INTERRUPTIBLE GAS TRANSPORTATION AND SALES AGREEMENT
           ----------------------------------------------------


     THIS INTERRUPTIBLE GAS TRANSPORTATION AND SALES AGREEMENT is made and

entered into o the 1st day of January, 1991, by and between ENERGAS 

COMPANY, a division of Atmos Energy Corporation, a Texas corporation 

("Energas"), and MESA OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a Delaware limited 

partnership ("Mesa").


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

     WHEREAS, Energas owns and operates a pipeline system located in the 

State of Texas; and


     WHEREAS, Energas and Mesa desire to enter into an Agreement providing

for the transportation of gas by Energas for Mesa to the Delivery Point(s),

as hereinafter defined, and the sale of supplemental gas by Energas to 

Mesa, all in accordance with the General Terms And Conditions attached 

hereto and incorporated herein;


     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained 

herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and 

sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as 

follows:



                                 ARTICLE I
                                 ---------

       TRANSPORTATION OF GAS FROM FAIN PLANT TO INDUSTRIAL USER

     Mesa has gas produced pursuant to the "B" Contract and processed at 

the Fain Plant operated and owned by Mesa in excess of Energas' demand for 

supply pursuant to that Agreement dated June 27, 1949, as amended, between 

Energas and Mesa (as successors to Amarillo Gas Company and Amarillo Oil 

Company) available to Mesa for its industrial users in the City of Amarillo 

and its environs (hereinafter "Excess Gas").  The terms and conditions 

under which such Excess Gas will be transported by Energas for Mesa from 

the tailgate of the Fain Plant to the ultimate delivery point for its 

industrial users are herein defined and agreed upon.  In this regard, Mesa 

and Energas agree that Energas shall accept custody of such Excess Gas made 

available at the Fain Plant tailgate and provide the necessary 

transportation services from the tailgate of the Fain plant to the delivery 

point designated by Mesa and located in the City of Amarillo and its 

environs for a transportation fee as set forth herein.



                                 ARTICLE II
                                 ----------

        TRANSPORTATION OF GAS FROM FAIN PLANT TO WESTAR INTERCONNECT
        ------------------------------------------------------------


     In addition to the transaction described under Article I above, Mesa 

and Energas agree and acknowledge that the total volume of gas made 

available at the tailgate of the Fain Plant at certain times is in excess 

of Energas' demand for gas in the City of Amarillo and its environs, and

also in excess, temporarily or otherwise, of the gas supply requirements of 

Mesa to satisfy contractual commitments to its industrial users in the City 

of Amarillo and its environs.  The Excess Gas made available at the Fain 

Plant may, at Mesa's sole discretion, be taken by it for eventual placement

in storage, exchange, or for the sale to customers in the City of Amarillo 

and its environs (but only those customers averaging not less than 

1 MMCFD as provided in Article VIII hereof.  As to any of the possible 

transactions described in Articles I and II, the Excess Gas required by 

Mesa to satisfy its industrial users will be transported by Energas 

(whenever Energas has available transportation capacity) from the tailgate 

of the Fain Plant to the designated interconnect on Westar Transmission 

Company's (hereinafter referred to as "Westar") pipeline system from which 

Westar will perform such additional services as may be mutually agreed upon 

as between Mesa and other parties, including Westar.  In this regard, Mesa 

and Energas agree that Energas shall accept custody of such gas made  

available at the Fain Plant tailgate and thereafter provide the necessary 

transportation services from the tailgate of the Fain Plant to the Amarillo 

Creek interconnect (commonly known as Amarillo Creek located in the SW/4 of 

Section 20, G&M Survey, Block M-3, Potter County, Texas) or such other

interconnect(s) to be mutually agreed upon for a transportation fee as set 

forth herein.



                                ARTICLE III
                                -----------

          TRANSPORTATION OF STORAGE OR EXCHANGE GAS REDELIVERED
          ----------------------------------------------------

                          TO MESA FROM WESTAR
                          -------------------

     Mesa and Energas agree and acknowledge that from time to time Mesa may 

desire that volumes of gas placed in Westar's storage facilities, pursuant 

to the transaction described in Article II above, be redelivered to it by 

Westar to the Kalka interconnect (commonly known as Kalka, located in the 

SW/4 of Section 19, AS&M Survey, Potter County, Texas) or other 

interconnect(s) to be mutually agreed upon on Energas' pipeline system.  

Therefore, contemplating that such redelivered gas volumes would require 

transportation services to be performed by Energas from such Energas/Westar 

interconnect to mutually agreeable delivery point(s), Mesa and Energas 

agree that Energas shall provide the necessary transportation service from 

such Energas/Westar interconnect(s) to such delivery point(s) within the 

City of Amarillo and its environs for a transportation fee as set forth 

herein.  Energas shall accept custody of such gas made available at such 

Energas/Westar interconnect(s) and transport and redeliver such volumes of 

gas to such delivery point(s).  Furthermore, and in addition to the 

transaction contemplated herein, Energas acknowledges that exchange gas 

(gas required to be redelivered to Mesa on the basis of prior gas delivered 

to such third party by Mesa) may be redelivered to Mesa by a third party 

other than Westar, and that said third party would endeavor to redeliver 

certain required volumes of gas through pipeline facilities owned by it or 

by others to a point of interconnect with Energas' pipeline system.  In 

this event, and not unlike the transportation services to be performed by 

Energas as to redelivered stored volumes of gas, Energas agrees to 

transport said gas volumes made available from the point(s) of interconnect 

on Energas' pipeline system, including the Kalka interconnect, to such

delivery point(s) within the City of Amarillo and its environs for a 

transportation fee as set forth herein.



                                 ARTICLE III
                                 -----------

           TRANSPORTATION OF STORAGE OR EXCHANGE GAS REDELIVERED
           -----------------------------------------------------

                           TO MESA FROM WESTAR
                           -------------------

     Mesa and Energas agree and acknowledge that from time to time Mesa may 

desire that volumes of gas placed in Westar's storage facilities, pursuant 

to the transaction described in Article II above, be redelivered to it by 

Westar to the Kalka interconnect (commonly known as Kalka, located in the 

SW/4 of Section 19, AB&M Survey, Potter County, Texas) or other 

interconnect(s) to be mutually agreed upon on Energas' pipeline system.  

Therefore, contemplating that such redelivered gas volumes would require 

transportation services to be performed by Energas from such Energas/Westar 

interconnect to mutually agreeable delivery point(s), Mesa and Energas

agree that Energas shall provide the necessary transportation services 

from such Energas/Westar interconnect(s) to such delivery point(s) within 

the City of Amarillo and its environs for a transportation fee as set forth 

herein.  Energas shall accept custody of such gas made available at such 

Energas/Westar interconnect(s) and transport and redeliver such volumes of 

gas to such delivery point(s).  Furthermore, and in addition to the 

transaction contemplated herein, Energas acknowledges that exchange gas 

(gas required to be redelivered to Mesa on the basis of prior gas delivered 

to such third party by Mesa) may be redelivered to Mesa by a third party 

other than Westar, and that said third party would endeavor to redeliver 

certain required volumes of gas through pipeline facilities owned by it or 

by others to a point of interconnect with Energas' pipeline system. In this 

event, and not unlike the transportation services to be performed by 

Energas as to redelivered stored volumes of gas, Energas agrees to 

transport said gas volumes made available from the point(s) of interconnect 

on Energas' pipeline system, including the Kalka interconnect, to such 

delivery point(s) within the City of Amarillo and its environs for a 

transportation fee as set forth herein.




                                 ARTICLE IV
                                 ----------

                TRANSPORTATION OF NON "B" CONTRACT GAS FROM
                -------------------------------------------

                       VARIOUS ENERGAS INTERCONNECTS                        
                       -----------------------------

     In addition to Mesa's requirements for transportation under Articles

I, II, and III above (Fain Plant to industrial user, Fain Plant to Westar

interconnect, storage and exchange gas), Mesa also desires to avail itself

of Energas' transportation services relevant to Non "B" Contract gas which

may be produced, purchased or obtained through an exchange by Mesa for

consumption in the City of Amarillo and its environs.  In the event of such

occurrence(s) and only in the event that gas is not available or is

inadequate under Articles I and III, Mesa may endeavor to have such gas

transported or otherwise exchanged to a point intersecting with an Energas

interconnect, thus requiring transportation services by Energas from such

point of interconnect to points of delivery for Mesa's industrial gas users 

located within the City of Amarillo and its environs.  Therefore, and not 

unlike the transportation services to be performed by Energas as to gas

described in Article III above, Energas agrees to transport said gas 

volumes made available subject to the conditions set forth above from the 

selected point of interconnect on Energas' pipeline system to mutually 

agreeable delivery point(s) located within the City of Amarillo and its 

environs for a transportation fee set forth herein.


                                     ARTICLE V
                                     ---------

               PRICING FORMULA FOR REDELIVERIES OF "B" CONTRACT GAS
               ----------------------------------------------------

     It is agreed to and acknowledged by Mesa and Energas that all volumes 

of gas taken by Mesa in excess of Energas' daily demand for gas pursuant to 

the above-referenced 1949 Agreement, as amended, as well as gas taken by 

Mesa at the tailgate of the Fain Plant and stored or exchanged outside the 

City of Amarillo and its environs, must eventually be returned for 

consumption in the City of Amarillo and its environs.  Although this 

balancing of gas volumes need not occur within any particular time frame 

and can only be initiated by Mesa as opposed to Energas, it is important 

that Mesa and Energas agree upon the procedure under which the redelivered 

"B" Contract gas may be purchased by Energas if offered by Mesa.  

Therefore, if such "B" Contract gas is offered to Energas by Mesa, such 

offer shall be in writing and set forth the price, volume, terms and other 

provisions under which Mesa is willing to sell such gas.  Energas, in turn, 

shall have ten (10) days from the receipt of such notice in writing to 

either accept or propose a counteroffer.  If Energas does not respond to 

such an offer within the said time frame, it will be deemed rejected.

     Notwithstanding any provision contained herein to the contrary, under 

no circumstance shall Energas be obligated to pay Mesa a price per MCF for 

such redelivered gas which is in excess of that price then in existence 

under the terms and conditions contained within that certain Agreement 

previously referenced herein, and dated June 27, 1949, and all amendments 

which have been or may be made thereto.



                                ARTICLE VI
                                ----------

                ENERGAS' PURCHASES OF GAS FOR ITS CUSTOMERS
                -------------------------------------------

     Mesa and Energas agree and acknowledge that pursuant to that certain 

Assignment dated October 18, 1983, by and between Pioneer Corporation, 

Energas Company, and Amarillo Oil Company, Energas succeeded to the June 

27, 1949, Gas Purchase Agreement, as amended, and obligated itself to 

purchase and take all volumes of gas made available by Pioneer (Mesa, as 

successor) to service customers in the City of Amarillo and its environs.  

Furthermore, Energas agrees that as to all future industrial sales entered 

into subsequent to the date hereof, Energas shall be obligated to purchase 

all such required volumes of gas from Mesa at a mutually agreeable price.  

However, Energas acknowledges that Mesa shall be under no obligation to 

sell such gas to Energas for its industrial customers in the event the 

price and terms offered to Mesa are unacceptable to Mesa.  If Mesa rejects 

a request by Energas to purchase gas as aforesaid, then Energas may acquire 

such desired volumes for its industrial customers from any source it may 

select at a price equal to or lower than that offered to Mesa.

     Although Mesa and Energas fully acknowledge and reaffirm Energas' 

obligation as set forth under the Assignment referred to above, Mesa agrees 

to release, and hereby does release and forever discharge, Energas and

EnerMart Inc. from any and all breaches or alleged breaches, if any, and

any and all claims of such breaches or alleged breaches of the

above-referenced 1949 Agreement, as amended, arising out of or due to any

sales of Non "B" Contract gas made prior to April 1, 1988 by Energas or

EnerMart Inc. to customers located in the City of Amarillo and its

environs.

                                ARTICLE VII
                                -----------

                    MESA'S PURCHASE OF SUPPLEMENTAL GAS
                    -----------------------------------

     Mesa and Energas acknowledge that due to potential shortages of "B"

Contract gas, Fain Plant shut-downs or other conditions not within the

control of Mesa, Mesa may be required to purchase volumes of gas from third

parties in sufficient quantities to supplement or otherwise satisfy its

contractual obligations for the delivery of gas to its industrial users. 

In this regard, it is also acknowledged by the parties that the stored or

exchanged gas described within Article III is intended by Mesa to be a

potential source from which Mesa will acquire back-up gas, thus requiring

to gas purchases from a third party source.  However, both Mesa and Energas 

agree that in the event sufficient gas volumes as described in Article III 

are not available to Mesa for any reason, then and in that event, Energas 

agrees to sell, if available, sufficient supplemental volumes of gas to 

Mesa from its own back-up gas supplies.  In consideration for the delivery 

of such gas by Energas to Mesa's customers, Mesa agrees to pay Energas a 

sum per MCF equal to Energas' Small Industrial Rate Tariff applicable to 

the City of Amarillo and its environs, as such Tariff may be amended from 

time to time.


                                ARTICLE VIII
                                ------------

                            TRANSPORTATION RATES
                            --------------------

     The incremental rates to be charged by Energas for the transportation

services performed hereunder shall be as follows; provided, however, that

Energas shall have no responsibility or obligation whatsoever to provide

transportation services to any industrial user or any other customer

wherein the designated volumes to said user or customer are less than 1

MMCF per day.

     The rates are to be applied to volumes actually delivered by Energas 

at the industrial users' facility or the system interconnect terminating 

the particular delivery transaction pursuant to Articles I, II, III, or IV. 


Mesa agrees to, at its election, either provide shrinkage gas in kind, or 

reimburse Energas for shrinkage gas for each transaction in an amount 

relative to the delivered volumes, equal to the "lost and unaccounted for" 

rate for the Energas Amarillo transmission system which for purposes of 

this Agreement, the parties have agreed that the shrinkage will be set at 

1.5%.  If Mesa elects to reimburse Energas for shrinkage rather than 

provide shrinkage volume, the shrinkage reimbursement shall be calculated 

based upon Energas' Amarillo system weighted average cost of gas for the 

pertinent month.

     As to gas returned to Energas for further transportation services

pursuant to Articles III and IV hereof, Mesa agrees to inform Energas as to

when such volumes are being returned, the volumes being returned, and the

type of transaction under which the volumes are being returned, such 

information to be provided in writing on a monthly basis by the 10th day of 

the month following a month in which any such transactions occurred.



                                RATES
        TOTAL                FOR ARTICLES             RATES FOR
     VOLUMES/YEAR            I, II, AND IV           ARTICLE III
     ------------            --------------          -----------

     0.000000 BCF to          $0.165/MCF              $0.04/MCF
     2.000000 BCF

     2.000001 BCF to          $0.120/MCF              $0.04/MCF
     3.000000 BCF

     3.000001 BCF to          $0.100/MCF              $0.04/MCF
     4.000000 BCF

     4.000001 BCF to          $0.080/MCF              $0.04/MCF
     6.000000 BCF

     6.000001 BCF             $0.060/MCF              $0.04/MCF
       and above

     For illustrative purposes only, if Energas were to transport total

volumes of gas for Mesa's account equal to 10.000000 BCF of gas during any

given period (of which 9 BCF was transported under Articles I, II, and IV, 

and 1 BCF was transported under Article III, the transportation rate(s) to 

be charged to Mesa would be:

                        2 BCF @ $0.165/MCF
                        1 BCF @ $0.120/MCF
                        1 BCF @ $0.100/MCF
                        2 BCF @ $0.080/MCF
                        3 BCF @ $0.060/MCF
                        1 BCF @ $0.040/MCF
                          --------------
                           $930,000.00 



                                 ARTICLE IX
                                 ----------

                   INTERRUPTIBLE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
                   -------------------------------------

     It is mutually understood and agreed as between Mesa and Energas that 

all transportation services to be provided by Energas under the entirety of 

this Agreement shall be provided on an "interruptible basis" and not 

otherwise.  In regard to any transportation interruptions, Energas shall 

use its best efforts to promptly notify Mesa of any actual or reasonably 

foreseeable interruptions so that Mesa can take such action as it may deem 

prudent or advisable as to its industrial users.


                                 ARTICLE X
                                 ---------

                   ENERGAS' EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO TRANSPORT
                   -------------------------------------

     Except as set forth herein Mesa and Energas agree that Energas is 

hereby granted the exclusive right to transport the volumes of gas made 

available and referred to within the entirety of this Agreement so long as 

said Agreement remains in full force and effect.  The exclusive rights 

granted to Energas herein shall not prohibit the use by Mesa of a third 

party's pipeline facilities and related transportation services during 

periods when Energas has invoked interruption of its transportation 

services, or for the transportation of volumes which on a daily basis 

cannot be transported by Energas due to operational constraints of the 

Energas Amarillo system.


                                ARTICLE XI
                                ----------

                REGULATORY APPROVAL OF TRANSPORTATION RATES
                -------------------------------------------

     Mesa and Energas acknowledge that the transportation rates set forth 

herein may be challenged or have to be submitted by Energas to certain 

regulatory agencies for approval and/or review.  In the event the adequacy 

of such transportation rates are successfully challenged or are adjusted by 

an appropriate regulatory agency, then Mesa agrees, on a prospective basis 

only, to reimburse Energas fifty percent (50%) of the difference between 

the level of rates determined to be adequate in such a proceeding or 

decision and the rates established herein multiplied by the volumes of gas 

transported by Energas hereunder subsequent to the effective date of such 

new rates.  Notwithstanding any provision contained herein to the contrary, 

either party may cancel the Agreement if such newly established rates are 

deemed unacceptable to such party.


                                ARTICLE XII
                                -----------

                             TERM OF AGREEMENT
                             -----------------

     Unless otherwise terminated pursuant to Article XI, the primary term 

of this Agreement will be until December 31, 1994.  Thereafter, this 

Agreement may remain in effect on an annual basis, provided the parties 

mutually agree on all the terms and conditions for each subsequent year.  

In this regard, if the parties have been unable to agree on all the terms 

and conditions for 1995 by October 1, 1994 (or each subsequent October 1), 

this Agreement will automatically terminate at 7:00 A.M. on January 1, 1995 

(or each subsequent January 1).  This same type of mutual agreement or 

termination procedure will be followed as long as this Agreement has not 

been previously terminated.

                                ARTICLE XIII
                                ------------

                     ENERGAS' STATUS AS PRIVATE CARRIER
                     ----------------------------------

     Although Energas has entered into this Agreement based upon

negotiations  as between Mesa and Energas, both Mesa and Energas stipulate 

and agree that  Energas' pipeline system, to be utilized for the 

performance of Energas'  obligations hereunder, is a private pipeline 

system not owned, operated or  managed by Energas for the transportation of 

natural gas to or for the public  for hire, and that this Agreement (and 

the transportation services to be  provided herein) has been executed by 

the parties based in part upon the long-  standing contractual obligations 

existing as between Mesa and Energas as to   the "B" Contract and the 

rights and obligations of the parties under that   certain Agreement dated 

June 27, 1949, as subsequently amended, by and between  Amarillo Oil 

Company and Amarillo Gas Company, and that it is not Energas'  intent or 

desire to abandon or otherwise modify or amend its status as a  private 

carrier. 


                                ARTICLE XIV
                                -----------

                            BILLING AND PAYMENT
                            -------------------

     1. On or before the twenty-fifth (25th) day of each calendar month 

after  deliveries of gas hereunder have commenced, Energas shall render to 

Mesa an  invoice that shows the total volume and BTU content of gas 

delivered and  redelivered hereunder during the preceding Billing Month and 

the monies due  therefor, including any amounts due for shrinkage which 

Mesa is obligated   under this Agreement to reimburse Energas.  Mesa shall 

pay such invoice within   ten (10) days after Mesa's receipt thereof to the 

address of Energas noted on   the invoice. 


    2.  In the event Mesa fails to pay the full amount due Energas when the

same becomes due, interest thereon shall accrue from the date that such

payment became due until it is paid in full at the lesser of (a) a rate of

fifteen percent (15%) per annum or (b) the highest lawful rate permitted by

applicable law.  If such failure to pay continues for ten (10) days, 

Energas may, in addition to any and all other remedies available to 

Energas, suspend further deliveries of gas hereunder.

     3.  All invoices and payments are subject to correction for any errors

contained therein until twelve (12) months after the date Energas received

payment on an incorrect invoice or received an incorrect payment.

                                 ARTICLE XV
                                 ----------

                                 ASSIGNMENT
                                 ----------

     This Agreement may not be assigned by either party hereto without the

prior written consent of the other party, which such consent shall not be

unreasonably withheld; except that no prior consent shall be required for 

an assignment to (a) a company owning 100% of, wholly owned by, or having a

common parent with, such assigning party or (b) a trustee or trustees,

individual or corporate, as security for bonds or other obligations or

security, provided, however, that an assignment for security purposes shall

not relieve the assigning party of any of its obligations under this

Agreement.

                                ARTICLE XVI
                                -----------

                                  NOTICES
                                  -------

     Any notice required to be given under this Agreement or any notice 

which either party hereto may desire to give the other party shall be in 

writing and shall be considered duly delivered when hand-delivered or when 

deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, registered or 

certified, and addressed as follows:

                        Energas Company
                        P. O. Box 650205
                        Dallas, Texas  75256-0205
                        Attention:  Gas Supply and Ind. Sales

                        Mesa Operating Limited Partnership
                        P. O. Box 2009
                        Amarillo, Texas  79189-2009
                        Attention: Gas Marketing Department

or such other address as Energas, Mesa, or their respective successors or

assigns shall designate by written notice given in the manner described 

above.  Routine communications, including monthly invoices, may be mailed 

by ordinary mail and are deemed delivered when hand-delivered or when 

deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, and addressed to the 

above-designated name and address.


                                ARTICLE XVII
                                ------------

             PRIOR TRANSPORTATION AND SALES AGREEMENT TERMINATED
             ---------------------------------------------------

     1.  Energas and Mesa hereby expressly terminate that certain

Interruptible Gas Transportation and Sales Agreement dated and effective 

April 1, 1988, as amended and supplemented.



                               ARTICLE XVIII
                               -------------

                               MISCELLANEOUS
                               -------------

     1.  It is expressly agreed that this Agreement does not modify or 

amend  in any way the obligations of the parties under the June 27, 1949, 

Gas  Purchase Agreement, as amended, and any summary, characterization or 

statement  in this Agreement concerning those obligations are for 

convenience only and  are not intended to change or amend the June 27, 

1949, Gas Purchase Agreement,  as heretofore amended.

       2.  All the terms and conditions of this Agreement were prepared 

jointly  by the parties hereto and not by any party to the exclusion of the 

other.

       3.  Neither Mesa nor Energas shall be held responsible or liable for 

damages for acts or conduct of the other, and each party shall indemnify 

and  hold harmless the other from claims or demands on account thereof 

except to  the extent such damages were caused by the action or inaction of 

the other  party. 

     4.  Notwithstanding the provisions of the above, each party hereto 

shall  be responsible for all gas which is in its possession.  The party 

then in  possession shall indemnify and hold harmless the other from all 

claims or  demands on account of all injuries to persons or property caused 

by or arising  from said gas except to the extent such injuries or damages 

were caused by the  action or inaction of the other party.

     5.  This Agreement shall be subject to all valid, relevant, present 

and  future state and federal laws, decisions or courts of competent 

jurisdictions  and all rules, regulations and orders of any regulatory 

authority having  jurisdiction.  This Agreement shall be further governed 

by, construed and  enforced in accordance with and subject to the laws of 

the State of Texas,  without regard to its conflict of law, rules and/or 

principles. 

     6.  The parties expressly agree that this Agreement is not intended to 

benefit any third party(ies) and shall not do so. This Agreement shall not, 

at any time, give rise to any claim, demand, or cause of action, whether 

known  or unknown or contingent or absolute at this time or at any other 

time, by any  such third party(ies) claiming third party beneficiary rights 

hereunder. 

     7.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties 

and   supersedes any and all prior agreements, arrangements and 

understandings  between the parties relating to the transportation of the 

gas by Energas for  Mesa as discussed herein.  This Agreement cannot be 

modified or terminated  orally. 

     8.  The failure of either party hereto at any time to require 

performance by the other party of any provision hereof shall in no way 

affect the right of such party thereafter to enforce the same, nor shall 

the waiver by either party hereto of any breach of any provision hereof by 

the other party be taken or held to be a waiver by such party of any 

succeeding breach of such provision, or as a waiver of the provision 

itself.

     9.  Energas and Mesa agree to hold in confidence and not disclose the

terms of this Agreement or other information pertaining to it except as

required for financial reporting, tax, regulatory commissions, The

Securities and Exchange Commission, or other purposes for which disclosure 

is legally compulsory on the part of the disclosing party.

     10.  If any provision, term, or condition in this Agreement shall be 

held  invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by any regulatory agency or 

tribunal of  competent jurisdiction, upheld by appellate court, if 

appealed, the validity,  legality and enforceability of the remaining 

provisions, terms and conditions  shall not in any way be affected or 

impaired thereby. 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this 

Interruptible Gas Transportation and Sales Agreement as of the date first 

above written which replaces that certain Interruptible Gas Transportation 

and Sales Agreement dated April 1, 1988 as amended and supplemented.


ENERGAS COMPANY               MESA OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
a division of Atmos           By:  Pickens Operating Co., General Partner
Energy Corporation


By: /s/ Toby A. Priolo        By: /s/ Claude B. Jenkins
    ------------------        ---------------------------------------------
    Toby A. Priolo            Claude B. Jenkins
    Vice President            Vice President-Marketing



                       GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
                                     TO
           INTERRUPTIBLE GAS TRANSPORTATION AND SALES AGREEMENT
           ----------------------------------------------------

    For purposes of these Terms and Conditions, unless the context hereof
requires otherwise, the following definitions shall be applicable:

     Section 1.1.  The terms "gas" shall mean natural gas produced from gas
     -----------
wells (i.e., gas-well gas), gas produced in association with oil (i.e.,
casinghead gas), and the residue gas resulting from the processing of both
casinghead gas and gas-well gas.

     Section 1.2.  The term "day" shall mean the twenty-four (24) hour
     -----------
period commencing at 8:00 a.m.,  Central Time, on one calendar day and
ending at 8:00 a.m.  Central Time, on the following calendar day.

     Section 1.3.  The term "month" or "Billing Month" shall mean the
     -----------       
period extending from 8:00 a.m., Central Time, on the first day of one
calendar month to 8:00 a.m.,  Central Time, on the first day of the next
succeeding calendar month, except that the first Billing Month shall
commence on the date of the initial delivery of gas hereunder and shall end
at 8:00 a.m., Central Time, on the first day of the next succeeding
calendar month.

     Section 1.4. The term "MCF" shall mean one thousand (,000) cubic
     -----------
feet at a temperature of 60 degree Fahrenheit and at an absolute pressure 
of 14.65 pounds per square inch.

     Section 1.5. The term "BTU" shall mean British thermal unit and
     -----------
represents the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one
(1) pound avoirdupois of pure water from 58.5 degree Fahrenheit to 59.5
degree Fahrenheit at a constant pressure of 14.73 psia.

     Section 1.6.  The term "Energas" shall mean Energas Company, a
     -----------
division of Atmos Energy Corporation, and the term "MESA" shall mean MESA
Operating Limited Partnership. Energas and MESA are the only parties to
these Terms and Conditions and the related Interruptible Gas Transportation
and Sales Agreement.

     Section 1.7.  The term "heating value" shall mean the number of BTUs
     -----------
produced by the complete combustion, at a temperature of 60 degree
Fahrenheit if saturated with water vapor and at a constant pressure of
14.73 psia and under standard gravitational force (acceleration 980.665 cm
per sec per) with air of the same temperature and pressure as the gas when
the products of combustion are cooled to the initial temperature of the gas
and air and when the water formed by combustion is condensed to the liquid
state.

     Section 1.8.  The term "psia" shall mean pounds per square inch
     -----------
absolute.

     Section 1.9.  The term "Receipt Point(s)" shall mean the point(s) at 
     -----------
which gas is delivered by MESA to Energas for transportation pursuant to
the Agreement.

     Section 1.10.  The term "Delivery Points(s)" shall mean the point(s)
     ------------
at which Energas shall redeliver gas to or on behalf of MESA pursuant to
the Agreement.

     Section 1.11.  The term "Agreement"  or "the Agreement" as used
     ------------
throughout the entirety of this document shall mean the January 1, 1991
Interruptible Gas Transportation and Sales Agreement.
                                      
                               ARTICLE II

                                Pressure                    
                                -------

     Section 2.1.  Deliveries of gas by MESA at the Receipt Point(s) and
     -----------
 redeliveries of gas by Energas at the Delivery Point(s) shall be made at
pressures mutually agreeable by the parties hereto and sufficient to effect
delivery into the facilities of the party receiving such gas at such
points; provided, however, that neither party shall be required to install
or operate any compression facilities in order to deliver the as at any
specific pressure.

ARTICLE II                      

                                 Pressure
                                 --------
  
     Section 2.1.  Deliveries of gas by MESA at the Receipt Point(s) and
     -----------
 redeliveries of gas by Energas at the Delivery Points(s) shall be made at
pressures mutually agreeable by the parties hereto and sufficient to effect
delivery into the facilities of the party receiving such gas at such
points; provided, however, that neither party shall be required to install
or operate any compression facilities in order to deliver the gas at any
specific pressure.

                                ARTICLE III   

                            Measurement of Gas
                            ------------------

     Section 3.1.  Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, the unit
     -----------
of volume for purposes of the measurement of gas delivered hereunder at the 
Receipt Point(s) shall be one (1) Mcf



                                AMENDMENT TO
                                ------------

      INTERRUPTIBLE GAS TRANSPORTATION AND SALES AGREEMENT
            ----------------------------------------------------

     THIS AGREEMENT, is made and entered into as of the 1st day of January,
1995, by and between ENERGAS COMPANY, a division of ATMOS ENERGY
CORPORATION, a Texas corporation, hereinafter referred to as "Energas" and
MESA OPERATING CO., a Delaware corporation, hereinafter referred to as
"MESA";

                                W I T N E S S E T H

     WHEREAS, on January 1, 1991, Energas and MESA entered into an
Interruptible Gas Transportation and Sales Agreement ("Agreement"), whereby
Energas would transport gas for MESA and make emergency gas sales to MESA,
and

     WHEREAS, Energas and MESA desire to amend said Agreement dated January
1, 1991, to extend the Term thereof and to provide for certain other
changes.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements of the
parties, Energas and MESA agree as follows:

     1.  Except for Article VI, all references to that "Agreement dated
         June 27, 1949," or substantially similar type references, shall be
         deleted and "Amarillo Supply Agreement dated January 2, 1993"
         substituted therefore.

     2.  The parenthetical phrase in lines 9 and 10 of Article II on page 2
         is hereby deleted.

     3.  The first sentence of Article V is hereby deleted and the
         following is substituted therefore:

              "It is agreed to and acknowledged by MESA and Energas that
         with respect to those volumes of "B" Contract gas taken by MESA in
         excess of Energas' first call rights pursuant to the Amarillo
         Supply Agreement dated January 2, 1993, which are taken by MESA at
         the tailgate of the Fain Plant and stored or exchanged outside the
         City of Amarillo and its environs, MESA is to cause, like volumes
         of gas to be made available, under certain conditions, in the City
         of Amarillo and its environs.

     4.  ARTICLE VI.  ENERGAS' PURCHASES OF GAS FOR ITS CUSTOMERS and is
         hereby deleted in its entirety and the following Article VI
         substituted therefore.

                                 ARTICLE VI
                                 ----------

         ENERGAS' AND ENERMARTS PURCHASES OF GAS FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS
         ----------------------------------------------------------

     MESA agrees to release, and hereby does release and forever discharge,
Energas and EnerMart Inc. from any and all breaches or alleged breaches, if
any, and any and all claims of such breaches or alleged breaches of the
June 27, 1949 Amarillo Supply Agreement, as amended, arising out of or due
to any sales of Non 'B' Contract gas made prior to April 1, 1988 by Energas
or EnerMart Inc. to customers located in the City of Amarillo and its
environs.

     5.  ARTICLE VIII.  TRANSPORTATION RATES is hereby deleted in its
         ------------   --------------------
         entirety and the following Article VIII is substituted therefore:

                               "ARTICLE VIII
                                ------------

                            TRANSPORTATION RATES
                            --------------------

     The rates to be charged by Energas for the transportation services
performed hereunder shall be as set forth in this ARTICLE VIII; provided,
however, that Energas shall have no responsibility or obligation whatsoever
to provide transportation services to any industrial user or any other
customer wherein the designated volumes to said user or customer are less
than 1 MMCF per day.

     The rates are to be applied to volumes actually delivered by Energas
at the industrial users' facility or the system interconnect terminating
the particular delivery transaction pursuant to Articles I, II, III, or IV. 
MESA agrees, at its election, to either provide shrinkage gas in kind, or
reimburse Energas for shrinkage gas for each transaction in an amount
relative to the delivered volumes, equal to the lesser of the actual "lost
and unaccounted for" rate for the Energas Amarillo transmission system or
1.5%.  If MESA elects to reimburse Energas for shrinkage rather than
provide shrinkage volume, the shrinkage reimbursement shall be calculated
based upon Energas' Amarillo system weighted average cost of gas for the
pertinent month.

     As to gas returned to Energas for further transportation services
pursuant to Articles III and IV hereof, MESA agreed to inform Energas as to
when such volumes are being returned, the volumes being returned, and the
type of transaction under which the volumes are being returned.  Such
information is to be provided in writing on a monthly basis, by the 10th
day of the month following a month in which any such transactions occurred.

     The transportation rates per MCF applicable under Articles I, II and
IV shall ultimately be determined on a calendar year basis, but shall
initially be billed to and paid for by MESA on a First Tier Rate basis
because the amount of calendar year volumes so transported by Energas will
not be know until year end.  Periodically during the calendar year, but no
less than twice each year, the parties shall meed to determine the actual
volumes transported and to adjust the forecast of volumes to be transported
by Energas for MESA during the remainder of the year.  From these meeting
the parties shall attempt to determine when the First Tier volumes have
been transported for the current year and consequently when any Second Tier
Volume transportation and Second Tier Rates apply if any.  for purposes of
ultimately applying the First tier Rate (5.5 cents/MCF) or any Second tier
Rate (5.0 cents/MCF), the parties shall no later than sixty (60) days after
the end of the calendar year, determine the total calendar year volumes of
gas actually so transported by Energas and make a payment adjustment
without interest. 

     For the First Tier volumes transported by Energas on a calendar basis
for MESA pursuant to Articles I, II, and IV, the First Tier Rate shall
ultimately apply.  For those volumes so transported which exceed the First
Tier Volumes (Second Tier Volumes), the Second Tier Rate shall ultimately
apply.  For all gas transported by Energas for MESA pursuant to Article
III, a Third Tier Rate of 4.0 cents/MCF per month shall apply.

     6.     ARTICLE ENERGAS' EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO TRANSPORT, is hereby 
            deleted in its entirety and the following is substituted 
            therefore.


                                "ARTICLE X
                                ----------

                       ENERGAS' RIGHT TO TRANSPORT
                       ---------------------------

     Except as set forth herein, MESA and Energas agree that Energas is
hereby granted the right to transport one hundred percent (100%) of the
First Tier volumes so long as this Agreement remains in full force and
effect.  The term "First Tier Volumes" as used herein shall mean fifty
percent (50%) of the "Excess Gas" described in Articles I and II and fifty
percent (50%) of the non-B-Contract gas described in Article IV which Mesa
sells annually to its existing customers for industrial consumption in the
City of Amarillo and its environs.  Such rights granted to Energas herein
shall not prohibit the use by MESA of a third party's pipeline facilities
and related transportation services during periods when Energas has invoked
interruption of its transportation service, or for the transportation of
volumes which on a daily basis cannot be transported by Energas due to
operational constraints of the Energas Amarillo system."

     7.     ARTICLE XII TERM OF AGREEMENT is hereby deleted in its entirety 
            ----------- -----------------
            and the following is substituted therefore:


                                "ARTICLE XII
                                ------------

                              TERM OF AGREEMENT
                              -----------------

     Unless otherwise terminated pursuant to Article XI, the primary term 
of this Agreement will be until December 31, 1999."


     8.     This Agreement, as amended herein, shall remain in full force 
            and effect.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Energas and MESA have caused this Agreement to be 
executed and effective as of the day and year first written above.


ENERGAS COMPANY                 MESA OPERATING CO.
A Division of
Atmos Energy Corporation

By:  /s/ Toby A. Priolo         By:  /s/ Paul W. Cain
     ------------------------        ------------------------
        Toby A. Priolo                         

Title:  Vice President          Title: President & Chief Operating Officer
        ---------------------          -----------------------------------
        Atmos Energy Corporation