Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.6

                                     [LOGO]

                         WESTPORT RESOURCES CORPORATION

                              ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN

                                      2000

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                          WESTPORT OIL AND GAS COMPANY
                              ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN

                                    OVERVIEW

PARTICIPANTS

It is intended that selected business unit employees will be participants. This
will generally involve geologists, geophysicists, engineers, landmen, and
managers. However, the Plan permits the Administrator to add or exclude certain
employees, if that is desired.

TARGET BONUS POOL

o    Determined for each business unit at the beginning of the year by the
     Administrator.

o    25% of the distributable pool will be awarded based on a participant being
     part of the Business Unit. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the distributable
     pool will be awarded on a discretionary basis by the business unit heads
     with approval of the Plan Administrator.

o    The Administrator will determine the distributable pool conditional upon
     meeting the Company Performance Threshold, with specific amounts dependent
     upon the level to which individual business unit goals were met.

COMPANY PERFORMANCE THRESHOLD

o    At the beginning of the year, the Administrator will establish one or
     multiple goals, which will serve as an overall Company performance
     threshold (the "Company Performance Threshold"). If this threshold is not
     achieved, no payments will be required to be made, regardless of the
     performance of any individual business unit.

BUSINESS UNIT GOALS

o    Goals will be set at the beginning of the year for each business unit. It
     is anticipated that FIVE goals based on value addition, asset growth, and
     production increase will be used but these may vary (see sample worksheet)
     from year to year.

o    Each of the goals will be weighted as a percent of the total incentive,
     i.e., 30%, 20%, 20%, 20% and 10%, respectively. If all of the goals are
     achieved, 100% of the target incentive will be payable. (See graphs for
     each goal which shows the gradation from the minimum target to the maximum
     target.)

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PAYMENT

o    At the year end, the Administrator will determine if the Company
     Performance Threshold has been achieved. The goals of each of the business
     units will be evaluated and the Administrator will then determine the
     percentage of goals achieved. (See sample worksheet.)

o    Responsible officers will then allocate the discretionary portions subject
     to approval by the Chief Executive Officer and the Administrator.

o    Payment made pursuant to the Plan may be made in cash or a combination of
     cash and common stock, 90 days following the end of the Plan Year. The
     disposition of any restricted common stock awarded pursuant to the Plan
     will be governed by the terms of a Restricted Stock Agreement.

o    Only whole shares of common stock will be paid. No fractional shares will
     be paid; if fractional shares would otherwise be paid, the Restricted Stock
     portion of the payment will be rounded to the next higher whole number of
     shares, and the cash portion will be reduced proportionately.

EMPLOYMENT EVENTS

o    If a participant retires, dies or becomes disable prior to payment, he/she
     will receive a pro rata portion of the award.

o    If a participant terminates for any other reason prior to payment, the
     amount will be forfeited.

o    The Administrator will review unit recommendations annually to determine
     whether an employee will or will not participate in the Plan for each given
     year.

ADMINISTRATOR

The Compensation Committee of the Board will have oversight responsibility for
the Plan.

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                                  PLAN DOCUMENT

SECTION 1.  PLAN ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE

1.1  Establishment. Westport Oil and Gas Company, Inc. (the "Company"), a
     Delaware corporation, hereby establishes an annual compensation program for
     certain employees of its various business units, which shall be known as
     the Westport Oil and Gas Company, Inc. Business Unit Annual Incentive Plan
     (the "Plan").

1.2  Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to maximize the success and
     profitability of the business units by providing significant incentive
     opportunities to certain employees assigned to the business unit when the
     business unit achieves its annual goals.

SECTION 2.  DEFINITIONS

2.1  Definitions. Whenever used herein, the following terms shall have their
     respective meanings set forth below:

     a.   "Administrator" means the Compensation Committee of the Board of
          Directors of Westport Oil and Gas Company, Inc., or the group or
          individual designated by the Compensation Committee.

     b.   "Company" means Westport Oil and Gas Company, Inc., and any
          subsidiaries.

     c.   "Disability" has the same meaning as provided in the long-term
          disability plan maintained by the Company. In the event of a dispute,
          the determination of Disability shall be made by the Administrator.
          If, at any time during the period that this Plan is in operation, the
          Company does not maintain a long-term disability plan, Disability
          shall mean a physical or mental condition which, in the judgment of
          the Administrator, permanently prevents a Participant from performing
          his usual duties for the Company or such other position or job which
          the Company makes available to him and for which the Participant is
          qualified by reason of his education, training and experience. In
          making its determination the Administrator may, but is not required
          to, relay on advice of a physician competent in the area to which such
          Disability relates. The Administrator may make the determination in
          its sole discretion and any decision of the Administrator will be
          binding on all parties.

     d.   "Participant" means any individual designated to participate in the
          Plan pursuant to Subsection 4.1.

     e.   "Plan" means the Westport Oil and Gas Company, Inc. Business Unit
          Annual Incentive Plan.

     f.   "Plan Year" means the 12-month period of January 1 to December 31.

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     g.   "Retirement" means the termination of employment with the Company by a
          Participant who has attained the Normal Retirement Age. For purposes
          of this Plan, such age shall be 62 years.

2.2  Gender and Number. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, words in
     the masculine gender when used in the Plan shall include the feminine
     gender, the singular shall include the plural, and the plural shall include
     the singular.

SECTION 3.  ADMINISTRATION. NO CONTROL AND NATURE OF INTEREST

3.1  Administration. The Administrator shall have the exclusive responsibility
     for the general administration of the Plan according to the terms and
     provisions of the Plan and shall have all the powers necessary to
     accomplish these purposes; including, but not by way of limitation, the
     right, power and authority:

     a.   To make rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan;

     b.   To construe all terms, provisions, conditions, and limitations of the
          Plan;

     c.   To correct any defects, supply any omissions or reconcile any
          inconsistencies that may appear in the Plan in the manner and to the
          extent deemed expedient;

     d.   To determine all controversies relating to the administration of the
          Plan, including, but not limited to, differences of opinion which may
          arise between the Company or the Administrator and the Participants;

     e.   To resolve any questions necessary to promote the uniform
          administration of the Plan; and

     f.   To appoint and to delegate to appropriate management employees any
          ministerial duties required hereunder. In the event of such
          appointment or delegation, the Administrator shall require regular
          reporting by the individuals so appointed.

3.2  Administrator's Discretion. The Administrator, in exercising any power or
     authority granted under this Plan, or in making any determination under
     this Plan, shall perform or refrain from performing those acts in his sole
     and absolute discretion and judgment. Any decision made by the
     Administrator, or any refraining to act or any act taken by the
     Administrator, in good faith shall be final and binding on all parties.

3.3  Liability and Indemnity of Administrator. The Administrator shall not be
     liable for any act done or any determination made in good faith. The
     Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold
     the Administrator harmless from any and all claims, causes of action,
     damages and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses)
     incurred by the Administrator in connection with or otherwise related to
     his or her service in such capacity.

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3.4  No Control and Nature of Interest. The granting of rights to Participants
     under the provisions of the Plan represents only a contracted right to
     receive compensation as determined by the Plan Administrator from time to
     time. Accordingly, the Plan grants no right to, or interest in, either
     express or implied, any equity position or ownership in the Company.

SECTION 4.  ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

4.1  Eligibility and Participation. It is intended that selected employees of
     all business units shall be Participants. However, there may be instances
     in which it is determined that a particular employee should not participate
     in the Plan for a given year. For that reason, prior to the first day of
     each Plan Year the Executive in charge of each business unit will provide
     to the Administrator a list of key employees within the business unit as
     well as a recommendation as to which of the listed employees should
     participate in the Plan for that Plan Year. In the event that after the
     beginning of the Plan Year, the Executive of a business unit determines
     that an individual should become a Participant during the Plan Year, a
     recommendation to that effect should be made to the Administrator. An
     individual shall become a Participant only after having been approved by
     the Administrator.

SECTION 5.  INCENTIVE AWARDS

5.1  Establishing the Target Amount. Annually, for each business unit, the
     Administrator shall determine the Target Bonus Amount for Award purposes.
     This shall be called the "Target Amount".

5.2  Awarding Bonuses. Annually, after determining that the Company Performance
     Threshold has been met and after determining the level of achievement of
     performance goals by each Business Unit, the Administrator will confirm an
     award to each Participant within each business unit a specified number of
     Incentive Units. In confirming such award, the Administrator may rely upon
     recommendations from appropriate management personnel within each business
     unit or may make the award based solely upon the Administrator's
     discretion. Each Participant will be notified of the Bonus Amount awarded
     to him within 90 days of the end of the Plan Year.

5.3  Setting Performance Goals. Annually, the Administrator will also establish
     the business goals which the business unit must achieve in order for the
     payments to be made under the Plan. These shall be called "Performance
     Goals". The Performance Goals will be quantifiable and may vary from year
     to year. It is anticipated that multiple Performance Goals will be
     established for each business unit. As a result, the Administrator will
     also determine the weighting, expressed as a percentage, of each
     Performance Goal. The weighted Performance Goal shall be called the
     "Incentive Unit Percentage". The aggregate of all Incentive Unit
     Percentages for a business unit will equal 100%.

5.4  Setting Company Performance Threshold. Annually, the Administrator will
     also establish the Company performance which must be achieved before any
     payments can be made under this Plan. This shall be called the "Company
     Performance

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     Threshold". If the Company Performance Threshold is not achieved, no
     payments will be made for the Plan Year notwithstanding the fact that a
     business unit may have achieved or exceeded one, or more, of its
     Performance Goals for the Plan Year.

SECTION 6.  PAYMENT OF INCENTIVE AMOUNTS

6.1  Calculation of Amount to be Paid. At the end of each Plan Year, the
     Administrator will review each business unit's performance and determine
     the extent to which each Performance Goal has been achieved. The sum of all
     Incentive Unit Percentages for all of the Performance Goals that have been
     achieved or exceeded, when multiplied by the Target Amount will equal the
     Payable Target Amount.

6.2  Payment. Following the calculation of the Payable Target Amount for each
     business unit, and if the Company Performance Threshold for the Plan Year
     has been achieved, payment will be made to the Participants from that
     business unit. Payment will be made within 90 days following the end of the
     Plan Year. The form of the payment will be in cash or a combination of cash
     and shares of Company Restricted Common Stock. The number of shares of
     Company Restricted Common Stock to be paid will be determined by dividing
     that portion of the payment amount which is to be paid in shares of Company
     Restricted Common Stock by the share price on a calculation date determined
     by the Administrator. In the event that the number of shares of Company
     Restricted Common Stock which are to be paid to a Participant is minimal,
     the Administrator, in his sole discretion, may determine that the entire
     payment amount will be paid in cash. The determination of what constitutes
     a minimal amount of shares will be determined by the Administrator in his
     sole discretion.

SECTION 7.  EMPLOYMENT EVENTS

7.1  Termination of Employment. In the event that the Participant is terminated
     or terminates employment for any reason other than death, Disability or
     Retirement, prior to payment of any amount which may be due under this
     Plan, said Participant shall forfeit and have no right to receive any
     amounts which otherwise might have been paid under this Plan.

7.2  Death, Disability, Retirement. In the event that the Participant terminates
     employment as a result of death, Disability or Retirement, the Participant,
     or the estate of the Participant, will be entitled to a payment based upon
     the Achieved Unit Value multiplied by the Incentive Units awarded to such
     Participant, but reduced by one-twelfth (1/12th) for each full month, by
     which the Participant's death, Disability or Retirement precedes the end of
     the Plan Year.

7.3  Participation After the Beginning of the Plan Year. In the event that an
     individual becomes a Participant after the beginning of the Plan Year, the
     Participant will be entitled to a payment, but reduced by one-twelfth
     (1/12th) for each full month during which the individual was not a
     Participant in the Plan.

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SECTION 8.  LIMITATION OF RIGHTS

8.1  Limitation of Right. Nothing in this Plan shall be construed:

     a.   To give any Participant any right to be awarded an Incentive Unit
          other than at the sole discretion of the Administrator;

     b.   To limit in any way the right of the Company to terminate a
          Participant's employment with the Company at any time; or

     c.   To evidence any agreement or understanding, expressed or implied, that
          the Company will employ a Participant in any particular capacity or
          for any particular remuneration.

SECTION 9.  DURATION OF PLAN

9.1  Duration of Plan. The Plan shall remain in effect indefinitely, subject to
     the Company's right to terminate the Plan pursuant to Section 10 hereof.

SECTION 10. AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION OF PLAN

10.1 Amendment, Modification and Termination of Plan. The Company may at any
     time terminate the Plan, and from time to time, may amend or modify it,
     provided that no such action shall adversely affect any right or obligation
     with respect to any awards granted but not paid.

SECTION 11. ALIENATION

11.1 Alienation. No benefit provided by this Plan shall be transferable by the
     Participant except on the Participant's death, as provided in this Plan. No
     right or benefit under this Plan shall be subject to anticipation,
     alienation, sale, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or charge. Any attempt
     to anticipate, alienate, sell, assign, pledge, encumber, or charge any
     right or benefit under this Plan shall be void. No right or benefit under
     this Plan shall, in any manner, be liable for or subject to any debts,
     contracts, liabilities or torts of the person entitled to the right or
     benefit. If any Participant becomes bankrupt or attempts to anticipate,
     alienate, assign, pledge, sell, encumber, or charge any right or benefit
     under this Plan, then the right or benefit shall, in the sole discretion of
     the Administrator, cease. In that event, the Company may hold or apply the
     right or benefit, or any part of the right or benefit, for the benefit of
     the Participant, his or her spouse, children, or dependents, the
     beneficiary or any of them, in the manner or in the proportion that the
     Administrator shall deem proper, in his sole discretion, but is not
     required to do so.

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SECTION 12. TAX WITHHOLDING

12.1 Tax Withholding. Payments under the Plan shall be subject to applicable
     federal, state and local tax withholding requirements.

SECTION 13. UNFUNDED PLAN

13.1 Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be
     required to segregate any assets that may be represented by an Incentive
     Pool or Unit; the Company shall not be deemed to be a trustee of any
     amounts to be paid to a Participant. Any liability of the Company to pay
     any Participant with respect to an Achieved Incentive Amount shall be based
     solely upon any contractual obligations created pursuant to the provisions
     of the Plan; and no such obligation shall be deemed to be secured by any
     pledge or encumbrance on any property of the Company. However, the Company
     has the discretion at any time to segregate such assets that may be
     represented by an incentive amount. The assets will at all times remain
     property of the Company. The Participants and their beneficiaries shall at
     all times be merely unsecured creditors of the Company.

SECTION 14. SUCCESSOR COMPANY

14.1 Successor Company. In the event of a merger, consolidation, combination, or
     reorganization involving the Company and any other entity or corporation,
     the Administrator shall not agree to such merger, consolidation,
     combination, or reorganization unless and until the succeeding or
     continuing business entity shall expressly assume the accrued and payable
     obligations of the Company under this Plan, or other benefits to be paid to
     Participants which in the Administrator's sole judgment are comparable.

SECTION 15. GOVERNING LAW

15.1 Governing Law. The Plan, and all agreements hereunder, shall be constructed
     in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Colorado except
     to the extent superseded by federal law.

SECTION 16. EFFECTIVE DATE

16.1 Effective Date. The Plan shall become effective as of January 1, 2000.

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                          SAMPLE CALCULATION WORKSHEET

BUSINESS UNIT             Region A

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                          INCENTIVE                          ACHIEVED
     GOAL                               UNIT PERCENTAGE                     PERCENTAGE
---------------                         ---------------                   ---------------
<S>                                     <C>                               <C>
NPV20
NEW RESERVES                                  30%                              -0-%

NPV10
PROVED RESERVE BASE                           20%                               20%

EFFECTIVE RESERVE ADDITIONS                   20%                               15%

BASE PROPERTY PRODUCTION FORECAST             20%                               20%

WEDGE PRODUCTION FORECAST                     10%                               10%
                                              ---                               ---

     TOTAL                                   100%                               65%

TARGET AMOUNT              $1,000,000

TOTAL ACHIEVED PERCENT             65%
       EQUALS
TARGET AMOUNT PAYABLE      $  650,000

TOTAL AMOUNT AVAILABLE     $  650,000
LESS:  MANDATORY AMOUNTS   $  162,500
DISCRETIONARY AMOUNTS      $  487,500
</TABLE>

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                                   DEFINITIONS

ACTUAL RESERVE REPLACEMENT
Current year proved reserve additions divided by current year production.

BUSINESS UNIT ACQUISITIONS
Producing property acquisitions that are within existing focus areas. The cost
is within the business unit's capital budget.

CORPORATE ACQUISITIONS
Larger producing property or corporate acquisitions that might cross business
unit boundaries and the capital requirements are outside of the business unit's
budgets.

INCENTIVE PERFORMANCE WEIGHTING
The relative weight of each goal in achieving the total incentive, i.e., 35%,
20%, 15%, 20%, and 10%, respectively.

NPV20
Net Present Value at a 20% discount rate. An NPV20 exactly equal to zero would
indicate that a 20% rate of return was achieved. Proved reserves only shall be
considered in this calculation.

NET ASSET VALUE CHANGE
Third party proved reserves plus all remaining non-reserve balance sheet items
at the beginning of the year compared to year-end proved reserves and
non-reserve balance sheet items at the end of the year.

PERFORMANCE FACTOR
The degree to which each goal has been met (see "2000 Incentive Plan Goals"). No
credit will be given for results that are below a certain minimum threshold.
Above this threshold, a percentage of the incentive will be awarded depending on
the actual results. If results exceed the stated goal, additional credit will be
given up to the listed maximum amount.

RATE OF RETURN
This discount rate (or interest rate) at which the discounted present worth of
cash outflows exactly equals the discounted present worth of cash inflows. This
may also be stated as the discount rate at which the Net Present Value equals
zero.

RESERVE ADDITIONS
Proved reserves added as a result of exploration drilling, business unit
acquisitions, and development drilling or recompletions into zones previously
booked as probable, or possible.

VALUE ADDED INDEX OF 1
NPV10 on capita spent equal to capital spent (non-reserve capex considered at
cost).

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                               2000 INCENTIVE PLAN

COMPANY PERFORMANCE THRESHOLD

The Company performance thresholds for 2000 will be non-diminishment of net
asset value, the attainment of a value added index greater than 1.0, and the
achievement of positive net earnings. If these are met, then the business unit
incentive plan will be activated.

PARTICIPANTS

At the Plan Administrator's discretion, managers, geologists, geophysicists,
engineers, and landmen within each business unit may be included in the
incentive plan (see attached list).

BUSINESS UNIT GOALS

Five goals have been established for 2000.

GOAL #1:   NPV20 EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN ZERO ON RESERVE-ADD PROJECTS
           The goal is to achieve an average 20% or better rate of return on all
           of the reserve-add capital projects. At a 20% rate of return, the
           NPV20 is zero by definition. Reserve-add projects are defined as any
           capital projects that add reserves to the PROVED reserve base. This
           includes drilling projects, business unit acquisitions, and drilling
           or recompletions that prove up reserves previously defined as
           probable or possible.

GOAL #2:   THE CHANGE IN VALUE, NPV10, OF THE BEGINNING YEAR PROVED RESERVE BASE
           (1/1/00 RESERVE REPORT [RR])
           The goal is to maintain the value of the proved reserve base during
           the year. Therefore, the year-end RR, adjusted for current year
           reserve activity, will be compared with the beginning-year RR. These
           will be compared with consistent oil and gas prices. All changes in
           the RR, e.g., reserve revisions, production forecast revisions, lease
           operating expense revisions, maintenance revisions, abandonment
           revisions, project training revisions, capital revisions, and
           property sales will affect the value of the reserve base.

GOAL #3:   EFFECTIVE RESERVE ADDITIONS EQUAL TO 100% OF THE 2000 BUSINESS PLAN
           The goal is to add the reserves that were stated in the 2000 Business
           Plan. The challenge is to do it profitably. It would be easy to
           replace reserves by spending a large amount of money on marginally
           profitable acquisitions or drilling projects. All of the projects in
           the business plan have a rate of return greater than 20%. Therefore,
           the goal is to add the amount of oil and gas reserves that were
           planned for by spending the planned capital. If the Board changes the
           business plan so that more or less capital is actually spent, then
           the reserve target will increase or decrease by the MCFE per dollar
           spent ratio of the business plan.

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GOAL #4:   100% OF THE BASE PROPERTY PRODUCTION FORECAST OF THE YEAR IN THE
           BUSINESS PLAN
           The goal is for the base property production, for the current year,
           to be equal to or exceed the forecast in the 2000 Business Plan.

GOAL #5:   100% OF THE WEDGE PRODUCTION FORECAST OF THE 2000 BUSINESS PLAN
           The goal is for the wedge production to be equal to or exceed the
           forecast in the 2000 Business Plan. If more or less capital is
           actually spent than in the business plan, then the production target
           will increase or decrease by the MCFE per dollar spent ratio of the
           business plan. The production target will also be adjusted to account
           for delays imposed by corporate capital budget constraints.

TARGET AMOUNTS

A bonus pool will be established for each business unit consisting of an amount
equal to 30% of the salary of the business unit manager and 20% of the salary of
all other Participants. Based on the weighting and the business unit's
performance on each goal, a composite percentage score will be established for
each business unit. If the composite score is greater than zero, then incentive
awards will be paid. The available bonus pool to be distributed will be the
product of the established bonus pool times the composite percentage score. Each
eligible member of a business unit that has a positive composite percentage
score will receive 25% of their pool contribution for being a member of a
successful business unit. For example, if a business unit has a composite
percentage score of 100%, then every eligible member of the business unit would
receive a minimum award equal to (20% of their salary) x (100% composite score )
x (25%) = 5% of their salary. The other 75% of the pool will be distributed to
the eligible members based on the relative contribution that each member was
determined to have made to the success of the business unit. There is no maximum
limit for this individual discretionary award. Discretionary awards greater than
that which is available from the pool can be awarded for extraordinary
performance. Based on the weighting and the maximum performance factor of the
five goals, a composite percentage score of 150% is possible. Therefore, if a
business unit achieved this score and everyone in the business unit was
determined to have contributed equally to the success, then everyone would
receive a bonus equal to (150%) x (20%) = 30% of one year's salary.

ACQUISITION BONUS POOL

Bonus payable on acquisitions shall be calculated at 0.25% of closing price and
shall be payable in equal amounts over two (2) years, depending on meeting
criteria below. The Participants to whom the bonus is allocated shall be at the
discretion of the Plan Administrator.

A.   Achievement of values established in memorandum to the Board by the end of
     the year and achievement of year 1 production volumes represented in
     economics agreed to by the Board.

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B.   Look back after year 2 comparing reserve volumes, LOE's and production
     performance versus Board memo.

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.7

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of
May 8, 2000 by and between WESTPORT RESOURCES CORPORATION a Delaware
corporation, whose address is Suite 2300, 410 17th Street, Denver, Colorado
80202 (the "Company"), and DONALD D. WOLF whose address is 768 Franklin Street,
Denver, Colorado 80218 ("Officer").

         THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

         1.       Service.

                  1.1 Position. Officer agrees to be employed by and to serve
the Company as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and the Company agrees to
employ and retain Officer in such capacity in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement. Officer shall have powers as determined by the Company's Board of
Directors and duties commensurate with his position as Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company.

                  1.2 Duties. The Officer shall assume and discharge the
responsibilities of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (as set forth in
the Bylaws of the Company), as well as such other responsibilities as may be
assigned to him by the Board of Directors of the Company. Officer shall perform
his responsibilities to the best of his abilities, shall comply with the general
management policies of the Company as announced by the Board of Directors from
time to time and shall devote all of his business time, skill and attention to
the good faith best efforts performance of his responsibilities and the affairs
of the Company. The Officer will engage in no other business or activity for
compensation during the term of this Agreement except with the prior written
consent of the Company. The Officer shall always be subject to the directions of
the Board of Directors, to whom Officer shall report directly, in the
performance of his responsibilities, and nothing herein shall affect the power
of the Board of Directors to limit, alter, restrict, or remove the authority of
the Officer. Officer's principal place of business with respect to his services
to the Company shall be at its offices located in the Denver, Colorado
metropolitan area or other location reasonably acceptable to Officer. Officer
shall be required at various times to travel as part of his duties.

         2.       Term of Employment.

                  2.1 Basic Term. The initial term of employment of Officer by
the Company shall be from the date hereof through May 31, 2003 unless terminated
earlier pursuant to this Agreement.

         3.       Salary, Benefits and Bonus Compensation.

                  3.1 Base Salary. Commencing May 8, 2000, the Company agrees to
pay to Officer a "Base Salary" of $325,000 per annum, payable on the Company's
regularly established payroll payment dates. The Base Salary shall be subject to
modification for

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each calendar year or portion thereof determined in the sole discretion of the
Board of Directors. In the absence of and until any salary determination by the
Board, Officer's Base Salary for a particular calendar year shall be identical
to Officer's Base Salary in effect on December 31st of the immediately preceding
calendar year.

                  3.1      Benefits.

                           3.2.1 Officer Benefits. Officer shall be eligible to
participate in such of the Company's benefit and compensation plans as may be
generally available to employees of the Company, including participation in the
Company's health insurance plan, bonus plan, and its 401(k) program. All such
benefit plans may be amended or discontinued in the sole discretion of the
Company.

                           3.2.2 Business Expenses. The Company shall reimburse
Officer for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in carrying out his
duties under this Agreement, including travel and entertainment expenses.
Officer shall present monthly to the Company an itemized account of such
expenses in such form as may be required by the Company.

                           3.2.3 Auto. Officer shall be provided with an
appropriate company automobile to be used for business purposes in the course of
performing his duties described in Section 1.2. The automobile may also be used
by the Officer for personal travel, and, in such event, the Officer shall
maintain records regarding automobile use as required by federal tax
regulations. The Officer's records of automobile use shall be available to the
Company upon request.

                           3.2.4 Vacation and Health Club. Officer shall be
entitled to vacation time generally available to executive employees of the
Company (but no less than four weeks per year), during which vacation time his
compensation shall be paid in full. Officer shall be eligible to use the
Company's health club membership and Petroleum Club membership.

                           3.2.5 Stock Option. Officer shall be granted a
stock option to acquire Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) shares of the Company's
common stock, (the "Common Stock"), at a price of $16.28 per share pursuant to
the terms of the Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") effective as of March 1, 2000.
Such options shall vest ratably over a three (3) year period, subject to
adjustment as necessary for changes made to the outstanding shares of Common
Stock as set forth in the Plan, and pursuant to a stock option agreement to be
entered into by and between the Company and Officer pursuant to the Plan.

                           3.2.6 Severance. If, prior to May 31, 2003, Officer
is subject to a Termination Other Than for Cause (as defined below), the Company
shall pay Officer a sum equal to three times Officer's then applicable annual
Base Salary and three times the average of the last three years' bonuses.

                                                                               2
<PAGE>   3

                  3.3 Other Benefits. Nothing in this Article 3 shall be deemed
to limit or restrict any right or benefit of Officer under the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws or other documents or agreements of the
company applicable to officer.

4.       Termination of Employment.

                  4.1 Termination for Cause. Termination for Cause (as defined
below) of Officer's employment may be effected by the Company at any time
without liability except as specifically set forth in this Section 4.1. The
termination shall be effected by written notification to Officer and shall be
effective as of the time set forth in such notice. At the effective time of a
Termination for Cause, Officer immediately shall be paid all accrued Base Salary
and any reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Officer in
connection with his duties hereunder, all to the effective date of termination.
In addition, Officer shall be entitled to benefits under any benefit plans of
the Company in which Officer is a participant to the full extent of Officer's
rights under such plans.

                  4.2 Termination Other Than for Cause. The Company may effect a
Termination Other Than for Cause (as defined below) of Officer's employment at
any time upon giving written notice to Officer of such termination and without
liability except as specifically set forth in this Section 4.2. The termination
shall be effective as of the time set forth in such notice. At the effective
date of any Termination Other Than for Cause, Officer shall immediately be paid
all accrued Base Salary, severance payments pursuant to Section 3.2.6 and any
reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Officer in connection
with his duties hereunder, all to the effective date of termination. In
addition, Officer shall be entitled to benefits under any benefit plans of the
Company in which Officer is a participant to the full extent of Officer's rights
under such plans.

                  4.3 Disability. If, during the term of this Agreement,
Officer, in the reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors of Company, has
failed to perform his duties under this Agreement on account of illness or
physical or mental disability, which condition renders Officer incapable of
performing the duties of this office, and such condition continues for a period
of more than three (3) months, Company shall have the right to terminate
Officer's employment hereunder by written notification to Officer. In the event
of such termination, Company shall pay to Officer all accrued Base Salary and
any reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Officer in connection
with his duties hereunder, all to the effective date of termination, and
severance payments pursuant to Section 3.2.5. In addition, Officer shall be
entitled to benefits under any benefit plans of the Company in which Officer is
a participant to the full extent of Officer's rights under such plans.

                  4.4 Death. In the event of Officer's death during the term of
employment hereunder, Officer's employment shall be deemed to have terminated as
of the last day of the month during which his death occurs, and the Company
shall pay promptly to his estate all accrued Base Salary and any reasonable and
necessary business expenses incurred by Officer in connection with his duties
hereunder, all to the effective date of termination. Officer's estate shall also
be entitled to benefits under any benefit plans of the Company in which Officer
is a participant to the full extent of Officer's rights under such plans.

                                                                               3
<PAGE>   4

                  4.5 Voluntary Termination. In the event of a Voluntary
Termination (as defined below) by Officer, the Company shall immediately pay all
accrued Base Salary and any reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred
by Officer in connection with his duties hereunder, all to the effective date of
termination. In addition, Officer shall be entitled to benefits under any
benefit plans of the Company in which Officer is a participant to the full
extent of Officer's rights under such plans.

                  4.6 Termination Upon a Change in Control. In the event of a
termination upon a change in control, Officer shall be paid all accrued Base
Salary and any reasonable and necessary business expenses incurred by Officer in
connection with his duties hereunder and severance payments pursuant to section
3.2.6. "Termination Upon a Change in Control" shall mean a termination by
Officer for Good Reason (as defined below) of Officer's employment with Company
following a Change in Control (as defined below). For purposes of this
Agreement, "Good Reason" shall include, but not be limited to, any of the
following (without the Officer's express written consent):

                  i) the assignment to Officer by Company of duties inconsistent
with, or a substantial alternation in the nature or status of, Officer's
responsibilities immediately prior to a Change in Control.

                  ii) any reduction by Company in the officer's Base Salary in
any fiscal year after the date of a change in Control; or

                  iii) the assignment to the Officer by the Company of duties
requiring the Officer to locate outside of Denver, Colorado.

                  iv) after a Change in Control, any material breach by Company
of any provision of this Agreement, if such material breach has not been cured
within thirty (30) days following written notice by Officer to Company of such
breach setting forth with specificity the nature of the breach.

                  4.7 Excise Tax Limitation

                  i) Gross-Up Payment. In the event it shall be determined that
any payment or distribution of any type to or for the benefit of the Officer, by
the Company, any Affiliate, any person who acquires ownership or effective
control of the Company or ownership of a substantial portion of the Company's
assets (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and the regulations
thereunder) or any affiliate of such Person, whether paid or payable or
distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or
otherwise (the "Total Payments"), is or will be subject to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties with respect to
such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties,
are collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Officer shall be
entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount
such that after payment by the Officer of all taxes (including any interest or
penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including any income tax,
employment tax or Excise Tax, imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Officer
retains an

                                                                               4

<PAGE>   5

amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Total
Payments.

                  ii) Determination by Accountant. All mathematical
determinations, and all determinations as to whether any of the Total Payments
are "parachute payments" (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code), that
are required to be made under this Section, including determinations as to
whether a Gross-Up Payment is required, the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and
amounts relevant to the last sentence of this Section 2(d)(2), shall be made at
the Company's expense by an independent accounting firm selected by the Company
from among the six largest accounting firms in the United States (the
"Accounting Firm"). The Accounting Firm shall provide its determination (the
"Determination"), together with detailed supporting calculations and
documentation to the Company and the Officer by no later than ten (10) days
following the Termination Date, if applicable, or such earlier time as is
requested by the Company or the Officer (if the Officer reasonably believes that
any of the Total Payments may be subject to the Excise Tax). If the Accounting
Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Officer, it shall furnish
the Officer and the Company with a written statement that such Accounting Firm
has concluded that no Excise Tax is payable (8\including the reasons therefor)
and that the Officer has substantial authority not to report any Excise Tax on
his or her federal income tax return. If a Gross-Up Payment is determined to be
payable, it shall be paid to the Officer within twenty (20) days after the
Determination (and all accompanying calculations and other material supporting
the Determination) is delivered to the Company by the Accounting Firm. Any
determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the
Officer, absent manifest error. As a result of uncertainty in the application of
Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the
Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments not made by the
Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), or that Gross-Up Payments will
have been made by the Company which should not have been made ("Overpayments").
In either such event, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the
Underpayment or Overpayment that has occurred. In the case of an Underpayment,
the amount of such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for
the benefit of the Officer. In the case of an Overpayment, the Officer shall, at
the direction and expense of the Company, take such steps as are reasonably
necessary (including the filing of returns and claims for refund), follow
reasonable instructions from, and procedures established by, the Company, and
otherwise reasonably cooperate with the Company to correct such Overpayment,
provided, however, that (i) the Officer shall not in any event be obligated to
return to the Company an amount greater than the net after-tax portion of the
Overpayment that he or she has retained or has recovered as a refund from the
applicable taxing authorities and (ii) this provision shall be interpreted in a
manner consistent with the intent to make the Officer whole, on an after-tax
basis, from the application of the Excise Tax, it being understood that the
correction of an Overpayment may result in the Officer repaying to the Company
an amount which is less than the Overpayment.

                  iii) The Officer shall notify the Company in writing of any
claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the
payment by the Company of the Gross-up Payment. Such notification shall be given
as soon as practicable but no later than 10 business days after the Officer is
informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of
such claim and the date on which such claim is

                                                                               5
<PAGE>   6
requested to be paid. The Officer shall not pay such claim prior to the
expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which he or she gives such
notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any
payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the
Officer in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to
contest such claim, the Officer shall:

                           a)       give the Company any information reasonably
                                    requested by the Company relating to such
                                    claim,

                           b)       take such action in connection with
                                    contesting such claim as the Company shall
                                    reasonably request in writing from time to
                                    time, including, without limitation,
                                    accepting legal representation with respect
                                    to such claim by an attorney reasonably
                                    selected by the Company,

                           c)       cooperate with the Company in good faith in
                                    order effectively to contest such claim, and

                           d)       permit the Company to participate in any
                                    proceedings relating to such claim;

provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Officer harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and
payment of costs and expenses. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this
Section 2(d), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with
such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all
administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing
authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct
the Officer to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in
any permissible manner, and the Officer agrees to prosecute such contest to a
determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial
jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Corporation shall
determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Officer to pay
such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such
payment to the Officer, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and hold
the Officer harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax
(including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to
such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance;
and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitation relating to
payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Officer with respect to which such
contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested
amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited
solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the
contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-up Payment
would be payable hereunder and the Officer shall be entitled to settle or
contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue
Service or any other taxing authority.

                                                                               6
<PAGE>   7

         5.       Protection of the Company's Business.

                  5.1 No Competition. Officer shall not, for twelve (12) months
following the voluntary termination of his employment, work as an employee or
independent contractor or become an investor or owner in or lender to any
business, corporation, partnership or other entity (a "Competing Business")
where such employment with, investment in or service to the Competing Business
would aid, entail or result in such Competing Business' competition with the
Company in any project or transaction of the Company of which Officer was aware
or should have been aware during the term of his employment with the Company.

                  5.2 No Hire of Other Officers or Contractors. Officer agrees
that for a period of twelve (12) months from and after the date following the
termination of his employment, he shall not, directly or indirectly, as an
employee of or consultant to any Person, or for himself or on behalf of, or in
connection with, any Person, solicit or attempt to solicit, direct or take away
any Person who was an employee, agent, or contractor of the Company at any time
during the twelve-month period prior to the termination of Officer's employment
or who is an employee, agent or contractor for the Company during the
twelve-month period following the termination of Officer's employment; provided,
however, that this provision shall not apply to the solicitation or attempted
solicitation of any Person known in the industry in which the Company is engaged
to have performed services in the industry generally and not as an employee of
any single entity in the industry. The Company may waive the restriction
contained in this Section 5.2 as to any employee at any time, but any such
waiver shall not be considered a waiver of the future application of this
provision nor shall it be considered a waiver as to any employee other than the
one to whom it applies.

         6.       Confidentiality.

                  6.1 Confidential Information and Materials. All of the
Confidential Information and Materials, as defined herein, are and shall
continue to be the exclusive confidential property and trade secrets of the
Company. Such Confidential Information and Materials shall include only such
information that is proprietary to the Company and shall not include any
information that becomes part of the public domain through no fault of Officer.
Confidential Information and Materials have been or will be disclosed to Officer
solely by virtue of his employment with the Company and solely for the purpose
of assisting him in performing his duties for the Company. "Confidential
Information and Materials" refers to the terms of this Agreement, the
organization structure and ownership of the Company, its shareholders, its
advisors and advisors to its shareholders, its affiliates and the affiliates of
any of its shareholders and their advisors and all information belonging to or
used by the Company or the Company's clients or associates relating to internal
operations, procedures and policies, finances, income, profits, business
strategies, pricing, billing information, compensation and other personnel
information, client contacts, sales lists, employee lists, geotechnical
information of every sort and character, technology, land status, exploration
and acquisition plans and programs, costs, marketing plans, developmental plans,
drilling plans, inventions, computer program manuals, computer programs, and
computer system designs (to the extent such manuals, programs and designs are
created by or for the Company and are not off-the-shelf manuals, programs and

                                                                               7
<PAGE>   8
designs) and trade secrets of every kind and character, whether or not they
constitute a trade secret under applicable law and whether developed by Officer
during or after business hours.

                  6.2 Non-disclosure and Non-use. Officer may use Confidential
Information and Material while an employee of the Company and in the course of
that employment to the extent deemed necessary by the Board of Directors for the
performance of Officer's responsibilities or as otherwise required by law. Such
permission expires upon termination of his employment with the Company or on
notice from the Company. Officer shall not, either during or after his
employment with the Company, disclose any Confidential Information or Materials
to any person, firm, corporation, association or other entity for any reason or
purpose unless expressly permitted by the Company in writing or unless required
by law to be disclosed. Officer shall not use, in any manner other than to
further the Company's business, any Confidential Information or Materials. Upon
termination of his employment, Officer shall immediately return all Confidential
Information or Materials or other property of the Company, its associates or its
potential associates in his possession or control.

         7.       Definitions.

                  7.1 Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the
following terms shall have the following meanings:

                           7.1.1 "Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to any
Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or
under direct or indirect common control with such Person. A Person shall be
deemed to control another Person for purposes of this definition if such Person
possesses, directly or indirectly, the power (i) to vote the securities or other
ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the
Board of Directors of a corporation or other Persons performing similar
functions for any other type of Person, or (ii) to direct or cause the direction
of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of
voting securities, by contract, as general partner, as trustee or otherwise.

                           7.1.2 "Change in Control" shall be defined to have
occurred if (a) any "person" or "group" (within the meaning of Sections 13(d)
and 14(d)(2) of the 1934 Act), other than a trustee or other fiduciary holding
securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or the current
beneficial owners or their Affiliates (as defined herein) are or become the
"beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act), directly or
indirectly, of more than one-half of the then outstanding voting stock of the
Company; or (b) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or
consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger of
consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company
outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by
remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the
surviving entity) at least a majority of the combined voting power of the voting
securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after
such merger of consolidation, or the stockholders approve a plan of complete
liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the
Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.

                                                                               8
<PAGE>   9
                           7.1.3 "Person" shall mean any individual,
partnership, joint venture, firm, company, corporation, association, trust or
other enterprise or any government or political subdivision or any agent,
department or instrumentality thereof.

                           7.1.4 "Termination for Cause" shall mean termination
by the Company of Officer's employment by the Company by reason of Officer's (1)
willful dishonesty towards, fraud upon or deliberate injury or attempted
deliberate injury to the Company; (2) misrepresentation or concealment of a
material fact or circumstance for the purpose of or otherwise in connection with
securing employment with the Company; (3) breach by Officer of any of the
provisions of Section 6 of this Agreement; (4) the refusal or willful failure to
follow the lawful directions of the Board of Directors; (5) conviction for a
felony; or (6) any material breach of this Agreement.

                           7.1.5 "Termination Other Than for Cause" shall mean
termination by the Company of Officer's employment by the Company other than a
Termination for Cause or for any or no reason. In no event shall the expiration
of this Agreement as set forth in Section 2.1 constitute a "Termination Other
Than for Cause".

                           7.1.6 "Voluntary Termination" shall mean termination
by Officer of Officer's employment with the Company, but shall not include
constructive termination by the Company by reason of material breach of this
Agreement by the Company. Voluntary Termination shall include a termination of
Officer by the Company after its receipt of a notice of an otherwise Voluntary
Termination from Officer.

         8.       Remedies.

                  8.1 Equitable Remedies. The service rendered by Officer to the
Company and the information disclosed to Officer during his employment are of a
unique and special character, and any breach of Sections 5 or 6 hereof will
cause the Company irreparable injury and damage which will be extremely
difficult to quantify. The parties agree that because of unquantified risks and
intangibles which are impossible to measure, the Company will be entitled to, in
addition to all other remedies available to it, injunctive relief to prevent a
breach and to secure the enforcement of all provisions of Sections 5 and 6.
Injunctive relief may be granted immediately upon the commencement of any such
action without notice to Officer, which notice Officer hereby specifically
waives.

                  8.2 Arbitration. In the event any controversy arises with
respect to this Agreement, it shall be arbitrated in accordance with the rules
and procedures of the American Arbitration Association with the following
limitations:

                           8.2.1 The laws of the State of Colorado shall be
applied to the interpretation and resolution of the controversy. The situs of
the arbitration shall be in the Denver Metropolitan Area of Colorado.

                           8.2.2 The parties shall be entitled to conduct
expedited discovery proceedings in accordance with the Colorado Rules of Civil
Procedure and such rights of discovery may be enforced by the appropriate court
by filing a petition for compliance, in

                                                                               9
<PAGE>   10
regard to which the parties hereto agree to abide timely and fully. The
discovery period shall in no event exceed a period of sixty (60) days from the
date the arbitration response is filed by the responding party.

                           8.2.3 Arbitration procedures shall be conducted
substantially in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure in the State of
Colorado and the Rules of Evidence of said State.

                           8.2.4 The award of arbitration  may be reduced to
judgment in accordance with the rules of Civil Procedure of the State of
Colorado and/or the rules or laws of any other jurisdiction and the Colorado
Uniform Arbitration Act.

                           8.2.5 In the event one party willfully, after ten
(10) days notice of his failure or refusal, fails or refuses to comply timely
with the arbitration procedure, that party shall be deemed to have conclusively
waived its right to participate in the arbitration and the nondefaulting party
may either proceed to arbitration, the decision of which shall be binding upon
the defaulting party, or may proceed in an action in court.

                           8.2.6 The prevailing party in any arbitration may be
entitled to an award of attorneys' fees and all costs to be paid by the losing
party in the arbitration as determined by the arbitrators.

                           8.2.7 In the event a court of competent jurisdiction
or panel of arbitrators finds any of the provisions of this section 8.2 to be so
overbroad as to be unenforceable, it is the parties' intent that with respect to
such jurisdiction such provision be reduced in scope by the Court, but only to
the extent deemed necessary by the Court or arbitrators to render the provision
reasonable and enforceable, keeping in mind that it is the parties' intent to
give the Company the broadest possible legal protection.

                           8.2.8 In no event shall any monetary dispute between
the parties be arbitrated or litigated until there is an aggregated dollar
amount of not less than $10,000.00 in dispute.

                  8.3 Costs. Each party shall bear its own costs, including
attorneys fees, in enforcing or interpreting any provision of this Agreement.

                  8.4 Severability. It is the express intent of the parties
hereto that the obligations of, and restrictions on, the parties provided for in
this agreement shall be enforced and given effect to the fullest extent legally
permissible. If, in any judicial proceeding, a court shall refuse to enforce one
or more of the covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement because the
duration thereof is too long, the scope thereof is too broad or some other
reason, for the purpose of such proceeding, the court may reduce such duration
or scope to the extent necessary to permit the enforcement of such obligations
and restrictions.

                                                                              10
<PAGE>   11

         9.       Miscellaneous.

                  9.1 Payment Obligations. The Company's obligation to pay
Officer the compensation provided herein is subject to the condition precedent
that Officer perform his obligations.

                  9.2 Withholdings. All compensation and benefits to Officer
hereunder shall be reduced by all federal, state, local and other withholdings
and similar taxes and payments required by applicable law. The Company may
withhold amounts due it from Officer from amounts due under this Agreement to
Officer.

                  9.3 Waiver. The waiver of the breach of any provision of this
Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach
of the same or other provision hereof.

                  9.4 Entire Agreement: Modifications. This Agreement represents
the entire understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof, and this Agreement supersedes any and all prior understandings,
agreements, plans and negotiations, whether written or oral, with respect to the
subject matter hereof, including, without limitation, any understandings,
agreements or obligations respecting any past or future compensation, stock
options or issuances, bonuses, reimbursements or other payments to Officer from
the Company. All modifications to this Agreement must be in writing and signed
by the party against whom enforcement of such modification is sought.

                  9.5 Notices. All notices and other communications under this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery, or
first-class mail, certified or registered with return receipt requested, or by
commercial overnight courier or by facsimile and shall be deemed to have been
duly given upon hand delivery, three (3) days after mailing, the first business
day following delivery to a commercial overnight courier or upon receipt of a
facsimile, addressed as follows:

                  If to the Company:

                           Westport Oil and Gas Company, Inc.
                           410 Seventeenth Street, #2300
                           Denver, Colorado  80202
                           Facsimile:  (303) 573-5609

                  with a copy to:

                           Dr. Richard J. Has Partners
                           Attention:  Mr. Michael Russell
                           Dukes Court
                           32 Duke Street St. James
                           London UK  SW1Y 6DF
                           Facsimile:  011-44-207-321-5242

                           Equitable Resources Energy Co.
                           One Oxford Centre, Suite 3300
                           Pittsburgh, PA  15219
                           Attention:  Mr. Murry Gerber
                           Facsimile:  (412) 553-5731

                                                                              11
<PAGE>   12
                  If to Officer:

                           Donald D. Wolf
                           768 Franklin Street
                           Denver, Colorado  80218

Any party may change such party's address for notices by notice given pursuant
to this Section 9.5.

                  9.6 Headings. The Section headings herein are intended for
reference and shall not by themselves determine the construction or
interpretation of this Agreement.

                  9.7 Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Colorado without application of its conflict of law rules. Officer hereby
submits to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the District Court of the
State of Colorado for the City and County of Denver or the United States
district Court for the district of Colorado for purposes of any legal action.
Officer agrees that service upon Officer in any such action may be made by
first-class mail, certified or registered, in the manner provided for delivery
of notices in Section 9.5

                  9.8 Severability. Should a court or other body of competent
jurisdiction determine that any provision of this agreement is excessive in
scope or otherwise invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be adjusted
rather than voided, if possible, so that it is enforceable to the maximum extent
possible, and all other provisions of the Agreement shall be deemed valid and
enforceable to the extent possible.

                  9.9 Survival of the Company's Obligation. The Company's
obligations hereunder shall not be terminated by reason of any liquidation,
dissolution, bankruptcy, cessation of business or similar event relating to the
Company. This Agreement shall not be terminated by any merger or consolidation
or other reorganization of the Company. In the event any such merger,
consolidation or reorganization shall be accomplished by transfer of stock or by
transfer of assets or otherwise, the provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon and insure to the benefit of the surviving or resulting corporation
or person. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the parties;
provided, however, that except as provided in this Section, this Agreement shall
not be assignable either by the Company or by Officer.

                  9.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
Agreement.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
agreement as of the date first above written.

OFFICER                             WESTPORT RESOURCES CORPORATION
                                    a Delaware Corporation

--------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Donald D. Wolf                      Name:
                                    Title:

                                                                              12

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