EXHIBIT 10.4

                                PROMISSORY NOTE


$500,000                                                  October 6, 1998


            Payment.  FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, Horizontal
Ventures, Inc., a Colorado corporation ("Maker"), hereby promises to pay to
the order of International Publishing Holding, S.A., a Luxembourg corporation,
or its designee ("Holder"), at 1, Place Dargent, L-1413 Luxembourg, Grand
Duchy of Luxembourg, the principal sum of Five Hundred Thousand and No/100
Dollars ($500,000.00), without interest, on December 31, 1998 ("Maturity
Date") as follows: (i) if Maker receives adequate financing proceeds to
acquire all outstanding shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of Saba
Petroleum Company (the "Series A Stock") on or before the Maturity Date, then
Maker shall pay the principal amount of this Promissory Note in cash or (ii)
if Maker does not receive such financing proceeds on or before the Maturity
Date, then Maker shall pay the principal amount of this Promissory Note in the
form of $500,000 worth of Series A Stock, which shares shall be valued for
such purpose at the purchase price paid for such shares by Maker on the date
hereof.  All payments (whether in cash or stock) shall be delivered to Holder
at the address set forth above or at such other place as Holder shall
hereafter designate in writing.

            Security.  Maker's obligation to pay Holder under this Promissory
Note is secured by a pledge of certain shares of Series A Stock in accordance
with the Pledge Agreement of even date herewith between Maker and Holder.  In
the event of a default by Maker under the Pledge Agreement, Holder may, at its
option, declare all or part of the principal under this Promissory Note
immediately due and payable; provided, however, that if this Promissory Note
is in default and Maker has filed for bankruptcy protection, Holder shall be
deemed to have declared this Promissory Note to be immediately due and payable
without further action.

            Prepayment.   Maker may prepay any or all of the amounts due under
this Promissory Note at any time, and from time to time, without penalty.  

            Attorneys' Fees.  Maker shall promptly reimburse Holder for all
costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs,
incurred to enforce this Promissory Note.

            No Waiver.  No failure on the part of Holder to exercise, and no
delay in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of such
right; nor shall any single or partial exercise by Holder of any right
hereunder preclude the exercise of any other right.  The remedies herein
provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law or
in equity.

            Waiver.  Maker hereby waives presentment, demand for payment,
protest for nonpayment, notice of dishonor, diligence in collection, and all
other indulgences.

            New York Law.  This Promissory Note shall be governed by and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

            General Provisions.  This Promissory Note may not be amended,
modified, or changed unless set forth in an instrument in writing and signed
by Holder and Maker.  Whenever used herein, the words "Maker" and "Holder"
shall be deemed to include their respective  successors and assigns.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this
Promissory Note as of the day and year first above written.

MAKER:

HORIZONTAL VENTURES, INC.
a Colorado corporation

        /s/ Randeep Grewal
BY: __________________________
        Randeep Grewal, Chairman and
        Chief Executive Officer