SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934




        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 20, 1999




                            IMPERIAL PETROLEUM, INC.
                            ------------------------

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)




         NEVADA                   0-9923                      95-3386019
         ---------------------------------------------------------------
(State of incorporation)       (Commission File No.)   (I.R.S.Employer I.D. No.)




100 NW Second Street, Suite 312, Evansville, Indiana                47708
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                          (Zip Code)




Registrant's telephone number, including area code:          (812) - 424-7948




                 N/A__________________________
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report. )







      ITEM 1. Changes in Control:

                          N/A

      ITEM 2. Acquisition or Disposition of Assets:

      Under the terms of that certain  Agreement to Exchange  Stock dated August
      31, 1998 by and  between  Oil City  Petroleum,  Inc.  and certain  control
      shareholders  of Oil City,  as Sellers and Imperial  Petroleum,  Inc.,  as
      Buyer, Imperial purchased a total of 17,345,906 million shares of Oil City
      common stock  representing an interest of approximately 90% of Oil City in
      exchange  for the issuance of 1,950,000  shares of its  restricted  common
      stock. Under the terms of the Agreement,  Imperial is obligated to provide
      working capital loans in the total amount of $900,000 to Oil City in equal
      monthly  payments  over a period of 36 months and agreed to guarantee  the
      existing bank debt of Oil City of approximately  $1.1 million with BankOne
      Texas.  The Board of Directors and the Management of Oil City and Imperial
      remained  unchanged and continue to manage the affairs of their respective
      company.  The oil and natural gas interests and  subsidiaries  of Oil City
      remained in tact and approval of Oil City's primary lender, BankOne Texas,
      was obtained prior to consummation of the exchange.

      Imperial and Oil City's management entered into the acquisition  agreement
      with the intent to stabilize  Oil City during the period of low oil prices
      in the industry and attempt to consolidate  other  interests and companies
      through  the use of Oil  City  stock,  thereby  increasing  the  size  and
      financial  strength  of the  company.  Prior to closing  the  acquisition,
      Imperial  and Oil  City  entered  into  negotiations  with the  owners  of
      additional   oil  and  natural  gas  interests   and  received   tentative
      commitments  from owners  agreeing to accept  newly issued Oil City shares
      representing  approximately  30% of the  outstanding  Oil City  shares  in
      exchange  for their oil and natural gas  interests.  Oil City and Imperial
      expect to close those  acquisitions  during June 1999. As such  Imperial's
      interest in Oil City will be diluted to approximately 60%.

      The preceding  statements  with respect to the Oil City  Acquisition are a
      brief summary  thereof.  A copy of the Oil City  Acquisition  Agreement is
      filed as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated
      by reference.

      ITEM 7.   Financial Statements and Exhibits:

      The Company is preparing  the necessary  financial  statements in U.S GAAP
      format to accurately  reflect the transactions  described above,  however,
      the required  financial  statements  are not  completed at this time.  The
      Company intends to file the required  financial  statements under cover of
      Form 8 not later than 60 days after the date this  Current  Report on Form
      8-K is filed.  Pending  such filing,  the Company is filing the  following
      financial statements:


(a.)  Oil City Petroleum, Inc. Consolidated (unaudited) Balance Sheets as of
      January 31,1999 and Statement of Income (unaudited)dated January 31, 1999.

      It is  impractical  for the  Company  to provide  the pro forma  financial
      statements  required with the initial filing of this Form 8-K. The Company
      is  preparing  these  statements  in US GAAP form and  intends to file the
      required statements under cover of Form 8 not later than 60 days after the
      filing of this Current Report on Form 8-K.








                                    SIGNATURE


    Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



                                               Imperial Petroleum, Inc.



By: ___________________

Jeffrey T. Wilson,

President



Dated:  June 3, 1999














                            OIL CITY PETROLEUM, INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                January 31, 1999

ASSETS
Current Assets:
     Cash                                                       $     28,543.72
     Accounts Receivable                                              68,529.14
     Revenue Receivable                                               20,725.53
     Accounts Receivable-Other                                        70,395.51
     Shop and Yard Inventory                                           1,466.26
     Other Current Assets                                             10,721.54
                                                                ---------------
          Total Current Asset                                        200,381.70

Property and Equipment
     Oil and Gas Properties                                        2,759,214.12
     Building, Land & Office Equipment                               304,112,39
                                                                 --------------
          Total Property and Equipment                             3,063,326.51

Less Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization                       (678,236.10)
                                                                 --------------
          Net Property and Equipment                               2,385,090.41

Other Assets
     Deferred Loan Cost                                               46,489.89
     Organization Cost                                                   902.33
                                                                 --------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                              $        2,632,864.33
                                                                 ==============

LIABILITIES & EQUITY Current Liabilities:
     Accounts Payable-Trade                                          325,900.58
     Revenue Payable                                                  90,502.82
     Accounts Payable-Other                                          112,362.44
     Current Portion of Long Term Debt                               199,327.10
                                                                 --------------
          Total Current Liabilities                                  728,092.94

Long Term Debt                                                     1,021,899.91
Subordinated Debt - Imperial Petroleum, Inc.                         145,000.00

Shareholders Equity
     Common Stock                                                     29,300.00
     Treasury Stock                                                  (14,317.70)
     Additional Paid in Capital                                    9,890,774.29
     Retained Earnings                                            (9,421,131.89)
     Net Income (Loss)                                               253,246.78
                                                                 --------------
          Total Shareholder's Equity                                 737,871.48

TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY                                  $      2,632,864.33
                                                                 ==============


                            OIL CITY PETROLEUM, INC.
                          CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                January 31, 1999



Revenues

     Oil and Gas Sales                                         $     189,107.00


Costs and Expenses

     Lease Operating Expenses                                        105,080.41
     Depreciation, Depletion, & Amortization                          67,352.26
     Administrative and General                                       91,398.82
     Interest                                                         67,486.11
                                                                 --------------
Net Operating Income or (Loss)                                      (142,210.60)


Other Income (Expenses)
     Other Income                                                     44,885.98
     Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets                                   350,635.05
     Gain (Loss) on Write Down                                           (63.65)
                                                                 --------------
Total Other Income (Expenses)                                        395,457.38


Net Income (Loss)                                              $     253,246.78
                                                                 ==============



















                           AGREEMENT TO EXCHANGE STOCK
                           ---------------------------




      THIS AGREEMENT TO EXCHANGE STOCK (the  "Agreement"),  dated as of the 31st
day  of  August  1998,  by  and  between  Imperial  Petroleum,  Inc.,  a  Nevada
corporation  ("Imperial")and Oil City Petroleum, Inc., a Texas corporation ("OIL
CITY"),  and those persons  listed on Exhibit "A" attached  hereto (such persons
listed on Exhibit "A" attached  hereto are  sometimes  collectively  referred to
herein as the "OIL CITY Stockholders."

                             W I T N E S S E T H
                             --------------------

      WHEREAS,  the OIL CITY Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Imperial
deem  it  advisable  and  in the  best  interests  of OIL  CITY,  the  OIL  CITY
Stockholders   and  Imperial  that  Imperial  acquire  90%  of  the  issued  and
outstanding   capital  stock  of  OIL  CITY,  in  exchange  for  (1.)  2,350,000
newly-issued  shares of Imperial common stock,  referred herein as the "Imperial
Shares";  and (2.) the availability of a subordinated  loan from Imperial to OIL
CITY in an amount of $900,000 available in equal monthly installments for a term
of 36 months  pursuant to this Agreement and applicable  provisions of law (such
transaction being hereinafter referred to as the "Oil City Acquisition"); and

      WHEREAS,  the Board of Directors of Imperial has approved and adopted this
Agreement; and

      WHEREAS,  the OIL CITY Stockholders and OIL CITY own and have the right to
sell,  transfer and exchange 90% of the issued and outstanding  capital stock of
OIL CITY to  Imperial  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of this  Agreement  and
applicable provisions of law.

      NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and  of the  mutual
agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto hereby
agree as follows.

                         1.  Exchange of Common Stock.
                         -----------------------------

  1.01 Exchange.  Subject to the terms and conditions  herein set forth,  at the
time of  closing  set forth in  Section  1.02  hereof,  Imperial  will issue and
deliver or cause to be issued and  delivered  to the OIL CITY  Stockholders  the
following:  (1.) a total  of  2,350,000  shares  of  Imperial's  authorized  and
unissued common stock,  par value $0.006 per share (the "Imperial  Shares"),  in
exchange  for  the  conveyance  by the OIL  CITY  Stockholders  and OIL  CITY to


                                       1


Imperial of a total of  13,655,700  shares of OIL CITY  capital  stock (the "OIL
CITY Shares"),  representing 90% of the issued and outstanding  capital stock of
OIL CITY.

  1.02  Closing.  Subject to the terms and  provisions  of this  Agreement,  the
closing  of the Oil City  Acquisition  will be at 10:00 a.m.  at the  offices of
Imperial Petroleum,  Inc., 100 NW Second Street, Suite 312, Evansville, IN 47708
on or before  September 1, 1998,  or at such earlier or later date or such other
place as shall be mutually  agreed upon by  Imperial,  OIL CITY and the OIL CITY
Stockholders,  such  date and time  sometimes  being  referred  to herein as the
"Closing" or "Closing Date."


  1.03  Terms of Loan.  Subject to  completion  of the Oil City  Acquisition  as
provided  in this  Agreement  and the  exchange of shares as outlined in Section
1.01 above, Imperial will provide a subordinate loan facility to OIL CITY in the
amount of $900,000 for its use as provided in the attached Exhibit "B" - "Use of
Loan Proceeds". OIL CITY will sign a note payable to Imperial,  substantially in
the form of the note attached as Exhibit "C", to be paid in full with  principal
and accrued  interest  thereon  (annual rate of 9%).  Payment of  principal  and
accrued  interest on the note shall begin upon the expiration of thirty six (36)
months  from the  date of  execution  of the  note  and  paid in  equal  monthly
installments during the next sixty (60) months.  Security for the note will be a
second mortgage against 100% of the assets of OIL CITY.


                    2. Representations and Warranties of the
                             OIL CITY Stockholders.
                             ----------------------

      Each of the OIL CITY Stockholders severally,  and not jointly,  represents
and warrants to Imperial that, with respect to the OIL CITY shares owned by such
OIL CITY Stockholder as set forth on Exhibit "A" attached hereto, the statements
contained  in this  Section 2 are  correct  and  complete as of the date of this
Agreement  and will be correct and  complete  as of the Closing  Date as through
made then and as though the Closing Date were  substituted  for the date of this
Agreement throughout this Section 2.

      2.01 Authorization.  The OIL CITY Stockholder has full power and authority
to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform his obligations  hereunder.
This Agreement  constitutes the valid and legally binding  obligation of the OIL
CITY Stockholder,  enforceable in accordance with its terms and conditions.  The
OIL CITY  Stockholder  need not give any notice to,  make any  filing  with,  or


                                       2


obtain any  authorization,  consent or approval of any government,  governmental
agency, or other person in order to consummate the transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement.

      2.02  Noncontravention.  Neither the execution and  the  delivery  of this
Agreement,  nor the consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby, will
violate any statute,  regulation,  rule, judgment,  order, decree,  stipulation,
injunction,  charge or other restriction of any government,  governmental agency
or court to which the OIL CITY  Stockholder is subject or conflict with,  result
in a breach of,  constitute  a default  under,  result in the  acceleration  of,
create in any party the right to accelerate,  terminate,  modify,  or cancel, or
require any notice under any contract,  lease,  sublease,  license,  sublicense,
franchise,  permit,  indenture,   agreement  or  mortgage  for  borrowed  money,
instrument of indebtedness, security interest, or other arrangement to which the
OIL CITY  Stockholder  is a party or by which he is bound or to which any of his
assets are subject.

      2.03  Ownership.   The OIL  CITY Stockholder  holds  of  record  and  owns
beneficially  the number of OIL CITY Shares set forth  opposite  his name as set
forth on Exhibit "A" attached  hereto.  The OIL CITY  Stockholder  holds his OIL
CITY  Shares  free  and  clear  of any  restrictions  on  transfer  (other  than
restrictions under federal and state securities laws), claims,  taxes,  security
interests,  options, warrants, rights, contracts,  calls, commitments,  equities
and demands.  The OIL CITY  Stockholder  is not a party to any option,  warrant,
contract,  call,  put  or  other  agreement  or  commitment  providing  for  the
disposition  or  acquisition  of any capital  stock of OIL CITY (other than this
Agreement).  The OIL CITY Stockholder is not a party to any voting trust,  proxy
or other  agreement or  understanding  with respect to the voting of any capital
stock of OIL CITY.

      2.04  Speculative   Nature  and  Risk.  The  OIL  CITY  Stockholders  each
understand and  acknowledge the  speculative  nature of and substantial  risk of
loss  associated  with an investment in the Imperial Shares which may be subject
to substantial  dilution.  The OIL CITY  Stockholders each represent and warrant
that  the  Imperial  Shares  constitute  an  investment  which is  suitable  and
consistent  with their  respective  financial  conditions and that they are each
able to bear the  risks of this  investment  for an  indefinite  period of time,
which may include the total loss of their  investment in Imperial.  The OIL CITY
Stockholders  each further  represent that they have adequate means of providing
for  their  respective  current  financial  needs  and  corporate  and  personal
contingencies and no need for liquidity in their investment in Imperial and that


                                       3


they each have  sufficient  financial  and business  experience  to evaluate the
merits and risks of an investment in Imperial.

      2.05 Federal or State  Securities  Laws.  The OIL CITY  Stockholders  each
understand and acknowledge  that the Imperial Shares have not been, and will not
be, registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or
applicable  state  securities laws and the OIL CITY  Stockholders are each aware
that no federal or state  agency has made any review,  finding or  determination
regarding  the  terms  of  their  acquisition  of the  Imperial  Shares  nor any
recommendation  or endorsement of the Imperial Shares as an investment,  and the
OIL CITY Stockholders must each forego the security,  if any, that such a review
would provide.

      2.06  Acquisition  for  Own  Account.   The  OIL  CITY  Stockholders  each
understand and  acknowledge  that the Imperial Shares are being offered and sold
under exemptions from registration  provided by the Act and exemptions  provided
by applicable state securities laws and the OIL CITY  Stockholders  each warrant
and  represent  that the Imperial  Shares are being  acquired by them solely for
their own account,  for investment  purposes only, and not with a view to or for
the resale, distribution, subdivision or fractionalization thereof. The OIL CITY
Stockholders  each  represent  and warrant  that they have no agreement or other
arrangement, formal or informal, with any person to sell, transfer or pledge any
part of the Imperial  Shares or which would guarantee them any profit or protect
them against any loss with respect to the Imperial Shares. Further, the OIL CITY
Stockholders have no plans to enter into any such agreement or arrangement, and,
consequently,  they must each bear the  economic  risk of an  investment  in the
Imperial Shares for an indefinite period of time.

      2.07  Limitations on Resale or Transfer.  The OIL CITY  Stockholders  each
understand and  acknowledge  that the Imperial  Shares will be  "restricted"  as
defined in Rule 144 under the Act and that  therefore they cannot offer to sell,
sell  or  otherwise   transfer  or  distribute   the  Imperial   Shares  without
registration thereof,  which Imperial is not obligated to do, under both the Act
and any  applicable  state  securities  laws,  or unless an exemption is, in the
opinion  of  Imperial's  counsel,  available  to  them  under  the  Act  and any
applicable  state securities laws. Such exemption is not now available and it is
not anticipated that any such exemption will become available in the future. The
OIL  CITY  Stockholders  each  further   understand  and  acknowledge  that  the
restrictions  on the transfer of the Imperial  Shares will be noted on the books
of Imperial and that the stock certificate representing the Imperial Shares will


                                       4


bear a written legend setting forth the  restriction on the  transferability  of
the Imperial Shares in substantially the following form:

      THE SECURITIES  REPRESENTED BY THIS  CERTIFICATE  HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
      UNDER THE SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933.  THE SECURITIES  HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR
      INVESTMENT AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED  FOR VALUE IN THE ABSENCE OF
      AN EFFECTIVE  REGISTRATION  OF THEM UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,OR AN
      OPINION OF COUNSEL  SATISFACTORY  TO THE ISSUER THAT SUCH  REGISTRATION IS
      NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE ACT.




                        3. Representations and Warranties
                              Concerning OIL CITY.
                              --------------------

      OIL CITY represents and warrants to Imperial that the statements contained
in this Section 3 are correct and complete as of the date of this  Agreement and
will be correct and  complete as of the Closing  Date except as set forth in the
disclosure  schedule  delivered  by OIL CITY to  Imperial on the date hereof and
initialed by the parties (the "OIL CITY  Disclosure  Schedule").  Nothing in the
OIL CITY  Disclosure  Schedule shall be deemed adequate to disclose an exception
to a  representation  or  warranty  made  herein,  however,  unless the OIL CITY
Disclosure Schedule  identifies the exception with reasonable  particularity and
describes  the  relevant  facts  in  reasonable  detail.  Without  limiting  the
generality  of the  foregoing,  the mere  listing (or  inclusion of a copy) of a
document or other item shall not be deemed  adequate to disclose an exception to
a representation or warranty made herein (unless the  representation or warranty
has to do with the  existence  of the document or other items  itself).  The OIL
CITY  Disclosure  Schedule will be arranged in paragraphs  corresponding  to the
lettered and numbered paragraphs contained in this Section 3.

      3.01  Good  Standing.  OIL  CITY is a corporation duly organized,  validly
existing  and in good  standing  under the laws of the State of Texas  with full
corporate  power to own and operate its  properties and to carry on its business
as and in places where such properties are owned, operated and conducted.

      3.02  Capitalization.  The  entire  authorized  capital stock of OIL  CITY
consists of 30,000,000 shares of common stock, no par value, of which 29,300,000
shares are issued and outstanding, including 14,317,700 shares held in treasury.
All of the issued and  outstanding  shares of OIL CITY  common  stock  have been
duly authorized, are validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable.

                                       5


      3.03  Financial  Statements.  Attached as Section 3.03  of  the  OIL  CITY
Disclosure Schedule are the following financial  statements  (collectively,  the
"OIL CITY Financial  Statements"):  (i) audited balance sheets of OIL CITY as of
August 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 and compiled  (unaudited) balance sheet as of May
31, 1998 ("Most Recent OIL CITY Balance sheet"); and (iii) audited statements of
operations,  retained  earnings  and cash flows for the years  ended  August 31,
1995,  1996 and 1997 and unaudited  statements of operations for the nine months
ended May 31, 1997.  The OIL CITY  Financial  Statements  have been  prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent
basis throughout the periods covered  thereby,  are correct and complete and are
consistent  with the books and  records of OIL CITY which  books and records are
correct and complete.

      3.04  Undisclosed  Liabilities. Except to the extent reflected or reserved
against in the Most Recent OIL CITY Balance Sheet on the dates shown,  or as set
forth in Section 3.04 of the OIL CITY  Disclosure  Schedule,  as of those dates,
OIL CITY had no  liabilities  or  obligations  of any material  nature,  whether
accrued, absolute,  contingent or otherwise and, as of such dates, knows nor has
reasonable  grounds to know any basis for the assertion  against OIL CITY of any
liability of any nature or in any amount not fully reflected or reserved against
in the Most Recent OIL CITY Balance Sheet.

      3.05 Events Subsequent.  Subsequent to the Most Recent  OIL  CITY  Balance
Sheet and  except as set  forth  in  Section  3.05 of  the OIL  CITY  Disclosure
Schedule, OIL CITY has not (i) incurred any material liabilities or obligations,
absolute  or  contingent,  except  current  liabilities  and  obligations  under
contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business; (ii) declared or made
any payment or distribution  to stockholders or purchased or redeemed any of its
capital stock;  (iii)  mortgaged  or  pledged  or  subjected  to  lien,   charge
or  any  other encumbrance, any of its assets, tangible or intangible, excepting
extensions or renewals of liens for  liabilities  set forth on the  Most  Recent
OIL CITY Balance Sheet;  (iv) sold or  transferred  any of its  tangible  assets
or cancelled  any debts or claims except in each case in the  ordinary course of
business; (v) made any capital expenditures other than in the ordinary course of
business;  or  (vi) incurred any  material or adverse  losses or damages,  to be
involved in strikes, or other labor disputes.

      3.06  Litigation.  Except  as set forth in Section  3.06 of the  OIL  CITY
Disclosure  Schedule,  there are no actions,  suits or  proceedings at law or in
equity  pending or, to the  knowledge of OIL CITY,  threatened  against OIL CITY
seeking  damages  nor are there any  suits  threatened  or  pending  before  any


                                       6


federal,  state or  municipal  government  or any  board,  department  or agency
thereof involving OIL CITY. To the best of OIL CITY's knowledge, OIL CITY has no
pending  violation  proceedings  relating  to  state  or  federal  environmental
regulations.

      3.07   Employment  Matters.  OIL  CITY is  not a  party to any  employment
contract  with  any  officer,  director  or  other  employee.  OIL  CITY is  not
bound by a contract with a labor union, pension or profit share plan or employee
benefit plan, other than as listed in  Section 3.07 of the OIL  CITY  Disclosure
Schedule.

      3.08  Subsidiaries.   Section 3.08  of  the OIL  CITY Disclosure  Schedule
summarizes each of the subsidiaries of OIL CITY and its ownership therein.

      3.09  Tax Matters.  OIL CITY has no knowledge or any reasonable grounds to
know of any tax deficiencies which might be asserted against OIL CITY. Since the
date of the OIL CITY  Financial  Statements,  OIL CITY has paid or has  provided
for  payment of all  federal and state  withholding and  unemployment  insurance
taxes and has filed all  federal,  state and  local tax returns and reports when
due.

      3.10 Properties.  Section  3.10 of the OIL  CITY  Disclosure Schedule sets
forth a true and complete list of all material leases, contracts, understandings
commitments,  plans or mortgages now in effect, to which OIL CITY is a party, or
under which it is obligated, or which materially affect its properties. OIL CITY
has  complied  with  all  material   provisions   of  such  leases,   contracts,
understandings,  commitments, plans and mortgages and is not in material default
with respect to any thereof.

      3.11  Adverse  Changes.  There has been no  material adverse change in the
condition,  financial or otherwise,  of OIL CITY from that set forth in the Most
Recent OIL CITY Balance Sheet. To the best of OIL CITY's knowledge,  OIL CITY is
not  aware  of any  facts  that  might  result  in any  actions,  suit or  other
proceeding that would result in any adverse change in the financial condition of
OIL  CITY.  The  business,  properties  and  assets  reflected  in the OIL  CITY
Financial Statements have not been materially and adversely affected as a result
of any fire, explosion,  earthquake,  accident, strike, lockout,  requisition or
taking of property by any government or agency thereof, flood, drought, embargo,
riot, activities of armed forces or acts of God or the public.

                                       7


      3.12  Books and Records.  All of the minute books, stock certificate books
and stock transfer ledgers of OIL CITY are complete and accurate in all material
respects.

      3.13  Independent Investigation of Imperial. OIL CITY confirms that it has
received,  reviewed,  understands and has fully considered  (including,  without
limitation,  the  financial  statements  contained  therein) for purposes of its
acquisition  of the  Imperial  Shares,  the  business  prospects  and  leases of
Imperial.  OIL  CITY  acknowledges  that  (i)  Imperial  has  limited  financial
resources and will need  additional  sources of capital to implement its current
business plan, the availability of which is uncertain and cannot be assured, and
(ii) the Imperial Shares are a highly speculative  investment with a high degree
of risk of loss by OIL CITY of its investment  therein.  OIL CITY represents and
warrants  that in making the  decision to acquire the  Imperial  Shares,  it has
relied upon its own  independent  investigation  of Imperial and the independent
investigations by its representatives, including its own professional legal, tax
and business advisors, and that OIL CITY and its representatives have been given
the opportunity to examine all relevant documents and to ask questions of and to
receive answers from Imperial, or person(s) acting on its behalf, concerning the
terms and conditions of  acquisition by OIL CITY of the Imperial  Shares and any
other matters concerning an investment in Imperial, and to obtain any additional
information  OIL CITY deems  necessary to verify the accuracy of the information
provided.

      3.14  Disclosure.  The  representations and  warranties  contained in this
Section 3 do not contain  any untrue  statement of a fact or omit to  state  any
fact necessary in order to make the statements and information contained in this
Section 3 not misleading.

                                       8


                4.  Representations and Warranties of Imperial
                ----------------------------------------------

      Imperial represents and warrants to the OIL CITY Stockholders and OIL CITY
that the  statements  contained in this Section 4 are correct and complete as of
the date of this  Agreement  and will be correct and  complete as of the Closing
Date except as set forth in the disclosure schedule delivered by Imperial to the
OIL CITY  Stockholders  and OIL CITY on the date  hereof  and  initialed  by the
parties (the "Imperial Disclosure Schedule"). Nothing in the Imperial Disclosure
Schedule shall be deemed  adequate to disclose an exception to a  representation
or warranty  made  herein,  however,  unless the  Imperial  Disclosure  Schedule
identifies  the  exception  with  reasonable  particularity  and  describes  the
relevant  facts in reasonable  detail.  Without  limiting the  generality of the
foregoing, the mere listing (or inclusion of a copy) of a document or other item
shall not be deemed  adequate to disclose an  exception to a  representation  or
warranty made herein (unless the  representation  or warranty has to do with the
existence  of the  document  or other items  itself).  The  Imperial  Disclosure
Schedule  will be arranged  in  paragraphs  corresponding  to the  lettered  and
numbered paragraphs contained in this Section 4.

      4.01  Organization,  Qualification  and  Corporate Power.  Imperial  is  a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Nevada.  Imperial is duly authorized to conduct  business and is
in good standing under the laws of each  jurisdiction in which the nature of its
business  or  the  ownership  or  leasing  of  its   properties   requires  such
qualification.  Imperial has full corporate  power and authority to carry on the
business in which it is engaged and to own and use the properties owned and used
by it. Section 4.01 of the Imperial  Disclosure Schedule lists the directors and
officers of Imperial. Imperial has made available for inspection by the OIL CITY
Stockholders correct and complete copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws of Imperial (as amended to date). The minute books containing the records
of meetings of the  stockholders,  the Board of Directors and any  committees of
the Board of Directors,  the stock  certificate books and the stock record books
of Imperial  are correct and  complete.  Imperial is not in default  under or in
violation of any provision of its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws.

      4.02  Capitalization.  The entire  authorized  capital  stock of  Imperial
consists of (i) 50,000,000  shares of common stock,  par value $0.006 per share,
of which  6,469,801 shares are  issued and  outstanding.  All of the  issued and
outstanding shares  have  been  duly  authorized,   are  validly  issued,  fully
paid,  and  non-assessable and  are  held of  record by the  respective Imperial
shareholders as


                                       9


set  forth in  Imperial's  stock  record  books.  There  are no  outstanding  or
authorized  options,  warrants,  rights,  contracts,   calls,  puts,  rights  to
subscribe,  conversion  rights  or  other  agreements  or  commitments  to which
Imperial  is a party  or which  are  binding  upon  Imperial  providing  for the
issuance,  disposition or  acquisition  of any of its capital  stock,  except as
disclosed  in Section  4.02 of the Imperial  Disclosure  Schedule.  There are no
outstanding or authorized  stock  appreciation,  phantom stock or similar rights
with  respect  to  Imperial.  There are no voting  trusts,  proxies or any other
agreements or understandings  with respect to the voting of the capital stock of
Imperial.  Upon  issuance,  the  Imperial  Shares  to be  issued to the OIL CITY
Stockholders pursuant to this Agreement will be duly authorized, validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable.

      4.03  Non-contravention.  Neither the execution  and the delivery  of this
Agreement,  nor the consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby, will
(i) violate any statute, regulation, rule, judgment, order, decree, stipulation,
injunction,  charge or other restriction of any government,  governmental agency
or court to which the Imperial is subject or any provision of its Certificate of
Incorporation  or Bylaws of Imperial or (ii) conflict  with,  result in a breach
of,  constitute a default under,  result in the  acceleration  of, create in any
party the right to  accelerate,  terminate,  modify,  or cancel or  require  any
notice under any contract,  lease,  sublease,  license,  sublicense,  franchise,
permit,  indenture,  agreement  or mortgage for borrowed  money,  instrument  of
indebtedness,  security  interest or other  arrangement  to which  Imperial is a
party or by which it is bound or to which any of its assets is subject or result
in the imposition of any security  interest upon any of its assets.  Imperial is
not  required  to give any  notice  to,  make any  filing  with,  or obtain  any
authorization,  consent or approval of any  government,  governmental  agency or
other person in order for Imperial to consummate the  transactions  contemplated
by this Agreement.

      4.04  Subsidiaries.  The subsidiaries owned by Imperial  are disclosed  in
Section 4.04 of the Imperial  Disclosure  Schedule  and,  except as set forth in
Section  4.04 of the  Imperial  Disclosure  Schedule,  Imperial  does  not  own,
directly or indirectly,  any capital stock,  security,  partnership  interest or
other  interest  of any kind in any  corporation,  partnership,  joint  venture,
association or other entity.

      4.05  Common  Stock  Trading  Market.  The  common  stock  of  Imperial is
eligible for quotation and is quoted on the National  Association  of Securities
Dealers ("NASD") OTC  Bulletin Board in accordance with the applicable  rules of
the NASD


                                       10


and  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  ("SEC")  and is in  compliance  with
applicable  NASD and SEC rules for  continuing  quotation  on the NASD  Bulletin
Board.  The  broker-dealers  which  are  market-makers  in the  common  stock of
Imperial are Paragon  Capital  ("Market-Makers").  Imperial has  furnished  each
Market-Maker  and  each  other  broker-dealer   effecting  transactions  in  the
Company's  common  stock  with all  information  required  by SEC Rule  15c2-11.
Imperial,  its officers,  directors and affiliates  have fully complied with any
and  all  requests  for   information  by  the   Market-Makers   and  all  other
broker-dealers,  whether  or not  acting in the  capacity  of a  market-  maker,
pursuant to SEC Rule 15c2-11.  Any and all  information  provided by Imperial to
the  Market-Makers  and all other  broker-dealers,  whether or not acting in the
capacity of a market-maker,  was, at the time if was furnished,  accurate in all
material respects.

   4.06  Financial  Statements.   Attached  as  Section  4.06  of  the  Imperial
Disclosure   Schedule   are  the   following   Imperial   financial   statements
(collectively,  the "Imperial Financial  Statements"):  (i) audited consolidated
balance  sheets as of the fiscal  years ended July 31,  1995,  1996 and 1997 and
unaudited  consolidated  balance  sheets  as  of  April  30,  1998  and  audited
consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flow
as of and for the fiscal  years  ended  July 31,  1995,  1996 and 1997,  and the
unaudited  statements  of  operations  for the nine months ending April 30, 1998
(the  "Most  Recent  Imperial  Fiscal  Quarter  ") for  Imperial.  The  Imperial
Financial  Statements have been prepared in accordance  with generally  accepted
accounting  principles  applied on a  consistent  basis  throughout  the periods
covered thereby,  are correct and complete and are consistent with the books and
records of Imperial which books and records are correct and complete;  provided,
however,  that the Interim Imperial  Financial  Statements are subject to normal
year-end  adjustments  (which will not be material) and lack complete  footnotes
and other presentation items.


   4.07 Events Subsequent.  Subsequent to the Most Recent Imperial Balance Sheet
and except as set forth in Section  4.07 of the  Imperial  Disclosure  Schedule,
Imperial has not (i) incurred any material liabilities or obligations,  absolute
or contingent,  except  current  liabilities  and  obligations  under  contracts
entered  into in the  ordinary  course of  business;  (ii)  declared or made any
payment or  distribution  to  stockholders  or  purchased or redeemed any of its
capital stock;  (iii)  mortgaged or pledged or subjected to lien,  charge or any
other  encumbrance,  any  of  its  assets,  tangible  or  intangible,  excepting
extensions  or  renewals of liens for  liabilities  set forth on the Most Recent
Imperial  Balance Sheet;  (iv) sold or transferred any of its tangible assets or
cancelled  any debts or claims  except  in each case in the  ordinary  course of


                                       11


business; (v) made any capital expenditures other than in the ordinary course of
business;  or (vi)  incurred  any material or adverse  losses or damages,  to be
involved in strikes, or other labor disputes.



   4.08  Undisclosed  Liabilities.  Imperial has no  liability  (and there is no
basis for any present or future charge,  complaint,  action,  suit,  proceeding,
hearing,  investigation,   claim  or  demand  against  it  giving  rise  to  any
liability),  except for (i)  liabilities  set forth on the face of the  Imperial
Financial  Statements  (rather than in any notes  thereto) and (ii)  liabilities
which have arisen after the Most Recent Imperial Fiscal Year End in the ordinary
course of business,  none of which relates to any breach of contract,  breach of
warranty,  tort,  infringement  or  violation of law or arose out of any charge,
complaint, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, claim or demand.

   4.09 Tax Matters. Imperial has no knowledge or any reasonable grounds to know
of any tax deficiencies which might be asserted against Imperial. Since the date
of the  Imperial  Financial  Statements,  Imperial  has paid or has provided for
payment of all federal and state  withholding and  unemployment  insurance taxes
and has filed all federal, state and local tax returns and reports when due.


   4.10 Title to Properties. Imperial has good and marketable title to, or valid
leasehold  interests  in, all its  properties  and assets,  real,  personal  and
intangible,  including without limitation,  the assets reflected in the Imperial
Financial  Statements  (except as since  sold or  otherwise  disposed  of in the
ordinary  course  of  business)  free  and  clear  of  all  mortgages,  pledges,
conditional   sales   agreements,   claims,   liens,   security   interests  and
encumbrances,  except (i) as referred to or  reflected  in the Interim  Imperial
Financial Statements or in the notes thereto, and (ii) statutory liens for taxes
not yet due and payable.  Imperial  has not received  notice of violation of any
applicable law,  ordinance,  regulation,  order or requirement  relating to such
properties or assets.  All leases  pursuant to which Imperial leases any real or
personal  property are valid and effective in accordance  with their  respective
terms and there is not, under any of such leases,  any existing default or event
of  default  or event  which,  with  notice  or lapse  of time,  or both,  would
constitute a default which has been noticed to Imperial or of which  Imperial is
aware.

                                       12


   4.11     Real Property  Leases.  Imperial is not a party to any lease or sub-
lease of real property.

   4.12     Intellectual Property.

            (a) Except as disclosed  in Section 4.12 of the Imperial  Disclosure
      Schedule,  Imperial  does not own any  Intellectual  Property and is not a
      party to any license, sublicense, agreement, or permission with respect to
      any  Intellectual  Property (as defined below) necessary for the operation
      of its business as  presently  conducted  and as presently  proposed to be
      conducted.   Imperial   has   not   interfered   with,   infringed   upon,
      misappropriated,  or otherwise  come into conflict  with any  Intellectual
      Property  rights of third parties,  and none of the directors and officers
      (and employees with  responsibility for Intellectual  Property matters) of
      Imperial  have ever  received  any  charge,  complaint,  claim,  or notice
      alleging  any  such  interference,   infringement,   misappropriation,  or
      violation.

            (b) As used herein,  "Intellectual  Property" means all (i) patents,
      patent applications,  patent disclosures,  and improvements  thereto, (ii)
      trademarks,  service marks, trade dress, logos, trade names, and corporate
      names and registrations and applications for registration  thereof,  (iii)
      copyrights and  registrations  and applications for registration  thereof,
      (iv) mask  works  and  registrations  and  applications  for  registration
      thereof,  (v)  computer  software,  data,  and  documentation,  (vi) trade
      secrets and confidential business information  (including ideas, formulas,
      compositions,  inventions  (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether
      or not  reduced  to  practice),  know-how,  manufacturing  and  production
      processes and techniques, research and development information,  drawings,
      specifications,  designs, plans, proposals,  technical data, copyrightable
      works,  financial,   marketing,   and  business  data,  pricing  and  cost
      information, business and marketing plans, and customer and supplier lists
      and information),  (vii) other proprietary  rights,  and (viii) copies and
      tangible embodiments thereof (in whatever form or medium).

   4.13     Tangible  Assets.  Except as set  forth on  the  Imperial  Financial
Statements,  Imperial does not own or lease any  tangible  assets of any kind or
nature.

   4.14     Inventory.  Imperial has no inventory  of  products,  raw  materials
or other supplies.

                                       13


   4.15  Litigation.  Imperial (i) is not subject to any  unsatisfied  judgment,
order, decree,  stipulation,  injunction or charge, and (ii) is a not party and,
to the  knowledge of any of the  directors  and  officers  (and  employees  with
responsibility for litigation matters) of Imperial, is not threatened to be made
a  party  to any  charge,  complaint,  action,  suit,  proceeding,  hearing,  or
investigation of or in any court or quasi-judicial  or administrative  agency of
any federal, state, local or foreign jurisdiction or before any arbitrator.

   4.16  Adverse  Changes.  There  has been no  material  adverse change  in the
condition,  financial or otherwise,  of IMPERIAL from that set forth in the Most
Recent IMPERIAL Balance Sheet. To the best of IMPERIAL's knowledge,  IMPERIAL is
not  aware  of any  facts  that  might  result  in any  actions,  suit or  other
proceeding that would result in any adverse change in the financial condition of
IMPERIAL.  The  business,  properties  and  assets  reflected  in  the  IMPERIAL
Financial Statements have not been materially and adversely affected as a result
of any fire, explosion,  earthquake,  accident, strike, lockout,  requisition or
taking of property by any government or agency thereof, flood, drought, embargo,
riot, activities of armed forces or acts of God or the public.

   4.17 Books and Records.  All of the minute books, stock certificate books and
stock  transfer  ledgers of Imperial  are  complete and accurate in all material
respects.

   4.18 Certain Business Relationships with Imperial. Except as disclosed in the
Imperial  Disclosure  Schedule,  none of the OIL  CITY  shareholders  and  their
affiliates has been involved in any business  arrangement or  relationship  with
Imperial within the past 36 months,  and none of the OIL CITY  shareholders  and
their  affiliates owns any property or right,  tangible or intangible,  which is
used in the business of Imperial.

   4.19  Independent  Investigation of OIL CITY.  Imperial  confirms that it has
received,  reviewed,  understands and has fully considered  (including,  without
limitation,  the  financial  statements  contained  therein) for purposes of its
acquisition  of the OIL CITY Shares,  the business  prospects  and leases of OIL
CITY.  Imperial  acknowledges that (i) OIL CITY has limited financial  resources
and will need  additional  sources of capital to implement its current  business
plan, the availability of which is uncertain and cannot be assured, and (ii) the
OIL CITY Shares are a highly  speculative  investment with a high degree of risk
of loss by Imperial of its investment therein.  Imperial represents and warrants
that in making the decision to acquire the OIL CITY  Shares,  it has relied upon
its own independent investigation of OIL CITY and the independent investigations


                                       14


by its  representatives,  including its own professional legal, tax and business
advisors,  and  that  Imperial  and its  representatives  have  been  given  the
opportunity  to examine all relevant  documents  and to ask  questions of and to
receive answers from OIL CITY, or person(s) acting on its behalf, concerning the
terms and  conditions of  acquisition by Imperial of the OIL CITY shares and any
other matters concerning an investment in OIL CITY, and to obtain any additional
information  Imperial deems  necessary to verify the accuracy of the information
provided.

   4.20 Disclosure. The representations and warranties contained in this Section
4 do not  contain  any  untrue  statement  of a fact or omit to  state  any fact
necessary  in order to make the  statements  and  information  contained in this
Section 4 not misleading.

                         5.  Survival and Indemnity.
                         ---------------------------

      5.01  Survival.  All of the representations and  warranties of the parties
contained in this Agreement  shall survive the Closing Date, even if the damaged
party knew or had reason to know of any  misrepresentation or breach of warranty
at the time of the Closing Date, and shall continue in full force and effect for
a period of five years thereafter.

      5.02  Indemnification  for  Benefit of the OIL CITY  Stockholders.  In the
event  Imperial  breaches any of its  representations,  warranties and covenants
contained herein, and provided that any OIL CITY Stockholder or OIL CITY makes a
written claim for  indemnification  against Imperial  pursuant to Section 10.05,
then  Imperial  agrees to and does  hereby  indemnify  OIL CITY and the OIL CITY
Stockholders  from and against the entirety of any Adverse  Consequences  it may
suffer  through and after the date of the claim for  indemnification  (including
any Adverse  Consequences  that OIL CITY or the OIL CITY Stockholders may suffer
after the end of the applicable survival period) resulting from, arising out of,
relating to, in the nature of, or caused by the breach.

     5.03  Indemnification for Benefit of Imperial.  In the event any of the OIL
CITY Stockholders breach any of their respective representations, warranties and
covenants contained herein, and provided that Imperial makes a written claim for
indemnification  against the OIL CITY  Stockholder in breach pursuant to Section
10.05,  then the OIL CITY  Stockholders  severally,  and not  jointly,  agree to
indemnify  Imperial  from and against the  entirety of any Adverse  Consequences
Imperial may suffer through and after the date of the claim for  indemnification
resulting from,  arising out of, relating to, in the nature of, or caused by the
breach.

                                       15


     5.04  Matters Involving Third Parties.  If any third party shall notify any
party to this  Agreement  (the  "Indemnified  Party") with respect to any matter
which may give rise to a claim for indemnification  against any other party (the
"Indemnifying  Party")  under this Section 5, then the  Indemnified  Party shall
notify each Indemnifying Party thereof promptly; provided however, that no delay
on the part of the Indemnified  Party in notifying any Indemnifying  Party shall
relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability or obligation hereunder unless
(and then solely to the extent) the  Indemnifying  Party thereby is damaged.  In
the event any Indemnifying  Party notifies the Indemnified  Party within 10 days
after the Indemnified party has given notice of the matter that the Indemnifying
Party is assuming the defense thereof,  (i) the  Indemnifying  Party will defend
the Indemnified  Party against the matter with counsel of its choice  reasonably
satisfactory to the  Indemnified  Party,  (ii) the Indemnified  Party may retain
separate  co-counsel at its sole cost and expense (except that the  Indemnifying
Party will be responsible  for the fees and expenses of the separate  co-counsel
to the extent the Indemnified  Party  concludes  reasonably that the counsel the
Indemnifying  Party  has  selected  has  a  conflict  of  interest),  (iii)  the
Indemnified  Party will not  consent to the entry of any  judgment or enter into
any  settlement  with respect to the matter  without the written  consent of the
Indemnifying  Party not to be withheld  unreasonably,  and (iv) the Indemnifying
Party will not consent to the entry of any judgment  with respect to the matter,
or enter into any  settlement  which does not include a  provisions  whereby the
plaintiff  or  claimant in the matter  releases  the  Indemnified  Party for all
liability with respect  thereto,  without the written consent of the Indemnified
Party  not to be  withheld  unreasonably.  In the  event no  Indemnifying  Party
notifies  the  Indemnified  Party with 10 days after the  Indemnified  Party has
given notice of the matter that the  Indemnifying  Party is assuming the defense
thereof,  however,  the Indemnified Party may defend against,  or enter into any
settlement  with  respect  to, the matter in any manner it  reasonably  may deem
appropriate.

     5.05  Determination of Loss.  The parties shall make appropriate adjustment
for tax  benefits and  insurance  proceeds  (reasonably  certain of  receipt and
utility in each case) and for the time cost of money in  determining  the amount
of loss for purposes of this Section 5.

     5.06  Other  Indemnification  Provisions.   The  foregoing  indemnification
provisions are in addition to, and not in derogation of, any statutory or common
law  remedy  any  party  may have for  breach  of  representation,  warranty  or
covenant.

                                       16


     5.07 Definition of Adverse Consequences. As used in this Section 5,"Adverse
Consequences"  means  all  charges,  complaints,  actions,  suits,  proceedings,
hearings,   investigations,   claims,  demands,   judgments,   orders,  decrees,
stipulations,  injunctions,  damages, dues, penalties,  fines, costs, (including
costs incurred to comply with  applicable  rules and regulations of the National
Association of Securities  Dealers and the  Securities and Exchange  Commission)
amounts paid in settlement,  liabilities,  obligations,  taxes,  liens,  losses,
expenses and fees,  including all attorneys' fees,  accountants'  fees and court
costs.

                6.  Conduct and Transactions prior to Closing.
                ----------------------------------------------

     6.01  Investigation; Operation of Business of OIL CITY. Between the date of
this Agreement and the Closing Date:

            (a)  OIL   CITY   agrees   to  give   Imperial,   its   agents   and
      representatives,  full access to all of OIL CITY's  premises and books and
      records,  and to cause OIL CITY's  officers to furnish  Imperial with such
      financial and  operating  data and other  information  with respect to its
      business  and  properties  as  Imperial  shall from time to time  request.
      Provided, however, that any such investigation shall not affect any of the
      representations and warranties of OIL CITY hereunder and provided further,
      that any such  investigation  shall be  conducted in such manner as not to
      interfere  unreasonably with the operation of the business of OIL CITY. In
      the event of  termination of this  Agreement,  Imperial will return to OIL
      CITY all documents, work papers, and other material obtained from OIL CITY
      in  connection  with the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and will keep
      confidential  any information  obtained  pursuant to this Agreement unless
      such information is ascertainable from public or published  information or
      trade sources.

            (b)  Except as set forth in the OIL CITY  Disclosure  Schedule,  OIL
      CITY, to the extent  required for  continued  operation of the business of
      OIL CITY  without  impairment,  will use  reasonable  efforts to  preserve
      substantially  intact  the  business  organization  of OIL  CITY,  to keep
      available the services of the present  officers and employees of OIL CITY,
      and to preserve the present  relationships of OIL CITY with persons having
      significant business relationships with OIL CITY.

            (c) Except as set forth on the OIL CITY Disclosure  Schedule,  prior
      to Closing, OIL CITY will conduct its business only in the ordinary course


                                       17


      and,  by way of  amplification  and not  limitation,  OIL CITY  will  not,
      without the prior written consent of Imperial (i) issue any capital stock,
      or (ii) grant any stock options or warrants or other rights to purchase or
      otherwise  acquire  any  shares  of OIL CITY  capital  stock or issue  any
      securities  convertible  into shares of OIL CITY capital  stock,  or (iii)
      adopt any employee benefit plans or modify or alter any existing  employee
      benefit  plan,  or  (iv)  declare,  set  aside,  or pay  any  dividend  or
      distribution  with  respect  to the  capital  stock  of OIL  CITY,  or (v)
      directly or indirectly  redeem,  purchase or otherwise acquire any capital
      stock of OIL  CITY,  or (vi)  effect a split  or  reclassification  of any
      capital  stock of OIL CITY or a  recapitalization  of OIL  CITY,  or (vii)
      amend or change the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of OIL CITY or,
      (viii) grant any increase in the compensation payable or to become payable
      by OIL CITY to officers or salaried  employees of OIL CITY or any increase
      regardless of amount,  in any bonus,  insurance,  pension or other benefit
      plan, program, payment or arrangement made to, for or with any officers or
      employees,  or (ix) borrow or agree to borrow any funds,  or  guarantee or
      agree to guarantee the obligations of others except in the ordinary course
      of business,  or (x) waive any rights of substantial value, or (xi) except
      in the ordinary course of business,  enter into an agreement,  contract or
      commitment.

      6.02  Investigation;  Operation of Business of Imperial.  Between the date
of this Agreement and the Closing Date:

            (a)  Imperial  agrees  to give to the OIL CITY  Stockholders,  their
      agents and  representatives,  full  access to all  premises  and books and
      records,  and to  cause  Imperial's  officers  to  furnish  the  OIL  CITY
      Stockholders  with such financial and operating data and other information
      with respect to the business  and  properties  of Imperial as the OIL CITY
      Stockholders shall from time to time request. Provided,  however, that any
      such  investigation  shall  not  affect  any  of the  representations  and
      warranties  of Imperial  hereunder;  and provided  further,  that any such
      investigation  shall  be  conducted  in such  manner  as not to  interfere
      unreasonably with the operation of the business of Imperial.  In the event
      of termination of this Agreement, the OIL CITY Stockholders will return to
      Imperial  all  documents,  work papers and other  material  obtained  from
      Imperial in connection with the transactions  contemplated hereby and will
      use all reasonable  efforts to keep confidential any information  obtained
      pursuant to this Agreement unless such  information is ascertainable  from
      public or published information or trade sources.

                                       18


            (b) Imperial,  to the extent required for continued operation of the
      business of Imperial without  impairment,  will use reasonable  efforts to
      preserve  substantially intact the business  organization of Imperial,  to
      keep  available  the  services of the present  officers  and  employees of
      Imperial,  and to preserve  the  present  relationships  of Imperial  with
      persons having significant business relationships to Imperial.

            (c) Prior to Closing,  Imperial will cause  Imperial to, conduct its
      business only in the ordinary course and, by way of amplification  and not
      limitation,  Imperial will not,  without the prior written  consent of the
      OIL CITY  Stockholders,  (i) issue any  capital  stock,  or (ii) grant any
      stock options or warrants or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire
      any shares of Imperial  capital stock or issue any securities  convertible
      into shares of Imperial capital stock, or (iii) adopt any employee benefit
      plans or modify or alter  any  existing  employee  benefit  plan,  or (iv)
      declare,  set aside, or pay any dividend or  distribution  with respect to
      the capital  stock of  Imperial,  or (v)  directly or  indirectly  redeem,
      purchase  or  otherwise  acquire any capital  stock of  Imperial,  or (vi)
      effect a split or  reclassification  of any capital stock of Imperial or a
      re-capitalization of Imperial, or (vii) amend or change the Certificate of
      Incorporation or Bylaws of Imperial,  or, (viii) grant any increase in the
      compensation  payable or to become  payable by  Imperial  to  officers  or
      salaried  employees of Imperial or any increase  regardless of amount,  in
      any bonus, insurance,  pension or other benefit plan, program,  payment or
      arrangement made to, for or with any officers or employees, or (ix) borrow
      or agree to borrow any  funds,  or  guarantee  or agree to  guarantee  the
      obligations  of others except in the ordinary  course of business,  or (x)
      waive any rights of  substantial  value,  or (xi)  except in the  ordinary
      course of business, enter into an agreement, contract or commitment.

                                 7.  Consents.
                                 -------------

      Prior to Closing,  the OIL CITY  Stockholders  and Imperial shall each use
his or its  respective  reasonable  efforts to obtain the consent or approval of
each person whose  consent or approval  shall be required in order to permit the
OIL  CITY  Stockholders  or  Imperial,  as the case may be,  to  consummate  the
Imperial Acquisition.

                                       19




                          8.  Conditions to Closing.
                          --------------------------

       8.1  General Conditions.  The  obligations  of the  parties to effect the
Imperial Acquisition shall be subject to the following conditions:

            (a) The Board of Directors  and, to the extent  required by law, the
      shareholders of Imperial, shall have approved this Agreement in accordance
      with applicable provisions of state law.

            (b) No action,  suit or  proceeding  shall be pending or  threatened
      before  any  court  or  quasi-judicial  or  administrative  agency  of any
      federal,  state,  local or foreign  jurisdiction  or before any arbitrator
      wherein an unfavorable injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, filing
      or  charge  would  (i)  prevent  consummation  of any of the  transactions
      contemplated  by  this  Agreement,  (ii)  cause  any of  the  transactions
      contemplated  by this  Agreement to be rescinded  following  consummation,
      (iii)  affect  adversely  the right of Imperial to acquire and own the OIL
      CITY Shares,  (iv) affect adversely the right of the OIL CITY Stockholders
      to acquire and own the Imperial Shares;  or (v) affect adversely the right
      of  either  Imperial  or OIL CITY to own its  assets  and to  operate  its
      businesses (and no such injunction,  judgment,  order,  decree,  ruling or
      charge shall be in effect).

            (c) All  governmental  approvals,  the absence of which would have a
      materially  adverse  effect on  Imperial or OIL CITY,  respectively,  on a
      consolidated basis, after the Closing Date, shall have been received.

     8.02  Conditions of Obligations of Imperial.  The obligation of Imperial to
effect the Imperial  Acquisition  and to proceed with the Closing on the Closing
Date shall at all times be subject to the following conditions precedent, any of
which may be waived by Imperial in writing:

            (a)  (i)  the   representations  and  warranties  of  the  OIL  CITY
      Stockholders  and OIL CITY  contained  herein shall be true and correct in
      all  material  respects at the Closing Date with the same effect as though
      made at such  time,  and (ii) the OIL CITY  Stockholders  shall  have each
      performed  all  material   obligations  and  complied  with  all  material
      covenants  required by this  Agreement to be performed or complied with by
      him or it prior to the Closing Date.

                                       20


            (b) The OIL CITY  Stockholders and OIL CITY shall have each obtained
      and delivered to Imperial  consents to the  transactions  contemplated  by
      this Agreement from the parties to all material contracts,  referred to in
      the OIL CITY Disclosure  Schedule  attached hereto in accordance with this
      Agreement,  which require such consent, and in particular,  the consent of
      Bank One Texas, N.A.

            (c) There shall not have occurred (i) any material  adverse  change,
      since  the  Most  Recent  OIL  CITY  Fiscal  Year  End,  in the  business,
      properties,  results of operations or financial  condition of OIL CITY, or
      (ii) any loss or damage to any of the properties or assets (whether or not
      covered by insurance) of OIL CITY which will  materially  affect or impair
      the  ability of OIL CITY to conduct  after the  Imperial  Acquisition  the
      business now being conducted by Imperial.

            (d) All statutory requirements for the valid consummation by the OIL
      CITY  Stockholders and OIL CITY of the  transactions  contemplated by this
      Agreement shall have been fulfilled and all  authorizations,  consents and
      approvals  of all  federal,  state  or  local  governmental  agencies  and
      authorities required to be obtained in order to permit consummation by the
      OIL CITY  Stockholders  and OIL CITY of the  transactions  contemplated by
      this Agreement and to permit the business presently carried on by OIL CITY
      to continue  unimpaired to any material degree  immediately  following the
      Closing Date shall have been obtained.  Between the date of this Agreement
      and the Closing Date, no governmental  agency,  whether federal,  state or
      local,  shall have  instituted  (or  threatened  to institute in a writing
      directed to the OIL CITY Stockholders,  OIL CITY, Imperial or any of their
      subsidiaries  or  affiliates)  an  investigation  which is  pending at the
      Closing Date relating to the Imperial  Acquisition and between the date of
      this  Agreement  and the Closing Date no action or  proceeding  shall have
      been instituted or, to the knowledge of the OIL CITY  Stockholders,  shall
      have been  threatened by any party  (public or private)  before a court or
      other   governmental   body  to  restrain  or  prohibit  the  transactions
      contemplated by this Agreement or to obtain damages in respect thereof.

            (e) The  stockholders  of OIL CITY shall have each  acknowledged  to
      Imperial  in writing (i) that the shares of  Imperial  common  stock to be
      issued to them pursuant to the Oil City Acquisition will be issued without
      registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
      Act"),  or the  securities  laws of any state in reliance  upon  available
      exemptions from the registration  requirements thereof; (ii) that all such


                                       21


      shares of  Imperial  common  stock  will be  subject  to  restrictions  on
      transferability  and may  not be  offered  for  sale,  sold  or  otherwise
      transferred  unless  subsequently  registered under the Securities Act and
      all  other  applicable  securities  laws or  unless  exemptions  from  the
      registration  requirements of the Securities Act and all other  applicable
      securities  laws are  available,  as established  to the  satisfaction  of
      Imperial, and (iii) the certificates evidencing such Imperial common stock
      will  bear  an  appropriate   legend   evidencing  the  above   referenced
      restrictions on transferability.

            (f) OIL CITY shall have furnished Imperial with a certificate, dated
      the  Closing  Date,  stating  that  the  respective   representations  and
      warranties of OIL CITY  contained in Section 3 are true and correct on the
      Closing Date in all material respects as if then made.

          (g) all papers,  documents,  agreements and other items required to be
      delivered  at Closing  pursuant  to Section  9.03  shall be  delivered  at
      Closing.

          (h) OIL CITY shall have cancelled the balance of its shares  currently
      held in treasury.

     8.03  Conditions of Obligation of the OIL  CITY  Stockholders and OIL CITY.
The obligation of the OIL CITY  Stockholders to effect the Imperial  Acquisition
and to  proceed  with the  Closing on the  Closing  Date  shall at all  times be
subject to the following conditions precedent, any of which may be waived by the
OIL CITY Stockholders in writing:


            (a) Imperial shall have furnished the OIL CITY  Stockholders and OIL
      CITY with (i) certified copies of resolutions duly adopted by its Board of
      Directors  and,  to the  extent  required  by  law,  the  shareholders  of
      Imperial,  authorizing all necessary and proper corporate action to enable
      Imperial  to  comply  with  terms  of this  Agreement  and  approving  the
      execution,  delivery and  performance  of this  Agreement,  including  the
      issuance of the Imperial  Shares,  and (ii) an Incumbency  Certificate for
      the appropriate officers of Imperial.

            (b) (i) the  representations and warranties of Imperial herein shall
      be true in all material  respects at the Closing Date with the same effect
      as though made at such time;  and (ii) Imperial  shall have  performed all
      material  obligations and complied with all material covenants required by
      this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it prior to the Closing
      Date.

                                       22


            (c)  Imperial  shall have  obtained  and  delivered  to the OIL CITY
      Stockholders  consents to the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement
      from the parties to all  material  contracts,  referred to in the Imperial
      Disclosure  Schedule  attached  hereto in accordance  with this Agreement,
      which require such consent.

            (d) There shall not have  occurred (i) any material  adverse  change
      since the Most Recent Imperial Fiscal Quarter in the business, properties,
      results of operations or financial condition of Imperial, or (ii) any loss
      or damage to any of the  properties  or assets  (whether or not covered by
      insurance) of Imperial which will materially  affect or impair the ability
      of Imperial to conduct,  after the Imperial Acquisition,  the business now
      being conducted by Imperial.

            (e)  All  statutory  requirements  for  the  valid  consummation  by
      Imperial of the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement  shall have
      been  fulfilled  and all  authorizations,  consents  and  approvals of all
      federal,  state, local and foreign  governmental  agencies and authorities
      required to be obtained in order to permit consummation by Imperial of the
      transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  shall have been  obtained.
      Between the date of this  Agreement and the Closing Date, no  governmental
      agency,  whether  federal,  state or  local,  shall  have  instituted  (or
      threatened   to  institute   in  a  writing   directed  to  the  OIL  CITY
      Stockholders,   OIL  CITY,  Imperial  or  any  of  their  subsidiaries  or
      affiliates) an investigation which is pending at the Closing Date relating
      to the Imperial Acquisition and between the date of this Agreement and the
      Closing Date no action or proceeding shall have been instituted or, to the
      knowledge of Imperial  shall have been  threatened by any party (public or
      private) before a court or other governmental body to restrain or prohibit
      the transaction contemplated by this Agreement or to obtain the damages in
      respect thereof.

            (f) Imperial shall have furnished OIL CITY with a certificate, dated
      the Closing  Date,  stating that the  representations  and  warranties  of
      Imperial  contained  in Section 4 are true and correct on the Closing Date
      in all material respects as if then made.

                                       23


            (g) all papers, documents, agreements and other items required to be
      delivered at Closing pursuant to Section 9.02 shall have been delivered at
      Closing.


                            9.  Actions at Closing.
                            -----------------------

   9.01 Actions at the Closing. At the Closing,  Imperial,  OIL CITY and the OIL
CITY Stockholders will each deliver,  or cause to be delivered to the other, the
securities  to be exchanged in accordance  with Section 1.01 of this  Agreement,
and each party shall pay any and all federal and state taxes required to be paid
in  connection   with  the  issuance  of  delivery  of  their  own   securities.
Certificates  representing  the Imperial Shares shall be issued and delivered as
set forth on Exhibit "A" attached hereto. Certificates representing the OIL CITY
Shares shall be duly endorsed by each of the OIL CITY  Stockholders for transfer
to  Imperial  or in blank,  or have  appropriately  executed  powers of attorney
attached, and signatures shall be witnesses.

   9.02  Deliveries  by Imperial.  At Closing,  Imperial will deliver to the OIL
CITY Stockholders:

            (a)   certificates for the  Imperial Shares as  provided by  Section
      9.01 hereof;

            (b) certified  copies of corporate  resolutions  and other corporate
      proceedings  taken by Imperial to authorize  the  execution,  delivery and
      performance of this Agreement and the appointment of Mr. James G. Borem to
      the Board of Imperial;

            (c) a  certificate  of  Incumbency  and  signatures  of  officers of
      Imperial dated as of the date of this Agreement;

          (d) a bank draft or wire  transfer  of  $25,000 to the  account of OIL
     CITY representing the initial installment on the loan amount.


   9.03 Deliveries by the OIL CITY  Stockholders  and OIL CITY. At Closing,  the
OIL CITY Stockholders and OIL CITY shall deliver to Imperial:

            (a)   certificates for the  OIL CITY  Shares as provided by  Section
      9.01 hereof;

            (b) certified  copies of corporate  resolutions  and other corporate
      proceedings  taken by OIL CITY to authorize  the  execution,  delivery and
      performance of this Agreement and the appointment of Mr. Jeffrey T. Wilson
      on behalf of Imperial as a member of the Board of Directors of OIL CITY;

                                       24


            (c) a certificate  of Incumbency  and  signatures of the officers of
      OIL CITY dated as of the date of this Agreement and consenting to the sale
      of the shares to Imperial;

          (d) execution of the note payable to Imperial on behalf of OIL CITY.


                               10.  Termination.
                               -----------------

      10.01  Termination  of the  Agreement.  The  parties  may  terminate  this
Agreement as provided below:

            (a) Imperial,  OIL CITY and the OIL CITY  Stockholders may terminate
      this Agreement by mutual written consent at any time prior to the Closing;

            (b) Either party may  terminate  this  Agreement  by giving  written
      notice to other party on or before the Closing Date if either party is not
      satisfied  with  the  results  of their  continuing  business,  legal  and
      accounting due diligence regarding each other;

            (c) OIL CITY and/or the OIL CITY  Stockholders  may  terminate  this
      Agreement  by giving  written  notice to Imperial at any time prior to the
      Closing  (i)  in the  event  Imperial  has  breached  any  representation,
      warranty or covenant  contained in this Agreement in any material respect,
      OIL CITY and/or the OIL CITY  Stockholders  has  notified  Imperial of the
      breach and the breach has  continued  without cure for a period of 10 days
      after the notice of breach, or (ii) if the Closing shall not have occurred
      on or before September 11, 1998, or such later date as may be agreed to by
      OIL CITY, the OIL CITY Stockholders and Imperial, in writing, by reason of
      the failure of any condition  precedent  under Section 8.03 hereof (unless
      the failure results  primarily from OIL CITY or the OIL CITY  Stockholders
      themselves breaching any representation, warranty or covenant contained in
      this Agreement); and

            (d) Imperial may terminate  this  Agreement by giving written notice
      to OIL CITY and the OIL CITY Stockholders at any time prior to the Closing
      (i) in the event OIL CITY or any OIL CITY  Stockholder  has  breached  any
      representation,  warranty or covenant  contained in this  Agreement in any
      material  respect,  Imperial  has  notified  OIL  CITY  and the  OIL  CITY


                                       25


      Stockholders of the breach and the breach has continued without cure for a
      period of 10 days after the notice of breach or (ii) if the Closing  shall
      not have  occurred on or before  September 11, 1998, or such later date as
      may be agreed to by OIL CITY,  the OIL CITY  Stockholders  and Imperial in
      writing, by reason of the failure of any condition precedent under Section
      8.02 hereof (unless the failure  results  primarily  from Imperial  itself
      breaching  any  representation,  warranty  or covenant  contained  in this
      Agreement).

      10.02  Effect of  Termination.  If  either  OIL CITY  and/or  the OIL CITY
Stockholders  or Imperial  terminates  this Agreement  pursuant to Section 10.01
above,  all rights and  obligations  of the parties  hereunder  shall  terminate
without any liability of any party to any other party.



                                11.  General.
                                -------------

  11.1 Brokers and Finders.  Each Party hereto represents that no broker, agent,
finder or other party has been  retained by either  Party,  and no  brokerage or
finder's fees or agent's commissions or other like payment has been agreed to be
paid  by him or it in  connection  with  this  Agreement  or on  account  of the
transactions  contemplated by this Agreement. Each Party agrees to indemnify and
hold  harmless the other parties from and against any and every claim arising by
breach of the aforesaid  representation and warranty and all costs and expenses,
legal or  otherwise,  which any such  party may incur as the  result of any such
claim.

  11.2 Press Releases and Public  Announcements.  No Party shall issue any press
release or make any public  announcement  relating to the subject matter of this
Agreement  without the prior  written  approval of the other  Parties.  Provided
however, that any Party may make any public disclosure it believes in good faith
is required by applicable law or any listing or trading agreement concerning its
publicly-traded  securities  (in which  case the  disclosing  Party will use its
reasonable efforts to advise the other Party prior to making the disclosure.

  11.03  Schedules.  The OIL CITY and Imperial  Disclosure  Schedules  delivered
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement  shall be bound  together,  initialed by
Imperial and OIL CITY and deemed attached hereto and made a part hereof.

                                       26


  11.04  Survival  of  Covenants,  Representations  and  Warranties.  Except  as
otherwise specifically  provided, the covenants,  representations and warranties
contained  herein shall expire and be terminated and extinguished at the Closing
Date.

  11.05  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  and the legal  relations  between the
parties shall be governed by and  construed in  accordance  with the laws of the
State of Nevada.

  11.06  Notices.  Any notices or other  communications  required  or  permitted
hereunder  shall be  sufficiently  given if sent by registered mail or certified
mail, postage prepaid if addressed as follows:



      If to Imperial:

            Imperial Petroleum, Inc.
            100 NW Second Street
            Suite 312
            Evansville, IN 47708

            Attn:  Mr. Jeffrey T. Wilson
                   President



      If to OIL CITY and OIL CITY Stockholders:

            Oil City Petroleum, Inc.
            5577 South Lewis Avenue
            Tulsa, OK 74105

            Attn:  Mr. James G. Borem
                   President





  11.07     No  Assignment.  This Agreement  may not be  assigned  by  operation
of law or otherwise, without the express written consent of each party hereto.






                                       27






      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day
and year first written above.



                                   IMPERIAL PETROLEUM, INC.


                                By:____________________________________
                                   Jeffrey T. Wilson, President




                                   OIL CITY PETROLEUM, INC.


                                By:____________________________________
                                   James G. Borem, President



                                   THE OIL CITY SHAREHOLDERS


                                   By: ______________________________


                                   By: ______________________________


                                   By: ______________________________


                                   By: ______________________________


                                   By: ______________________________


                                   By: ______________________________



                                       28




                                  EXHIBIT "A"


                             OIL CITY SHAREHOLDERS


                                   Oil City Shares             Imperial Shares
Name                               To Be Exchanged             Due Upon Exchange
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

R.A. Sellers                            600,000                      103,254

James G./Kathryn S. Borem             1,835,000                      315,784
Iris R. Borem                           500,000                       86,045
Bradley J. Borem                        500,000                       86,045

Terri Peracca                           100,000                       17,210

L.C./Faye E. Cobb                       650,000                      111,858

Boone Petroleum, Inc.                   554,890                       95,490
Benz Properties, Ltd.                   432,134                       79,528
Hilton Petroleum, Inc.                   86,816                       14,940
Safari Petroleum, LLC                   545,580                       93,888
STB Energy, Inc.                        545,580                       93,888

Silver Petroleum Corporation            598,920                      103,068
Silver Petroleum, Corporation         2,797,937                      481,495
MoCo Resources, Inc.                  1,001,457                      172,340
Wm. Moser Marital Trust               1,416,163                      243,707
Edna L. Moser                           257,238                       44,268
National Oil & Gas Inc.                 743,285                      127,911

Bill Carter                             300,000                       51,627

Total Shareholders                   13,465,000                    2,317,183

Treasury                                190,700                       32,817

Total Sharesto be Exchanged          13,655,700                    2,350,000

                                       29