of
    business consistent with prior practices;

         (ix) other than pursuant to existing contracts or commitments, sell,
    lease or otherwise dispose of any of the Property, other than in the 
    ordinary and usual course of business;

         (x) grant any increase in compensation or pay or agree to pay or accrue
    any bonus or like benefit to or for the benefit of any director, officer,
    employee or other Person;

         (xi) file any motion, order, brief, settlement offer or other papers in
    any proceedings; 

         (xii)  enter into any single agreement or agreements of similar nature
    with the same party or its affiliates other than in the ordinary course of 
    business or which involves capital expenditure of $200,000 for any one 
    transaction or $500,000 in the aggregate; or

         (xiv) commit itself to do any of the foregoing.

    (B)  OPERATION OF BUSINESS.  The Parent covenants and agrees with the
Company and the Shareholder that from the date hereof until the Closing Date,
except as permitted hereunder or contemplated hereunder or as consented to in
writing by the Shareholder, the Parent and its Subsidiaries shall carry on their
respective business in the usual and ordinary course and shall use 

                                         -41- 
<PAGE>

their best efforts to preserve and maintain their business organization, 
employees and advantageous business relationships.

    (C)  ACCESS.  Subject to the term of that certain Confidentiality
Agreement, the Parent will afford to the Company, the Shareholder and their
authorized representatives access from the date hereof until the Closing Date,
during normal business hours, to the Parent's personnel, agents and
representatives, property, books and records and will cause the Parent's
Subsidiaries to furnish to the Company and the Shareholder any and all
information as such Party may request.   

    (D)  REASONABLE COMMERCIAL EFFORTS.  The Merger Sub and the Parent will
each use reasonable commercial efforts to obtain the satisfaction of the
conditions to the Closing set forth in Section 8.2.

    (E)  PRESERVATION OF BOOKS AND RECORDS.  For a period of five (5) years
after the Closing Date, the Merger Sub shall (1) preserve and retain the
corporate, accounting, legal, auditing and other books and records of the
Companies relating to any governmental or non-governmental actions, suits,
proceedings, or investigations arising out of the conduct of the business and
operations of the Companies prior to the Closing Date in which the Companies and
the Shareholder are a party, and (2) make such books and records available at
the then current administrative headquarters of Merger Sub to the Companies, the
Shareholder and their officers, employees and agents, upon reasonable notice and
at reasonable times, at such parties sole risk and cost.  The Companies and the
Shareholder shall be entitled to make copies of any such books and records as
that shall deem necessary at their sole cost and expense.  The Merger Sub agrees
to permit representatives of the Companies or the Shareholder to meet with
employees of the Merger Sub on a mutually convenient basis in order to enable
the Companies or the Shareholder to obtain additional information and
explanations of any materials provided pursuant to this Section 7.2(E).  If any
such records are to be destroyed by the Purchaser or the Parent after the
aforementioned three year period, the Purchaser or the Parent, as the case may
be, shall first offer such records to the Shareholder and shall return the same
to him should he so desire.

    (F)  PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS.  Subject to applicable securities law or stock
exchange requirements, at all times until the Closing Date, the Merger Sub shall
promptly advise, and obtain the approval of the Companies before issuing, or
permitting any of the Merger Sub's directors, officers, employees or agents, or
any of the Merger Sub's subsidiaries, to issue any press release with respect to
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

    (G)  CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.  In the event that the Agreement is
terminated or, if not terminated, until the Closing 

                                         -42- 
<PAGE>

Date, the confidentiality of any data or information received by Merger Sub 
regarding the business and assets of the Companies shall be maintained by 
Merger Sub and their representatives in accordance with the Confidentiality 
Agreement, provided, however, that nothing in this Section 7.2(G) shall 
prohibit the Merger Sub from making any press release or filings required, in 
the opinion of the Merger Sub, under the securities laws with respect to the 
transactions contemplated in the Agreement.

    (H)  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.   The Parent and the Merger Sub are currently
engaged only in the businesses disclosed in its current SEC Reports and have no
intentions to engage in any different lines.  For a period ending at the earlier
of (a) four (4) years from the Closing Date, or (b) such time that the
Shareholder (including his ex-spouse and his children) owns less than fifteen
per cent (15%) of the Parent Common Stock, Parent agrees not to enter any new
line of business outside the compression services business and any business
reasonably related thereto or to expand through a substantial investment or
series of investments the domestic oil and gas exploration business of the
Parent, as described in the Parent's most recent 10-K annual report, without the
written prior approval of the Shareholder, which approval will not be
unreasonably withheld. 

    (I)  EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.   On the Closing Date, the Merger Sub shall offer
employment to each of the current employees of the Companies on the same terms
as such employees are currently being employed and as disclosed to Merger Sub
and the Parent herein, however, all such employees will remain "at will"
employees and the Merger Sub shall be under no obligation to either continue
such employment or to offer any such employees any sort of employment agreement.
The Merger Sub shall continue generally the employee benefits of such employees
for a reasonable period following the Closing.  To the extent permitted by
applicable law, each employee of any of the Companies shall be given credit for
all service with any of the Companies (or service credited by any of the
Companies) under all employment benefit plans, programs, policies and
arrangements maintained by the Surviving Corporation or the Parent in which they
participate or in which they become participants for purposes of eligibility,
vesting and benefit accrual including, without limitation, for the purposes of
determining (i) short-term and long-term disability benefits, (ii) severance
benefits, (iii) vacation benefits and (iv) benefits under any retirement plan.

    (J)  MERGER.   Following the Closing, neither the Parent nor the Surviving
Corporation shall take any action or fail to take any action if such action of
failure to take such action would result in this transaction not qualifying as a
reorganization pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(A) or 368(a)(2)(D) of the Code. 
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Surviving Corporation also
covenants and agrees as follows:

                                         -43- 
<PAGE>

         (i)  Following the Closing, the Surviving Corporation will not issue 
    shares of its capital stock that would result in the Parent losing control
    of the Surviving Corporation within the meaning of Section 368(c)(1) of 
    the Code;

         (ii) Following the closing, the Surviving Corporation will continue the
    historic business of the Company or use a significant portion of the 
    Company's business assets in a business; and

         (iii) No stock of the Surviving Corporation will be issued to the 
    Company, the Company Shareholders or any affiliate of either the Company or
    the Shareholder in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.  

                                      ARTICLE 8

    8.   CONDITIONS.

    8.1  CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE MERGER SUB AND THE PARENT.  The
obligations of the Merger Sub and the Parent to proceed with the Closing are
subject to the satisfaction on or prior to the Closing Date of all of the
following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing, in
whole or in part, by the Merger Sub and the Parent; provided, however, that no
such waiver of a condition shall constitute a waiver by the Merger Sub or the
Parent of any of their other rights or remedies, at law or in equity, if the
Companies (or any of them) or the Shareholder shall be in breach or default of
any of such Party's representations, warranties or covenants under or contained
in this Agreement:

    (A)  COMPLIANCE.  The Company and the Shareholder shall each have
performed, satisfied and complied with their respective covenants and agreements
contained herein, each of their representations and warranties contained in
Article 12 hereof shall be true on and as though made on and as of the Closing
Date, and each of the conditions specified in this Agreement has been satisfied
on or before the Closing Date.

    (B)  OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE.   The Merger Sub and the Parent shall have
received a certificate, dated the Closing Date from the chief executive officer
of each of the Companies and the Shareholder certifying that the matters
specified in Section 8.1(A) are correct.

    (C)  LEGAL OPINION.  Merger Sub shall have received from the Company's
special counsel, Mayor, Day, Caldwell & Keeton and the Company's Louisiana
counsel Theus, Grisham, Davis & Leigh, an opinion dated the Closing Date in form
and substance satisfactory 

                                         -44- 
<PAGE>

to the Parent and the Merger Sub opining as to the matters set forth on 
Exhibit D attached hereto. 

    (D)  NO ORDERS.  The Closing shall not violate any order or decree of any
court or governmental body having competent jurisdiction over the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

    (E)  SECRETARY'S CLOSING CERTIFICATE.  The Merger Sub and the Parent shall
have received a certificate dated the Closing Date in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Merger Sub from the Secretary or Assistant
Secretary of the Company, certifying that (i) attached to such certificate are
true, correct and complete copies of the resolutions duly adopted by the Board
of Directors of the Company authorizing the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement which remain in full force and effect, (ii) attached to such
certificate are true, correct and complete copies of the certificates or
articles of incorporation, bylaws, or equivalent governing instrument, each as
amended to the Closing Date, of the Company, (iii) attached to such certificate
is a true and correct copy of the shareholders resolutions of the Company
approving and consenting to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and
(iv) the incumbency of each officer executing this Agreement and all documents
and instruments executed in connection thereof.

    (F)  ABSENCE OF LITIGATION.  No material proceeding pertaining to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to their consummation, shall have
been instituted or threatened on or before the Closing Date.

    (G)  THIRD PARTY CONSENTS.  All necessary agreements, consents and
approvals of any persons or entities to the consummation by the Company or the
Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or otherwise
pertaining to the matters covered by this Agreement shall have been received by
the Merger Sub and the Parent and shall be in a form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Merger Sub and the Parent.  

    (H)  LEGISLATION.  No statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been
enacted, entered or deemed applicable by any domestic or foreign government or
governmental or administrative agency or court which would make the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement illegal or otherwise prevent the consummation
thereof.

    (I)  TERMINATION OF EXISTING LEASE.  The existing leases for the Farm
Property and the Real Property shall have been terminated on terms reasonably
satisfactory to the Merger Sub.   A new lease for the Farm Property shall have
been executed in the form of Exhibit E attached hereto.

                                         -45- 
<PAGE>

    (J)  EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT.  The Shareholder shall have executed and
delivered to the Merger Sub the Employment Agreement with the Merger Sub in the
form of Exhibit "A" attached hereto (the "Shareholder Employment Agreement")
under which the Shareholder would become the chief operating officer of the
Parent as to compressor operations.

    (K)  OTHER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT.  Andy Payne and Dan  McCormick shall have
executed and delivered to the Merger Sub the Employment Agreements in the form
of Exhibit "B" and "C" attached hereto (the "Other Employment Agreements").

    (L)  MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE.  There shall have been no material adverse
change in the property, plant, assets or prospects of the Companies (or any of
them), the Property, or the Business.

    (M)  BANK ACCOUNTS.  At the Closing, control over all bank accounts, cash
management accounts, savings accounts or similar funds of Companies shall be
transferred to persons designated by Merger Sub in a manner satisfactory to
Merger Sub.

    (N)  ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW REPORT.  The Merger Sub shall have received, at
the Merger Sub's expense, an environmental review report from a Person
satisfactory to the Merger Sub as to the absence of any evidence of
noncompliance with any Environmental Laws that could materially affect the
Business or the Property.

    (O)  FINANCING.  The Parent shall have the debt and equity necessary to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. 

    (P)  REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT.  The Sellers and the Shareholder and
the Shareholder shall have executed the Registrations Rights Agreement attached
hereto as Exhibit F (the "Registration Rights Agreement").

    (R)  ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT.  The Asset Purchase Agreement shall not have
been terminated and all conditions to the consummation of the Asset Purchase
Agreement shall have been satisfied. 

    (S)  INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT.  The Shareholder, the Merger Sub and the
Parent, shall have executed the Indemnification Agreement attached hereto as
Exhibit G (the "Indemnification Agreement").

    (T)  SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL.  The shareholders of the Company shall have
approved the Merger.  

                                         -46- 
<PAGE>

    (U)  REORGANIZATION.  The Merger shall qualify as a tax free reorganization
under Sections 368(a)(1)(A) or 368(a)(2)(D) of the Code.  

    8.2  CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDER.  The
obligations of the Company and the Shareholder to proceed with the Closing are
subject to the satisfaction on or prior to the Closing Date of all of the
following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing, in
whole or in part, by the Company and the Shareholder; provided, however, that no
such waiver of a condition shall constitute a waiver by the Company or the
Shareholder of any of their other rights or remedies, at law or in equity, if
the Merger Sub or the Parent shall be in breach or default of any of their
representations, warranties or covenants under or contained in this Agreement:

    (A)  COMPLIANCE.  The Merger Sub and the Parent shall have each performed,
satisfied and complied their respective covenants and agreements contained
herein, their respective representations and warranties contained in Article 6
hereof shall be true on and as though made on and as of the Closing Date, and
each of the conditions specified in this Agreement has been satisfied on or
before the Closing Date.

    (B)  OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE.  The Company shall have received a certificate,
dated the Closing Date, executed by an executive officer of each of the Parent
and the Merger Sub certifying as to the matters specified in Section 8.2(B)
hereof.

    (C)  LEGAL OPINION.  The Company shall have received from Merger Sub's
counsel, Schlanger, Mills, Mayer & Grossberg, an opinion dated the Closing Date
in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, opining as to the matters set
forth Exhibit E attached hereto.

    (D)  NO ORDERS.  The Closing shall not violate any order or decree of any
court or governmental body having competent jurisdiction over the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

    (E)  ACTIONS AND PROCEDURES.  No meritorious actions, suit, proceeding or
investigation by or before any court, administrative agency or other
governmental authority shall have been initiated or threatened to restrain,
prohibit or invalidate any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

    (F)  THE SHAREHOLDER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENTS.  The Merger Sub shall have executed and delivered to the Shareholder
the Shareholder Employment Agreement and to Messrs. Payne and McCormick the
Other Employment Agreements.

                                         -47- 
<PAGE>

    (G)  BOARD SEATS.   The Shareholder and Andy Payne shall have been elected
or appointed to the Board of Directors of the Parent. 

    (H)  REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT.  The Parent shall have executed and
delivered the Registrations Rights Agreement.

    (I)  ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT.  The Asset Purchase Agreement shall not have
been terminated and all conditions to the consummation of the Asset Purchase
Agreement shall have been satisfied. 

    (J)  THE INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT.  The Parent shall have executed and
delivered the Indemnification Agreement.

    (K)  SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL.  The Shareholder of the Company shall have
approved the Merger.  

    (L)  ABSENCE OF LITIGATION.  No material proceeding pertaining to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to their consummation, shall have
been instituted or threatened on or before the Closing Date.

    (M)  THIRD PARTY CONSENTS.  All necessary agreements, consents and
approvals of any persons or entities to the consummation by the Sellers or the
Shareholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or otherwise
pertaining to the matters covered by this Agreement shall have been received by
the Merger Sub and the Parent and shall be in a form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Sellers and the Shareholder.  

    (N)  REORGANIZATION.  The Merger shall qualify as a tax free reorganization
under Sections 368(a)(1)(A) or 368(a)(2)(D) of the Code.  

                                      ARTICLE 9
                                           
    9.   TERMINATION.

    9.1  GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION.  This Agreement may be terminated at any time
prior to the Closing Date:

         (A)  By the mutual written agreement of the Sellers and the Merger Sub;

         (B)  By any Party hereto, if the Closing has not occurred prior to July
    31, 1997; 

         (C)  By any Party hereto, if the Merger Agreement shall have been 
    cancelled or terminated;  

                                         -48- 
<PAGE>

         (D)  By any Party hereto, if all of the Exhibits to this Agreement have
    not been finalized and agreed to by the Parties on or before the Schedule 
    Delivery Date;  

         (E)  By the Company and the Shareholder, if the Company and the 
    Shareholder should be dissatisfied with any disclosures contained in the 
    schedules to be delivered by the Merger Sub and the Parent and the Company
    or the Shareholder delivers the required notice under Section 1.5 within 
    five business days following the Schedule Delivery Date;

         (F)  By the Merger Sub and the Parent, if the Merger Sub and the Parent
    should be dissatisfied with any disclosures contained in the schedules to be
    delivered by the Sellers and the Shareholder and either the Parent or the 
    Merger Sub delivers the required notice under Section 1.5 within five 
    business days following the Schedule Delivery Date; or 

         (G)  If the occurrence of the closing transactions would violate any 
    order, decree or judgment prohibiting the consummation of this Agreement.

    9.2  EFFECT OF TERMINATION.  The following provisions shall apply in the
event of a termination of this Agreement:

         (A)  If this Agreement is terminated by the Company or by the Merger 
    Sub as permitted under Section 9.1 hereof (including Sections 9.1(A), (E) 
    or (F)) and not as the result of the failure of any Party to perform its 
    obligations hereunder without lawful justification, such termination shall
    be without liability to any Party to this Agreement or any stockholder, 
    director, officer, employee, agent or representative of such Party.

         (B)  If this Agreement is terminated after five business days following
    the Schedule Delivery Date for any reason or reasons other than a breach by
    the Company or the Shareholder of their obligations under this Agreement or
    a refusal by the Merger Sub or the Parent to close by virtue of a decision
    reasonably made and in good faith that some aspect of the business of the
    Companies (i.e. financial, legal or business matters or the prospects of the
    Companies) or related Companies or the Shareholder has led them to decide 
    not to proceed with the transactions contemplated hereby, then Merger Sub 
    and the Parent shall pay to the Companies, the Company and the Shareholder
    the amount set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement as liquidated damages
    for the termination of this Agreement and the Asset Agreement.  The Parties
    acknowledge and agree that the amount of actual damages to be suffered by 
    the Companies, the Company and the Shareholder will be 


                                         -49- 
<PAGE>

    difficult to estimate and that the amount set forth above is reasonable. 

         (C)  If this Agreement is terminated as a result of the failure of the
    Companies or the Shareholders to perform their obligations hereunder without
    lawful justification, the Companies and the Shareholder, jointly and 
    severally, shall be fully liable for any and all damages sustained or 
    incurred by the Merger Sub or the Parent, subject to the terms of the 
    Indemnification Agreement.

                                      ARTICLE 10

    10.  GENERAL PROVISIONS.

    10.1 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS. The
representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement other than the
representations and warranties of the Shareholder contained in Sections 5.2,
5.3, 5.4, 5.6. 5.10 and 5.23 shall survive the Closing until April 30, 1999. 
The representations and warranties contained in Sections 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.6.
5.10 and 5.23 shall survive the Closing until the expiration of the applicable
statute of limitations.  All covenants and agreements and in any certificate or
instrument delivered in connection herewith shall survive the Closing; except
that the covenant to indemnify any Party hereunder by another Party hereunder
for a misstatement of, or omission from, any representation or warranty shall
survive until the expiration of the particular representation or warranty as to
which indemnification is claimed or sought (the "Representation Expiration
Date") and thereafter only with respect to those claims for indemnification for
a misstatement of, or omission from, any representation or warrant which are
made prior to the applicable Representation Expiration Date.

    10.2 NOTICES.  Any notice required to be given hereunder shall be
sufficient if in writing, and sent by facsimile transmission and by courier
service (with proof of service), hand delivery or certified or registered mail
(return receipt requested and first-class postage prepaid), addressed as
follows:

         (A)  If to the Parent or the Merger Sub:

              Equity Compression Services Corporation
              2501 Cedar Springs Road, Suite 600
              Dallas, TX  75201
              Attention:  President

              With copies to:

              Ray C. Davis
              Energy Transfer Company


                                         -50- 
<PAGE>

              2838 Woodside
              Dallas, TX  75204

              and

              Schlanger, Mills, Mayer & Grossberg
              5847 San Felipe, Suite 1700
              Houston, Texas  77056
              Attention:  Kyle Longhofer

         (B)  If to Sellers or the Shareholder to:

              Dennis W. Estis
              Ouachita Energy Corp.
              228 Industrial Street
              West Monroe, LA  71292

              With a copy to:

              Mayor, Day, Caldwell & Keeton, LLP
              700 Louisiana, Suite 1900
              Houston, TX 77002
              Attention:  Ed Rogers
         
or to such other address as any party shall specify by written notice so given,
and such notice shall be deemed to have been delivered as of the date so
telecommunicated, personally delivered or mailed.

    10.3 ASSIGNMENT, BINDING EFFECT.  Neither this Agreement nor any of the
rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the
parties hereto (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior
written consent of the other parties.  Subject to the preceding sentence, this
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  Nothing in this Agreement,
expressed or implied, is intended to confer on any person other than the parties
hereto, the shareholders of the Company, the officers, directors and employees
of the Company and other named beneficiaries of covenants or agreements in the
Agreement, or their respective heirs, successors, executors, administrators and
assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of
this Agreement.

    10.4 ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement, the Exhibits, the Confidentiality
Agreement, the Asset Purchase Agreement, the Indemnification Agreement and any
schedules or agreements delivered in connection with this Agreement or the
consummation of the Merger constitute the entire agreement among the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings among the parties with respect thereto.  No 

                                         -51- 
<PAGE>

information previously provided, addition to or modification of any provision 
of this Agreement shall be binding upon any party hereto unless made in 
writing and signed by all parties hereto.

    10.5 AMENDMENT.  This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto, by
action taken by their respective Boards of Directors, at any time before or
after approval of matters presented in connection with the Merger by the
stockholders of Company and Parent, but after any such stockholder approval, no
amendment shall be made which by law requires the further approval of
stockholders without obtaining such further Approval.  This Agreement may not be
amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the
parties hereto.

    10.6 GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its rules of
conflict of laws.  Each of Company and Parent hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally consents to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts
of the State of Delaware and of the United States of America located in the
State of Delaware (the "Delaware Courts") for any litigation arising out of or
relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (and agrees
to commence any litigation relating thereto except in such courts), waive any
objection to the laying of venue of any such litigation in the Delaware Courts
and agrees not to plead or claim in any Delaware Court that such litigation
brought therein has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

    10.7 COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in
separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an
original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same
instrument.  Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof each
signed by less than all, but together signed by all of the parties hereto.

    10.8 HEADINGS.  Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Agreement are
for the convenience of the parties only, and shall be given no substantive or
interpretive effect whatsoever.

    10.9 INTERPRETATION.  In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise
requires, words describing the singular number shall include the plural and vice
versa, and words denoting any gender shall include all genders and words
denoting natural persons shall include corporations and partnerships and vice
versa.

    10.10  WAIVERS.  Except as provided in this Agreement, no action taken
pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, any investigation by
or on behalf of any Party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the Party
taking such action of compliance with any representations, warranties, covenants
or 
                                         -52- 
<PAGE>

agreements contained in this Agreement.  The waiver by any Party hereto of a
breach of any provision hereunder shall not operate or be construed as a waiver
of any prior or subsequent breach of the same or any other provision hereunder.

    10.11  GENERAL INTERPRETIVE PRINCIPLES.  For the purposes of this Agreement,
except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

    (a)    the terms defined in this Agreement include the plural as well as the
           singular, and the use of any gender herein shall be deemed to include
           the other gender;

    (b)    accounting terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings
           assigned to them in accordance with GAAP;

    (c)    references herein to "Articles", "Sections", "Subsections",
           "Paragraphs", and other subdivisions without reference to a document 
           are to be designated Sections, Subsections, Paragraphs and other 
           subdivisions of this Agreement;

    (d)    a reference to a Subsection without further reference to a Section is
           a reference to such Subsection as contained in the same Section in 
           which the reference appears, and this rule shall also apply to 
           Paragraphs and other subdivisions;

    (e)    the words "herein", "hereof", "hereunder" and other words of similar
           import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular 
           provision; and

    (f)    the term "include" or "including" shall mean without limitation by
           reason of enumeration.

    10.12  REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS.  This Agreement and all documents relating
thereto, including, without limitation, (a) consents, waivers and modifications 
which may hereafter be executed, (b) documents received by any Party at the 
Closing, and (c) financial statements, certificates and other information 
previously or hereafter furnished, may be reproduced by any photographic, 
photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar 
process.  The Parties agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible into
evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceedings 
whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction
was made by a Party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement,
facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be 
admissible into evidence.

                                         -53- 
<PAGE>

    10.13  SEVERABILITY.  Any term or provision of this Agreement which is
invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this
Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or
provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.  If any Provision of
this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be
interpreted to be only as broad as is enforceable.

    10.14  ENFORCEMENT OF AGREEMENT.  The parties hereto agree that irreparable
damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement was
not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was otherwise breached. 
It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions hereof in any Delaware Court, this being in addition to
any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

    10.15  SUBSIDIARIES.  As used in this Agreement, the word "Subsidiary" when
used with respect to any Party means any corporation, partnership or other
organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which such Party
directly or indirectly owns or controls at least a majority of the securities or
other interests having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority
of the board of directors or others performing similar functions with respect to
such corporation or other organization, or any organization of which such Party
is a general partner.  When a reference is made in this Agreement to Significant
Subsidiaries, the words "Significant Subsidiaries" shall refer to Subsidiaries
(as defined above) which constitute "significant subsidiaries" under Rule 405
promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act.

    10.16  CHANGES IN APPLICABLE LAW.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, if subsequent to the Closing, regulations are promulgated under
Section 368 of the Code such that as applicable to the Merger, continued
ownership of the Parent Common Stock issued in connection with Merger is not
required in order for the Merger to qualify as a reorganization under Section
368(a)(1)(A) and 368(a)(2)(D) of the Code, then the Parties hereby agree that
both the representations set forth in Section 5.10(a) and the covenant set forth
in the third sentence of Section 7.1(H) shall be automatically withdrawn and
shall be binding against the Shareholder.  Notwithstanding anything herein to
the contrary, is subsequent to the execution of this Agreement, regulations are
promulgated under Section 368 of the Code such that as applicable to the Merger,
additional transfer of assets of the Company are permitted without causing the
Merger to fail to qualify under Section 368(a)(1)(A) and 368(a)(2)(D) of the
Code, then the Parties 

                                         -54- 
<PAGE>

hereby agree that the reference to "Section 368(a)(2)(C) of the Code" in 
Section 5.22(C) shall be modified to read as "Section 368(a)(2)(C) of the 
Code or Treasury Regulation Section 1.386-1(d)."

    10.17 EXPENSES.  Except as specifically provided herein, all legal and
other costs and expenses in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be paid by the Shareholder on one hand or the Parent,
as the case may be, depending upon which Party incurred such costs and expenses.
As set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement and subject to the limitations set
forth therein, at the Closing and subject to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Asset Purchase Agreement,
the Purchaser shall pay a portion of the Shareholder's expenses incurred in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the transactions
contemplated by the Asset Purchase Agreement.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement and caused the
same to be duly delivered on their behalf on the day and year first written
above.

                                       EQUITY COMPRESSION SERVICES CORPORATION

                                       By:   
                                             ---------------------------------
                                       Name: 
                                             ---------------------------------
                                       Title:
                                             ---------------------------------


                                       OEC ACQUISITION CORPORATION


                                       By:   
                                             ---------------------------------
                                       Name: 
                                             ---------------------------------
                                       Title:
                                             ---------------------------------


                                       OUACHITA ENERGY CORPORATION

                                       By:   
                                             ---------------------------------
                                       Name: 
                                             ---------------------------------
                                       Title:
                                             ---------------------------------


                                       ---------------------------------------
                                       DENNIS W  ESTIS




                                         -55-