record title is made at the time of acquisition (other than a preliminary review of local records). Investigations, including a title opinion of local counsel, are generally made before commencement of drilling operations. The Company's revolving credit facility is secured by substantially all of its oil and natural gas properties.

   The successful acquisition of producing properties requires an assessment of recoverable reserves, future oil and natural gas prices, operating costs, potential environmental and other liabilities and other factors. Such assessments are necessarily inexact and their accuracy inherently uncertain. In connection with such an assessment, the Company performs a review of the subject properties that it believes to be generally consistent with industry practices, which generally includes on-site inspections and the review of reports filed with various regulatory entities. Such a review, however, will not reveal all existing or potential problems nor will it permit a buyer to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to fully assess their deficiencies and capabilities. Inspections may not always be performed on every well, and structural and environmental problems are not necessarily observable even when an inspection is undertaken. Even when problems are identified, the seller may be unwilling or unable to provide effective contractual protection against all or part of such problems. There can be no assurances that any acquisition of property interests by the Company will be successful and, if unsuccessful, that such failure will not have an adverse effect on the Company's future results of operations and financial condition.

Employees

   At December 31, 2001, the Company had 36 full-time employees, including six geoscientists and six engineers. The Company believes that its relationships with its employees are good.

   In order to optimize prospect generation and development, the Company utilizes the services of independent consultants and contractors to perform various professional services, particularly in the areas of 3-D seismic data mapping, acquisition of leases and lease options, construction, design, well site surveillance, permitting and environmental assessment. Field and on-site production operation services, such as pumping, maintenance, dispatching, inspection and testings, are generally provided by independent contractors. The Company believes that this use of third party service providers has enhanced its ability to contain general and administrative expenses.

   The Company depends to a large extent on the services of certain key management personnel, the loss of, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's operations. The Company does not maintain key-man life insurance with respect to any of its employees.

Glossary of Certain Industry Terms

   The definitions set forth below shall apply to the indicated terms as used herein. All volumes of natural gas referred to herein are stated at the legal pressure base of the state or area where the reserves exist and at 60 degrees Fahrenheit and in most instances are rounded to the nearest major multiple.

   After payout. With respect to an oil or gas interest in a property, refers to the time period after which the costs to drill and equip a well have been recovered.

   Bbl. One stock tank barrel, or 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume, used herein in reference to crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.

   Bbls/d. Stock tank barrels per day.

   Bcf. Billion cubic feet.

   Bcfe. Billion cubic feet equivalent, determined using the ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl of crude oil, condensate or natural gas liquids.

   Before payout. With respect to an oil or gas interest in a property, refers to the time period before which the costs to drill and equip a well have been recovered.

   Btu or British Thermal Unit. The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.

   Completion. The installation of permanent equipment for the production of oil or gas or, in the case of a dry hole, the reporting of abandonment to the appropriate agency.

   Developed acreage. The number of acres which are allocated or assignable to producing wells or wells capable of production.