Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.14

                          PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

                                     BETWEEN

                         DUKE ENERGY FIELD SERVICES, LP

                                      AND

                         REGENCY GAS SERVICES WAHA, LP

                                      DATED
                                JANUARY 29, 2004

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                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

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                                                                                          PAGE
                                                                                          ----

<S>                                                                                         <C>
ARTICLE I CERTAIN DEFINITIONS                                                               1

        1.1      Certain Defined Terms                                                     12
        1.2      Other Definitional Provisions                                             12
        1.3      Headings                                                                  12
        1.4      Other Terms                                                               12

ARTICLE II THE TRANSACTION                                                                 12

        2.1      The Transaction                                                           12
        2.2      Purchase Price                                                            13
        2.3      Purchase Price Allocation                                                 13
        2.4      Deposit                                                                   13

ARTICLE III OTHER TRANSACTIONS, PRORATIONS AND                                             13
SETTLEMENT

        3.1      Other Transactions                                                        13
        3.2      Prorations                                                                14
        3.3      Preliminary Settlement Statement                                          14
        3.4      Final Settlement Statement                                                15
        3.5      Dispute Procedures                                                        15
        3.6      Payments                                                                  15
        3.7      Special Adjustments                                                       15

ARTICLE IV ASSUMED OBLIGATIONS                                                             16

        4.1      Assumption of Assumed Obligations                                         16

ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF DEFS                                           16

        5.1      Organization, Good Standing, and Authority                                16
        5.2      Enforceability                                                            16
        5.3      No Conflicts                                                              16
        5.4      Consents, Approvals, Authorizations and Governmental Regulations;
                 Permits                                                                   17
        5.5      Taxes                                                                     17
        5.6      Litigation; Compliance with Laws                                          18
        5.7      Contracts                                                                 18
        5.8      Intellectual Property                                                     18
        5.9      Preferential Rights to Purchase                                           19
        5.10     Broker's or Finder's Fees                                                 19
        5.11     Condemnation                                                              19
        5.12     Benefit Plan Liabilities                                                  19
        5.13     No Foreign Person                                                         19
        5.14     Bankruptcy                                                                19
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                                       i
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<Table>
<S>                                                                                        <C>
        5.15     Advance Receipts/Purchases; Gas Contracts                                 19
        5.16     Rental Payments on Real Property Interests                                19
        5.17     Eminent Domain                                                            19
        5.18     Operating Statements                                                      19

ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER                                         20

        6.1      Organization, Good Standing, and Authorization                            20
        6.2      Enforceability                                                            20
        6.3      No Conflicts                                                              20
        6.4      Consents, Approvals, Authorizations and Governmental
                 Regulations                                                               20
        6.5      Litigation                                                                21
        6.6      Independent Investigation                                                 21
        6.7      Broker's or Finder's Fees                                                 22
        6.8      Available Funds                                                           22

ARTICLE VII COVENANTS                                                                      22

         7.1     Conduct of Business                                                       22
         7.2     Casualty Loss                                                             23
         7.3     Access, Information and Access Indemnity                                  24
         7.4     Environmental Matters and Post-Closing Access                             24
         7.5     [Intentionally omitted.]                                                  25
         7.6     DEFS' Right to Terminate                                                  25
         7.7     Names                                                                     25
         7.8     Regulatory Filings; Hart-Scott-Rodino Filing                              25
         7.9     Preservation of Records                                                   26
         7.10    Accounting for Excess Inventory                                           26
         7.11    Imbalances                                                                26
         7.12    Suspense Account Funds                                                    27
         7.13    Capital Projects                                                          27
         7.14    Employees                                                                 27
         7.15    Like-kind Exchange                                                        30
         7.16    Credits and Receipts                                                      30
         7.17    Previously Obtained Consents                                              30
         7.18    Vehicles                                                                  30
         7.19    Cooperation and Reasonable Efforts                                        31

ARTICLE VIII CONDITIONS TO CLOSING                                                         31

         8.1     DEFS' Conditions                                                          31
         8.2     BUYER's Conditions                                                        31

ARTICLE IX CLOSING                                                                         32

         9.1     Time and Place of Closing                                                 32
         9.2     Deliveries at Closing. At the Closing                                     32
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<Table>
<S>                                                                                        <C>
ARTICLE X TERMINATION                                                                      33

        10.1    Termination at or Prior to Closing                                         33
        10.2    Effect of Termination                                                      34

ARTICLE XI INDEMNIFICATION                                                                 34

        11.1    Indemnification by BUYER                                                   34
        11.2    Indemnification by DEFS                                                    34
        11.3    Deductibles, Caps, Survival and Certain Limitations                        35
        11.4    Notice of Asserted Liability; Opportunity to Defend                        36
        11.5    Exclusive Remedy                                                           38
        11.6    Negligence and Strict Liability Waiver                                     38
        11.7    DTPA Waiver                                                                39
        11.8    Limitation on Damages                                                      39
        11.9    Bold and/or Capitalized Letters                                            39

ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS                                                       39

        12.1    Expenses                                                                   39
        12.2    Further Assurances                                                         39
        12.3    Apportionment of Property Taxes; Transfer Taxes;                           40
                and Recording Fees
        12.4    Assignment                                                                 40
        12.5    Entire Agreement, Amendments and Waiver                                    41
        12.6    Severability                                                               41
        12.7    Counterparts                                                               41
        12.8    Governing Law, Dispute Resolution and Arbitration                          41
        12.9    Notices and Addresses                                                      44
        12.10   Press Releases                                                             45
        12.11   Offset                                                                     45
        12.12   No Partnership; Third Party Beneficiaries                                  45
        12.13   Negotiated Transaction                                                     46

 EXHIBITS

 A-l    Form of Coyanosa Processing Contract
 A-2    Form of Coyanosa Treating Contract
 A-3    Form of Coyanosa Gas Sales Contract
 B      Form of Transition Services Agreement
 C-l    Legal Opinion of DEFS
 C-2    Legal Opinion of BUYER
 D      Form of Operating Agreement
 E      Operating Statements
 F      Environmental Insurance Commitment Letter
 G      Form of Assignment, Bill of Sale and Conveyance Agreement
</Table>

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<Table>
SCHEDULES
<S>              <C>
1.1              Map of Assets
1.1(a)           Plant Facilities
1.1(b)           Real Property Interests
1.1(c)           Permits
1.1(d)           Personal Property
1.1(e)           Contracts
1.1(f)           Intellectual Property
1.1(g)           Permitted Encumbrances
1.1(h)           Post Closing Consents
1.1(i)           BUYER's Knowledge
1.1(j)           Excluded Assets
1.1(k)           DEFS' Knowledge
1.1(l)           Air Issues
2.3              Purchase Price Allocation
3.7              Special Adjustments
5.4(a)           DEFS Consents, Approvals and Authorizations
5.4(b)           Permit Matters
5.5              Taxes
5.6              Litigation
5.7              Contract Matters
5.8              Intellectual Property Matters
5.9              Preferential Purchase Rights
6.4              BUYER Consents, Approvals and Authorizations
7.3              Confidential and Privileged Information
7.4              Environmental Insurance
7.11             Imbalances
7.12             Suspense Account Funds
7.13             Capital Projects
7.14(e)(i)       Severance Formula
11.2(c)          Certain Indemnified Matters
 </Table>

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                           PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

THIS PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated January 29, 2004 is
between Duke Energy Field Services, LP, a Delaware limited partnership ("DEFS")
and Regency Gas Services Waha, LP ("BUYER"). BUYER and DEFS are sometimes
referred to collectively herein as the "Parties" and individually as a "Party".

                                    RECITALS

         A.       DEFS owns one hundred percent (100%) of the Assets; and

         B.       DEFS has agreed to sell to BUYER, and BUYER has agreed to
                  purchase from DEFS, the Assets on the terms and subject to the
                  conditions set forth in this Agreement.

         FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION of the premises and of the mutual covenants
contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                              CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

1.1 Certain Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined
elsewhere in this Agreement shall have the meanings given such terms as is set
forth below.

         "Affiliate" shall mean, when used with respect to a specified Person,
any other Person controlling, directly controlled by or under common control
with the specified Person. For purposes of this definition, "control", when used
with respect to any specified Person, means the power to direct the management
and policies of the Person whether through the ownership of voting securities or
by contract; and the term "controlled" has the meanings correlative to the
foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term "Affiliate" when applied to
DEFS shall not include Duke Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation or
ConocoPhillips, a Delaware corporation, or any entities owned, directly or
indirectly by Duke Energy Corporation or ConocoPhillips, other than Duke Energy
Field Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and its subsidiaries
(but excluding Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company, TEPPCO Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and any
Person owned, directly or indirectly by Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company,
LLC or TEPPCO Partners L.P.).

         "Arbitrable Dispute" means any dispute, claim, counterclaim, demand,
cause of action, controversy and other matters in question arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or the alleged breach hereof, or in any way relating
to the subject matter of this Agreement or the relationship between the Parties
created by this Agreement, regardless of whether (a) allegedly

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extra-contractual in nature, (b) sounding in contract, tort, or otherwise, (c)
provided for by applicable Law or otherwise, or (d) seeking damages or any other
relief, whether at Law, in equity, or otherwise.

         " Arbitration Rules" shall have the meaning given such term in Section
12.8.

         "Assets" shall mean all of the following assets and properties, but
excluding the Excluded Assets:

                  (a) Plants and Stations. All gas processing plants, treaters,
         dehydration units, compressor stations, warehouses, field offices,
         control buildings and other associated plant facilities that are used
         or held for use in connection with the ownership, operation or
         maintenance of the System, including those described on Schedule 1.1(a)
         (collectively, the "Plant Facilities");

                  (b) Real Property Interests. All fee properties,
         rights-of-way, easements, surface use agreements, licenses and leases
         that are used or held for use in connection with the ownership,
         operation or maintenance of the Plant Facilities, including those
         described on Schedule 1.1(b), and all other real property on or under
         the Plant Facilities, pipelines and gathering facilities generally
         described on the System Map, and all fixtures, pipelines, gathering
         facilities, buildings and improvements located thereon or appertaining
         thereto (collectively, the "Real Property Interests");

                  (c) Permits. All permits, licenses, certificates, orders,
         approvals, authorizations, grants, consents, concessions, warrants,
         franchises and similar rights and privileges which are necessary for,
         used, or held for use exclusively for or in connection with, the
         ownership, use, operation or maintenance of the Assets to the extent
         assignable to BUYER, including those Permits more particularly
         described on Schedule 1.1(c) (collectively, the "Permits");

                  (d) Personal Property. All tangible personal property of every
         kind and nature, which is necessary for, used, or held for use
         primarily for or in connection with, the ownership, operation or
         maintenance of the Assets, including field equipment, office equipment,
         fixtures, tools, motor vehicles, instruments, spare parts, machinery,
         computer equipment, telecommunications equipment, supplies and
         materials, including those items of personal property more particularly
         described on Schedule. 1.1(d) and all hydrocarbon inventory of the
         System, including linefill (collectively, the "Personal Property");

                  (e) Contract Rights. All contracts that relate to the
         ownership, operation or maintenance of the Assets, including all gas
         and liquids purchase and sales agreements, gas storage agreements, gas
         and liquids transportation agreements, equipment and vehicle leases,
         rental contracts, gathering, treating and processing agreements,
         interconnect agreements, compression service and other service
         agreements, including those contracts or agreements described on
         Schedule 1.1(e) and the TEPPCO Contract, but not including the Excluded
         Assets or the Real Property Interests (collectively, the "Contracts").

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                  (f) Intellectual Property. All technical information, shop
         rights, designs, plans, manuals, specifications and other proprietary
         and nonproprietary technology and data used exclusively in connection
         with the operation of the Assets, including the computer files and
         records described on Schedule 1.1(f) (collectively, the "Intellectual
         Property").

                  (g) Imbalances. All Imbalance Receivables.

                  (h) Books and Records. All contract, land, title, engineering,
         environmental, operating, accounting, business, marketing, and other
         data, files, documents, instruments, notes, papers, ledgers, journals,
         reports, abstracts, surveys, maps, books, records and studies which
         relate to the Assets or which are used, useful, or held for use in
         connection with the Assets or the ownership, operation or maintenance
         of the Assets (collectively, the "Records").

                  (i) Incidental Rights. All of the following insofar as the
         same are attributable or relate to any of the Assets described in
         clauses (a) through (h): (i) all purchase orders, invoices, storage or
         warehouse receipts, bills of lading, certificates of title and
         documents, (ii) all keys, lock combinations, computer access codes and
         other devices or information necessary to gain entry to and/or take
         possession of such Assets, and (iii) to the extent arising out of any
         period of time in which BUYER is liable to Third Persons in respect of
         the Assets, the benefit of and right to enforce all covenants,
         warranties, indemnities, guarantees and suretyship agreements relating
         exclusively to the Assets running in favor of DEFS, any of its
         Affiliates or any previous owner, but only to the extent of any rights
         thereunder which are assignable by DEFS to BUYER, and excluding any
         such indemnities, guaranties and suretyship agreements provided by any
         previous owner of the System.

         "Assumed Obligations" shall have the meaning given such term in Section
         4.1.

         "Benefit Plan" shall mean any of the following that is sponsored,
maintained or adopted by DEFS, or with respect to which DEFS has any liability
with respect to DEFS' ownership or operation of the Assets: (a) any employee
welfare benefit plan or employee pension benefit plan as defined in Sections
3(1) and 3(2) of ERISA, and (b) any other material employee benefit agreement or
arrangement, including a deferred compensation plan, incentive plan, bonus plan
or arrangement, stock option plan, stock purchase plan, stock award plan, golden
parachute agreement, severance plan, dependent care plan, cafeteria plan,
employee assistance program, scholarship program, employment contract, retention
incentive agreement, noncompetition agreement, consulting agreement, vacation
policy, and other similar plan, agreement and arrangement.

         "Business Day" shall mean any day, other than Saturday and Sunday, on
which federally-insured commercial banks in Denver, Colorado are generally open
for business and capable of sending and receiving wire transfers.

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         "Business Employee" shall have the meaning given such term in Section
7.14.

         "BUYER" shall mean Regency Gas Services Waha, LP, a Delaware limited
partnership.

         "BUYER Indemnitees" shall have the meaning given such term in Section
11.2.

         "BUYER'S Knowledge" or the "Knowledge of BUYER" or any similar term,
shall mean the actual knowledge of (i) any officer of BUYER or any of its
Affiliates having a title of vice president or higher or (ii) any of the
individuals listed on Schedule 1.1 (i)

         "BUYER Required Consents" shall have the meaning given in Section 6.4.

         "Capital Projects" shall have the meaning given such term in Section
7.13.

         "Casualty Loss" shall mean, with respect to all or any portion of the
Assets, destruction by fire, storm or other casualty, or any condemnation or
taking or threatened condemnation or taking occurring after the date hereof, of
all or any portion of the Assets.

         "Claim" shall mean any demand, demand letter, claim or notice of
noncompliance or violation or Proceeding.

         "Claim Notice" shall have the meaning given such term in Section
11.3(c).

         "Closing" shall have the meaning given such term in Section 9.1.

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

         "Code" shall mean the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

         "Confidentiality Agreement" shall mean the Confidentiality Agreement
between DEFS and Regency Gas Services Company, L.L.C. dated January 6, 2004.

         "Continuing Employee" shall have the meaning given such term in Section
7.14(c).

         "Contracts" shall have the meaning given such term in the definition of
Assets.

         "Coyanosa Contract" shall mean, collectively, the Gas Processing
Contract, Gas Treating Contract and Gas Sales Contract between DEFS and BUYER in
the form of the attached Exhibits A-l, A-2 and A-3, respectively.

         "Defensible Title" shall mean, as to the Assets, such title to the
Assets that vests BUYER with indefeasible title in and to the Assets free and
clear of Liens other than Permitted Encumbrances.

         "DEFS" shall mean Duke Energy Field Services, LP, a Delaware limited
partnership.

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         "DEFS Indemnitees" shall have the meaning given such term in Section
11.1.

         "DEFS' Knowledge" or the "Knowledge of DEFS" or any similar term, shall
mean the actual knowledge of (i) any officer of DEFS or any of its Affiliates
having a title of vice president or higher or (ii) any of the individuals listed
on Schedule 1.1(k).

         "DEFS Property Tax" shall have the meaning given such term in Section
12.3(a).

         "DEFS Required Consents" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 5,4(a).

         "Deposit" shall have the meaning given such term in Section 2.4.

         "DOJ" shall mean the Department of Justice of the federal government of
the United States of America.

         "Effective Time" shall mean 12:01 A.M. Subject Time on the Closing
Date.

         "Environmental Defect" shall mean (a) any pollution, contamination,
degradation, damage or injury caused by, related to, arising from, or in
connection with the presence, generation, handling, use, treatment, storage,
transportation, disposal, discharge, release or emission of any Hazardous
Materials occurring prior to the Effective Time and for which remedial action is
required (or if such defect were known, would be required) under Environmental
Laws in effect at the Effective Time, (b) any Third Person Claim which is
brought against DEFS and is based on the release or migration of Hazardous
Materials in violation of Environmental Law prior to the Effective Time on or
from any of the Assets, or (c) any conditions that could reasonably be expected
to result in a Third Person Claim being brought against DEFS or BUYER and which
is based on the release or migration of Hazardous Materials in violation of
Environmental Law prior to the Effective Time on or from any of the Assets.

         "Environmental Law" shall mean any and all Laws, statutes, ordinances,
rules, regulations, or orders of any Governmental Authority in existence and as
amended at the Effective Time pertaining to the protection of the environment,
health or natural resources or to Hazardous Materials in any and all
jurisdictions in which the party in question owns property or conducts business,
including the Clean Air Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA"), the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (to the extent
relating to environmental matters), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
of 1976 ("RCRA"), the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act,
the Hazardous & Solid Waste Amendments Act of 1984, the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act of 1986, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, the Oil
Pollution Act of 1990, any state or local Laws implementing or substantially
equivalent to the foregoing federal Laws, and any state or local Laws pertaining
to the handling of oil and gas exploration, production, gathering, and
processing wastes or the use, maintenance, and closure of pits and impoundments.

                                       5
<PAGE>

         "Environmental Insurance" shall mean an environmental risk insurance
policy with the terms set forth in Schedule 7.4 from an A + AM Best rated
insurance company, with the terms and company both reasonably acceptable to
DEFS, which covers pre-Closing environmental liabilities on the Assets and names
DEFS and its Affiliates as additional insureds and which is fully paid up and
subject to no contingencies at Closing; it being agreed that the environmental
risk insurance policy described in the commitment letter attached hereto as
Exhibit F and the insurer named therein are irrevocably accepted by DEFS.

         "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended.

         "ERISA Affiliate" shall mean any Person, who is, on or before the
Effective Time, under common control with DEFS within the meaning of section 414
of the Code.

         "Excess Inventory" shall mean all natural gas liquids included in the
Assets above the minimum operating inventory.

         "Excluded Assets" shall mean all of the following:

                  (a) All deposits, cash, checks, funds and accounts receivable
         and other rights to payment arising from or relating to the operation
         of the System with respect to any period of time prior to the Effective
         Time;

                  (b) Claims of DEFS for refund of or loss carry forwards with
         respect to (i) Taxes attributable to any period prior to the Effective
         Time or (ii) any Taxes attributable to the Excluded Assets;

                  (c) All work product of DEFS' attorneys and records relating
         to the negotiation and consummation of the transactions contemplated
         hereby that are subject to a valid attorney-client privilege;

                  (d) All real property, personal property, contracts,
         intellectual property, Permits, rolling stock, field vehicles, office
         computers or other equipment (or any leases or licenses of the
         foregoing) that are described on Schedule 1.1 (j) (including the two
         maps attached thereto);

                  (e) All office equipment and accessories that are located at
         offices other than (i) the Plant Facilities or (ii) the field offices
         included in the Assets;

                  (f) All computer software that either cannot be assigned to
         BUYER pursuant to the terms of any license therefore or requires a
         consent to transfer;

                  (g) All contracts or agreements that do not relate exclusively
         to the ownership, operation or maintenance of the Assets except for (i)
         the TEPPCO Contract and (ii) to the extent that they cover or are
         dedicated to the Assets or any part thereof, gathering,

                                       6
<PAGE>

         treating and processing agreements and agreements whereby DEFS
         purchases gas or natural gas liquids.

                  (h) All swaps, futures or other similar derivative-based
         transactions;

                  (i) Rights to claim coverage or benefits under DEFS or its
         Affiliates' insurance policies or coverage; and

                  (j) That certain Lubricant Sales Agreement dated November 30,
         1998 between DEFS and Lubrication Services, LLC

         "Exhibits" shall mean any and/or all of the exhibits attached to and
made a part of this Agreement.

         "Final Settlement Statement" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 3.4.

         "FTC" shall mean the Federal Trade Commission of the United States of
America.

         "Governmental Authorities" shall mean (a) the United States of America
or any state or political subdivision thereof within the United States of
America and (b) any court or any governmental or administrative department,
commission, board, bureau or agency of the United States of America or of any
state or political subdivision thereof within the United States of America.

         "Hazardous Materials" shall mean: (a) any chemicals, materials or
substances defined or included in the definition of "hazardous substances,"
"hazardous materials," "toxic substances," "solid wastes," "pollutants,"
"contaminants," or words of similar import, under any Environmental Law, (b) any
radioactive materials (other than naturally occurring radioactive materials),
friable asbestos, and polychlorinated biphenyls, (c) any other chemical,
material or substance, exposure to which is prohibited, limited or regulated by
any Governmental Authority; or (d) any regulated constituents or substances in
concentrations or levels that exceed numeric or risk-based standards established
pursuant to Environmental Laws.

         "HSR Act" shall mean the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act
of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

         "Imbalance" shall mean all hydrocarbon imbalances between DEFS and a
Third Person relating to or arising out of the operation of the Assets that
exist at the Effective Time.

         "Imbalance Payable" shall mean an Imbalance related to a Contract owed
by DEFS to a Third Party.

         "Imbalance Receivable" shall mean an Imbalance related to a Contract
owed by a Third Party to DEFS.

                                       7
<PAGE>

         "Indemnified Party" or "Indemnitee" shall have the meaning given such
term in Section 11.4(a).

         "Indemnifying Party" or "Indemnitor" shall have the meaning given such
term in Section 11.4(a).

         "Independent Accountants" shall mean Ernst & Young.

         "Interest Rate" shall mean a per annum rate of interest equal to the
lesser of (a) the prime rate of interest by Citibank, N.A. plus one percent
(1%), which rate shall change when and as such prime rate changes, or (b) the
maximum non-usurious rate of interest permitted to be charged under applicable
Law.

         "Laws" shall mean all applicable statutes, laws, regulations, rules,
rulings, ordinances, orders, restrictions, requirements, writs, judgments,
injunctions, decrees and other official acts of or by any Governmental
Authority.

         "Lien" shall mean any lien, mortgage, pledge, claim, charge, security
interest or other encumbrance, option or defect on title.

         "Loss" or "Losses" shall mean any and all damages, demands, payments,
obligations, penalties, assessments, disbursements, claims, costs, liabilities,
losses, causes of action, and expenses, including interest, awards, judgments,
settlements, fines, costs of Remediation, fees, costs of defense and reasonable
attorneys' fees, costs of accountants, expert witnesses and other professional
advisors and costs of investigation and preparation of any kind or nature
whatsoever.

         "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean a single event, occurrence or
fact, or series of events, occurrences or facts, that, alone or together with
all other adverse events, occurrences or facts (a) would have an effect that is
materially adverse to the operation, use or value of the Assets taken as a
whole, or (b) would result in the prohibition of or material delay in the
consummation of, or other material adverse effect on, the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, excluding (in each case) matters that are
generally industry-wide developments or changes.

         "Notice Period" shall have the meaning given such term in Section
11.4(c).

         "Operating Agreement" shall mean an Operating Agreement in the form of
the attached Exhibit D.

         "Operating Statements" shall mean the FYE ECON/STATS and Operating Cost
Detail for calendar years 2002 and 2003 covering the Assets that are attached to
this Agreement as Exhibit E.

                                       8
<PAGE>

         "Permits" shall have the meaning given such term in the definition of
Assets.

         "Permitted Encumbrances" shall mean the following:

                  (a) As of the date hereof, terms, conditions, restrictions,
         exceptions, reservations, limitations, and other matters contained in
         any document creating or transferring the Real Property Interests, or
         in any Permit or Contract;

                  (b) Liens for property Taxes and assessments that are not yet
         due and payable (or that are being contested in good faith by
         appropriate Proceedings);

                  (c) mechanic's, materialmen's, repairmen's and other statutory
         Liens arising in the ordinary course and securing obligations incurred
         prior to the Effective Time and (i) for which DEFS or a Third Person is
         responsible for payment, and (ii) that are not delinquent and that will
         be paid and discharged in the ordinary course of business or, if
         delinquent, that are being contested in good faith with any action to
         foreclose on or attach any Assets on account thereof properly stayed;

                  (d) utility easements, restrictive covenants, minor defects
         and other minor irregularities in title, that, singularly or in the
         aggregate, will not materially interfere with the ownership, use or
         operation of the Assets to which such matters relate and which are of a
         nature that would be reasonably acceptable to a prudent pipeline
         operator;

                  (e) required Third Person consents to assignment, preferential
         purchase rights and other similar agreements with respect to which
         consents or waivers are obtained from the appropriate Person for the
         sale contemplated hereby or, as to which the appropriate time for
         asserting such rights has expired as of the Closing without an exercise
         of such rights;

                  (f) any Post-Closing Consent;

                  (g) Liens created by BUYER or its successors or assigns;

                  (h) The Liens listed on Schedule 1.1(g).

         "Person" shall mean any natural person, corporation, company,
partnership (general or limited), limited liability company, trust, joint
venture, joint stock company, unincorporated organization, or other entity or
association.

         "Personal Property" shall have the meaning given such term in the
definition of Assets.

         "Plant Facilities" shall have the meaning given such term in the
definition of Assets.

         "Post-Closing Consents" shall mean consents, notices to or approvals
from, or filings with Governmental Authorities or other Persons customarily
obtained following the closing of a transaction similar to the transaction
contemplated hereby, including those listed on Schedule l.l(h).
<PAGE>
        "Preliminary Settlement Statement" shall have the meaning given such
term in Section 3.3.

         "Previously Obtained Consent" shall mean a consent to transfer an Asset
that (a) is a DEFS Required Consent and (b) DEFS had obtained in or after August
2003 in connection with another proposed purchase and sale transaction that did
not close.

         "Proceeding" shall mean any action, suit, claim, investigation, review
or other judicial or administrative proceeding, at Law or in equity, before or
by any Governmental Authority or arbitration proceeding.

        "Real Property Interests" shall have the meaning given such term in the
definition of Assets.

        "Records" shall have the meaning given such term in the definition of
Assets.

         "Remediate," "Remediating" or "Remediation" shall mean the removal,
abatement, response, investigative, cleanup, monitoring and related activities
undertaken to address Environmental Defects, including excavation, landfarming,
and installation and operation of remediation systems.

         "Retained Liabilities" shall mean:

         (a)      all wages, benefits and equal opportunity employment
                  obligations to or in respect of any employees of DEFS or any
                  of its ERISA Affiliates, including any such obligations
                  arising under or in respect of any Benefit Plan, in respect of
                  periods prior to the Effective Time;

         (b)      all Taxes of DEFS or any of its Affiliates in respect of
                  periods prior to the Effective Time;

         (c)      all obligations arising from or relating to the treatment or
                  disposal by DEFS of any Hazardous Materials at any off-site
                  location prior to the Effective Time;

         (d)      all obligations or liabilities with respect to any Excluded
                  Assets;

         (e)      all obligations or liabilities with respect to mechanic's,
                  materialmen's, repairmen's and other statutory Liens arising
                  in the ordinary course and securing obligations incurred prior
                  to the Effective Time and for which DEFS or a contractor or
                  subcontractor for DEFS is responsible for payment;

                                       10
<PAGE>

         (f)      all obligations or liabilities with respect to Will Price, et
                  al. v, DEFS, OTTCO, GPM Gas Corp., et al. 99CV30, Stevens
                  County District Court, Kansas to the extent related to periods
                  prior to the Effective Time and to the Assets;

         (g)      all obligations or liabilities with respect to United States
                  of America, ex rel. Jack J. Grynberg, v. PanEnergy Corp., et
                  al. (all cases have been transferred and consolidated into MDL
                  Docket 1293, U.S. District Court, District of Wyoming) to the
                  extent related to periods prior to the Effective Time and to
                  the Assets;

         (h)      all obligations or liabilities with respect to the OSHA
                  investigation regarding the January 8, 2003 contractor
                  fatality at the Plant Facilities; and

         (i)      the air emission matters described in Schedule 1.1(1), to the
                  extent of liability accruing prior to the Effective Time
                  (provided, however, that if DEFS is obligated to correct any
                  such air matter after Closing, DEFS liability shall extend
                  until such time that such matter or matters are corrected).

         "Schedules" shall mean any and/or all of the schedules attached to and
made a part of this Agreement.

         "Settlement Notice" shall have the meaning given such term in Section
3.5.

         "Subject Time" shall mean the current local time then in effect where
the System is located.

         "Suspense Account Funds" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 7.12(a).

         "System" shall mean the gas processing plant generally described on the
System Map as the "Waha Plant" and all pipeline, gathering, booster and
compression facilities related thereto.

         "System Map" shall mean the maps describing the System attached to this
Agreement as Schedule 1.1.

         "Tax" or "Taxes" shall mean any tax, assessment, duty, fee, levy or
similar charge assessed by any Governmental Authority, including any income tax,
ad valorem tax, excise tax, sales tax, use tax, franchise tax, real or personal
property tax, transfer tax, gross receipts tax or employment tax, together with
and including, any and all interest, fines, penalties, assessments, and
additions to Tax resulting from, relating to, or incurred in connection with any
of those or any contest or dispute thereof.

         "Tax Return" shall mean any report, statement, form, return or other
document or information required to be supplied to a taxing authority in
connection with Taxes.

         "TEPPCO Contract" shall mean, to the extent relating to the System,
that certain

                                       11
<PAGE>

Condensate Purchase Contract dated March 1, 2003 between DEFS and TEPPCO Crude
Oil, L.P.

         "Third Person" shall mean (i) any Person other than a Party or its
Affiliates and (ii) any Governmental Authority.

         "Third Person Claim" shall have the meaning given such term in Section
11.4(c).

         "Transaction Documents" shall mean this Agreement, the Coyanosa
Contract, the Transition Services Agreement, the Operating Agreement the
assignments and conveyances, and any other document related to the sale,
transfer, assignment or conveyance of the Assets to BUYER and to be delivered at
Closing.

         "Transition Services Agreement" shall mean a Transition Services
Agreement in the form of the attached Exhibit B.

         1.2 Other Definitional Provisions. As used in this Agreement, unless
expressly stated otherwise or the context requires otherwise, (a) all references
to an "Article," "Section," or "subsection" shall be to an Article, Section, or
subsection of this Agreement, (b) the words "this Agreement," "hereof,"
"hereunder," "herein," "hereby," or words of similar import shall refer to this
Agreement as a whole and not to a particular Article, Section, subsection,
clause or other subdivision hereof, (c) the words used herein shall include the
masculine, feminine and neuter gender, and the singular and the plural, (d) the
word "including" means "including, without limitation" and (e) the word "day" or
"days" means a calendar day or days, unless otherwise denoted as a Business Day.

         1.3 Headings. The headings of the Articles and Sections of this
Agreement and of the Schedules and Exhibits are included for convenience only
and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the
construction or interpretation hereof or thereof.

         1.4 Other Terms. Other terms may be defined elsewhere in the text of
this Agreement and shall have the meaning indicated throughout this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                THE TRANSACTION

         2.1 The Transaction. At Closing, but effective for all purposes as of
the Effective Time, DEFS shall sell, transfer and convey (without any express or
implied warranty of title other than as set forth below in this Section 2.1) to
BUYER the Assets, and BUYER shall assume the Assumed Obligations pursuant to
Section 4.1, all on the terms and conditions provided for in this Agreement and
the Assignment and Conveyance delivered hereunder at Closing, the agreed form of
which is attached hereto as Exhibit G. The sale, transfer and conveyance of the
Assets to BUYER shall be free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted
Encumbrances created by, through or under DEFS or any of its Affiliates, and all
bills of sale or

                                       12
<PAGE>

 other assignment or conveyance documents transferring or conveying the Assets
 to BUYER shall contain such a special warranty of title excepting only
 Permitted Encumbrances. Notwithstanding any thing to the contrary, DEFS
 obtaining certificates of title for vehicles is not a condition to Closing or a
 breach of this Agreement at that time; provided that if DEFS has not obtained a
 certificate of title for any of the vehicles prior to Closing, DEFS shall
 deliver or cause to be delivered a certificate of title for each such vehicle
 to BUYER in a diligent manner, but in no event more than sixty (60) days after
 Closing.

         2.2 Purchase Price. In consideration for the sale, assignment, transfer
and conveyance of the Assets to BUYER, BUYER shall pay to DEFS the amount of
Sixty Two Million Seventy Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($62,070,800.00) (the
"Purchase Price"). The Purchase Price shall be paid by wire transfer of
immediately available funds in the amount set forth in the Preliminary
Settlement Statement to the account designated in the Preliminary Settlement
Statement.

         2.3 Purchase Price Allocation. For the purpose of making the requisite
filings, if any, under Section 1060 of the Code and the regulations thereunder,
DEFS and BUYER hereby agree that they will report the federal, state, and other
Tax consequences of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in a manner
consistent with the purchase price allocation set forth on Schedule 2.3, and in
particular to report the information required by Section 1060(b) of the Code,
and will not take any position inconsistent with it upon examination of any tax
return, in any refund claim, in any income tax litigation, investigation, or
other income tax matter. The Parties acknowledge that the purchase price
allocation pursuant to Schedule 2.3 is solely for income tax purposes.

         2.4 Deposit. Immediately upon signing of this Agreement, BUYER shall
pay to DEFS by wire transfer a deposit of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) (the
"Deposit"). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in addition to any and all
other remedies that DEFS may have or become entitled to, by written notice to
BUYER, DEFS may terminate this Agreement if DEFS has not received the Deposit
before the end of the first Business Day following signing of this Agreement. If
the Closing fails to occur on the Closing Date, DEFS shall refund the Deposit to
BUYER within two (2) Business Days unless the Closing failed to occur due to a
material breach of this Agreement by BUYER. If Closing failed to occur due to a
material breach of this Agreement by BUYER, the Deposit shall forever be
forfeited and released to DEFS. If Closing occurs, the Deposit shall be applied
to the Purchase Price in accordance with Section 3.2(d).

                                   ARTICLE III

                 OTHER TRANSACTIONS, PRORATIONS AND SETTLEMENT

         3.1 Other Transactions. At Closing, BUYER shall pay to DEFS the
Purchase Price; provided, however, in order that only one wire transfer will be
necessary, the Purchase Price shall be netted against certain other payment
obligations of DEFS and the BUYER, and the

                                       13
<PAGE>

actual amount paid at Closing will equal the net obligation of BUYER determined
in accordance with Section 3.2.

         3.2 Prorations.

                  (a) The amount payable to DEFS will be reduced by the amount
         of any general property Tax assessed against or pertaining to the
         Assets for periods before the Effective Time with respect to any
         taxable period that includes the Effective Time, prorated in accordance
         with Section 12.3(a).

                  (b) The amount payable to DEFS will be adjusted up or down by
         the amount of any utility charges and other items of expense and the
         amount of any deposits or pre-paid items attributable to the operation
         of the Assets prior to the Effective Time. Such amounts shall be
         prorated as of the Effective Time.

                  (c) The amount payable to DEFS will be adjusted up or down by
         the difference between the Suspense Account Funds receivables and
         payables in accordance with Section 7.12.

                  (d) The amount payable to DEFS will be decreased by the
         Deposit.

                  (e) The amount payable to DEFS will be adjusted up or down by
         the difference between the Imbalance Receivables and the Imbalance
         Payables in accordance with Section 7.11.

                  (f) The amount payable to DEFS will be increased by the amount
         of BUYER's reimbursement obligation in respect of the Capital Projects
         in accordance with Section 7.13.

                  (g) The amount payable to DEFS will be increased by an
         estimate of DEFS' net margin under revenue generating Contracts during
         that portion of the month of Closing that is prior to the Effective
         Time in accordance with Section 7.16.

               (h) The amount payable to DEFS will be increased by 50% of the
        actual out of pocket costs incurred or estimated to be incurred by DEFS
        to obtain substitute consents for Previously Obtained Consents.

         3.3 Preliminary Settlement Statement. Not later than five (5) days
before the Closing Date, DEFS shall deliver to BUYER a written statement (the
"Preliminary Settlement Statement") setting forth the Purchase Price, and the
description and amount of each item to be netted against the Purchase Price that
are described in Section 3.2, with DEFS' calculation of such items in reasonable
detail, based on information then available to DEFS. Prior to delivery of the
Preliminary Settlement Statement, DEFS shall consult with BUYER as to the
contents thereof and shall negotiate with BUYER in good faith as to any
modifications thereto proposed by BUYER. The Preliminary Settlement Statement
shall also set forth wire transfer instructions

                                       14
<PAGE>

for the Closing payments. The payment at the Closing shall be the amount set
forth in the Preliminary Settlement Statement.

         3.4 Final Settlement Statement. No later than ninety (90) days after
the Closing Date, DEFS shall deliver to BUYER a revised settlement statement
showing in reasonable detail its calculation of the items described in Section
3.2 along with any other amounts that are payable or are to be prorated
hereunder as of the Effective Time (said revised statement and the calculation
thereof shall be referred to as the "Final Settlement Statement"). If DEFS does
not deliver the Final Settlement Statement when required, BUYER may prepare and
deliver it to DEFS, and in such case, DEFS shall have BUYER's objection rights
under Section 3.5.

         3.5 Dispute Procedures. The Final Settlement Statement shall become
final and binding on DEFS and BUYER on the 20th day following the date the Final
Settlement Statement is received by BUYER, unless prior to such date BUYER
delivers written notice to DEFS of its disagreement with the Final Settlement
Statement (a "Settlement Notice"). Any Settlement Notice shall set forth BUYER's
proposed changes to the Final Settlement Statement, including an explanation in
reasonable detail of the basis on which BUYER proposes such changes. If BUYER
has timely delivered a Settlement Notice, BUYER and DEFS shall use good faith
efforts to reach written agreement on the disputed items. If the disputed items
have not been resolved by BUYER and DEFS by the 30th day following DEFS' receipt
of a Settlement Notice, any remaining disputed items shall be submitted to the
Independent Accountants for resolution within five (5) Business Days after the
end of the foregoing 30-day period. The fees and expenses of the Independent
Accountants shall be borne fifty percent (50%) by DEFS and fifty percent (50%)
by BUYER. The Independent Accountants' determination of the disputed items shall
be final and binding upon BUYER and DEFS and the Parties hereby waive any and
all rights to dispute such resolution in any manner, including in court, before
an arbiter or appeal. The Independent Accountants shall only have the right to
determine the amounts of any items that are to be reflected on the Final
Settlement Statement and not to interpret any other provision of this Agreement.

         3.6 Payments. If the final amount as set forth in the Final Settlement
Statement exceeds the estimated amount as set forth in the Preliminary
Settlement Statement, then BUYER shall pay to DEFS the amount of such excess,
with interest at the Interest Rate. If the final calculated amount as set forth
in the Final Settlement Statement is less than the estimated calculated amount
as set forth in the Preliminary Settlement Statement, then DEFS shall pay to
BUYER the amount of such excess, with interest at the Interest Rate. Any payment
shall be made within three (3) Business Days of the date the Final Settlement
Statement becomes final pursuant to Section 3.5. Nothing contained in this
Article III shall relieve any Party from any obligation to make any other
payments required by this Agreement.

         3.7 Special Adjustments. The Parties acknowledge that resolution of an
issue concerning certain contracts described in Schedule 3.7 is not a condition
to Closing. Certain agreements of the Parties concerning this issue are set
forth in Schedule 3.7.

                                       15
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE IV

                              ASSUMED OBLIGATIONS

         4.1 Assumption of Assumed Obligations. Effective on the Effective Time,
BUYER assumes all rights, liabilities, duties, obligations, risk of loss,
Claims, Losses and any related responsibility for the ownership, operation or
use of the Assets and the business related exclusively thereto and any condition
of or on the Assets (including, without limitation, environmental matters and
Environmental Defects) attributable to any period of time, whether before, on or
after the Effective Time; excluding, however, the Retained Liabilities
(collectively, the "Assumed Obligations"). Notwithstanding anything contained in
this Agreement to the contrary, the assumption by BUYER of the Assumed
Obligations shall not excuse or otherwise limit DEFS' indemnity obligations
under Article XL

                                    ARTICLE V

                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF DEFS

        Except as set forth in any of the Schedules delivered to BUYER, as of
 the signing of this Agreement and as of the Closing, DEFS represents and
 warrants to BUYER as follows:

         5.1 Organization, Good Standing, and Authority. DEFS is a limited
partnership duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of
the State of Delaware and has all requisite limited partnership power and
authority to operate the Assets operated by it and to own or otherwise hold the
Assets owned or held by it, and is duly qualified as a foreign organization in
good standing in each State in which the Assets are located. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which DEFS is a
party and the consummation by DEFS of the transactions contemplated herein and
therein have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary limited
partnership action by DEFS. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by DEFS. DEFS has all requisite limited partnership power and authority to enter
into and perform this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a
party, to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to carry out the
transactions contemplated herein and therein.

         5.2 Enforceability. This Agreement constitutes and, upon execution and
delivery of the Transaction Documents to which DEFS is a party, such Transaction
Documents will constitute, valid and binding obligations of DEFS, enforceable
against DEFS in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar Laws affecting
creditor's rights generally and general principles of equity.

         5.3 No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by DEFS of
this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby by DEFS, will not:

                                       16
<PAGE>

                  (a) Provided all of the DEFS Required Consents and Post
         Closing Consents have been obtained, conflict with, constitute a
         breach, violation or termination of, give rise to any right of
         termination, cancellation or acceleration of or result in the loss of
         any right or benefit under, any agreement to which DEFS is a party or
         by which any of them or the Assets are bound;

                  (b) Conflict with or violate the organizational documents of
         DEFS, including the limited partnership agreement of DEFS; and

                  (c) Provided that all of the DEFS Required Consents and Post
         Closing Consents have been obtained, violate any Law applicable to DEFS
         or the Assets.

         5.4 Consents, Approvals, Authorizations and Governmental Regulations;
Permits.

                  (a) Except (i) for Post-Closing Consents, (ii) as may be
         required under the HSR Act, and (iii) as set forth in Schedule 5.4(a)
         (the items described in clauses (ii) and (iii) being collectively
         referred to as the "DEFS Required Consents"); no order, consent,
         waiver, permission, authorization or approval of, or exemption by, or
         the giving of notice to or the registration or filing with any
         Governmental Authority or Third Person, is necessary for DEFS to (A)
         execute, deliver and perform this Agreement or the Transaction
         Documents to which it is a party or (B) transfer the Permits.

                  (b) Except as set forth in Schedule 5.4(b), (i) the Permits
         described on Schedule 1.1(c) constitute all of the Permits required or
         necessary for DEFS or any of its Affiliates to own the Assets and
         operate and maintain the System in the places and in the manner
         currently owned or operated (other than immaterial Permits, the absence
         of which will not adversely affect BUYER's ability to own or operate
         the Assets or expose BUYER to more than de minimis obligations) and
         each such Permit is in full force and effect, (ii) DEFS has received no
         written notification concerning, and there are no, material violations
         that are in existence with respect to such Permits and (iii) no
         Proceeding is pending, or to DEFS' Knowledge, threatened with respect
         to the revocation, limitation or otherwise relating to any of such
         Permits. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the
         provisions of this Section 5.4(b) shall not relate to or cover any
         matter relating to or arising out of any Environmental Laws.

         5.5 Taxes. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.5:

                  (a) All Taxes payable by or imposed against DEFS relating to
         the Assets or the operation thereof have been fully paid on or before
         the due date thereof for payment without penalty or is being contested
         in good faith (subject, however, to the possibility of audit
         adjustments in respect of open years). DEFS has duly complied with all
         withholding Tax and Tax deposit requirements imposed on it in respect
         of the Assets.

                  (b) Except for those not yet due or those which are being
         contested in good faith, all Tax Returns that are required to have been
         filed for, by, on behalf of or with respect to DEFS relating to the
         Assets, or the operation of the System have been filed

                                       17
<PAGE>

         with the appropriate Governmental Authority and all Taxes shown to be
         due and payable on such Tax Returns have been paid in full;

                  (c) To DEFS' Knowledge, (i) neither DEFS is under audit or
         examination by any Governmental Authority, (ii) there are no Claims or
         Proceedings now pending or threatened against DEFS with respect to any
         Tax or any matters under discussion with any Governmental Authority
         relating to any Tax, and (iii) there are no Claims for any additional
         Tax asserted by any Governmental Authority against DEFS relating to the
         Assets or the operation of the System; and

                  (d) None of the Assets: (i) is "tax-exempt use property"
         within the meaning of Section 168(h) of the Code or (ii) directly or
         indirectly secures any debt the interest on which is tax-exempt under
         the Code.

         5.6 Litigation; Compliance with Laws. Except as described in Schedule
         5.6:

                  (a) There is no injunction, restraining order or Proceeding
         pending, or to the Knowledge of DEFS, threatened against DEFS that
         restrains or prohibits the consummation of the transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement.

                  (b) There is no Proceeding pending, or to DEFS' Knowledge,
         Claim threatened, against or affecting the Assets, or DEFS' ownership
         of the Assets or the operation of the System by DEFS.

                  (c) The System is being operated in compliance with applicable
         Laws. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the provisions
         of this Section 5.6(c) shall not relate to or cover Environmental Laws.

         5.7 Contracts. Schedule 1.1(e) contains a description of all material
contracts and agreements relating to DEFS' ownership, operation or maintenance
of the Assets as of the date of this Agreement. Except as listed on Schedule
5.7, DEFS (a) is not in material default and there is no event or circumstance
that with notice, or lapse of time or both, would constitute a material event of
default by DEFS under the terms of any of the Contracts and (b) has performed
all of its obligations under the Contracts that have become due in the ordinary
course of business. To DEFS' Knowledge and except as listed on Schedule 5.7, (i)
all of the Contracts (other than those to be entered into in the future) are
enforceable and in full force and effect and (ii) no counter party to any of the
Contracts is in material default under the terms of such Contract.

         5.8 Intellectual Property. Except as described in Schedule 5.8, DEFS
has not received any written notice of infringement, misappropriation or
conflict with respect to Intellectual Property from any Person with respect to
the operation of the System. To DEFS' Knowledge, the operation of the System has
not infringed, misappropriated or otherwise conflicted with any patents, patent
applications, patent rights, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks,
service mark applications, copyrights, trade names, unregistered copyrights, and
trade secrets of any other Person.

                                       18
<PAGE>

         5.9 Preferential Rights to Purchase. Except as listed in Schedule 5.9,
there are no preferential or similar rights to purchase any portion of the
Assets.

         5.10 Broker's or Finder's Fees. No investment banker, broker, finder or
other Person is entitled to any brokerage or finder's fee or similar commission
in respect thereof based in any way on agreements, arrangements or
understandings made by or on behalf of DEFS or any of DEFS' Affiliates which is,
or following the Closing would be, an obligation of BUYER.

         5.11 Condemnation. Except for litigation matters in which DEFS has been
dismissed and the litigation and Claims identified on Schedule 5.6, as of the
date hereof, there has been no taking (whether permanent, temporary, whole or
partial) of any part of the Assets by reason of condemnation against DEFS, and
to DEFS' Knowledge no such taking has been threatened.

         5.12 Benefit Plan Liabilities. At the Effective Time, BUYER shall have
no liability with respect to any Benefit Plans except for liabilities, if any,
encumbering the Assets arising from DEFS' status prior to the Closing as an
ERISA Affiliate of Duke Energy Corporation, which liabilities are included as
Retained Liabilities.

         5.13 No Foreign Person. DEFS is not a "foreign person" as defined in
Section 1445 of the Code and in any regulations promulgated thereunder.

         5.14 Bankruptcy. There are no bankruptcy, reorganization or
receivership proceedings pending, planned or being contemplated by DEFS with
respect to DEFS, or the Assets, or to the Knowledge of DEFS, being threatened
against DEFS.

         5.15 Advance Receipts/Purchases; Gas Contracts. Other than Imbalances,
DEFS has not, other than in a manner consistent with the normal cycle of billing
(a) received any quantity of natural gas or liquids under any Contract for which
payment will be due in the future, or (b) received prepayments, advance payments
or loans that will require BUYER to perform services or provide natural gas or
gas liquids under any Contract after the Effective Time without payment. Except
as listed on Schedule 5.7, DEFS is not in breach (and would not be in breach
upon the receipt of notice) of its obligations under any of the following of the
Contracts: (i) gas or liquids purchase and sales agreements, (ii) gas storage
agreements, (iii) gas or liquids transportation agreements, and/or (iv)
gathering, treating or processing agreements.

         5.16 Rental Payments on Real Property Interests. During the period of
DEFS ownership of the Real Property Interests through the Closing Date, DEFS has
paid or will timely pay all amounts owed thereon.

         5.17 Eminent Domain. DEFS has not exercised any power of eminent domain
or condemnation with respect to any real property in or on the Assets, including
the Real Property Interests.

         5.18 Operating Statements. To DEFS' Knowledge, the Operating Statements
(a) were prepared using accounting practices and procedures ordinarily used by
DEFS in the preparation

                                       19
<PAGE>
of its internally prepared operating statements, consistently applied and (b)
fairly present the costs and results of operations of the Assets for the periods
covered thereby.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

         As of the signing of this Agreement and as of the Closing, BUYER hereby
represents and warrants to DEFS as follows:

         6.1 Organization, Good Standing, and Authorization. BUYER is a limited
partnership duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of
the State of Delaware. BUYER has all requisite power and authority to enter into
and perform this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party,
to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to carry out the
transactions contemplated herein and therein. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the
consummation by BUYER of the transactions contemplated herein have been duly and
validly authorized by all necessary action by BUYER. This Agreement has been
duly executed and delivered by BUYER.

         6.2 Enforceability. This Agreement constitutes, and upon execution and
delivery of the Transaction Documents to which BUYER is a party, such
Transaction Documents will constitute, valid and binding obligations of BUYER,
enforceable against BUYER in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar Laws
affecting creditor's rights generally and general principles of equity.

         6.3 No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by BUYER of
this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, will not:

                  (a) Provided that any BUYER Required Consents and Post Closing
         Consents have been obtained, conflict with, constitute a breach,
         violation or termination of, give rise to any right of termination,
         cancellation or acceleration of or result in the loss of any right or
         benefit under, any agreement to which BUYER is a party;

                  (b) Conflict with or violate the organizational documents of
         BUYER, including its limited partnership agreement and charter
         documents, and

                  (c) Provided that all of BUYER Required Consents and Post
         Closing Consents have been obtained, violate any Law applicable to
         BUYER or its properties or assets.

         6.4 Consents, Approvals, Authorizations and Governmental Regulations.
Except (i) for Post-Closing Consents, (ii) as may be required under the HSR Act
and (iii) as set forth in Schedule 6.4 (the items described in clauses (ii) and
(iii) being collectively referred to as the "BUYER Required Consents"); no
order, consent, waiver, permission, authorization or approval

                                       20
<PAGE>

of, or exemption by, or the giving of notice to or registration or filing with,
any Governmental Authority or Third Person, is necessary for BUYER to execute,
deliver and perform this Agreement or the Transaction Documents to which it will
be a party.

         6.5 Litigation. There is no injunction, restraining order or Proceeding
threatened or pending against BUYER that restrains or prohibits the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         6.6 Independent Investigation. BUYER is knowledgeable in the business
of owning and operating natural gas, natural gas liquids, condensate and refined
product facilities. In making the decision to enter into this Agreement and
consummate the transaction contemplated hereby, BUYER has relied solely on its
own independent due diligence investigations and inspection of the Assets, and
the representations, warranties, covenants and undertakings of DEFS in this
Agreement and the Transaction Documents. BUYER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT IS ACQUIRING
THE ASSETS IN THEIR "AS IS, WHERE IS" CONDITION AND STATE OF REPAIR, AND WITH
ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS, AND THAT EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET OUT IN THIS AGREEMENT
OR THE TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS, DEFS HAS MADE NO REPRESENTATION, WARRANTY OR
COVENANT OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF MARKETABILITY, QUALITY, CONDITION, CONFORMITY TO
SAMPLES, MERCHANTABILITY, AND/OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ALL OF WHICH
ARE, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SET OUT IN THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS,
EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED BY DEFS AND WAIVED BY BUYER. BUYER FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES
THAT: (I) THE ASSETS HAVE BEEN USED FOR NATURAL GAS, NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS,
CONDENSATE AND/OR REFINED PRODUCT OPERATIONS AND PHYSICAL CHANGES IN THE ASSETS
AND IN THE LANDS BURDENED THEREBY MAY HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF SUCH USES AND
(II) THE ASSETS MAY INCLUDE BURIED PIPELINES AND OTHER EQUIPMENT, THE LOCATIONS
OF WHICH MAY NOT BE READILY APPARENT BY A PHYSICAL INSPECTION OF THE ASSETS OR
THE LANDS BURDENED THEREBY. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET OUT IN THIS AGREEMENT, DEFS
MAKES NO REPRESENTATION, COVENANT OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS
TO (A) THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY DATA OR RECORDS DELIVERED TO BUYER
WITH RESPECT TO THE ASSETS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY DESCRIPTION OF
THE ASSETS, PRICING ASSUMPTIONS, QUALITY OR QUANTITY OF THE INTERESTS, FREEDOM
FROM PATENT OR TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT OR (B) FUTURE VOLUMES OF HYDROCARBONS OR
OTHER PRODUCTS GATHERED, TRANSPORTED, TREATED, STORED OR PROCESSED THROUGH OR AT
THE ASSETS. With respect to any projection or forecast delivered by or on behalf
of DEFS or its Affiliates to BUYER, BUYER acknowledges that (i) there are
uncertainties inherent in attempting to make such projections and forecasts,
(ii) BUYER is familiar with such uncertainties, and (iii) BUYER is taking full
responsibility for making its own evaluation of the adequacy and accuracy of all
such projections and forecasts furnished to BUYER.

                                       21
<PAGE>

         6.7 Broker's or Finder's Fees. No investment banker, broker, finder or
other Person is entitled to any brokerage or finder's fee or similar commission
in respect thereof based in any way on agreements, arrangements or
understandings made by or on behalf of BUYER or any of its Affiliates which is,
or following the Closing would be, an obligation of DEFS or any of its
Affiliates.

         6.8 Available Funds, BUYER will have at Closing, sufficient cash to
enable it to make payment in immediately available funds of the Purchase Price
when due and any other amounts to be paid by it hereunder.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                    COVENANTS

         7.1 Conduct of Business.

                  (a) Without the prior written consent of BUYER, which consent
         shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, DEFS covenants and
         agrees that from and after the execution of this Agreement and until
         the Closing:

                           (i) DEFS will not sell, transfer, assign, convey or
         otherwise dispose of any material Assets other than the sale of
         Inventory in the ordinary course of business or the sale or other
         disposition of material equipment or other material Personal Property
         which is replaced with equipment or other Personal Property of
         comparable or better value and utility;

                           (ii) DEFS will not create or allow the creation of
         any Lien other than Permitted Encumbrances on any Asset;

                           (iii) DEFS will not amend any Contract or Real
         Property Interest in any material respect, or terminate any Contract or
         Real Property Interest, or enter into any new contracts or agreements
         in respect of the Assets performable after the Effective Time, other
         than in the ordinary course of business, and BUYER agrees that any such
         new contracts or agreement entered into in compliance with this Section
         7.1(a)(iii) shall be added to Schedule 1.1(b) or Schedule 1.1(e) and
         shall be deemed to be a Real Property Interest or Contract, as the case
         maybe;

                           (iv) Other than capital expenditures that have not
         been approved by DEFS' management prior to the date hereof which do not
         exceed $50,000 in the aggregate for any project, DEFS will not incur,
         or commit to incur any liability or obligation to make capital
         expenditures that will become the obligations of BUYER pursuant to
         Section 7.13 or which will be payable by BUYER after the Effective
         Time;

                  (b) Unless BUYER otherwise agrees in writing, which agreement
         shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, DEFS shall;

                                       22
<PAGE>

                           (i) cause the Assets to be maintained and operated in
         the ordinary course of business in accordance with the past operating
         and maintenance practices of DEFS, including regular scheduled
         maintenance plans and capital expenditures, and pay or cause to be paid
         all costs and expenses in connection therewith when due; provided,
         however, that if DEFS believes that it is desirable to depart from its
         ordinary course of business with respect to the Assets, it will
         promptly advise BUYER of the reasons therefore;

                           (ii) carry on its business in respect of the Assets
         in substantially the same manner as it has heretofore; and

                           (iii) use reasonable efforts (A) to preserve its
         business in respect of the Assets intact, (B) to keep available the
         services of the employees involved in the conduct of such business and
         (C) to preserve the goodwill of customers having business relations
         with DEFS in respect of the Assets, in each case, consistent with past
         practice.

         7.2 Casualty Loss.

                  (a) DEFS shall promptly notify BUYER of any Casualty Loss of
         which DEFS becomes aware prior to the Closing. If a Casualty Loss
         occurs that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
         Effect, DEFS or BUYER shall have the right to extend the Closing Date
         for up to 45 days for the purpose of repairing or replacing the Assets
         destroyed or damaged by the Casualty Loss. If DEFS does not repair or
         replace the Assets destroyed or damaged by a Casualty Loss that could
         reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and the
         Parties are unable to agree on a reduction to the Purchase Price to
         compensate BUYER for the Casualty Loss, BUYER may terminate this
         Agreement upon fifteen (15) days written notice to DEFS. Unless DEFS
         exercises its right to terminate the Agreement under Section 7.6, DEFS
         shall repair or replace the Assets destroyed or damaged by a Casualty
         Loss if the same is not reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse
         Effect.

                  (b) If this Agreement is not terminated by BUYER as provided
         in Section 7.2(a), BUYER'S sole remedy with respect to any Casualty
         Loss in respect of Assets which are not repaired or replaced prior to
         the Closing is, at BUYER'S election, to (i) reduce the Purchase Price
         by an amount estimated by DEFS and agreed to by BUYER to be equal to
         the repair or replacement cost of the Assets affected by the Casualty
         Loss; provided that, if the Parties cannot agree, then the Closing
         shall occur and either Party may submit the determination of the costs
         of the Casualty Loss for resolution pursuant to Section 12.8, in which
         case any insurance, condemnation or taking proceeds with respect to
         such Casualty Loss shall be the sole property of DEFS, or (ii) accept
         the Assets with no adjustment to the Purchase Price, but with BUYER
         being entitled to receive as BUYER'S sole property all insurance,
         condemnation or taking proceeds, on account of such Casualty Loss, plus
         any insurance deductible (in which case, such insurance deductible
         shall be payable by DEFS).

                                       23
<PAGE>

         7.3 Access, Information and Access Indemnity.

                  (a) Until Closing, during the business hours of 8:00 a.m. to
         5:00 p.m. (local time), Monday through Friday DEFS will continue to
         make available at DEFS' offices to BUYER and BUYER's authorized
         representatives for examination as BUYER may reasonably request, all
         files, including land files, regulatory files, abstracts, title
         opinions, engineering data, environmental data or information, reports,
         maps, drawings, surveys, books, records, and agreements in DEFS' or its
         Affiliates' possession or control relating to the Assets; provided,
         however, such material shall not include (i) any proprietary data which
         relates to another business of DEFS and is not related to the continued
         operation of the Assets, (ii) any information described on Schedule 7.3
         subject to Third Person confidentiality agreements for which a consent
         or waiver cannot be secured by DEFS after reasonable efforts, or (iii)
         the information described on Schedule 7.3 which, if disclosed, would
         violate an attorney-client privilege or might constitute a waiver of
         rights as to attorney work product or attorney-client privileged
         communications.

                  (b) Subject to Section 7.3(a) above, DEFS shall permit BUYER
         and BUYER's authorized representatives to consult with DEFS' employees
         during the business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (local time),
         Monday through Friday and to conduct, at BUYER's sole risk and expense,
         inspections and inventories of the Assets and to examine all Records at
         the Plant Facilities over which DEFS has control. DEFS shall also
         coordinate, in advance, with BUYER to allow site visits and inspections
         at the field sites on Saturdays unless operational conditions would
         reasonably prohibit such access. Notwithstanding anything to the
         contrary, BUYER shall not conduct any physical environmental
         assessments of the Assets.

                  (c) BUYER SHALL PROTECT, DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD THE DEFS
         INDEMNITEES HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND LOSSES
         OCCURRING ON OR TO THE ASSETS CAUSED BY THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF BUYER,
         BUYER'S AFFILIATES OR ANY PERSON ACTING ON BUYER'S OR ITS AFFILIATE'S
         BEHALF IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DUE DILIGENCE CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO OR IN
         CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING ANY SITE VISITS AND
         ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING. BUYER shall comply fully with all rules,
         regulations, policies and instructions issued by DEFS or any Third
         Person operator regarding BUYER's actions while upon, entering or
         leaving any property included in the Assets, including any insurance
         requirements that DEFS may impose on contractors authorized to perform
         work on any property owned or operated by DEFS.

         7.4 Environmental Matters and Post-Closing Access.

                  (a) BUYER shall purchase the Environmental Insurance and have
         the same bound and delivered to DEFS at Closing, with no conditions to
         it being effective, including, without limitation, payment of premium
         or completing applications. BUYER may, at its option and at its sole
         cost, risk and expense, obtain an additional insurance

                                       24
<PAGE>

         policy with respect to Environmental Defects for which DEFS is
         obligated to indemnify BUYER hereunder (the "DEFS Defects Policy");
         provided, however, that obtaining the DEFS Defects Policy shall not be
         a condition to Closing. If BUYER elects to obtain the DEFS Defects
         Policy, DEFS shall endeavor to assist BUYER in connection with
         obtaining the same.

                  (b) In connection with any Environmental Defect that DEFS is
         obligated to indemnify BUYER hereunder, (i) BUYER shall make available,
         and DEFS and its designees shall have the right, from time to time, to
         review, all environmental materials related to the Assets, and to have
         access to the Assets and BUYER'S utility services from time to time to
         effect Remediation, (ii) BUYER shall in good faith fully cooperate with
         DEFS and its designees with respect thereto and (iii) DEFS and its
         designees shall have the sole and exclusive right to conduct any
         Remediation and to interface with Governmental Authorities in
         connection therewith. DEFS shall PROTECT, DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD
         THE BUYER INDEMNITIES HARMLESS FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND
         LOSSES OCCURRING ON OR TO THE ASSETS CAUSED BY THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF
         DEFS, DEFS' AFFILIATES OR ANY PERSON ACTING ON DEFS' OR DEFS'
         AFFILIATES BEHALF IN CONNECTION WITH ANY REMEDIATION CONDUCTED BY DEFS
         PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT. DEFS shall comply fully with all rules,
         regulations, policies and instructions issued by BUYER or any Third
         Person operator regarding DEFS' actions while upon, entering or leaving
         any property included in the Assets. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
         BUYER shall not impose rules, regulations or instructions that
         unreasonably impede or delay DEFS' Remediation activities.

         7.5 [Intentionally omitted.]

         7.6 DEFS' Right to Terminate. Notwithstanding any provision herein to
the contrary, in the event that DEFS' reasonably anticipated reductions in the
Purchase Price as a result of Section 3.7, any Casualty Losses and DEFS' good
faith estimate of its liability with respect to breaches of representations and
warranties of which DEFS has received notice from BUYER, exceeds five percent
(5%) of the Purchase Price, then, DEFS shall have the right to terminate this
Agreement upon ten (10) days written notice to BUYER; provided, however, that
BUYER shall have the right to require DEFS to Close if BUYER assumes the related
liabilities and obligations and accepts a maximum five percent (5%) reduction of
the Purchase Price as full consideration of such assumption.

         7.7 Names. As soon as reasonably possible, but in no event later than
sixty (60) days after Closing, BUYER shall remove the names of DEFS and its
Affiliates, including "Duke" or "DEFS" and all variations thereof, from the
Assets. As soon as reasonably possible after the Closing, BUYER shall make the
requisite filings with, and provide the requisite notices to, the appropriate
Governmental Authorities to reflect that BUYER has title to the Assets.

                                       25
<PAGE>

         7.8 Regulatory Filings; Hart-Scott-Rodino Filing.

                  (a) BUYER and DEFS will take all commercially reasonable
         actions necessary or desirable, and proceed diligently and in good
         faith and use all commercially reasonable efforts, as promptly as
         practicable to obtain all consents, approvals or actions of, to make
         all filings with, and to give all notices to, Governmental Authorities
         required to accomplish the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                  (b) The Parties shall make any filings required under the HSR
         Act on or prior to five (5) days after the date hereof and provide such
         information to the FTC as is required in connection with the HSR Act as
         soon as practicable after a request therefore.

                  (c) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, each
         of the Parties will (i) use reasonable efforts to comply as
         expeditiously as possible with all lawful requests of Governmental
         Authorities for additional information and documents pursuant to the
         HSR Act, (ii) not (A) extend any waiting period under the HSR Act or
         (B) enter into any voluntary agreement with any Governmental Authority
         not to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
         except with the prior consent of the other Party, and (iii) cooperate
         with each other and use reasonable efforts to obtain the requisite
         approval of the FTC and DOJ; provided, however, that the Parties are
         not obligated to accept any conditional approval or divest any of the
         Assets or any of theirs properties.

                  (d) BUYER will be responsible for paying the filing fees
         required with respect to any filing under the HSR Act.

         7.9 Preservation of Records. For a period of seven (7) years after the
Closing Date, the Party in possession of the originals of the Records will
retain such Records at its sole cost and expense and will make such Records
available to the other Party upon reasonable notice for inspection and/or
copying, at the expense of the requesting Party, at the headquarters of the
Party in possession (or at such other location in the United States as the Party
in possession may designate in writing to the other Party) at reasonable times
and during regular office hours. If BUYER, at any time, transfers the Assets
directly or indirectly, to a Third Person, then BUYER will provide advance
notice of the transfer, obligate the transferee to maintain the Records as
herein required and will retain access to the Records for the benefit of itself
and DEFS. BUYER agrees that DEFS may retain a copy of the Records.

         7.10 Accounting for Excess Inventory. Notwithstanding Section 7.1, DEFS
shall have the right to sell and dispose of any or all of the Excess Inventory
prior to the Effective Time. There shall be no price adjustment or obligation
between the Parties with respect to any Excess Inventory sold by DEFS prior to
the Effective Time or remaining thereafter.

         7.11 Imbalances. Schedule 7.11 sets out the actual amounts of the
Imbalance Receivables and the Imbalance Payables as of the date set forth in
such schedule. DEFS shall make a good faith estimate of the Imbalance
Receivables and Imbalance Payables as of the date five (5) days prior to the
Closing Date and update Schedule 7.11 to reflect such estimate. The Imbalance
Receivables shall be for the sole benefit of BUYER and it shall be the sole
obligation of BUYER to discharge the Imbalance Payables. Such amounts shall be
cashed out as between

                                       26
<PAGE>

the Parties based on the simple average of the daily midpoint prices per MMBtu
for the month following the Effective Time as published in Platts Gas Daily for
Permian Area-Waha. BUYER and DEFS agree to cooperate and to make available to
each other all information necessary to calculate and to confirm and verify the
actual volume and value of Imbalances.

         7.12 Suspense Account Funds.

                  (a) Certain funds otherwise payable to or owed by operators
         and/or working, royalty or other interest owners in wells connected, or
         other owners delivering natural gas or liquid hydrocarbons to certain
         facilities have been or may be placed in suspense pending resolution of
         questions of title, execution of division or transfer orders, or for
         similar reasons (the "Suspense Account Funds").

                  (b) Schedule 7.12 sets out the actual net amount in respect of
         the Suspense Account Funds receivables and payables as of the date set
         forth in Schedule 7.12. DEFS shall make a good faith estimate of the
         net amount in respect of the Suspense Account Funds as of the date five
         (5) days prior to the Closing Date, shall update Schedule 7.12 to
         reflect such estimate, and in exchange for an adjustment of the amount
         payable at Closing in an amount equal to such estimated net amount,
         BUYER shall assume and agree to be solely responsible for such amounts.
         BUYER and DEFS agree to cooperate and to make available to each other
         all information necessary to calculate and to confirm and verify the
         actual amount of the net amount with respect to the Suspense Account
         Funds.

         7.13 Capital Projects. Schedule 7.13 as supplemented from time to time
sets out those capital projects ("Capital Projects") for which BUYER shall have
financial responsibility. DEFS shall have the right to supplement Schedule 7.13
to add non-maintenance related capital projects approved by BUYER pursuant to
Section 7.l(a)(iv) or for which BUYER does not have approval rights because they
do not meet the size to require approval pursuant thereto. BUYER shall reimburse
DEFS at the Closing for DEFS' actual costs paid in connection with the Capital
Projects identified in Schedule 7.13, whether or not DEFS has received an
invoice therefore. All costs and expenses in respect of the Capital Projects
incurred after the Effective Time shall be solely for the account of and payable
by BUYER.

         7.14 Employees.

                  (a) DEFS has provided BUYER with a list of certain of the
         field employees of DEFS and its Affiliates who are assigned on a full
         time or primary basis to any of the Assets (the "Business Employees")
         and, with respect to each Business Employee, the Business Employee's
         name, title, and compensation.

                  (b) BUYER shall make offers of employment to not less than 80%
         of all Business Employees. BUYER'S offers of employment to each
         Business Employee shall be with substantially the same benefits and
         compensation as the employee had with DEFS as of the date hereof.

                                       27
<PAGE>

                  (c) BUYER may conduct pre-employment interviews with the
         Business Employees and DEFS shall provide reasonable access to such
         employees to BUYER to conduct such interviews. No later than thirty
         (30) days after the date hereof, BUYER will deliver to DEFS a written
         list containing the name and proposed offer (including base pay and
         benefits) of all of the Business Employees to whom BUYER intends to
         offer employment. Buyer shall make the offers to the Business Employees
         on the list given to DEFS. The Business Employees who accept and
         actually commence employment with BUYER on the Closing Date (unless
         DEFS and BUYER mutually agree to a later commencement date) are
         hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Continuing Employees."

                  (d) With respect to any employees of DEFS or its Affiliates
         who perform services with respect to any of the Assets and whose
         employment relationship with DEFS or any of its Affiliates is
         terminated by DEFS, DEFS shall comply with all applicable Laws in
         connection therewith, including the Worker Adjustment and Retraining
         Notification Act.

                  (e) With respect to the Continuing Employees:

                           (i) If BUYER terminates the employment of any
                  Continuing Employee within one (1) year after the Closing Date
                  under circumstances that would have entitled such Continuing
                  Employee to a severance benefit under DEFS' severance formula
                  in effect for such employee on the Effective Time, as
                  described on Schedule 7.14(e)(i), BUYER will pay such
                  Continuing Employee severance based on such severance benefit
                  plan taking into account years of service recognized by DEFS
                  and years of service with BUYER. DEFS shall provide BUYER
                  prior to Closing with a schedule setting out the severance
                  benefits payable under the DEFS severance benefit plan for
                  each Continuing Employee.

                           (ii) The Continuing Employees shall be eligible to
                  participate in BUYER's benefit plans in accordance with the
                  terms thereof. To the extent permitted by Law and BUYER's
                  benefit plans, and without regard to whether such employees
                  are located outside of the region of any network providing
                  coverage under any such plans, (A) BUYER shall, to the extent
                  permitted under the respective plans, programs and policies,
                  grant all Continuing Employees credit for their service with
                  DEFS or its Affiliates for purposes of eligibility to
                  participate in and vesting credits in BUYER's service award,
                  vacation programs and policies and retirement plans, (B) for
                  the year during which such coverage begins, BUYER shall credit
                  under any medical and/or dental benefit plan maintained by
                  BUYER all Continuing Employees with any deductibles and
                  co-payments already incurred during such year under DEFS' (or
                  its Affiliate's) group health plan, and waive any pre-existing
                  conditions, exclusions or limitations as to coverage, any
                  evidence-of-insurability provisions, and any waiting-period
                  requirements under such plans, and (C) BUYER shall apply
                  towards any

                                       28
<PAGE>

                  deductible requirements and out-of-pocket maximum limits under
                  such BUYER'S welfare benefit plans that are applicable for the
                  plan year in which the Closing occurs, any similar deductible
                  requirements and out-of-pocket maximum limits satisfied by any
                  Continuing employee under DEFS welfare benefit plan. Prior to
                  the Closing, DEFS shall prepare and deliver to each Continuing
                  Employee and request such Continuing Employee to deliver to
                  BUYER a schedule setting forth the amount of the deductible
                  and out-of-pocket maximum limits satisfied by each Continuing
                  Employee under DEFS welfare Benefit Plans with the information
                  available as of the date the schedule is prepared, which
                  schedule shall be updated through the Closing as soon as
                  reasonably practical after the Closing.

                           (iii) As soon as administratively feasible after the
                  Closing, and subject to reasonable requirements, BUYER shall
                  cause the trustee of BUYER'S 401(k) plan trust to accept
                  direct rollovers from DEFS' 401(k) plan trust for each
                  Continuing Employee electing the same with respect to a
                  distribution of his or her vested account thereunder. In
                  addition, participant promissory notes for any outstanding
                  loans of Continuing Employees under DEFS' 401(k) plan shall be
                  rolled over to BUYER'S 401(k) plan trust, to the extent
                  permitted by Law, DEFS' 401(k) plan and BUYER'S 401(k) plan.
                  If any Continuing Employee does not rollover his or her
                  account to BUYER'S 401(k) plan, such Continuing Employee may
                  continue to participate in DEFS' 401(k) plan as a terminated
                  participant in accordance with the terms thereof, and DEFS
                  shall retain all responsibility for the management and
                  administration of such Continuing Employee's account balances
                  under DEFS' 40l(k) plan.

                           (iv) The number of vacation days that each Continuing
                  Employee shall be entitled under BUYER'S vacation policies for
                  calendar year 2004 shall be no less than the number of
                  remaining vacation days to which such employee would have been
                  entitled for calendar year 2004 (determined assuming that such
                  employee worked for the full calendar year) under DEFS'
                  vacation policies determined as of the Effective Time, which
                  such employee has not used and for which such employee has not
                  been paid by DEFS. Promptly following the Closing, DEFS shall
                  provide BUYER with a written exhibit showing the number of
                  remaining vacation days for each Continuing Employee. If, in
                  DEFS' opinion, it is required to pay employees for unused
                  vacation accrued under DEFS' vacation policy as determined as
                  of the Effective Time, DEFS shall pay such amount and BUYER
                  shall reimburse DEFS for a portion thereof, which portion
                  shall be calculated by multiplying such amount by a fraction,
                  the numerator of which is the number of months remaining in
                  the year in which Closing occurs and the denominator of which
                  is twelve.

                  (f) Except as may otherwise be approved by DEFS in writing for
         the six (6) month period following the Closing Date, if BUYER or any of
         its Affiliates directly or indirectly (including as an employee, a
         contractor or an employee of a contractor or subcontractor) retain the
         services of any Business Employee to whom DEFS paid severance payments
         or

                                       29
<PAGE>

         benefits because the employment of such Business Employee with DEFS was
         terminated within sixty (60) days of the Effective Time, BUYER shall
         immediately reimburse DEFS the actual amount or value of severance pay
         that DEFS paid to such Business Employee. Notwithstanding the
         foregoing, this section 7.14(f) shall not apply in respect of employees
         of contractors or subcontractors of BUYER who are performing similar
         services for customers of such contractor or subcontractor other than
         BUYER and its Affiliates in the area of BUYER'S operations.

         7.15 Like-kind Exchange. So long as it does not delay the Closing and
DEFS pays the transaction costs for such exchange, DEFS shall have the right at
any time prior to Closing to assign all or a portion of its rights (but not its
obligations) under this Agreement to a qualified intermediary in order to
accomplish the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in a manner that
would comply, either in whole or in part, with the requirements of a like-kind
exchange pursuant to Section 1031 of the Code. If DEFS assigns its rights under
this Agreement for this purpose, DEFS shall provide BUYER with prior written
notice and BUYER agrees that, if so requested by DEFS, it will (a) provide a
written consent to DEFS' assignment of its rights in this Agreement for the sole
purpose herein described and (b) pay the Purchase Price into a qualified escrow
or qualified trust account at Closing as directed in writing by DEFS. Any
assignment of this Agreement to a qualified intermediary shall not release DEFS
from any of its liabilities or obligations to BUYER under this Agreement. DEFS
shall be solely responsible to designate and obtain exchange property and to
otherwise comply with Section 1031 of the Code. The rights of the Parties shall
not be affected by any determination that the transaction does not qualify as a
like-kind exchange.

         7.16 Credits and Receipts. With respect to the month in which Closing
occurs, revenues will be prorated between the Parties based upon the number of
days that have elapsed in the month. Subject to the foregoing and the other
provisions hereof (including the indemnification provisions hereof), all monies,
proceeds, receipts, credits and income attributable to the Assets (as determined
in accordance with GAAP) (i) for all periods of time at and after the Effective
Time, shall be the sole property and entitlement of BUYER, and, to the extent
received by DEFS or one of its Affiliates, shall be promptly accounted for and
transmitted to BUYER and (ii) for all periods of time prior to the Effective
Time, shall be the sole property and entitlement of DEFS and, to the extent
received by BUYER, shall be promptly accounted for and transmitted to DEFS.
After Closing, regardless of when and by whom the actual invoice or demand for
payment is received, (a) DEFS shall pay and be responsible for all Retained
Liabilities and (b) BUYER shall pay and be responsible for all Assumed
Obligations.

         7.17 Previously Obtained Consents. To the extent that there has not
been an adjustment to the Purchase Price with respect thereto, if DEFS bears out
of pocket costs to obtain any substitute consents for Previously Obtained
Consents, BUYER shall reimburse DEFS 50% of such costs.

         7.18 Vehicles. The vehicles that are listed on Schedule 1.1(d) may be
conveyed to BUYER from Automotive Resources International, LLC ("ART") and such
vehicles will also be included within the conveyance documents from DEFS to
BUYER. However, if DEFS has not

                                       30
<PAGE>

obtained a certificate of title from ARI for any of the vehicles prior to
closing, DEFS will cause ARI to deliver a certificate of title to the vehicles
directly to BUYER.

         7.19 Cooperation and Reasonable Efforts. The Parties agree to cooperate
with each other and to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all of the
conditions precedent to Closing to be satisfied as soon as practicable.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                              CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

         8.1 DEFS' Conditions. The obligation of DEFS to close is subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions, any of which may be waived in its sole
discretion:

                  (a) The representations and warranties of BUYER contained in
         Article VI hereof are true and correct on and as of the Closing, except
         for breaches that individually or in the aggregate are not reasonably
         expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect;

                  (b) BUYER shall have performed in all material respects the
         obligations, covenants and agreements of BUYER contained herein and
         required before Closing.

                  (c) No Proceeding shall be pending or threatened which seeks
         to restrain, enjoin or otherwise prohibit the consummation of the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                  (d) All of the DEFS Required Consents, BUYER Required Consents
         and consents or approvals under the HSR Act (or expiration of the
         waiting period) shall have been obtained;

                  (e) DEFS shall have received BUYER's wire transfer of the
         amount due with respect to the Purchase Price (as set forth in the
         Preliminary Settlement Statement).

                  (f) The Environmental Insurance has been delivered to DEFS.

         8.2 BUYER's Conditions. The obligation of BUYER to close is subject to
the satisfaction of the following conditions, any of which may be waived in its
sole discretion:

                  (a) The representations and warranties of DEFS contained in
         Article V shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing (except
         for representations and warranties that, in accordance with their terms
         speak only as of an earlier date, in which case such representations
         and warranties shall be true and correct as of such earlier date)
         except for breaches that individually or in the aggregate are not
         reasonably expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect;

                  (b) DEFS shall have performed, in all material respects, the
         obligations, covenants and agreements of DEFS contained herein and
         required before Closing;

                                       31
<PAGE>

                  (c) No Proceeding shall be pending or threatened which would
         restrain, enjoin or otherwise prohibit the consummation of the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                  (d) All of the DEFS Required Consents, BUYER Required Consents
         and consents or approvals under the HSR Act (or expiration of the
         waiting period) shall have been obtained; provided, however, that
         failure to obtain any DEFS Required Consent shall not be a condition of
         BUYER to close if DEFS agrees in writing to amend Schedule 11.2(c) to
         include liabilities arising from failure to obtain each such DEFS
         Required Consent.

                  (e) There shall have been no event or occurrence that,
         individually or in the aggregate, has had or could reasonably be
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                     CLOSING

         9.1 Time and Place of Closing. The consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (the "Closing") shall take place at 10:00 a.m.
Subject Time on March 1, 2004 in the offices of DEFS in Denver, Colorado or such
other time and place as the Parties agree to in writing (the "Closing Date"),
and shall be effective as of the Effective Time.

         9.2 Deliveries at Closing. At the Closing,

                  (a) DEFS will execute and deliver or caused to be executed and
         delivered to BUYER:

                           (i) Each of the Transaction Documents to which DEFS,
                  or any of its Affiliates are a party;

                           (ii) Certificates issued by appropriate Governmental
                  Authorities evidencing the good standing and existence of DEFS
                  in Delaware, as of a date not more than thirty (30) days prior
                  to the Closing Date.

                           (iii) A certificate of a corporate officer or other
                  authorized person dated the Closing Date, certifying on behalf
                  of DEFS that the conditions in Sections 8.2(a) and 8.2(b) have
                  been fulfilled.

                           (iv) A legal opinion rendered by DEFS' corporate
                  counsel in substantially the form attached as Exhibit C-1.

                           (v) The Transition Services Agreement.

                           (vi) The Coyanosa Agreement.

                                       32
<PAGE>

                           (vii) The Operating Agreement

                  (b) BUYER will execute and deliver or caused to be executed
         and delivered to DEFS:

                           (i) Each of the Transaction Documents to which BUYER
                  or BUYER's Affiliates are a party;

                           (ii) Certificates issued by appropriate Governmental
                  Authorities evidencing the good standing and existence of
                  BUYER in Delaware, as of a date not more than thirty (30) days
                  prior to the Closing Date.

                           (iii) A certificate of a corporate officer or other
                  authorized person dated the Closing Date certifying on behalf
                  of BUYER that the conditions in Sections 8.1 (a) and 8.1(b)
                  have been fulfilled.

                           (iv) Legal opinion rendered by BUYER'S corporate
                  counsel in substantially the form attached as Exhibit C-2.

                           (v) A wire transfer to DEFS of the amount due with
                  respect to the Purchase Price (as set forth in the Preliminary
                  Settlement Statement).

                           (vi) The Transition Services Agreement.

                           (vii) The Coyanosa Agreement.

                           (viii) The Environmental Insurance.

                           (ix) The Operating Agreement

                                    ARTICLE X

                                   TERMINATION

         10.1 Termination at or Prior to Closing. This Agreement may be
terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby abandoned as follows:

                  (a) DEFS and BUYER may elect to terminate this Agreement at
         any time prior to the Closing by mutual written consent of the Parties;

                  (b) Either Party by written notice to the other Party may
         terminate this Agreement if the Closing shall not have occurred on or
         before March 1, 2004; provided, however, that a Party may not terminate
         this Agreement if such Party is at such time in material breach of any
         provision of this Agreement;

                                       33
<PAGE>

                  (c) Either Party may terminate this Agreement at any time on
         or prior to the Closing if the other Party shall have materially
         breached any representations, warranties or covenants of such other
         Party herein contained and the same is not cured within thirty (30)
         days after receipt of written notice thereof from the non-breaching
         Party; and

                  (d) By written notice to BUYER, DEFS may terminate this
         Agreement if DEFS has not timely received the Deposit as provided in
         Section 2.4.

                  (e) Either Party may terminate this Agreement to the extent
         such termination is expressly authorized by another provision of this
         Agreement.

         10.2 Effect of Termination. In the event that Closing does not occur as
a result of either Party exercising its right to terminate pursuant to Section
10.1, then neither Party shall have any further rights or obligations under this
Agreement, except that (i) nothing herein shall relieve either Party from any
liability for any willful breach of this Agreement, and (ii) the provisions of
Section 2.4, Section 7.3(c) and Article XII shall survive any termination of
this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE XI

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

         11.1 Indemnification by BUYER. Effective upon Closing, BUYER shall
defend, indemnify and hold harmless DEFS and its Affiliates, and all of its and
their directors, officers, employees, partners, members, contractors, agents,
and representatives (collectively, the "DEFS Indemnitees") from and against any
and all Losses asserted against, resulting from, imposed upon or incurred by any
of the DEFS Indemnitees as a result of or arising out of:

                  (a) the breach of any of the representations, warranties,
         covenants, or agreements of BUYER contained in this Agreement;

                  (b) to the extent that DEFS is not required to indemnify BUYER
         pursuant to Section 11.2, the Assumed Obligations; and

                  (c) to the extent that DEFS is not required to indemnify BUYER
         pursuant to Section 11.2, all liabilities or obligations of any kind or
         nature resulting from or arising out of the ownership, use or operation
         of the Assets by BUYER, arising out of or relating to periods on and
         after the Effective Time.

                  (d) All liabilities or obligations of any kind or nature
         resulting from or arising out of the failure to obtain any DEFS
         Required Consents.

         11.2 Indemnification by DEFS. Effective upon Closing, DEFS shall
defend, indemnify and hold harmless BUYER and its Affiliates, and all of its and
their directors, officers, employees, partners, members, contractors, agents,
and representatives (collectively, the

                                       34
<PAGE>

"BUYER Indemnitees") from and against any and all Losses asserted against,
resulting from, imposed upon or incurred by any of the BUYER Indemnitees as a
result of or arising out of:

                  (a) the breach of any of the representations or warranties of
         DEFS contained in Article 5 of this Agreement;

                  (b) any Retained Liabilities and the breach of any of the
         covenants or agreements of DEFS contained in this Agreement;

                  (c) the matters described in Schedule 11.2(c); and

                  (d) with respect to obligations to make payments that are
         incurred during the period from and after December 1, 2003 until the
         Effective Time, failure by DEFS to calculate amounts owed and make
         payments under the Contracts when due and in a manner consistent with
         DEFS practices during the period covered by the Operating Statements.

         11.3 Deductibles, Caps, Survival and Certain Limitations.

                  (a) Subject to this Section 11.3, all representations,
         warranties, covenants and indemnities made by the Parties in this
         Agreement or pursuant hereto shall survive the Closing as hereinafter
         provided, and shall not be merged into any instruments or agreements
         delivered at Closing.

                  (b) With respect to the obligations of DEFS:

                           (i) Under Section ll.2(a):

                                    (A)      none of the BUYER Indemnitees shall
                                             be entitled to assert any right to
                                             indemnification after two (2) years
                                             from the Effective Time;

                                    (B)      none of the BUYER Indemnitees shall
                                             be entitled to assert any right to
                                             indemnification unless the
                                             individual claim or series of
                                             related claims which arise out of
                                             substantially the same facts and
                                             circumstances exceed $25,000;

                                    (C)      none of the BUYER Indemnitees shall
                                             be entitled to assert any right to
                                             indemnification unless such claims
                                             in the aggregate exceed $250,000,
                                             and then only to the extent that
                                             all such claims exceed said amount;
                                             and

                                    (D)      none of the BUYER Indemnitees shall
                                             be entitled to assert any right to
                                             indemnification to the extent such
                                             claims exceed in the aggregate ten
                                             percent (10%) of the Purchase
                                             Price.

                                       35

<PAGE>

                           (ii) Under Section 11.2(d), none of the BUYER
         Indemnitees shall be entitled to assert any right to indemnification
         after two (2) years from the Effective Time.

                  (c) The claim for indemnity under this Agreement made by a
         Party Indemnitee shall be in writing, be based upon a Claim that is
         actually asserted (and, with respect to a BUYER Indemnitee, be
         delivered in good faith prior to the respective survival period under
         Section 11.3(b)), and specify in reasonable detail the specific nature
         of the Claim for indemnification hereunder ("Claim Notice"). Any such
         claim that is described in a timely delivered Claim Notice (and
         substantially related claims arising out of the same facts or
         circumstances) shall survive with respect to the specific matter
         described therein; provided, however, that any such claim by any BUYER
         Indemnitee involving an Environmental Defect shall terminate at the
         earlier of:

                           (i) The time that DEFS or another Person designee
         receives closure from a Governmental Authority of the respective
         Environmental Defect; or

                           (ii) 365 days have lapsed after DEFS or another
         Person provided notice of completion of such cleanup activity to the
         Governmental Authority that has actually asserted jurisdiction over
         such matter; or

                           (iii) A Governmental Authority having appropriate
         jurisdiction has issued a final determination that there was not a
         violation of Environmental Law with respect thereto or there is no
         longer a violation of Environmental Law with respect thereto.

                  (d) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary,
         in no event shall DEFS be obligated under this Agreement to indemnify
         (or be otherwise liable hereunder in any way whatsoever to) any of the
         BUYER Indemnitees with respect to a breach of any representation or
         warranty, if BUYER had Knowledge thereof at Closing and failed to
         notify DEFS in writing of such breach prior to Closing.

                  (e) Section 11.2 sets forth BUYER'S sole and exclusive remedy
         with respect to Environmental Defects affecting the Assets.

         11.4 Notice of Asserted Liability; Opportunity to Defend.

                  (a) All claims for indemnification hereunder shall be asserted
         and handled pursuant to this Section 11.4. Any person claiming
         indemnification hereunder is referred to herein as the "Indemnified
         Party" or "Indemnitee" and any person against whom such claims are
         asserted hereunder is referred to herein as the "Indemnifying Party" or
         "Indemnitor."

                  (b) In the event that any Claim is asserted against or any
         Loss is sought to be collected from an Indemnifying Party, the
         Indemnified Party shall with reasonable promptness provide to the
         Indemnifying Party a Claim Notice. The failure to give any such Claim
         Notice shall not otherwise affect the rights of the Indemnified Party
         to

                                       36
<PAGE>

         indemnification hereunder unless the Indemnified Party has proceeded to
         contest, defend or settle the Claim or remedy a Loss with respect to
         which it has failed to give a Claim Notice to the Indemnifying Party.
         Additionally, to the extent the Indemnifying Party is prejudiced
         thereby, the failure to provide a Claim Notice to the Indemnifying
         Party shall relieve the Indemnifying Party from liability for such
         Claims and Losses that it may have to the Indemnified Party, but only
         to the extent the liability for such Claims or Losses is directly
         attributable to such failure to provide the Claim Notice.

                  (c) The Indemnifying Party shall have thirty (30) days from
         the personal delivery or receipt of the Claim Notice (the "Notice
         Period") to notify the Indemnified Party (i) whether or not it disputes
         the liability to the Indemnified Party hereunder with respect to the
         Claim or Loss, and in the event of a dispute, such dispute shall be
         resolved in the manner set forth in Section 12.8 hereof, (ii) in the
         case where Losses are asserted against or sought to be collected from
         an Indemnified Party by the Indemnified Party, whether or not the
         Indemnifying Party desires at its own sole cost and expense to attempt
         to remedy such Losses or (iii) in the case where Claims are asserted
         against or sought to be collected from an Indemnified Party by a Third
         Person ("Third Person Claim"), whether or not the Indemnifying Party
         desires at its own sole cost and expense to defend the Indemnified
         Party against such Third Person Claim; provided, however, that any
         Indemnified Party is hereby authorized prior to and during the Notice
         Period to file any motion, answer or other pleading that it shall deem
         necessary or appropriate to protect its interests or those of the
         Indemnifying Party (and of which it shall have given notice and
         opportunity to comment to the Indemnifying Party) and not prejudicial
         to the Indemnifying Party.

                  (d) If the Indemnifying Party does not give notice to the
         Indemnified Party of its election to contest and defend any such Third
         Person Claim within the Notice Period, then the Indemnifying Party
         shall be bound by the result obtained with respect thereto by the
         Indemnified Party and shall be responsible for all costs incurred in
         connection therewith.

                  (e) If the Indemnifying Party is obligated to defend and
         indemnify the Indemnified Party, and the Parties have a conflict of
         interest with respect to any such Third Person Claim, then the
         Indemnified Party may, in its sole discretion, separately and
         independently contest and defend such Third Person Claim, and the
         Indemnifying Party shall be bound by the result obtained with respect
         thereto by the Indemnified Party and shall be responsible for all costs
         incurred in connection therewith.

                  (f) In the event that the Indemnifying Party notifies the
         Indemnified Party within the Notice Period that it desires to defend
         the Indemnified Party against Third Person Claim, the Indemnifying
         Party shall have the right to defend all appropriate Proceedings, and
         with counsel of its own choosing (but reasonably satisfactory to the
         Indemnified Party) and such Proceedings shall be promptly settled or
         prosecuted by it to a final conclusion. If the Indemnified Party
         desires to participate in, but not control, any such defense or
         settlement it may do so at its sole cost and expense. If the
         Indemnified

                                       37
<PAGE>

         Party joins in any such Third Person Claim, the Indemnifying Party
         shall have full authority to determine all action to be taken with
         respect thereto.

                  (g) If requested by the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnified
         Party agrees to cooperate with the Indemnifying Party and its counsel
         in contesting any Third Person Claim and in making any counterclaim
         against the Third Person asserting the Third Person Claim, or any
         cross-complaint against any person. No Third Person Claim may be
         settled or otherwise compromised without the prior written consent of
         the Indemnifying Party.

                  (h) At any time after the commencement of defense of any Third
         Person Claim, the Indemnifying Party may request the Indemnified Party
         to agree in writing to the abandonment of such contest or to the
         payment or compromise by the Indemnifying Party of the asserted Third
         Person Claim, but only if the Indemnifying Party agrees in writing to
         be solely liable for such Third Person Claim; whereupon such action
         shall be taken unless the Indemnified Party determines that the contest
         should be continued and notifies the Indemnifying Party in writing
         within fifteen (15) days of such request from the Indemnifying Party.
         In the event that the Indemnified Party determines that the contest
         should be continued, the amount for which the Indemnifying Party would
         otherwise be liable hereunder shall not exceed the amount which the
         Indemnifying Party had agreed to pay to compromise such Third Person
         Claim; provided that, the other Person to the contested Third Person
         Claim had agreed in writing to accept such amount in payment or
         compromise of the Third Person Claim as of the time the Indemnifying
         Party made its request therefore to the Indemnified Party, and further
         provided that, under such proposed compromise, the Indemnified Party
         would be fully and completely released from any further liability or
         obligation with respect to the matters which are the subject of such
         contested Third Person Claim.

         11.5 Exclusive Remedy. AS BETWEEN THE BUYER INDEMNITEES AND THE DEFS
INDEMNITEES, AFTER CLOSING (A) THE EXPRESS INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS SET FORTH
IN THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS WILL BE THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE
RIGHTS, OBLIGATIONS AND REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES WITH RESPECT TO SAID AGREEMENTS,
THE EVENTS GIVING RISE THERETO, AND THE TRANSACTIONS PROVIDED FOR THEREIN OR
CONTEMPLATED THEREBY AND (B) NEITHER PARTY NOR ANY OF ITS RESPECTIVE SUCCESSORS
OR ASSIGNS SHALL HAVE ANY RIGHTS AGAINST THE OTHER PARTY OR ITS AFFILIATES OTHER
THAN AS IS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS.

         11.6 Negligence and Strict Liability Waiver. WITHOUT LIMITING OR
ENLARGING THE SCOPE OF THE INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS SET FORTH IN THIS
AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS, AN INDEMNIFIED PARTY SHALL BE ENTITLED
TO INDEMNIFICATION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS HEREOF,

                                       38
<PAGE>

REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE LOSS OR CLAIM GIVING RISE TO SUCH INDEMNIFICATION
OBLIGATION IS THE RESULT OF THE SOLE, CONCURRENT OR COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE,
STRICT LIABILITY, OR VIOLATION OF ANY LAW OF OR BY SUCH INDEMNIFIED PARTY.

         11.7 DTPA Waiver. TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE TO THE INTERESTS OR ANY
PORTION THEREOF, BUYER HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHTS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE
TEXAS DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES ACT, CHAPTER 17, SUBCHAPTER E, SECTIONS 17.41
THROUGH 17.63, INCLUSIVE (OTHER THAN SECTION 17.555, WHICH IS NOT WAIVED), OF
THE TEXAS BUSINESS & COMMERCIAL CODE (A LAW THAT GIVES CONSUMERS SPECIAL RIGHTS
AND PROTECTIONS). AFTER CONSULTATION WITH AN ATTORNEY OF ITS CHOICE, BUYER
VOLUNTARILY CONSENTS TO THIS WAIVER.

         11.8 Limitation on Damages. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN
THIS AGREEMENT, IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER DEFS OR BUYER BE LIABLE TO THE OTHER,
OR TO THE OTHER'S INDEMNITEES, UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTION
DOCUMENTS FOR ANY EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, REMOTE, SPECULATIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL
(INCLUDING ANY LOSS OF THROUGHPUT ON THE ASSETS), SPECIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES
OR LOSS OF PROFITS; PROVIDED THAT, IF ANY OF THE DEFS INDEMNITEES OR BUYER
INDEMNITEES IS HELD LIABLE TO A THIRD PERSON FOR ANY SUCH DAMAGES AND THE
INDEMNITOR IS OBLIGATED TO INDEMNIFY SUCH DEFS INDEMNITEES OR BUYER INDEMNITEES
FOR THE MATTER THAT GAVE RISE TO SUCH DAMAGES, THE INDEMNITOR SHALL BE LIABLE
FOR, AND OBLIGATED TO REIMBURSE SUCH INDEMNITEES FOR SUCH DAMAGES.

         11.9 Bold and/or Capitalized Letters. THE PARTIES AGREE THAT THE BOLD
AND/OR CAPITALIZED LETTERS IN THIS AGREEMENT CONSTITUTE CONSPICUOUS LEGENDS.

                                   ARTICLE XII
                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

         12.1 Expenses. Each of DEFS and BUYER WILL bear its own costs and
expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred in connection with the
negotiation of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

         12.2 Further Assurances. From time to time, and without further
consideration, each Party will execute and deliver to the other Party such
documents and take such actions as the other Party may reasonably request in
order to more effectively implement and carry into effect the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. Without limiting the preceding sentence, DEFS
shall cooperate with BUYER with respect to (a) transitioning the protest and/or
appeal of

                                       39
<PAGE>

property Tax assessments and (b) providing reasonable access during normal
business hours to non-privileged documents, records and information (including
access to personnel familiar therewith and the right, at BUYER'S cost, to make
copies thereof) retained by or under the direct or indirect control of DEFS and
that are or may become relevant to BUYER insofar as such documents, records and
information relate to (i) DEFS ownership, operation or maintenance of the Assets
prior to the Closing or (ii) the handling of Claims assumed by BUYER pursuant to
this Agreement; provided, however, that BUYER shall bear all third party costs
reasonably incurred by DEFS in responding to such requests by BUYER.

         12.3 Apportionment of Property Taxes; Transfer Taxes; and Recording
Fees.

                  (a) Prior to the Closing, DEFS shall determine, in accordance
         with this Section 12.3, the portion of general property Tax
         attributable to the period from January 1 (of the year in which Closing
         occurs) to the Effective Time (the "DEFS Property Tax"). DEFS shall pay
         the amount of the DEFS Property Tax to BUYER at Closing pursuant to the
         adjustment provisions of Section 3.2. The DEFS Property Tax shall be an
         amount equal to the product of (i) the amount of such general property
         Tax for the entire taxable period that includes the Effective Time (or,
         with respect to any property Tax, the amount of such general property
         Tax for the immediately preceding taxable period in the case of those
         Assets, if any, for which such general property Tax for the current
         period cannot be determined), times (ii) a fraction, the numerator of
         which is the number of days from January 1 (of the year in which
         Closing occurs) to the Effective Time and the denominator of which is
         the total number of days in the entire taxable period. Notwithstanding
         anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no further adjustment shall
         be made for such general property Tax, BUYER hereby agreeing to assume
         the payment of all such general property Tax effective upon the
         Closing. If either party receives a statement or invoice concerning
         property Taxes and such statement relates to properties in addition to
         the Assets, the Parties will cooperate in good faith to apportion and
         timely pay such statement.

                  (b) DEFS and BUYER believe that this purchase and sale of the
         Assets is exempt from or is otherwise not subject to any and all sales,
         use, transfer, or similar Taxes. If any such sales, transfer, use or
         similar Taxes are due or should hereafter become due (including penalty
         and interest thereon) by reason of this transaction, DEFS shall timely
         pay and solely bear all such type of Taxes.

                  (c) DEFS shall record all assignments and conveyances of Real
         Property Interests with the appropriate Governmental Authorities. BUYER
         shall reimburse DEFS for all documentary, filing, and recording fees
         incurred in connection with the filing and recording of the instruments
         of conveyance. As soon as practicable after Closing, DEFS shall provide
         BUYER with recorded copies of all documents conveying the Assets to
         BUYER.

         12.4 Assignment. Except as specifically permitted by Section 7.15,
neither Party may assign this Agreement or any of its rights or obligations
arising hereunder without the prior

                                       40
<PAGE>

written consent of the other Party; provided, however, that, without the consent
of DEFS, BUYER may, without relieving BUYER from its liabilities hereunder, (a)
assign this Agreement, and its rights and obligations hereunder, to an Affiliate
of BUYER or to an entity formed, controlled and primarily owned by BUYER, and/or
(b) collaterally assign this Agreement to any entity providing financing to
BUYER.

         12.5 Entire Agreement, Amendments and Waiver. This Agreement, together
with the Transaction Documents and all certificates, documents, instruments and
writings that are delivered pursuant hereto and thereto contain the entire
understanding of the Parties with respect to the transactions contemplated
hereby and supersede all prior agreements, arrangements and understandings
relating to the subject matter hereof; provided that the Confidentiality
Agreement (which is hereby ratified) shall terminate upon Closing. This
Agreement may be amended, superseded or canceled only by a written instrument
duly executed by the Parties specifically stating that it amends, supersedes or
cancels this Agreement. Any of the terms of this Agreement and any condition to
a Party's obligations hereunder may be waived only in writing by that Party
specifically stating that it waives a term or condition hereof. No waiver by
either Party of any one or more conditions or defaults by the other in
performance of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall operate or be
construed as a waiver of any future conditions or defaults, whether of a like or
different character, nor shall the waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless
otherwise expressly provided.

         12.6 Severability. Each portion of this Agreement is intended to be
severable. If any term or provision hereof is illegal or invalid for any reason
whatsoever, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the validity of the
remainder of this Agreement.

         12.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in any
number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of
which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         12.8 Governing Law, Dispute Resolution and Arbitration.

                  (a) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by,
         enforced in accordance with, and interpreted under, the Laws of the
         State of Texas, without reference to conflicts of Laws principles.

                  (b) Negotiation. In the event of any Arbitrable Dispute, the
         Parties shall promptly seek to resolve any such Arbitrable Dispute by
         negotiations between senior executives of the Parties who have
         authority to settle the Arbitrable Dispute. When a Party believes there
         is an Arbitrable Dispute under this Agreement that Party will promptly
         give the other Party written notice of the Arbitrable Dispute. Within
         thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice, the receiving Party
         shall submit to the other a written response. Both the notice and
         response shall include (i) a statement of each Party's position and a
         summary of the evidence and arguments supporting such position, and
         (ii) the name, title, fax number, and telephone number of the executive
         or executives who will represent that Party. In the event the
         Arbitrable Dispute involves a claim arising out

                                       41
<PAGE>

         of the actions of any Person not a signatory to this Agreement, the
         receiving Party shall have such additional time as necessary, not to
         exceed an additional thirty (30) days, to investigate the Arbitrable
         Dispute before submitting a written response. The executives shall meet
         at a mutually acceptable time and place within fifteen (15) days after
         the date of the response and thereafter as often as they reasonably
         deem necessary to exchange relevant information and to attempt to
         resolve the Arbitrable Dispute. If one of the executives intends to be
         accompanied at a meeting by an attorney, the other executive shall be
         given at least five (5) Business Days' notice of such intention and may
         also be accompanied by an attorney.

                  (c) Failure to Resolve. If the Arbitrable Dispute has not been
         resolved within sixty (60) days after the date of the response given
         pursuant to Section 12.8(b) above, or such additional time, if any,
         that the Parties mutually agree to in writing, or if the Party
         receiving such notice denies the applicability of the provisions of
         Section 12.8(b) or otherwise refuses to participate under the
         provisions of Section 12.8(b), either Party may initiate binding
         arbitration pursuant to the provisions of Section 12.8(d) below.

                  (d) Arbitration. Any Arbitrable Disputes not settled pursuant
         to the foregoing provisions shall be resolved through the use of
         binding arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules
         of the American Arbitration Association ("Arbitration Rules"), as
         supplemented to the extent necessary to determine any procedural appeal
         questions by the Federal Arbitration Act (Title 9 of the United States
         Code) and in accordance with the following provisions:

                           (i) If there is any inconsistency between this
         Section 12.8(d) and the Arbitration Rules or the Federal Arbitration
         Act, the terms of this Section 12.8(d) will control the rights and
         obligations of the Parties.

                           (ii) Arbitration shall be initiated by a Party
         serving written notice, via certified mail, on the other Party that the
         first Party elects to refer the Arbitrable Dispute to binding
         arbitration, along with the name of the arbitrator appointed by the
         Party demanding arbitration and a statement of the matter in
         controversy. Within fifteen (15) days after receipt of such demand for
         arbitration, the receiving Party shall name its arbitrator. If the
         receiving Party fails or refuses to name its arbitrator within such
         fifteen (15) day period, the second arbitrator shall be appointed, upon
         request of the Party demanding arbitration, by the Chief U.S. District
         Court Judge for the Southern District of Texas, or such other person
         designated by such judge. The two arbitrators so selected shall within
         fifteen (15) days after their designation select a third arbitrator;
         provided, however, that if the two arbitrators are not able to agree on
         a third arbitrator within such fifteen (15) day period, either Party
         may request the Chief U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern
         District of Texas, or such other person designated by such judge to
         select the third arbitrator as soon as possible. In the event the Judge
         declines to appoint an arbitrator, appointment shall be made, upon
         application of either Party, pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration
         Rules of the American Arbitration Association. If any arbitrator
         refuses or fails to fulfill his or her duties hereunder, such
         arbitrator shall be replaced by

                                       42
<PAGE>

         the Party which selected such arbitrator (or if such arbitrator was
         selected by another Person, through the procedure which such arbitrator
         was selected) pursuant to the foregoing provisions.

                           (iii) The hearing will be conducted in Houston,
         Texas, no later than sixty (60) days following the selection of the
         arbitrators or thirty (30) days after all prehearing discovery has been
         completed, whichever is later, at which the Parties shall present such
         evidence and witnesses as they may choose, with or without counsel. The
         Parties and the arbitrators should proceed diligently and in good faith
         in order that the award may be made as promptly as possible.

                           (iv) Except as provided in the Federal Arbitration
         Act, the decision of the arbitrators will be binding on and
         non-appealable by the Parties. Any such decision may be filed in any
         court of competent jurisdiction and may be enforced by any Party as a
         final judgment in such court.

                           (v) The arbitrators shall have no right or authority
         to grant or award damages that are precluded by Section 11.8.

                           (vi) The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, as
         modified or supplemented by the local rules of civil procedure for the
         U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Texas, shall apply in
         the arbitration. The Parties shall make their witnesses available in a
         timely manner for discovery pursuant to such rules. If a Party fails to
         comply with this discovery agreement within the time established by the
         arbitrators, after resolving any discovery disputes, the arbitrators
         may take such failure to comply into consideration in reaching their
         decision. All discovery disputes shall be resolved by the arbitrators
         pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Federal Rules of Civil
         Procedure.

                           (vii) Adherence to formal rules of evidence shall not
         be required. The arbitrators shall consider any evidence and testimony
         that they determine to be relevant.

                           (viii) The Parties hereby request that the
         arbitrators render their decision within thirty (30) days following
         conclusion of the hearing.

                           (ix) The defenses of statute of limitations and
         laches shall be tolled from and after the date a Party gives the other
         Party written notice of an Arbitrable Dispute as provided in Section
         12.8(b) above until such time as the Arbitrable Dispute has been
         resolved pursuant to Section 12.8(b), or an arbitration award has been
         entered pursuant to this Section 12.8(b).

                  (e) Recovery of Costs and Attorneys' Fees. In the event
         arbitration arising out of this Agreement is initiated by either Party,
         after the entry of a final non-appealable order, if one Party has
         predominantly prevailed in the dispute, it shall be entitled to recover
         from the other Party all court costs, fees and expenses of such
         arbitration,

                                       43
<PAGE>

         including reasonable attorneys' fees that are specifically included in
         the arbitration award.

                  (f) Choice of Forum. If, despite the Parties' agreement to
         submit any Arbitrable Disputes to binding arbitration, there are any
         court proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the
         transactions contemplated hereby, such proceedings shall be brought and
         tried in, and the Parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction of, the
         federal or state courts situated in Harris County, State of Texas.

                  (g) Jury Waivers. THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS
         TO DEMAND A TRIAL BY JURY.

                  (h) Settlement Proceedings. All aspects of any settlement
         proceedings, including discovery, testimony and other evidence,
         negotiations and communications pursuant to this Section 12.8, briefs
         and the award shall be held confidential by each Party and the
         arbitrators, and shall be treated as compromise and settlement
         negotiations for the purposes of the Federal and State Rules of
         Evidence.

         12.9 Notices and Addresses. Any notice, request, instruction, waiver or
other communication to be given hereunder by either Party shall be in writing
and shall be considered duly delivered if personally delivered, mailed by
certified mail with the postage prepaid (return receipt requested), sent by
messenger or overnight delivery service, or sent by facsimile to the addresses
of the Parties as follows:

                  BUYER:

                  Regency Gas Services Waha, LP
                  Attention: David Biegler
                  1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 2900
                  Dallas, Texas 75201
                  Telephone: 469-916-8401
                  Facsimile: 469-916-8017

                  With a copy to:
                  Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP
                  Attention: Lawrence B. Goldstein
                  3000 Thanksgiving Tower
                  1601 Elm Street, Suite 3000
                  Dallas, Texas 75201-4761
                  Telephone: 214-999-4564
                  Facsimile: 214-999-3564

                  DEFS:

                                       44
<PAGE>

                  Duke Energy Field Services, LP
                  370 - 17th Street, Suite 2500
                  Denver, Colorado 80202
                  Telephone: (303) 595-3331
                  Facsimile: (303) 605-2225
                  Attn: President

                  with a copy to:

                  Duke Energy Field Services, LP
                  370 - 17th Street, Suite 2500
                  Denver, Colorado 80202
                  Telephone: (303) 595-3331
                  Facsimile: (303) 605-2226
                  Attn: General Counsel

or at such other address as either Party may designate by written notice to the
other Party in the manner provided in this Section 12.9. Notice by mail shall be
deemed to have been given and received on the third (3rd) day after posting.
Notice by messenger, overnight delivery service, facsimile transmission or
personal delivery shall be deemed given on the date of actual delivery.

         12.10 Press Releases. Except as may otherwise be required by securities
Laws and public announcements or disclosures that are, in the reasonable opinion
of the Party proposing to make the announcement or disclosure, legally required
to be made, there shall be no press release or public communication concerning
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by either Party except with the
prior written consent of the Party not originating such press release or
communication, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
BUYER and DEFS will consult in advance on the necessity for, and the timing and
content of, any communications to be made to the public and, subject to legal
constraints, to the form and content of any application or report to be made to
any Governmental Authority that relates to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.

         12.11 Offset. Nothing contained herein or in any Transaction Document
shall create a right of offset or setoff for any Party, and each Party hereby
waives and disclaims any right of offset or setoff under all applicable Law or
common Law.

         12.12 No Partnership; Third Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this
Agreement shall be deemed to create a joint venture, partnership, tax
partnership, or agency relationship between the Parties. Nothing in this
Agreement shall provide any benefit to any Third Person or entitle any Third
Person to any claim, cause of action, remedy or right of any kind, it being the
intent of the Parties that this Agreement shall not be construed as a
third-party beneficiary contract; provided, however, that the indemnification
provisions of Article XI shall inure to the benefit of the BUYER Indemnitees and
the DEFS Indemnitees as provided therein.

         12.13 Negotiated Transaction. The provisions of this Agreement were
negotiated by the Parties, and this Agreement shall be deemed to have been
drafted by both Parties.

                                       45
<PAGE>

         THE PARTIES HAVE signed this Agreement by their duly authorized
officials as of the date first set forth above.

DUKE ENERGY FIELD SERVICES, LP

By: /s/ Ronald J. Barcroft
    --------------------------------------
    Ronald J. Barcroft, Vice President

REGENCY GAS SERVICES WAHA, LP
BY REGENCY WAHA GP, LLC, GENERAL
PARTNER

By: /s/David W. Biegler
    --------------------------------------
    David W. Biegler, Chairman

                                       46<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.15

                              REGENCY GAS SERVICES

                         PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT

This Contract is made and entered into this 2nd day of May, 2005, at Dallas,
Texas, by and between Regency Gas Services, hereinafter called "Company" and
H.C. Price Co., hereinafter call "Contractor".

Company has advised Contractor that Company desires to have constructed certain
30" Natural Gas pipeline with facilities, beginning at the Mainline Facility to
Winnsboro. Louisiana.

In consideration of Ten Dollars ($10.00) cash in hand paid by Company to
Contractor and other good and valuable consideration the receipt and adequacy of
which is hereby acknowledged and in consideration of the covenants herein,
Company and Contractor agree as follows:

     1.   Contractor represents and warrants that it has fully acquainted itself
          with the work to be performed hereunder, including, without
          limitation, all the provisions of the Contract as herein after
          defined, the topography of the right-of-way; the type and character of
          the soil, rock, grading, stream, highway, railroad and all other
          conditions, obstacles and impediments, of whatsoever kind and
          character, which may be encountered in the performance of the work.

     2.   Contractor hereby acknowledges that Company has furnished it the
          Company's General Conditions, Pipeline Construction Specifications,
          Standard Drawings, the Special R.O.W. Provisions, and the Project
          Drawings (all the immediately foregoing documents shall be
          collectively, hereinafter referred to as the "Documents"). Attached to
          this Pipeline Construction Contract, the Pipeline Construction Bid
          Specifications and a list of the Project Drawings. The Documents, this
          Pipeline Construction Contract, the Pipeline Construction Bid
          Specification, the Special R.O. W. Provisions and the Project
          Drawings, together with any written documents which are referred to
          and made a part of any of the foregoing, shall constitute the
          "Contract" between Company and Contractor and all are incorporated
          herein by this reference.

     3.   Contractor shall perform, and do all things necessary, for the proper
          construction and completion of the work as described and provided in
          the Contract.

     4.   Time is of the essence, the work shall be commenced on or before
          August 1, 2005 and all work under this Contract shall be completed on
          or before November 1, 2005, Mechanical Completion being October 21,
          2005 and Final Clean-up, December 31, 2005; provided, however, that
          Company may postpone the above starting date pending the issuance of
          any necessary approvals of

                                                    Contractor Initials: CSH
                                                     Company Initials: DJJ

                                     1 of 37

<PAGE>

          governmental authorities, availability of rights-of-way, or adequate
          amounts of material are available at the delivery points provided for
          in this Contract, so long as Company provides Contractor with an
          appropriate equitable adjustment of the time and payment provisions of
          this Contract. It is agreed that Company will give notice to
          Contractor of any such postponement at least ten (10) days prior to
          said subsequent starting date as set forth above shall be delayed
          equally.

     5.   Company shall pay Contractor for the performance of this Contract in
          accordance with the unit prices set forth in the Pipeline Construction
          Bid Specification and the other applicable provisions of the Contract.

     6.   This Contract is and shall be deemed made and delivered in State of
          Louisiana, and shall be governed and construed in accordance with the
          laws of the State of Louisiana.

     7.   This Contract shall be binding upon the parties hereto, their
          representatives, heirs, executors, administrators, successors and
          assigns. Contractor shall not assign this Agreement, or any portion
          hereof, or any of its rights and obligations hereunder without first
          securing the prior written consent of Company.

     8.   Contractor represents and warrants that it has read and understands
          this Contract and now states that this Contract constitutes the entire
          agreement between the parties concerning the subject matter hereof,
          and any prior statements, negotiations, inducements, representatives,
          contracts or agreements, exclusive of the Contract, relating thereto
          are hereby canceled, and declared invalid and shall not be binding
          upon the parties.

     9.   Special Requirements

          a.   Regency retains the right to select or reject any or all bidders
               at its sole discretion.

          b.   Operator Qualification Requirements.

          c.   Drug Test Requirements Provisions.

                                                    Contractor Initials: CSH
                                                    Company Inititals: DJJ

                                     2 of 37

<PAGE>

EXECUTED, effective as of the day and year first above written.

ATTEST                            "CONTRACTOR"

                                  H.C. Price Co.
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                       (Name of Contractor)

                                  /s/ C.S. Hardwick, Jr.
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  BY

/s/ Nan Drinker                   Sr. Vice President
--------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------
SECRETARY                         TITLE

                                  "COMPANY"

ATTEST                            REGENCY GAS SERVICES

                                  /s/ Durrell J. Johnson
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  BY

/s/ Angela (illegible)            Vice President - Operations and  Engineering
--------------------------------  ----------------------------------------------
SECRETARY                         TITLE

                              REGENCY GAS SERVICES

                                                    Contractor Initials: CSH
                                                    Company Inititals: DJJ

                                     3 of 37

<PAGE>

                                INVOICE PROCEDURE

                                       SUPPLEMENT TO INVOICE NO. _______________
                                                    INVOICE DATE _______________

FOR WORK COMPLETED FOR PERIOD _____________________, 20__ THROUGH
____________________, 20__, ON SPREAD __________________ UNDER CONTRACT OF
____________________, AND AS PER CONSTRUCTION CERTIFICATE DATED _______________,
ATTACHED.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       UNITS TO    UNIT      AMOUNT
                                %        DATE     PRICE      EARNED
           ITEM             Complete     (FT.)    (FT.)   ($)________
-------------------------   --------   --------   -----   -----------
<S>                         <C>        <C>        <C>     <C>
a. Mobilization (10%)         ____%    ________   _____    __________
b. Clearing (15%)             ____%    ________   _____    __________
c. Grading (5%)               ____%    ________   _____    __________
d. Ditching (10%)             ____%    ________   _____    __________
e. Stringing (5%)             ____%    ________   _____    __________
f. Laying & Welding (20%)     ____%    ________   _____    __________
g. Field Joints (3%)          ____%    ________   _____    __________
h. Lowering-in (7%)           ____%    ________   _____    __________
i. Tie-Ins (10%)              ____%    ________   _____    __________
j. Testing (5%)               ____%    ________   _____    __________
k. Clean-up (10%)             ____%    ________   _____    __________
                              ----
                              ____%
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   EARNINGS         RETENTION
                                --------------   --------------
<S>                             <C>              <C>
(1) Cumulative Total to Date    $_____________   $_____________
(2) Total Previously Invoiced   $_____________   $_____________
(3) Total Earned This Period    $_____________   $_____________
</TABLE>

AMOUNT DUE THIS INVOICING $_____________________________
(Item 3, Earnings Less Ten Percent (10%) Retention

BILL TO ADDRESS:
Jay Strickler
Regency Gas Services
201 Oak Street
Dubach, LA 71235
318-243-6718

                                                    Contractor Initials: CSH
                                                    Company Inititals: DJJ

                                     4 of 37

<PAGE>

                              REGENCY GAS SERVICES

                                      INDEX

                               GENERAL CONDITIONS

<TABLE>
<S>    <C>
1.0    Definitions and Correlation of Documents
2.0    Materials, Equipment and Employees Furnished by Contractor
3.0    Materials and Equipment Furnished by Company
4.0    Representatives and Superintendents
5.0    Safety
6.0    Insurance
7.0    Personal Injury and Property Damage
8.0    Taxes, Liens, and Legal Requirements
9.0    Workmen's Compensation Insurance
10.0   Subcontractors
11.0   Commencing Work at Contractor's Risk
12.0   Skipping Work
13.0   Suspension, Discontinuance of Work or Shut Down
14.0   Changes in Work
15.0   Disputed Claims for Extra Compensation
16.0   Extra Work
17.0   Force Count Work
18.0   Omitted Work
19.0   Contractor's Obligation to Furnish Statements
20.0   Prosecution of Work
21.0   Inspection: Authority of Company's Representative and Inspectors
22.0   Radiographic Inspection
23.0   No Waiver Authorization
24.0   Site Examination
25.0   Measurement of Work Quantities
</TABLE>

                                                    Contractor Initials: CSH
                                                    Company Inititals: DJJ

                                     5 of 37

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>    <C>
26.0   Consideration
27.0   Inspection of Contractor's Records
28.0   Company's Right to Supplement Work of Partially Terminate Contract
29.0   Termination of Work for Default of Contractor
30.0   Payment
31.0   Oral Agreements
32.0   Bonds
33.0   Liability of Company
34.0   Guarantee
35.0   Equal Opportunity
36.0   Certification of Non-Standard Facilities
37.0   Handicapped Workers
38.0   Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era
39.0   Contractor Assurances
</TABLE>

                                                    Contractor Initials: CSH
                                                    Company Inititals: DJJ

                                     6 of 37

<PAGE>

1.0  DEFINITIONS AND CORRELATION OF DOCUMENTS

     1.1  The obligations of Contractor and the rights of Company under the
          Contract shall be cumulative. The fact that two or more of the
          provisions of the Contract may deal with the same or a similar subject
          matter but impose different, although not mutually exclusive,
          obligations upon Contractor shall not relieve Contractor from
          satisfying all of said obligations. Company shall not limit Company's
          rights under any such provision. The exercise by Company of any right
          granted under this Contract shall not limit or affect the Company's
          ability to exercise any other rights, whether arising under this
          Contract, unless expressly provided; however, the rights and remedies
          set forth in this Contract shall be the exclusive rights and remedies
          of Company. If any provision of the contract is or should subsequently
          become void, or unenforceable under applicable law, such fact shall
          not affect the Company's rights under or ability to enforce any other
          provision.

     1.2  Subject to the provisions of paragraph 1.1 above, if two or more of
          the provisions of this booklet entitled "Documents" are in direct
          conflict, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Contract, the
          order of precedence among the sections shall be as follows:

               Special Provisions
               Construction Specifications
               Project Drawings (eg: Alignment Sheets, Mainline Valve
               Drawings, Launcher/Receiver Drawings, etc.)
               Special Drawings (eg: Permit Drawings, Typical Construction
               Drawings, etc)
               General Conditions

     1.3  The term "Company" as used in the Contract shall mean Regency Gas
          Services which has contracted with the Contractor for the performance
          of the work, acting through its officers.

     1.4  The term "Contract" as used herein shall mean any written agreement,
          which incorporates by reference this booklet entitled "Documents"
          regardless of the title which may be given to said written agreement,
          together with any other written documents, specifications or drawings
          incorporated by reference in said written agreement.

     1.5  The term "Contractor" as used in the Contract shall mean the
          corporation, partnership or other entity which has agreed in the
          Contract to perform the work.

                                                 Contractor Initials: CSH
                                                 Company Initials: DJJ

                                     7 of 37

<PAGE>

     1.6  The term "crew" as used in the Contract shall be defined as a group of
          workmen, including supervisory personnel, operators and related
          equipment, engaged in a single specific task in the construction of
          the facilities.

     1.7  The term "Extra Work" as used in the Contract shall have the meaning
          indicated in Section 14.2 of these General Conditions.

     1.8  The term "Construction Bid Sheet", and the term "Unit Price Summary"
          as used herein shall each mean that portion of the Contract entitled
          Construction Bid Sheet" or "Unit Price Summary" or any other provision
          of the Contract however entitled which sets forth the prices which the
          Company has agreed to pay Contractor for the performance of the work.

     1.9  The term "right-of-way", "rights-of-way" or "ROW" as used in the
          Contract shall mean the easements, license, lease, permit or other
          real or personal right under which Company has the right to construct
          the facilities upon, over, under, across, and through the lands
          whereupon the Contractor is to construct the work hereunder.

     1.10 The term "spread" as used in the Contract shall mean all crews
          necessary to install a pipeline or other facilities to be constructed
          by Contractor as described in this Contract.

     1.11 Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term "work" as
          used in the Contract shall mean all of the materials, labor and
          activities necessary for the completion of the facilities to be
          constructed under the Contract to the satisfaction of Company.

     1.12 "Applicable Law" shall mean any law, statute, order, decree,
          injunction, license, permit, consent, approval, agreement, or
          regulation of any governmental entity having jurisdiction, including
          any specified standards or criteria contained in any applicable permit
          or approval, which standards or criteria must be met in order for the
          Work to be constructed and operated lawfully, or other legislative or
          administrative action of a governmental entity or a final decree,
          judgment, or order of a court.

     1.13 "Change in Law" shall mean the adoption, enactment or application to
          Company or Contractor of any Applicable Law not existing, or otherwise
          applicable to Company or Contractor, on the Effective Date that
          adversely affects (in cost and/or time) the ability of Company or
          Contractor to perform its obligations hereunder, provided however,
          that a

                                                 Contractor Initials: CSH
                                                 Company Initials: DJJ

                                     8 of 37

<PAGE>

          change in any income tax law shall not constitute a Change in Law.

     1.14 If and to the extent that any Change in Law gives rise to a change in
          the Work or to the schedule, manner or sequence of execution of the
          Work, such Change in Law shall be treated as a Change.

2.0  MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT and EMPLOYEES FURNISHED BY CONTRACTOR

     2.1  Unless otherwise expressly provided, Contractor shall provide and pay
          for all materials, labor, tools, equipment, water, light, power,
          transportation and other facilities necessary for the execution,
          testing and completion of the work unless and except as otherwise
          provided herein.

     2.2  WARRANTY

          All material and equipment incorporated into Work covered by the
          Agreement shall be new and without defects in workmanship and
          materials. All workmanship shall be in accordance with accepted
          construction practices and of a quality accepted within the industry.
          Contractor warrants all equipment, materials and labor, including
          required pipeline depth of cover, furnished or performed under the
          Agreement against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of
          one (1) year from and after substantial completion of the Work.
          Warranty regarding depth of cover will apply to the entire pipeline,
          unless such pipeline sections, regarding placement/necessity of
          required pipeline weighting, cannot be mutually agreed upon between
          the contractor and company. Upon receipt of written notice from
          Company of any defect in any such equipment, material, labor or
          pipeline cover discovered during the applicable warranty period, the
          affected item or parts thereof shall be repaired or replaced by
          Contractor at Contractor's expense at a time acceptable to Company. If
          within a reasonable time after Company gives the Contractor notice of
          defect, the Contractor neglects to make or undertake with due
          diligence to make necessary correction, Company is hereby authorized
          to make the correction itself or order the Work to be done by a third
          party, and the cost of the correction shall be promptly paid by
          Contractor upon receipt of an invoice from Company for the same.

     2.3  All tools and equipment furnished and used by Contractor shall be
          safe, efficient, serviceable and in good condition, and Contractor
          further agrees to replace any equipment and machinery which, in the
          judgment of the Company's Representative, is unsafe or incapable of
          satisfactorily performing the work for which it was designed.

     2.4  Should Contractor require unskilled labor, it agrees to employ

                                                 Contractor Initials: CSH
                                                 Company Initials: DJJ

                                     9 of 37

<PAGE>

          persons residing in the locality in which the work is being performed,
          insofar as possible, to fulfill such unskilled labor requirements.

     2.5  Contractor shall pay all persons employed by it for the performance of
          the work in compliance with all legal requirements, as the same may
          now or hereafter exist and shall comply any other governmental
          authority applicable to Contractors employment practices.

     2.6  Contractor agrees that it will remove from the job any of its
          employees who refuse to comply with any of the terms of this Contract.

     2.7  Company shall have the right, at any time, to require that the
          Contractor replace Contractor's Superintendent if, in Company's
          opinion, the Superintendent is negligent, incompetent or fails to
          observe and to perform the provisions of the Contract. Contractor
          shall not remove any equipment or key men from the location of the
          work' unless such removal is authorized by Company's Representative,
          and the Company shall have the right to require Contractor to employ
          an additional crew or crews and provide additional equipment, tools
          and supplies if, in the judgment of Company's Representative, such
          procedure is necessary to complete the work within the time specified
          in the Contract.

     2.8  Contractor will furnish and install field joint coating FBE for
          mainline and SP 2888 or company-approved equivalent for tie-ins

3.0  MATERIALS and EQUIPMENT FURNISHED BY COMPANY

     3.1  Company shall pay for and furnish to Contractor at appropriate common
          carrier sidings, terminals or stations, or at the nearest suitable
          Company warehouses or storage yards, or at other points of delivery
          mutually agreed upon, all pipe, valves, fittings, and other materials
          which become a permanent part of the facilities to be constructed
          hereunder, except materials described in Article 2.0 to be furnished
          by Contractor.

     3.2  Contractor shall be responsible for receiving any and all materials
          and equipment furnished to Contractor by Company after delivery to the
          agreed points of delivery and shall repair or replace with materials
          of equal quality at its own expense, or reimburse Company for the cost
          of any loss or damage which said materials may sustain from any cause
          after said delivery to it.

     3.3  Contractor shall bear the cost of any demurrage or other claims
          resulting from delays in unloading said materials furnished to it by

                                                 Contractor Initials: CSH
                                                 Company Initials: DJJ

                                    10 of 37

<PAGE>

          Company after reasonable notification that such materials have been
          shipped.

     3.4  Contractor shall notify and secure permission from the Company, in
          advance, if it wishes to withdraw materials stored in Company material
          yards or warehouses.

     3.5  Contractor shall return to Company, without undue delay after
          completion of the work, all extra and surplus materials delivered by
          Company, which were not used to complete the work to the Dubach
          Facility Yard.

     3.6  All materials, furnished by Company to Contractor hereunder shall be
          inspected and tallied at the point of delivery to Contractor, by
          representatives of Company and Contractor, each keeping a record of
          quantities, quality and conditions, and any loss of or damage to such
          materials during shipment shall be reported immediately to the
          shipping agency.

4.0  REPRESENTATIVES AND SUPERINTENDENTS

     4.1  Company may have a representative or representatives ("Company's
          Representative") at the location of the work to observe and inspect
          the same.

     4.2  Contractor shall at all times have a superintendent ("Superintendent")
          on the work, vested with full authority to represent Contractor in
          prosecuting the work hereunder.

     4.3  In the performance of the work embraced by this Contract, Contractor
          is an independent contractor, and nothing in this Contract creates or
          shall be construed creating either a partnership (of any kind) or the
          relationship of principal and agent, or employer and employee, between
          Company and Contractor or between Company and Contractor's agents,
          subcontractors or employees. Contractor shall have no authority to
          hire any persons on behalf of Company, and any and all persons whom it
          may employ are and shall be deemed to be solely the employees of
          Contractor.

     4.4  Contractor shall have control and management of the details of the
          work, the selection of employees and the fixing of their hours of
          labor. Upon completion of the Contract, the pipeline or the other
          facilities to be constructed hereunder shall be delivered to Company
          completed in accordance with the Contract. The Company shall be
          entitled to inspect and determine whether the work is being performed
          in

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          compliance with the terms of this Contract. Nothing herein contained
          authorizes, or shall be construed to authorize, Contractor to incur
          any debt, liability or obligation of any nature for, or on behalf of,
          the Company.

5.0  SAFETY

     5.1  Contractor shall continuously maintain adequate protection of all its
          work from damage, and shall protect the Company's property from injury
          or loss arising in connection with this Contract. Contractor shall at
          all times exercise due care with regard to all excavations, equipment,
          machinery and materials to prevent loss or injury to persons and
          property, including livestock; and shall use such adequate protective
          devices, warning signs and barriers as may be reasonably required
          under the circumstances. Contractor will comply with all Federal and
          State safety and environmental laws at all times.

     5.2  Relative to performance of the work hereunder, Contractor, in
          recognition of the scope of work, the specifics of the work location,
          and in Contractor's capacity as an independent contractor which is
          experienced in the kinds of work to be undertaken hereunder, agrees to
          provide all necessary safety equipment, safety instructions and a
          written safety plan for the safety of its employees, representatives,
          subcontractors, if any, and others who may be at the work location
          pursuant to the requirements of Contractor. In addition to the
          foregoing, Contractor agrees to comply with any safety requirements of
          the Company.

6.0  INSURANCE

     6.1  Contractor, at its own expense, shall provide and maintain in force
          the kinds of insurance, with companies acceptable to the Company, and
          in the minimum amounts of coverage's set forth in the insurance
          schedule below to cover all loss and liability for damages on account
          of bodily injury, including death, and injury to, or destruction of,
          property caused by, or arising from, any and all operations carried
          on, or any and all work performed under this Contract. Contractor, if
          requested, shall furnish Company with the copies of the policies with
          all endorsements prior to commencement of any work hereunder,
          including a copy of the contractual insurance endorsement insuring
          performance of the hold harmless clause included in Article 7.0
          hereof:

          6.1.1 Workers' Compensation (Including Occupational Disease) and
               Employer's Liability Insurance with a minimum policy limit of
               $1,000,000 per accident. Coverage's shall apply to all employees
               in accordance with the benefits afforded by the statutory
               Workers'

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               Compensation Acts applicable to the State, Territory or District
               of hire, supervision or place of accident.

          6.1.2 Comprehensive Commercial General Liability Insurance covering
               premises operations, products and completed operations,
               independent contractors, blanket contractual liability, explosion
               (x), collapse (c), and underground (u) hazards. Policy shall be
               endorsed to provide broad form property damage, including
               completed operations.

               Policy limits shall not be less than:

               (A)  Bodily Injury $1,000,000/$1,000,000
               (B)  Property Damage $1,000,000/$1,000,000

          6.1.3 Comprehensive Automobile Liability Insurance covering all owned,
               hired and non-owned automotive equipment. Policy limits shall not
               be less than:

               (A)  Bodily Injury $1,000,000 Per Person
                                  $1,000,000 Per Occurrence

               (B)  Property Damage $1,000,000 Per Occurrence

          6.1.4 Umbrella Liability or Excess Liability Insurance having
               following form excess of all primary coverage's enumerated in
               6.1.1, 6.1.2 and 6.1.3 above with limits of at least
               $10,000,000.00 Combined Single Limit for Bodily Injury and
               Property Damage.

     6.2  All policies shall provide that the insurance company will notify the
          Company thirty (30) days prior to the termination of any policy,
          and-before any changes are made which restrict or reduce the coverage
          provided or change the name of the insured. In the event of the
          Contractor's failure to furnish such copies upon request or to carry
          out any of the provisions of this Article, the Company shall, in
          addition to any right to recover damages or to obtain other relief,
          have the right to cancel and terminate this Contract.

     6.3  Waiver of Subrogation

          All insurance policies of Contractor with respect to the operations
          conducted hereunder shall be endorsed in accordance with the following
          policy wording to waive all express or implied rights of subrogation:

          "The Insurers hereby waive their rights of subrogation against any

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          individual, firm, corporation, partnership or other entity for whom,
          or with whom, the Insured may be working and against any affiliated
          subsidiary or associated companies, partners, joint ventures, factors,
          or assigns of such entities."

     6.4  Before commencing performance of this Contract Contractor shall
          furnish Company with Certificates of Insurance indicating:

          6.4.1 The kinds and amounts of insurance required above are in force.

          6.4.2 The Insurance company or companies carrying the aforesaid
               coverage's.

          6.4.3 The expiration dates of policies.

          6.4.4 That Company will be given thirty (30) written advance notice of
               any material change in or termination of any policy.

          6.4.5 That Waiver of Subrogation has been endorsed on all policies.

          6.4.6 That the indemnification and hold harmless provisions hereof are
               insured.

     6.5  Subcontractors

          Contractor shall require all of its subcontractors to provide for the
          foregoing coverage's, as well as any other coverage's that Contractor
          may consider necessary, all to be endorsed with the Waiver of
          Subrogation wording above, and any deficiency in the coverage's,
          policy limits or endorsements of said subcontractors will be the sole
          responsibility of Contractor.

7.0  PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE

     7.1 INDEMNITY

          Contractor agrees to assume liability for, and does hereby agree to
          indemnify, protect, save and hold harmless Company from and against
          any and all third party liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
          penalties, claims, suits, judgments, attorney fees and other expenses
          or disbursements of any kind for personal injury (including death) or
          property damage, environmental contamination or violation of any
          applicable federal, state, or local statute, regulation or ordinance
          arising out of the performance of this Agreement by Contractor or its
          Subcontractors provided that Contractor's contractual obligation of
          indemnity shall not extend to the percentage

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          of the claimant's damages or injuries or the settlement amount
          attributable to Company's negligence or fault, breach of contract or
          warranty, or to strict liability imposed on Company as a matter of
          law. Any claim (a "Claim") submitted to COMPANY by a third party that
          relates in any way to the performance of Work under this Agreement
          shall be forwarded to the Contractor. Contractor shall have sixty (60)
          days from the date on which COMPANY forwards the Claim to the
          Contractor (the "Claim Date") to investigate the Claim and to provide
          a written response to COMPANY. Should Contractor fail to respond to
          COMPANY within sixty (60) days of the Claim Date, Contractor shall be
          deemed to have accepted any and all responsibility for said Claim.
          Should the Contractor notify COMPANY within sixty (60) days of the
          Claim Date that the Claim should be contested, the Parties shall work
          together to resolve the Claim, notwithstanding any obligation of the
          Contractor for indemnification of COMPANY.

     7.2  Contractor is solely responsible for the proper location of
          all-foreign pipeline crossings as well as the location and depth of
          the pipelines that parallel most of this project. The Company and its
          agents have provided materials giving the approximate location of many
          of these crossings. The Contractor should not rely on any of these
          approximations when actual excavation begins. It is the contractor's
          responsibility to avoid damage to these foreign crossings and their
          associated ROW. It is the contractor's responsibility to repair damage
          to these foreign crossings and their associated ROW to the
          specifications required by the owner. It is the contractors'
          responsibility to follow all applicable one-call location laws
          regarding this project prior to any work being done.

     7.3  CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES

          Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
          in no event shall Company or Contractor (or any of its Subcontractors
          or suppliers to any tier) be liable to each other for any indirect,
          special, incidental, or consequential loss or damage including, but
          not limited to, loss of profits or revenue, loss of opportunity or
          use, cost of capital, or like items of loss or damage; and each Party
          hereby releases the other Party therefrom.

8.0  TAXES, LIENS AND LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

     8.1  The Contractor shall promptly and satisfactorily settle and pay all
          claims for labor, equipment, materials, and supplies, and any and all
          other claims of every nature which it is obligated to pay hereunder
          and shall furnish evidence satisfactory to Company that all such

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          claims have been settled and paid.

     8.2  Contractor shall not at any time suffer or permit any lien, attachment
          or other encumbrances, or the filing of any instrument claiming any
          such lien, attachment or other encumbrance, under any applicable laws
          or otherwise, by any person or persons whomsoever, to be put or remain
          on the work or premises to which work or materials are furnished
          hereunder for any claim or demand whatsoever against the Contractor
          provided that Contractor is being paid on a current basis pursuant to
          this Agreement. Any such lien, attachment or other encumbrance, until
          it is removed by Contractor at Contractor's sole expense, shall
          preclude any and all claims or demand for any payment whatsoever under
          or by virtue of this Contract. In the event the lien, attachment or
          other encumbrance, or any instrument claiming any such lien,
          attachment or other encumbrance, is not removed and released, the
          Company may pay such claim or demand and remove such encumbrance, and
          may deduct the amount so paid, together with all expenses incurred in
          connection with said payment or removal including, without limitation,
          legal fees from any payment then or thereafter due Contractor, or, if
          demanded by Company, Contractor shall reimburse Company for said
          amount and expenses. Any such payment made in good faith by Company
          shall be binding upon Contractor.

     8.3  Contractor shall comply with all Federal, state, or municipal laws and
          regulations regarding taxes and the payments of all kinds now in
          effect and those becoming effective during the term. of this Contract,
          including, without limitation, Social Security, State Unemployment
          Insurance, Gross Receipts Taxes, Withholding Taxes, Workman's
          Compensation Laws, Income Tax Laws, and will furnish, as requested by
          the Company, satisfactory evidence of such compliance. Contractor
          shall indemnify and save harmless Company from any and all liability,
          lien or assessment imposed upon Company, arising from Contractor's
          failure to comply with said laws, rules and regulations.

     8.4  Contractor further agrees that where the work or any part of the work
          is to be performed in a jurisdiction where a stipulation against
          mechanic's liens is recognized, upon request of the Company, it will
          enter into such a stipulation and agrees that such stipulation may be
          recorded in the office or offices provided, to the maximum extent
          permitted by law, for the recording of such instruments. In addition,
          Contractor hereby waives any and all. rights to a lien, or other
          encumbrance, of any character whatsoever, on against any real or
          personal property of Company arising out of the labor performed or
          material furnished under the Contract and also waives the right to

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          enforce any such lien or encumbrance.

9.0  WORKMEN' S COMPENSATION INSURANCE

     9.1  The Contractor shall comply with and qualify under the Workmen's
          Compensation Laws of the State or States in which the work is to be
          performed and furnish a sworn statement of its compliance with said
          laws. It shall also cause each of its subcontractors to comply with
          and qualify under said laws and to furnish a sworn statement of its
          (the subcontractor's) compliance with said laws.

10.0 SUBCONTRACTORS

     10.1 Contractor shall not have the right to assign any of its duties under
          this Contract or to subcontract any of the work to be performed by it
          hereunder without the prior written consent of Company and upon such
          conditions as Company shall deem necessary.

     10.2 As soon as practicable after the execution of this Contract, the
          Contractor will notify the Company in writing of the names of any
          subcontractors it intends to employ in the performance of any of the
          work hereunder and further agrees that it will employ only competent,
          experienced and skilled subcontractors to do any part of the work
          contemplated hereunder.

     10.3 Contractor further agrees that before employing any subcontractor to
          perform any of the work hereunder, it will cause such subcontractors
          to agree in writing to be bound by the terms and provisions of this
          Contract, so far as it is applicable to the work to be performed by
          such subcontractor, and will furnish Company with a copy of such
          agreement.

11.0 COMMENCING WORK AT CONTRACTOR'S RISK

     11.1 Contractor may with Company's written approval commence construction
          of the work before all necessary materials have been secured by the
          Company, in which event, the Company agrees that any subsequent delay
          suffered by Contractor by reason or failure of the Company to secure
          adequate material shall entitle Contractor to an equitable adjustment
          of the time and payment provisions of this Contract.

12.0 SKIPPING WORK

     12.1 If it becomes necessary in the judgment of Company, any or all of the
          crews of Contractor shall (i) skip any portion of the work and move to

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          a location on another portion of the work designated by Company's
          Representative and perform such other portion of work, (ii) move back
          when designated by Company's Representative and perform such skipped
          work and (iii) upon the completion of said skipped work, move to a
          location, on the then remaining work designated by Company's
          Representative, and resume performance of the remaining work. The
          performance of all three of the operations enumerated and described in
          the immediately foregoing sentence shall be considered to constitute,
          and shall be referred to throughout the Contract, including the Unit
          Price Summary, as a "move around." Company shall pay Contractor the
          price, if any, set forth in the Unit Price Summary for each complete
          "move around" which has been authorized in writing by Company's
          Representative. Additional compensation shall not be paid for any move
          around, or part thereof, permitted by Company for the sole purpose of
          expediting Contractor's operations.

13.0 SUSPENSION, DISCONTINUANCE OF WORK OR SHUT DOWN

     13.1 It is agreed that in the event either party is rendered unable wholly
          or in part by force majeure to carry out its obligations, other than
          the obligation to pay money, under this Contract, then on such party's
          giving notice and full particulars on such force majeure in writing to
          the other party, within two (2) working days after the occurrence of
          the cause relied on, the obligation of the party giving such notice,
          so far and only insofar as affected by such force majeure, shall be
          suspended during the continuance of any liability so caused, and such
          inability shall not be a breach of this Contract, and such party shall
          not be liable for damages or otherwise on account thereof.

     13.2 The term. "force majeure," as employed herein, shall mean the
          occurrence of conditions beyond the control of the affected party such
          as acts of God, (except as excluded herein), acts of the public
          enemies, wars, blockades, insurrections, riots, epidemics,
          earthquakes, major materials shipment failures, fires, priority
          allocations of pipe or other materials, or orders, restraints or
          prohibitions by any court, board, department, commission or agency of
          the United States or of any state and without limitation any arrests
          and restraints by rules and people, civil disturbances, explosions,
          and inability with reasonable diligence to obtain pipe or other
          essential materials. Labor disputes such as employee strikes or work
          slowdowns shall not be considered force majeure.RAIN, FLOOD, SNOW, ICE
          OR OTHER ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS shall not be considered as Force
          Majeure, unless they are greater than the last 10 year maximum event.

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14.0 CHANGES IN WORK

     14.1 By written order of Company's Representative, Company may, at any time
          and without notice to any surety on any bond, omit, change, alter or
          add to Work to be performed hereunder by Contractor and in connection
          therewith issue additional or revised specifications, drawings, and
          written instructions. Contractor shall perform such Work in accordance
          with such revised specifications, drawings, and written instruction
          and pursuant to written authorization executed by Company or Company's
          Representative and otherwise in accordance with the provisions of this
          Contract.

     14.2 If the Company and Contractor agree that any specific additions,
          changes or alteration to the Work ordered by Company's Representative
          justifies extra performance time or compensation, such additions,
          changes or alterations shall be considered "Extra Work" and Contractor
          shall be entitled to a time extension and compensated for such Extra
          Work in accordance with Article 16. If a price for the Extra Work is
          not agreed upon or is not provided for in Article 16 then such Extra
          Work shall be performed on a "Force Account Basis" and considered
          "Force Account Work" and Contractor shall be compensated as provided
          in Article 17.0 Force Account Work.

     14.3 If an order to change Work, deletes Work which is to be performed
          hereunder and such deletion results in a substantial reduction, in the
          opinion of Company, in the labor or materials to be furnished by
          Contractor hereunder then such reduction in Work shall be considered
          "Omitted Work" and Company shall be entitled to a reduction in the
          compensation to be paid Contractor as provided in Article 18.

     14.4 Company shall have the right by written notice to Contractor to make
          changes to the Agreement ("Changes"), and Contractor shall have the
          right to an equitable adjustment of the Budget, the schedule and other
          affected terms of this Agreement to reflect such Changes. If
          Contractor believes that it has encountered a Change and that such
          Change affects the price, schedule or other terms for the Work,
          Contractor shall so notify Company in writing within seven (7)
          calendar days from the date that Contractor becomes aware of same.
          After receipt of such written notice, Company and Contractor will
          mutually agree in writing upon an equitable adjustment of the Unit
          Prices, the Unit Rates, the Budget the schedule or other terms to
          reflect the effect of such Change. Contractor's Change request shall
          be in the detail normally used by Contractor for estimating work. If
          Contractor fails to give notice within seven (7) calendars days and
          Company is prejudiced by the delay, Contractor shall be deemed to have
          waived its claim for adjustment to the extent of the prejudice

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          incurred. Mutually agreed to adjustments will be incorporated into the
          Agreement via formal change order. Contractor agrees that it shall not
          suspend performance of Work during the period Company and Contractor
          are in the process of negotiating such adjustment. If the parties
          cannot agree on appropriate adjustments the matter shall be determined
          in dispute resolution proceedings. In the absence of a mutual
          agreement, Company can direct Contractor to proceed.

          In the event that Company does not consider the circumstances
          described in Contractor's written notice to constitute a Change,
          Contractor shall be required to promptly proceed without delay. Should
          the Contractor continue to believe that the circumstances described in
          its written notice constitutes a Change, the dispute resolution
          provisions of these terms and conditions shall be operative.

          In no event shall Contractor fail to promptly proceed and complete the
          dispute resolution provisions of these terms and conditions shall be
          operative.

          In no event shall Contractor fail to promptly proceed and complete the
          work.

15.0 DISPUTED CLAIMS FOR EXTRA COMPENSATION

     15.1 Should Contractor, in any situation, deem or contend in any manner
          that extra compensation is or will be due for Work to be performed or
          material furnished pursuant to the instructions or orders of Company's
          Representative and Company has not agreed that such Work constitutes
          Extra Work, Contractor shall notify Company. In such event Company
          may, at its sole option, (i) have the Company's Representative execute
          a Disputed Extra Work Order which shall set forth the Work for which
          Contractor contends additional compensation is due, by Contractor or
          (ii) may, without waiving any of Company's rights arising under the
          Contract or otherwise require that Contractor not perform such Work
          and perform such Work itself or have it done by other contractors. In
          the event Company requires that Contractor not perform such Work,
          Contractor shall cooperate with Company and Company's other
          contractors to facilitate completion of the entire project.

     15.2 In no event shall Contractor commence or undertake any work for which
          it contends extra compensation is or will be owed without (i) prior
          written authorization from the Company as an "Agreed Extra Work Order"
          or (ii) prior to execution by Company's Representative of a "Disputed
          Extra Work Order." Each Agreed Extra Work Order or Disputed Extra Work
          Order must be supported by Contractor with written documentation
          substantiating the nature and quantity of work performed for which
          extra compensation is claimed and enabling pricing pursuant to the
          Contract. If an Agreed or Disputed Extra Work

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          Order is not obtained or Company's Representative is not offered
          proper facilities or opportunities by Contractor for keeping a strict
          account of actual costs incurred and Work quantities involved,
          Contractor shall be conclusively deemed to have waived, and Company
          shall not be obligated to pay any extra compensation for such Work.
          The fact that notice has been given by Contractor as required by
          Section 14.1, that Company's Representative shall have executed a
          Disputed Extra Work Order or that Company's Representative has kept
          account of the cost and/or quantity of such Work shall not in any way
          be construed as approving or proving the validity of any such claim.

     15.3 It is further understood and agreed that Company's Representative is
          not authorized to verbally waive, amend, or release any obligation of
          the Contractor under the Contract or to approve an Agreed Extra Work
          Order and Contractor shall not rely upon any such alleged verbal
          authorization in performing such Work. Subject to the above, Agreed
          Extra Work Orders shall be paid by the Company, pursuant to Section
          14.2 of these General Conditions. In case a Disputed Extra Work Order
          claim is allowed after consideration by the Company, it shall be paid
          in the manner provided in Article 16.2 of these General Conditions.
          All claims for Disputed Extra Work shall be resolved before final
          payment shall be due to Contractor.

16.0 EXTRA WORK

     16.1 When Extra Work is authorized by written order of Company, Contractor
          shall make every effort to provide such additional personnel and
          equipment to complete said Extra Work within the time specified for
          the completion of all work under the Contract including such Extra
          Work with appropriate compensation for accleration costs if any, and
          the time for the completion of all such work shall extended only when
          required by the nature of the Extra Work or Company's desire to avoid
          paying acceleration costs.

     16.2 Extra Work shall be paid for in accordance with one or more of the
          following methods in the manner specified in written authorization by
          the Company or as otherwise expressly agreed upon by Company and
          Contractor.

          16.2.1 Mutually satisfactory lump sum price agreed upon by Company and
               Contractor in writing.

          16.2.2 Mutually satisfactory unit prices agreed upon by

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               Company and Contractor in writing. Subject to the terms and
               conditions hereof, for any Extra Work performed or materials
               furnished, in addition to that specified in this Contract, for
               which unit prices in the Unit Price Summary are applicable,
               Contractor shall be paid the applicable unit prices for
               completion of such Extra Work. Such compensation shall be in
               addition to the contract price. The unit prices set forth in the
               Unit Price Summary applied to the measured quantity of Extra Work
               added shall be the total consideration paid for such Extra Work
               inclusive of fringe benefits, burden, insurance, taxes, overhead
               and profit.

17.0 FORCE ACCOUNT WORK

     17.1 Contractor shall notify Company in writing twenty-four (24) hours in
          advance of commencing any Force Account Work. Force Account Work shall
          be paid for in the following manner.

          17.1.1 For all labor and foremen employed on the specific operation
               and for superintendence, use of small tools and equipment for
               which no rental is allowed, office expense, overhead, insurance
               and profit, Contractor shall receive the composite rate of wages
               as set out in the Labor Rates for Force Account Work shown in the
               Contract for each hour that said labor and foremen are actually
               engaged in work. The wages of any foreman who is employed on
               Force Account Work and partly on other work shall be prorated
               between the two classes of work according to the number of men
               employed under the supervision of such foreman on each class of
               work as shown by the payrolls.

          17.1.2 For all materials furnished by Contractor and used in the Force
               Account Work, except those materials, if any, for which unit
               prices are included in the Unit Price Summary specifically and
               solely for such materials, Contractor shall receive the actual
               costs of such materials delivered to the Work including freight
               and hauling charges, as shown by original receipted bills.

          17.1.3 For any machine, power tools, or equipment, including fuel and
               lubricant but not including small hand tools, which actually are
               used by Contractor in such Force Account Work, Contractor shall
               receive the rental price shown in the Unit Price Summary, or if
               not shown in the Unit Price Summary, that agreed upon in writing
               in advance by Company and Contractor. No payment shall be due or
               made for any

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               machine, power tool or equipment for which no such written
               agreement exists. The hourly rate will be in effect unless
               equipment is used for one full day in which case the daily rate
               will be in effect unless equipment is used for seven consecutive
               days, in which case the weekly rate will prevail. For part of a
               daily period beyond one or more full days but less than seven
               consecutive days, the maximum rental price for such part of the
               daily period shall be one-eighth of the applicable rate "per day"
               for each hour worked. For a part of a weekly period beyond one or
               more full weekly periods, the maximum rental price for such part
               of the weekly period shall be one-seventh of the applicable rate
               "per week" for each day worked. The compensation herein provided
               shall be accepted by Contractor as payment in full for Force
               Account Work and shall include superintendence, use of tools and
               equipment for which no rental price has been agreed upon,
               overhead expense and profit.

          17.1.4 Contractor and the Company's Representative shall compare
               records of payrolls for labor, equipment and materials furnished
               on Force Account basis at the end of each day and resolve
               discrepancies, if any, in writing. Otherwise, Company's records,
               as approved by Company, shall control, in the absence of actual
               fraud. Copies of these records including employee's name, social
               security number, and classification, shall be made in triplicate
               by the Contractor and the Company's Representative, and one copy
               submitted by Contractor with invoice.

     17.2 Company shall have the right to designate the quantity of labor
          employed and the equipment and materials to be used by Contractor in
          the performance of Force Account Work.

18.0 OMITTED WORK

     18.1 For Omitted Work for which a unit price is shown in the Construction
          Bid Sheet, Company shall be credited for such omitted Work at the
          applicable unit prices. Units of such omitted Work will be reflected
          in the semi-monthly estimates provided for in Section 30.1 of Article
          30.0, Payment, herein. For omitted Work for which a unit price is not
          shown in the Construction Bid Sheet, Company shall present a claim for
          reduction in the compensation to be paid Contractor hereunder within
          fifteen (15) days after the date it delivers the order to Contractor
          to omit such work pursuant to Section 14.1. If such a claim for a
          reduction in the compensation to be paid to Contractor is not made
          within such fifteen (15) day period then it shall be

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          conclusively presumed that there is no substantial reduction in labor,
          materials to be furnished hereunder and no reduction shall be made in
          the Contractor's compensation.

19.0 CONTRACTOR'S OBLIGATION TO FURNISH STATEMENTS

     19.1 All claims for payment for Extra Work done shall be submitted to
          Company by Contractor upon certified triplicate statements to which
          shall be attached original receipted bills covering the cost and the
          freight and haulage charges on all materials furnished by Contractor
          and used in such Extra Work, said statements shall be submitted to
          Company within fifteen (15) days of the completion of any item of
          Extra Work. Contractor acknowledges that prompt submission of the
          claim and supporting cost data is essential to the efficient
          administration of the project and agrees that the Contractor's failure
          to submit invoices for Extra Work performed within such period of time
          shall constitute the final and absolute waiver by Contractor of any
          claim for extra compensation for such Work performed.

20.0 PROSECUTION OF WORK

     20.1 Except as otherwise provided in this Contract, construction once
          commenced shall be continuous. CONTRACTOR SHALL PROSECUTE THE WORK
          WITH DUE DILIGENCE AND AT SUCH A RATE AND IN SUCH A MANNER AS IN THE
          SOLE OPINION OF THE COMPANY IS NECESSARY FOR COMPLETION WITHIN THE
          TIME LIMIT AS SET OUT IN THE CONTRACT AS IT MAY HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED. In
          no event shall construction operations be interrupted or slowed
          because of the existence of any controversy or dispute between Company
          and Contractor. If Contractor or its subcontractors cause a delay not
          otherwise excused hereunder in the progress of the Work, Contractor
          shall without additional cost to Company, work such overtime, acquire
          necessary additional equipment or perform such other acts as may be
          necessary to complete the Work within the time specified in the
          Contract. IN SUCH EVENT, CONTRACTOR SHALL, WITHOUT ADDITIONAL COST TO
          COMPANY, ADD SUCH MEN AND EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING ENTIRE ADDITIONAL
          CREWS, AS MAY UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES BE REQUIRED, IN THE JUDGMENT OF
          COMPANY OR COMPANY ' S REPRESENTATIVE, FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE WORK
          WITHIN THE TIME SPECIFIED IN THE CONTRACT.

21.0 INSPECTION: AUTHORITY OF COMPANY'S REPRESENTATIVES AND INSPECTORS

     21.1 Company contemplates and Contractor agrees to a thorough inspection by
          Company of all of the work, including any Extra Work or Force Account
          Work, and all materials furnished under this Contract.

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                                                 Company Initials: DJJ

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          All such Work performed by Contractor and all materials furnished by
          it hereunder shall be subject to the inspection of Inspectors
          designated by the Company's Representative to determine whether the
          Work and all parts thereof are being performed in strict compliance
          with the terms, provisions, specifications, drawings and other
          requirements of this Contract. Company's Representative shall be that
          person or persons designated from time to time by Company to represent
          Company in connection with all or any part of the Work. Company may
          change, remove or add Company's Representatives or Inspectors at any
          time and from time to time, upon written notice to Contractor, without
          Contractor's approval. Contractor shall not rely upon any advice,
          direction or representation of Inspectors or Company's Representative
          in the manner of performing the Work, it being Contractor's obligation
          and responsibility to make such decisions and to take such action as
          is required to complete the Work strictly in accordance with the
          specifications, drawings and other requirements of this Contract.
          Contractor shall furnish Company's Representatives and Inspectors
          access at all times to the Work wherever it is in progress and shall
          provide them every reasonable facility for purpose of inspection.
          Contractor shall at all times keep Company advised of its plan of
          operation sufficiently in advance to permit proper inspection of the
          Work. If any Work performed by Contractor or materials furnished by it
          hereunder are defective or fail to comply with the specifications,
          drawings or other requirements of this Contract, as determined by the
          Company's Representative or Inspector, then Contractor shall, at its
          own expense, immediately repair or replace the Work so found to be
          defective in a manner complying with such specifications, drawings and
          other requirements.

     21.2 If the Company's Representative or Inspector requests it, Contractor
          at anytime before acceptance of the Work by the Company shall remove
          or uncover such portions of the finished Work as may be directed.
          After examination, Contractor shall restore said portions of the Work
          to the standards required by the specifications, drawings or other
          requirements of the Contract. Should the Work thus exposed or examined
          prove to be in accordance with all such specifications, drawings or
          other requirements, the actual cost of uncovering or removing, and the
          replacing of the covering or making good of the parts removed shall be
          paid to Contractor by Company, provided Contractor shall have kept an
          accurate record of such costs. Should the work so exposed or examined
          prove to be not in accordance with such specifications, drawings or
          other requirements, the uncovering or removing, and replacing of the
          covering or the making good of the parts removed shall be at
          Contractor's expense. If Contractor fails to replace any defective
          Work or materials furnished by Contractor after reasonable notice, the
          Company may cause such defective Work or

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                                                 Company Initials: DJJ

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          materials to be replaced and all cost associated therewith shall be
          paid by Contractor or deducted by Company from payments to Contractor

     21.3 Should any Work be performed without giving notice and opportunity of
          inspection, Contractor may be required to uncover such Work for
          inspection. Cost of uncovering such Work shall be borne by the
          Contractor, whether or not the Work is found acceptable.

     21.4 If Contractor or any employee, agency or subcontractor of Contractor
          believes or suspects that any action taken by an Inspector, Company's
          Representative or any other person acting, or purporting to act, in
          behalf of Company is willful, arbitrary or unreasonable, or is
          motivated by malice, intent to defraud or any other motive not
          connected with completion of Work in accordance with the requirements
          of the Contract in the shortest possible time, Contractor shall,
          within 72 hours of said action notify Company in writing, stating the
          name of the person, the action taken and other pertinent details.
          Contractor agrees that, if Contractor does not so notify Company
          within the specified time, such lack of notification shall be a
          defense to any Contractor claim based on such circumstances to the
          extent that failure of notice caused prejudice to Company. CONTRACTOR
          FURTHER AGREES TO READ THIS PARAGRAPH TO EVERY EMPLOYEE, AGENT AND
          SUBCONTRACTOR PRIOR TO SUCH EMPLOYEE, AGENT OR SUBCONTRACTOR ENGAGING
          IN ANY ACTIVITY RELATED TO THE WORK.

     21.5 If Company is a partnership or if Company is causing the construction
          of the work for a third party, Contractor shall permit the presence of
          representatives of each partner or third party or each partner of a
          third party if such third party is a partnership (in addition to the
          presence of any other persons elsewhere provided for in this Contract)
          at the Work site which representatives may act as observers at the
          observing person's risk, cost and expense. Such observers shall have
          no authority to waive any obligation under this Contract or to
          otherwise act on behalf of, or represent, Company.

22.0 RADIOGRAPHIC INSPECTION

     22.1 Radiographic examinations as well as physical tests on cut out welds,
          shall be performed, as directed by Company, to insure acceptability of
          the welding quality. The Standard of Acceptability shall be in
          accordance with the latest edition of API Standard 1104. The extent
          and frequency of said examinations shall equal or exceed the
          Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) Part 192-Transportation of
          Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline, Subpart E or any regulation
          superceding or replacing Said Part 192. All tie-in welds and repaired

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                                                 Company Initials: DJJ

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          welds shall be examined by radiography. Welds declared to be
          unsatisfactory by the radiography technician and Company's
          Representative shall be removed and replaced at the Contractor's
          expense.

     22.2 Company may require 100% X-Ray inspection of welds according to
          Company's Specifications for Radiographic Inspection Services. Company
          will endeavor to provide such X-Ray inspection so as not to delay the
          progress of the Contractor, but Company will not be responsible for
          delays occasioned by X-Ray inspection. Contractor shall cooperate in
          keeping Company advised sufficiently in advance to permit proper
          scheduling of X-Ray crews, and shall, at no additional compensation,
          aid the X-Ray inspection crews, including towing and other assistance,
          as required to facilitate maximum utilization of X-Ray crews.

23.0 NO WAIVER AUTHORIZATION

     23.1 Neither Company's Representative nor Company's Inspectors, agents or
          employees shall have any power or authority to waive any of the
          provisions of this Contract or any of the obligations of the
          Contractor hereunder. No waiver of any provision of this Contract or
          other obligation of the Contractor shall be effective unless signed in
          writing by an officer of the Company. Neither Company' s failure to
          discover or reject work or material, furnished by the Contractor not
          in strict accordance with the requirements of the Contract, nor any
          payment to Contractor, nor partial or entire occupancy of the premises
          by Company, nor acceptance of the Work by Company's Inspectors or
          Representatives or by Company shall relieve Contractor of its
          obligation to complete the Work strictly in accordance with the
          specifications, drawings and other requirements of the Contract.
          Should it be determined that work which has been accepted, or for
          which payment has been made, does not comply with the requirements of
          the Contract, Contractor shall, at his cost and expense, do such work
          and take such action as is necessary to cause such nonconforming work
          to comply strictly with the Contract requirements.

24.0 SITE EXAMINATION

     24.1 Contractor represents that he has had an opportunity to examine the
          entire Contract, including all Drawings, Specifications, and all other
          written instruments incorporated by reference in the Contract, and has
          fully acquainted himself with the general topography, soil structure,
          subsurface conditions, obstructions, the site of the Work, and its
          surroundings, that he has made all investigations essential to a full
          understanding of the difficulties which may be encountered in

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                                                  Company Initials: DJJ

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          performing the work, and that anything in the Contract or any
          statements or information made or furnished by Company or its
          representatives notwithstanding, Contractor will, regardless of any
          such conditions pertaining to the Work, weather conditions, and the
          effect thereof, the site of the Work or its surroundings, complete the
          Work within the time specified and for the compensation stated in the
          Contract and assume full and complete responsibility for any such
          conditions pertaining to the Work, the site of the Work or its
          surroundings, and all risks, including the risk of weather, in
          connection therewith. Contractor represents that he has authority to
          do business in the State or location in which the Work is to be
          performed and that he is fully qualified and financially able to do
          the Work in accordance with the Contract within the time specified.

25.0 MEASUREMENT OF WORK QUANTITIES

     25.1 It is recognized that work quantities as set out in the Contract are
          approximate. The Company's Representative may make the accurate
          measurements to determine the quantities of various items of work
          performed as the basis for the periodic and final payments or may
          accept Contractor's estimate subject to adjustment by Company. The
          Contractor, in all cases, will be paid the amounts set forth in the
          Unit Price Summary only for the actual amount of work performed under
          the Contract and no payment shall be due or made for Work which is not
          actually performed. All such payments and measurement of Work
          quantities shall be subject to final audit and verification, and
          overpayments may be deducted by Company from any future payment to
          Contractor under the Contract or any other agreement with Contractor
          or Contractor shall, if directed by Company, refund to Company the
          amount of any such overpayment.

26.0 CONSIDERATION

     26.1 It is understood that the price or prices specified in the Contract
          cover and include all compensation, payments and remuneration which
          Contractor is to receive from the Company for the performance of the
          Work covered by the Contract. Contractor has the right to review the
          lay unit price pending construction drawings and route review. The
          duties and obligations assumed by Contractor in return for such
          consideration include, but are not limited to the following;
          furnishing necessary materials, labor, tools and equipment; performing
          all work described in the Contract; all overhead, profits,
          superintendence, labor, use of equipment, loss, damage, increased cost
          and expense arising from the nature of the Work, or from weather or
          from any difficulties, foreseen or unforeseen, which may be
          encountered during the prosecution of the Work until the acceptance
          for payment

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                                                  Company Initials: DJJ

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          by Company; all risks of every description connected with the
          prosecution of the Work, as well as all expenses incurred in
          consequence of the suspension or discontinuance of the Work according
          to the Contract and indemnifying Company, (and its partners if Company
          is a partnership) and Company's officers, agents and employees and
          holding them harmless as provided herein.

27.0 INSPECTION OF CONTRACTOR'S RECORDS

     27.1 Contractor shall maintain adequate costs records of all cost plus
          Extra Work performed hereunder, and, upon request by the Company,
          shall permit the Company or representatives of Company to inspect said
          books and records for the purpose of determining the propriety and
          accuracy of charges, claims and demands of the Contractor, its agents,
          employees and subcontractors.

28.0 COMPANY'S RIGHT TO SUPPLEMENT WORK OR PARTIALLY TERMINATE CONTRACT

     28.1 If, in the opinion of the Company, the Contractor shall, at any time,
          refuse or neglect to supply sufficient personnel, supervision or
          equipment of the proper quality, or fail in any respect to prosecute
          the work with promptness and diligence, or fail to make sufficient
          progress so as to assure completion of the work by the date fixed for
          such completion (it being recognized and acknowledged by Contractor
          that with respect to such completion date, time is of the essence to
          Company), the Company may, upon giving five (5) days written notice to
          Contractor and without prejudice to the other remedies available to
          Company, supplement the work by providing such additional labor or
          equipment (itself or through a contractor or contractors) as it deems
          necessary to rectify such default or to complete the work by the date
          fixed for such completion or withdraw from the Contract that portion
          of the work, which, in Company's sole opinion, Contractor will be
          unable to complete by the date fixed for such completion, and
          terminate the Contract with respect thereto and complete the work on
          such portion itself or through a contractor or contractors.

     28.2 Not used.

     28.3 Contractor shall not be entitled to receive the Contract consideration
          for any labor or materials provided to supplement the work or for any
          portions withdrawn from the Contract and terminated as herein
          provided. If Company should supplement the work or withdraw a portion
          of the work from this Contract and terminate the Contract with respect
          thereto, and should the cost to the Company of such

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                                                  Company Initials: DJJ

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          supplement or completion of the Work on such portion withdrawn,
          including all Company overhead expenses, supervision expenses, and
          reasonable attorney's fees, exceed the cost which Company would have
          incurred had Contractor completed the work as required under the
          Contract, Company may deduct such excess cost from any further payment
          to Contractor or require Contractor, upon demand, to reimburse Company
          for such excess cost. In the event Company exercises its right as
          provided herein, to supplement the Work or withdraws a portion thereof
          from the Contract and terminates the Contract with respect thereto,
          Contractor shall continue to perform the remaining portion of the work
          under the Contract. In such event, or should Company, for any other
          reason permitted hereunder perform any portion of the work to be
          performed by Contractor under this Contract or changes hereunder,
          Contractor shall fully cooperate with Company and with other
          contractors of Company and shall carefully coordinate its performance
          of such remaining work with the Work of Company and such other
          contractors, and Contractor shall not, under any circumstances, do
          anything, or commit any acts, which will interfere with the
          performance of the Work by Company or by any other contractor of
          Company.

     28.4 Not used.

29.0 TERMINATION OF WORK FOR DEFAULT OF CONTRACTOR

     29.1 If a petition in bankruptcy should be filed by the Contractor; or if
          the Contractor should make a general assignment for the benefit of
          creditors, or if the Contractor becomes insolvent, or if a receiver
          should be appointed on account of the insolvency of the Contractor, or
          if the Contractor should refuse or fail to supply enough properly
          skilled workmen or proper equipment or should fail to make prompt
          payment to subcontractors, or should fail to pay for materials, labor
          or services, or to pay any claims of third parties which are the
          responsibility of Contractor, or should disregard laws, ordinances, or
          the instructions of Company's Representative, or should permit liens,
          attachments or other encumbrances to remain on the project or on the
          property of Company after written instructions to have same removed,
          or should otherwise be guilty of a substantial breach of any provision
          of the Contract, then the Company may, without prejudice to any other
          right or remedy and without notice to any surety, terminate this
          Contract and take possession of the premises by giving Contractor
          written notice of such termination.

     29.2 In event of such termination, the Contractor shall not be entitled to
          receive any further payment hereunder until the work is finished. If
          the cost to Company of completing said Work, including all Company

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                                                  Company Initials: DJJ

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          overhead expenses, supervision expenses, and reasonable attorney's
          fees, is more than the aggregate sum obtained by applying the Unit
          Price herein specified for the work so performed, Contractor shall pay
          to Company, upon demand, the amount of such excess together with all
          other damages suffered by Company as a result of Contractor's default,
          or Company may withhold said amount from any payment due Contractor.

30.0 PAYMENT

     30.1 On or as soon as practicable after the fifth (5th) and twentieth
          (20th) days of each calendar month following commencement of work
          hereunder, the Company's Representative in collaboration with
          Contractor's Superintendent, shall make a written estimate of that
          portion of the work which has been completed and omitted, if any. All
          written estimates shall be signed by Company's Representative and
          Contractor's representative in the field, after which Company's
          Representative shall forward same to Company's office. Contractor
          shall prepare and deliver to Company an invoice for that portion of
          the work which has been completed, as determined by such written
          estimate, and which has not been included in a prior invoice. The
          invoice form shall include Contractor's name and address, invoice
          number, invoice date, description of work, a breakdown of major
          categories showing unit price by categories, percent of progress
          complete, total amount of such invoice and ten percent (10%) of such
          total amount which is to be retained by Company.

          Upon approval of Company, Company shall pay Contractor ninety percent
          (90%) of the total invoice amount less all payments made upon previous
          estimates.

     30.2 The remaining ten percent (10%) of the total invoice amount shall be
          retained by Company until Contractor has completed all of the work to
          be performed and all of the following conditions have been fulfilled:

          30.2.1 Final acceptance by Company of all work performed hereunder.

          30.2.2 Receipt by Company of affidavits or other evidence satisfactory
               to the Company, that Contractor has paid all claims and bills for
               labor, materials, equipment, services and supplies provided for
               or in connection with the work hereunder.

          30.2.3 Payment by Contractor of all claims of any character
               whatsoever, for which Contractor is responsible under

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               the Contract.

          30.2.4 Receipt by Company of satisfactory evidence that Contractor has
               paid any sales, use or other taxes pertaining to said work which
               are imposed by any governmental body having jurisdiction where
               said work is done.

          30.2.5 Receipt by Company of a certificate from the Parish Clerk's
               office in the parish where the work is performed in the, name of
               both Contractor and Company showing that no liens, of any kind,
               arising from said work have been recorded. Said Certificate must
               be dated at least thirty (30) days after the date of final
               acceptance of work by Company.

     30.3 Notwithstanding, and in addition to, any other provision of this
          Contract, any or all payments otherwise due Contractor from Company
          may be withheld at any time and from time to time by Company, without
          payment of interest, on account of defective work done and not
          remedied by Contractor, unpaid bills or claims for labor, materials,
          services and supplies or unpaid claims of any kind whatsoever which
          Contractor has agreed to pay, or upon reasonable evidence indicating
          that such unpaid bills or claims are outstanding. If and when the
          cause or causes for withholding any such payment shall be remedied or
          removed without cost to Company and evidence satisfactory to Company
          of such remedy or removal has been presented to Company, the payments
          withheld shall be made to Contractor.

     30.4 If Contractor fails or refuses to remedy or remove any cause for
          withholding such payment, within ten (10) days after delivery of
          written notice to Contractor by Company to remedy or remove such
          cause, Company may remedy or remove the same or cause the same to be
          remedied and removed and may deduct the cost thereof together with
          attorney's fees or any other expense, of whatsoever kind incurred by
          Company in connection therewith, from the amount then or thereafter
          due Contractor under the Contract or pursue any remedy otherwise
          provided by this Contract. In the event such cost should exceed the
          balance due Contractor, Contractor and its sureties shall be liable
          for, and shall pay, the difference to the Company. If however,
          Contractor notifies Company in writing within said period of time that
          it reasonably and in good faith contests the validity of any such
          claims, Contractor may defer remedial action pending a settlement with
          claimant satisfactory to Company or until judgment is rendered against
          Contractor or Company therefore, but

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          Company shall nevertheless be entitled to withhold payment of a sum
          sufficient in its judgment to satisfy amply the amount of-any and all
          such claims, including, in addition, an ample amount to cover all
          costs which may be incurred by Company in connection therewith,
          including all attorney's fees incurred.

     30.5 Company shall have the right to make payment of any sums withheld
          under this Section or other provisions of the Contractor retained
          under Section 30.3 without giving notice thereof to any surety or
          sureties on any bond of the Contractor or any subcontractor, and such
          sureties, liability under said bond or bonds shall not in any way be
          released or diminished on account of Company's making any payments of
          any such sums without notice to the surety or sureties. Neither final
          acceptance of the Work, final payment hereunder, and/or partial or
          entire use by Company of the Work shall relieve Contractor of any
          unperformed or continuing obligation under the Contract, including,
          without limitation, Contractor's obligations to protect, indemnify and
          hold harmless Company, its officers, agents and employees as herein
          provided.

     30.6 DISPUTES

          All disputes between Company and Contractor arising under or relating
          to the Agreement shall be resolved under this Article. The term
          "dispute" means a demand by either party resulting from a disagreement
          between Company and Contractor, which seeks an adjustment or
          interpretation of Agreement terms, or other relief. A demand shall be
          made in writing and shall contain complete information necessary for
          proper evaluation by the other party, otherwise it may be returned
          without action.

          At a minimum the demand submitted shall state the facts upon which the
          demand is based, how or in what way the circumstances differ from what
          was undertaken contractually and the Agreement provisions that provide
          for the relief being sought. If the demand seeks monetary payment, it
          shall be supported by a detailed breakdown similar to that
          accompanying a Change request. A party's written decision on a demand
          shall be final and conclusive, unless within seven (7) calendar days
          after receipt of the written decision the aggrieved party furnishes a
          written appeal to the other party. A written appeal shall be precedent
          to any arbitration or mediation. Contractor shall proceed diligently
          with performance under the Agreement and shall comply with any written
          decision of Company pending final resolution of its demands so long as
          Company acts in good faith and promptly provides any undisputed
          entitlement to Contractor.

          Any dispute between the Parties preserved by appeal shall be submitted
          to mediation under the construction industry rules of the

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                                                  Company Initials: DJJ

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          American Arbitration Association (AAA), and then failing resolution by
          mediation, to arbitration under the same rules except as modified
          herein. Unless the AAA fast track rules apply, three arbitrators shall
          be appointed by means of each party nominating an arbitrator within 20
          days of filing of the arbitration demand with AAA, and then the
          appointees of the parties choosing the third arbitrator within an
          additional 20 days. If either a party or the two appointees are unable
          to make an appointment within the required time, the appointment shall
          be made by AAA. All members of the panel shall be neutral upon
          appointment. The location of the arbitration shall be New Orleans,
          Louisiana. Each Party shall pay any and all costs associated with the
          arbitrator selected by that Party. Each Party shall be responsible for
          fifty percent (50%) of the costs associated with the third arbitrator.
          The Parties shall urge the arbitrators to provide a written decision
          to the Parties within thirty (30) days of the arbitration hearing.

31.0 ORAL AGREEMENTS

     31.1 This Contract sets forth the entire agreement between Company and
          Contractor with respect to the Work and no oral agreements heretofore
          made shall be binding, and no modification of, or supplement to this
          Contract shall be made except by written agreement signed by
          Contractor and an officer of Company. The headings to each of the
          various Sections and Articles of this Contract are for convenience
          only and shall have no effect on, or be deemed a part of, the text of
          the Contract.

32.0 BONDS

     32.1 N/A

     32.2 N/A

     32.3 N/A

     32.4 N/A

33.0 LIABILITY OF COMPANY

     33.1 Contractor agrees that its right to recover for any claim shall be
          limited solely to the assets of Company and as part of the
          consideration for this Contract, Contractor hereby waives any and all
          rights to institute a legal proceeding or to assert a claim, in any
          manner, for any demand, cause of action, cost, expense, action,

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                                                  Company Initials: DJJ

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          judgment or-damage in any manner arising out of, or in connection
          with, this Contract, against any partner or partners of Company
          individually, or against any entity -affiliated or associated with any
          such partner.

34.0 GUARANTEE

     34.1 WARRANTY

          All material and equipment incorporated into Work covered by the
          Agreement shall be new and without defects in workmanship and
          materials. All workmanship shall be in accordance with accepted
          construction practices and of a quality accepted within the industry.
          Contractor warrants all equipment, materials and labor, including
          required pipeline depth of cover, furnished or performed under the
          Agreement against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of
          one (1) year from and after substantial completion of the Work.
          Warranty regarding depth of cover will apply to the entire pipeline,
          unless such pipeline sections, regarding placement/necessity of
          required pipeline weighting, cannot be mutually agreed upon between
          the contractor and company. Upon receipt of written notice from
          Company of any defect in any such equipment, material, labor or
          pipeline cover discovered during the applicable warranty period, the
          affected item or parts thereof shall be repaired or replaced by
          Contractor at Contractor's expense at a time acceptable to Company. If
          within a reasonable time after Company gives the Contractor notice of
          defect, the Contractor neglects to make or undertake with due
          diligence to make necessary correction, Company is hereby authorized
          to make the correction itself or order the Work to be done by a third
          party, and the cost of the correction shall be promptly paid by
          Contractor upon receipt of an invoice from Company for the same.

35.0 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

     35.1 Contractor agrees to comply with all of the requirements of 41 CFR
          Part 60-1 and the provisions of the standard clause prescribed there
          under, dealing with equal employment opportunity, which provisions of
          said standard clause are specifically incorporated herein by reference
          to have the same force and effect as if set out in their entirety.

36.0 CERTIFICATION OF NON-STANDARD FACILITIES

     36.1 Contractor certifies that it does not maintain nor provide its
          employees any segregated facilities at any of its establishments, and
          that it does not permit its employees to perform their services at any

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          location, under Contractor's control, where segregated facilities are
          maintained. Contractor certifies further that it will not maintain or
          provide for its employees any segregated facilities at any of its
          establishments, and that it will not permit its employees to perform
          their services at any location under Contractor's control, where
          segregated facilities are maintained. Contractor agrees that a breach
          of this certification is a violation of the Equal opportunity Clause.
          As used in this certification, the term "Segregated facilities" means
          any waiting rooms, work areas, rest rooms and wash rooms, restaurants,
          and other eating areas, time clocks, locker rooms and other storage or
          dressing areas, parking lots, drinking fountains, recreation or
          entertainment areas, transportation and housing facilities provided
          for employees which are segregated by explicit directive or are in
          fact segregated on the basis or race, creed, color, age, gender or
          national origin, because of habit or custom or otherwise. Contractor
          further agrees that (except where it has obtained identical
          certifications from proposed subcontractors for specific time periods)
          Contractor will obtain identical certifications from proposed
          subcontractors prior to the award of a subcontract exceeding Ten
          Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($10,000.00) unless such subcontractors
          are exempt from the provisions of the Equal Opportunity Clause; and
          that Contractor will retain such certifications in his files.

37.0 HANDICAPPED WORKERS

     37.1 Contractor agrees to comply with all of the requirements of 41 CFR
          Part 60-741 and the provisions of the standard contract clause
          prescribed there under, dealing with the employment of qualified
          handicapped individuals, which provisions of said standard contract
          clause are specifically incorporated herein by reference to have the
          same force and effect as if set out herein in their entirety.

38.0 DISABLED VETERANS AND VETERANS OF THE VIETNAM ERA

     38.1 Contractor agrees to comply with all of the requirements of 41 CFR
          Part 60-250 and the provisions of the standard contract clause
          prescribed there under, dealing with the employment of qualified
          disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam Era, which provisions of
          said standard contract clause are specifically incorporated herein by
          reference to have the same force and effect as is set out herein in
          their entirety.

39.0 CONTRACTOR ASSURANCES

     Unless exempted, Contractor hereby certifies that:

                                                  Contractor Initials: CSH
                                                  Company Initials: DJJ

                                    36 of 37

<PAGE>

          (a)  It has adopted and implemented a written anti-drug plan, which
               complies with the procedures and regulations as outlined in 49
               CFR 199. Any and all employees, agents, subcontractors or
               consultants working for Contractor shall comply with Contractor's
               plan.

          (b)  It understands, under penalty of law, the terms and conditions of
               the general National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
               (NPDES) permit that authorizes the storm water runoff, and the
               requirements to reduce the environmental impact there from
               associated with the scope of work as herein described, shall be
               typed on Company letterhead and returned with the executed
               Pipeline Construction Contract (see Special Conditions).

          (c)  It has adopted and implemented a written Operator Qualification
               Plan as outline in 49 CFR 192. Such plan is limited only to work
               covered and required under 49 CFR 192. Any and all employee's
               agents, subcontractors or consultants work for Contractor shall
               comply with Contractors plan.

                                                  Contractor Initials: CSH
                                                  Company Initials: DJJ

                                    37 of 37

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