Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

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1.       AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE SECURITIES...............................................................1

2.       DELIVERY OF THE SECURITIES; ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL WARRANTS....................................1

3.       PURCHASER'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.....................................................2

         3.1      Investment Intent.....................................................................2

         3.2      Access to Information.................................................................2

         3.3      Accredited Investor...................................................................2

         3.4      Knowledge and Experience..............................................................2

         3.5      Suitability...........................................................................2

         3.6      Ability to Bear Risk of Loss..........................................................2

         3.7      Private Offering......................................................................2

         3.8      Truth and Accuracy....................................................................2

         3.9      Authority.............................................................................3

         3.10     No Violation..........................................................................3

         3.11     Enforceability........................................................................3

         3.12     Reliance on Own Advisers..............................................................3

         3.13     Scope of Business.....................................................................3

4.       ISSUER'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES........................................................3

         4.1      Corporate Existence; Authority........................................................3

         4.2      Enforceability........................................................................3

         4.3      Capitalization........................................................................4

         4.4      No Conflicts..........................................................................4

         4.5      SEC Documents.........................................................................4

         4.6      Litigation............................................................................5

         4.7      No Material Adverse Change............................................................5

         4.8      Environmental Matters.................................................................5

         4.9      Equity Sales Since November 5, 1999...................................................6

         4.10     Truth and Accuracy....................................................................6

5.       RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER.......................................................................6

         5.1      Resale Restrictions...................................................................6

         5.2      Restrictive Legend....................................................................6
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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)

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         5.3      Illiquid Investment...................................................................6

6.       REGISTRATION PROCEDURES........................................................................7

         6.1      Demand Registration Rights............................................................7

         6.2      Piggy-Back Registration Rights........................................................8

         6.3      Delivery of Prospectus................................................................9

         6.4      Third Party Registration Rights.......................................................9

         6.5      Registration in Other Jurisdictions..................................................10

         6.6      Notice of Material Events............................................................10

         6.7      Notice of Suspension of Effectiveness................................................10

         6.8      Listing of Common Stock on Securities Exchanges......................................10

         6.9      Further Assurances...................................................................11

         6.10     Cooperation..........................................................................11

         6.11     Discontinuation of Disposition of Shares.............................................11

         6.12     Expenses.............................................................................11

         6.13     Indemnification of Purchaser.........................................................11

         6.14     Indemnification of Issuer............................................................12

         6.15     Participation in Indemnified Claims..................................................13

7.       RELIANCE......................................................................................13

8.       MISCELLANEOUS.................................................................................13

         8.1      Survival.............................................................................13

         8.2      Binding Effect; Assignment...........................................................14

         8.3      Execution and Delivery of Agreement..................................................14

         8.4      Titles...............................................................................14

         8.5      Severability.........................................................................14

         8.6      Entire Agreement.....................................................................14

         8.7      Waiver and Amendment.................................................................14

         8.8      Counterparts.........................................................................14

         8.9      Governing Law........................................................................14
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Schedules

4.3(b)            Outstanding Subscriptions, Options, Warrants, Convertible
                  Securities, etc.
4.3(c)            Third Party Registration Rights
4.9(a)            Purchasers of Common Stock since November 5, 1999

Exhibits

A                 Form of Warrant
B                 Accredited Investor Certificate

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

THE SECURITIES TO WHICH THIS AGREEMENT RELATES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR UNDER ANY
STATE SECURITIES LAWS ("STATE LAWS") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERRED UNLESS THE OFFER AND SALE IS REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR
THE ISSUER RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER
THAT THE OFFER AND SALE IS EXEMPT FROM SECURITIES ACT REGISTRATION.

                          SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

        This Securities Purchase Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered
into as of the 24th day of August, 2000, by and between Contango Oil & Gas
Company (the "Issuer") and Fairfield Industries Incorporated, a Delaware
corporation (the "Purchaser").

         1. AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE SECURITIES. On the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase
from the Issuer a warrant to purchase 125,000 shares of the Issuer's common
stock in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Warrant") for an aggregate
purchase price of $10.00 and other good and valuable consideration (including,
without limitation, as an inducement to the Purchaser to agree to the Issuer's
wholly-owned subsidiary's becoming a member of Republic Exploration LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company, and in consideration thereof and for other
considerations granted to the Issuer and its said subsidiary), receipt of which
is hereby acknowledged by the Issuer. The shares of Issuer's common stock that
may be issued upon exercise of the Warrant are referred to herein as the
"Warrant Shares" and the Warrant and the Warrant Shares are collectively
referred to herein as the "Securities". The foregoing purchase and payment of
the Purchase Price shall occur concurrently with (i) the issuance of Issuer's
common stock upon the exercise of options to purchase up to 2,500,000 shares of
Issuer's common stock issued to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, (ii) the issuance
of warrants to purchase 250,000 shares of Issuer's common stock issued to the
Southern Ute Indian Tribe, (iii) the issuance of Issuer's Series A Preferred
Stock and warrants to purchase 500,000 shares of Issuer's common stock issued to
Trust Company of the West, in its capacity as Investment Manager and Custodian,
(iv) the issuance of warrants to purchase 125,000 shares of Issuer's common
stock issued to Juneau Exploration Company, LLC, and (v) the execution and
delivery of the limited liability company organization documents for Republic
Exploration LLC on terms approved by the Purchaser.

         2. DELIVERY OF THE SECURITIES; ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL WARRANTS.
Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Issuer shall issue and
deliver the Warrant, in the name and to the address specified by the Purchaser
in the registration and delivery instructions on the signature page of this
Agreement.

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         3. PURCHASER'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Purchaser hereby
represents and warrants to the Issuer that:

                  3.1 Investment Intent. The Purchaser is acquiring the
Securities solely for the Purchaser's own account for investment purposes, and
not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution of
the Securities in violation of the Securities Act.

                  3.2 Access to Information. The Purchaser has received a copy
of the Issuer's annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended June 30, 1999
(the "Annual Report") and quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended
March 31, 2000 (the "Quarterly Report") and has carefully reviewed them,
including the risk factors set forth under the heading, "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Plan of Operation -- Risk Factors." In addition, the Purchaser
has received and reviewed a copy of the Issuer's proxy statement for its annual
meeting of stockholders held on September 28, 1999 (the "Proxy Statement"). If
desired, the Purchaser has also sought and obtained from management of the
Issuer such additional information concerning the business, management and
financial affairs of the Issuer as the Purchaser has deemed necessary or
appropriate in evaluating an investment in the Issuer and determining whether or
not to purchase the Securities.

                  3.3 Accredited Investor. By completing the Accredited Investor
Certification attached as Exhibit B, the Purchaser represents and warrants that
it is an accredited investor, as defined by Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under
the Securities Act.

                  3.4 Knowledge and Experience. The Purchaser has such knowledge
and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of
evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Securities and of
protecting its interests in connection with an acquisition of the Securities.

                  3.5 Suitability. The Purchaser has carefully considered, and
has, to the extent the Purchaser deems it necessary, discussed with the
Purchaser's own professional legal, tax and financial advisers the suitability
of an investment in the Securities for the Purchaser's particular tax and
financial situation, and the Purchaser has determined that the Securities are a
suitable investment for the Purchaser.

                  3.6 Ability to Bear Risk of Loss. The Purchaser is financially
able to hold the Securities subject to restrictions on transfer for an
indefinite period of time, and is capable of bearing the economic risk of losing
up to the entire amount of its investment in the Securities.

                  3.7 Private Offering. The offer of the Securities was directly
communicated to the Purchaser by the Issuer. At no time was the Purchaser
presented with or solicited by any leaflet, newspaper or magazine article, radio
or television advertisement, or any other form of general advertising or
solicited or invited to attend a promotional meeting otherwise than in
connection and concurrently with such directly communicated offer.

                  3.8 Truth and Accuracy. All representations and warranties
made by the Purchaser in this Agreement are true and accurate as of the date
hereof and shall be true and accurate as of the date the Issuer issues the
Securities. If at any time prior to the issuance of the

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Securities any representation or warranty shall not be true and accurate in any
respect, the Purchaser shall so notify the Issuer.

                  3.9 Authority. The individuals executing and delivering this
Agreement on behalf of the Purchaser have been duly authorized to execute and
deliver this Agreement on behalf of the Purchaser, the signature of both such
individuals is binding upon the Purchaser, the Purchaser is duly organized and
subsisting under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it was organized, and the
Purchaser was not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Securities.

                  3.10 No Violation. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions or performance of the
obligations contemplated by this Agreement do not and will not violate any term
of the Purchaser's organizational documents.

                  3.11 Enforceability. The Purchaser has duly executed and
delivered this Agreement and (subject to its execution by the Issuer) it
constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Purchaser enforceable in
accordance with its terms against the Purchaser, except as such enforceability
may be limited by principles of public policy, and subject to laws of general
application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of debtors and
rules of law governing specific performance, injunctive relief or other
equitable remedies.

                  3.12 Reliance on Own Advisers. In connection with the
Purchaser's investment in the Securities, the Purchaser has not relied upon the
Issuer or its advisers for legal or tax advice, and has, if desired, in all
cases sought the advice of the Purchaser's own legal counsel and tax advisers.

                  3.13 Scope of Business. The Purchaser has been advised and
understands that the Issuer will be exposed to numerous investment opportunities
in all areas of the oil and gas industry and may therefore pursue various types
of opportunities, even if they do not fit within the primary focus of the
Issuer's current business plan. For example, such opportunities could include
both onshore and offshore United States investments and also international
investments. Potential opportunities could also include such things as
downstream investments in oil and gas service companies, pipelines, and gas
processing and gas storage facilities.

         4. ISSUER'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Issuer hereby
represents and warrants to the Purchaser that:

                  4.1 Corporate Existence; Authority. The Issuer is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of Nevada, and it has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business
as it is being conducted. The individual executing and delivering this Agreement
on behalf of the Issuer has been duly authorized to execute and deliver this
Agreement on behalf of the Issuer, and the signature of such individual is
binding upon the Issuer.

                  4.2 Enforceability. The Issuer has duly executed and delivered
this Agreement and the Warrant and (subject to the execution of this Agreement
by the Purchaser) they constitute valid and binding agreements of the Issuer
enforceable in accordance with their respective terms against the Issuer, except
as such enforceability may be limited by principles of public policy, and
subject to laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and

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the relief of debtors and rules of law governing specific performance,
injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.

                  4.3 Capitalization.

                           (a) The Issuer has no outstanding capital stock other
than common stock as of the date of this Agreement. The Issuer is authorized to
issue 50,000,000 shares of common stock, of which (prior to giving effect to the
transactions set forth herein and after giving effect to the exercise by the
Southern Ute Indian Tribe of options to purchase 2,500,000 shares of common
stock concurrently with the initial issuance of its Series A Preferred Stock)
22,920,412 shares are issued and outstanding, and 125,000 shares of preferred
stock, none of which are issued and outstanding. Concurrently herewith, the
Issuer is entering into a transaction whereby it will issue 2,500 shares of its
Series A Preferred Stock. All of the outstanding shares of common stock of the
Issuer have been duly and validly issued and are fully paid, non-assessable and
not subject to any preemptive or similar rights. If and when issued, the Warrant
Shares will have been duly authorized and when issued and delivered to the
Purchaser against payment therefor as provided in the Warrant, will be validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance of such Warrant Shares
will not be subject to any preemptive or similar rights.

                           (b) Prior to giving effect to the transactions set
forth herein, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants,
convertible securities, calls, commitments, agreements or rights to purchase or
otherwise acquire from the Issuer any shares of, or any securities convertible
into, the capital stock of the Issuer except as set forth on Schedule 4.3(b),
including (i) outstanding options to purchase 734,167 shares of the Issuer's
common stock under the Issuer's 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, under which 5,000,000
shares of common stock are reserved for issuance, (ii) warrants exercisable for
2,840,370 shares of the Issuer's common stock at the exercise price of $1.00 per
share, and (iii) after giving effect to the exercise by the Southern Ute Indian
Tribe of options to purchase 2,500,000 shares of common stock concurrently with
the initial issuance of its Series A Preferred Stock, outstanding options to
purchase an aggregate of 280,000 shares of the Issuer's common stock pursuant to
certain agreements between the Issuer and various third parties.

                           (c) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.3(c), no
shareholders of the Issuer have any right to require the registration of any
securities of the Issuer or to participate in any such registration.

                  4.4 No Conflicts. The issuance and sale of the Securities to
the Purchaser as contemplated hereby and the performance of this Agreement and
the Warrant will not violate or conflict with the Issuer's Articles of
Incorporation or By-laws or any agreements to which the Issuer is a party or by
which it is otherwise bound or, to the Issuer's knowledge, any statute, rule or
regulation (federal, state, local or foreign) to which it is subject.

                  4.5 SEC Documents. The Issuer has provided the Annual Report,
the Quarterly Report and the Proxy Statement to the Purchaser. As of the date
hereof, the Annual Report, the Quarterly Report and the Proxy Statement do not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to

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make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading. The financial statements of the Issuer included in the
Annual Report and the financial statements dated as of March 31, 2000 heretofore
delivered to the Purchaser have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods
involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly present
the financial position of the Issuer as of the dates thereof and the results of
its operations and cash flows for the periods then ended. The Issuer has
included in the Annual Report all material agreements, contracts and other
documents that it reasonably believes are required to be filed as exhibits to
the Annual Report.

                  4.6 Litigation. There is no litigation or other legal,
administrative or governmental proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the
Issuer, threatened against or relating to the Issuer or its properties or
business, that if determined adversely to the Issuer may reasonably be expected
to have a material adverse effect on the present or future operations or
financial condition of the Issuer.

                  4.7 No Material Adverse Change. Since the date of the
Quarterly Report, there has not been any material adverse change in the
business, operations, properties, prospects, assets, or condition of the Issuer,
and no event has occurred or circumstance exits that may result in such a
material adverse change.

                  4.8 Environmental Matters.

                           (a) Except as would not be reasonably likely to have
a material adverse effect change in the business, operations, properties,
prospects, assets, or condition of the Issuer: (i) to Issuer's knowledge, Issuer
has complied with all applicable Environmental Laws (as defined in Section
4.8(b)); (ii) to Issuer's knowledge, Issuer is not subject to liability for any
Hazardous Substance disposal or contamination on any third party property; (iii)
to Issuer's knowledge, Issuer has not been associated with any release or threat
of release of any Hazardous Substance; (v) Issuer has not received any notice,
demand, letter, claim or request for information alleging that Issuer may be in
violation of or liable under any Environmental Law; (vi) Issuer is not subject
to any orders, decrees, injunctions or other arrangements with any Governmental
Entity or is subject to any indemnity or other agreement with any third party
relating to liability under any Environmental Law or relating to Hazardous
Substances; and (vii) there are no circumstances or conditions involving Issuer
that could reasonably be expected to result in any claims, liability,
investigations, costs or restrictions on the ownership, use or transfer of any
property of Issuer pursuant to any Environmental Law.

                           (b) For purposes of this Agreement, the term
"Environmental Law" means any federal, state, local or foreign law, regulation,
order, decree, permit, authorization, opinion, common law or agency requirement
relating to: (A) the protection, investigation or restoration of the
environment, health and safety, or natural resources, (B) the handling, use,
presence, disposal, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Substance or
(C) noise, odor, wetlands, pollution, contamination or any injury or threat of
injury to persons or property.

                           (c) For purposes of this Agreement, the term
"Hazardous Substance" means any substance that is: (A) listed, classified or
regulated pursuant to any Environmental

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Law; (B) any petroleum product or by-product, asbestos-containing material,
lead-containing paint or plumbing, polychlorinated biphenyls, radioactive
materials or radon; or (C) any other substance which is the subject of
regulatory action by any governmental entity pursuant to any Environmental Law.

                  4.9 Equity Sales Since November 5, 1999. All shares of common
stock sold by Issuer since November 5, 1999, the purchasers thereof, the number
of shares purchased and the dollar amount paid by each purchaser are set forth
on Schedule 4.9.

                  4.10 Truth and Accuracy. All representations and warranties
made by the Issuer in this Agreement are true and accurate as of the date hereof
and shall be true and accurate as of the date the Issuer issues the Securities.
If at any time prior to the issuance of the Securities any representation or
warranty shall not be true and accurate in any respect, the Issuer shall so
notify the Purchaser.

         5. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER.

                  5.1 Resale Restrictions. The Purchaser understands that the
offer and sale of the Securities to the Purchaser has not been registered under
the Securities Act or under any State Laws. The Purchaser agrees not to offer,
sell or otherwise transfer the Securities, or any interest in the Securities,
unless (i) the offer and sale is registered under the Securities Act, (ii) the
Securities may be sold in accordance with the applicable requirements and
limitations of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and any applicable State Laws
and, if the Issuer reasonably requests, the Purchaser delivers to the Issuer an
opinion of counsel to such effect, or (iii) the Purchaser delivers to the Issuer
an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer that the offer and
sale is otherwise exempt from Securities Act registration. Notwithstanding the
foregoing subsections (ii) and (iii), no opinion shall be required for transfers
by Purchaser to Purchaser's affiliates.

                  5.2 Restrictive Legend. The Purchaser understands and agrees
that a legend in substantially the following form will be placed on the
certificates or other documents representing the Securities:

        "THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
        UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR
        UNDER ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR
        OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS (i) THE OFFER AND SALE IS REGISTERED UNDER
        THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (ii) THE OFFER AND SALE IS EXEMPT FROM SECURITIES
        ACT REGISTRATION AND THE TERMS OF SECTION 5.1 OF THE SECURITIES PURCHASE
        AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO WHICH THE SECURITIES WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED
        HAVE BEEN COMPLIED WITH. (A COPY OF THE SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT IS
        ON FILE AT THE CORPORATE OFFICE OF THE ISSUER.)"

                  5.3 Illiquid Investment. The Purchaser acknowledges that it
must bear the economic risk of its investment in the Securities for an
indefinite period of time, until such time as the Securities are registered or
as an exemption from registration is available. The Purchaser

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acknowledges that the soonest that the Rule 144 exemption from registration
could become available would be after the Purchaser has paid for and held the
Securities for one year.

         6. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.

                  6.1 Demand Registration Rights.

                           (a) Purchaser shall be entitled to make a request for
registration under the Securities Act of Warrant Shares (the "Registerable
Securities") in an aggregate amount equal to the number of Warrant Shares then
issued to Purchaser (a "Demand Registration"). Within 120 days of the receipt of
a written request for a Demand Registration, the Issuer shall file with the SEC
and use its best efforts to cause to become effective under the Securities Act a
registration statement with respect to such Registerable Securities (a "Demand
Registration Statement"). Any such request will specify the number of
Registerable Securities proposed to be sold and will also specify the intended
method of disposition thereof. The Issuer shall be required to register
Registerable Securities pursuant to this Section 6.1 only once. The Issuer shall
use diligence to maintain the effectiveness of the Demand Registration Statement
until the earlier to occur of (i) the date which is one year from the effective
date of the Demand Registration Statement, (ii) the date on which all of the
Warrant Shares have been sold by the Purchaser or (iii) the date on which the
Warrant Shares can be resold in full over a three-month period pursuant to SEC
Rule 144.

                  Subject to Section 6.1(b) hereof, no other securities of the
Issuer except securities held by Purchaser, any persons with "demand"
registration rights pursuant to a contractual commitment of the Issuer ("Demand
Right Holder"), and any Person entitled to exercise "piggy back" registration
rights pursuant to contractual commitments of the Issuer shall be included in a
Demand Registration.

                           (b) In a registration pursuant to Section 6.1(a)
hereof involving an underwritten offering, if the managing underwriter or
underwriters of such underwritten offering have informed, in writing, the Issuer
and the Purchaser that in such underwriter's or underwriters' opinion the total
number of securities which the Purchaser and any other person desiring to
participate in such registration intend to include in such offering is such as
to adversely affect the success of such offering, including the price at which
such securities can be sold, then the Issuer will be required to include in such
registration only the amount of securities which it is so advised should be
included in such registration. In such event, securities shall be registered in
such registration in the following order of priority: (i) first, the
Registerable Securities which have been requested to be included in such
registration by the Purchaser and person(s) exercising demand registration
rights (whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise) (pro rata based on the
amount of securities sought to be registered by such Persons), (ii) second,
provided that no securities sought to be included by the Purchasers and the
Demand Right Holders have been excluded from such registration, the securities
of other persons entitled to exercise "piggy-back" registration rights pursuant
to contractual commitments of the Issuer (pro rata based on the amount of
securities sought to be registered by such Persons) and (iii) third, securities
the Issuer proposes to register.

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                           (c) A Demand Registration Statement will not be
deemed to have been effected as a Demand Registration unless it has been
declared effective by the SEC and the Issuer has complied in a timely manner and
in all material respects with all of its obligations under this Agreement with
respect thereto; provided, however, that if, after such Demand Registration
Statement has become effective, the offering of Registerable Securities pursuant
to such Registration Statement is or becomes the subject of any stop order,
injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental or
administrative agency or court that prevents, restrains or otherwise limits the
sale of Registerable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration Statement
for any reason not attributable to Purchaser and such Demand Registration
Statement has not become effective within a reasonable time period thereafter
(not to exceed 60 days), such Demand Registration Statement will be deemed not
to have been effected. If (i) a registration requested pursuant to this Section
6.1 is deemed not to have been effected or (ii) a Demand Registration does not
remain effective under the Securities Act until at least the earlier of (A) an
aggregate of 90 days after the effective date thereof or (B) the consummation of
the distribution by the Purchaser of 80% of Purchaser's Registerable Securities
covered thereby, then the Issuer shall continue to be obligated to effect a
Demand Registration pursuant to this Section 6.1. For purposes of calculating
the 90-day period referred to in the preceding sentence, any period of time
during which such Demand Registration Statement was not in effect shall be
excluded.

                  6.2 Piggy-Back Registration Rights.

                           (a) At any time a Demand Registration Statement is
not in effect with respect to all Registerable Securities and the Issuer
proposes to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect
to an offering by the Issuer for its own account or for the account of any of
its security holders of any class of its common stock in a firmly underwritten
public equity offering (other than (i) a registration statement on Form S-4 or
S-8 (or any substitute form that may be adopted by the SEC) or (ii) a
registration statement filed in connection with an exchange offer or offering of
securities solely to the Issuer's existing security holders), then the Issuer
shall give written notice of such proposed filing to the Purchaser as soon as
practicable (but in no event fewer than 30 days before the anticipated filing
date), and such notice shall offer Purchaser the opportunity to register such
number of Registerable Securities as Purchaser may request in writing within 15
days after receipt of such written notice from the Issuer (which request shall
specify the shares intended to be disposed of by Purchaser) (a "Piggy-Back
Registration"). The Issuer shall use its best efforts to keep such Piggy-Back
Registration continuously effective under the Securities Act until at least the
earlier of (A) the 90th day after the effective date thereof or (B) the
consummation of the distribution by the holders of all of the securities covered
thereby. The Issuer shall use its best efforts to cause the managing underwriter
or underwriters, if any, of such proposed offering to permit the Registerable
Securities requested by Purchaser to be included in a Piggy-Back Registration to
be included on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the
Issuer or any other security holder included therein and to permit the sale or
other disposition of such Registerable Securities in accordance with the
intended method of distribution thereof. Purchaser shall have the right to
withdraw its request for inclusion of its Registerable Securities in any
Registration Statement pursuant to this Section 6.2 by giving written notice to
the Issuer of its request to withdraw. The Issuer may withdraw the proposed
offering and/or a Piggy-Back Registration at any time prior to the time it
becomes effective or the Issuer may elect to delay the registration; provided,
however,

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that the Issuer shall give prompt written notice thereof to Purchaser; provided,
further, that the Issuer shall not withdraw a Piggy-Back Registration request
from the Purchaser unless any and all piggy-back registration requests of other
security holders are also withdrawn.

                  No registration effected under this Section 6.2, and no
failure to effect a registration under this Section 6.2, shall relieve the
Issuer of its obligation to effect a registration upon the request of Purchaser
pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof, and no failure to effect a registration under
this Section 6.2 and to complete the sale of securities registered thereunder in
connection therewith shall relieve the Issuer of any other obligation under this
Agreement.

                           (b) In a registration pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof
involving an underwritten offering, if the managing underwriter or underwriters
of such underwritten offering have informed, in writing, the Issuer and the
security holders requesting inclusion in such offering that in such
underwriter's or underwriters' opinion the total number of securities which the
Issuer, the Purchaser and any other persons desiring to participate in such
registration intend to include in such offering is such as to adversely affect
the success of such offering, including the price at which such securities can
be sold, then the Issuer will be required to include in such registration only
the amount of securities which it is so advised should be included in such
registration. In such event: (x) in cases initially involving the registration
for sale of securities for the Issuer's own account, securities shall be
registered in such offering in the following order of priority: (i) first, the
securities which the Issuer proposes to register and (ii) second, the securities
which have been requested to be included in such registration by persons
entitled to exercise "piggy-back" registration rights pursuant to contractual
commitments of the Issuer (pro rata based on the amount of securities sought to
be registered by such persons); and (y) in cases not initially involving the
registration for sale of securities for the Issuer's own account, securities
shall be registered in such offering in the following order of priority: (i)
first, the securities of any Demand Right Holder whose exercise of a demand
registration right is the basis for the registration, (ii) second, securities of
other persons entitled to exercise "piggy-back" registration rights pursuant to
contractual commitments (pro rata based on the amount of securities sought to be
registered by such Persons) and (iii) third, the securities which the Issuer
proposes to register.

                  6.3 Delivery of Prospectus. Following effectiveness of any
registration statement filed by Issuer pursuant to Sections 6.1 or 6.2 of this
Agreement ("a Registration Statement"), the Issuer shall furnish to the
Purchaser a prospectus as well as such other documents as the Purchaser may
reasonably request.

                  6.4 Third Party Registration Rights. Without the written
consent of the Purchaser, the Issuer shall not grant to any person the right to
request the Issuer to register any securities of the Issuer under the Securities
Act unless the rights so granted are subject to the prior rights of the
Purchaser set forth herein, and are not otherwise in conflict or inconsistent
with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, that the Issuer has granted the
registration rights set forth on Schedule 4.3(c) hereto and may grant rights
that are pari passu with the rights of the holders of the Issuer's Series A
preferred stock in connection with the issuance of common stock upon conversion
of the Issuer's Series B preferred stock.

                                       9
<PAGE>   13

                  6.5 Registration in Other Jurisdictions. The Issuer shall use
diligent efforts to (i) register or otherwise qualify the common stock covered
by the Registration Statement for sale under the securities laws of such
jurisdictions as the Purchaser may reasonably request, (ii) prepare and file in
those jurisdictions such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and
supplements as may be required, (iii) take such other actions as may be
necessary to maintain such registrations and/or qualifications in effect at all
times while the Registration Statement is likewise maintained effective and (iv)
take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Warrant
Shares for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Issuer shall
not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (I) qualify
to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to
qualify but for this Section 6.5, (II) subject itself to general taxation in any
such jurisdiction, (III) file a general consent to service of process in any
such jurisdiction, (IV) provide any undertakings that cause more than nominal
expense or burden to the Issuer or (V) make any change in its certificate of
incorporation or bylaws, which in each case the Board determines to be contrary
to the best interests of the Issuer and its stockholders.

                  6.6 Notice of Material Events. The Issuer shall, following
effectiveness of the Registration Statement, as promptly as practicable after
becoming aware of any such event, notify the Purchaser of the happening of any
event of which the Issuer has knowledge, as a result of which the prospectus
included in the Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue
statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and use its best
efforts promptly to prepare a supplement or amendment to the Registration
Statement to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver a number of
copies of such supplement or amendment to the Purchaser or as the Purchaser may
reasonably request. The Issuer may voluntarily suspend once the effectiveness of
a Registration Statement for a limited time, which in no event shall be longer
than 90 days, if the Issuer has been advised by legal counsel that the offering
of common stock pursuant to the Registration Statement would adversely affect,
or would be improper in view of (or improper without disclosure in a
prospectus), a proposed financing, a reorganization, recapitalization, merger,
consolidation, or similar transaction involving the Issuer or its subsidiaries,
in which event the one year period referred to in clause (i) of Section 6.1(a)
shall be extended for an additional period of time beyond such one year period
equal to the number of days the effectiveness thereof has been suspended
pursuant to this sentence.

                  6.7 Notice of Suspension of Effectiveness. Following
effectiveness of a Registration Statement, the Issuer, as promptly as
practicable after becoming aware of any such event, will notify the Purchaser of
the issuance by the SEC of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness
of the Registration Statement at the earliest possible time.

                  6.8 Listing of Common Stock on Securities Exchanges. Following
effectiveness of a Registration Statement, the Issuer will use diligence either
to (i) cause all the common stock covered by the Registration Statement to be
listed on each national securities exchange on which similar securities issued
by the Issuer are then listed, if any, if the listing of such common stock is
then permitted under the rules of such exchange, or (ii) secure the quotation of
all the common stock covered by the Registration Statement on The Nasdaq
SmallCap Market, if the listing of such common stock is then permitted under the
rules of such

                                       10
<PAGE>   14

The Nasdaq SmallCap Market, or (iii) if, despite the Issuer's best efforts to
satisfy the preceding clause (i) or (ii), the Issuer is unsuccessful in
satisfying the preceding clause (i) or (ii) and without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, to use its best efforts to arrange for at least two market
makers to register with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. as
such with respect to such common stock.

                  6.9 Further Assurances. It shall be a condition precedent to
the obligations of the Issuer to take any action pursuant to this Article 6 that
the Purchaser shall furnish to the Issuer such information regarding itself as
the Issuer may reasonably request to effect the registration of the common stock
and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the
Issuer may reasonably request.

                  6.10 Cooperation. The Purchaser agrees to cooperate with the
Issuer in any manner reasonably requested by the Issuer in connection with the
preparation and filing of a Registration Statement hereunder.

                  6.11 Discontinuation of Disposition of Shares. The Purchaser
agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Issuer of the happening of any
event of the kind described in Section 6.6 or 6.7, the Purchaser will
immediately discontinue disposition of the Warrant Shares pursuant to an
effective Registration Statement until the Purchaser's receipt of notice from
the Issuer that sales may resume and copies of the supplemented or amended
prospectus and, if so directed by the Issuer, shall deliver to the Issuer (at
the expense of the Issuer) or destroy (and deliver to the Issuer a certificate
of destruction) all copies in the Purchaser's possession of the prospectus
covering such common stock current at the time of receipt of such notice.

                  6.12 Expenses. All expenses, other than (i) underwriting
discounts and commissions, (ii) other fees and expenses of investment bankers
and (iii) brokerage commissions, in each case incurred in connection with
registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to this Article 6, including,
without limitation, all registration, listing and qualification fees, printing
and accounting fees and the fees and disbursements of counsel to the Issuer,
shall be borne by the Issuer.

                  6.13 Indemnification of Purchaser. To the extent permitted by
law, the Issuer will indemnify and hold harmless the Purchaser, its directors
and officers, each person, if any, who is under common control with the
Purchaser within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), any underwriter (as defined in the
Securities Act) for the Purchaser, the officers and directors of such
underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any such underwriter within
the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (each, an "Indemnified
Person"), against any losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities (joint or
several) (collectively, "Claims") to which any of them may become subject under
the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claims (or
actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof)
arise out of or are based upon any of the following statements, omissions or
violations in a Registration Statement, or any post effective amendment thereof,
or any prospectus included therein: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement or any post
effective amendment thereof or the omission or alleged omission to state therein
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, (ii) any

                                       11
<PAGE>   15

untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
preliminary prospectus if used prior to the effective date of a Registration
Statement, or contained in the final prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if
the Issuer files any amendment thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or
the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to
make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which the
statements therein were made, not misleading or (iii) any violation or alleged
violation by the Issuer of the Securities Act, any state securities law or any
rule or regulation under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state
securities law (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Violations"). Subject to the
restrictions set forth in Section 6.15 with respect to the number of legal
counsel, the Issuer shall reimburse the Purchaser and each such underwriter or
controlling person, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and
payable, for any reasonable legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by
them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnity
contained in this Section 6.13 (I) shall not apply to a Claim arising out of or
based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished in writing to the Issuer by any Indemnified Person or
underwriter for such Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with the
preparation of a Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or
supplement thereto; (II) with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not
inure to the benefit of any person from whom the person asserting any Claim
purchased the Warrant Shares that are the subject thereof (or to the benefit of
any person controlling such person) if the untrue statement or omission of
material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus was corrected in the
prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, if such final prospectus was timely
made available by the Issuer, and (III) shall not apply to amounts paid in
settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written
consent of the Issuer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such
indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation
made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of
the Warrant Shares by the Purchaser.

                  6.14 Indemnification of Issuer. The Purchaser agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless, to the same extent and in the same manner set forth
in Section 6.13, the Issuer, each of its directors, each of its officers who
signs a Registration Statement, each person, if any, who controls the Issuer
within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, any underwriter
and any other stockholder selling securities pursuant to a Registration
Statement or any of its directors or officers or any person who controls such
stockholder or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act (each such person and each Indemnified Person, an "Indemnified
Party"), against any Claim to which any of them may become subject, under the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim arises out
of or is based upon any Violation by the Purchaser, in each case to the extent
(and only to the extent) that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Issuer by the Purchaser
expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement or such
prospectus; and the Purchaser will reimburse any reasonable legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by any Indemnified Party in connection with
investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity
contained in this Section 6.14 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of
any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of
the Purchaser, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided,
further, that the Purchaser shall be liable under this Section 6.14 for only
that amount of a Claim as does

                                       12
<PAGE>   16

not exceed the net proceeds to the Purchaser as a result of the sale of the
Warrant Shares pursuant to any such Registration Statement or such prospectus.
Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive
the transfer of the Warrant Shares (or underlying securities) by the Purchaser.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein the indemnity
contained in this Section 6.14 with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall
not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Party if the untrue statement or
omission of material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus was corrected
on a timely basis in the prospectus, as then amended or supplemented.

                  6.15 Participation in Indemnified Claims. Promptly after
receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under Section 6.13 or 6.14
of notice of the commencement of any action (including any governmental action),
such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect
thereof is made against any indemnifying party under this Article 6, deliver to
the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the
indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent
the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party
similarly noticed, assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually
satisfactory to the indemnifying parties; provided, however, that an Indemnified
Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, with
the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the
reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying party, the
representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party
and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential
differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any
other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. Except as provided
in the preceding sentence, the Issuer shall pay for only one separate legal
counsel for the Indemnified Persons. The failure to deliver written notice to
the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such
action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Article 6, except to the
extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend such
action. The indemnity required by this Article 6 shall be made by periodic
payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or
defense, as such expense, loss, damage or liability is incurred and is due and
payable.

         7. RELIANCE. Each of the Purchaser and the Issuer understand and agree
that the other party and its respective officers, directors, employees and
agents may, and will, rely on the accuracy of the other party's respective
representations and warranties in this Agreement to establish compliance with
applicable securities laws. Each of the Purchaser and the Issuer agree to
indemnify and hold harmless all such parties against all losses, claims, costs,
expenses and damages or liabilities which they may suffer or incur caused or
arising from their reliance on such representations and warranties.

         8. MISCELLANEOUS.

                  8.1 Survival. The representations and warranties made in this
Agreement shall survive the closing of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.

                                       13
<PAGE>   17

                  8.2 Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement is not
transferable or assignable, except that the rights of Purchaser set forth in
Section 6 hereof shall be transferable to an affiliate of Purchaser and any
transferee of Purchaser's Securities who receives at least 30% of the Securities
to be issued hereby.

                  8.3 Execution and Delivery of Agreement. The Issuer shall be
entitled to rely on delivery by facsimile transmission of an executed copy of
this Agreement, and acceptance by the Issuer of such facsimile copy shall create
a valid and binding agreement between the Purchaser and the Issuer.

                  8.4 Titles. The titles of the sections and subsections of this
Agreement are for the convenience of reference only and are not to be considered
in construing this Agreement.

                  8.5 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
particular provision of this Agreement shall not affect or limit the validity or
enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

                  8.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the subject
matters herein and supersedes and replaces any prior agreements and
understandings, whether oral or written, between them with respect to such
matters.

                  8.7 Waiver and Amendment. Except as otherwise provided herein,
the provisions of this Agreement may be waived, altered, amended or repealed, in
whole or in part, only upon the mutual written agreement of the Purchaser and
the Issuer.

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

                  8.9 Governing Law. This Agreement is governed by and shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada.

                                       14
<PAGE>   18

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement as of the date first above mentioned.

THE "ISSUER"                           THE "PURCHASER"

CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY             FAIRFIELD INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED
By: /s/ KENNETH R. PEAK                By: /s/ MARC LAWRENCE
   -------------------------------        -----------------------------
   Kenneth R. Peak                        Marc Lawrence
   President and Chief Executive          Senior Vice President
   Officer

Address: 3700 Buffalo Speedway         Address: 14100 Southwest Freeway
         Suite 960                              Suite 600
         Houston, Texas  77098                  Sugarland, Texas 77478

                                       15
<PAGE>   19

                                   EXHIBIT A
                                 FORM OF WARRANT

                                     WARRANT
                           TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK OF
                           CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY
                              A NEVADA CORPORATION
                                 (THE "COMPANY")

                            EXPIRING AUGUST 24, 2005

         THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
         UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR
         UNDER ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, OR
         OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS (i) THE OFFER AND SALE IS REGISTERED UNDER
         THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (ii) THE OFFER AND SALE IS EXEMPT FROM
         SECURITIES ACT REGISTRATION AND THE TERMS OF SECTION 5.1 OF THE
         SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO WHICH THE SECURITIES WERE
         ORIGINALLY PURCHASED HAVE BEEN COMPLIED WITH. (A COPY OF THE SECURITIES
         PURCHASE AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT THE CORPORATE OFFICE OF THE COMPANY.)

                            THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT:

        Fairfield Industries Incorporated, a Delaware corporation ("HOLDER"), or
registered assigns, is entitled to purchase from the Company at any time and
from time to time on and after the date hereof but not later than 5 p.m.,
Central Standard Time, on August 24, 2005 (the "EXPIRATION DATE"), One Hundred
Twenty Five Thousand (125,000) Stock Units, in whole or in part, at a per Stock
Unit purchase price at any date equal to the Purchase Price (as defined below),
all on the terms and conditions hereinbelow provided.

         Section 1. Certain Definitions. Initially capitalized terms not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the
Securities Purchase Agreement. As used in this Warrant:

                  "5-DAY AVERAGE PRICE" per share of Common Stock, for purposes
of any provision herein at the date specified in such provision, shall mean the
average closing price of the Common Stock on the securities exchange or other
national market system on which the Common Stock is then traded over the
5-trading day period immediately prior to such date or, if the Common Stock is
not then traded on a securities exchange or national market system, the average
of the bid and asked prices on the over-the-counter market on which the Common
Stock is then traded as of the close of such market over the 5-trading day
period immediately prior to such date.

                  "30-DAY AVERAGE PRICE" per share of Common Stock, for purposes
of any provision herein at the date specified in such provision, shall mean the
average closing

                                       1
<PAGE>   20

price of the Common Stock on the securities exchange or other national market
system on which the Common Stock is then listed over the 30-trading day period
immediately prior to such date or, if the Common Stock is not then traded on a
securities exchange or national market system, the average of the bid and asked
prices on the over-the-counter market on which the Common Stock is then traded
as of the close of such market over the 30-trading day period immediately prior
to such date.

                  "ADDITIONAL SHARES OF COMMON STOCK" shall mean all shares of
Common Stock issued by the Company after the Closing Date other than (i) any
shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the outstanding warrants and options
listed on Attachment 1, (ii) shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to options
to purchase Common Stock issued pursuant to the Company's 1999 Stock Incentive
Plan, including those options issued to date and listed on Attachment 1, in an
aggregate amount not to exceed 5,000,000 shares, (iii) any shares of Common
Stock issued upon the exercise of options granted to Juneau Exploration Company
LLC ("JEX") pursuant to the Company's exploration agreement with JEX dated
September 1, 1999, as amended, (iv) any shares of Common Stock issued to Glen
Dillon in a number not to exceed 1,250 per month, (v) any shares of Common Stock
issued upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock issued to the Trust Company
of the West, in its capacities as Investment Manager and Custodian ("TCW"), (vi)
any shares of Common Stock issued to William Gibbons, the Company's treasurer
and assistant secretary, in a number not to exceed 2,000 shares per month
through December 31, 2000, (vii) any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to
warrants to purchase up to 125,000 shares of Common Stock issued to Fairfield
Industries Incorporated on or prior to the Closing Date, (viii) any shares of
Common Stock issued pursuant to warrants to purchase up to 125,000 shares of
Common Stock issued to JEX on or prior to the Closing Date, (ix) any shares of
Common Stock issued pursuant to warrants to purchase up to 250,000 shares of
Common Stock issued to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe doing business as the
Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund ("SUIT") on or prior to the Closing Date,
(x) any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to warrants to purchase up to
500,000 shares of Common Stock issued to TCW on or prior to the Closing Date,
(xi) any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to options granted to SUIT on a
quarterly basis to the same extent such options are granted to the Company's
outside directors under the 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, (xii) any shares of
Common Stock issued pursuant to options granted to TCW on a quarterly basis to
the same extent such options are granted to the Company's outside directors
under the 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, (xiii) any shares of Common Stock issued
upon conversion of the Company's Series B Preferred Stock at a conversion price
per share of not less than $2.00, which Series B Preferred Stock shall be
designated, issued and sold prior to June 30, 2001 for an aggregate purchase
price not to exceed $7,500,000, and (xiv) any shares of Common Stock issued
pursuant to a 401(k) or other qualified retirement plan for the officers,
directors or employees of the Company and its affiliates in an aggregate amount
not to exceed 100,000 shares.

                  "AGGREGATE PURCHASE PRICE" shall have the meaning given in
Section 2 below.

                  "APPRAISED VALUE" shall mean the fair market value of all
outstanding Common Stock, as determined by a written appraisal (the "APPRAISAL")
prepared by a national or major regional investment bank acceptable to the Board
of Directors of the

                                       2
<PAGE>   21

Company and the Holder. "Fair market value" is defined for this purpose as the
price in a single transaction determined on a going-concern basis that would be
agreed upon by the most likely hypothetical buyer for 100% of the equity capital
of the Company. In the event that the Company and Holder cannot, in good faith,
agree upon an investment bank, then the Company, on the one hand, and Holder, on
the other hand, shall each select an investment bank, the two investment banks
so selected shall select a third investment bank who shall be directed to
prepare the Appraisal and the term Appraised Value shall mean the appraised
value set forth in the Appraisal prepared in accordance with this definition.
The Company shall pay for the cost of any such Appraisal.

                  "BOARD OF DIRECTORS" shall mean the duly appointed board of
directors of the Company.

                  "BUSINESS DAY" shall mean a day, other than a Saturday, Sunday
or legal holiday on which commercial banks are authorized or obligated by law or
executive order to close in the States of Texas or California.

                  "CLOSING DATE" shall mean August 24, 2000.

                  "COMMISSION" shall mean the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

                  "COMMON STOCK" shall mean the Company's authorized common
stock, $.04 par value per share, irrespective of class unless otherwise
specified, as constituted on the date of original issuance of this Warrant, and
any stock into which such common stock may thereafter be changed, and shall also
include stock of the Company of any other class which is not preferred as to
dividends or assets over any other class of stock of the Company and which is
not subject to redemption, issued to the holders of shares of Common Stock upon
any reclassification thereof.

                  "CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES" shall mean evidences of indebtedness,
shares of stock or other securities which are convertible into or exchangeable
for Additional Shares of Common Stock, either immediately or upon the arrival of
a specified date or the happening of a specified event.

                  "CURRENT MARKET PRICE" per share of Common Stock for the
purposes of any provision of this Warrant at a date herein specified, shall mean
the greater of (i) the 30-Day Average Price of the Common Stock or (ii) the
5-Day Average Price of the Common Stock; provided, that if the Current Market
Price per share of Common Stock cannot be ascertained by such methods, then the
Current Market Price per share of Common Stock shall be deemed to be the greater
of (i) the net book value per share of Common Stock, determined in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, or (ii) the fair value per share
of Common Stock determined pursuant to the Appraised Value.

                  "CURRENT WARRANT PRICE" per share of Common Stock, for the
purpose of any provision of this Warrant at the date herein specified, shall
mean the amount equal to the quotient resulting from dividing the Purchase Price
per Stock Unit in effect on such date by the number of shares (including any
fractional share) of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit on such date.

                                       3
<PAGE>   22

                  "PERSON" shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership,
association, joint stock company, trust or trustee thereof, estate or executor
thereof, unincorporated organization or joint venture, court or governmental
unit or any agency or subdivision thereof, or any other legally recognizable
entity.

                  "PURCHASE PRICE" shall mean $1.00 per Stock Unit.

                  "SECURITIES ACT" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or any similar federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

                  "STOCK UNIT" shall mean one share of Common Stock, as such
Common Stock was constituted on the date of original issue of this Warrant and
thereafter shall mean such number of shares (including any fractional shares) of
Common Stock as shall result from the adjustments specified in Section 4 of this
Warrant.

                  "WARRANT" shall mean this Warrant, evidencing rights to
purchase shares of Common Stock, and all Warrants issued upon transfer, division
or combination of, or in substitution for, this Warrant. All Warrants shall at
all times be identical as to terms and conditions and date, except as to the
Common Stock for which they may be exercised.

                  "WARRANT STOCK" shall mean the shares of Common Stock
purchasable by the Holder upon the exercise hereof.

         Section 2. Exercise of Warrant. The holder of this Warrant may, at any
time on or after the date hereof but not later than the Expiration Date,
exercise this Warrant in whole or in part for the number of Stock Units which
such holder is then entitled to purchase hereunder (the "Eligible Stock Units").
In order to exercise this Warrant, in whole or in part, the holder hereof shall
deliver to the Company at its office maintained for such purpose pursuant to
Section 16: (i) a written notice of such holder's election to exercise this
Warrant, (ii) this Warrant, and (iii) the total purchase price for the shares
being purchased upon such exercise by (a) delivery in cash, by wire transfer or
certified or official bank check of immediately available funds in an amount
equal to the product of the Purchase Price multiplied by the number of Stock
Units being purchased upon such exercise (the "AGGREGATE PURCHASE PRICE"), (b)
by delivery of shares of Common Stock held by the Holder having a Current Market
Price equal to the Aggregate Purchase Price or (c) to the extent permitted by
applicable law, the delivery of a notice to the Company that the Holder is
exercising the Warrant without payment of the Purchase Price by authorizing the
Company to deliver the number of shares of Warrant Stock issuable upon exercise
of the Warrant to be determined based upon the following formula:

         ((MP - WP) x WS)/MP = the number of shares of Warrant Stock issuable
                               upon exercise of this Warrant without payment of
                               the Purchase Price

        WHERE:

               MP = Current Market Price

                                       4
<PAGE>   23

               WP = Current Warrant Price

               WS = The number of shares of Warrant Stock issuable upon
                    exercise of this Warrant (in whole or in part).

Such notice may be in the form of the Subscription set out at the end of this
Warrant. Upon receipt thereof, the Company shall, as promptly as practicable and
in any event within ten (10) Business Days thereafter, cause to be executed and
delivered to such holder a certificate or certificates representing the
aggregate number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Warrant Stock
issuable upon such exercise. In the event the holder of this Warrant elects to
exercise this Warrant with respect to less than all of the then Eligible Stock
Units, the Company shall also return to the holder this Warrant marked to show
the remaining Stock Units eligible to be exercised.

The stock certificate or certificates for Warrant Stock so delivered shall be
endorsed with a legend in the form contained in Section 5 of the Securities
Purchase Agreement and shall be in such denominations as may be specified in
said notice and shall be registered in the name of such holder or such other
name or names as shall be designated in said notice. Such certificate or
certificates shall be deemed to have been issued and such holder or any other
Person so designated to be named therein shall be deemed to have become a holder
of record of such shares, including to the extent permitted by law the right to
vote such shares or to consent or to receive notice as a stockholder, as of the
time said notice is received by the Company as aforesaid.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 8 hereof, the Company shall pay all
expenses, transfer taxes and other charges payable in connection with the
preparation, issue and delivery of stock certificates under this Section 2,
except that, in case such stock certificates shall be registered in a name or
names other than the name of the holder of this Warrant, funds sufficient to pay
all stock transfer taxes which shall be payable upon the issuance of such stock
certificate or certificates shall be paid by the holder hereof at the time of
delivering the notice of exercise mentioned above.

All shares of Warrant Stock issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and free from all liens and other
encumbrances thereon.

The Company will not close its books against the transfer of this Warrant or of
any share of Warrant Stock in any manner which interferes with the timely
exercise of this Warrant. With the consent of the holder of this Warrant, the
Company will from time to time take all such action as may be necessary to
assure that the par value per share of the unissued Common Stock acquirable upon
exercise of this Warrant is at all times equal to or less than the Current
Warrant Price per share of Common Stock then in effect.

No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued
upon the exercise of this Warrant. If the exercise of this Warrant results in a
required issuance of a fraction of a share, an amount equal to such fraction
multiplied by the Current Market Price per share of Common Stock on the day of
delivery of notice of exercise to the Company shall be paid to the holder of
this Warrant in cash by the Company.

                                       5
<PAGE>   24

         Section 3. Transfer, Division and Combination. Subject to Section 10,
this Warrant and all rights hereunder are transferable, in whole or in part, on
the books of the Company to be maintained for such purpose, upon surrender of
this Warrant at the office of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant
to Section 16, together with a written assignment of this Warrant duly executed
by the holder hereof or its agent or attorney and payment of funds sufficient to
pay any stock transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such
surrender and payment the Company shall, subject to Section 10, execute and
deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees and
in the denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and this
Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. If and when this Warrant is assigned in
blank (in case the restrictions on transferability in Section 10 shall have been
terminated), the Company may (but shall not be obliged to) treat the bearer
hereof as the absolute owner of this Warrant for all purposes and the Company
shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary. This Warrant, if properly
assigned in compliance with this Section 3 and Section 10, may be exercised by
an assignee for the purchase of shares of Common Stock without having a new
Warrant issued.

This Warrant may, subject to Section 10, be divided or combined with other
Warrants upon presentation at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with
a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants
are to be issued, signed by the holder hereof or its agent or attorney. Subject
to compliance with the preceding paragraph and with Section 10, as to any
transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company
shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant
or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice.

The Company shall pay all expenses, taxes (other than income taxes, if any, of
the transferee) and other charges incurred by the Company in the performance of
its obligations in connection with the preparation, issue and delivery of
Warrants under this Section 3.

The Company agrees to maintain at its aforesaid office books for the
registration and transfer of the Warrants.

         Section 4. Adjustment of Stock Unit. The number of shares of Common
Stock comprising a Stock Unit shall be subject to adjustment from time to time
as set forth in this Section 4 with respect to any fact or event described
herein occurring after the date hereof. The Company will not create any class of
Common Stock which carries any rights to dividends or assets differing in any
respect from the rights of the Common Stock on the date hereof. Anything
contained in this Section 4 notwithstanding, any adjustment made pursuant to any
provision of this Section 4 shall be made without duplication of an adjustment
otherwise required by and made pursuant to another provision of this Section 4
on account of the same facts or events.

                  A. Stock Dividends, Subdivisions and Combinations. In case at
any time or from time to time the Company shall:

                                       6
<PAGE>   25

                           (1) take a record of the holders of its Common Stock
         for the purpose of entitling them to receive a dividend payable in, or
         other distribution of, Common Stock, or

                           (2) subdivide its outstanding shares of Common Stock
         into a larger number of shares of Common Stock, or

                           (3) combine its outstanding shares of Common Stock
         into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock,

then the number of shares of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit immediately
after the happening of any event described in clauses (1) through (3) above
shall be adjusted so as to consist of the number of shares of Common Stock which
a record holder of the number of shares of Common Stock constituting a Stock
Unit immediately prior to the happening of such event would own or be entitled
to receive after the happening of event described in clauses (1) through (3)
above.

                  B. Certain Other Dividends and Distributions. In case at any
time or from time to time the Company shall take a record of the holders of its
Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to receive any dividend or other
distribution of:

                           (1) cash (other than a cash distribution made as a
         dividend and payable out of earnings or earned surplus legally
         available for the payment of dividends under the laws of the
         jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company, to the extent, but only
         to the extent, that the aggregate of all such dividends paid or
         declared after the date hereof, does not exceed the consolidated net
         income of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries earned
         subsequent to the date hereof determined in accordance with generally
         accepted accounting principles), or

                           (2) any evidence of its indebtedness (other than
         Convertible Securities), any shares of its stock (other than Additional
         Shares of Common Stock) or any other securities or property of any
         nature whatsoever (other than cash and other than Convertible
         Securities or Additional Shares of Common Stock), or

                           (3) any warrants, options or other rights to
         subscribe for or purchase (i) any evidences of its indebtedness (other
         than Convertible Securities), (ii) any shares of its stock (other than
         Additional Shares of Common Stock) or (iii) any other securities or
         property of any nature whatsoever (other than cash and other than
         Convertible Securities or Additional Shares of Common Stock),

then the number of shares of Common Stock thereafter comprising a Stock Unit
shall be adjusted to that number determined by multiplying the number of shares
of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit immediately prior to such adjustment by
a fraction (i) the numerator of which shall be the Current Market Price per
share of Common Stock at the date of taking such record, and (ii) the
denominator of which shall be such Current Market Price per share of Common
Stock minus the portion applicable to one share of Common Stock of any such cash
so distributable (if any) and of the fair value of any and all such evidences of
indebtedness, shares of stock, other securities or property, or

                                       7
<PAGE>   26

warrants, options or other subscription or purchase rights, so distributable (if
any). Such fair value shall be determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company, provided that if such determination is objected to by
the Holder, such determination shall be made by an independent appraiser
selected by such Board of Directors and not objected to by the Holder. The fees
and expenses of such appraiser shall be paid by the Company. A reclassification
(other than a change in par value) of the Common Stock into shares of Common
Stock and shares of any other class of stock shall be deemed a distribution by
the Company to the holders of its Common Stock of such shares of such other
class of stock within the meaning of this Subsection and, if the outstanding
shares of Common Stock shall be changed into a larger or smaller number of
shares of Common Stock as a part of such reclassification, shall be deemed a
subdivision or combination, as the case may be, of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock within the meaning of Subsection A of this Section 4.

                  C. Issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock. In case at
any time or from time to time the Company shall (except as hereinafter provided)
issue, whether in connection with the merger of a corporation into the Company
or otherwise, any Additional Shares of Common Stock for a consideration per
share less than the greater of (i) the Current Market Price per share of Common
Stock or (ii) the Current Warrant Price per share of Common Stock, then the
number of shares of Common Stock thereafter comprising a Stock Unit shall be
adjusted to be the greater of (A) that number determined by multiplying the
number of shares of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit immediately prior to
such adjustment by a fraction (i) the numerator of which shall be the Current
Warrant Price per share of Common Stock, and (ii) the denominator of which shall
be the consideration per share received by the Company for such Additional
Shares of Common Stock or (B) that number determined by multiplying the number
of shares of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit immediately prior to such
adjustment by a fraction (i) the numerator of which shall be the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding, plus the number of such Additional Shares of
Common Stock so issued, and (ii) the denominator of which shall be the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding, plus the number of shares of Common Stock
which the aggregate consideration for the total number of such Additional Shares
of Common Stock would purchase at the greater of the Current Warrant Price or
the Current Market Price per share of Common Stock. For purposes of this
Subsection, the date as of which the Current Market Price and the Current
Warrant Price per share of Common Stock shall be computed shall be the earlier
of (i) the date on which the Company shall enter into a firm contract for the
issuance of such Additional Shares of Common Stock, or (ii) the date of actual
issuance of such Additional Shares of Common Stock. The provisions of this
Subsection shall not apply to any issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock
for which an adjustment is provided under Subsection A of this Section 4. No
adjustment of the number of shares of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit shall
be made under this Subsection upon the issuance of any Additional Shares of
Common Stock which are issued pursuant to the exercise of any warrants, options
or other subscription or purchase rights or pursuant to the exercise of any
conversion or exchange rights in any Convertible Securities, if any such
adjustment shall previously have been made upon the issuance of such warrants,
options or other rights or upon the issuance of such Convertible Securities (or
upon the issuance of any warrants, options or other rights therefor) pursuant to
Subsection D or E of this Section 4.

                                       8
<PAGE>   27

                  D. Issuance of Warrants, Options or Other Rights. In case at
any time or from time to time the Company shall take a record of the holders of
its Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to receive a distribution of,
or shall otherwise issue, any warrants, options or other rights to subscribe for
or purchase any Additional Shares of Common Stock or any Convertible Securities
and the consideration per share for which Additional Shares of Common Stock may
at any time thereafter be issuable pursuant to such warrants, options or other
rights or pursuant to the terms of such Convertible Securities shall be less
than the greater of (i) the Current Market Price per share of Common Stock or
(ii) the Current Warrant Price per share of Common Stock, then the number of
shares of Common Stock thereafter comprising a Stock Unit shall be adjusted to
be the greater of those numbers determined pursuant to clauses (A) and (B) in
the first sentence of Subsection C of this Section 4. All adjustments made
pursuant to this Subsection D shall be made on the basis that (i) the maximum
number of Additional Shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to all such
warrants, options or other rights or necessary to effect the conversion or
exchange of all such Convertible Securities shall be deemed to have been issued
as of the date specified in the last sentence of this Subsection, (ii) the
aggregate consideration for such maximum number of Additional Shares of Common
Stock shall be deemed to be the minimum consideration received and receivable by
the Company for the issuance of such Additional Shares of Common Stock pursuant
to such warrants, options or other rights or pursuant to the terms of such
Convertible Securities and (iii) the consideration per share received by the
Company for such Additional Shares of Common Stock shall be that number
determined by dividing (x) the aggregate consideration for such maximum number
of Additional Shares of Common Stock (determined as set forth in clause (ii) of
this sentence) by (y) the maximum number of Additional Shares of Common Stock
issuable pursuant to all such warrants, options or other rights or necessary to
effect the conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities (determined
as set forth in clause (i) of this sentence). For purposes of this Subsection,
the computation date for subclause (i) above and as of which the Current Market
Price and the Current Warrant Price per share of Common Stock shall be computed
shall be the earliest of (a) the date on which the Company shall take a record
of the holders of its Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to receive
any such warrants, options or other rights, (b) the date on which the Company
shall enter into a firm contract for the issuance of such warrants, options or
other rights, and (c) the date of actual issuance of such warrants, options or
other rights.

                  E. Issuance of Convertible Securities. In case at any time or
from time to time the Company shall take a record of the holders of its Common
Stock for the purpose of entitling them to receive a distribution of, or shall
otherwise issue, any Convertible Securities and the consideration per share for
which Additional Shares of Common Stock may at any time thereafter be issuable
pursuant to the terms of such Convertible Securities shall be less than the
greater of (i) the Current Market Price per share of Common Stock or (ii) the
Current Warrant Price per share of Common Stock, then the number of shares of
Common Stock thereafter comprising a Stock Unit shall be adjusted to be the
greater of those numbers determined pursuant to clauses (A) and (B) in the first
sentence of Subsection C of this Section 4. All adjustments made pursuant to
this Subsection E shall be made on the basis that (i) the maximum number of
Additional Shares of Common Stock necessary to effect the conversion or exchange
of all such Convertible Securities shall be deemed to have been issued as of the
computation date

                                       9
<PAGE>   28

specified in the penultimate sentence of this Subsection, (ii) the aggregate
consideration for such maximum number of Additional Shares of Common Stock shall
be deemed to be the minimum consideration received and receivable by the Company
for the issuance of such Additional Shares of Common Stock pursuant to the terms
of such Convertible Securities and (iii) the consideration per share received by
the Company for such Additional Shares of Common Stock shall be that number
determined by dividing (x) the aggregate consideration for such maximum number
of Additional Shares of Common Stock (determined as set forth in clause (ii) of
this sentence) by (y) the maximum number of Additional Shares of Common Stock
necessary to effect the conversion or exchange of all such Convertible
Securities (determined as set forth in clause (i) of this sentence). For
purposes of this Subsection, the computation date for clause (i) above and as of
which the Current Market Price and the Current Warrant Price per share of Common
Stock shall be computed shall be the earliest of (a) the date on which the
Company shall take a record of the holders of its Common Stock for the purpose
of entitling them to receive any such Convertible Securities, (b) the date on
which the Company shall enter into a firm contract for the issuance of such
Convertible Securities, and (c) the date of actual issuance of such Convertible
Securities. No adjustment of the number of shares of Common Stock comprising a
Stock Unit shall be made under this Subsection upon the issuance of any
Convertible Securities which are issued pursuant to the exercise of any
warrants, options or other subscription or purchase rights therefor, if any such
adjustment shall previously have been made upon the issuance of such warrants,
options or other rights pursuant to Subsection D of this Section 4.

                  F. Superseding Adjustment of Stock Unit. If, at any time after
any adjustment of the number of shares of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit
shall have been made pursuant to the foregoing Subsection D or E of this Section
4 on the basis of the issuance of warrants, options or other rights or the
issuance of other Convertible Securities, or after any new adjustment of the
number of shares of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit shall have been made
pursuant to this Subsection,

                           (1) such warrants, options or rights or the right of
         conversion or exchange in such other Convertible Securities shall
         expire, and a portion or all of such warrants, options or rights, or
         the right of conversion or exchange in respect of a portion of such
         other Convertible Securities, as the case may be, shall not have been
         exercised, or

                           (2) the consideration per share for which Additional
         Shares of Common Stock are issuable pursuant to such warrants, options
         or rights or the terms of such other Convertible Securities, shall be
         increased solely by virtue of provisions therein contained for an
         automatic increase in such consideration per share upon the arrival of
         a specified date or the happening of a specified event,

such previous adjustment shall be rescinded and annulled and the Additional
Shares of Common Stock which were deemed to have been issued by virtue of the
computation made in connection with the adjustment so rescinded and annulled
shall no longer be deemed to have been issued by virtue of such computation.
Thereupon, a recomputation shall be made of the effect of such warrants, options
or rights or other Convertible Securities on the basis of:

                                       10
<PAGE>   29

                           (3) treating the number of Additional Shares of
         Common Stock, if any, theretofore actually issued or issuable pursuant
         to the previous exercise of such warrants, options or rights or such
         right of conversion or exchange, as having been issued on the date or
         dates of such issuance as determined for purposes of such previous
         adjustment and for the consideration actually received and receivable
         therefor, and

                           (4) treating any such warrants, options or rights or
         any such other Convertible Securities which then remain outstanding as
         having been granted or issued immediately after the time of such
         expiration or of such increase of the consideration per share for which
         such Additional Shares of Common Stock are issuable under such
         warrants, options or rights or other Convertible Securities,

and, if and to the extent called for by the foregoing provisions of this Section
4 on the basis aforesaid, a new adjustment of the number of shares of Common
Stock comprising a Stock Unit shall be made, which new adjustment shall
supersede the previous adjustment so rescinded and annulled.

                  G. Other Provisions Applicable to Adjustments Under this
Section. The following provisions shall be applicable to the making of
adjustments of the number of shares of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit
hereinbefore provided for in this Section 4:

                           (1) Treasury Stock. The sale or other disposition of
         any issued shares of Common Stock owned or held by or for the account
         of the Company shall be deemed an issuance thereof for purposes of this
         Section 4.

                           (2) Computation of Consideration. To the extent that
         any Additional Shares of Common Stock or any Convertible Securities or
         any warrants, options or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any
         Additional Shares of Common Stock or any Convertible Securities shall
         be issued solely for cash consideration, the consideration received by
         the Company therefor shall be deemed to be the amount of cash received
         by the Company therefor, or, if such Additional Shares of Common Stock
         or Convertible Securities are offered by the Company for subscription,
         the subscription price, or, if such Additional Shares of Common Stock
         or Convertible Securities are sold to underwriters or dealers for
         public offering without a subscription offering, the initial public
         offering price, in any such case excluding any amounts paid or
         receivable for accrued interest or accrued dividends and without
         deduction of any compensation, discounts or expenses paid or incurred
         by the Company for and in the underwriting of, or otherwise in
         connection with, the issue thereof. To the extent that such issuance
         shall be for a consideration other than solely for cash, then, except
         as herein otherwise expressly provided, the amount of such
         consideration shall be deemed to be the fair value of such
         consideration at the time of such issuance as determined in good faith
         by the Board of Directors of the Company, provided that if such
         determination is objected to by the Holder, such determination shall be
         made by an independent appraiser selected by such Board of Directors
         and not objected to by the Holder. The fees and expenses of such
         appraiser shall be paid

                                       11
<PAGE>   30

         by the Company. The consideration for any Additional Shares of Common
         Stock issuable pursuant to any warrants, options or other rights to
         subscribe for or purchase the same shall be the consideration received
         or receivable by the Company for issuing such warrant, options or other
         rights, plus the additional consideration payable to the Company upon
         the exercise of such warrants, options or other rights. The
         consideration for any Additional Shares of Common Stock issuable
         pursuant to the terms of any Convertible Securities shall be the
         consideration received or receivable by the Company for issuing any
         warrants, options or other rights to subscribe for or purchase such
         Convertible Securities (if any), plus the consideration paid or payable
         to the Company in respect of the subscription for or purchase of such
         Convertible Securities, plus the additional consideration, if any,
         payable to the Company upon the exercise of the right of conversion or
         exchange in such Convertible Securities.

                           (3) When Adjustments To Be Made. The adjustments
         required by the preceding Subsections of this Section 4 shall be made
         whenever and as often as any specified event requiring an adjustment
         shall occur. For the purpose of any adjustment, any specified event
         shall be deemed to have occurred at the close of business on the date
         of its occurrence.

                           (4) Fractional Interests. In computing adjustments
         under this Section, fractional interests in Common Stock shall be taken
         into account to the nearest 1/100th of a share.

                           (5) When Adjustment Not Required. If the Company
         shall take a record of the holders of its Common Stock for the purpose
         of entitling them to receive a dividend or distribution or subscription
         or purchase rights and shall, thereafter and before the distribution
         thereof to shareholders, legally abandon its plan to pay or deliver
         such dividend, distribution, subscription or purchase rights, then
         thereafter no adjustment shall be required by reason of the taking of
         such record and any such adjustment previously made in respect thereof
         shall be rescinded and annulled.

                  H. Merger, Consolidation or Disposition of Assets. In case the
Company shall merge or consolidate into another corporation, or shall sell,
transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its property,
assets or business to another corporation and pursuant to the terms of such
merger, consolidation or disposition, shares of common stock of the successor or
acquiring corporation are to be received by or distributed to the holders of
Common Stock of the Company, then the Holder shall have the right thereafter to
receive, upon exercise of this Warrant, Stock Units each comprising the number
of shares of common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation receivable
upon or as a result of such merger, consolidation or disposition of assets by a
holder of the number of shares of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit
immediately prior to such event. If, pursuant to the terms of such merger,
consolidation or disposition of assets, any cash, shares of stock or other
securities or property of any nature whatsoever (including warrants, options or
other subscription or purchase rights) are to be received by or distributed to
the holders of Common Stock of the Company in addition to common stock of the
successor or acquiring corporation, there shall be either, at the Holder's
option, (i) an adjustment in the number of shares of Common Stock thereafter

                                       12
<PAGE>   31

comprising a Stock Unit to that number determined by multiplying the number of
shares of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit immediately prior to such
adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which shall be the Current Market
Price per share of Common Stock at the date of such merger, consolidation or
disposition, and (y) the denominator of which shall be such Current Market Price
per share minus the portion applicable to one share of Common Stock of any cash
so distributed and of the fair value of any and all such shares of stock,
securities or other property or (ii) the Holder shall have the right to receive
such cash, shares of stock or other securities or property of any nature as a
holder of the number of shares of Common Stock underlying a Stock Unit would
have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of such event, for each Stock
Unit into which the Holder's Warrants are exercisable. Such fair value shall be
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, provided that
if such determination is objected to by the Holder, such determination shall be
made by an independent appraiser selected by such Board of Directors and not
objected to by the Holder. The fees and expenses of such appraiser shall be paid
by the Company. In case of any such merger, consolidation or disposition of
assets, the successor or acquiring corporation shall expressly assume the due
and punctual observance and performance of each and every covenant and condition
of this Warrant and the Securities Purchase Agreement to be performed and
observed by the Company and all of the obligations and liabilities hereunder and
thereunder, subject to such modification as shall be necessary to provide for
adjustments of Stock Units which shall be as nearly equivalent as practicable to
the adjustments provided for in this Section 4. For the purposes of this Section
4 "common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation" shall include stock
of such corporation of any class which is not preferred as to dividends or
assets over any other class of stock of such corporation and which is not
subject to redemption. The foregoing provisions of this Subsection shall
similarly apply to successive mergers, consolidations or dispositions of assets.

                  I. Other Action Affecting Common Stock. In case at any time or
from time to time the Company shall take any action affecting its Common Stock,
other than an action described in any of the foregoing Subsections A to H,
inclusive, of this Section 4 and the actions described in clauses (i) through
(xiv) of the definition of Additional Shares of Common Stock, then, unless in
the reasonable opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company such action will
not have a materially adverse effect upon the rights of the Holder, the number
of shares of Common Stock or other stock comprising a Stock Unit, or the
purchase price thereof, shall be adjusted in such manner and at such time as the
Board of Directors of the Company may in good faith determine to be equitable in
the circumstances.

                  J. No Adjustments for Certain Transactions. Anything contained
in this Warrant notwithstanding, the number of shares of Common Stock comprising
a Stock Unit and the Purchase Price per Stock Unit shall not be adjusted, nor be
subject to adjustment, on account of the granting of any rights under a phantom
stock plan, stock appreciation rights plan or other deferred compensation plan
to officers, directors or employees of the Company or its affiliates, if (i) no
shares of Common Stock are issued or required to be issued under any such plan
and (ii) the only consideration paid or payable to any participant in such plan
is cash.

                                       13
<PAGE>   32

         Section 5. Notice to Warrant Holders.

                  A. Notice of Adjustment of Stock Unit or Purchase Price.
Whenever the number of shares of Warrant Stock comprising a Stock Unit or the
Purchase Price per Stock Unit shall be adjusted pursuant to Section 4, the
Company shall forthwith obtain a certificate signed by the president of the
Company and the principal financial officer of the Company, setting forth, in
reasonable detail, the event requiring the adjustment and the method by which
such adjustment was calculated (including a statement of the fair value, as
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, of any evidences of
indebtedness, shares of stock, other securities or property or warrants, options
or other subscription or purchase rights referred to in Section 4.B, Section
4.G(2) or Section 4.H) and specifying the number of shares of Common Stock
comprising a Stock Unit and (if such adjustment was made pursuant to Section 4.H
or Section 4.I) describing the number and kind of any other shares of stock
comprising a Stock Unit, and any change in the Purchase Price thereof after
giving effect to such adjustment or change. The Company shall promptly, and in
any case within 10 days after the making of such adjustment, cause a signed copy
of such certificate to be delivered to the Holder. The Company shall keep at its
office or agency, maintained for the purpose pursuant to Section 16, copies of
all such certificates and cause the same to be available for inspection at said
office during normal business hours by the Holder or any prospective purchaser
of the Warrant designated by the Holder.

                  B. Notice of Certain Corporate Action. In case the Company
shall propose (a) to pay any dividend payable in cash or in stock of any class
to the holders of its Common Stock or to make any other distribution to the
holders of its Common Stock, or (b) to offer to the holders of its Common Stock
rights to subscribe for or to purchase any Additional Shares of Common Stock or
shares of stock of any class or any other securities, rights or options, or (c)
to effect any reclassification of its Common Stock (other than a
reclassification involving only the subdivision or combination of outstanding
shares of Common Stock), or (d) to effect any capital reorganization, or (e) to
effect any consolidation, merger or sale, change to the Company's charter or
bylaws, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of its
property, assets or business, or (f) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, then in each such case, the Company shall give to
each holder of a Warrant, in accordance with Section 17, a notice, certified by
the president of the Company and the principal financial officer of the Company,
of such proposed action, which shall specify the date on which a record is to be
taken for the purposes of such stock dividend, distribution or rights, or the
date on which such reclassification, reorganization, consolidation, merger,
sale, change to the Company's charter or bylaws, transfer, disposition,
liquidation, dissolution, or winding up is to take place and the date of
participation therein by the holders of Common Stock, if any such date is to be
fixed, and shall also set forth such facts with respect thereto as shall be
reasonably necessary to indicate the effect of such action on the Common Stock
and the number and kind of any other shares of stock which will comprise a Stock
Unit, and the purchase price or prices thereof, after giving effect to any
adjustment which will be required as a result of such action. Such notice shall
be so given in the case of any action covered by clause (a) or (b) above at
least twenty days prior to the record date for determining holders of the Common
Stock for purposes of such action, and in the case of any other such action, at
least thirty days prior to the date of the taking of such proposed

                                       14
<PAGE>   33

action or the date of participation therein by the holders of Common Stock,
whichever shall be the earlier.

         Section 6. Reservation and Authorization of Common Stock; Registration
with or Approval of any Governmental Authority. The Company shall at all times
reserve and keep available for issue upon the exercise of Warrants such number
of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock as will be sufficient to
permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Warrants. Without the prior
written consent of the Holder, the Company will not amend its Certificate of
Incorporation in any respect relating to the Common Stock other than to increase
or decrease the number of shares of authorized capital stock (subject to the
provisions of the preceding sentence) or to decrease the par value of Common
Stock.

Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment reducing the Current
Warrant Price per share of Common Stock below the then par value, if any, of the
shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, the Company shall
take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary
in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully-paid and
nonassessable shares of Common Stock at such adjusted Current Warrant Price.

Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of
shares of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit or in the Current Warrant Price
per share of Common Stock, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or
exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public
regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof (except that nothing
contained in this Warrant certificate shall require the Company to register the
Warrants under the Securities Act or any similar federal or state equivalent).

         Section 7. Taking of Record; Stock and Warrant Transfer Books. In the
case of all dividends or other distributions by the Company to the holders of
its Common Stock with respect to which any provision of Section 4 refers to the
taking of a record of such holders, the Company will in each such case take such
a record and will take such record as of the close of business on a Business
Day. The Company will not at any time, except (i) upon dissolution, liquidation
or winding up, or (ii) for purposes of declaring and paying a dividend or
matters related to voting by shareholders of the Company, close its stock
transfer books or Warrant transfer books so as to result in preventing or
delaying the exercise or transfer of any Warrant.

         Section 8. Transfer Taxes. The Company will pay any and all transfer
taxes that may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of shares of
Common Stock on exercise of this Warrant. The Company shall not, however, be
required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved
in the issue and delivery of shares of Common Stock in a name other than that in
which this Warrant is registered, and no such issue or delivery shall be made
unless and until the person requesting such issue has paid to the Company the
amount of any such tax, or has established, to the satisfaction of the Company,
that such tax has been paid.

         Section 9. No Voting Rights. This Warrant shall not entitle the holder
hereof to any voting rights, or to any rights as a stockholder of the Company.

                                       15
<PAGE>   34

         Section 10. Restrictions on Transferability. The Warrants and the
Warrant Stock shall be transferable only (i) in accordance with the provisions
of Section 5 of the Securities Purchase Agreement and (ii) upon compliance with
the conditions specified in this Warrant and in compliance with the provisions
of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws in respect of the
transfer of any Warrant or any Warrant Stock, and any holder of this Warrant
shall be bound by the provisions of (and entitled to the benefits of) Section 3
hereof.

         Section 11. Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the
absence of affirmative action by the holder hereof to purchase shares of Common
Stock, and no mere enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the holder
hereof, shall give rise to any liability of such holder for the purchase price
or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the
Company or by creditors of the Company.

         Section 12. Registration Rights. The Holder shall have registration
rights and benefits with respect to any Warrant Stock issuable upon the exercise
hereof identical to the rights and benefits (and subject to the same terms and
conditions) as those set forth in Section 6 of the Securities Purchase Agreement
as if such provisions were set forth herein in their entirety. Nothing in this
Section 12 shall limit or reduce the rights and benefits of the Purchaser under
the Securities Purchase Agreement.

         Section 13. Loss, Destruction of Warrant Certificates. Upon receipt of
evidence satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or
mutilation of this Warrant and, in the case of any such loss, theft or
destruction, upon receipt of indemnity or security satisfactory to the Company
(the original Holder's or any other institutional holder's indemnity being
satisfactory indemnity in the event of loss, theft or destruction of any Warrant
owned by such institutional holder), or, in the case of any such mutilation,
upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant, the Company will make and
deliver, in lieu of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Warrant, a new
Warrant of like tenor and representing the right to purchase the same aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock.

         Section 14. Furnish Information. The Company agrees that it shall
deliver to the holder of record hereof promptly after their becoming available
copies of all financial statements, reports and proxy statements which the
Company shall have sent to its stockholders generally.

         Section 15. Amendments. The terms of this Warrant may be amended, and
the observance of any term therein may be waived, only with the written consent
of the Holder.

         Section 16. Office of the Company. So long as any of the Warrants
remains outstanding, the Company shall maintain an office in Houston, Texas
where the Warrants may be presented for exercise, transfer, division or
combination as in this Warrant provided. Such office shall be at 3700 Buffalo
Speedway, Suite 960 unless and until the Company shall designate and maintain
some other office for such purposes and give written notice thereof to the
Holder.

                                       16
<PAGE>   35

         Section 17. Notices Generally. All notices, requests and other
communications hereunder must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly
given only if delivered personally or by facsimile transmission or mailed (first
class postage prepaid) to the parties at the following addresses or facsimile
numbers:

                  If to Company, to:

                      Contango Oil and Gas Company
                      3700 Buffalo Speedway, Suite 960
                      Houston, Texas 77098
                      Attention: Kenneth R. Peak, President and Chief Executive
                                 Officer
                      Phone: (713) 960-1901
                      Fax: (713) 960-1065

                      with a copy to:

                      Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
                      300 South Grand Avenue, 22nd Floor
                      Los Angeles, California 90071
                      Attention: Richard A. Shortz, Esq.
                      Phone: (213) 612-2500
                      Fax: (213) 612-2554

                  If to Holder, to:

                      Fairfield Industries Incorporated
                      14100 Southwest Freeway, Suite 600
                      Sugarland, Texas 77478
                      Attention: Tony Ping
                      Phone: (281) 275-7500
                      Fax: (281) 275-7550

                      with a copy to:

                      Peter Siviglia, Esq.
                      200 White Plains Road, MCS 22
                      Tarrytown, New York 10591
                      Attention: Peter Siviglia, Esq.
                      Phone: (914) 366-7877
                      Fax: (914) 366-7878

                  All such notices, requests and other communications will (i)
if delivered personally to the address as provided in this Section, be deemed
given upon delivery, (ii) if delivered by facsimile transmission to the
facsimile number as provided in this Section, be deemed given upon receipt, and
(iii) if delivered by mail in the manner described above to the address as
provided in this Section, be deemed given upon receipt (in each case regardless
of whether such notice, request or other communication is received by any other
Person to whom a copy of such notice is to be delivered pursuant to this
Section). Any party from time to time may change its address, facsimile number
or

                                       17
<PAGE>   36

other information for the purpose of notices to that party by giving notice
specifying such change to the other party hereto.

         Section 18. Governing Law. THIS WARRANT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

                                       18
<PAGE>   37

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate to be signed in its
name by its President and Chief Executive Officer.

Dated:
       ----------------------

                                       CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY,
                                       a Nevada corporation

                                       By:
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Kenneth R. Peak
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer

                                       19
<PAGE>   38

                                SUBSCRIPTION FORM
                 (to be executed only upon exercise of Warrant)

The undersigned registered owner of this Warrant irrevocably exercises this
Warrant for and purchases ___________ Stock Units of ___________________, a
__________ corporation, purchasable with this Warrant, herewith makes payment
therefor on the terms and conditions specified in this Warrant and requests that
certificates for the shares of Common Stock hereby purchased (and any securities
or other property issuable upon such exercise) be issued in the name of and
delivered to whose address is.

Dated:

                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       (Signature of Registered Owner)

                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       (Street Address)

                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       (City)          (State)        (Zip Code)

                                       20
<PAGE>   39

                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM

FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered owner of this Warrant hereby
sells, assigns and transfers unto the assignee named below all of the rights of
the undersigned under this Warrant, with respect to the number of Stock Units
set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  No. of Stock
         Name and Address of Assignee                                Units
         ----------------------------                             ------------
<S>                                                               <C>
</TABLE>

and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _____________________
attorney to make sure transfer on the books of ________________, a ___________
corporation, maintained for the purpose, with full power of substitution in the
premises.

Dated:

                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Signature

                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Witness

NOTICE: The signature to the assignment must correspond with the name as written
        upon the face of the within Warrant in every particular, without
        alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

        [The signature to this assignment must be guaranteed by an Eligible
        Guarantor Institution as defined in Rule 17Ad-15 promulgated under the
        Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto.]

                                       21
<PAGE>   40

                                   EXHIBIT B
                         ACCREDITED INVESTOR CERTIFICATE

         In connection with the issuance of certain Warrants (the "Warrants") to
purchase the Common Stock (the "Common Stock") of Contango Oil & Gas Company, a
Nevada corporation (the "Company"), the undersigned (an "Investor") hereby
furnishes the following information and makes the following acknowledgments and
representations and warranties:

I.       Legal Status of Investor.

         Each Investor must check the applicable statement below.

         The Investor is (check the appropriate category(ies)):

                  A natural person whose net worth (or joint net worth with his
---               or her spouse) is in excess of $1,000,000 as of the date
                  hereof;

                  A natural person whose income in 1997 and 1998 was, and whose
---               income in 1999 is expected to be, in excess of $200,000, or
                  whose income with his or her spouse in 1997 and 1998 was, and
                  whose income with his or her spouse in 1999 is expected to be,
                  in excess of $300,000;

                  A broker dealer registered pursuant to Section 15 of the
---               Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;

                  An organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
---               Revenue Code, corporation, Massachusetts or similar business
                  trust or partnership, not formed for the specific purpose of
                  acquiring the Securities, with total assets in excess of
                  $5,000,000;

                  A trust with total assets in excess of $5,000,000, not formed
---               for the specific purpose of acquiring the Securities, whose
                  purchase is directed by a sophisticated person as described in
                  Rule 506(b)(2)(ii) under the Securities Act;

                  An entity in which all of the equity owners are "accredited
---               investors" as defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act; or

                  A director or executive officer of the Company.
---

                                       22
<PAGE>   41

II.      Identity of Investor.

         Name:
                           --------------------------------------------------

         Address:
                           --------------------------------------------------

         Telephone:
                           --------------------------------------------------

         Tax ID No.:
                           --------------------------------------------------

III.     Acknowledgment.

         Investor understands, acknowledges and agrees that:

                  (a) The Warrants have not been registered under the Securities
         Act or any other applicable federal or state securities laws;

                  (b) Investor is acquiring the Warrants for his, her or its own
         account for investment purposes and not with a view to, or for offer or
         sale in connection with, any distribution of the Warrants in violation
         of the Securities Act; and

                  (c) Investor has a preexisting personal and business
         relationship with the Company and certain of its officers, directors
         and controlling persons, and, by reason of Investor's business and
         financial experience, has the capacity to protect his, her or its
         interests in connection with the acquisition of the Warrants.

        This completed questionnaire must be returned as soon as possible after
receipt hereof and prior to acquiring the Warrants.

                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Print or type name of Investor

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

Date:                               , 2000
     -------------------------------

                                       23<PAGE>   1

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               PAGE
<S>                                                                                                            <C>
1.       AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE SECURITIES........................................................................1

2.       DELIVERY OF THE SECURITIES; ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL WARRANTS.............................................1

3.       PURCHASER'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES..............................................................2

         3.1      Investment Intent..............................................................................2

         3.2      Access to Information..........................................................................2

         3.3      Accredited Investor............................................................................2

         3.4      Knowledge and Experience.......................................................................2

         3.5      Suitability....................................................................................2

         3.6      Ability to Bear Risk of Loss...................................................................2

         3.7      Private Offering...............................................................................2

         3.8      Truth and Accuracy.............................................................................2

         3.9      Authority......................................................................................3

         3.10     No Violation...................................................................................3

         3.11     Enforceability.................................................................................3

         3.12     Reliance on Own Advisers.......................................................................3

         3.13     Scope of Business..............................................................................3

4.       ISSUER'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.................................................................3

         4.1      Corporate Existence; Authority.................................................................3

         4.2      Enforceability.................................................................................3

         4.3      Capitalization.................................................................................4

         4.4      No Conflicts...................................................................................4

         4.5      SEC Documents..................................................................................4

         4.6      Litigation.....................................................................................5

         4.7      No Material Adverse Change.....................................................................5

         4.8      Environmental Matters..........................................................................5

         4.9      Equity Sales since November 5, 1999............................................................6

         4.10     Truth and Accuracy.............................................................................6

5.       RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER................................................................................6

         5.1      Resale Restrictions............................................................................6

         5.2      Restrictive Legend.............................................................................6
</TABLE>

                                      -i-

<PAGE>   2

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (CONTINUED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               PAGE
<S>                                                                                                            <C>
         5.3      Illiquid Investment............................................................................6

6.       REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.................................................................................7

         6.1      Demand Registration Rights.....................................................................7

         6.2      Piggy-Back Registration Rights.................................................................8

         6.3      Delivery of Prospectus.........................................................................9

         6.4      Third Party Registration Rights................................................................9

         6.5      Registration in Other Jurisdictions...........................................................10

         6.6      Notice of Material Events.....................................................................10

         6.7      Notice of Suspension of Effectiveness.........................................................10

         6.8      Listing of Common Stock on Securities Exchanges...............................................10

         6.9      Further Assurances............................................................................11

         6.10     Cooperation...................................................................................11

         6.11     Discontinuation of Disposition of Shares......................................................11

         6.12     Expenses......................................................................................11

         6.13     Indemnification of Purchaser..................................................................11

         6.14     Indemnification of Issuer.....................................................................12

         6.15     Participation in Indemnified Claims...........................................................13

7.       RELIANCE...............................................................................................13

8.       MISCELLANEOUS..........................................................................................13

         8.1      Survival......................................................................................13

         8.2      Binding Effect; Assignment....................................................................14

         8.3      Execution and Delivery of Agreement...........................................................14

         8.4      Titles........................................................................................14

         8.5      Severability..................................................................................14

         8.6      Entire Agreement..............................................................................14

         8.7      Waiver and Amendment..........................................................................14

         8.8      Counterparts..................................................................................14

         8.9      Governing Law.................................................................................14
</TABLE>

                                      -ii-

<PAGE>   3

Schedules

4.3(b)            Outstanding Subscriptions, Options, Warrants, Convertible
                  Securities, etc.
4.3(c)            Third Party Registration Rights
4.9               Purchasers of Common Stock since November 5, 1999

Exhibits

A                 Form of Warrant
B                 Accredited Investor Certificate

<PAGE>   4
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4

THE SECURITIES TO WHICH THIS AGREEMENT RELATES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR UNDER ANY
STATE SECURITIES LAWS ("STATE LAWS") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERRED UNLESS THE OFFER AND SALE IS REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR
THE ISSUER RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER
THAT THE OFFER AND SALE IS EXEMPT FROM SECURITIES ACT REGISTRATION.

                          SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

        This Securities Purchase Agreement ("Agreement") is made and entered
into as of the 24th day of August, 2000, by and between Contango Oil & Gas
Company (the "Issuer") and Juneau Exploration Company, LLC, a Texas limited
liability company (the "Purchaser").

         1. AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE SECURITIES. On the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase
from the Issuer a warrant to purchase 125,000 shares of the Issuer's common
stock in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Warrant") for an aggregate
purchase price of $10.00 and other good and valuable consideration (including,
without limitation, as an inducement to the Purchaser to agree to the Issuer's
wholly-owned subsidiary's becoming a member of Republic Exploration LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company, and in consideration thereof and for other
considerations granted to the Issuer and its said subsidiary), receipt of which
is hereby acknowledged by the Issuer. The shares of Issuer's common stock that
may be issued upon exercise of the Warrant are referred to herein as the
"Warrant Shares" and the Warrant and the Warrant Shares are collectively
referred to herein as the "Securities". The foregoing purchase and payment of
the Purchase Price shall occur concurrently with (i) the issuance of Issuer's
common stock upon the exercise of options to purchase up to 2,500,000 shares of
Issuer's common stock issued to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, (ii) the issuance
of warrants to purchase 250,000 shares of Issuer's common stock issued to the
Southern Ute Indian Tribe, (iii) the issuance of Issuer's Series A Preferred
Stock and warrants to purchase 500,000 shares of Issuer's common stock issued to
Trust Company of the West, in its capacity as Investment Manager and Custodian,
(iv) the issuance of warrants to purchase 125,000 shares of Issuer's common
stock issued to Fairfield Industries Incorporated, and (v) the execution and
delivery of the limited liability company organization documents for Republic
Exploration LLC on terms approved by the Purchaser.

         2. DELIVERY OF THE SECURITIES; ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL WARRANTS.
Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Issuer shall issue and
deliver the Warrant, in the name and to the address specified by the Purchaser
in the registration and delivery instructions on the signature page of this
Agreement.

                                       1
<PAGE>   5

         3. PURCHASER'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Purchaser hereby
represents and warrants to the Issuer that:

                  3.1 Investment Intent. The Purchaser is acquiring the
Securities solely for the Purchaser's own account for investment purposes, and
not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution of
the Securities in violation of the Securities Act.

                  3.2 Access to Information. The Purchaser has received a copy
of the Issuer's annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended June 30, 1999
(the "Annual Report") and quarterly report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended
March 31, 2000 (the "Quarterly Report") and has carefully reviewed them,
including the risk factors set forth under the heading, "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Plan of Operation -- Risk Factors." In addition, the Purchaser
has received and reviewed a copy of the Issuer's proxy statement for its annual
meeting of stockholders held on September 28, 1999 (the "Proxy Statement"). If
desired, the Purchaser has also sought and obtained from management of the
Issuer such additional information concerning the business, management and
financial affairs of the Issuer as the Purchaser has deemed necessary or
appropriate in evaluating an investment in the Issuer and determining whether or
not to purchase the Securities.

                  3.3 Accredited Investor. By completing the Accredited Investor
Certification attached as Exhibit B, the Purchaser represents and warrants that
it is an accredited investor, as defined by Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under
the Securities Act.

                  3.4 Knowledge and Experience. The Purchaser has such knowledge
and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of
evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Securities and of
protecting its interests in connection with an acquisition of the Securities.

                  3.5 Suitability. The Purchaser has carefully considered, and
has, to the extent the Purchaser deems it necessary, discussed with the
Purchaser's own professional legal, tax and financial advisers the suitability
of an investment in the Securities for the Purchaser's particular tax and
financial situation, and the Purchaser has determined that the Securities are a
suitable investment for the Purchaser.

                  3.6 Ability to Bear Risk of Loss. The Purchaser is financially
able to hold the Securities subject to restrictions on transfer for an
indefinite period of time, and is capable of bearing the economic risk of losing
up to the entire amount of its investment in the Securities.

                  3.7 Private Offering. The offer of the Securities was directly
communicated to the Purchaser by the Issuer. At no time was the Purchaser
presented with or solicited by any leaflet, newspaper or magazine article, radio
or television advertisement, or any other form of general advertising or
solicited or invited to attend a promotional meeting otherwise than in
connection and concurrently with such directly communicated offer.

                  3.8 Truth and Accuracy. All representations and warranties
made by the Purchaser in this Agreement are true and accurate as of the date
hereof and shall be true and accurate as of the date the Issuer issues the
Securities. If at any time prior to the issuance of the

                                       2
<PAGE>   6

Securities any representation or warranty shall not be true and accurate in any
respect, the Purchaser shall so notify the Issuer.

                  3.9 Authority. The individuals executing and delivering this
Agreement on behalf of the Purchaser have been duly authorized to execute and
deliver this Agreement on behalf of the Purchaser, the signature of both such
individuals is binding upon the Purchaser, the Purchaser is duly organized and
subsisting under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it was organized, and the
Purchaser was not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Securities.

                  3.10 No Violation. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions or performance of the
obligations contemplated by this Agreement do not and will not violate any term
of the Purchaser's organizational documents.

                  3.11 Enforceability. The Purchaser has duly executed and
delivered this Agreement and (subject to its execution by the Issuer) it
constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Purchaser enforceable in
accordance with its terms against the Purchaser, except as such enforceability
may be limited by principles of public policy, and subject to laws of general
application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of debtors and
rules of law governing specific performance, injunctive relief or other
equitable remedies.

                  3.12 Reliance on Own Advisers. In connection with the
Purchaser's investment in the Securities, the Purchaser has not relied upon the
Issuer or its advisers for legal or tax advice, and has, if desired, in all
cases sought the advice of the Purchaser's own legal counsel and tax advisers.

                  3.13 Scope of Business. The Purchaser has been advised and
understands that the Issuer will be exposed to numerous investment opportunities
in all areas of the oil and gas industry and may therefore pursue various types
of opportunities, even if they do not fit within the primary focus of the
Issuer's current business plan. For example, such opportunities could include
both onshore and offshore United States investments and also international
investments. Potential opportunities could also include such things as
downstream investments in oil and gas service companies, pipelines, and gas
processing and gas storage facilities.

         4. ISSUER'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Issuer hereby
represents and warrants to the Purchaser that:

                  4.1 Corporate Existence; Authority. The Issuer is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of Nevada, and it has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business
as it is being conducted. The individual executing and delivering this Agreement
on behalf of the Issuer has been duly authorized to execute and deliver this
Agreement on behalf of the Issuer, and the signature of such individual is
binding upon the Issuer.

                  4.2 Enforceability. The Issuer has duly executed and delivered
this Agreement and the Warrant and (subject to the execution of this Agreement
by the Purchaser) they constitute valid and binding agreements of the Issuer
enforceable in accordance with their respective terms against the Issuer, except
as such enforceability may be limited by principles of public policy, and
subject to laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and

                                       3
<PAGE>   7

the relief of debtors and rules of law governing specific performance,
injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.

                  4.3 Capitalization.

                           (a) The Issuer has no outstanding capital stock other
than common stock as of the date of this Agreement. The Issuer is authorized to
issue 50,000,000 shares of common stock, of which (prior to giving effect to the
transactions set forth herein and after giving effect to the exercise by the
Southern Ute Indian Tribe of options to purchase 2,500,000 shares of common
stock concurrently with the initial issuance of its Series A Preferred Stock)
22,920,412 shares are issued and outstanding, and 125,000 shares of preferred
stock, none of which are issued and outstanding. Concurrently herewith, the
Issuer is entering into a transaction whereby it will issue 2,500 shares of its
Series A Preferred Stock. All of the outstanding shares of common stock of the
Issuer have been duly and validly issued and are fully paid, non-assessable and
not subject to any preemptive or similar rights. If and when issued, the Warrant
Shares will have been duly authorized and when issued and delivered to the
Purchaser against payment therefor as provided in the Warrant, will be validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the issuance of such Warrant Shares
will not be subject to any preemptive or similar rights.

                           (b) Prior to giving effect to the transactions set
forth herein, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants,
convertible securities, calls, commitments, agreements or rights to purchase or
otherwise acquire from the Issuer any shares of, or any securities convertible
into, the capital stock of the Issuer except as set forth on Schedule 4.3(b),
including (i) outstanding options to purchase 734,167 shares of the Issuer's
common stock under the Issuer's 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, under which 5,000,000
shares of common stock are reserved for issuance, (ii) warrants exercisable for
2,840,370 shares of the Issuer's common stock at the exercise price of $1.00 per
share, and (iii) after giving effect to the exercise by the Southern Ute Indian
Tribe of options to purchase 2,500,000 shares of common stock concurrently with
the initial issuance of its Series A Preferred Stock, outstanding options to
purchase an aggregate of 280,000 shares of the Issuer's common stock pursuant to
certain agreements between the Issuer and various third parties.

                           (c) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.3(c), no
shareholders of the Issuer have any right to require the registration of any
securities of the Issuer or to participate in any such registration.

                  4.4 No Conflicts. The issuance and sale of the Securities to
the Purchaser as contemplated hereby and the performance of this Agreement and
the Warrant will not violate or conflict with the Issuer's Articles of
Incorporation or By-laws or any agreements to which the Issuer is a party or by
which it is otherwise bound or, to the Issuer's knowledge, any statute, rule or
regulation (federal, state, local or foreign) to which it is subject.

                  4.5 SEC Documents. The Issuer has provided the Annual Report,
the Quarterly Report and the Proxy Statement to the Purchaser. As of the date
hereof, the Annual Report, the Quarterly Report and the Proxy Statement do not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to

                                       4
<PAGE>   8

make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading. The financial statements of the Issuer included in the
Annual Report and the financial statements dated as of March 31, 2000 heretofore
delivered to the Purchaser have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods
involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly present
the financial position of the Issuer as of the dates thereof and the results of
its operations and cash flows for the periods then ended. The Issuer has
included in the Annual Report all material agreements, contracts and other
documents that it reasonably believes are required to be filed as exhibits to
the Annual Report.

                  4.6 Litigation. There is no litigation or other legal,
administrative or governmental proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the
Issuer, threatened against or relating to the Issuer or its properties or
business, that if determined adversely to the Issuer may reasonably be expected
to have a material adverse effect on the present or future operations or
financial condition of the Issuer.

                  4.7 No Material Adverse Change. Since the date of the
Quarterly Report, there has not been any material adverse change in the
business, operations, properties, prospects, assets, or condition of the Issuer,
and no event has occurred or circumstance exits that may result in such a
material adverse change.

                  4.8 Environmental Matters.

                           (a) Except as would not be reasonably likely to have
a material adverse effect change in the business, operations, properties,
prospects, assets, or condition of the Issuer: (i) to Issuer's knowledge, Issuer
has complied with all applicable Environmental Laws (as defined in Section
4.8(b)); (ii) to Issuer's knowledge, Issuer is not subject to liability for any
Hazardous Substance disposal or contamination on any third party property; (iii)
to Issuer's knowledge, Issuer has not been associated with any release or threat
of release of any Hazardous Substance; (v) Issuer has not received any notice,
demand, letter, claim or request for information alleging that Issuer may be in
violation of or liable under any Environmental Law; (vi) Issuer is not subject
to any orders, decrees, injunctions or other arrangements with any Governmental
Entity or is subject to any indemnity or other agreement with any third party
relating to liability under any Environmental Law or relating to Hazardous
Substances; and (vii) there are no circumstances or conditions involving Issuer
that could reasonably be expected to result in any claims, liability,
investigations, costs or restrictions on the ownership, use or transfer of any
property of Issuer pursuant to any Environmental Law.

                           (b) For purposes of this Agreement, the term
"Environmental Law" means any federal, state, local or foreign law, regulation,
order, decree, permit, authorization, opinion, common law or agency requirement
relating to: (A) the protection, investigation or restoration of the
environment, health and safety, or natural resources, (B) the handling, use,
presence, disposal, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Substance or
(C) noise, odor, wetlands, pollution, contamination or any injury or threat of
injury to persons or property.

                           (c) For purposes of this Agreement, the term
"Hazardous Substance" means any substance that is: (A) listed, classified or
regulated pursuant to any Environmental

                                       5
<PAGE>   9

Law; (B) any petroleum product or by-product, asbestos-containing material,
lead-containing paint or plumbing, polychlorinated biphenyls, radioactive
materials or radon; or (C) any other substance which is the subject of
regulatory action by any governmental entity pursuant to any Environmental Law.

                  4.9 Equity Sales since November 5, 1999. All shares of common
stock sold by Issuer since November 5, 1999, the purchasers thereof, the number
of shares purchased and the dollar amount paid by each purchaser are set forth
on Schedule 4.9.

                  4.10 Truth and Accuracy. All representations and warranties
made by the Issuer in this Agreement are true and accurate as of the date hereof
and shall be true and accurate as of the date the Issuer issues the Securities.
If at any time prior to the issuance of the Securities any representation or
warranty shall not be true and accurate in any respect, the Issuer shall so
notify the Purchaser.

         5. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER.

                  5.1 Resale Restrictions. The Purchaser understands that the
offer and sale of the Securities to the Purchaser has not been registered under
the Securities Act or under any State Laws. The Purchaser agrees not to offer,
sell or otherwise transfer the Securities, or any interest in the Securities,
unless (i) the offer and sale is registered under the Securities Act, (ii) the
Securities may be sold in accordance with the applicable requirements and
limitations of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and any applicable State Laws
and, if the Issuer reasonably requests, the Purchaser delivers to the Issuer an
opinion of counsel to such effect, or (iii) the Purchaser delivers to the Issuer
an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer that the offer and
sale is otherwise exempt from Securities Act registration. Notwithstanding the
foregoing subsections (ii) and (iii), no opinion shall be required for transfers
by Purchaser to Purchaser's affiliates.

                  5.2 Restrictive Legend. The Purchaser understands and agrees
that a legend in substantially the following form will be placed on the
certificates or other documents representing the Securities:

         "THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
         UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR
         UNDER ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR
         OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS (i) THE OFFER AND SALE IS REGISTERED UNDER
         THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (ii) THE OFFER AND SALE IS EXEMPT FROM
         SECURITIES ACT REGISTRATION AND THE TERMS OF SECTION 5.1 OF THE
         SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO WHICH THE SECURITIES WERE
         ORIGINALLY PURCHASED HAVE BEEN COMPLIED WITH. (A COPY OF THE SECURITIES
         PURCHASE AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT THE CORPORATE OFFICE OF THE ISSUER.)"

                  5.3 Illiquid Investment. The Purchaser acknowledges that it
must bear the economic risk of its investment in the Securities for an
indefinite period of time, until such time as the Securities are registered or
as an exemption from registration is available. The Purchaser

                                       6
<PAGE>   10

acknowledges that the soonest that the Rule 144 exemption from registration
could become available would be after the Purchaser has paid for and held the
Securities for one year.

         6. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.

                  6.1 Demand Registration Rights.

                           (a) Purchaser shall be entitled to make a request for
registration under the Securities Act of Warrant Shares (the "Registerable
Securities") in an aggregate amount equal to the number of Warrant Shares then
issued to Purchaser (a "Demand Registration"). Within 120 days of the receipt of
a written request for a Demand Registration, the Issuer shall file with the SEC
and use its best efforts to cause to become effective under the Securities Act a
registration statement with respect to such Registerable Securities (a "Demand
Registration Statement"). Any such request will specify the number of
Registerable Securities proposed to be sold and will also specify the intended
method of disposition thereof. The Issuer shall be required to register
Registerable Securities pursuant to this Section 6.1 only once. The Issuer shall
use diligence to maintain the effectiveness of the Demand Registration Statement
until the earlier to occur of (i) the date which is one year from the effective
date of the Demand Registration Statement, (ii) the date on which all of the
Warrant Shares have been sold by the Purchaser or (iii) the date on which the
Warrant Shares can be resold in full over a three-month period pursuant to SEC
Rule 144.

                  Subject to Section 6.1(b) hereof, no other securities of the
Issuer except securities held by Purchaser, any persons with "demand"
registration rights pursuant to a contractual commitment of the Issuer ("Demand
Right Holder"), and any Person entitled to exercise "piggy back" registration
rights pursuant to contractual commitments of the Issuer shall be included in a
Demand Registration.

                           (b) In a registration pursuant to Section 6.1(a)
hereof involving an underwritten offering, if the managing underwriter or
underwriters of such underwritten offering have informed, in writing, the Issuer
and the Purchaser that in such underwriter's or underwriters' opinion the total
number of securities which the Purchaser and any other person desiring to
participate in such registration intend to include in such offering is such as
to adversely affect the success of such offering, including the price at which
such securities can be sold, then the Issuer will be required to include in such
registration only the amount of securities which it is so advised should be
included in such registration. In such event, securities shall be registered in
such registration in the following order of priority: (i) first, the
Registerable Securities which have been requested to be included in such
registration by the Purchaser and person(s) exercising demand registration
rights (whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise) (pro rata based on the
amount of securities sought to be registered by such Persons), (ii) second,
provided that no securities sought to be included by the Purchasers and the
Demand Right Holders have been excluded from such registration, the securities
of other persons entitled to exercise "piggy-back" registration rights pursuant
to contractual commitments of the Issuer (pro rata based on the amount of
securities sought to be registered by such Persons) and (iii) third, securities
the Issuer proposes to register.

                                       7
<PAGE>   11

                           (c) A Demand Registration Statement will not be
deemed to have been effected as a Demand Registration unless it has been
declared effective by the SEC and the Issuer has complied in a timely manner and
in all material respects with all of its obligations under this Agreement with
respect thereto; provided, however, that if, after such Demand Registration
Statement has become effective, the offering of Registerable Securities pursuant
to such Registration Statement is or becomes the subject of any stop order,
injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental or
administrative agency or court that prevents, restrains or otherwise limits the
sale of Registerable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration Statement
for any reason not attributable to Purchaser and such Demand Registration
Statement has not become effective within a reasonable time period thereafter
(not to exceed 60 days), such Demand Registration Statement will be deemed not
to have been effected. If (i) a registration requested pursuant to this Section
6.1 is deemed not to have been effected or (ii) a Demand Registration does not
remain effective under the Securities Act until at least the earlier of (A) an
aggregate of 90 days after the effective date thereof or (B) the consummation of
the distribution by the Purchaser of 80% of Purchaser's Registerable Securities
covered thereby, then the Issuer shall continue to be obligated to effect a
Demand Registration pursuant to this Section 6.1. For purposes of calculating
the 90-day period referred to in the preceding sentence, any period of time
during which such Demand Registration Statement was not in effect shall be
excluded.

                  6.2 Piggy-Back Registration Rights.

                           (a) At any time a Demand Registration Statement is
not in effect with respect to all Registerable Securities and the Issuer
proposes to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect
to an offering by the Issuer for its own account or for the account of any of
its security holders of any class of its common stock in a firmly underwritten
public equity offering (other than (i) a registration statement on Form S-4 or
S-8 (or any substitute form that may be adopted by the SEC) or (ii) a
registration statement filed in connection with an exchange offer or offering of
securities solely to the Issuer's existing security holders), then the Issuer
shall give written notice of such proposed filing to the Purchaser as soon as
practicable (but in no event fewer than 30 days before the anticipated filing
date), and such notice shall offer Purchaser the opportunity to register such
number of Registerable Securities as Purchaser may request in writing within 15
days after receipt of such written notice from the Issuer (which request shall
specify the shares intended to be disposed of by Purchaser) (a "Piggy-Back
Registration"). The Issuer shall use its best efforts to keep such Piggy-Back
Registration continuously effective under the Securities Act until at least the
earlier of (A) the 90th day after the effective date thereof or (B) the
consummation of the distribution by the holders of all of the securities covered
thereby. The Issuer shall use its best efforts to cause the managing underwriter
or underwriters, if any, of such proposed offering to permit the Registerable
Securities requested by Purchaser to be included in a Piggy-Back Registration to
be included on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the
Issuer or any other security holder included therein and to permit the sale or
other disposition of such Registerable Securities in accordance with the
intended method of distribution thereof. Purchaser shall have the right to
withdraw its request for inclusion of its Registerable Securities in any
Registration Statement pursuant to this Section 6.3 by giving written notice to
the Issuer of its request to withdraw. The Issuer may withdraw the proposed
offering and/or a Piggy-Back Registration at any time prior to the time it
becomes effective or the Issuer may elect to delay the registration; provided,
however,

                                       8
<PAGE>   12

that the Issuer shall give prompt written notice thereof to Purchaser; provided,
further, that the Issuer shall not withdraw a Piggy-Back Registration request
from the Purchaser unless any and all piggy-back registration requests of other
security holders are also withdrawn.

                  No registration effected under this Section 6.2, and no
failure to effect a registration under this Section 6.2, shall relieve the
Issuer of its obligation to effect a registration upon the request of Purchaser
pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof, and no failure to effect a registration under
this Section 6.2 and to complete the sale of securities registered thereunder in
connection therewith shall relieve the Issuer of any other obligation under this
Agreement.

                           (b) In a registration pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof
involving an underwritten offering, if the managing underwriter or underwriters
of such underwritten offering have informed, in writing, the Issuer and the
security holders requesting inclusion in such offering that in such
underwriter's or underwriters' opinion the total number of securities which the
Issuer, the Purchaser and any other persons desiring to participate in such
registration intend to include in such offering is such as to adversely affect
the success of such offering, including the price at which such securities can
be sold, then the Issuer will be required to include in such registration only
the amount of securities which it is so advised should be included in such
registration. In such event: (x) in cases initially involving the registration
for sale of securities for the Issuer's own account, securities shall be
registered in such offering in the following order of priority: (i) first, the
securities which the Issuer proposes to register and (ii) second, the securities
which have been requested to be included in such registration by persons
entitled to exercise "piggy-back" registration rights pursuant to contractual
commitments of the Issuer (pro rata based on the amount of securities sought to
be registered by such persons); and (y) in cases not initially involving the
registration for sale of securities for the Issuer's own account, securities
shall be registered in such offering in the following order of priority: (i)
first, the securities of any Demand Right Holder whose exercise of a demand
registration right is the basis for the registration, (ii) second, securities of
other persons entitled to exercise "piggy-back" registration rights pursuant to
contractual commitments (pro rata based on the amount of securities sought to be
registered by such Persons) and (iii) third, the securities which the Issuer
proposes to register.

                  6.3 Delivery of Prospectus. Following effectiveness of any
registration statement filed by Issuer pursuant to Sections 6.1 or 6.2 of this
Agreement ("a Registration Statement"), the Issuer shall furnish to the
Purchaser a prospectus as well as such other documents as the Purchaser may
reasonably request.

                  6.4 Third Party Registration Rights. Without the written
consent of the Purchaser, the Issuer shall not grant to any person the right to
request the Issuer to register any securities of the Issuer under the Securities
Act unless the rights so granted are subject to the prior rights of the
Purchaser set forth herein, and are not otherwise in conflict or inconsistent
with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, that the Issuer has granted the
registration rights set forth on Schedule 4.3(c) hereto and may grant rights
that are pari passu with the rights of the holders of the Issuer's Series A
preferred stock in connection with the issuance of common stock upon conversion
of the Issuer's Series B preferred stock.

                                       9
<PAGE>   13

                  6.5 Registration in Other Jurisdictions. The Issuer shall use
diligent efforts to (i) register or otherwise qualify the common stock covered
by the Registration Statement for sale under the securities laws of such
jurisdictions as the Purchaser may reasonably request, (ii) prepare and file in
those jurisdictions such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and
supplements as may be required, (iii) take such other actions as may be
necessary to maintain such registrations and/or qualifications in effect at all
times while the Registration Statement is likewise maintained effective and (iv)
take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Warrant
Shares for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Issuer shall
not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (I) qualify
to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to
qualify but for this Section 6.5, (II) subject itself to general taxation in any
such jurisdiction, (III) file a general consent to service of process in any
such jurisdiction, (IV) provide any undertakings that cause more than nominal
expense or burden to the Issuer or (V) make any change in its certificate of
incorporation or bylaws, which in each case the Board determines to be contrary
to the best interests of the Issuer and its stockholders.

                  6.6 Notice of Material Events. The Issuer shall, following
effectiveness of the Registration Statement, as promptly as practicable after
becoming aware of any such event, notify the Purchaser of the happening of any
event of which the Issuer has knowledge, as a result of which the prospectus
included in the Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue
statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and use its best
efforts promptly to prepare a supplement or amendment to the Registration
Statement to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver a number of
copies of such supplement or amendment to the Purchaser or as the Purchaser may
reasonably request. The Issuer may voluntarily suspend once the effectiveness of
a Registration Statement for a limited time, which in no event shall be longer
than 90 days, if the Issuer has been advised by legal counsel that the offering
of common stock pursuant to the Registration Statement would adversely affect,
or would be improper in view of (or improper without disclosure in a
prospectus), a proposed financing, a reorganization, recapitalization, merger,
consolidation, or similar transaction involving the Issuer or its subsidiaries,
in which event the one year period referred to in clause (i) of Section 6.1(a)
shall be extended for an additional period of time beyond such one year period
equal to the number of days the effectiveness thereof has been suspended
pursuant to this sentence.

                  6.7 Notice of Suspension of Effectiveness. Following
effectiveness of a Registration Statement, the Issuer, as promptly as
practicable after becoming aware of any such event, will notify the Purchaser of
the issuance by the SEC of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness
of the Registration Statement at the earliest possible time.

                  6.8 Listing of Common Stock on Securities Exchanges. Following
effectiveness of a Registration Statement, the Issuer will use diligence either
to (i) cause all the common stock covered by the Registration Statement to be
listed on each national securities exchange on which similar securities issued
by the Issuer are then listed, if any, if the listing of such common stock is
then permitted under the rules of such

                                       10
<PAGE>   14

exchange, or (ii) secure the quotation of all the common stock covered by the
Registration Statement on The Nasdaq SmallCap Market, if the listing of such
common stock is then permitted under the rules of such The Nasdaq SmallCap
Market, or (iii) if, despite the Issuer's best efforts to satisfy the preceding
clause (i) or (ii), the Issuer is unsuccessful in satisfying the preceding
clause (i) or (ii) and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to use
its best efforts to arrange for at least two market makers to register with the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. as such with respect to such
common stock.

                  6.9 Further Assurances. It shall be a condition precedent to
the obligations of the Issuer to take any action pursuant to this Article 6 that
the Purchaser shall furnish to the Issuer such information regarding itself as
the Issuer may reasonably request to effect the registration of the common stock
and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the
Issuer may reasonably request.

                  6.10 Cooperation. The Purchaser agrees to cooperate with the
Issuer in any manner reasonably requested by the Issuer in connection with the
preparation and filing of a Registration Statement hereunder.

                  6.11 Discontinuation of Disposition of Shares. The Purchaser
agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Issuer of the happening of any
event of the kind described in Section 6.6 or 6.7, the Purchaser will
immediately discontinue disposition of the Warrant Shares pursuant to an
effective Registration Statement until the Purchaser's receipt of notice from
the Issuer that sales may resume and copies of the supplemented or amended
prospectus and, if so directed by the Issuer, shall deliver to the Issuer (at
the expense of the Issuer) or destroy (and deliver to the Issuer a certificate
of destruction) all copies in the Purchaser's possession of the prospectus
covering such common stock current at the time of receipt of such notice.

                  6.12 Expenses. All expenses, other than (i) underwriting
discounts and commissions, (ii) other fees and expenses of investment bankers
and (iii) brokerage commissions, in each case incurred in connection with
registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to this Article 6, including,
without limitation, all registration, listing and qualification fees, printing
and accounting fees and the fees and disbursements of counsel to the Issuer,
shall be borne by the Issuer.

                  6.13 Indemnification of Purchaser. To the extent permitted by
law, the Issuer will indemnify and hold harmless the Purchaser, its directors
and officers, each person, if any, who is under common control with the
Purchaser within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), any underwriter (as defined in the
Securities Act) for the Purchaser, the officers and directors of such
underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any such underwriter within
the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (each, an "Indemnified
Person"), against any losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities (joint or
several) (collectively, "Claims") to which any of them may become subject under
the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claims (or
actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof)
arise out of or are based upon any of the following statements, omissions or
violations in a Registration Statement, or any post effective amendment thereof,
or any prospectus included therein: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement or any post
effective amendment thereof or the omission or alleged omission to state therein
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, (ii) any

                                       11
<PAGE>   15

untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
preliminary prospectus if used prior to the effective date of a Registration
Statement, or contained in the final prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if
the Issuer files any amendment thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or
the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to
make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which the
statements therein were made, not misleading or (iii) any violation or alleged
violation by the Issuer of the Securities Act, any state securities law or any
rule or regulation under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state
securities law (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Violations"). Subject to the
restrictions set forth in Section 6.15 with respect to the number of legal
counsel, the Issuer shall reimburse the Purchaser and each such underwriter or
controlling person, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and
payable, for any reasonable legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by
them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnity
contained in this Section 6.13 (I) shall not apply to a Claim arising out of or
based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished in writing to the Issuer by any Indemnified Person or
underwriter for such Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with the
preparation of a Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or
supplement thereto; (II) with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not
inure to the benefit of any person from whom the person asserting any Claim
purchased the Warrant Shares that are the subject thereof (or to the benefit of
any person controlling such person) if the untrue statement or omission of
material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus was corrected in the
prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, if such final prospectus was timely
made available by the Issuer, and (III) shall not apply to amounts paid in
settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written
consent of the Issuer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such
indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation
made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of
the Warrant Shares by the Purchaser.

                  6.14 Indemnification of Issuer. The Purchaser agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless, to the same extent and in the same manner set forth
in Section 6.13, the Issuer, each of its directors, each of its officers who
signs a Registration Statement, each person, if any, who controls the Issuer
within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, any underwriter
and any other stockholder selling securities pursuant to a Registration
Statement or any of its directors or officers or any person who controls such
stockholder or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act (each such person and each Indemnified Person, an "Indemnified
Party"), against any Claim to which any of them may become subject, under the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim arises out
of or is based upon any Violation by the Purchaser, in each case to the extent
(and only to the extent) that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Issuer by the Purchaser
expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement or such
prospectus; and the Purchaser will reimburse any reasonable legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by any Indemnified Party in connection with
investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity
contained in this Section 6.14 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of
any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of
the Purchaser, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided,
further, that the Purchaser shall be liable under this Section 6.14 for only
that amount of a Claim as does

                                       12
<PAGE>   16

not exceed the net proceeds to the Purchaser as a result of the sale of the
Warrant Shares pursuant to any such Registration Statement or such prospectus.
Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive
the transfer of the Warrant Shares (or underlying securities) by the Purchaser.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein the indemnity
contained in this Section 6.14 with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall
not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Party if the untrue statement or
omission of material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus was corrected
on a timely basis in the prospectus, as then amended or supplemented.

                  6.15 Participation in Indemnified Claims. Promptly after
receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under Section 6.13 or 6.14
of notice of the commencement of any action (including any governmental action),
such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect
thereof is made against any indemnifying party under this Article 6, deliver to
the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the
indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent
the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party
similarly noticed, assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually
satisfactory to the indemnifying parties; provided, however, that an Indemnified
Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, with
the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the
reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying party, the
representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party
and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential
differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any
other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. Except as provided
in the preceding sentence, the Issuer shall pay for only one separate legal
counsel for the Indemnified Persons. The failure to deliver written notice to
the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such
action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Article 6, except to the
extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend such
action. The indemnity required by this Article 6 shall be made by periodic
payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or
defense, as such expense, loss, damage or liability is incurred and is due and
payable.

         7. RELIANCE. Each of the Purchaser and the Issuer understand and agree
that the other party and its respective officers, directors, employees and
agents may, and will, rely on the accuracy of the other party's respective
representations and warranties in this Agreement to establish compliance with
applicable securities laws. Each of the Purchaser and the Issuer agree to
indemnify and hold harmless all such parties against all losses, claims, costs,
expenses and damages or liabilities which they may suffer or incur caused or
arising from their reliance on such representations and warranties.

         8. MISCELLANEOUS.

                  8.1 Survival. The representations and warranties made in this
Agreement shall survive the closing of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.

                                       13
<PAGE>   17

                  8.2 Binding Effect; Assignment. This Agreement is not
transferable or assignable, except that the rights of Purchaser set forth in
Section 6 hereof shall be transferable to an affiliate of Purchaser and any
transferee of Purchaser's Securities who receives at least 30% of the Securities
to be issued hereby.

                  8.3 Execution and Delivery of Agreement. The Issuer shall be
entitled to rely on delivery by facsimile transmission of an executed copy of
this Agreement, and acceptance by the Issuer of such facsimile copy shall create
a valid and binding agreement between the Purchaser and the Issuer.

                  8.4 Titles. The titles of the sections and subsections of this
Agreement are for the convenience of reference only and are not to be considered
in construing this Agreement.

                  8.5 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
particular provision of this Agreement shall not affect or limit the validity or
enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

                  8.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the subject
matters herein and supersedes and replaces any prior agreements and
understandings, whether oral or written, between them with respect to such
matters.

                  8.7 Waiver and Amendment. Except as otherwise provided herein,
the provisions of this Agreement may be waived, altered, amended or repealed, in
whole or in part, only upon the mutual written agreement of the Purchaser and
the Issuer.

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

                  8.9 Governing Law. This Agreement is governed by and shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada.

                                       14
<PAGE>   18

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement as of the date first above mentioned.

THE "ISSUER"                           THE "PURCHASER"

CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY             JUNEAU EXPLORATION COMPANY, LLC
By: /s/ KENNETH R. PEAK                By: /s/ JOHN P. JUNEAU
   -------------------------------        -----------------------------
   Kenneth R. Peak                        John P. Juneau
   President and Chief Executive          Manager
   Officer

Address: 3700 Buffalo Speedway         Address: 26902 Nichols Sawmill Road
         Suite 960                              Magnolia, Texas 77355-3586
         Houston, Texas 77098

                                       15
<PAGE>   19

                                   EXHIBIT A
                                 FORM OF WARRANT

                                     WARRANT
                           TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK OF
                           CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY
                              A NEVADA CORPORATION
                                 (THE "COMPANY")

                            EXPIRING AUGUST 24, 2005

         THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
         UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR
         UNDER ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, OR
         OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS (i) THE OFFER AND SALE IS REGISTERED UNDER
         THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (ii) THE OFFER AND SALE IS EXEMPT FROM
         SECURITIES ACT REGISTRATION AND THE TERMS OF SECTION 5.1 OF THE
         SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO WHICH THE SECURITIES WERE
         ORIGINALLY PURCHASED HAVE BEEN COMPLIED WITH. (A COPY OF THE SECURITIES
         PURCHASE AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT THE CORPORATE OFFICE OF THE COMPANY.)

                            THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT:

         Juneau Exploration Company, LLC, a Texas limited liability company
("HOLDER"), or registered assigns, is entitled to purchase from the Company at
any time and from time to time on and after the date hereof but not later than 5
p.m., Central Standard Time, on August 24, 2005 (the "EXPIRATION DATE"), One
Hundred Twenty Five Thousand (125,000) Stock Units, in whole or in part, at a
per Stock Unit purchase price at any date equal to the Purchase Price (as
defined below), all on the terms and conditions hereinbelow provided.

         Section 1. Certain Definitions. Initially capitalized terms not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the
Securities Purchase Agreement. As used in this Warrant:

                  "5-DAY AVERAGE PRICE" per share of Common Stock, for purposes
of any provision herein at the date specified in such provision, shall mean the
average closing price of the Common Stock on the securities exchange or other
national market system on which the Common Stock is then traded over the
5-trading day period immediately prior to such date or, if the Common Stock is
not then traded on a securities exchange or national market system, the average
of the bid and asked prices on the over-the-counter market on which the Common
Stock is then traded as of the close of such market over the 5-trading day
period immediately prior to such date.

                  "30-DAY AVERAGE PRICE" per share of Common Stock, for purposes
of any provision herein at the date specified in such provision, shall mean the
average closing price of

                                       1
<PAGE>   20

the Common Stock on the securities exchange or other national market system on
which the Common Stock is then listed over the 30-trading day period immediately
prior to such date or, if the Common Stock is not then traded on a securities
exchange or national market system, the average of the bid and asked prices on
the over-the-counter market on which the Common Stock is then traded as of the
close of such market over the 30-trading day period immediately prior to such
date.

                  "ADDITIONAL SHARES OF COMMON STOCK" shall mean all shares of
Common Stock issued by the Company after the Closing Date other than (i) any
shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the outstanding warrants and options
listed on Attachment 1, (ii) shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to options
to purchase Common Stock issued pursuant to the Company's 1999 Stock Incentive
Plan, including those options issued to date and listed on Attachment 1, in an
aggregate amount not to exceed 5,000,000 shares, (iii) any shares of Common
Stock issued upon the exercise of options granted to Juneau Exploration Company,
LLC ("JEX") pursuant to the Company's exploration agreement with JEX dated
September 1, 1999, as amended, (iv) any shares of Common Stock issued to Glen
Dillon in a number not to exceed 1,250 per month, (v) any shares of Common Stock
issued upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock issued to the Trust Company
of the West, in its capacities as Investment Manager and Custodian ("TCW"), (vi)
any shares of Common Stock issued to William Gibbons, the Company's treasurer
and assistant secretary, in a number not to exceed 2,000 shares per month
through December 31, 2000, (vii) any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to
warrants to purchase up to 125,000 shares of Common Stock issued to Fairfield
Industries Incorporated on or prior to the Closing Date, (viii) any shares of
Common Stock issued pursuant to warrants to purchase up to 125,000 shares of
Common Stock issued to JEX on or prior to the Closing Date, (ix) any shares of
Common Stock issued pursuant to warrants to purchase up to 250,000 shares of
Common Stock issued to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe doing business as the
Southern Ute Indian Tribe Growth Fund ("SUIT") on or prior to the Closing Date,
(x) any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to warrants to purchase up to
500,000 shares of Common Stock issued to TCW on or prior to the Closing Date,
(xi) any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to options granted to SUIT on a
quarterly basis to the same extent such options are granted to the Company's
outside directors under the 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, (xii) any shares of
Common Stock issued pursuant to options granted to TCW on a quarterly basis to
the same extent such options are granted to the Company's outside directors
under the 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, (xiii) any shares of Common Stock issued
upon conversion of the Company's Series B Preferred Stock at a conversion price
per share of not less than $2.00, which Series B Preferred Stock shall be
designated, issued and sold prior to June 30, 2001 for an aggregate purchase
price not to exceed $7,500,000, and (xiv) any shares of Common Stock issued
pursuant to a 401(k) or other qualified retirement plan for the officers,
directors or employees of the Company and its affiliates in an aggregate amount
not to exceed 100,000 shares.

                  "AGGREGATE PURCHASE PRICE" shall have the meaning given in
Section 2 below.

                  "APPRAISED VALUE" shall mean the fair market value of all
outstanding Common Stock, as determined by a written appraisal (the "APPRAISAL")
prepared by a national or major regional investment bank acceptable to the Board
of Directors of the Company and the Holder. "Fair market value" is defined for
this purpose as the price in a single transaction determined on a going-concern
basis that would be agreed upon by the most likely hypothetical buyer for 100%

                                       2
<PAGE>   21

of the equity capital of the Company. In the event that the Company and Holder
cannot, in good faith, agree upon an investment bank, then the Company, on the
one hand, and Holder, on the other hand, shall each select an investment bank,
the two investment banks so selected shall select a third investment bank who
shall be directed to prepare the Appraisal and the term Appraised Value shall
mean the appraised value set forth in the Appraisal prepared in accordance with
this definition. The Company shall pay for the cost of any such Appraisal.

                  "BOARD OF DIRECTORS" shall mean the duly appointed board of
directors of the Company.

                  "BUSINESS DAY" shall mean a day, other than a Saturday, Sunday
or legal holiday on which commercial banks are authorized or obligated by law or
executive order to close in the States of Texas or California.

                  "CLOSING DATE" shall mean August 24, 2000.

                  "COMMISSION" shall mean the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

                  "COMMON STOCK" shall mean the Company's authorized common
stock, $.04 par value per share, irrespective of class unless otherwise
specified, as constituted on the date of original issuance of this Warrant, and
any stock into which such common stock may thereafter be changed, and shall also
include stock of the Company of any other class which is not preferred as to
dividends or assets over any other class of stock of the Company and which is
not subject to redemption, issued to the holders of shares of Common Stock upon
any reclassification thereof.

                  "CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES" shall mean evidences of indebtedness,
shares of stock or other securities which are convertible into or exchangeable
for Additional Shares of Common Stock, either immediately or upon the arrival of
a specified date or the happening of a specified event.

                  "CURRENT MARKET PRICE" per share of Common Stock for the
purposes of any provision of this Warrant at a date herein specified, shall mean
the greater of (i) the 30-Day Average Price of the Common Stock or (ii) the
5-Day Average Price of the Common Stock; provided, that if the Current Market
Price per share of Common Stock cannot be ascertained by such methods, then the
Current Market Price per share of Common Stock shall be deemed to be the greater
of (i) the net book value per share of Common Stock, determined in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, or (ii) the fair value per share
of Common Stock determined pursuant to the Appraised Value.

                  "CURRENT WARRANT PRICE" per share of Common Stock, for the
purpose of any provision of this Warrant at the date herein specified, shall
mean the amount equal to the quotient resulting from dividing the Purchase Price
per Stock Unit in effect on such date by the number of shares (including any
fractional share) of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit on such date.

                  "PERSON" shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership,
association, joint stock company, trust or trustee thereof, estate or executor
thereof, unincorporated organization or

                                       3
<PAGE>   22

joint venture, court or governmental unit or any agency or subdivision thereof,
or any other legally recognizable entity.

                  "PURCHASE PRICE" shall mean $1.00 per Stock Unit.

                  "SECURITIES ACT" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or any similar federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

                  "STOCK UNIT" shall mean one share of Common Stock, as such
Common Stock was constituted on the date of original issue of this Warrant and
thereafter shall mean such number of shares (including any fractional shares) of
Common Stock as shall result from the adjustments specified in Section 4 of this
Warrant.

                  "WARRANT" shall mean this Warrant, evidencing rights to
purchase shares of Common Stock, and all Warrants issued upon transfer, division
or combination of, or in substitution for, this Warrant. All Warrants shall at
all times be identical as to terms and conditions and date, except as to the
Common Stock for which they may be exercised.

                  "WARRANT STOCK" shall mean the shares of Common Stock
purchasable by the Holder upon the exercise hereof.

         Section 2. Exercise of Warrant. The holder of this Warrant may, at any
time on or after the date hereof but not later than the Expiration Date,
exercise this Warrant in whole or in part for the number of Stock Units which
such holder is then entitled to purchase hereunder (the "Eligible Stock Units").
In order to exercise this Warrant, in whole or in part, the holder hereof shall
deliver to the Company at its office maintained for such purpose pursuant to
Section 16: (i) a written notice of such holder's election to exercise this
Warrant, (ii) this Warrant, and (iii) the total purchase price for the shares
being purchased upon such exercise by (a) delivery in cash, by wire transfer or
certified or official bank check of immediately available funds in an amount
equal to the product of the Purchase Price multiplied by the number of Stock
Units being purchased upon such exercise (the "AGGREGATE PURCHASE PRICE"), (b)
by delivery of shares of Common Stock held by the Holder having a Current Market
Price equal to the Aggregate Purchase Price or (c) to the extent permitted by
applicable law, the delivery of a notice to the Company that the Holder is
exercising the Warrant without payment of the Purchase Price by authorizing the
Company to deliver the number of shares of Warrant Stock issuable upon exercise
of the Warrant to be determined based upon the following formula:

         ((MP - WP) x WS)/MP = the number of shares of Warrant Stock issuable
                               upon exercise of this Warrant without payment of
                               the Purchase Price

        WHERE:

               MP = Current Market Price

               WP = Current Warrant Price

                                       4
<PAGE>   23

               WS = The number of shares of Warrant Stock issuable upon exercise
                    of this Warrant (in whole or in part).

Such notice may be in the form of the Subscription set out at the end of this
Warrant. Upon receipt thereof, the Company shall, as promptly as practicable and
in any event within ten (10) Business Days thereafter, cause to be executed and
delivered to such holder a certificate or certificates representing the
aggregate number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Warrant Stock
issuable upon such exercise. In the event the holder of this Warrant elects to
exercise this Warrant with respect to less than all of the then Eligible Stock
Units, the Company shall also return to the holder this Warrant marked to show
the remaining Stock Units eligible to be exercised.

The stock certificate or certificates for Warrant Stock so delivered shall be
endorsed with a legend in the form contained in Section 5 of the Securities
Purchase Agreement and shall be in such denominations as may be specified in
said notice and shall be registered in the name of such holder or such other
name or names as shall be designated in said notice. Such certificate or
certificates shall be deemed to have been issued and such holder or any other
Person so designated to be named therein shall be deemed to have become a holder
of record of such shares, including to the extent permitted by law the right to
vote such shares or to consent or to receive notice as a stockholder, as of the
time said notice is received by the Company as aforesaid.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 8 hereof, the Company shall pay all
expenses, transfer taxes and other charges payable in connection with the
preparation, issue and delivery of stock certificates under this Section 2,
except that, in case such stock certificates shall be registered in a name or
names other than the name of the holder of this Warrant, funds sufficient to pay
all stock transfer taxes which shall be payable upon the issuance of such stock
certificate or certificates shall be paid by the holder hereof at the time of
delivering the notice of exercise mentioned above.

All shares of Warrant Stock issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and free from all liens and other
encumbrances thereon.

The Company will not close its books against the transfer of this Warrant or of
any share of Warrant Stock in any manner which interferes with the timely
exercise of this Warrant. With the consent of the holder of this Warrant, the
Company will from time to time take all such action as may be necessary to
assure that the par value per share of the unissued Common Stock acquirable upon
exercise of this Warrant is at all times equal to or less than the Current
Warrant Price per share of Common Stock then in effect.

No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued
upon the exercise of this Warrant. If the exercise of this Warrant results in a
required issuance of a fraction of a share, an amount equal to such fraction
multiplied by the Current Market Price per share of Common Stock on the day of
delivery of notice of exercise to the Company shall be paid to the holder of
this Warrant in cash by the Company.

                                       5
<PAGE>   24

         Section 3. Transfer, Division and Combination. Subject to Section 10,
this Warrant and all rights hereunder are transferable, in whole or in part, on
the books of the Company to be maintained for such purpose, upon surrender of
this Warrant at the office of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant
to Section 16, together with a written assignment of this Warrant duly executed
by the holder hereof or its agent or attorney and payment of funds sufficient to
pay any stock transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such
surrender and payment the Company shall, subject to Section 10, execute and
deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees and
in the denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and this
Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. If and when this Warrant is assigned in
blank (in case the restrictions on transferability in Section 10 shall have been
terminated), the Company may (but shall not be obliged to) treat the bearer
hereof as the absolute owner of this Warrant for all purposes and the Company
shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary. This Warrant, if properly
assigned in compliance with this Section 3 and Section 10, may be exercised by
an assignee for the purchase of shares of Common Stock without having a new
Warrant issued.

This Warrant may, subject to Section 10, be divided or combined with other
Warrants upon presentation at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with
a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants
are to be issued, signed by the holder hereof or its agent or attorney. Subject
to compliance with the preceding paragraph and with Section 10, as to any
transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company
shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant
or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice.

The Company shall pay all expenses, taxes (other than income taxes, if any, of
the transferee) and other charges incurred by the Company in the performance of
its obligations in connection with the preparation, issue and delivery of
Warrants under this Section 3.

The Company agrees to maintain at its aforesaid office books for the
registration and transfer of the Warrants.

         Section 4. Adjustment of Stock Unit. The number of shares of Common
Stock comprising a Stock Unit shall be subject to adjustment from time to time
as set forth in this Section 4 with respect to any fact or event described
herein occurring after the date hereof. The Company will not create any class of
Common Stock which carries any rights to dividends or assets differing in any
respect from the rights of the Common Stock on the date hereof. Anything
contained in this Section 4 notwithstanding, any adjustment made pursuant to any
provision of this Section 4 shall be made without duplication of an adjustment
otherwise required by and made pursuant to another provision of this Section 4
on account of the same facts or events.

                  A. Stock Dividends, Subdivisions and Combinations. In case at
any time or from time to time the Company shall:

                           (1) take a record of the holders of its Common Stock
         for the purpose of entitling them to receive a dividend payable in, or
         other distribution of, Common Stock, or

                                       6
<PAGE>   25

                           (2) subdivide its outstanding shares of Common Stock
         into a larger number of shares of Common Stock, or

                           (3) combine its outstanding shares of Common Stock
         into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock,

then the number of shares of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit immediately
after the happening of any event described in clauses (1) through (3) above
shall be adjusted so as to consist of the number of shares of Common Stock which
a record holder of the number of shares of Common Stock constituting a Stock
Unit immediately prior to the happening of such event would own or be entitled
to receive after the happening of event described in clauses (1) through (3)
above.

                  B. Certain Other Dividends and Distributions. In case at any
time or from time to time the Company shall take a record of the holders of its
Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to receive any dividend or other
distribution of:

                           (1) cash (other than a cash distribution made as a
         dividend and payable out of earnings or earned surplus legally
         available for the payment of dividends under the laws of the
         jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company, to the extent, but only
         to the extent, that the aggregate of all such dividends paid or
         declared after the date hereof, does not exceed the consolidated net
         income of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries earned
         subsequent to the date hereof determined in accordance with generally
         accepted accounting principles), or

                           (2) any evidence of its indebtedness (other than
         Convertible Securities), any shares of its stock (other than Additional
         Shares of Common Stock) or any other securities or property of any
         nature whatsoever (other than cash and other than Convertible
         Securities or Additional Shares of Common Stock), or

                           (3) any warrants, options or other rights to
         subscribe for or purchase (i) any evidences of its indebtedness (other
         than Convertible Securities), (ii) any shares of its stock (other than
         Additional Shares of Common Stock) or (iii) any other securities or
         property of any nature whatsoever (other than cash and other than
         Convertible Securities or Additional Shares of Common Stock),

then the number of shares of Common Stock thereafter comprising a Stock Unit
shall be adjusted to that number determined by multiplying the number of shares
of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit immediately prior to such adjustment by
a fraction (i) the numerator of which shall be the Current Market Price per
share of Common Stock at the date of taking such record, and (ii) the
denominator of which shall be such Current Market Price per share of Common
Stock minus the portion applicable to one share of Common Stock of any such cash
so distributable (if any) and of the fair value of any and all such evidences of
indebtedness, shares of stock, other securities or property, or warrants,
options or other subscription or purchase rights, so distributable (if any).
Such fair value shall be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of
the Company, provided that if such determination is objected to by the Holder,
such determination shall be made by an independent appraiser selected by such
Board of Directors

                                       7
<PAGE>   26

and not objected to by the Holder. The fees and expenses of such appraiser shall
be paid by the Company. A reclassification (other than a change in par value) of
the Common Stock into shares of Common Stock and shares of any other class of
stock shall be deemed a distribution by the Company to the holders of its Common
Stock of such shares of such other class of stock within the meaning of this
Subsection and, if the outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be changed into
a larger or smaller number of shares of Common Stock as a part of such
reclassification, shall be deemed a subdivision or combination, as the case may
be, of the outstanding shares of Common Stock within the meaning of Subsection A
of this Section 4.

                  C. Issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock. In case at
any time or from time to time the Company shall (except as hereinafter provided)
issue, whether in connection with the merger of a corporation into the Company
or otherwise, any Additional Shares of Common Stock for a consideration per
share less than the greater of (i) the Current Market Price per share of Common
Stock or (ii) the Current Warrant Price per share of Common Stock, then the
number of shares of Common Stock thereafter comprising a Stock Unit shall be
adjusted to be the greater of (A) that number determined by multiplying the
number of shares of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit immediately prior to
such adjustment by a fraction (i) the numerator of which shall be the Current
Warrant Price per share of Common Stock, and (ii) the denominator of which shall
be the consideration per share received by the Company for such Additional
Shares of Common Stock or (B) that number determined by multiplying the number
of shares of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit immediately prior to such
adjustment by a fraction (i) the numerator of which shall be the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding, plus the number of such Additional Shares of
Common Stock so issued, and (ii) the denominator of which shall be the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding, plus the number of shares of Common Stock
which the aggregate consideration for the total number of such Additional Shares
of Common Stock would purchase at the greater of the Current Warrant Price or
the Current Market Price per share of Common Stock. For purposes of this
Subsection, the date as of which the Current Market Price and the Current
Warrant Price per share of Common Stock shall be computed shall be the earlier
of (i) the date on which the Company shall enter into a firm contract for the
issuance of such Additional Shares of Common Stock, or (ii) the date of actual
issuance of such Additional Shares of Common Stock. The provisions of this
Subsection shall not apply to any issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock
for which an adjustment is provided under Subsection A of this Section 4. No
adjustment of the number of shares of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit shall
be made under this Subsection upon the issuance of any Additional Shares of
Common Stock which are issued pursuant to the exercise of any warrants, options
or other subscription or purchase rights or pursuant to the exercise of any
conversion or exchange rights in any Convertible Securities, if any such
adjustment shall previously have been made upon the issuance of such warrants,
options or other rights or upon the issuance of such Convertible Securities (or
upon the issuance of any warrants, options or other rights therefor) pursuant to
Subsection D or E of this Section 4.

                  D. Issuance of Warrants, Options or Other Rights. In case at
any time or from time to time the Company shall take a record of the holders of
its Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to receive a distribution of,
or shall otherwise issue, any warrants, options or other rights to subscribe for
or purchase any Additional Shares of Common Stock or any Convertible Securities
and the consideration per share for which Additional Shares of Common Stock may
at any time thereafter be issuable pursuant to such warrants, options or other

                                       8
<PAGE>   27

rights or pursuant to the terms of such Convertible Securities shall be less
than the greater of (i) the Current Market Price per share of Common Stock or
(ii) the Current Warrant Price per share of Common Stock, then the number of
shares of Common Stock thereafter comprising a Stock Unit shall be adjusted to
be the greater of those numbers determined pursuant to clauses (A) and (B) in
the first sentence of Subsection C of this Section 4. All adjustments made
pursuant to this Subsection D shall be made on the basis that (i) the maximum
number of Additional Shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to all such
warrants, options or other rights or necessary to effect the conversion or
exchange of all such Convertible Securities shall be deemed to have been issued
as of the date specified in the last sentence of this Subsection, (ii) the
aggregate consideration for such maximum number of Additional Shares of Common
Stock shall be deemed to be the minimum consideration received and receivable by
the Company for the issuance of such Additional Shares of Common Stock pursuant
to such warrants, options or other rights or pursuant to the terms of such
Convertible Securities and (iii) the consideration per share received by the
Company for such Additional Shares of Common Stock shall be that number
determined by dividing (x) the aggregate consideration for such maximum number
of Additional Shares of Common Stock (determined as set forth in clause (ii) of
this sentence) by (y) the maximum number of Additional Shares of Common Stock
issuable pursuant to all such warrants, options or other rights or necessary to
effect the conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities (determined
as set forth in clause (i) of this sentence). For purposes of this Subsection,
the computation date for subclause (i) above and as of which the Current Market
Price and the Current Warrant Price per share of Common Stock shall be computed
shall be the earliest of (a) the date on which the Company shall take a record
of the holders of its Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to receive
any such warrants, options or other rights, (b) the date on which the Company
shall enter into a firm contract for the issuance of such warrants, options or
other rights, and (c) the date of actual issuance of such warrants, options or
other rights.

                  E. Issuance of Convertible Securities. In case at any time or
from time to time the Company shall take a record of the holders of its Common
Stock for the purpose of entitling them to receive a distribution of, or shall
otherwise issue, any Convertible Securities and the consideration per share for
which Additional Shares of Common Stock may at any time thereafter be issuable
pursuant to the terms of such Convertible Securities shall be less than the
greater of (i) the Current Market Price per share of Common Stock or (ii) the
Current Warrant Price per share of Common Stock, then the number of shares of
Common Stock thereafter comprising a Stock Unit shall be adjusted to be the
greater of those numbers determined pursuant to clauses (A) and (B) in the first
sentence of Subsection C of this Section 4. All adjustments made pursuant to
this Subsection E shall be made on the basis that (i) the maximum number of
Additional Shares of Common Stock necessary to

                                       9
<PAGE>   28

effect the conversion or exchange of all such Convertible Securities shall be
deemed to have been issued as of the computation date specified in the
penultimate sentence of this Subsection, (ii) the aggregate consideration for
such maximum number of Additional Shares of Common Stock shall be deemed to be
the minimum consideration received and receivable by the Company for the
issuance of such Additional Shares of Common Stock pursuant to the terms of such
Convertible Securities and (iii) the consideration per share received by the
Company for such Additional Shares of Common Stock shall be that number
determined by dividing (x) the aggregate consideration for such maximum number
of Additional Shares of Common Stock (determined as set forth in clause (ii) of
this sentence) by (y) the maximum number of Additional Shares of Common Stock
necessary to effect the conversion or exchange of all such Convertible
Securities (determined as set forth in clause (i) of this sentence). For
purposes of this Subsection, the computation date for clause (i) above and as of
which the Current Market Price and the Current Warrant Price per share of Common
Stock shall be computed shall be the earliest of (a) the date on which the
Company shall take a record of the holders of its Common Stock for the purpose
of entitling them to receive any such Convertible Securities, (b) the date on
which the Company shall enter into a firm contract for the issuance of such
Convertible Securities, and (c) the date of actual issuance of such Convertible
Securities. No adjustment of the number of shares of Common Stock comprising a
Stock Unit shall be made under this Subsection upon the issuance of any
Convertible Securities which are issued pursuant to the exercise of any
warrants, options or other subscription or purchase rights therefor, if any such
adjustment shall previously have been made upon the issuance of such warrants,
options or other rights pursuant to Subsection D of this Section 4.

                  F. Superseding Adjustment of Stock Unit. If, at any time after
any adjustment of the number of shares of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit
shall have been made pursuant to the foregoing Subsection D or E of this Section
4 on the basis of the issuance of warrants, options or other rights or the
issuance of other Convertible Securities, or after any new adjustment of the
number of shares of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit shall have been made
pursuant to this Subsection,

                           (1) such warrants, options or rights or the right of
         conversion or exchange in such other Convertible Securities shall
         expire, and a portion or all of such warrants, options or rights, or
         the right of conversion or exchange in respect of a portion of such
         other Convertible Securities, as the case may be, shall not have been
         exercised, or

                           (2) the consideration per share for which Additional
         Shares of Common Stock are issuable pursuant to such warrants, options
         or rights or the terms of such other Convertible Securities, shall be
         increased solely by virtue of provisions therein contained for an
         automatic increase in such consideration per share upon the arrival of
         a specified date or the happening of a specified event,

such previous adjustment shall be rescinded and annulled and the Additional
Shares of Common Stock which were deemed to have been issued by virtue of the
computation made in connection with the adjustment so rescinded and annulled
shall no longer be deemed to have been issued by virtue of such computation.
Thereupon, a recomputation shall be made of the effect of such warrants, options
or rights or other Convertible Securities on the basis of:

                           (3) treating the number of Additional Shares of
         Common Stock, if any, theretofore actually issued or issuable pursuant
         to the previous exercise of such warrants, options or rights or such
         right of conversion or exchange, as having been issued on the date or
         dates of such issuance as determined for purposes of such previous
         adjustment and for the consideration actually received and receivable
         therefor, and

                           (4) treating any such warrants, options or rights or
         any such other Convertible Securities which then remain outstanding as
         having been granted or issued immediately after the time of such
         expiration or of such increase of the consideration per

                                       10
<PAGE>   29

         share for which such Additional Shares of Common Stock are issuable
         under such warrants, options or rights or other Convertible Securities,

and, if and to the extent called for by the foregoing provisions of this Section
4 on the basis aforesaid, a new adjustment of the number of shares of Common
Stock comprising a Stock Unit shall be made, which new adjustment shall
supersede the previous adjustment so rescinded and annulled.

                  G. Other Provisions Applicable to Adjustments Under this
Section. The following provisions shall be applicable to the making of
adjustments of the number of shares of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit
hereinbefore provided for in this Section 4:

                           (1) Treasury Stock. The sale or other disposition of
         any issued shares of Common Stock owned or held by or for the account
         of the Company shall be deemed an issuance thereof for purposes of this
         Section 4.

                           (2) Computation of Consideration. To the extent that
         any Additional Shares of Common Stock or any Convertible Securities or
         any warrants, options or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any
         Additional Shares of Common Stock or any Convertible Securities shall
         be issued solely for cash consideration, the consideration received by
         the Company therefor shall be deemed to be the amount of cash received
         by the Company therefor, or, if such Additional Shares of Common Stock
         or Convertible Securities are offered by the Company for subscription,
         the subscription price, or, if such Additional Shares of Common Stock
         or Convertible Securities are sold to underwriters or dealers for
         public offering without a subscription offering, the initial public
         offering price, in any such case excluding any amounts paid or
         receivable for accrued interest or accrued dividends and without
         deduction of any compensation, discounts or expenses paid or incurred
         by the Company for and in the underwriting of, or otherwise in
         connection with, the issue thereof. To the extent that such issuance
         shall be for a consideration other than solely for cash, then, except
         as herein otherwise expressly provided, the amount of such
         consideration shall be deemed to be the fair value of such
         consideration at the time of such issuance as determined in good faith
         by the Board of Directors of the Company, provided that if such
         determination is objected to by the Holder, such determination shall be
         made by an independent appraiser selected by such Board of Directors
         and not objected to by the Holder. The fees and expenses of such
         appraiser shall be paid by the Company. The consideration for any
         Additional Shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to any warrants,
         options or other rights to subscribe for or purchase the same shall be
         the consideration received or receivable by the Company for issuing
         such warrant, options or other rights, plus the additional
         consideration payable to the Company upon the exercise of such
         warrants, options or other rights. The consideration for any Additional
         Shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the terms of any
         Convertible Securities shall be the consideration received or
         receivable by the Company for issuing any warrants, options or other
         rights to subscribe for or purchase such Convertible Securities (if
         any), plus the consideration paid or payable to the Company in respect
         of the subscription for or purchase of such Convertible Securities,
         plus the additional consideration, if any, payable to the Company upon
         the exercise of the right of conversion or exchange in such Convertible
         Securities.

                                       11
<PAGE>   30

                           (3) When Adjustments To Be Made. The adjustments
         required by the preceding Subsections of this Section 4 shall be made
         whenever and as often as any specified event requiring an adjustment
         shall occur. For the purpose of any adjustment, any specified event
         shall be deemed to have occurred at the close of business on the date
         of its occurrence.

                           (4) Fractional Interests. In computing adjustments
         under this Section, fractional interests in Common Stock shall be taken
         into account to the nearest 1/100th of a share.

                           (5) When Adjustment Not Required. If the Company
         shall take a record of the holders of its Common Stock for the purpose
         of entitling them to receive a dividend or distribution or subscription
         or purchase rights and shall, thereafter and before the distribution
         thereof to shareholders, legally abandon its plan to pay or deliver
         such dividend, distribution, subscription or purchase rights, then
         thereafter no adjustment shall be required by reason of the taking of
         such record and any such adjustment previously made in respect thereof
         shall be rescinded and annulled.

                  H. Merger, Consolidation or Disposition of Assets. In case the
Company shall merge or consolidate into another corporation, or shall sell,
transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its property,
assets or business to another corporation and pursuant to the terms of such
merger, consolidation or disposition, shares of common stock of the successor or
acquiring corporation are to be received by or distributed to the holders of
Common Stock of the Company, then the Holder shall have the right thereafter to
receive, upon exercise of this Warrant, Stock Units each comprising the number
of shares of common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation receivable
upon or as a result of such merger, consolidation or disposition of assets by a
holder of the number of shares of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit
immediately prior to such event. If, pursuant to the terms of such merger,
consolidation or disposition of assets, any cash, shares of stock or other
securities or property of any nature whatsoever (including warrants, options or
other subscription or purchase rights) are to be received by or distributed to
the holders of Common Stock of the Company in addition to common stock of the
successor or acquiring corporation, there shall be either, at the Holder's
option, (i) an adjustment in the number of shares of Common Stock thereafter
comprising a Stock Unit to that number determined by multiplying the number of
shares of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit immediately prior to such
adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which shall be the Current Market
Price per share of Common Stock at the date of such merger, consolidation or
disposition, and (y) the denominator of which shall be such Current Market Price
per share minus the portion applicable to one share of Common Stock of any cash
so distributed and of the fair value of any and all such shares of stock,
securities or other property or (ii) the Holder shall have the right to receive
such cash, shares of stock or other securities or property of any nature as a
holder of the number of shares of Common Stock underlying a Stock Unit would
have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of such event, for each Stock
Unit into which the Holder's Warrants are exercisable. Such fair value shall be
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, provided that
if such determination is objected to by the Holder, such determination shall be
made by an independent appraiser selected by such Board of Directors and not
objected to by the Holder. The fees and expenses of such appraiser shall be paid
by the Company. In case of any such merger, consolidation or disposition of
assets,

                                       12
<PAGE>   31

the successor or acquiring corporation shall expressly assume the due and
punctual observance and performance of each and every covenant and condition of
this Warrant and the Securities Purchase Agreement to be performed and observed
by the Company and all of the obligations and liabilities hereunder and
thereunder, subject to such modification as shall be necessary to provide for
adjustments of Stock Units which shall be as nearly equivalent as practicable to
the adjustments provided for in this Section 4. For the purposes of this Section
4 "common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation" shall include stock
of such corporation of any class which is not preferred as to dividends or
assets over any other class of stock of such corporation and which is not
subject to redemption. The foregoing provisions of this Subsection shall
similarly apply to successive mergers, consolidations or dispositions of assets.

                  I. Other Action Affecting Common Stock. In case at any time or
from time to time the Company shall take any action affecting its Common Stock,
other than an action described in any of the foregoing Subsections A to H,
inclusive, of this Section 4 and the actions described in clauses (i) through
(xiv) of the definition of Additional Shares of Common Stock, then, unless in
the reasonable opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company such action will
not have a materially adverse effect upon the rights of the Holder, the number
of shares of Common Stock or other stock comprising a Stock Unit, or the
purchase price thereof, shall be adjusted in such manner and at such time as the
Board of Directors of the Company may in good faith determine to be equitable in
the circumstances.

                  J. No Adjustments for Certain Transactions. Anything contained
in this Warrant notwithstanding, the number of shares of Common Stock comprising
a Stock Unit and the Purchase Price per Stock Unit shall not be adjusted, nor be
subject to adjustment, on account of the granting of any rights under a phantom
stock plan, stock appreciation rights plan or other deferred compensation plan
to officers, directors or employees of the Company or its affiliates, if (i) no
shares of Common Stock are issued or required to be issued under any such plan
and (ii) the only consideration paid or payable to any participant in such plan
is cash.

         Section 5. Notice to Warrant Holders.

                  A. Notice of Adjustment of Stock Unit or Purchase Price.
Whenever the number of shares of Warrant Stock comprising a Stock Unit or the
Purchase Price per Stock Unit shall be adjusted pursuant to Section 4, the
Company shall forthwith obtain a certificate signed by the president of the
Company and the principal financial officer of the Company, setting forth, in
reasonable detail, the event requiring the adjustment and the method by which
such adjustment was calculated (including a statement of the fair value, as
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, of any evidences of
indebtedness, shares of stock, other securities or property or warrants, options
or other subscription or purchase rights referred to in Section 4.B, Section
4.G(2) or Section 4.H) and specifying the number of shares of Common Stock
comprising a Stock Unit and (if such adjustment was made pursuant to Section 4.H
or Section 4.I) describing the number and kind of any other shares of stock
comprising a Stock Unit, and any change in the Purchase Price thereof after
giving effect to such adjustment or change. The Company shall promptly, and in
any case within 10 days after the making of such adjustment, cause a signed copy
of such certificate to be delivered to the Holder. The Company shall keep at its
office or agency, maintained for the purpose pursuant to Section 16, copies of
all such certificates and cause the same to be available for inspection at said
office during normal

                                       13
<PAGE>   32

business hours by the Holder or any prospective purchaser of the Warrant
designated by the Holder.

                  B. Notice of Certain Corporate Action. In case the Company
shall propose (a) to pay any dividend payable in cash or in stock of any class
to the holders of its Common Stock or to make any other distribution to the
holders of its Common Stock, or (b) to offer to the holders of its Common Stock
rights to subscribe for or to purchase any Additional Shares of Common Stock or
shares of stock of any class or any other securities, rights or options, or (c)
to effect any reclassification of its Common Stock (other than a
reclassification involving only the subdivision or combination of outstanding
shares of Common Stock), or (d) to effect any capital reorganization, or (e) to
effect any consolidation, merger or sale, change to the Company's charter or
bylaws, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of its
property, assets or business, or (f) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, then in each such case, the Company shall give to
each holder of a Warrant, in accordance with Section 17, a notice, certified by
the president of the Company and the principal financial officer of the Company,
of such proposed action, which shall specify the date on which a record is to be
taken for the purposes of such stock dividend, distribution or rights, or the
date on which such reclassification, reorganization, consolidation, merger,
sale, change to the Company's charter or bylaws, transfer, disposition,
liquidation, dissolution, or winding up is to take place and the date of
participation therein by the holders of Common Stock, if any such date is to be
fixed, and shall also set forth such facts with respect thereto as shall be
reasonably necessary to indicate the effect of such action on the Common Stock
and the number and kind of any other shares of stock which will comprise a Stock
Unit, and the purchase price or prices thereof, after giving effect to any
adjustment which will be required as a result of such action. Such notice shall
be so given in the case of any action covered by clause (a) or (b) above at
least twenty days prior to the record date for determining holders of the Common
Stock for purposes of such action, and in the case of any other such action, at
least thirty days prior to the date of the taking of such proposed action or the
date of participation therein by the holders of Common Stock, whichever shall be
the earlier.

         Section 6. Reservation and Authorization of Common Stock; Registration
with or Approval of any Governmental Authority. The Company shall at all times
reserve and keep available for issue upon the exercise of Warrants such number
of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock as will be sufficient to
permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Warrants. Without the prior
written consent of the Holder, the Company will not amend its Certificate of
Incorporation in any respect relating to the Common Stock other than to increase
or decrease the number of shares of authorized capital stock (subject to the
provisions of the preceding sentence) or to decrease the par value of Common
Stock.

Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment reducing the Current
Warrant Price per share of Common Stock below the then par value, if any, of the
shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, the Company shall
take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary
in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully-paid and
nonassessable shares of Common Stock at such adjusted Current Warrant Price.

                                       14
<PAGE>   33

Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of
shares of Common Stock comprising a Stock Unit or in the Current Warrant Price
per share of Common Stock, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or
exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public
regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof (except that nothing
contained in this Warrant certificate shall require the Company to register the
Warrants under the Securities Act or any similar federal or state equivalent).

         Section 7. Taking of Record; Stock and Warrant Transfer Books. In the
case of all dividends or other distributions by the Company to the holders of
its Common Stock with respect to which any provision of Section 4 refers to the
taking of a record of such holders, the Company will in each such case take such
a record and will take such record as of the close of business on a Business
Day. The Company will not at any time, except (i) upon dissolution, liquidation
or winding up, or (ii) for purposes of declaring and paying a dividend or
matters related to voting by shareholders of the Company, close its stock
transfer books or Warrant transfer books so as to result in preventing or
delaying the exercise or transfer of any Warrant.

         Section 8. Transfer Taxes. The Company will pay any and all transfer
taxes that may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of shares of
Common Stock on exercise of this Warrant. The Company shall not, however, be
required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved
in the issue and delivery of shares of Common Stock in a name other than that in
which this Warrant is registered, and no such issue or delivery shall be made
unless and until the person requesting such issue has paid to the Company the
amount of any such tax, or has established, to the satisfaction of the Company,
that such tax has been paid.

         Section 9. No Voting Rights. This Warrant shall not entitle the holder
hereof to any voting rights, or to any rights as a stockholder of the Company.

         Section 10. Restrictions on Transferability. The Warrants and the
Warrant Stock shall be transferable only (i) in accordance with the provisions
of Section 5 of the Securities Purchase Agreement and (ii) upon compliance with
the conditions specified in this Warrant and in compliance with the provisions
of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws in respect of the
transfer of any Warrant or any Warrant Stock, and any holder of this Warrant
shall be bound by the provisions of (and entitled to the benefits of) Section 3
hereof.

         Section 11. Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the
absence of affirmative action by the holder hereof to purchase shares of Common
Stock, and no mere enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the holder
hereof, shall give rise to any liability of such holder for the purchase price
or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the
Company or by creditors of the Company.

         Section 12. Registration Rights. The Holder shall have registration
rights and benefits with respect to any Warrant Stock issuable upon the exercise
hereof identical to the rights and benefits (and subject to the same terms and
conditions) as those set forth in Section 6 of the Securities Purchase Agreement
as if such provisions were set forth herein in their entirety. Nothing in this
Section 12 shall limit or reduce the rights and benefits of the Purchaser under
the Securities Purchase Agreement.

                                       15
<PAGE>   34

         Section 13. Loss, Destruction of Warrant Certificates. Upon receipt of
evidence satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or
mutilation of this Warrant and, in the case of any such loss, theft or
destruction, upon receipt of indemnity or security satisfactory to the Company
(the original Holder's or any other institutional holder's indemnity being
satisfactory indemnity in the event of loss, theft or destruction of any Warrant
owned by such institutional holder), or, in the case of any such mutilation,
upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant, the Company will make and
deliver, in lieu of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Warrant, a new
Warrant of like tenor and representing the right to purchase the same aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock.

         Section 14. Furnish Information. The Company agrees that it shall
deliver to the holder of record hereof promptly after their becoming available
copies of all financial statements, reports and proxy statements which the
Company shall have sent to its stockholders generally.

         Section 15. Amendments. The terms of this Warrant may be amended, and
the observance of any term therein may be waived, only with the written consent
of the Holder.

         Section 16. Office of the Company. So long as any of the Warrants
remains outstanding, the Company shall maintain an office in Houston, Texas
where the Warrants may be presented for exercise, transfer, division or
combination as in this Warrant provided. Such office shall be at 3700 Buffalo
Speedway, Suite 960 unless and until the Company shall designate and maintain
some other office for such purposes and give written notice thereof to the
Holder.

         Section 17. Notices Generally. All notices, requests and other
communications hereunder must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly
given only if delivered personally or by facsimile transmission or mailed (first
class postage prepaid) to the parties at the following addresses or facsimile
numbers:

                  If to Company, to:

                      Contango Oil and Gas Company
                      3700 Buffalo Speedway, Suite 960
                      Houston, Texas 77098
                      Attention: Kenneth R. Peak, President and Chief Executive
                                 Officer
                      Phone: (713) 960-1901
                      Fax: (713) 960-1065

                      with a copy to:

                      Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
                      300 South Grand Avenue, 22nd Floor
                      Los Angeles, California 90071
                      Attention: Richard A. Shortz, Esq.
                      Phone: (213) 612-2500
                      Fax: (213) 612-2554

                                       16
<PAGE>   35

                  If to Holder, to:

                      Juneau Exploration Company, LLC
                      26902 Nichols Sawmill Road
                      Magnolia, Texas 77355-3586
                      Attention: Brad Juneau
                      Phone: (281) 356-6494
                      Fax: (281) 355-2666

                  All such notices, requests and other communications will (i)
if delivered personally to the address as provided in this Section, be deemed
given upon delivery, (ii) if delivered by facsimile transmission to the
facsimile number as provided in this Section, be deemed given upon receipt, and
(iii) if delivered by mail in the manner described above to the address as
provided in this Section, be deemed given upon receipt (in each case regardless
of whether such notice, request or other communication is received by any other
Person to whom a copy of such notice is to be delivered pursuant to this
Section). Any party from time to time may change its address, facsimile number
or other information for the purpose of notices to that party by giving notice
specifying such change to the other party hereto.

         Section 18. Governing Law. THIS WARRANT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEVADA.

                                       17
<PAGE>   36

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Certificate to be signed in its
name by its President and Chief Executive Officer.

Dated:
       ----------------------

                                       CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY,
                                       a Nevada corporation

                                       By:
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Kenneth R. Peak
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer

                                       18
<PAGE>   37

                                SUBSCRIPTION FORM
                 (to be executed only upon exercise of Warrant)

The undersigned registered owner of this Warrant irrevocably exercises this
Warrant for and purchases ___________ Stock Units of ___________________, a
__________ corporation, purchasable with this Warrant, herewith makes payment
therefor on the terms and conditions specified in this Warrant and requests that
certificates for the shares of Common Stock hereby purchased (and any securities
or other property issuable upon such exercise) be issued in the name of and
delivered to whose address is.

Dated:

                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       (Signature of Registered Owner)

                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       (Street Address)

                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       (City)          (State)        (Zip Code)

                                       19
<PAGE>   38

                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM

FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered owner of this Warrant hereby
sells, assigns and transfers unto the assignee named below all of the rights of
the undersigned under this Warrant, with respect to the number of Stock Units
set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         No. of Stock
             Name and Address of Assignee                   Units
             ----------------------------                ------------
<S>                                                      <C>
</TABLE>

and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _____________________
attorney to make sure transfer on the books of ________________, a ___________
corporation, maintained for the purpose, with full power of substitution in the
premises.

Dated:

                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Signature

                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Witness

NOTICE: The signature to the assignment must correspond with the name as written
        upon the face of the within Warrant in every particular, without
        alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

        [The signature to this assignment must be guaranteed by an Eligible
        Guarantor Institution as defined in Rule 17Ad-15 promulgated under the
        Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto.]

                                       20
<PAGE>   39

                                   EXHIBIT B
                         ACCREDITED INVESTOR CERTIFICATE

        In connection with the issuance of certain Warrants (the "Warrants") to
purchase the Common Stock (the "Common Stock") of Contango Oil & Gas Company, a
Nevada corporation (the "Company"), the undersigned (an "Investor") hereby
furnishes the following information and makes the following acknowledgments and
representations and warranties:

I.       Legal Status of Investor.

         Each Investor must check the applicable statement below.

         The Investor is (check the appropriate category(ies)):

                  A natural person whose net worth (or joint net worth with his
---               or her spouse) is in excess of $1,000,000 as of the date
                  hereof;

                  A natural person whose income in 1997 and 1998 was, and whose
---               income in 1999 is expected to be, in excess of $200,000, or
                  whose income with his or her spouse in 1997 and 1998 was, and
                  whose income with his or her spouse in 1999 is expected to be,
                  in excess of $300,000;

                  A broker dealer registered pursuant to Section 15 of the
---               Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;

                  An organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
---               Revenue Code, corporation, Massachusetts or similar business
                  trust or partnership, not formed for the specific purpose of
                  acquiring the Securities, with total assets in excess of
                  $5,000,000;

                  A trust with total assets in excess of $5,000,000, not formed
---               for the specific purpose of acquiring the Securities, whose
                  purchase is directed by a sophisticated person as described in
                  Rule 506(b)(2)(ii) under the Securities Act;

                  An entity in which all of the equity owners are "accredited
---               investors" as defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act; or

                  A director or executive officer of the Company.
---

                                       21
<PAGE>   40

II.      Identity of Investor.

         Name:
                           --------------------------------------------------

         Address:
                           --------------------------------------------------

         Telephone:
                           --------------------------------------------------

         Tax ID No.:
                           --------------------------------------------------

III.     Acknowledgment.

         Investor understands, acknowledges and agrees that:

                  (a) The Warrants have not been registered under the Securities
         Act or any other applicable federal or state securities laws;

                  (b) Investor is acquiring the Warrants for his, her or its own
         account for investment purposes and not with a view to, or for offer or
         sale in connection with, any distribution of the Warrants in violation
         of the Securities Act; and

                  (c) Investor has a preexisting personal and business
         relationship with the Company and certain of its officers, directors
         and controlling persons, and, by reason of Investor's business and
         financial experience, has the capacity to protect his, her or its
         interests in connection with the acquisition of the Warrants.

        This completed questionnaire must be returned as soon as possible after
receipt hereof and prior to acquiring the Warrants.

                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Print or type name of Investor

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

Date:                               , 2000
     -------------------------------

                                       22

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