Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

                               CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                    BETWEEN

                           ATP OIL & GAS CORPORATION
                              a Texas corporation

                                      AND

                      AQUILA ENERGY CAPITAL CORPORATION,
                            a  Delaware corporation

             DATED APRIL __, 1999, EFFECTIVE AS OF MARCH 31, 1999
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                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS
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                                                                                   PAGE
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ARTICLE I:             DEFINITIONS AND REFERENCES...............................      1
     Section 1.1       Defined Terms............................................      1
     Section 1.2       Exhibits and Schedules...................................     10
     Section 1.3       Amendment of Defined Instruments.........................     10
     Section 1.4       References and Titles....................................     10
     Section 1.5       Calculations and Determinations..........................     10

ARTICLE II:            THE LOANS................................................     11
     Section 2.1       The Loans................................................     11
     Section 2.2       Use of Proceeds..........................................     12
     Section 2.3       Repayment of the Loans...................................     12
     Section 2.4       Prepayment of the Loans..................................     13
     Section 2.5       Commencement of ORRI Payments............................     13
     Section 2.6       Application of Receipts..................................     13
     Section 2.7       Borrower Sub-Account.....................................     14
     Section 2.8       Purchasers of Production.................................     15
     Section 2.9       Mandatory Prepayment of the Loans........................     15
     Section 2.10      Initial Swap Agreement...................................     15

ARTICLE III:           SECURITY.................................................     15
     Section 3.1       Security.................................................     15
     Section 3.2       Perfection and Protection of Security Interests and Liens     15
     Section 3.3       Release of Collateral....................................     16
     Section 3.4       Account Debtors..........................................     16

ARTICLE IV:            REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES...........................     16
     Section 4.1       Representations and Warranties of Borrower...............     16
     Section 4.2       Employees................................................     19

ARTICLE V:             NOTICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS.................................     20
     Section 5.1       Notice of Certain Matters................................     20
     Section 5.2       Other Information........................................     21

ARTICLE VI:            SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO EQUIPMENT.................     21
     Section 6.1       Location: Records........................................     21
     Section 6.2       Maintenance..............................................     21
     Section 6.3       Dispositions.............................................     21
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ARTICLE VII:           COVENANTS OF BORROWER.................................   21
     Section 7.1       Affirmative Covenants.................................   21
     Section 7.2       Negative Covenants....................................   28

ARTICLE VIII:          FURTHER RIGHTS OF LENDER AND BORROWER.................   29
     Section 8.1       Maintenance of Security Interests.....................   29
     Section 8.2       Performance of Obligations............................   30
     Section 8.3       Overriding Royalty Interest...........................   30
     Section 8.4       ORRI Option...........................................   30
     Section 8.5       Non-Recourse..........................................   31
     Section 8.6       Removal and Appointment of Operator...................   32
     Section 8.7       Set-Off Rights........................................   32

ARTICLE IX: CLOSING;   CONDITIONS TO CLOSING................................... 32
     Section 9.1       Closing...............................................   32
     Section 9.2       Conditions to Closing.................................   32
     Section 9.3       Conditions Precedent to Funding.......................   34

ARTICLE X:             EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES........................   35
     Section 10.1      Events of Default.....................................   35
     Section 10.2      Acceleration..........................................   37
     Section 10.3      Remedies..............................................   38
     Section 10.4      Indemnity.............................................   39

ARTICLE XI:            MISCELLANEOUS.........................................   39
     Section 11.1      Waivers and Amendments; Acknowledgments and Admissions   39
     Section 11.2      Survival of Agreements: Cumulative Nature.............   40
     Section 11.3      Notices...............................................   41
     Section 11.4      Parties in Interest; Transfers........................   42
     Section 11.5      Governing Law; Submission to Process..................   42
     Section 11.6      Limitation on Interest................................   42
     Section 11.7      Termination; Limited Survival.........................   43
     Section 11.8      Severability..........................................   43
     Section 11.9      Counterparts..........................................   43
     Section 11.10     Further Assurances....................................   43
     Section 11.11     Waiver of  Punitive Damages, Etc......................   43
     Section 11.12     Representations and Warranties of Lender..............   44

ARTICLE XII:           ARBITRATION...........................................   45
     Section 12.1      Arbitration...........................................   45
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EXHIBITS

Exhibit A    Properties
Exhibit B    Advancing Note
Exhibit C    Property Operating Statement
Exhibit D    Request for Commitment
Exhibit E    Cost Certificate

SCHEDULES

Schedule 2.1(a)     Existing Debt and Existing Liens
Schedule 2.1(b)     Development Operations
Schedule 2.8        Purchasers of Production
Schedule 4.1(c)     Stockholders of Borrower and
                    Stock Obligations
Schedule 4.1(h)     Other Obligations and Restrictions
Schedule 4.1(k)     ERISA Plans
Schedule 4.1(l)     Places of Business
Schedule 4.1(m)     Unpaid Bills
Schedule 4.1(o)     Affiliates
Schedule 7.1(b)     Existing Hydrocarbon Sales Agreement
Schedule 7.1(f)(i)  Hydrocarbon Pricing Parameters
Schedule 7.1(s)     Compliance with Environmental and Other Laws

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                                 CREDIT AGREEMENT

     THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT is made and entered into the _____ day of April,
1999, effective on the 31st day of March, 1999, by and among ATP OIL & GAS
CORPORATION, a Texas corporation (the "Borrower"), and AQUILA ENERGY CAPITAL
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Lender").

     WHEREAS, Borrower has requested that Lender make available, and Lender is
willing to make available to Borrower on the terms and conditions hereinafter
set forth, loans for refinancing of existing debt and the development of certain
oil and gas properties located in the United States Gulf of Mexico Outer
Continental Shelf.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto in consideration of the foregoing and
the terms, covenants, provisions and conditions hereinafter set forth hereby
agree as follows:

                   ARTICLE I:    DEFINITIONS AND REFERENCES

     Section I.1  Defined Terms.  As used in this Agreement, each of the
following terms has the meaning given it in this Section 1.1 or in the sections
and subsections referred to below

     "AAA" has the meaning given to such term in Section 12.1(a).

     "Advancing Note" has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.1(a).

     "Adverse Effect" means (i) any changes or effects that individually or in
the aggregate impact the business, operations, prospects or condition (financial
or other) of the Borrower adversely and in an amount exceeding $1,000,000.00 or
impact the Collateral adversely and in an amount exceeding $1,000,000.00, (ii)
the impairment of the ability of the Borrower in any respect to perform its
obligations under any of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, or (iii) the
impairment of the Lender's ability to realize the practical benefits of the
Security Documents or the Overriding Royalty Interest Conveyance.

     "AFE" means Authorization for Expenditures.

     "Affiliate(s)" means, as to any Person (as hereinafter defined), any other
Person who directly or indirectly controls, is under common control with, or is
controlled by such Person.  As used in this definition, "control" (including,
with its correlative meanings, "controlled by" and "under common control with")
shall mean possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the
direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or
partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise), provided
that, in any event (i) any Person who owns directly or indirectly 10% or more of
the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of

                                       1
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directors or other governing body of a corporation or 10% or more of the
partnership or other ownership interests of any other Person will be deemed to
control such other Person, (ii) any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall be deemed
to be an Affiliate of the Borrower, and (iii) the parent and any sister
corporation of the Borrower shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Borrower.

     "Agreement" means this Credit Agreement, as the same may be amended,
supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in compliance
with applicable provisions hereof.

     "Arbitration Notice" has the meaning given to such term in Section 12(c).

     "Assignees" has the meaning given to such term in Section 8.4.

     "Borrower Sub-Account" has the meaning given such term in Section 2.7(a).

     "Business Day" means a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which
commercial banks are open for business with the public in Houston, Texas.

     "Cash Collateral Account" has the meaning given to such term in Section
2.7(a).

     "Cash Collateral Account Agreement" means the agreement in the form
mutually satisfactory to the Lender and the Borrower, duly executed by the
Borrower, the Lender and the financial institution at which the Cash Collateral
Account is to be maintained.

     "Closing" has the meaning given such term in Section 9.1.

     "Closing Date" has the meaning given such term in Section 9.1.

     "Collateral" means all property of any kind which, pursuant to any Loan
Document, is subject to a Lien in favor or for the benefit of the Lender or is
purported to be subject to such a Lien, including without limitation, the
Equipment and the Properties.

     "Cost Certificate" has the meaning given such term in Section 2.1(b), each
such certificate to be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E.

     "Debt" means, as to the Borrower, all indebtedness, liabilities and
obligations of Borrower, whether matured or unmatured, liquidated or
unliquidated, primary or secondary, direct or indirect, absolute, fixed or
contingent, and whether or not required to be considered debt pursuant to GAAP,
excluding contingent abandonment liabilities not yet accrued.

     "Debt Service" means the principal and interest due pursuant to the Note
for any Interest Period.

     "Dedication Rate" has the meaning given such term in Section 2.6(b).

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     "Defensible Title" means (i) with respect to the Properties, such title
that: (A) with respect to each well or Unit located on the Leases entitles
Borrower to receive, free and clear of all royalties, overriding royalties and
net profits interests (except the ORRI), or other burdens on or measured by
production of Hydrocarbons, not less than the Net Revenue Interests of Borrower
reflected in Exhibit A for such wells or Units for the productive life of such
well or Unit (subject only to the Permitted Encumbrances); and (B) with respect
to each well or Unit located on the Leases obligates Borrower to bear costs and
expenses relating to the maintenance, development and operation of such well or
Unit in an amount not greater than the Working Interests of Borrower reflected
in Exhibit A for the productive life of such well or Unit (subject only to the
Permitted Encumbrances); free and clear of any security interest, lien,
encumbrance, mortgage, claim, security agreement or other charge, other than the
Permitted Encumbrances and any liens, mortgages, and security interests in favor
of Lender and its Affiliates or which are permitted hereunder.

     "Development Loan" means the loan or loans made or to be made by the Lender
to the Borrower, as evidenced by the Note, for development operations as
described on Schedule 2.1(b) attached to this Agreement.

     "Development Operations" means those operations described on Schedule
2.1(b) attached hereto.

     "Direct Taxes" means (a) Property Taxes, (b) Severance Taxes, (c) ad
valorem taxes, (d) conservation taxes, and (e) any other taxes of any kind,
excluding only income taxes and franchise taxes, imposed on the Borrower in
connection with or as a result of its ownership of the Properties or Hydrocarbon
production allocable to the Properties.

     "Drawdown Termination Date" means April 1, 2000.

     "Engineers" means, unless specifically provided otherwise, the following
petroleum engineering firms: Ryder Scott Company and S.A. Holditch & Associates,
Inc. or such other petroleum engineering firms mutually agreeable to the
Borrower and the Lender.

     "Environmental Laws" means any and all federal, state or local statutes,
laws (including common law), regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders,
decrees, permits, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or other governmental
restrictions relating to the environment or to emissions, discharges, releases
or threatened releases of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals or industrial,
toxic or hazardous substances or wastes into the environment, including ambient
air, surface water, ground water, or land, or otherwise relating to the
manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal,
transport or handling of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals or industrial,
toxic or hazardous substances or wastes.  For purposes of this definition,
"chemicals" includes all substances referred to in the second sentence of the
definition herein of "Hazardous Materials".

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     "Equipment" means Borrower's undivided interest in all equipment of every
kind and nature used for or in the operation of the Properties, equivalent to
the undivided interest of the Borrower constituting the Property on which such
Equipment is used, including but not limited to, pipelines, well and lease
equipment and surface equipment, casing, tubing, connections, rods, pipe,
machines, compressors, gathering systems, meters, motors, pumps, tankage,
fixtures, storage and handling equipment and all other equipment or movable
property of any kind and nature and wherever situated now or hereafter owned by
Borrower or in which Borrower may now or hereafter have any interest (to the
extent of such interest), together with all additions and accessions thereto,
all replacements and all accessories and parts therefor, all logs and records in
connection therewith, all rights against suppliers, warrantors, manufacturers,
sellers or others in connection therewith, and together with all substitutes for
any of the foregoing.

     "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time, together with all rules and regulations promulgated
with respect thereto.

     "ERISA Plan" means any employee pension benefit plan which is maintained by
any Person subject to Title IV of ERISA.

     "Event of Default" has the meaning given such term in Section 10.1;

     "Existing Debt" has the meaning given such term in Section 2.1(a).

     "Existing Liens" has the meaning given such term in Section 2.1(a).

     "Facility Fee" means the expenses owed by Borrower to Lender as
consideration, in part, for entering into the transactions contemplated under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

     "Fiscal Quarter" means a three-month period ending on March 31, June 30,
September 30 or December 31 of any calendar year.

     "Fiscal Year" means a twelve-month period ending on December 31 of any
calendar year.

     "GAAP" means those generally accepted accounting principles and practices
which are recognized as such by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or any
generally recognized successor).

     "Gas Purchase and Sale Agreement" has the meaning given such term in
Section 7.1(b).

     "Gross Receipts" means all sums received by Borrower in connection with
production of Hydrocarbons from or allocable to the Properties from March 1,
1999 to March 31, 1999 and during each calendar month thereafter and consisting
of Swap Settlement Proceeds and proceeds under gas purchase agreements, oil
purchase agreements, natural gas liquids purchase agreements, and any

                                       4
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other receipts relating to or arising from the sale or other disposition of
Hydrocarbons allocable to the Properties or the sale or other disposition of any
Equipment.

     "Hazardous Materials" means any substances regulated under any
Environmental Law, whether as pollutants, contaminants or chemicals, or as
industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes, or otherwise.  "Hazardous
Materials" also includes (a) any petroleum, any fraction of petroleum, natural
gas, natural gas liquids, liquefied natural gas and synthetic gas usable for
fuel (including any mixtures of the foregoing) that has been or may be emitted,
discharged or released into the environment, and (b) any drilling fluids,
produced waters and other wastes associated with the exploration, development or
production of crude oil, natural gas or geothermal reserves.

     "Hydrocarbons" means crude oil, condensate, natural gas, natural gas
liquids and other hydrocarbons.

     "Indebtedness" means and includes (i) all obligations for borrowed money of
any kind or nature, including funded and unfunded debt or guarantees thereof and
contingent obligations in respect of any of the foregoing including, without
limitation, reimbursement obligations in respect of letters of credit, and (ii)
all obligations for the acquisition or use of any fixed asset or improvements
thereto, including capitalized leases but excluding operating leases, which are
payable over a period longer than one year or guarantees thereof, regardless of
the term thereof or the Person or Persons (each as hereinafter defined) to whom
the same is payable; provided, however, that Indebtedness shall not include
trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business so long as the same
are being paid within thirty (30) days after becoming due (or, with respect to
any vendor, within such longer period as is acceptable to such vendor) or are
being contested in good faith.

     "Initial Loan" means the loan made by Lender to Borrower, as evidenced by
the Note, for the refinancing of certain Existing Debt and to pay other amounts
due by Borrower as described in Section 2.1(a) and Section 2.2 of this
Agreement.

     "Initial Reserve Report" means that certain reserve report dated March 31,
1999 prepared by Ryder Scott Company and dated March 31, 1999 prepared by S.A.
Holditch & Associates, Inc.,  with respect to the Properties.

     "Interest Period" means each period beginning on (and including) the
Repayment Date in one calendar month and ending on (but not including) the
Repayment Date in the next following calendar month, provided that the first
Interest Period for the Note and Loans shall begin on the Closing Date and end
on the day before the first Repayment Date.

     "Interest Rate" means that interest rate stated in the Note.

     "Lease" or "Leases" means, whether one or more, (i) those certain oil and
gas leases set forth in the description of each Property on Exhibit A attached
hereto, and any extension, renewal, correction, modification, election or
amendment (such as those relating to unitization) of any such Lease, or (ii)
other oil, gas and/or mineral leases or other interests pertaining to the
Properties which

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may now and hereafter be made subject to the Lien of any of the Security
Documents and any extension, renewal, correction, modification, election or
amendment (such as those relating to unitization) of any such lease or leases.

     "Lender" shall have the meaning given to such term in the first paragraph
of this Agreement, and its successors and assigns as holders of the Note.

     "Letters in Lieu" means those certain letters in lieu of transfer orders,
duly executed by Borrower, in the form satisfactory to Lender.

     "Lien" means, with respect to the Properties or other Collateral, any right
or interest therein of a creditor to secure Debt owed to it or any other
arrangement with such creditor which provides for the payment of such Debt out
of such property or assets or which allows it to have such Debt satisfied out of
such property or assets prior to the satisfaction of general creditors of the
owner of such property or assets, including any lien, mortgage, security
interest, pledge, deposit, production payment, rights of a vendor under any
title retention or conditional sale agreement or lease substantially equivalent
thereto, tax lien, mechanic's or materialman's lien, or any other charge or
encumbrance for security purposes, whether arising by law or agreement or
otherwise, but excluding any right of offset which arises without agreement in
the ordinary course of business.  "Lien" also means any filed financing
statement, any registration of a pledge (such as with an issuer of unregistered
securities), or any other arrangement or action which would serve to perfect a
Lien described in the preceding sentence, regardless of whether such financing
statement is filed, such registration is made, or such arrangement or action is
undertaken before or after such Lien exists.

     "Loans" means, collectively, the Initial Loan and the Development Loans and
"Loan" means, individually, the Initial Loan or any Development Loan as
described in Section 2.1.

     "Loan Documents" means this Agreement, the Mortgage, the Security
Agreement, the Note, the Overriding Royalty Interest Conveyance, the Gas
Purchase and Sale Agreement, the Swap Agreement, the Lockbox Agreement, the Cash
Collateral Account Agreement and other Security Documents, and all other
agreements or instruments now, heretofore or hereafter delivered by Borrower to
Lender in connection with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby
to secure or guarantee the payment of any part of the Obligations.

     "Loan Termination Date" means the earlier of (a) April 25, 2002, (b) the
date of payment and performance in full of all the Obligations of Borrower under
the Loan Documents (other than the Overriding Royalty Interest Conveyance), and
(c) the date on which Lender notifies Borrower, as provided in Section 10.2, of
the acceleration of payment of all Obligations because of the occurrence of an
Event of  Default.

     "Lockbox Agreement" means the agreement in form mutually satisfactory to
Lender and the Borrower duly executed by Borrower and the other parties
designated therein.

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     "Maximum Rate" means the maximum non-usurious rate of interest that Lender
is permitted under applicable law to contract for, take, charge, or receive from
Borrower.

     "Mortgage" has the meaning given such term in Section 3.1.

     "Net Revenue" means, for any Interest Period, Gross Receipts received
during such Interest Period minus the sum of (a) the share of Operating
Expenses, Direct Taxes, royalties,  overriding royalty interests and other
interests payable out of or measured by the production of Hydrocarbons allocable
to the undivided Working Interest of the Borrower constituting each Property and
payable during such Interest Period, plus (b) any Swap Settlement Payables for
the preceding calendar month.

     "Net Revenue Interest" or "NRI" has the meaning given the respective term
in the Mortgage.

     "Net Revenue Reimbursement Amount" means the amounts released to Borrower
pursuant to Section 2.7(b) hereof.

     "Note" means the Advancing Note in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

     "Notice of Assignment of Proceeds" has the meaning given such term in
Section 3.4.

     "Obligations" means all Debt from time to time owing from Borrower to
Lender or any of Lender's Affiliates under or pursuant to any of the Loan
Documents in connection with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated
hereby, including without limitation, all principal, interest, fees, expenses,
costs and indemnities.

     "Operating Agreements" means operating agreements relating to the
Properties, including, without limitation, all those certain operating
agreements which relate to or arise from the Properties pursuant to which
Borrower is or hereafter becomes the operator, any of which that are entered
into or amended after the date of this Agreement that would result in an Adverse
Effect being subject to the Lender's prior written approval.

     "Operating Expenses" means (a) direct lease operating, compression,
transportation and processing expenses and well maintenance expenses (such well
maintenance expenses shall be limited to $100,000.00 per event, net to
Borrower's Working Interest constituting the relevant Property, without Lender's
prior consent), which arise from Borrower's Working Interests constituting the
Properties in the wells that are subject to the Mortgage, that are billed to
Borrower by the Operator or incurred by the Borrower, as Operator, of the
Properties, (b) such Working Interest share of expenses incurred in the repair,
maintenance and replacement of damaged or obsolete Equipment, (c) such Working
Interest share of overhead charges payable to a third party Operator pursuant to
an applicable Operating Agreement in effect on the Closing Date with respect to
any of the Properties (or such new Operating Agreements or amendments to
existing Operating

                                       7
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Agreements that are approved in writing by Lender), excluding contract Operators
employed by Borrower who own no interest in the Properties.

     "Operator" means any operators, including contract operators, of the
Properties (as such terms are generally understood in the oil and gas industry)
and as approved by Lender pursuant to Section 8.7 hereof.

     "ORRI" means that overriding royalty interest in Hydrocarbons produced,
saved and sold or used off the premises of the relevant Lease, attributable to
the undivided interest of the Borrower constituting each Property conveyed by
Borrower to Lender pursuant to the Overriding Royalty Interest Conveyance dated
the Closing Date.

     "ORRI Option" means Borrower's option to purchase the ORRI from Lender
after such interest has been valued by mutually agreeable Engineers.

     "ORRI Sale Date" has the meaning given such term in Section 8.4.

     "Overriding Royalty Interest Conveyance" means an assignment, in form and
substance acceptable to Lender, pursuant to which Borrower grants in favor of
Lender an overriding royalty interest equal to six and one-fourth percent
(6.25%) of Hydrocarbons produced, saved and sold or used off the premises of the
relevant Lease, attributable to the undivided interest of the Borrower
constituting each Property, calculated and paid on the same basis as royalty
payable to the United States Department of Interior, Minerals Management Service
pursuant to applicable rules and regulations, such grant to be made on the
Closing Date but applicable only as to production on and after the first day of
the first calendar month following the Loan Termination Date.

     "Permitted Encumbrances" has the meaning given such term in the Mortgage.

     "Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, association, joint stock company, trust or trustee thereof, estate or
executor thereof, unincorporated organization or joint venture, court or
governmental unit or any agency or subdivision thereof, or any other legally
recognizable entity.

     "Properties" means those certain properties described in Exhibit A attached
hereto and incorporated herein, to the extent of the specific undivided interest
of the Borrower in any such Property stated therein.

     "Property Operating Statement" means the monthly statement, in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit C, to be prepared and delivered by Borrower to
Lender, pursuant to Section 2.6 hereof.

     "Property Taxes" means taxes imposed annually on Borrower which are based
on or measured by the estimated value (at the time such taxes are assessed) of
any Hydrocarbons

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underlying the lands covered by or pooled with the Leases attributable to the
undivided interests of the Borrower in the various Leases constituting the
Properties.

     "Proved Reserves" means the current estimated quantity of Hydrocarbons
which analysis of geologic and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable
certainty to be recoverable in the future from known oil and gas reservoirs
under existing economic and operating conditions based on either actual
production or conclusive formation tests.

     "Purchasers of Hydrocarbons" shall mean the Persons listed on Schedule 2.8
attached hereto, and all other Persons who, now or in the future, purchase
Hydrocarbons attributable or allocable to Borrower's Net Revenue Interests
constituting the Properties and are approved by Lender and Borrower in writing.

     "Purchase Price" has the meaning given such term in Section 8.4.

     "Repayment Date" means, prior to the satisfaction of all Obligations (other
than with respect to the Overriding Royalty Interest Conveyance), the later of:
(i) the twenty-fifth (25th) day of each calendar month, or (ii) the first
Business Day after the twenty-fifth (25th) day of such month following the
deposit into the Cash Collateral Account of Gross Proceeds attributable to the
sale of Hydrocarbons produced during the preceding calendar month attributable
to the Working Interest of Borrower constituting each of the Properties; but in
no event later than the last Business Day of the relevant calendar month; the
first such Repayment Date to occur during April 1999.

     "Request for Commitment" means a written request from Borrower to Lender
for an advance of funds as a Development Loan, in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit D.

     "Reserve Report" means, unless specifically denoted otherwise, the
petroleum engineering report defined in Section 7.1(f) hereof.

     "Rules" has the meaning given such term in Section 12.1(c).

     "Security Agreement" means a security agreement (Accounts, Equipment,
General Intangibles and Inventory) executed by Borrower as debtor in favor of
Lender as secured party dated as of the date hereof, in form and substance
mutually satisfactory to Lender and the Borrower, as the same may be modified,
amended or supplemented pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

     "Security Documents" means the Mortgage and all other security agreements,
deeds of trust, mortgages, chattel mortgages, pledges, guaranties, financing
statements, continuation statements, extension agreements and other agreements
or instruments now, heretofore, or hereafter delivered by Borrower to Lender in
connection with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby to secure
or guarantee the payment of any part of the Obligations.

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     "Severance Taxes" means taxes imposed on the Borrower or such production at
the time Hydrocarbons are produced from a well situated on any of the Leases or
on lands pooled therewith which are based on or measured by the amount or value
of such Hydrocarbon production allocable to the Properties.

     "Subsidiary" means for any Person any corporation of which more than fifty
percent (50%) of the issued and outstanding securities having ordinary voting
power for the election of directors is owned, directly or indirectly, by such
Person and/or one or more of its subsidiaries.

     "Swap Agreement" means any swap agreement, cap, collar, floor, exchange
transaction, forward agreement or exchange or protection agreement related to
Hydrocarbons or any option with respect to such transaction, as more
specifically provided in those certain master swap agreements on International
Swap Dealers Association forms and the schedules thereto and any confirmations
thereunder which Borrower enters into with or through Lender of even date
herewith and any other confirmations which Borrower may hereafter enter into
with or through Lender.

     "Swap Settlement Payables" means any settlement amounts payable by Borrower
under the terms of any executed Swap Agreement.

     "Swap Settlement Proceeds" means any settlement amounts paid to Borrower
under the terms of any executed Swap Agreement.

     "Tax Claim" means any claim by a taxing authority that Borrower owes any
amount of taxes of any kind other than claims for Severance Taxes and Property
Taxes.

     "Title Opinions" means those certain title opinions addressed to Borrower
and Lender and dated on or prior to the Closing Date, as the same may be or are
required to be updated under this Agreement, covering all of the Properties.

     "Unit" means a pooled unit or proration unit as designated by an effective
designation of unit, proration unit plan, or other instrument of similar impact
properly filed with the appropriate governmental authority.

     "Unmatured Event of Default" means any event or condition which would, with
the giving of any requisite notices and/or the passage of any requisite periods
of time, constitute an Event of Default.

     "Working Interest" or "WI" have the meaning given such terms in the
Mortgage.

     Section I.2 Exhibits and Schedules. All exhibits and schedules attached to
this Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof for
all purposes.

                                       10
<PAGE>

     Section I.3 Amendment of Defined Instruments. Unless the context otherwise
requires or unless otherwise provided herein, the terms defined in this
Agreement which refer to a particular agreement, instrument or document also
refer to and include all renewals, extensions, modifications, amendments and
restatements of such agreement, instrument or document; provided, that nothing
contained in this section shall be construed to authorize any such renewal,
extension, modification, amendment or restatement.

     Section I.4  References and Titles.  All references in this Agreement to
exhibits, schedules, articles, sections, subsections and other subdivisions
refer to the exhibits, schedules, articles, sections, subsections and other
subdivisions of this Agreement unless otherwise expressly provided.  Section and
subdivision headings are for convenience only, do not constitute any part of
such sections or subdivisions and shall be disregarded in construing the
language contained in such sections or subdivisions.  The words "this
Agreement", "this instrument", "herein", "hereof", "hereby", "hereunder" and
words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any
particular sections or subdivisions unless expressly so limited.  The phrases
"this section" and "this subsection" and similar phrases refer only to the
sections or subsections hereof in which such phrases occur.  The word "or" is
not exclusive, and the word "including" (in its various forms) means "including
without limitation".  Pronouns in masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall
be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form shall
be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise
requires.

     Section I.5  Calculations and Determinations.  All calculations pursuant
to the Loan Documents of fees and of interest shall be made on the basis of
actual days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last) and a year
of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be.  Unless otherwise expressly provided
herein or Lender otherwise consents in writing, all financial statements and
reports to be furnished to Lender under the Loan Documents shall be prepared and
all financial computations and determinations made pursuant to the Loan
Documents, and with respect to the financial statements, shall be made in
accordance with GAAP.

                             ARTICLE II: THE LOANS

     Section II.1  The Loans

          (a) The Initial Loan.  Borrower intends to refinance certain existing
     debt (the "Existing Debt") secured by Liens encumbering Borrower's right,
     title and interest in certain of the Properties.  The Existing Debt, as set
     forth on Schedule 2.1(a), is secured by those security instruments executed
     by Borrower listed on Schedule 2.1(a) attached hereto (the "Existing
     Liens").  To facilitate such refinancing and to pay other amounts due by
     Borrower as provided in Sections 2.2 and 7.1(z), Lender shall, subject to
     the terms and conditions set forth below, make available to Borrower a loan
     in the amount of Nineteen Million, One Hundred Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars
     ($19,165,000), to be paid in U.S. Dollars by wire transfer, and such Loan
     shall be evidenced (inclusive of the Development Loans, if any,

                                       11
<PAGE>

     described in Section 2.1(b) below) by a promissory note (the "Advancing
     Note") issued by Borrower to Lender in the form of Exhibit B, appropriately
     completed. The Interest Rate on such Advancing Note shall be as specified
     therein and the final maturity date of such Advancing Note shall be the
     Loan Termination Date. The Note shall be secured by the Mortgage and the
     other Security Documents issued by Borrower to or for the benefit of the
     Lender.

          (b) The Development Loans. Subject to satisfaction of all terms and
     conditions hereof and provided either that: (i) no Unmatured Event of
     Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, or (ii)
     with respect solely to advances of the Development Loan to made by Lender
     pursuant to a properly prepared and submitted Request for Commitment
     covering a Development Operation that Borrower has commenced and has
     provided written notice to Lender of such commencement, Lender shall make
     additional advances to Borrower of the Development Loan(s), up to an
     aggregate of $27,800,000.00 to be used exclusively for those certain
     Development Operations described on Schedule 2.1(b) attached hereto.

          The Development Loan(s) (inclusive of the Initial Loan) shall be
     evidenced by the Advancing Note and fully secured by the Mortgage and other
     Security Documents.  Unless specifically provided otherwise, within ten
     (10) days after the receipt from Borrower, prior to the Drawdown
     Termination Date, of a Request for Commitment (and any applicable AFEs)
     listing all applicable expenditures that Borrower desires to make to
     conduct development operations described in Schedule 2.1(b), Lender shall
     reconfirm its obligation to advance the funds necessary to pay the
     Borrower's share of the costs and expenses attributable to such proposed
     operations (not to exceed the amount requested in the Request for
     Commitment).  Such advances shall be made by Lender within five (5)
     business days after receipt from Borrower of a certificate, duly executed
     by an officer of Borrower, certifying the amount of costs and expenses that
     either: (a) have been paid or incurred by Borrower and are payable in
     connection with such proposed development operations, or (b) are required
     to be incurred and paid by Borrower on or before the last day of the
     calendar month following the calendar month in which such certificate is
     submitted to Lender (each a "Cost Certificate"), together with the
     supporting documentation referred to in the form of Cost Certificate
     attached hereto as Exhibit E.

          Any Request for Commitment shall be made by Borrower for business
     opportunities, projects, and/or uses that are described on Schedule 2.1(b)
     or otherwise approved by Lender subject, without limitation, to the
     following:

               (i) All statements of costs and estimates provided to Lender
          shall be rendered in sufficient detail to give Lender complete and
          accurate information as to the purpose for and amount of all items
          included therein, and Lender shall be entitled to such additional
          information regarding such expenditures as Lender may reasonably
          request.  All such data shall be subject to audit by Lender's
          representatives at any

                                       12
<PAGE>

          time mutually agreeable to the parties, provided, however, that
          Lender's audit of such data shall not be a basis to delay the funding
          addressed in any Request for Commitment unless the Request for
          Commitment does not apply to a Development Operation described on
          Schedule 2.1(b), or the information presented in the Request for
          Commitment is patently inadequate with respect to the level of detail
          required to be set forth therein pursuant to this Section 2.1.

               (ii) The parties acknowledge that the amounts and scope of the
          Development Loan(s) identified in this Section 2.1 are based upon
          estimated costs of the planned development activities described on
          Schedule 2.1(b) and may not accurately reflect the ultimate cost of
          the contemplated activities.  Notwithstanding the foregoing or
          anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall Lender be obligated
          to make any Development Loans pursuant to this Section 2.1 in excess
          of $27,800,000.00.

     Section II.2 Use of Proceeds. Initial Loan proceeds shall be used by
Borrower for the purposes of: (a) refinancing the Existing Debt or such portion
thereof as necessary to obtain releases of the Existing Liens insofar as they
encumber the Properties, (b) paying within ten (10) days after the Closing Date
the accounts payable relating to the Properties that were disclosed in writing
to Lender prior to the Closing Date, (c) paying the Facility Fee pursuant to
Section 7.1(z) hereof, and (d) other corporate purposes approved in writing by
Lender.  Development Loan proceeds may be used by Borrower for the purposes of
funding Borrower's share of costs and expenses relating to the conduct of the
Development Operations described on Schedule 2.1(b) hereof, or such other
development operations as may be subsequently approved by Lender.  Borrower
shall also be allowed to pay with Development Loan proceeds to the extent
permissible under applicable law, any mortgage filing fees which may be required
to properly file any and all Security Documents.

     Section II.3 Repayment of the Loans. Borrower shall repay the Loans plus
all interest accrued thereon by the Loan Termination Date.

     Section II.4 Prepayment of the Loans. Borrower, from time to time after the
Closing Date and without premium or penalty, may prepay the Note, in whole
or in part.  Any principal prepaid pursuant to this section shall be in addition
to, and not in lieu of, all payments otherwise required to be paid under the
Loan Documents at the time of such prepayment; provided, however, that Borrower
will bear responsibility for the resulting Swap Settlement Payables associated
with any Swap Agreements that must be terminated as a result of such prepayment.
With respect to any Swap Agreements that need not be terminated as the result of
such prepayment and which Borrower elects to maintain in effect, notwithstanding
the prepayment of the Note, so long as any Swap Agreements remain outstanding,
the Security Documents shall remain in force and effect (and shall be promptly
amended by Borrower and Lender to the extent necessary) to secure Borrower's
obligation to pay any Swap Settlement Payables associated with such Swap
Agreements.  Similarly, in the event of any such prepayment after which any Swap
Agreement remains outstanding, Borrower shall be entitled to receive and retain
any Swap Settlement Proceeds associated with the relevant Swap Agreement,
subject to the terms of any applicable Security Documents.

                                       13
<PAGE>

     Section II.5 Commencement of ORRI Payments. The ORRI will be applicable
with respect to all oil, gas and other minerals produced, saved and sold or used
off the premises of the relevant Lease or Unit from or attributable to the
Properties from the first day of the calendar month following the Loan
Termination Date (which, as defined herein, includes the date of satisfaction of
Borrower's Obligations due to Borrower's prepayment or refinancing of its
Indebtedness to Lender under the Note) for a period of 120 consecutive months
thereafter.  Borrower may purchase the ORRI from Lender in accordance with
Section 8.5 hereof.

     Section II.6 Application of Receipts. Net Revenue shall be calculated by
Lender based on each Property Operating Statement. Borrower shall prepare and
deliver a Property Operating Statement to Lender no later than the 20th day of
each calendar month. Such Property Operating Statement shall detail Borrower's
Gross Receipts that have been received or are receivable during such calendar
month relating to the production of Hydrocarbons for the immediately preceding
month, and shall detail Borrower's Operating Expenses, Direct Taxes, royalties,
overriding royalty interests and other payments out of or measured by production
with respect to each Property paid or payable during or prior to such calendar
month relating to production and operations for the second preceding calendar
month, together with such other detailed information as is prescribed in the
form of Property Operating Statement attached hereto as Exhibit C. The first
Property Operating Statement shall be delivered on April 20, 1999, and will
detail Gross Receipts attributable to the production of Hydrocarbons from the
Properties during the month of March 1999, and Operating Expenses, Direct Taxes,
royalties, overriding royalty interests and other payments out of or measured by
production relating to production and operations for February 1999. On each
Repayment Date Gross Receipts reflected in the relevant Property Operating
Statement shall be applied as follows:

          (a) First, to the amount necessary to pay the Operating Expenses,
     Direct Taxes, royalties, overriding royalties and other payments out of or
     measured by production, if any, associated with the Properties, and Swap
     Settlement Payables for the second prior calendar month as reflected in the
     relevant Property Operating Statement.

          (b) Second, eighty-five percent (85%) of the Net Revenue, as reflected
     in the relevant Property Operating Statement, to Lender for payment of
     amounts which are included within Debt Service and other Obligations to
     Lender for the relevant Interest Period.  The percentage stated in this
     section shall be known as the "Dedication Rate".  During the occurrence and
     continuation of an Event of Default the Dedication Rate shall be ninety-
     five percent (95%).  The amount paid to Lender pursuant to this subpart (b)
     shall be applied first to any interest due on the Advancing Note until all
     accrued interest is paid in full, and any remaining amounts paid to Lender
     pursuant to this subpart (b) shall be applied to remaining principal of the
     Advancing Note.

          (c)  Third, any remaining amount of Gross Receipts properly reflected
     in the relevant Property Operating Statement shall be paid to Borrower in
     accordance with Section 2.7(b).

                                       14
<PAGE>

     Section II.7  Borrower Sub-Account.

          (a)  Until the Loan Termination Date, Borrower shall direct and cause
     all Purchasers of Hydrocarbons, to deposit all payments of any nature
     whatsoever due and owing by such Persons with respect to the Properties or
     Hydrocarbons produced therefrom to Borrower directly into a cash collateral
     account maintained pursuant to the Lockbox Agreement (the "Cash Collateral
     Account"); provided, however, that Purchasers of Hydrocarbons may make
     distributions to royalty interest owners and third-party working interest
     owners and may withhold severance taxes. The Cash Collateral Account shall
     be administered in accordance with the terms of the Lockbox Agreement and
     the Cash Collateral Account Agreement.  Lender shall establish a sub-
     account (the "Borrower Sub-Account") on its internal books and records and
     shall credit to such Borrower Sub-Account all collected funds which
     constitute payments referred to in the preceding Section 2.6.  Borrower
     authorizes Lender to debit the Borrower Sub-Account for the payment of all
     Obligations hereunder when due and payable, including all amounts paid by
     Lender pursuant to Section 8.2, and including any such debit that would
     cause the Borrower Sub-Account to be in a negative status.

          (b)  On each Repayment Date, and after satisfying all distributions to
     Lender pursuant to Section 2.6, Lender will release or cause to be released
     to Borrower from the Cash Collateral Account an amount of funds from
     amounts credited to the Borrower Sub-Account in order to pay the expenses
     provided for in Section 2.6(a) incurred for the second preceding calendar
     month, plus an amount equal to the difference between one hundred percent
     (100%) of Net Revenue and the Dedication Rate of Net Revenue to be applied
     to repayment of the Debt Service pursuant to Section 2.6 hereof ("Net
     Revenue Reimbursement Amount").  Borrower will have one hundred eighty
     (180) days after each receipt of such funds to contest the amounts of funds
     released, after which time the amounts released will be deemed conclusively
     correct.

          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein and
     regardless of whether any Event of Default exists hereunder, any amounts
     deposited into the Cash Collateral Account owing to third party working
     interest and royalty interest holders or to taxing authorities for
     Severance Taxes and Property Taxes shall be released by Lender to Borrower
     within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of a certificate from Borrower
     detailing such amounts and the party to be paid so that Borrower may return
     such amounts to such third party working interest and royalty interest
     holders and taxing authorities.  Lender shall have the right to undertake
     audit procedures during normal business hours and upon prior written notice
     to confirm periodically that Borrower has paid all obligations for which
     funds were released to Borrower as Net Revenue Reimbursement Amounts.
     Lender shall have the right at its option, but not the obligation, to make
     such payments directly from the Cash Collateral Account to the third party
     working interest and royalty interest holders and taxing authorities upon
     the occurrence of and during the continuance of an Event of Default
     hereunder;

                                       15
<PAGE>

     provided that if Lender elects not to make such payments, Lender shall
     release such funds to Borrower to make payments to third party working
     interest and royalty interest holders and taxing authorities.

     Section II.8 Purchasers of Production. Borrower shall notify Lender
promptly of any changes to the list of Persons who purchase Hydrocarbons
produced from or allocated to the Properties, as set forth on Schedule 2.8
attached hereto, if, as and when there is any change in the Persons who purchase
such Hydrocarbons.

     Section II.9 Mandatory Prepayment of the Loans. Borrower shall pay
promptly to Lender the Dedication Rate multiplied by all proceeds of sale of any
assets of Borrower that comprise any part of the Collateral and not otherwise
constituting Gross Receipts and paid into the Cash Collateral Account (provided,
however, that this provision is subject to Section 7.2 (a) and shall not be
deemed to be a consent by Lender to any such sale). All proceeds of any such
sale shall be immediately applied to repayment of the Loans and accrued interest
thereon in accordance with Section 2.6(b) hereof.

     Section II.10 Initial Swap Agreement. At Closing, Borrower and Lender
shall enter into a Swap Agreement in form and substance mutually satisfactory to
Lender and the Borrower.

                             ARTICLE III: SECURITY

     Section III.1 Security. The Obligations will be secured by the Collateral
as set forth in the various Security Documents concurrently or hereafter
delivered by Borrower, including an Act of Mortgage, Assignment of Production,
Security Agreement, Fixture Filing and Financing Statement (the "Mortgage")
executed by Borrower in favor of Lender covering the Properties in form and
substance mutually satisfactory to Lender and the Borrower. Pursuant to certain
of the Loan Documents, Borrower will grant to Lender a first mortgage lien on
and a first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral, subject to
Permitted Encumbrances.

     Section III.2 Perfection and Protection of Security Interests and Liens.
Borrower will from time to time deliver to Lender any security agreements,
financing statements, continuation statements, extension agreements, amendments,
confirmations and other documents, properly completed and executed (and
acknowledged when required) by Borrower in form and substance mutually
satisfactory to Lender and the Borrower, which Lender reasonably requests for
the purpose of perfecting, confirming, protecting or establishing the priority
of any Liens or other rights in the Collateral securing any Obligations.

     Section III.3 Release of Collateral. Upon the payment and performance in
full by Borrower of all Obligations under the Loan Documents, other than the
Overriding Royalty Interest Conveyance, Lender shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to Borrower, at Borrower's expense, releases and satisfactions of all
financing statements, mortgages and other registrations of security

                                       16
<PAGE>

with respect to the Collateral and Borrower shall deliver to Lender a general
release of all of Lender's liabilities and obligations under the Loan Documents,
other than the Overriding Royalty Interest Conveyance, and an acknowledgment
that the same have been terminated.

     Section III.4 Account Debtors. All Purchasers of Hydrocarbons relating to
Borrower's Working Interests and/or Net Revenue Interests constituting the
Properties will receive notification from Lender (as assignee) and Borrower, in
form and substance mutually satisfactory to Lender and the Borrower, of the
assignment into the Cash Collateral Account of all proceeds (the "Notice of
Assignment of Proceeds") from sales of all production from or allocable to
Borrower's respective Net Revenue Interests constituting the Properties.
Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to assist Lender in
obtaining, within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, from all Purchasers of
Hydrocarbons, an executed Notice of Assignment of Proceeds which will instruct
the Purchasers of Hydrocarbons to remit all proceeds from sales of all
production from or allocable to Borrower's respective Net Revenue Interests
constituting the respective Properties to the Cash Collateral Account.

                  ARTICLE IV: REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     Section IV.1 Representations and Warranties of Borrower. To confirm
Lender's understanding concerning Borrower and Borrower's businesses, properties
and obligations, and to induce Lender to enter into this Agreement and to make
the Loans, Borrower represents and warrants to Lender that:

          (a)  No Default.  No event has occurred and is continuing which would
     constitute an Event of Default or an Unmatured Event of Default.

          (b)  Organization and Good Standing.  Borrower is a corporation duly
     organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Texas,
     having all powers necessary to carry on its businesses and to enter into
     and consummate the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.
     Borrower is duly qualified, in good standing, and authorized to do business
     in all other jurisdictions wherein the character of the properties owned or
     held by it or the nature of the business transacted by it makes such
     qualification necessary or desirable and the failure to be so qualified
     could reasonably be expected to have an Adverse Effect.  Borrower is
     qualified under applicable Minerals Management Service regulations to act
     as Operator of the Leases.

          (c)  Capitalization: Compliance with Security Laws.  The stockholders
     of Borrower consist exclusively of those Persons listed on Schedule 4.1(c)
     attached hereto.  Borrower is not subject to any agreement under which
     there may become outstanding, nor are there currently outstanding, any
     rights to purchase, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, any
     stock of Borrower including, but not limited to, options, warrants or
     rights that are not terminable at Borrower's will, other than in favor of a
     party listed in Schedule 4.1(c).  Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.1(c),
     Borrower is under no obligation

                                       17
<PAGE>

     (contingent or otherwise) to purchase or otherwise acquire or retire any of
     its stock. Except as contemplated by this Agreement or as disclosed on
     Schedule 4.1(c), there are no agreements, understandings, plans or
     arrangements in existence which require Borrower to elect any person on its
     board of directors or otherwise pertain to the distribution rights, voting,
     sale or transfer of any stock of Borrower. Borrower has complied with all
     applicable federal and state securities laws and has obtained enforceable
     releases from any Persons who may have had federal or state securities law
     claims against Borrower.

          (d)  Authorization.  Borrower has taken all actions necessary to
     authorize the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and to authorize
     the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby and the
     performance of its obligations thereunder.  Borrower is duly authorized to
     borrow funds hereunder.

          (e)  No Conflicts or Consents.  The execution and delivery by Borrower
     of the Loan Documents, the performance of its obligations under the Loan
     Documents, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
     various Loan Documents does not and will not (i) conflict with any
     provision of (A) any domestic or foreign law, statute, rule or regulation,
     (B) the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Borrower, or (C) any
     agreement, judgment, license, order or permit applicable to or binding upon
     Borrower, (ii) result in the acceleration of any Debt owed by Borrower, or
     (iii) result in or require the creation of any Lien upon any assets or
     properties of Borrower except as expressly contemplated in the Loan
     Documents.  Except as expressly contemplated in the Loan Documents, no
     consent, approval, authorization or order of, and no notice to or filing
     with (other than routine filings of certain of the Security Documents), any
     court or governmental authority or third party is required in connection
     with the execution, delivery or performance by Borrower of any Loan
     Document or to consummate any transactions contemplated by the Loan
     Documents.

          (f)  Enforceable Obligations.  This Agreement is, and the other Loan
     Documents when executed and delivered by Borrower will be, legal, valid and
     binding obligations of Borrower, enforceable in accordance with their terms
     except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or
     similar laws of general application relating to the enforcement of
     creditors' rights or by principles of equity applicable to the enforcement
     of creditors' rights generally.

          (g)  Transactions Subsequent to Date of Financial Statements. Borrower
     has engaged in no material transactions other than in the ordinary course
     of business since the effective date of the most recent financial
     statements of Borrower provided to the Lender.

          (h)  Other Obligations and Restrictions.  Except as reflected in the
     financial statements of Borrower most recently provided to Lender or as
     disclosed on Schedule 4.1(h), Borrower has no outstanding Debt of any kind
     (including contingent obligations, tax assessments, and forward or long-
     term commitments), other than Debt under the Loan Documents and unaccrued
     plugging and abandonment Obligations, which is material to the

                                       18
<PAGE>

     Borrower. No Tax Claim or other claim for past due Property Taxes or
     Severance Taxes exists. Borrower is not subject to or restricted by any
     franchise, contract, deed, charter restriction or other instrument or
     restriction which could reasonably be expected to have an Adverse Effect.

          (i)  Full Disclosure.  No certificate, statement or other information
     delivered herewith or heretofore by Borrower to Lender in connection with
     the negotiation of this Agreement or in connection with any transaction
     contemplated hereby contains any untrue statement of a material fact or
     omits to state any material fact known to Borrower necessary to make the
     statements contained herein or therein not misleading as of the date made
     or deemed made.  No facts are known to Borrower that have not been
     disclosed to Lender in writing which could reasonably be expected to have
     an Adverse Effect.

          (j)  Litigation.  There are no actions, suits or legal, equitable,
     arbitrative or administrative proceedings pending, or to the knowledge of
     Borrower threatened, against Borrower before any federal, state, municipal
     or other court, department, commission, body, board, bureau, agency or
     instrumentality, domestic or foreign which could reasonably be expected to
     have an Adverse Effect, and there are no outstanding judgments,
     injunctions, writs, rulings or orders by any such governmental entity
     against Borrower which could reasonably be expected to have an Adverse
     Effect.

          (k)  ERISA Liabilities.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.1(k), there
     are no ERISA Plans with respect to which Borrower has any fixed or
     contingent liability, and Borrower is in compliance with ERISA in all
     material respects.

          (l)  Names and Places of Business.  Borrower has not during the
     preceding three (3) years had, been known by or used any other corporate,
     trade or fictitious name.  The principal office and principal place of
     business of Borrower is set forth in Section 11.3 hereof.  Except as
     disclosed on Schedule 4.1(l), Borrower does not now have and has not had
     during the preceding three (3) years  any other office or place of
     business.  Borrower is not and has not engaged in any business or activity
     other than the acquisition, ownership, operation and development of oil and
     gas leases and interests therein.

          (m)  Unpaid Bills.  Except: (i) as disclosed to Lender in Schedule
     4.1(m), (ii) bills which will be paid with a portion of the Initial Loan
     Proceeds and (iii) for bills incurred in the ordinary course of business
     which are not more than thirty (30) days beyond the date due (or, with
     respect to any particular vendor, such longer period that is acceptable to
     such vendor), Borrower has no knowledge of any unpaid bills with respect to
     improvements to any of the Collateral which may give rise to mechanic's,
     materialman's or other similar liens arising by operation of applicable law
     should such bills remain unpaid.

          (n)  Title.  Subject to Permitted Encumbrances, (i) except as set
     forth in the Title Opinions, Borrower will have all beneficial rights,
     title and interest in and to all production from or allocable to Borrower's
     interest in the Properties and have the exclusive right to sell

                                       19
<PAGE>

     the same subject to any right in the owners of royalty interests,
     overriding royalty interests and other interests payable out of or measured
     by production of Hydrocarbons to take their interests in kind, and (ii)
     Borrower will have good and marketable title to the Properties, the
     Equipment and to any other Collateral. The Collateral will be owned by
     Borrower free and clear of any security interest, lien, encumbrance,
     mortgage, security agreement or other charge (other than Permitted
     Encumbrances).

          (o)  Affiliates.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.1(o), Borrower
     does not have, as of the Closing Date, any Affiliate or own any stock in
     any other corporation or association, nor is Borrower a member of any joint
     venture or association of any type whatsoever.

          (p)  Omissions and Misstatements.  To Borrower's knowledge after due
     inquiry, all written data, reports and information which Borrower has
     supplied to Lender or caused to be supplied by a third party on its behalf
     in connection with the obtaining of the credit facility provided for in
     this Agreement or in connection with the business transactions giving rise
     to Borrower's seeking such credit are, taken as a whole, complete and
     accurate in all material respects and contain no material omission or
     misstatement.  The Initial Reserve Report furnished to Lender prior to the
     execution of this Agreement, to the best of Borrower's knowledge, was
     prepared in accordance with customary oil and gas engineering practices and
     in accordance with the standards promulgated by the Society of Petroleum
     Engineers.  The Initial Reserve Report is based on historical information
     which, to the best of Borrower's knowledge, is complete and accurate in all
     material respects and contains no material omission or misstatement;
     provided, however, that Borrower makes no representation or warranty
     regarding the accuracy of the forecasts, projections or quantity of
     reserves or producibility thereof reflected by such Initial Reserve Report.

          (q)  Holding Company.  The Borrower is not a "holding company" or a
     "subsidiary company" of a "holding company" or an "affiliate" of a "holding
     company" or a "public utility" within the meaning of the Public Utility
     Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

          (r)  Investment Company.  The Borrower is not an "investment company"
     within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

     Section IV.2 Employees. Borrower is not a party to any existing employment
agreements, deferred compensation, stock option, bonus, consulting or retirement
agreements or plans, or other employee benefit plans of any kind, including
without limitation any pension or welfare benefit plans with any employee of
Borrower whose employment is not terminable at-will. Except as disclosed on
Schedule 4.1(k), Borrower does not maintain nor has it ever maintained an
Employee Pension Benefit Plan as defined in Section 3(a) of ERISA, or a multi
employer plan as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA. No employees of Borrower are
represented by any labor union or

                                       20
<PAGE>

collective bargaining agreement, nor is any union organization effort pending or
threatened against Borrower.

                      ARTICLE V: NOTICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS

     So long as any Obligations are owing to Lender under this Agreement or any
other Loan Documents, Borrower shall deliver to Lender or notify Lender, as the
case may be, of the following items:

     Section V.1 Notice of Certain Matters. Borrower shall notify Lender within
five (5) Business Days after becoming aware of the existence of any Unmatured
Event of Default or Event of Default under this Agreement or after becoming
aware of any developments or other information which may have an Adverse Effect,
including, without limitation, the following:

          (a)  any dispute (including tax liability disputes) that may arise
     between Borrower and any governmental regulatory body or law enforcement
     authority;

          (b)  the commencement of any litigation or proceeding affecting
     Borrower (whether by the filing of a complaint, service of process or by
     attachment or arrest of any asset);

          (c)  any labor dispute or controversy resulting in or threatening to
     result in a strike or work stoppage against the Borrower;

          (d)  any proposal by any public authority to acquire any assets or
     business of Borrower;

          (e)  the location of Collateral other than at the places indicated in
     or as permitted under the Loan Documents and not in accordance with
     reasonable and ordinary practice of Borrower;

          (f)  any proposed or actual change of the name, identity or structure
     of Borrower;

          (g)  any material loss or damage to any of Borrower's business or
     operations or to any of the Collateral;

          (h)  any environmental situation, circumstance or condition that
     causes or may cause Section 7.l(s) to be false; or

          (i)  any other matter which has resulted or may result in an Adverse
     Effect.

                                       21
<PAGE>

     Borrower shall provide Lender with telephonic and written notice specifying
and describing the nature of such Unmatured Event of Default, Event of Default,
development or information, and anticipated effect thereof, which notice shall
be given as soon as reasonably possible.

     Section V.2 Other Information. Borrower shall provide such other
information respecting the respective financial condition of Borrower or any
Property or other Collateral as Lender reasonably may request in writing from
time to time.

             ARTICLE VI: SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO EQUIPMENT

     Section VI.1 Location: Records. Except in the ordinary course of business
or as otherwise permitted by this Agreement or another Loan Document or by the
prior written consent of the Lender, all Equipment owned by or on behalf of
Borrower will be kept at the Properties, and except that, so long as no
Unmatured Event of Default or Event or Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, Borrower may dispose of Equipment in accordance with the terms of
the applicable Operating Agreements and may dispose of obsolete, broken or worn
Equipment, in either case without Lender's consent but upon prior written notice
to Lender; provided that either (i) the proceeds of any such disposition shall
be used to purchase substantially similar Equipment or (ii) the amount of the
proceeds multiplied by the applicable Dedication Rate shall be delivered to
Lender to be applied to the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.6 on the
next Repayment Date. Following the occurrence and during the continuance of an
Event of Default or an Unmatured Event of Default, Borrower may dispose of
Equipment in accordance with the terms of the applicable Operating Agreements
only with Lender's prior written consent upon ten (10) days prior written notice
to Lender, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. All of the records
of Borrower regarding the Equipment shall be available during Borrower's usual
business hours to any officer, employee, agent or representative of Lender
following reasonable advance written notice from the Lender.

     Section VI.2 Maintenance. Borrower, acting in accordance with the prudent
operator standard, will keep its Equipment in a good state of repair and good
operating condition, will make repairs and replacements when and where
necessary, will not waste or destroy it or any part thereof, and will not be
negligent in the care or use thereof. Borrower shall repair and maintain its
Equipment in a manner sufficient to continue the operation of the Properties.
Borrower shall use its Equipment in accordance with law and the manufacturer's
instructions.

     Section VI.3 Dispositions. Where Borrower is permitted to dispose of any
Equipment under this Agreement or by consent thereto hereafter given by Lender,
Borrower shall do so in an arm's length transaction, in good faith and by
obtaining the maximum amount of recovery practicable therefor and without
impairing the operating integrity of its remaining Equipment or the Properties.

                                       22
<PAGE>

                      ARTICLE VII: COVENANTS OF BORROWER

     Section VII.1 Affirmative Covenants. Borrower warrants, covenants and
agrees that until full and final repayment of the Obligations and the
termination of each of the Loan Documents, it will comply with the following
covenants:

          (a)  Payment and Performance.  Borrower will pay all amounts due to
     Lender under the Loan Documents in accordance with the terms thereof and
     will observe, perform and comply with every covenant, term and condition
     expressed or implied in the Loan Documents.

          (b)  Preferential Right To Purchase Hydrocarbons.  Subject to those
     agreements (if any) for the sale of Hydrocarbons which are in effect as of
     the date hereof and which are identified on Schedule 7.1(b), Borrower
     grants to Lender the right, exercisable at any time and from time to time
     and in accordance with the further provisions of this Section and no less
     than thirty (30) days prior to the first day of each month, to purchase, in
     accordance with a form of gas purchase and sale agreement or other
     agreement mutually satisfactory to Lender and the Borrower (the "Gas
     Purchase and Sale Agreement"), all or any part of the Hydrocarbons produced
     from or allocable to the Properties proposed by Borrower to be committed to
     an agreement with a term of more than ninety (90) days; provided, however,
     that Lender shall not be obligated to exercise any such right.  Borrower
     shall notify Lender in writing of each proposed sale of oil or gas for a
     term of more than ninety (90) days to a party other than Lender, including
     all pertinent terms and conditions thereto, as far in advance as reasonably
     possible.  Lender shall then have twenty-four (24) hours after receiving
     written notice of the pertinent terms and conditions of each such proposed
     sale in which to notify Borrower of Lender's election either to exercise or
     waive its preferential right to purchase under the same terms and
     conditions.  The rights granted to Lender in this Section 7.1(b) may be
     assigned, in whole or in part, to one or more Affiliates of Lender and
     shall continue in full force and effect until the later of the full and
     final payment and performance of all of Borrower's Obligations or two (2)
     years from the Closing Date.

          (c)  Compliance with Tax Laws.  Borrower shall comply with all
     federal, state or local laws and regulations regarding the collection,
     payment and deposit of employee' income, employment, and social security
     and sales and use taxes and taxes related to royalty payments.

          (d)  Books, Financial Statements and Reports.  Borrower will at all
     times maintain full and accurate books of account and records and a
     standard system of accounting and will furnish the following statements and
     reports to Lender at Borrower's expense:

               (i)  As soon as available, and in any event within one hundred
          twenty (120) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, complete audited
          financial statements of Borrower, prepared in reasonable detail in
          accordance with GAAP.  These

                                       23
<PAGE>

          financial statements shall contain a balance sheet as of the end of
          such Fiscal Year and statements of earnings, of cash flows, and of
          changes in the capital accounts for such Fiscal Year, each setting
          forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the preceding
          Fiscal Year. Lender recognizes that the financial statements of
          Borrower for the year ending December 31, 1998, may not include
          audited comparable corresponding figures for 1997 and prior years.

               (ii)  As soon as available, and in any event within sixty (60)
          days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter, Borrower's balance sheet as
          of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and statements of Borrower's
          earnings and cash flows for the period from the beginning of the then
          current Fiscal Year to the end of such Fiscal Quarter, all in
          reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject to
          changes resulting from normal year-end adjustments.

               (iii)   As and when furnished, copies of all reports and other
          information provided by any Person (other than Lender) to Borrower in
          connection with the Loan Documents, except such as are subject to
          attorney-client privilege, attorney work product privilege or any
          other privilege.  Borrower may arrange for such reports and
          information to be provided directly to Lender by the Person providing
          the same to Borrower.

          (e)  Other Information and Inspections.  Borrower will furnish to
     Lender any information which Lender may from time to time reasonably
     request in writing concerning any covenant, provision or condition of the
     Loan Documents or any matter in connection with the Borrower's assets,
     business and/or operations (other than geological, geophysical and other
     technical data relating to assets other than the Properties).  Borrower
     will permit representatives appointed by Lender (including independent
     accountants, agents, attorneys, appraisers and any other Persons), at the
     risk and expense of the Lender or such representatives, to visit and
     inspect, during reasonable business hours and upon reasonable prior written
     notice, its books of account and other books and records relating to the
     Properties and other Collateral, and any facilities or other business
     assets relating to the Collateral, and to make photocopies and/or
     photographs thereof, and to write down and record any information such
     representatives obtain, and Borrower shall permit Lender or its
     representatives to investigate and verify the accuracy of the information
     furnished to Lender in connection with the Loan Documents and to discuss
     all such matters with its officers, employees and representatives.  In
     addition, Borrower will permit any such representatives appointed by
     Lender, at the risk and expense of Lender or such representatives, to visit
     and inspect, during reasonable hours and upon similar advance written
     notice, the Properties and other Collateral.  Lender agrees that it will
     take all reasonable steps to keep confidential any proprietary information
     given to it by Borrower; provided, however, that this restriction shall not
     apply to information which (i) is at the time in question publicly
     available, (ii) is required to be disclosed by law or by any order, rule or
     regulation (whether valid or invalid) of any court or governmental agency,
     or authority, (iii) is disclosed to Lender's Affiliates, auditors,

                                       24
<PAGE>

     attorneys, lenders or agents, or (iv) is disclosed in the course of the
     defense or enforcement of the Loan Documents or the defense or enforcement
     of Lender's exercise of its rights thereunder, provided that with respect
     to information furnished to Persons identified in clause (iii) (except when
     furnished pursuant to clause (iv)) such Person shall be subject to the
     foregoing confidentiality obligations applicable to Lender.

          (f)  Reserve Reports.  On or before each March 30 after the Closing
     Date until the Loan Termination Date, Borrower shall cause the preparation
     and delivery to Lender of petroleum engineering reports, in a form
     satisfactory to Lender, relating to the Properties and prepared as of the
     preceding December 31 (collectively, the "Reserve Reports" and
     individually, a "Reserve Report").  Lender may request one additional
     Reserve Report per Fiscal Year.  Each annual Reserve Report required hereby
     shall be prepared by Engineers and shall be prepared at Borrower's sole
     expense.  Any additional Reserve Reports shall be prepared by Engineers but
     at the expense of the requesting party.  Each Reserve Report shall set
     forth updated estimates of proved developed producing reserves, proved
     developed non-producing reserves, proved undeveloped reserves, projected
     production profiles and overall economics of the Properties.  Each Reserve
     Report will be based on the following assumptions:

               (i)  Hydrocarbon pricing used will be determined by Lender using
          the parameters set forth on Schedule 7.1(f)(i) attached hereto.

               (ii)  Average lease operating expenses and production taxes will
          be derived by the Engineers who prepare such report from the
          Operator's best estimate and historical operating expenses.

          (g)  Notice of Investigations or Proceedings.  Borrower shall give
     Lender prompt written notice of any proceeding at law or in equity against
     Borrower, or any investigation or proceeding before or by any
     administrative or governmental agency relating to the Borrower or any of
     the Collateral if, in any case, such could reasonably be expected to have
     an Adverse Effect.

          (h)  Notice of Damage to Collateral.  Borrower shall give Lender
     prompt written notice of any destruction or substantial damage to any
     material portion of the Collateral and of the occurrence of any condition
     or event which has caused, or may cause, material loss or depreciation in
     the value of any property subject to Lender's Liens or the Mortgage.

          (i)  Maintenance of Licenses.  Borrower shall maintain all licenses,
     permits, charters and registrations which are required for the conduct of
     its business and where the failure to have such could reasonably be
     expected to have an Adverse Effect.

          (j)  Maintenance of Rights.  Borrower will maintain, preserve, protect
     and keep all of its contractual and property rights with respect to the
     Collateral, other than those

                                       25
<PAGE>

     released to the Lender in connection with the Loan Documents, and will not
     waive, amend or release any such rights, except when to do so could not
     reasonably be expected to have an Adverse Effect.

          (k)  Maintenance of Existence and Qualifications.  Borrower will
     maintain and preserve its corporate existence and its rights and franchises
     in full force and effect and will qualify and/or remain qualified to do
     business as a foreign corporation in all states or jurisdictions where
     required by applicable law and the failure to do so could reasonably be
     expected to have an Adverse Effect.

          (l)  Payment of Taxes and Trade Debt.  Except to the extent being
     contested in good faith, Borrower will (i) timely pay all taxes,
     assessments and other governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or
     upon its income, profits or property; (ii) within thirty (30) days after
     the same becomes due (or, with respect to any Vendor within such longer
     period as is acceptable to such Vendor) pay all Debt (other than the
     Obligations) owed by it; and (iii) maintain appropriate accruals and
     reserves for all of the foregoing Debt in accordance with GAAP.

          (m)  Creditors.  Borrower shall notify Lender promptly if Borrower
     fails to make any payment to lessors, suppliers, vendors, owners of royalty
     interest, tax authorities or other Persons, where such nonpayment could
     reasonably be expected to result in any Lien, other than a Permitted
     Encumbrance,  against any item of Collateral or otherwise have an Adverse
     Effect.  At any time such notification is due, Borrower shall also provide
     Lender with a statement showing the identity of such creditors, the amount
     due to each and the date each payment was due.

          (n)  Interest.  Borrower hereby promises to pay interest to Lender
     pursuant to the terms and at the rate stated in the Note on all Obligations
     (including Obligations to pay fees or to reimburse or indemnify Lender)
     after such Obligations become due.  Borrower further agrees that any
     interest which has accrued and is not paid when due shall be  added to and
     become part of the Loans.

          (o)  Compliance with Agreements and Law.  Borrower will perform all
     material obligations it is required to perform under the terms of the Loan
     Documents.  Borrower will conduct its business and affairs in compliance
     with all laws, regulations and orders applicable thereto, including
     Environmental Laws, except where the failure to do so would not have an
     Adverse Effect.

          (p)  Insurance.  Borrower shall keep or cause to be kept all of the
     Mortgaged Properties (as that term is defined in the Mortgage) that are
     fixtures or personal property insured by insurance companies having a
     rating no lower than AAA by A.M. Best Company or otherwise acceptable to
     the Lender against loss or damage by fire or other risk usually insured
     against by owners or users of similar properties in similar businesses
     under extended

                                       26
<PAGE>

     coverage endorsement and against theft, burglary and pilferage, in amounts
     in accordance with industry standards. Borrower shall deliver to Lender
     certificates of insurance at the time of execution hereof, and on or before
     the renewal date of each such policy of insurance. If and when Lender so
     requests in writing, Borrower shall also deliver to Lender copies of the
     policy or policies of such insurance. All such insurance shall contain
     endorsements in form satisfactory to Lender showing Lender as an additional
     party insured as its interest may appear. In furtherance of the foregoing,
     the following types of insurance covering the Collateral and the interest
     and liabilities incident to the ownership, possession and operation thereof
     shall be secured by Borrower:

               (i)  Worker's compensation insurance and employer's liability
          insurance covering the employees of Borrower engaged in operations
          contemplated hereunder in compliance with all applicable state and
          federal law and endorsed to provide all states coverage and
          occupational disease coverage, as follows:

          Workers Compensation   Statutory
          Employers Liability    $500,000 Each Accident
                                 $500,000 Disease Each Employee

               (ii)  Comprehensive general liability insurance with combined
          single limit of not less than $20,000,000 per occurrence and endorsed
          to provide coverage for explosion, collapse and underground damage
          hazards to property of others, contractual liability, products and
          completed operations, and for damage to underground resources, and
          accidental pollution, bodily injury and property damage coverage in
          sufficient amounts to meet umbrella underlying requirements;

               (iii)   Excess umbrella liability insurance with a combined
          single limit of not less than $40,000,000 per occurrence and policy
          aggregate;

               (iv)  Property insurance fully covering the personal property and
          fixtures subject to this Agreement.

     During the period of the drilling of wells and the construction of any
     other improvements comprising a part of the Collateral, Borrower shall, or
     as applicable, shall cause its contractors or subcontractors to, obtain and
     maintain well control insurance (including coverage for costs of
     redrilling) and builder's risk insurance, as applicable, in such form and
     amounts as Lender may from time to time reasonably request in writing and
     worker's compensation insurance covering all persons employed by Borrower
     or its agents or subcontractors of any tier in connection with any
     construction affecting the Collateral, including, without limitation, all
     agents and employees of Borrower and Borrower's subcontractors with respect
     to whom death or bodily injury claims could be asserted against Borrower.

                                       27
<PAGE>

          (q)  Certificates of Insurance.  Borrower shall deliver to Lender
     valid certificates of all insurance policies and all endorsements thereto
     which are required hereunder to be obtained and maintained by Borrower.

          (r)  Prudent Operations.  Borrower shall prudently develop, and cause
     the Properties to be prudently operated and maintained to produce the
     output from or allocable to such property in a good and workmanlike manner
     consistent with prudent operator practices to maximize production from or
     allocable over the productive life thereof.

          (s)  Environmental and Other Laws.  Except as disclosed in Schedule
     7.1(s) and except where non-compliance would not reasonably be expected to
     have an Adverse Effect, (i) Borrower is conducting its business in
     compliance with all applicable federal, state or local laws, including
     Environmental Laws, and has been and is in compliance with any licenses and
     permits required under any such laws which affect or relate to the
     Collateral; (ii) none of the operations or properties of Borrower is the
     subject of federal, state or local investigation evaluating whether any
     remedial action is needed to respond to a release of any Hazardous
     Materials into the environment or to the improper storage or disposal
     (including storage or disposal at offsite locations) of any Hazardous
     Materials; (iii) Borrower has not filed or received any notice under any
     federal, state or local law indicating that Borrower is or may be
     responsible for the improper release into the environment, or the improper
     storage or disposal, of any Hazardous Materials or that any Hazardous
     Materials has been improperly released, or is or has been improperly stored
     or disposed of, upon the Properties; and (iv) Borrower is not aware of
     contingent liability under any Environmental Laws or in connection with the
     release into the environment, or the storage or disposal, of any Hazardous
     Materials, upon the Properties.

          (t)  Daily Field Activity Reports.  At Lender's written request,
     Borrower shall  provide Lender, to the extent possible, by telecopy or e-
     mail, a daily report detailing all drilling, completions and workovers from
     the preceding day with respect to the Properties in form and substance
     reasonably satisfactory to Lender.

          (u)  Weekly Reports.  Borrower shall provide Lender with weekly
     reports by telecopy or e-mail setting forth the quantities, types and
     specifications of Hydrocarbons produced from or allocable to each of the
     Properties, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender.

          (v)   AFE's.  Borrower will provide Lender with authorizations for all
     material expenditures ("AFEs") with respect to the Properties, representing
     an estimate of work to be done, prior to commencing the activity
     contemplated by such AFE.  If any such AFE is inconsistent with or relates
     to an operation not contemplated by Schedule 2.1(b) attached hereto, then
     such AFE shall be supported by appropriate invoices, bids, estimates,
     contracts and all other relevant, available supporting information.

                                       28
<PAGE>

          (w)   Nominations.  For Hydrocarbons not purchased by Lender or its
     Affiliate, Borrower shall provide to Lender by the first day of each
     calendar month, beginning with May 1999 reports by telecopy setting forth
     the nominations of quantities of Hydrocarbons for that calendar month, and
     for Hydrocarbons purchased by Lender or its Affiliate, nominations shall be
     provided pursuant to the applicable gas purchase agreement.

          (x)   Post-Closing Title Opinions.  As requested by Lender, Borrower
     will, within sixty (60) days following the Closing Date, deliver to Lender
     a title opinion or opinions covering the Properties and showing Defensible
     Title in the Properties in Borrower subject only to: (i) a first priority
     lien created by the Mortgage in favor of Lender, (ii) other Permitted
     Encumbrances, and (iii) the necessity for approval of assignments into
     Borrower by the United States Department of Interior, Minerals Management
     Service, and otherwise reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to
     Lender.

          (y)   Legal Fees.  Borrower will pay on or before the Closing Date,
     all reasonable legal expenses incurred by Lender in connection with the
     Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents; provided, however, the Borrower
     shall not be obligated to pay in excess of $25,000 in the aggregate for
     legal, title, environmental and other due diligence expenses incurred by
     the Lender, and, thereafter, will reimburse Lender for all reasonable legal
     expenses incurred in connection with any subsequent amendment, mortgage,
     extension or renewal of any Loan Document or the legal expenses
     attributable to the enforcement of the same.

          (z)  Facility Fee. The Facility Fee in the amount of $465,000.00 shall
     be payable by Borrower to Lender out of the advances evidenced by the Note,
     the face amount of which shall be the sum of the Initial Loan (which
     includes the amount of the Facility Fee) and the maximum amount of the
     Development Loans.  The amount of the Facility Fee will be deemed to have
     been advanced by Lender to Borrower on the Closing Date, with such advance
     having been contemporaneously paid by Borrower to Lender.

     Section VII.2 Negative Covenants. Borrower warrants, covenants and agrees
that until the full and final repayment of the Obligations and the termination
of each of the Loan Documents:

          (a)   Limitation on Sales of Collateral.  Borrower will not sell,
     transfer, lease, exchange, alienate or dispose of any Collateral or any
     interest therein, except for the sale of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary
     course of business and/or other sales to the extent pursuant to or as
     expressly allowed under this Agreement and the Security Documents
     encumbering such Collateral.

          (b)   Compensation.  The Borrower shall not, directly or indirectly,
     enter into any employment agreement or other arrangement with or for the
     benefit of an officer, director or employee of the Borrower other than for
     reasonable compensation for services as an officer, director or employee.

                                       29
<PAGE>

          (c)   Limitation on Credit Extensions.  Neither Borrower nor any of
     its Affiliates will extend credit, make advances or make loans to any
     Person other than in the ordinary course of business.

          (d)   Certain Contracts; Amendments.  Borrower shall not amend or
     permit any amendment to any contract or lease with respect to the
     Collateral which releases, qualifies, limits, makes contingent or otherwise
     modifies in a manner reasonably expected to have an Adverse Effect.

          (e)   Indebtedness.  Except for Permitted Encumbrances or as otherwise
     expressly provided herein, Borrower shall not create, incur, assume or
     suffer to exist any Debt against the Properties or Equipment, except
     Obligations to Lender hereunder, or trade payables incurred in the ordinary
     course of Borrower's business, or sell, discount or factor its accounts,
     instruments, intangibles, leases or chattel paper constituting a part of
     the Collateral; provided, however, Borrower may incur such Debt not to
     exceed $100,000 per transaction and in the aggregate with regard to direct
     costs and expenses incurred in the prudent operation of the Properties.

          (f)   Liabilities.  Except as expressly provided herein, Borrower
     shall not assume, guaranty, or endorse or otherwise become directly or
     contingently liable in connection with any other liability of any other
     Person other than majority owned Affiliates, except for the indemnification
     contained herein; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit
     the endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or
     incurrence of obligations under operating agreements and similar
     transactions in the ordinary course of business.  For the purposes hereof,
     "guaranty" shall include any agreement, whether such agreement is on a
     contingency basis or otherwise, to purchase, repurchase or otherwise
     acquire any obligation or liability of any other Person, or to purchase,
     sell or lease, as lessee or lessor, property or services in any such case
     primarily for the purpose of enabling another Person to make payment of any
     such debt or liability, or to make any payment (whether as a capital
     contribution, purchase of any equity interest or otherwise) to assure a
     minimum equity, asset base, working capital or other balance sheet or
     financial condition, in connection with Debt or liability of another
     Person, or to supply funds to or in any manner invest in another Person in
     connection with such Person's Debt or liability.

          (g)   Cancellation of Claims.  Without Lender's written consent,
     Borrower shall not cancel any claim or debt relating to the Properties in
     excess of a total of $50,000 during the term of the Loans, except for
     reasonable consideration and in the ordinary course of its business.

          (h)   Defaults.  Except as previously disclosed to Lender, Borrower
     shall not cause a default under any lease, mortgage, deed of trust or lien
     with respect to the Properties.

                                       30
<PAGE>

          (i)   Security Interests and Liens.  Subject to Borrower's right to
     contest in good faith or cure within thirty (30) days of the filing of any
     Lien, Borrower shall not suffer to exist any valid Lien against the
     Properties or consent to the filing of any financing statements on any of
     the Collateral, other than the Liens created by the Security Documents and
     other Permitted Encumbrances.

          (j)   Certain Changes.  Borrower shall not transfer its principal
     office or its registered offices outside of the State of Texas or keep
     Collateral at any location(s) other than those at which the same are
     presently kept in accordance with Section 6.1 without prior written notice
     to the Lender and the execution and delivery to the Lender of such
     additional Security Documents as may be reasonably required by the Lender
     in connection therewith.

          (k)   Loan Documents.  Borrower shall not alter, amend or cause the
     alteration or amendment of any of the Loan Documents without the prior
     written consent of Lender.

              ARTICLE VIII: FURTHER RIGHTS OF LENDER AND BORROWER

     Section VIII.1 Maintenance of Security Interests. Until the Obligations
are repaid in full, Borrower, at its own expense, shall do all things and shall
deliver all instruments reasonably requested by Lender in writing to protect or
perfect any security interest, mortgage or lien given hereunder or under any
Security Documents, including, without limitation, financing statements under
the Uniform Commercial Code. Borrower hereby authorizes Lender, during the
continuance of any Event of Default, to appoint such Person or Persons as Lender
may designate as its attorney-in-fact to endorse the name of Borrower on any
checks, notes, drafts or other forms of payment or security that may rightfully
come into the possession of either Lender or any Affiliate of Lender, to sign
Borrower's name on invoices or bills of lading, drafts against customers,
notices of assignment, verifications and schedules that relate exclusively to
the Collateral and, generally, to do all things necessary to carry out this
Agreement and the Security Documents to the extent required of Borrower pursuant
to this Section 8.1 and Section 11.10. The powers granted herein, being coupled
with an interest, are irrevocable so long as any Obligations are outstanding.
Neither Lender nor the attorney-in-fact shall be liable for any act or omission,
error in judgment or mistake of law so long as the same is not malicious or
grossly negligent. Upon payment and performance of all Obligations of Borrower
to Lender, such power of attorney will become null and void.

     Section VIII.2 Performance of Obligations. In the event that Borrower fails
to purchase or maintain insurance in accordance with the requirements of this
Agreement, or to pay any tax, assessment, government charge or levy, except as
the same may be otherwise permitted hereunder, or in the event that any Lien
prohibited hereby shall not be paid in full or discharged, or in the event that
Borrower shall fail to perform or comply with any other covenant, promise or
Obligation to Lender hereunder or under any Loan Document, which failure may
reasonably be expected to cause an Adverse Effect, Lender may, following written
notice to Borrower affording Borrower ten (10) days after the date of such
notice to cure the relevant circumstance, but shall not be required to,

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<PAGE>

perform, pay, satisfy, discharge or bond the same for the account of Borrower,
and all monies so paid by Lender, including, without limitation, reasonable
attorneys' fees and disbursements, shall, at Lender's option, either be treated
as an additional Obligation of Borrower to Lender hereunder and under the other
Loan Documents, or be treated as a debit to the Borrower Sub-Account in
accordance with Section 2.7(a). If Lender has attempted to send the notice
required hereby but, as the result of inadvertence not constituting gross
negligence or willful misconduct, such notice is improperly addressed or is not
timely delivered, the failure of Borrower to have timely received such notice
shall not in any way prohibit or otherwise limit the exercise by Lender of its
rights under this Section.

     Section VIII.3 Overriding Royalty Interest. At Closing, Borrower shall
assign to Lender the ORRI by executing and delivering to Lender the Overriding
Royalty Interest Conveyance in form and substance mutually satisfactory to
Lender and the Borrower.

     Section VIII.4 ORRI Option. Pursuant to the terms of the Overriding Royalty
Interest Conveyance, Borrower shall have an option to repurchase the ORRI after
the Closing Date at a price (the "Purchase Price") to be determined by a Reserve
Report that incorporates, without limitation, forward pricing determined by the
Engineers pursuant to the parameters set forth on Schedule 7.1(f)(i) attached
hereto, historical operating expenses verified by the Engineers and proven
reserves attributable to the ORRI that is prepared by Engineers, such as Ryder
Scott, Netherland Sewell or the Engineers that prepared the Reserve Report most
recently delivered hereunder, using a fifteen percent (15%) discount rate;
provided, however, that the ORRI Option is a non-assignable option granted by
Lender solely to Borrower and, notwithstanding any right that may be granted to
Borrower in the Overriding Royalty Interest Conveyance to assign, sell, transfer
or otherwise convey any of the Properties, the exercise of the ORRI Option shall
be solely by Borrower and shall be with relation to the entire ORRI as granted
in the Overriding Royalty Interest Conveyance. Furthermore, any notice to
Borrower hereunder shall be deemed as actual notice to its assignees of the
Properties ("Assignees"), if any. Borrower may exercise its option by sending
written notice of such exercise to Lender specifying an effective date for the
determination of the Purchase Price that is the first day of the month preceding
the month in which the notice is delivered to Lender ("ORRI Sale Date"),
accompanied by the Reserve Report that establishes the Purchase Price, and
stating that Borrower is ready, willing and able to close such purchase and pay
the Purchase Price within thirty (30) days from the date of the notice, without
any conditions with respect to obtaining financing, or otherwise. If the
Purchase Price established in the Reserve Report was appropriately determined
based on the parameters set forth in Schedule 7.1(f)(i), then the parties shall
proceed to close such purchase and sale transaction within thirty (30) days from
Lender's receipt of Borrower's option exercise notice. At the closing, Borrower
shall pay the Purchase Price to Lender in cash or by wire transfer to an account
designated by Lender, and Lender shall assign the ORRI to Borrower by recordable
form of assignment with special warranty of title by, through and under Lender,
but not otherwise. The Purchase Price shall be adjusted, downward, by the amount
of any net revenues received by Lender prior to the closing for production
attributable to the ORRI subsequent to the ORRI Sale Date, and shall be adjusted
upward for any revenues that have accrued with respect to the ORRI for
production prior to the ORRI Sale Date, that have not yet been paid to Lender.
After the closing, any revenues received by Lender that are attributable to the
ORRI shall be promptly remitted to Borrower. If

                                       32
<PAGE>

Lender does not agree with the Purchase Price proposed by Borrower in the option
exercise notice, it shall notify Borrower promptly and in any event within ten
(10) days after the receipt of such notice, and the parties shall endeavor to
reach agreement on the Purchase Price within thirty (30) days thereafter. If
they are able to do so, closing, as provided above, shall occur within ten (10)
days after they have reached agreement on the Purchase Price. If they are unable
to reach agreement on the Purchase Price, either party may elect to have the
Purchase Price determined through arbitration in accordance with Article XII
hereof, and the closing shall then occur within ten (10) days after the
arbitrator(s) have notified Lender and Borrower of the Purchase Price that has
been so determined. After Borrower has notified Lender of Borrower's election to
exercise its option to purchase the ORRI, such election shall not be revocable,
and Lender shall have the right to enforce specific performance of Borrower's
resulting obligation to purchase, so long as the Lender can deliver title to the
ORRI to the Borrower without being in violation of its special warranty of
title.

     Section VIII.5 Non-Recourse. It is expressly understood and agreed that the
undertaking of the Borrower to pay any indebtedness or perform any obligation
under the Loan Documents is included herein for the sole purpose of establishing
the continuing existence of the debt and the maturity of such debt.
Notwithstanding anything in the Loan Documents, including but not limited to
this instrument and any certificate, opinion, or documents of any nature
whatsoever, neither Lender nor its successors or assigns, nor any holder or
holders of the indebtedness will have any claim, remedy, or right to proceed
against Borrower for the payment of any deficiency or any other sum or
performance of any obligation of any nature whatsoever under the Loan Documents
from any source other than the Collateral, for the payment of such indebtedness
or the satisfaction of such liability or for the satisfaction of any obligation
by the Borrower to Lender, whether sounding in contract, tort or otherwise;
provided, however, that nothing contained herein will limit, restrict, or impair
the rights of the holders of the debt to accelerate the maturity of the debt
during the continuance of an Event of Default, to bring suit and obtain a
judgment against Borrower on the debt for purposes of enforcement of any
Security Document, provided that the satisfaction of such judgment is limited
solely to the Collateral, and the exercise of all of Lender's rights and
remedies to foreclose or otherwise realize upon the Collateral, including rights
to collect sums due or to become due under the Collateral.

     Section VIII.6 Removal and Appointment of Operator. Lender shall, in its
reasonable discretion, have the right to approve or disapprove any action taken
by Borrower to appoint, remove or replace the Operator of any of the Properties.

     Section VIII.7 Set-Off Rights. Upon the occurrence and during the
continuance of an Event of Default, Lender shall have the right to set-off and
apply against the Obligations in such manner as Lender may determine, upon
written notice at any time to Borrower, any and all deposits (general or
special, time or demand, provisional or final) or other sums at any time
credited by or owing from Lender or any depositary to Borrower whether or not
the Obligations are then due, except there shall not be such right against any
amounts owing to third-party working interest and royalty interest holders of
which the Lender shall have been notified. Lender shall provide notice to
Borrower not later than five (5) days following any application of such funds.

                                       33
<PAGE>

                  ARTICLE IX: CLOSING; CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

     Section IX.1 Closing. Subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement, the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the
"Closing") shall occur at a mutually agreeable time on or before April 9, 1999.
The date the Closing actually occurs is hereby called the "Closing Date." The
Closing shall be held at the offices of Porter & Hedges. LLP in Houston, Texas,
or at such other place as Borrower and Lender may agree in writing.

     Section IX.2 Conditions to Closing. As conditions precedent to the making
of the Initial Loan hereunder and to the making of any Development Loans,
Borrower shall deliver to Lender (except as otherwise provided below) the
following documents duly executed and in form and substance satisfactory to
Lender:

          (a)   the Note, multiple counterparts of this Agreement;

          (b)   a certificate of the secretary or assistant secretary of
     Borrower dated the Closing Date, certifying the incumbency of its officers
     executing this Agreement and any other documents required hereby and
     certifying resolutions adopted by the board of directors of Borrower
     authorizing Borrower's execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Note,
     the Mortgage and all other documents and instruments contemplated by this
     Agreement;

          (c)   a certificate of the president or a vice president of Borrower
     dated the Closing Date, certifying the truth and accuracy of the
     representations and warranties of Borrower set forth in this Agreement and
     Borrower's performance and compliance with all agreements and covenants
     required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with prior to the
     making of the Loans;

          (d)   a copy of the Articles of Incorporation of Borrower certified by
     the Secretary of State of the State of Texas and a copy of its bylaws
     certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Borrower;

          (e)   certificates, as of the most recent dates practicable, of the
     Secretary of State of the State of Texas attesting to Borrower's existence,
     and from the appropriate governmental authority of each state in which
     Borrower is qualified to do business as a foreign corporation attesting to
     such qualification, and from the office of the comptroller of public
     accounts, department of revenue or taxation, or other appropriate
     governmental authority of each of the foregoing states, attesting to the
     good standing of Borrower;

          (f)   evidence of termination and/or releases of the Existing Liens;

          (g)   the Mortgage dated as of the Closing Date and in as many
     counterparts as Lender may require;

                                       34
<PAGE>

          (h)   U.C.C.-1 financing statements to be filed under the Uniform
     Commercial Code;

          (i)   the written opinion of Borrower's counsel dated the Closing Date
     and addressed to Lender in form and substance satisfactory to Lender;

          (j)   evidence that Borrower has obtained insurance in accordance with
     Sections 7.1(p) and (q) hereof;

          (k)   a Reserve Report satisfactory to Lender's staff petroleum
     engineer from an engineer attesting to the quantity of reserves underlying
     the Properties and their classification (e.g., proved undeveloped), as
     calculated in accordance with the Society of Petroleum Engineers standards;

          (l)   Title Opinions satisfactory to Lender establishing that Borrower
     has acquired Defensible Title to the Properties, subject only to Permitted
     Encumbrances and the Existing Liens;

          (m)   a Swap Agreement;

          (n)   the results of Uniform Commercial Code searches showing all
     financing statements and other documents or instruments on file against
     Borrower, in the Offices of the Secretaries of State of the State of Texas
     and Louisiana and in the counties or parishes in which Properties are
     deemed to be located for recording purposes, such search to be as of a date
     no more than ten (10) days prior to the date of the advance of the Loans;

          (o)   any and all fees required under this Agreement as of the date of
     the making of the relevant Loan are paid in full;

          (p)   the Security Agreement;

          (q)   the Overriding Royalty Interest Conveyance;

          (r)   the Gas Purchase and Sale Agreement;

          (s)   the Cash Collateral Agreement;

          (t)   the Lockbox Agreement; and

          (u)   such other documents and instruments as Lender may reasonably
request.

     None of the foregoing instruments will be required to be redelivered at the
time of the advance of any Development Loans subsequent to the date of the
making of the Initial Loan with

                                       35
<PAGE>

the exception of those identified in paragraph (c), paragraph (h) (if the
operations to be funded by such Development Loan involve the installation of
additional major items of Equipment for which Lender desires to file a new UCC-1
or UCC-3), (n) (only if requested by Lender), (o) and (v).

     Section IX.3 Conditions Precedent to Funding. Lender shall not be
obligated to make any loan available (other than advances under a Development
Loan for which: (i) a conforming Request for Commitment has been submitted to
Lender, (ii) the operations covered by such Request for Commitment are
Development Operations set forth on Schedule 2.1(b), (iii) Borrower has
commenced such Development Operations and (iv) has given Lender written notice
thereof) unless the following conditions precedent have been satisfied.

          (a)   There is no Event of Default, Unmatured Event of Default or Tax
     Claim under this Agreement, the Mortgage or any other Loan Document;

          (b)   All of Borrower's representations and warranties made in any
     Loan Document shall be true and correct as if made on the date of such
     advance (except to the extent that the facts upon which such representation
     are based have been changed by the extension of credit hereunder);

          (c)   Borrower shall have performed and complied with all agreements
     and conditions in the Loan Documents which are required to be performed or
     complied with by it on or prior to the date of such Loans;

          (d)   No law, regulation, order, judgment or decree of any
     governmental authority is in effect or pending which shall enjoin, prohibit
     or restrain such loan or impose, or result in the imposition of, any
     adverse condition upon Lender;

          (e)   Lender shall have received all documents and instruments which
     Lender has then reasonably requested as to, (i) the accuracy and validity
     of or compliance with all representations, warranties and covenants made by
     the Borrower in any Loan Document, (ii) the satisfaction of all conditions
     contained herein or therein, and (iii) all other matters pertaining hereto
     and thereto.  All such additional documents and instruments shall be
     satisfactory to Lender (in reasonable exercise of its discretion) in form,
     substance, and date;

          (f)   Lender shall have received satisfactory due diligence analysis
     including, but not limited to, financial and operational data, title and
     environmental review, all such data to be provided by Borrower; and

          (g)   Lender shall have received satisfactory information regarding
     existing gas sales and oil sales with respect to production of Hydrocarbons
     from or allocable to the Properties, which will include, for gas sales on a
     well-by-well basis, where applicable, transportation costs, gathering
     costs, processing costs, gas stream heating content, then-current market
     prices for gas of similar quality and copies of existing sales contracts
     and for

                                       36
<PAGE>

     oil sales, individual well specific gravity of produced oil, transportation
     costs, sulfur content, purchase bonuses, then-current market prices for oil
     of similar quality, and copies of existing sales contracts.

                   ARTICLE X: EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

     Section X.1 Events of Default. Each of the following events constitutes an
Event of Default under this Agreement:

          (a)   Lender fails to receive its portion of Net Revenue (Net Revenue
     multiplied by the applicable Dedication Rate) in accordance with Section
     2.7(b) when the same is due and payable;

          (b)   Projected Net Revenue attributable to Proved Reserves, based on
     the most recent Reserve Report delivered to Lender after the Closing Date,
     is insufficient to fully amortize the Loans by their stated maturity;

          (c)   Any Loan Document at any time ceases to be valid, binding and
     enforceable against Borrower for any reason other than its release or
     subordination made with the consent of Lender, and such cessation is not
     remedied in full within fifteen (15) days after Borrower receives written
     notice thereof;

          (d)   Any "Event of Default", as defined in the Mortgage (other than
     an event which is referred to in subsection (a) through (c) of this Section
     10.1), occurs under the Mortgage, and the same is not remedied within the
     applicable period of grace (if any) provided in the Mortgage;

          (e)   Borrower fails (other than as referred to in subsections (a)
     through (d) of this Section 10.1) to duly observe, perform or comply with
     any covenant, agreement, condition or provision of any Loan Document, and
     such failure is not remedied within thirty (30) days of the time at which
     Borrower receives written notice from Lender or otherwise knows or should
     have known of such failure;

          (f)   Any representation or warranty previously, presently or
     hereafter made in writing by or on behalf of Borrower in connection with
     any Loan Document shall prove to have been false or incorrect in any
     material respect on any date on or as of which made;

          (g)   Any Lien against any of the Properties resulting from a Tax
     Claim for $50,000 or more is asserted against Borrower and such Tax Claim
     is not withdrawn, formally disputed in good faith, or otherwise disposed of
     within thirty days (30) thereafter;

          (h)   Subject to Permitted Encumbrances, and except for such resulting
     from any failure by Lender to duly file applicable Security Documents
     executed and delivered by

                                       37
<PAGE>

     Borrower or applicable UCC-3 continuation filings not required to be
     executed by Borrower, Lender shall at any time not have a perfected first
     priority security interest and/or Lien on all or any part of the
     Collateral;

          (i)   Borrower's Working Interest and/or Net Revenue Interest
     constituting any Property is decreased, other than by virtue of the
     Overriding Royalty Interest Conveyance, from those set forth in Exhibit A
     to the Mortgage other than pursuant to a Permitted Encumbrance or with the
     prior written consent of Lender;

          (j)   Borrower:

               (i)   has entered against it a judgment, decree or order for
          relief by a court of competent jurisdiction in an involuntary
          proceeding commenced under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or
          other similar law of any jurisdiction now or hereafter in effect,
          including the federal Bankruptcy Code, as from time to time amended,
          or has any such proceeding commenced against it which remains
          undismissed for a period of ninety (90) days; or

               (ii)   commences a voluntary case under any applicable
          bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect,
          including the federal Bankruptcy Code, as from time to time amended;
          or applies for or consents to the entry of an order for relief in an
          involuntary case under any such law; or makes a general assignment for
          the benefit of creditors; or fails generally to pay (or admits in
          writing its inability to pay) debts as such debts become due; or takes
          corporate or other action to authorize any of the foregoing; or

               (iii)   suffers the appointment of or taking possession by a
          receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or
          similar official of all or a substantial part of its assets or of any
          part of the Collateral in a proceeding brought against or initiated by
          it, and such appointment or taking possession is neither made
          ineffective nor discharged within sixty (60) days after the making
          thereof, or such appointment or taking possession is at any time
          consented to, requested by or acquiesced to by it; or

               (iv)   suffers the entry against it of a final judgment for the
          payment of money in excess of $250,000, unless the same is covered by
          insurance or is discharged within sixty (60) days after the date of
          entry thereof or an appeal or appropriate proceeding for review
          thereof is taken within such period and a stay of execution pending
          such appeal is obtained; or

               (v)   suffers a writ or warrant of attachment or any similar
          process to be issued by any court against all or any substantial part
          of its assets or any part of the Collateral, and such writ or warrant
          of attachment or any similar process is not stayed

                                       38
<PAGE>

          or released within sixty (60) days after the entry or levy thereof or
          after any stay is vacated or set aside; or

               (vi)  fails to pay any Indebtedness in excess of $50,000.00
          relating to the Properties (other than Indebtedness hereunder) or any
          interest or premium thereon when due (whether at scheduled maturity or
          by acceleration, demand or otherwise) and such failure shall continue
          after any applicable grace period specified in the agreement or
          instrument relating to such Indebtedness or any other event shall
          occur and continue after any applicable grace period specified in such
          agreement or instrument, if the effect of such default or event is to
          accelerate or permit the acceleration of, the maturity of such
          Indebtedness (in excess of $50,000.00), or if, as the result of such a
          default, any such Indebtedness (in excess of $50,000.00) shall be
          declared to be due and payable, or is required to be prepaid, prior to
          the stated maturity thereof.

          (k)   Both T. Paul Bulmahn and Gerald W. Schlief cease to be involved
     actively in the management of the Borrower.

     Section X.2 Acceleration.

          (a)   Automatic Acceleration.  Upon the occurrence of an Event of
     Default described in subsection (j)(i), (j)(ii) or (j)(iii) of Section
     10.1, all of the Obligations shall thereupon be immediately due and
     payable, without demand, presentment, notice of demand or of dishonor and
     nonpayment, protest, notice of protest, notice of intention to accelerate,
     declaration or notice of acceleration, or any other notice or declaration
     of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower and each
     obligor who at any time ratifies or approves this Agreement.  After any
     acceleration under this subsection, any obligation of Lender to make any
     further Loans or advances of any kind under any Loan Document shall at the
     option of Lender be permanently terminated.

          (b)   Partial Acceleration.  Upon the occurrence and during the
     continuance of any Event of Default described in subsection (a), (c), (d)
     or  (e) of Section 10.1 with respect to any Obligation owing or Loan
     Document executed in connection therewith, Lender at any time and from time
     to time may declare any and all such Obligations immediately due and
     payable, without demand, presentment, notice of demand or of dishonor and
     nonpayment, protest, notice of protest, notice of intention to accelerate,
     declaration or notice of acceleration, or any other notice or declaration
     of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower.  Upon
     Lender's acceleration of any or all of the Obligations, it shall use
     commercially reasonable efforts to give Borrower reasonably contemporaneous
     written notice thereof, but any inadvertent error in the timing or manner
     of giving such notice shall not affect, in any way, the otherwise proper
     acceleration under the terms of this Agreement of such Obligations.

                                       39
<PAGE>

          (c)   Tax Claims.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of
     an Event of Default described in subsection (g) of Section 10.1, Lender may
     at any time and from time to time and without notice to Borrower, except as
     may otherwise be required hereunder, declare any or all of the Obligations
     associated with such Tax Claim (or which Lender in its reasonable
     discretion believes will be likely to become associated with such Tax Claim
     or any similar future Tax Claim) immediately due and payable, and all such
     Obligations shall thereupon be immediately due and payable, without demand,
     presentment, notice of demand or of dishonor and nonpayment, protest,
     notice of protest, notice of intention to accelerate, declaration or notice
     of acceleration, or any other notice or declaration of any kind, all of
     which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower. Upon Lender's acceleration
     of any or all of the Obligations, it shall use commercially reasonable
     efforts to give Borrower reasonably contemporaneous written notice thereof,
     but any inadvertent error in the timing or manner of giving such notice
     shall not affect, in any way, the otherwise proper acceleration under the
     terms of this Agreement of such Obligations.

          (d)   Other Acceleration.  Upon the occurrence and during the
     continuance of any Event of Default not described in the preceding
     subsections (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 10.2, Lender may at any time
     and from time to time and without notice to Borrower, except as may
     otherwise be required hereunder, declare any or all of the Obligations
     immediately due and payable, and all such Obligations shall thereupon be
     immediately due and payable, without demand, presentment, notice of demand
     or of dishonor and nonpayment, protest, notice of protest, notice of
     intention to accelerate, declaration or notice of acceleration, or any
     other notice or declaration of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly
     waived by Borrower.  Upon Lender's acceleration of any or all of the
     Obligations, it shall use commercially reasonable efforts to give Borrower
     reasonably contemporaneous written notice thereof, but any inadvertent
     error in the timing or manner of giving such notice shall not affect, in
     any way, the otherwise proper acceleration under the terms of this
     Agreement of such Obligations.

     Section X.3 Remedies. If any Event of Default shall occur and be
continuing, Lender's obligation to make any Development Loans shall be
suspended, except as expressly provided to the contrary herein, and Lender may
protect and enforce its rights under the Loan Documents by any appropriate
proceedings, including proceedings for specific performance of any covenant or
agreement contained in any Loan Document, and Lender may enforce the payment of
any Obligations due or enforce any other legal or equitable right. All rights,
remedies and powers conferred upon Lender under the Loan Documents shall be
deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or powers
available under the Loan Documents or at law or in equity. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the payment of the Obligations of Borrower shall be made solely from
the cash flows from the Collateral, or in the Event of Default by Borrower, from
any amounts derived from the exercise by Lender of its rights hereunder, or
under any other Loan Document, with regard to the Collateral including proceeds
of foreclosure; but without recourse by Lender to any of the cash flows,
properties or other assets of Borrower not included in or derived from the
Collateral. If any Unmatured Event of Default shall occur and be continuing,
Lender's obligation to make any

                                       40
<PAGE>

Development Loans shall be suspended, except as expressly provided to the
contrary herein, so long as any such Unmatured Events of Default or resulting
Event of Default is continuing.

     Section X.4 Indemnity. Except to the extent expressly provided otherwise
in another Loan Document, Borrower agrees to indemnify Lender, upon written
demand, from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, claims, losses,
damages, penalties, fines, actions, judgments, suits, settlements, costs,
expenses or disbursements (including reasonable fees of attorneys, experts and
advisors) of any kind or nature whatsoever (in this section collectively called
"liabilities and costs") which to any extent (in whole or in part) may be
imposed on, incurred by or asserted against Lender growing out of, resulting
from or in any other way associated with any of the Collateral, the Loan
Documents or the transactions and events including the enforcement or defense
thereof at any time associated therewith or contemplated therein (including any
violation or noncompliance with any Environmental Laws by any Person or any
liabilities or duties of any Person with respect to Hazardous Materials found in
or released into the environment). THE FOREGOING INDEMNIFICATION SHALL APPLY
WHETHER OR NOT SUCH LIABILITIES AND COSTS ARE IN ANY WAY OR TO ANY EXTENT
CAUSED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY ANY NEGLIGENT ACT OR OMISSION OF ANY KIND BY
LENDER PROVIDED THAT NO PERSON SHALL BE ENTITLED UNDER THIS SECTION TO RECEIVE
INDEMNIFICATION FOR THAT PORTION, IF ANY, OF ANY LIABILITIES AND COSTS WHICH IS
CAUSED BY SUCH PERSON'S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT. As used in this
section the term "Lender" shall refer not only to the Person designated as such
in Section 1.1, but also to its lender(s) and members and, with respect to each
of the foregoing, each director, officer, agent, attorney, employee,
representative and Affiliate of such Person.

                           ARTICLE XI: MISCELLANEOUS

     Section XI.1 Waivers and Amendments; Acknowledgments and Admissions.

          (a)   Waivers and Amendments.  No failure or delay (whether by course
     of conduct or otherwise) by Lender in exercising any right, power or remedy
     which Lender may have under any of the Loan Documents shall operate as a
     waiver thereof or of any other right, power or remedy, nor shall any single
     or partial exercise by Lender of any such right, power or remedy preclude
     any other or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or
     remedy.  No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document and no consent to
     any departure therefrom shall ever be effective unless it is in writing and
     signed by Lender, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only
     in the specific instances and for the purposes for which given and to the
     extent specified in such writing.  No notice to or demand on Borrower shall
     in any case of itself entitle Borrower to any other or further notice or
     demand in similar or other circumstances.  This Agreement and the other
     Loan Documents set forth the entire understanding and agreement of the
     parties hereto and thereto with respect to the transactions contemplated
     herein and therein and supersede all prior discussions and understandings
     with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and no modification
     or amendment of or

                                       41
<PAGE>

     supplement to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be valid or
     effective unless the same is in writing and signed by the party against
     whom it is sought to be enforced.

          (b)   Acknowledgments and Admissions.  Borrower hereby represents,
     warrants and acknowledges that (i) it has been advised by counsel in the
     negotiation, execution and delivery of the Loan Documents to which it is a
     party, (ii) it has made independent decisions to enter into this Agreement
     and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, without reliance on
     any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking by Lender, whether
     written, oral or implicit, other than as expressly set out in this
     Agreement or in another Loan Document delivered on or after the date
     hereof, (iii) there are no representations, warranties, covenants,
     undertakings or agreements by Lender to Borrower as to the Loan Documents
     except as expressly set out in this Agreement or in another Loan Document
     delivered on or after the date hereof, (iv) Lender owes no fiduciary duty
     to Borrower with respect to any Loan Document or the transactions
     contemplated thereby, (v) the relationship pursuant to the Loan Documents
     between Borrower, on one hand, and Lender, on the other hand, is and shall
     be solely that of debtor and creditor, respectively, (vi) no partnership or
     joint venture exists with respect to the Loan Documents between Borrower
     and Lender, (vii) should an Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default
     occur or exist Lender will determine in its sole discretion and for its own
     reasons what remedies and actions it will or will not exercise or take at
     that time, (viii) without limiting any of the foregoing, Borrower is not
     relying upon any representation or covenant by Lender, or any
     representative thereof, and no such representation or covenant has been
     made, that Lender will, at the time of an Event of Default or Unmatured
     Event of Default, or at any other time, waive, negotiate, discuss or take
     or refrain from taking any action permitted under the Loan Documents with
     respect to any such Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default or any
     other provision of the Loan Documents, and (ix) Lender has relied upon the
     truthfulness of the acknowledgments in this section in deciding to execute
     and deliver this Agreement and to make the Loans.

     THIS WRITTEN AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL
     AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF
     PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.

     THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

     Section XI.2 Survival of Agreements: Cumulative Nature. Lender may assign
and/or transfer its rights and privileges under the Loan Documents at any time
and from time to time; provided that Lender shall remain liable to perform, or
cause to be performed, its obligations to Borrower under the terms of the Loan
Documents. All of the various representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements of Borrower in the Loan Documents shall survive the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the performance
hereof and thereof, including the making or granting of the Loans and the
delivery of the Note and the other Loan Documents, and shall further survive
until all of the Obligations are paid in full to Lender and all of

                                       42
<PAGE>

Lender's obligations to Borrower are terminated. The representations, warranties
and covenants made by Borrower in the Loan Documents, and the rights, powers and
privileges granted to Lender in the Loan Documents, are cumulative, and, except
for expressly specified waivers and consents, no Loan Document shall be
construed in the context of another to diminish, nullify or otherwise reduce the
benefit to Lender of any such representation, warranty, covenant, right, power
or privilege. In particular and without limitation, no exception set out in this
Agreement to any representation, warranty or covenant herein contained shall
apply to any similar representation, warranty or covenant contained in any other
Loan Document, and each such similar representation, warranty or covenant shall
be subject only to those exceptions which are expressly made applicable to it by
the terms of the various Loan Documents.

     Section XI.3 Notices. All notices, requests, consents, demands and other
communications required or permitted under any Loan Document shall be in
writing, unless otherwise specifically provided in such Loan Document, and shall
be deemed sufficiently given or furnished if delivered by personal delivery, by
telecopy, by delivery service with proof of delivery or by registered or
certified United States mail, postage prepaid, (unless changed by similar notice
in writing given by the particular Person whose address is to be changed). Any
such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given (a) in the case
of personal delivery or delivery service, as of the date of delivery at the
address and in the manner provided herein, (b) in the case of telecopy, upon
receipt, or (c) in the case of registered or certified United States mail three
(3) business days after deposit in the mail.

     For mail delivery to:

          ATP Oil and Gas Corporation
          Attn: T. Paul Bulmahn, President
          4600 Post Oak Place, Suite 230
          Houston, Texas 77027

     with copies to:

          David G. Dunlap
          Jackson Walker L.L.P.
          1100 Louisiana, Suite 4200
          Houston, Texas 77002

     For mail delivery to:

          Aquila Energy Capital Corporation
          909 Fannin, Suite 1850
          Two Houston Center
          Houston, Texas 77010-1007

                                       43
<PAGE>

     with copies to:

          Michael L. Grove
          Porter & Hedges, L.L.P.
          700 Louisiana, Suite 3500
          Houston, Texas 77002

     Section XI.4 Parties in Interest; Transfers. All grants, covenants and
agreements contained in the Loan Documents shall bind and inure to the benefit
of the parties thereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided,
however, that Borrower shall not assign or transfer any of its rights or
delegate any of its duties or obligations under any Loan Document without the
prior written consent of Lender, which consent shall not unreasonably be
withheld or delayed. Nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement shall be
construed to give any Person other than the parties to this Agreement any legal
or equitable right, remedy, or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or
any provision of this Agreement. This Agreement and all of its provisions and
conditions are for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties to this
Agreement and their successors and assigns.

     Section XI.5 Governing Law; Submission to Process. Except to the extent
that the law of another jurisdiction is expressly elected in a Loan Document or
mandatorily governs a Loan Document, the Loan Documents shall be deemed
contracts and instruments made under the laws of the State of Texas and shall be
construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State
of Texas, without regard to principles of conflicts of law. This Agreement has
been entered into in Houston, Texas and shall be performable for all purposes in
Harris County, Texas. Subject to the provisions of Article XII, courts within
the State of Texas shall have jurisdiction over any and all disputes between
Borrower and Lender, whether in law or equity, including, but not limited to,
any and all disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other
Loan Document; and venue in any such dispute whether in federal or state court
shall be laid in Harris County, Texas.

     Section XI.6 Limitation on Interest. Lender, Borrower and any other
parties to any Loan Documents intend to contract in strict compliance with
applicable usury law from time to time in effect. In furtherance thereof, the
parties stipulate and agree that none of the terms and provisions contained in
the Loan Documents shall ever be construed to create a contract to pay, for the
use, forbearance or detention of money, interest in excess of the maximum amount
of interest permitted to be charged by applicable law from time to time in
effect. Neither Borrower nor any present or future guarantors, endorsers or
other Persons hereafter becoming liable for payment of any Obligation shall ever
be liable for unearned interest thereon or shall ever be required to pay
interest thereon in excess of the maximum amount that may be lawfully charged
under applicable law from time to time in effect, and the provisions of this
section shall control over all other provisions of the Loan Documents which may
be in conflict or apparent conflict herewith. Lender expressly disavows any
intention to charge or collect excessive unearned interest or finance charges in
the event the maturity of any Obligation is accelerated. If (a) the maturity of
any Obligation is accelerated for any reason, (b) any Obligation is prepaid and
as a result any amounts held to constitute interest are

                                       44
<PAGE>

determined to be in excess of the legal maximum, or (c) Lender or any other
holder of any or all of the Obligations shall otherwise collect moneys which are
determined to constitute interest which would otherwise increase the interest on
any or all of the Obligations to an amount in excess of that permitted to be
charged by applicable law then in effect, then all such sums determined to
constitute interest in excess of such legal limit shall, without penalty, be
promptly applied to reduce the then outstanding principal of the related
Obligations or, at Lender's or such holder's option, promptly returned to
Borrower or the other payor thereof upon such determination. In determining
whether or not the interest paid or payable under any specific circumstance
exceeds the maximum amount permitted under applicable law, Lender and Borrower
(and any other payors thereof) shall to the greatest extent permitted under
applicable law, (x) characterize any non-principal payment as an expense, fee or
premium rather than as interest, (y) exclude voluntary prepayments and the
effects thereof, and (z) amortize, prorate, allocate and spread the total amount
of interest throughout the entire contemplated term of the instruments
evidencing the Obligations in accordance with the amounts outstanding from time
to time thereunder and the maximum legal rate of interest from time to time in
effect under applicable law in order to lawfully charge the maximum amount of
interest permitted under applicable law.

     Section XI.7 Termination; Limited Survival. In their sole and absolute
discretion, Borrower and Lender may each, at any time that no Obligations are
owing, elect in a notice delivered to the other to terminate this Agreement;
provided that prior to the Drawdown Termination Date the Lender shall not,
without the written consent of Borrower, be entitled to terminate its commitment
to make additional Development Loans. Upon receipt of such a notice, if no
Obligations are then owing, this Agreement and all other Loan Documents shall
thereupon be terminated and the parties thereto released from any prospective
obligations thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything herein to the
contrary, any waivers or admissions made by Borrower or Lender in any Loan
Documents, and any obligations which any Person may have to indemnify or
compensate Lender shall survive any termination of this Agreement or any other
Loan Document. At the request and expense of Borrower, Lender shall prepare and
execute all necessary instruments to release and effect such termination of the
Loan Documents; provided however, that nothing in this Section 11.7 shall affect
any and all continuing rights, validity and enforceability of the ORRI.

     Section XI.8 Severability. If any term or provision of any Loan Document
shall be determined to be illegal or unenforceable, all other terms and
provisions of the Loan Documents shall nevertheless remain effective and shall
be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

     Section XI.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be separately executed in
any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to constitute one
and the same Agreement.

     Section XI.10 Further Assurances. The parties agree (a) to furnish upon
written request to each other such information, (b) to execute and deliver to
each other such documents, and (c) to do

                                       45
<PAGE>

such other acts and things, all as the other party may reasonably request for
the purpose of carrying out the intent of this Agreement and the Loan Documents.

     Section XI.11 Waiver of Punitive Damages, Etc. BORROWER AND LENDER HEREBY
(a) IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW ANY RIGHT THEY MAY
HAVE TO CLAIM OR RECOVER IN ANY ARBITRATION ANY SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR DAMAGES OTHER THAN, OR IN ADDITION TO, ACTUAL DAMAGES;
(b) CERTIFY THAT NO PARTY HERETO NOR ANY REPRESENTATIVE OR AGENT OR COUNSEL FOR
ANY PARTY HERETO HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE OR IMPLIED THAT SUCH
PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ARBITRATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING
WAIVERS, AND (c) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS
AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND
THEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED
IN THIS SECTION.

     Section XI.12 Representations and Warranties of Lender. To confirm
Borrower's understanding concerning Lender and Lender's business and
obligations, and to induce Borrower to enter into this Agreement and to make the
Loans, Lender represents and warrants to Borrower that:

          (a) Organization and Good Standing.  Lender is a corporation duly
     organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
     Delaware, having all powers necessary to carry on its business and to enter
     into and consummate the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.

          (b) Authorization.  Lender has taken all actions necessary to
     authorize the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and to authorize
     the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby and the
     performance of its obligations thereunder, subject to satisfaction of the
     terms and conditions of the Loan Documents.  Lender is duly authorized to
     lend funds hereunder, subject to satisfaction of the terms and conditions
     of the Loan Documents.

          (c) No Conflicts or Consents.  Except as expressly contemplated in the
     Loan Documents, no consent, approval, authorization or order of, and no
     notice to or filing with, any court or governmental authority or third-
     party is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance
     by Lender of any Loan Document or to consummate any transaction
     contemplated by the Loan Documents.

          (d) Enforceable Obligations.  This Agreement is, and the other Loan
     Documents when executed and delivered by Lender will be, legal, valid and
     binding obligations of Lender, enforceable in accordance with their terms
     except as such enforcement may be

                                       46
<PAGE>

     limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws of general application
     relating to the enforcement of debtor's rights or by principles of equity
     applicable to the enforcement of debtor's rights generally.

          (e) Compliance with Agreement and Law.  Lender will perform all
     material obligations it is required to perform under the terms of the Loan
     documents.  Lender will conduct its business and affairs in material
     compliance with laws, regulations and orders applicable thereto.

                           ARTICLE XII: ARBITRATION

     Section XII.1  Arbitration

          (a)  Borrower and Lender and any other obligor party (the "parties")
     will attempt in good faith to resolve any controversy or dispute arising
     out of or relating to this Agreement promptly by negotiations between
     themselves. The negotiation process may be started by the giving of written
     notice by any party to the other parties in accordance with the terms of
     Section 11.3 hereof, and the parties agree to negotiate in good faith, and
     select an independent mediator to facilitate the negotiations and conduct
     up to eight consecutive hours of mediated negotiations in Houston, Texas
     within thirty (30) days after the notice is first sent.  If, within ten
     (10) days after the initial notice, the parties are not able to agree upon
     a mediator, the parties shall immediately proceed to arbitration.  Fees and
     expenses of the mediator shall be borne equally by Borrower and Lender.

          (b)  No litigation or other proceeding may ever be instituted at any
     time in any court for any purpose, except as may be set forth in Section
     12.1(h) hereof.

          (c)  If a controversy or dispute is not resolved after completion of
     the negotiation process described in subsection (a) above, then, upon
     notice by any party to the other parties (an "Arbitration Notice") and to
     AAA, the controversy or dispute shall be submitted to an arbitration panel
     for binding arbitration in Houston, Texas, in accordance with AAA's
     Commercial Arbitration Rules (the "Rules").  The parties agree that they
     will faithfully observe this Agreement and the Rules and that they will
     abide by and perform any award rendered by the arbitration panel.  The
     arbitration shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C.
     Section 1-16.  The award or judgment of the arbitration panel shall be
     final and binding on all parties and judgment upon the award or judgment of
     the arbitration panel may be entered and enforced by any court having
     jurisdiction.  If any party becomes the subject of a bankruptcy,
     receivership or other similar proceeding under the laws of the United
     States of America, any state or commonwealth or any other nation or
     political subdivision thereof, then, to the extent permitted or not
     prohibited by applicable law, any factual or substantive legal issues
     arising in or during the pendency of any such proceeding shall be subject
     to all of the foregoing mandatory mediation and arbitration provisions and
     shall be resolved in accordance therewith.  The agreements contained herein
     have been given

                                       47
<PAGE>

     for valuable consideration, are coupled with an interest and are not
     intended to be executory contracts. The fees and expenses of the
     arbitration panel will be shared by all parties engaged in the dispute or
     controversy on a basis determined to be fair and equitable by the
     arbitrators, taking into account the relative fault of each party, the
     relative credibility and merit of all claims and defenses made by each
     party and the cooperation, speed and efficiency of each party in conducting
     the arbitration proceeding and complying with the Rules and with orders and
     requests of the arbitrators.

          (d)  Promptly after the Arbitration Notice is given, each party will
     select an arbitrator and the arbitrators so selected will in turn select an
     independent and impartial third arbitrator.  If the arbitrators selected by
     the parties are unable to agree on a third arbitrator, then one of the
     parties shall notify AAA and AAA shall select the third arbitrator.  The
     decision of AAA with respect to the selection of the third arbitrator will
     be final and binding in such case.  Such three arbitrators will constitute
     the arbitration panel.  Any arbitration regarding the Purchase Price for
     the ORRI shall be conducted by arbitrators who are petroleum engineers
     employed by one or more of the firms designated in Section 7.1(f) hereof.

          (e)  Within 10 days after the selection of the arbitration panel, the
     parties and their counsel will appear before the arbitration panel at a
     place and time in Houston, Texas, as may be designated by the arbitration
     panel for the purpose of each party making a one hour or less presentation
     and summary of the case.  Thereafter, the arbitration panel will set dates
     and times for additional hearings until the proceeding is concluded.  The
     desire and goal of the parties is, and the arbitration panel will be
     advised that its goal should be, to conduct and conclude the arbitration
     proceeding as expeditiously as possible.

          (f)  Any arbitral award may be enforced in a District Court of the
     State of Texas sitting in Houston, Texas or in the United States District
     for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, and, by execution and
     delivery of this Agreement, the parties hereby accept for themselves and in
     respect of their property, generally and unconditionally, the nonexclusive
     jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts for said purpose and the parties
     hereby irrevocably waive to the fullest extent permitted by law any
     objection, including without limitation, any objection to the laying of
     venue or based on the grounds of forum non conveniens, which they may now
     or hereafter have to the bringing of any such action or proceeding in such
     respective jurisdictions.

          (g)  The arbitration panel will have no authority to award punitive or
     other damages not measured by the prevailing party's actual damages and may
     not, in any event, make any ruling, finding, or award that does not conform
     to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

          (h)  The provisions of this Section 12.1 relating to arbitration of
     disputes shall not apply to litigation that is instituted for the sole
     purpose of either: (i) compelling a party to

                                       48
<PAGE>

     submit to arbitration in accordance with the provisions of this Section
     12.1, or (ii) obtaining enforcement of any award or judgment of the
     arbitrator(s) issued pursuant to this Section 12.1.

          (i)  The provisions of this Article XII shall terminate immediately
     if, as and when the party originally identified herein as "Lender" no
     longer owns any rights or interests under this Agreement and the
     Obligations of Borrower arising pursuant hereto; provided that if any
     arbitration under the provisions of this Article has been initiated prior
     to the time that such Lender no longer owns any  such rights or interests
     under this Agreement and the Obligations, the provisions of this Article
     shall continue to be applicable to any such arbitration that has been
     commenced.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is executed as of the date first written
above.

                              BORROWER:

                              ATP Oil & Gas Corporation

                              By:
                                 --------------------------------
                                    T. Paul Bulmahn
                                    President

                              LENDER:

                              Aquila Energy Capital Corporation

                              By:
                                 --------------------------------
                                    Kenneth F. Wyatt
                                    Vice President

                                       49
<PAGE>

                                 NOTICE TO BORROWER

THIS WRITTEN CREDIT AGREEMENT IS THE FINAL EXPRESSION OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN BORROWER AND LENDER.  THIS WRITTEN CREDIT AGREEMENT MAY NOT BE
CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF ANY PRIOR ORAL CREDIT AGREEMENT OR OF A
CONTEMPORANEOUS ORAL CREDIT AGREEMENT BETWEEN BORROWER AND LENDER.

     Affirmation of No Unwritten Oral Credit Agreements.  Borrower and Lender
affirm by the initials below of their authorized officers or representatives
that no unwritten, oral credit agreement exists between them.

     Borrower's                 Lender's
     Representative's           Representative's
     Initials                   Initials

                                       50<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4

                                FIRST AMENDMENT
                                      TO
                               CREDIT AGREEMENT
                              DATED APRIL 9, 1999
                   BY AND BETWEEN ATP OIL & GAS CORPORATION
                     AND AQUILA ENERGY CAPITAL CORPORATION

     This First Amendment ("First Amendment") to the Credit Agreement dated
April 9, 1999, by and between ATP OIL & GAS CORPORATION, a Texas corporation
(the "Borrower") and AQUILA ENERGY CAPITAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation
(the "Lender"), is entered into effective on the 23rd day of June, 1999.

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     A.  Borrower and Lender heretofore entered into a Credit Agreement dated
April 9, 1999, but effective March 31, 1999 (the "Credit Agreement").

     B.  Borrower and Lender hereby desire to amend the Credit Agreement subject
to the terms and conditions contained herein.

     C.  Capitalized terms used, but not defined herein, shall have the meanings
prescribed therefor in the Credit Agreement.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein contained,
and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are acknowledged by Borrower and Lender, and each intending to be legally
bound hereby, the Lender and Borrower agree as follows:

     I.  Specific Amendments to Credit Agreement

     Article I of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by revising the
following defined terms in their entirety to read as follows:

          "Advancing Note" means the Amended and Restated Advancing Note
     attached as Exhibit "B" to the First Amendment, which amends and restates
     the Advancing Note originally described and defined in Section 2.1(a).

          "Loan Termination Date" means the earlier of (a) June 23, 2002, (b)
     the date of payment and performance in full of all the Obligations of
     Borrower under the Loan Documents (other than the Overriding Royalty
     Interest Conveyance), and (c) the date on which Lender notifies Borrower,
     as provided in Section 10.2, of the acceleration of payment of all
     Obligations because of the occurrence of an Event of  Default.
<PAGE>

          "Loans" means, collectively, the Initial Loan, the Royalty Acquisition
     Loan and the Development Loans and "Loan" means either the Initial Loan,
     the Royalty Acquisition Loan or any Development Loan as described in
     Section 2.1.

          "Note" means the Amended and Restated Advancing Note in the form
     attached as Exhibit "B" to the First Amendment and any amendment,
     restatement, replacement or extension thereof.

          "ORRI" means that overriding royalty interest in Hydrocarbons
     produced, saved and sold or used off the premises of the relevant Lease,
     attributable to the undivided interest of the Borrower constituting each
     Property, conveyed by Borrower to Lender pursuant to the Overriding Royalty
     Interest Conveyances dated the Closing Date and dated of even date with the
     First Amendment.

          "Overriding Royalty Interest Conveyance" means, collectively,
     assignments, in form and substance acceptable to Lender, pursuant to which
     Borrower grants in favor of Lender an overriding royalty interest equal to
     six and one-fourth percent (6.25%) of Hydrocarbons produced, saved and sold
     or used off the premises of the relevant Lease, attributable to the
     undivided interest of the Borrower constituting each Property, calculated
     and paid on the same basis as royalty payable to the United States
     Department of Interior, Minerals Management Service pursuant to applicable
     rules and regulations, such grants to be made on the Closing Date and of
     even date with the First Amendment, but applicable only as to production on
     and after the first day of the first calendar month following the Loan
     Termination Date.

          "Title Opinions" means those certain title opinions addressed to
     Borrower and Lender and dated on or prior to the Closing Date covering the
     Properties described on Exhibit A attached hereto and on or prior to the
     date of the First Amendment covering the Properties described on Exhibit A
     attached to the First Amendment, as the same may be or are required to be
     updated under this Agreement.

     Article I of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by adding the
following definitions thereto:

          "Additional Facility Fee" means the fee owed by Borrower to Lender as
     consideration, in part, for structuring and entering into the transactions
     contemplated under the First Amendment, as set forth in Section 7.1(z).

          "First Amendment" means that certain First Amendment to the Credit
     Agreement executed by Lender and Borrower effective on June 23, 1999.

          "KCS Purchase and Sale Agreement" means that certain Purchase and Sale
     Agreement dated June 23, 1999, by and between KCS, as Seller, and Borrower,
     as Buyer.

                                       2
<PAGE>

          "Royalty Acquisition Loan" means the loan made by Lender to Borrower
     in part for the payment of all or a portion of the consideration for the
     acquisition by Borrower from KCS Energy Services, Inc. of the Royalty
     Interest and related Royalty Hydrocarbons effective April 1, 1999 pursuant
     to the KCS Purchase and Sale Agreement.

          "Royalty Hydrocarbons" has the meaning prescribed therefor in the
     "Conveyance" defined in the KCS Purchase and Sale Agreement.

          "Royalty Interest" has the meaning prescribed therefor in the
     "Conveyance" defined in the KCS Purchase and Sale Agreement.

     Section 2.1(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting in
the first line thereof, between the paragraph designation "(a)" and the heading
"The Initial Loan" the subparagraph designation "(i)", and by amending the text
that appears in parenthesis in the ninth and tenth lines of Section 2.1(a) to
read as follows: "(together with the Royalty Acquisition Loan described in
Section 2.1(a)(ii) below and the Development Loans, if any, described in Section
2.1(b) below)".

     Section 2.1(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by adding
the following new subparagraph 2.1(a)(ii):

          (ii) The Royalty Acquisition Loan.  Borrower intends to acquire the
     Royalty Interest and Royalty Hydrocarbons pursuant to the KCS Purchase and
     Sale Agreement.  To facilitate such acquisition and to pay other amounts
     due by Borrower as provided in Section 2.2, Lender shall, subject to the
     terms and conditions set forth below, make available to Borrower a loan in
     the amount of Twenty One Million Eight Hundred Forty-One Thousand Three
     Hundred and No/100 Dollars ($21,841,300.00), to be paid in U.S. dollars by
     wire transfer, and such Loan shall be evidenced (together with the Initial
     Loan and the Development Loans, if any, described in Section 2.1(b) below)
     by the Advancing Note.

     Section 2.1(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by revising the
text that appears in parenthesis in the first line of the second grammatical
paragraph thereof to read as follows: "(together with the Initial Loan and the
Royalty Acquisition Loan)".

     Section 2.1(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby further amended by
replacing the dollar amount "27,800,000.00" that appears in the seventh and the
last lines thereof with the dollar amount "$30,330,000.00".

     Section 2.2 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the
following new text after the first sentence thereof:

                                       3
<PAGE>

          Royalty Acquisition Loan proceeds shall be used by Borrower for the
     purposes of:  (a) acquiring the Royalty Interest and Royalty Hydrocarbons
     pursuant to the KCS Purchase and Sale Agreement and (b) paying the
     Additional Facility Fee pursuant to Section 7.1(z) hereof.

     Section 3.4, Account Debtors, of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by
adding the following new text at the end of that section:

          Borrower shall also use commercially reasonable efforts to assist
     Lender in obtaining, within sixty (60) days after the funding of the
     Royalty Acquisition Loan, from all Purchasers of Hydrocarbons who purchase
     Hydrocarbons from the Properties described on Exhibit "A" to the First
     Amendment, to remit all proceeds from sales of all production from or
     allocable to Borrower's respective Net Revenue Interests constituting such
     respective Properties to the Cash Collateral Account.

     Section 7.1(z) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety to
read as follows:

          (z) Facility Fee.  A Facility Fee in the amount of $465,000.00 was
     paid by Borrower to Lender at Closing out of the advances constituting the
     Initial Loan.  An additional facility fee (the "Additional Facility Fee")
     in the amount of $241,300.00 shall be payable by Borrower to Lender out of
     advances constituting the Royalty Acquisition Loan.  The amount of the
     Facility Fee is deemed to have been advanced by Lender to Borrower on the
     Closing Date as a part of the Initial Loan, with such advance having been
     contemporaneously paid by Borrower to Lender.  The amount of the Additional
     Facility Fee will be deemed to have been advanced by Lender to Borrower
     contemporaneously with the funding of the Royalty Acquisition Loan, with
     such advance having been contemporaneously paid by Borrower to Lender.  The
     face amount of the Note is the sum of the Initial Loan (which includes the
     amount of the Facility Fee), the Royalty Acquisition Loan (which includes
     the amount of the Additional Facility Fee) and the maximum amount of the
     Development Loans.

     Section 8.3 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the
following new text at the end of that section:

     Contemporaneously with the funding of the Royalty Acquisition Loan,
     Borrower shall assign to Lender the ORRI applicable to the Properties
     described on Exhibit "A" to the First Amendment by executing and delivering
     to Lender an Overriding Royalty Interest Conveyance in form and substance
     mutually satisfactory to Lender and Borrower.

     Article IX of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the
following new Section 9.4:

                                       4
<PAGE>

     9.4  Conditions Precedent in Connection with the First Amendment. The
obligation of the  Lender to make the Loan advances on or about June 23, 1999,
referred to in Section 2.1(a)(ii) of this Agreement is subject to satisfaction
of the following conditions precedent:

     (a) Receipt of Amended and Restated Advancing Note, First Amendment and
     Certificate of Compliance. Lender shall have received the Amended and
     Restated Advancing Note, multiple counterparts of the First Amendment and
     the Certificate of Compliance in the form attached as Exhibit "C" to the
     First Amendment duly executed by an authorized officer of Borrower.

     (b) Receipt of Additional Loan Documents.  Lender shall have received the
     Mortgages,  Security Agreement, Overriding Royalty Interest Conveyance,
     Letters in Lieu of Transfer Orders and Notices of Assignment of Proceeds
     (or any amendments, extensions, renewals or restatements thereof), all duly
     executed and, where appropriate, acknowledged by Borrower, in form and
     substance acceptable to Lender, covering the Properties described on
     Exhibit A attached to the First Amendment.

     (c) Additional Facility Fee. Lender shall have received the Additional
     Facility Fee.

     (d) Receipt of Certified Copy of Corporate Proceedings and Certificate of
     Incumbency. Lender shall have received from Borrower copies of the
     resolutions of the board of directors authorizing the transactions set
     forth in the First Amendment and the execution of the First Amendment and
     the other Loan Documents contemplated thereby, such copy or copies to be
     certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of Borrower as being
     true and correct and in full force and effect as of the date of such
     certificate.  In addition, Lender shall have received from Borrower a
     certificate of incumbency signed by the secretary or an assistant secretary
     of Borrower setting for (a) the names of the officers executing the First
     Amendment and the other Loan Documents contemplated thereby, (b) the
     office(s) to which such persons have been elected and in which they
     presently serve and (c) an original specimen signature of each such
     persons.

     (e) Accuracy of Representations and Warranties and No Event of Default. The
     representations and warranties contained in Article IV of the Credit
     Agreement shall be true and correct in all material aspects on the date of
     such advances with the same effect as though such representations and
     warranties had been made on such date; and no Event of Default shall have
     occurred and be continuing or will have occurred at the completion of the
     making of such Loan.

     (f) Legal Matters Satisfactory to Special Counsel to Bank. All legal
     matters incident to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
     the First Amendment shall be satisfactory to the firm of Porter & Hedges,
     L.L.P., special counsel for Lender.  Borrower shall have paid to Porter &
     Hedges, L.L.P., on the date of the First Amendment, all of Lender's legal
     fees and expenses incurred to Porter and Hedges, L.L.P. in connection with

                                       5
<PAGE>

     the First Amendment and related Loan Documents, together with a deposit for
     estimated recording fees in the amount of $2,000.00.

     (g) KCS Purchase and Sale Agreement.  All the conditions to the closing of
     the KCS Purchase and Sale Agreement shall have been met to Lender's
     satisfaction, in its sole discretion; the closing of the KCS Purchase and
     Sale Agreement shall have contemporaneously occurred; the assignments
     conveying the Royalty Interest and Royalty Hydrocarbons from KCS Energy
     Services, Inc. to Borrower shall have been executed, acknowledged and
     delivered by KCS to Borrower; and possession of such assignments shall have
     been delivered to representatives of Lender or its counsel for recording.

     (h) Releases.  Lender shall received satisfactory evidence of releases of
     all prior liens encumbering the Properties described on Exhibit "A" to the
     First Amendment,, including, without limitation, the releases of all liens
     and security interests held by CIBC Inc. and KCS Energy Services, Inc.

     (i) No Material Adverse Change. No material adverse change shall have
     occurred since the date of this Agreement in the condition, financial or
     otherwise, of Borrower.

     Exhibit A to the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the schedule
of the Properties that appear on Exhibit A to this First Amendment.

     Exhibit B to the Credit Agreement is hereby replaced with Exhibit B to the
First Amendment.

     Schedule 2.1(b), Development Operations, of the Credit Agreement is hereby
supplemented with Supplemental Schedule 2.1(b), Development Operations, attached
to the First Amendment.

     Schedule 2.8, Purchasers of Production, of the Credit Agreement is hereby
supplemented with Supplemental Schedule 2.8, Purchasers of Production, attached
to the First Amendment.

     II.  Reaffirmation of Representations and Warranties. To induce Lender to
enter into this First Amendment, Borrower hereby reaffirms, as of the date
hereof, its representations and warranties contained in Article IV of the Credit
Agreement and in all other documents executed pursuant thereto, and additionally
represents and warrants as follows:

          A.  The execution and delivery of this First Amendment and the
     performance by Borrower of its obligations under this First Amendment are
     within Borrower's power, have been duly authorized by all necessary
     corporate action, have received all necessary governmental approval (if any
     shall be required), and do not and will not contravene or conflict with any
     provision of law or of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Borrower
     or of any agreement binding upon Borrower.

                                       6
<PAGE>

          B.  The Credit Agreement as amended by this First Amendment,
     represents the legal, valid and binding obligations of Borrower,
     enforceable against Borrower in accordance with its terms, subject as to
     enforcement only to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
     other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights
     generally.

          C.  No Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date
     hereof.

     III.  Defined Terms. Except as amended hereby, terms used herein that are
defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the same meanings herein.

     IV.  Reaffirmation of Loan Agreement. This First Amendment shall be deemed
to be an amendment to the Credit Agreement, and the Credit Agreement, as amended
hereby, is hereby ratified, approved and confirmed in each and every respect.
All references to the Credit Agreement herein and in any other document,
instrument, agreement or writing shall hereafter be deemed to refer to the
Credit Agreement as amended hereby.

     V.  Entire Agreement. The Credit Agreement, as hereby amended, embodies the
entire agreement between Borrower and Lender and supersedes all prior proposals,
agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. Borrower
certifies that it is relying on no representation, warranty, covenant or
agreement except for those set forth in the Credit Agreement as hereby amended
and the other documents previously executed or executed of even date herewith.

     VI.  Governing Law. THIS FIRST AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE APPLICABLE LAWS OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. This First Amendment has been entered into in Harris
County, Texas and shall be performable for all purposes in Harris County, Texas.
Courts within the State of Texas shall have jurisdiction over any and all
disputes between Borrower and Lender, whether in law or equity, including, but
not limited to, any and all disputes arising out of or relating to this First
Amendment or any other Loan Document.

     VII.  Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this First
Amendment shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this First Amendment shall be prohibited
by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the
extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of
such provision or the remaining provisions of this First Amendment.

     VIII.  Section Captions. Section captions used in this First Amendment are
for convenience of reference only, and shall not affect the construction of this
First Amendment.

     IX.  Successors and Assigns. This First Amendment shall be binding upon
Borrower and Lender and their respective successors and assigns, and shall inure
to the benefit of Borrower and Lender, and the respective successors and assigns
of Lender.

                                       7
<PAGE>

     X.  Non-Application of Chapter 346 of Texas Finance Codes. In no event
shall Chapter 346 of the Texas Finance Code (which regulates certain revolving
loan accounts and revolving tri-party accounts) apply to this Credit Agreement
as hereby amended or any other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated
hereby.

     XI.  Notice. THIS FIRST AMENDMENT, TOGETHER WITH THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AND
THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND
MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL
AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE
PARTIES.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Amendment to
be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

                              BORROWER:

                              ATP Oil & Gas Corporation

                              By: _________________________________
                                    T. Paul Bulmahn
                                    President

                              LENDER:

                              Aquila Energy Capital Corporation

                              By: _________________________________
                                    Kenneth F. Wyatt
                                    Vice President

                                       8
<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT "A"

                                  PROPERTIES

                                       1
<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT "B"

                      AMENDED AND RESTATED ADVANCING NOTE

                                       1
<PAGE>

                                 EXHIBIT "C"

                       FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

                                       1
<PAGE>

                         SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE 2.1(B)

                       ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS

                                       1
<PAGE>

                           SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE 2.8

                           PURCHASERS OF PRODUCTION

                                       1

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