AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON APRIL 9, 1996
                                                     REGISTRATION NO. 333-
================================================================================
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                ---------------
                                   FORM S-4
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                ---------------
                               CODA ENERGY, INC.
                       DIAMOND ENERGY OPERATING COMPANY
                              TAURUS ENERGY CORP.
                            ELECTRA RESOURCES, INC.
           (Exact name of registrants as specified in their charters)
   DELAWARE                         1311                         75-1842480
   OKLAHOMA                         1311                         73-1366557
    TEXAS                           1311                         75-2322473
    TEXAS                           1311                         APPLIED FOR
(States or other             (Primary Standard                (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdictions of         Industrial Classification          Identification Nos.)
incorporation or               Code Numbers)
 organization)   
                                ---------------
                                                      JOE CALLAWAY
                                           VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
         5735 PINELAND DRIVE                       CODA ENERGY, INC.
              SUITE 300                           5735 PINELAND DRIVE
         DALLAS, TEXAS 75231                           SUITE 300
            (214) 692-1800                        DALLAS, TEXAS 75231
                                                     (214) 692-1800
  (Address, including zip code, and       (Name, address, including zip code,
   telephone number, including area       and telephone number,including area
 code, of each registrant's principal         code, of agent for service)
          executive offices)
 
                                ---------------
                                   COPIES TO:
          WILLIAM L. BOEING                        KIRK A. DAVENPORT
        HAYNES AND BOONE, LLP                       LATHAM & WATKINS
           901 MAIN STREET                          885 THIRD AVENUE
              SUITE 3100                               SUITE 1000
         DALLAS, TEXAS 75202                    NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
            (214) 651-5000                           (212) 906-1200
 
                                ---------------
   APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE OF THE SECURITIES TO THE
                                    PUBLIC:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
 
  If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. [_]
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


=======================================================================================================
                                                                       PROPOSED MAXIMUM
     TITLE OF EACH                         AMOUNT     PROPOSED MAXIMUM    AGGREGATE       AMOUNT OF
  CLASS OF SECURITIES                      TO BE       OFFERING PRICE   OFFERING PRICE   REGISTRATION
   TO BE REGISTERED                      REGISTERED     PER NOTE (1)         (1)             FEE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             
10 1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated 
Notes due 2006........................  $110,000,000        100%         $110,000,000      $37,932
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guarantees of 10 1/2% Series B Senior
 Subordinated Notes due 2006..........  $110,000,000        (2)              (2)             (2)
=======================================================================================================

(1) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant
    to Rule 457.
(2) No further fee is required pursuant to Rule 457(n).
  THE REGISTRANTS HEREBY AMEND THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANTS
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================

 
                             CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
 
           PURSUANT TO RULE 404(A) AND ITEM 501(B) OF REGULATION S-K
               SHOWING LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS OF THE INFORMATION
                         REQUIRED BY PART I OF FORM S-4
 
 1.Forepart of Registration Statement
     and Outside Front Cover Page of
     Prospectus......................... Outside Front Cover Page; Cross
                                          Reference Sheet; Inside Front Cover
                                          Page
 2.Inside Front and Outside Back Cover
     Pages of Prospectus................ Inside Front Cover Page; Outside Back
                                          Cover Page
 3.Risk Factors, Ratio of Earnings to
     Fixed Charges and Other
     Information........................ Prospectus Summary; Risk Factors;
                                          Selected Historical and Pro Forma
                                          Financial Data
 4.Terms of the Transaction............. The Exchange Offer; Certain Federal
                                          Income Tax Considerations;
                                          Description of Exchange Notes
 5.Pro Forma Financial Information...... Prospectus Summary; Selected
                                          Historical and Pro Forma Financial
                                          Statements; Financial Statements
 6.Material Contacts with the Company
     Being Acquired..................... Not Applicable
 7.Additional Information Required for
     Reoffering by Persons and Parties
     Deemed to be Underwriters.......... Not Applicable
 8.Interests of Named Experts and        
     Counsel............................ Not Applicable
 9.Disclosure of Commission Position on
     Indemnification for Securities Act
     Liabilities........................ Not Applicable
10.Information with Respect to S-3
     Registrants........................ Not Applicable
11.Incorporation of Certain Information
     by Reference....................... Not Applicable
12.Information with Respect to S-2 or
     S-3 Registrants.................... Not Applicable
13.Incorporation of Certain Information
     by Reference....................... Not Applicable
14.Information with Respect to
     Registrants Other Than S-3 or S-2
     Registrants........................ Prospectus Summary; The Exchange
                                          Offer; The Merger; Capitalization;
                                          Selected Historical and Pro Forma
                                          Financial Data; Management's
                                          Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                                          Condition and Results of Operations;
                                          Business; Management; Certain
                                          Transactions; Description of
                                          Exchange Notes; Description of Other
                                          Indebtedness; Financial Statements
15.Information with Respect to S-3
     Companies.......................... Not Applicable
16.Information with Respect to S-2 or
     S-3 Companies...................... Not Applicable
17.Information with Respect to
     Companies Other Than S-2 or S-3
     Companies.......................... Not Applicable
18.Information if Proxies, Consents or
     Authorizations are to be
     Solicited.......................... Not Applicable
19.Information if Proxies, Consents or
     Authorizations are not to be
     Solicited or in an Exchange
     Offer.............................. Management; The Exchange Offer;
                                          Certain Transactions

 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A        +
+ REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE  +
+ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY +
+ OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT       +
+ BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR  +
+ THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE     +
+ SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE   +
+ UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF +
+ ANY SUCH STATE.                                                              +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 9, 1996
 
PROSPECTUS
    , 1996
                               OFFER TO EXCHANGE
              10 1/2% SERIES B SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2006
    FOR ALL OUTSTANDING 10 1/2% SERIES A SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2006
                                       OF
                    [LOGO OF CODAENERGY, INC APPEARS HERE]
 
                                  ----------
 
  THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M, NEW YORK CITY TIME ON      , 1996
UNLESS EXTENDED.
 
  Coda Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Coda;" and together with its
subsidiaries, the "Company"), is hereby offering (the "Exchange Offer"), upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus and the
accompanying Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), to exchange
$1,000 principal amount of its 10 1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due
2006 (the "Exchange Notes"), which exchange has been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), pursuant to a
registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part (the "Registration
Statement"), for each $1,000 principal amount of its outstanding 10 1/2% Series
A Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 (the "Private Notes"), of which
$110,000,000 in aggregate principal amount was issued on March 18, 1996 and is
outstanding as of the date hereof. The form and terms of the Exchange Notes are
the same as the form and terms of the Private Notes (which they replace) except
that (i) the Exchange Notes will bear a Series B designation, (ii) the Exchange
Notes will have been registered under the Securities Act, and, therefore, the
Exchange Notes will not bear legends restricting the transfer thereof and (iii)
holders of the Exchange Notes will not be entitled to certain rights of holders
of the Private Notes under the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined
herein), which rights will terminate upon the consummation of the Exchange
Offer. The Exchange Notes will evidence the same indebtedness as the Private
Notes (which they replace) and will be entitled to the benefits of an indenture
dated as of March 18, 1996 governing the Private Notes and the Exchange Notes
(the "Indenture"). The Private Notes and the Exchange Notes are referred to
herein collectively as the "Notes." See "The Exchange Offer" and "Description
of Exchange Notes."
 
  The Exchange Notes will bear interest at the same rate and on the same terms
as the Private Notes. Consequently, the Exchange Notes will bear interest at
the rate of 10 1/2% per annum and the interest thereon will be payable
semiannually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing
October 1, 1996. The Exchange Notes will bear interest from and including the
date of issuance of the Private Notes (March 18, 1996). Holders whose Private
Notes are accepted for exchange will be deemed to have waived the right to
receive any interest accrued on the Private Notes.
 
  The Exchange Notes will be general unsecured obligations of Coda and will be
subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Debt (as defined in the
Indenture) of Coda (which includes all indebtedness under the Credit Agreement
(as defined herein)) and will rank senior in right of payment to all future
subordinated indebtedness of Coda. As of March 31, 1996, Coda had $81.8 million
in Senior Debt. Coda currently has no indebtedness that is junior to the Notes.
See "Description of Exchange Notes--Subordination" and "Description of Other
Indebtedness."
 
  Coda's payment obligations under the Exchange Notes will be jointly and
severally guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis (the "Subsidiary
Guarantees") by all of Coda's current and future Restricted Subsidiaries (as
defined in the Indenture; collectively, the "Guarantors"). The Subsidiary
Guarantees will be subordinated to the guarantees of Senior Debt issued by the
Guarantors under the Credit Agreement and to other guarantees of Senior Debt
issued in the future. See "Description of Exchange Notes--Subsidiary
Guarantees."
 
  The Exchange Notes will be redeemable at the option of Coda, in whole or in
part, at any time on or after April 1, 2001, at the redemption prices set forth
herein, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of
redemption. Notwithstanding the foregoing, before March 12, 1999, Coda may, on
any one or more occasions, redeem up to $27.5 million in aggregate principal
amount of Notes at a redemption price of 110.5% of the principal amount thereof
plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date, with the net
proceeds of an offering of common equity of Coda; provided that at least $82.5
million in aggregate principal amount of Notes must remain outstanding
immediately after the occurrence of such redemption; and provided, further,
that any such redemption shall occur within 75 days of the date of the closing
of such offering of common equity of Coda. See "Description of Exchange Notes."
 
  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined herein), each holder
of Exchange Notes may require Coda to repurchase all or a portion of such
holder's Exchange Notes at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate
principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date
of repurchase. See "Description of Exchange Notes--Repurchase of the Option of
Holders--Change of Control."
 
  The Company will accept for exchange any and all validly tendered Private
Notes not withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on      , 1996,
unless the Exchange Offer is extended by the Company in its sole discretion
(the "Expiration Date"). Tenders of Private Notes may be withdrawn at any time
prior to the Expiration Date. Private Notes may be tendered only in integral
multiples of $1,000. The Exchange Offer is subject to certain customary
conditions. See "The Exchange Offer--Conditions."
 
  SEE "RISK FACTORS," BEGINNING ON PAGE 17, FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS
THAT INVESTORS SHOULD CONSIDER IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND AN
INVESTMENT IN THE EXCHANGE NOTES AND THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES THEREOF.
 
                                  ----------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY 
IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                                  ----------
 
  Based on an interpretation by the staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") set forth in no-action letters issued to third
parties, the Company believes that the Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the
Exchange Offer

 
in exchange for Private Notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise
transferred by a holder thereof (other than (i) a broker-dealer who purchases
such Exchange Notes directly from the Company to resell pursuant to Rule 144A
or any other available exemption under the Securities Act or (ii) a person
that is an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities Act), without compliance with the registration and prospectus
delivery provisions of the Securities Act; provided that the holder is
acquiring the Exchange Notes in the ordinary course of its business and is not
participating, and had no arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate, in the distribution of the Exchange Notes. Holders of Private
Notes wishing to accept the Exchange Offer must represent to the Company, as
required by the Registration Rights Agreement, that such conditions have been
met. Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account in
exchange for Private Notes, where such Private Notes were acquired by such
broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such Exchange Notes. The Company believes that none of the
registered holders of the Private Notes is an affiliate (as such term is
defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of the Company.
 
  Prior to the Exchange Offer, there has been no public market for the Private
Notes. The Company does not intend to list the Exchange Notes on any
securities exchange or to seek approval for quotation through any automated
quotation system. There can be no assurance that an active market for the
Exchange Notes will develop. To the extent that a market for the Notes does
develop, the market value of the Notes will depend on market conditions (such
as yields on alternative investments), general economic conditions, the
Company's financial condition and certain other factors. Such conditions might
cause the Notes, to the extent that they are traded, to trade at a significant
discount from face value. See "Risk Factors--Absence of Public Market for the
Notes."
 
  Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account pursuant
to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes. The Letter of Transmittal
states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-
dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection
with resales of Exchange Notes received in exchange for Private Notes where
such Private Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-
making activities or other trading activities. The Company has agreed to make
this Prospectus (as it may be amended or supplemented) available to any
broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale for a period of one
year after the effective date of the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus forms a part. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
  The Company will not receive any proceeds from, and has agreed to bear the
expenses of, the Exchange Offer. No underwriter is being used in connection
with this Exchange Offer. See "The Exchange Offer--Resale of the Exchange
Notes."
 
  THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE TO, NOR WILL THE COMPANY ACCEPT
SURRENDERS FOR EXCHANGE FROM, HOLDERS OF PRIVATE NOTES IN ANY JURISDICTION IN
WHICH THE EXCHANGE OFFER OR THE ACCEPTANCE THEREOF WOULD NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE
WITH THE SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.
 
  NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OFFER TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR
THE ACCOMPANYING LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR THE
ACCOMPANYING LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, NOR ANY EXCHANGE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL
UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
 
                                       2

 
  UNTIL     , 1996 (90 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS), ALL DEALERS
OFFERING TRANSACTIONS IN THE EXCHANGE NOTES, WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING IN
THE EXCHANGE OFFER, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION
THEREWITH. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A
PROSPECTUS WHEN ACTING AS UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD
ALLOTMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.
 
  The Exchange Notes will be available initially only in book-entry form. The
Company expects that the Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer
will be issued in the form of one or more permanent global certificates in
definitive, fully-registered form ("Global Note") that will be deposited with,
or on behalf of, the Depository Trust Company ("DTC" or the "Depositary") and
registered in its name or in the name of Cede & Co., as its nominee.
Beneficial interests in the Global Note representing the Exchange Notes will
be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through, records
maintained by the Depositary and its participants. After the initial issuance
of such Global Note, Exchange Notes in certificated form will be issued in
exchange for the Global Note only in accordance with the terms and conditions
set forth in the Indenture. See "The Exchange Offer--Book-Entry Transfer" and
"Description of Exchange Notes--Book-Entry, Delivery and Form."
 
                                       3

 
                                    SUMMARY
 
  The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the detailed
information, financial statements and other data appearing elsewhere in this
Prospectus. The pro forma financial data presented give effect as of January 1,
1995, to (i) the Snyder Acquisition (as defined below), (ii) the Merger (as
defined below) and (iii) the offering of the Private Notes and the application
of the estimated net proceeds therefrom. Certain oil and gas terms used in this
Prospectus are defined in the "Glossary" included herein. Certain terms used in
connection with the Notes are defined under the caption "Description of
Exchange Notes--Certain Definitions."
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  The Company is an independent energy company that is principally engaged in
the acquisition and exploitation of producing oil and natural gas properties.
The Company also owns and operates natural gas processing and liquids
extraction facilities and natural gas gathering systems. The Company seeks to
acquire oil and natural gas properties whose predominant economic value is
attributable to proved producing reserves and to enhance that value through
control of operations, reduction of costs and property development. The
Company's producing properties are concentrated in the mid-continent region of
the United States. At December 31, 1995, the Company had proved reserves of
42.6 Mmbbls of oil and 37.1 Bcf of natural gas, aggregating 48.8 Mmboe. Company
operated properties accounted for approximately 94% of its 1995 production of
3.9 Mmboe.
 
  As a result of the Company's successful acquisition and exploitation
activities, the Company has shown significant growth in reserves, production
and earnings before interest, income taxes, depletion, depreciation and
amortization ("EBITDA") over the last five years. From 1991 through 1995, the
Company achieved an average annual reserve replacement of 480% at an average
cost of $3.67 per Boe. To achieve these results, management estimates that the
Company evaluated, over the last five years, in excess of 1,400 acquisition
opportunities with an aggregate market value estimated by management to exceed
$15 billion. Over the same period, management estimates that the Company made
approximately 280 offers totaling more than $3 billion and successfully closed
in excess of 50 transactions having an aggregate purchase price of $172.2
million. This strategy enabled the Company to increase average net daily
production from 3,329 Boe in 1991 to 10,688 Boe in 1995, representing a
compound annual growth rate of 34%. Similarly, EBITDA increased at a 46%
compound annual growth rate from $8.2 million in 1991 to $37.3 million in 1995.
See "Business--General" and "--Acquisition and Exploitation of Principal
Properties."
 
                                       4

 
 
                                    STRATEGY
 
  The Company's strategy is to increase oil and natural gas reserves,
production and cash flow by selectively acquiring and exploiting oil and
natural gas properties, especially those properties with enhanced recovery and
other lower risk development potential. In order to implement its strategy, the
Company principally seeks to acquire oil and natural gas properties with the
following characteristics:
 
  .  Geographic Focus--The Company has focused its acquisition activities in
     the mid-continent region of the United States. This region includes oil
     and natural gas basins with geological and production characteristics
     potentially responsive to the Company's exploitation and development
     techniques. Management believes that it has considerable experience in,
     and knowledge of, this region. The Company presently has four core
     operating areas: west Texas, north Texas, west central Oklahoma and
     southwestern Kansas. The geographic proximity of the Company's various
     properties allows the Company to minimize the number of operations and
     field production offices that it must maintain and the number of
     supervisory personnel that it must employ.
 
  .  Proved Developed Reserves--The Company prefers to acquire properties
     where the majority of the reserves are proved developed reserves
     producing from relatively shallow horizons. Management believes these
     properties generally present lower geologic and mechanical risks for
     drilling, recompleting and operating activities. Substantially all of
     the Company's wells are under 10,000 feet deep.
 
  .  Operated, High Working Interest Properties--The Company prefers to
     operate the properties it acquires and to own the majority working
     interest in those properties. This allows the Company greater control
     over (i) timing and plans for future development, (ii) drilling,
     completing and lifting costs and (iii) marketing of production. At
     December 31, 1995, the Company operated 2,052 of the 2,190 gross
     producing and active water injection wells in which it owned an
     interest, and its weighted average working interest in its properties
     was approximately 82%.
 
  .  Exploitation Potential--The Company seeks to increase production and
     recoverable reserves through exploitation efforts on the properties it
     acquires. Exploitation efforts include workovers and/or recompletions of
     existing wells; the initiation of, or improvements to, secondary
     recovery projects, particularly the use of waterflooding; and the
     drilling of lower risk development and/or infill wells. The Company
     believes that it has been able to enhance the value and to extend the
     economic life of many of the properties that it has acquired by
     utilizing techniques such as these.
 
  .  Cost Reduction Potential--The Company seeks to acquire properties where
     significant economic value can be created by lowering operating costs.
     The Company believes that it has been able to lower the lifting costs on
     certain properties it has acquired in comparison to the costs incurred
     by the major oil companies and larger independents that previously
     operated the properties. These savings were achieved through reductions
     in labor, electricity, materials and other costs.
 
  .  Price Improvement Potential--Whenever possible, the Company attempts to
     negotiate more favorable marketing agreements than those in place under
     prior owners. After the Company has begun its exploitation activities on
     its properties, it may attempt to negotiate more favorable prices as the
     volumes of oil increase. Certain of the Company's oil purchasers have
     paid and are currently paying a premium over posted prices and have
     eliminated certain quality and marketing deductions for a portion of the
     Company's oil production due to the Company's control over a significant
     volume of oil production in its core geographic areas.
 
                                       5

 
 
  The Company believes that future acquisitions, like its past acquisitions,
will come from several categories of sellers including: (i) major oil
companies; (ii) companies that are consolidating operations to achieve cost
savings; (iii) companies and individuals owning interests in wells in which the
Company owns a substantial working interest; and (iv) companies with limited
capital resources.
 
  The success of the Company's strategy depends upon a number of factors
outside of the Company's control, including the availability of attractive
acquisition opportunities. In recent years, major oil companies have been
divesting many of their higher cost domestic oil and natural gas properties. In
addition, the oil and natural gas industry continues to consolidate as smaller
independents exit the business. The Company believes these trends will
continue. By increasing production and lowering operating costs, the Company
believes that it can increase economic value and cash flow as well as extend
the productive lives of these properties. However, there can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to successfully implement its operating strategy.
See "Risk Factors--Acquisition Risks; Depletion of Reserves" and "Business--
Exploitation and Development Activities."
 
                    RECENT ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN PROPERTIES
 
  On October 6, 1995, the Company acquired 63 producing oil and natural gas
properties and related assets (the "Snyder Acquisition") from Snyder Oil
Corporation ("Snyder"). The majority of these properties are located in the
Permian Basin in west Texas. The total purchase price of these properties was
$17.1 million in cash, of which $16.0 million was financed with borrowings
under the Company's then-existing credit agreement. Total proved reserves of
these properties were estimated as of October 1, 1995, to be 4.3 Mmbbls of oil
and 6.8 Bcf of natural gas. The Company believes that these properties present
exploitation opportunities, including opportunities to implement cost-cutting
strategies and initiate or improve secondary recovery operations and lower risk
development drilling activities. Additionally, the Snyder Acquisition
complements the Company's core operating areas within the mid-continent region
of the United States. See Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements.
 
                                     TAURUS
 
  Through its Taurus Energy Corp. ("Taurus") subsidiary, the Company also owns
and operates three gas processing and liquid extraction facilities and
approximately 700 miles of gas gathering systems, primarily located in west
central Texas. Taurus was acquired by the Company in April 1994. The Company's
gas gathering and processing revenues, from Taurus and its predecessor, have
grown from $5.2 million in 1991 to $35.6 million in 1995, and EBITDA has
increased from $50,000 to $3.4 million over the same period. Taurus represented
approximately nine percent of the Company's consolidated 1995 EBITDA of
approximately $37.3 million. The Company intends to study alternatives for
maximizing the value of its investment in Taurus. These alternatives could
include a sale of Taurus, whether by merger, sale of all or substantially all
of the assets of Taurus or sale of all of the capital stock of Taurus.
 
                                       6

 
 
                                   THE MERGER
 
  On February 16, 1996, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
October 30, 1995 (as amended, the "Merger Agreement"), by and among Coda, Joint
Energy Development Investments Limited Partnership ("JEDI"), which is an
affiliate of Enron Capital & Trade Resources Corp. ("ECT"), and Coda
Acquisition, Inc. ("CAI"), which was a subsidiary of JEDI, JEDI acquired Coda
through a merger (the "Merger") at a price of $7.75 per share in cash (for an
aggregate purchase price of approximately $176.2 million). Concurrently with
the execution of the Merger Agreement, JEDI and CAI entered into certain
agreements with members of the Company's management (the "Management Group").
Following consummation of the Merger, the Management Group owns approximately
5% of Coda's common stock on a fully-diluted basis. JEDI owns the remaining
95%. JEDI was formed as a limited partnership between California Public
Employees' Retirement System ("CalPERS") and an affiliate of ECT, with the ECT
affiliate designated as the general partner. The purpose of the partnership is
to invest in a diversified portfolio of energy related assets. See "The
Merger."
 
  The sources and uses of funds related to financing the Merger were as
follows:
 
                                SOURCES OF FUNDS
                                 (in millions)
 

                                                                      
      Credit Agreement.................................................. $ 95.0
      JEDI Debt(1)......................................................  100.0
      Redeemable Preferred Stock issued to JEDI.........................   20.0
      Common Stock issued to JEDI.......................................   90.0
                                                                         ------
          Total......................................................... $305.0
                                                                         ======

 
                                 USES OF FUNDS
                                 (in millions)
 

                                                                    
      Payments to Coda stockholders, warrantholders and
       optionholders.................................................. $176.2
      Repayment of former credit facility and other indebtedness......  122.7
      Merger costs and other expenses.................................    6.1
                                                                       ------
          Total....................................................... $305.0
                                                                       ======

     --------
     (1) Represents indebtedness incurred by CAI and assumed by Coda to fund
         a portion of the consideration paid in the Merger. See "Use of
         Proceeds."
 
                                ----------------
 
  The Company was incorporated in Delaware in 1981. The Company's executive
offices are located at 5735 Pineland Drive, Suite 300, Dallas, Texas 75231, and
its telephone number is (214) 692-1800.
 
                                       7

 
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
THE EXCHANGE OFFER..............  The Company is hereby offering to exchange
                                  $1,000 principal amount of Exchange Notes for
                                  each $1,000 principal amount of Private Notes
                                  that are properly tendered and accepted. The
                                  Private Notes were sold in transactions ex-
                                  empt from registration under the Securities
                                  Act on March 18, 1996. This Registration
                                  Statement is intended to satisfy certain of
                                  the Company's obligations under the Registra-
                                  tion Rights Agreement and Purchase Agreement
                                  (as defined below) entered into in connection
                                  with the private placement. The Company will
                                  issue Exchange Notes on or promptly after the
                                  Expiration Date. As of the date hereof, there
                                  is $110,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
                                  Private Notes outstanding. See "The Exchange
                                  Offer--Purpose of the Exchange Offer."
 
                                  Based on an interpretation by the staff of
                                  the Commission set forth in no-action letters
                                  issued to third parties, the Company believes
                                  that the Exchange Notes issued pursuant to
                                  the Exchange Offer in exchange for Private
                                  Notes may be offered for resale, resold and
                                  otherwise transferred by a holder thereof
                                  (other than (i) a broker-dealer who purchases
                                  such Exchange Notes directly from the Company
                                  to resell pursuant to Rule 144A or any other
                                  available exemption under the Securities Act
                                  or (ii) a person that is an affiliate of the
                                  Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under
                                  the Securities Act), without compliance with
                                  the registration and prospectus delivery pro-
                                  visions of the Securities Act; provided that
                                  the holder is acquiring Exchange Notes in the
                                  ordinary course of its business and is not
                                  participating, and had no arrangement or un-
                                  derstanding with any person to participate,
                                  in the distribution of the Exchange Notes.
                                  Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange
                                  Notes for its own account in exchange for
                                  Private Notes, where such Private Notes were
                                  acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of
                                  market-making activities or other trading ac-
                                  tivities, must acknowledge that it will de-
                                  liver a prospectus in connection with any re-
                                  sale of such Exchange Notes. See "The Ex-
                                  change Offer--Resale of the Exchange Notes."
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT...  The Private Notes were sold by the Company on
                                  March 18, 1996 to Goldman, Sachs & Co., Chem-
                                  ical Securities Inc., ECT Securities Corp.
                                  and NationsBanc Capital Markets, Inc. (col-
                                  lectively, the "Initial Purchasers") pursuant
                                  to a Purchase Agreement, dated March 12,
                                  1996, by and among the Company, the Guaran-
                                  tors and the Initial Purchasers (the "Pur-
                                  chase Agreement"). Pursuant to the Purchase
                                  Agreement, the Company, the Guarantors and
 
                                       8

 
                                  the Initial Purchasers entered into a Regis-
                                  tration Rights Agreement, dated as of March
                                  18, 1996 (the "Registration Rights Agree-
                                  ment"), which grants the holders of the Pri-
                                  vate Notes certain exchange and registration
                                  rights. The Exchange Offer is intended to
                                  satisfy such rights, which will terminate
                                  upon the consummation of the Exchange Offer.
                                  The holders of the Exchange Notes will not be
                                  entitled to any exchange or registration
                                  rights with respect to the Exchange Notes.
                                  See "The Exchange Offer--Termination of Cer-
                                  tain Rights."
 
EXPIRATION DATE.................  The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m.,
                                  New York City time, on      , 1996, unless
                                  the Exchange Offer is extended by the Company
                                  in its sole discretion, in which case the
                                  term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest
                                  date and time to which the Exchange Offer is
                                  extended. See "The Exchange Offer--Expiration
                                  Date; Extensions; Amendments."
 
ACCRUED INTEREST ON THE         
 EXCHANGE NOTES AND THE PRIVATE 
 NOTES..........................  The Exchange Notes will bear interest from
                                  and including the date of issuance of the
                                  Private Notes (March 18, 1996). Holders whose
                                  Private Notes are accepted for exchange will
                                  be deemed to have waived the right to receive
                                  any interest accrued on the Private Notes.
                                  See "The Exchange Offer--Interest on the Ex-
                                  change Notes."
 
CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE      
 OFFER..........................  The Exchange Offer is subject to certain cus-
                                  tomary conditions that may be waived by the
                                  Company. The Exchange Offer is not condi-
                                  tioned upon any minimum aggregate principal
                                  amount of Private Notes being tendered for
                                  exchange. See "The Exchange Offer--
                                  Conditions."
 
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING        
 PRIVATE NOTES..................  Each holder of Private Notes wishing to ac-
                                  cept the Exchange Offer must complete, sign
                                  and date the Letter of Transmittal, or a fac-
                                  simile thereof, in accordance with the in-
                                  structions contained herein and therein, and
                                  mail or otherwise deliver such Letter of
                                  Transmittal, or such facsimile, together with
                                  such Private Notes and any other required
                                  documentation to Texas Commerce Bank National
                                  Association, as exchange agent (the "Exchange
                                  Agent"), at the address set forth herein. By
                                  executing the Letter of Transmittal, the
                                  holder will represent to and agree with the
                                  Company that, among other things, (i) the Ex-
                                  change Notes to be acquired by such holder of
                                  Private Notes in connection with the Exchange
                                  Offer are being acquired by such holder in
                                  the ordinary course of its business, (ii) if
                                  such holder is not a broker-dealer,
 
                                       9

 
                                  such holder is not currently participating
                                  in, does not intend to participate in, and
                                  has no arrangement or understanding with any
                                  person to participate in a distribution of
                                  the Exchange Notes, (iii) if such holder is a
                                  broker-dealer registered under the Exchange
                                  Act or is participating in the Exchange Offer
                                  for the purposes of distributing the Exchange
                                  Notes, such holder will comply with the reg-
                                  istration and prospectus delivery require-
                                  ments of the Securities Act in connection
                                  with a secondary resale transaction of the
                                  Exchange Notes acquired by such person and
                                  cannot rely on the position of the staff of
                                  the Commission set forth in no-action letters
                                  (see "The Exchange Offer--Resale of Exchange
                                  Notes"), (iv) such holder understands that a
                                  secondary resale transaction described in
                                  clause (iii) above and any resales of Ex-
                                  change Notes obtained by such holder in ex-
                                  change for Private Notes acquired by such
                                  holder directly from the Company should be
                                  covered by an effective registration state-
                                  ment containing the selling securityholder
                                  information required by Item 507 or Item 508,
                                  as applicable, of Regulation S-K of the Com-
                                  mission and (v) such holder is not an "affil-
                                  iate," as defined in Rule 405 under the Secu-
                                  rities Act, of the Company. If the holder is
                                  a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange
                                  Notes for its own account in exchange for
                                  Private Notes that were acquired as a result
                                  of market-making activities or other trading
                                  activities, such holder will be required to
                                  acknowledge in the Letter of Transmittal that
                                  such holder will deliver a prospectus in con-
                                  nection with any resale of such Exchange
                                  Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by
                                  delivering a prospectus, such holder will not
                                  be deemed to admit that it is an "underwrit-
                                  er" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
                                  See "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for
                                  Tendering."
 
SPECIAL PROCEDURES FOR          
 BENEFICIAL OWNERS..............  Any beneficial owner whose Private Notes are
                                  registered in the name of a broker, dealer,
                                  commercial bank, trust company or other nomi-
                                  nee and who wishes to tender such Private
                                  Notes in the Exchange Offer should contact
                                  such registered holder promptly and instruct
                                  such registered holder to tender on such ben-
                                  eficial owner's behalf. If such beneficial
                                  owner wishes to tender on such owner's own
                                  behalf, such owner must, prior to completing
                                  and executing the Letter of Transmittal and
                                  delivering such owner's Private Notes, either
                                  make appropriate arrangements to register
                                  ownership of the Private Notes in such own-
                                  er's name or obtain a properly completed bond
                                  power from the registered holder. The trans-
                                  fer of registered ownership may take consid-
                                  erable time and may
 
                                       10

 
                                  not be able to be completed prior to the Ex-
                                  piration Date. See "The Exchange Offer--Pro-
                                  cedures for Tendering."
GUARANTEED DELIVERY             
 PROCEDURES.....................  Holders of Private Notes who wish to tender
                                  their Private Notes and whose Private Notes
                                  are not immediately available or who cannot
                                  deliver their Private Notes, the Letter of
                                  Transmittal or any other documentation re-
                                  quired by the Letter of Transmittal to the
                                  Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date
                                  must tender their Private Notes according to
                                  the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth
                                  under "The Exchange Offer--Guaranteed Deliv-
                                  ery Procedures."
                                
ACCEPTANCE OF THE PRIVATE NOTES 
 AND DELIVERY OF THE EXCHANGE   
 NOTES..........................  Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the
                                  conditions to the Exchange Offer, the Company
                                  will accept for exchange any and all Private
                                  Notes that are properly tendered in the Ex-
                                  change Offer prior to the Expiration Date.
                                  The Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Ex-
                                  change Offer will be delivered on the earli-
                                  est practicable date following the Expiration
                                  Date. See "The Exchange Offer--Terms of the
                                  Exchange Offer."
 
WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS...............  Tenders of Private Notes may be withdrawn at
                                  any time prior to the Expiration Date. See
                                  "The Exchange Offer--Withdrawal of Tenders."
 
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX      
 CONSIDERATIONS.................  For a discussion of certain material federal
                                  income tax considerations relating to the ex-
                                  change of the Exchange Notes for the Private
                                  Notes, see "Certain Federal Income Tax Con-
                                  siderations."
 
EXCHANGE AGENT..................  Texas Commerce Bank National Association is
                                  serving as the Exchange Agent in connection
                                  with the Exchange Offer.
 
                               THE EXCHANGE NOTES
 
  The Exchange Offer applies to $110,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the
Private Notes. The form and terms of the Exchange Notes are the same as the
form and terms of the Private Notes except that (i) the Exchange Notes will
bear the Series B designation, (ii) the Exchange Notes will have been
registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, the Exchange Notes will not
bear legends restricting the transfer thereof and (iii) holders of the Exchange
Notes will not be entitled to certain rights of holders of the Private Notes
under the Registration Rights Agreement, which rights will terminate upon
consummation of the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Notes will evidence the same
indebtedness as the Private Notes (which they replace) and will be issued
under, and be entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture. For further
information and for definitions of certain capitalized terms used below, see
"Description of Exchange Notes."
 
ISSUER..........................  Coda Energy, Inc.
 
                                       11

 
 
SECURITIES OFFERED..............  $110 million principal amount of 10 1/2% Se-
                                  ries B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006.
 
MATURITY DATE...................  April 1, 2006.
 
INTEREST PAYMENT DATES..........  The Exchange Notes will bear interest at an
                                  annual rate of 10 1/2% and will be payable in
                                  cash semiannually in arrears on April 1 and
                                  October 1 of each year, commencing October 1,
                                  1996. See "The Exchange Offer--Interest on
                                  the Exchange Notes."
 
RANKING.........................  The Exchange Notes will be general, unsecured
                                  obligations of Coda, will be subordinated in
                                  right of payment to all Senior Debt of Coda,
                                  and will be senior in right of payment to all
                                  future subordinated debt of Coda. The claims
                                  of the holders of the Exchange Notes will be
                                  subordinated to Senior Debt, which, as of
                                  March 31, 1996, was $81.8 million. On March
                                  28, 1996, the Company called for redemption
                                  of all its outstanding 12% Senior Subordi-
                                  nated Debentures due 2000, which will result
                                  in a reduction in Senior Debt of approxi-
                                  mately $1.2 million on May 1, 1996. See "Cap-
                                  italization," "Description of Exchange
                                  Notes--Subordination" and "Description of
                                  Other Indebtedness--12% Senior Subordinated
                                  Debentures Due 2000."
 
GUARANTEES......................  Coda's payment obligations under the Exchange
                                  Notes will be jointly and severally guaran-
                                  teed on a senior subordinated basis by all of
                                  Coda's current subsidiaries and future Re-
                                  stricted Subsidiaries. The Subsidiary Guaran-
                                  tees will be subordinated to the guarantees
                                  of Senior Debt issued by the Guarantors under
                                  the Credit Agreement and to other guarantees
                                  of Senior Debt issued in the future. See "De-
                                  scription of Exchange Notes--Subsidiary Guar-
                                  antees" and "Description of Other
                                  Indebtedness."
 
FORM AND DENOMINATION...........  The Exchange Notes will be fully registered
                                  as to principal and interest in minimum de-
                                  nominations of $100,000 for institutional ac-
                                  credited investors and $1,000 for qualified
                                  institutional buyers and, in both cases, in
                                  integral multiples of $1,000 in excess there-
                                  of. The Exchange Notes will be represented by
                                  one Global Note in fully registered form, de-
                                  posited with a custodian for and registered
                                  in the name of a nominee of the Depositary.
                                  Beneficial interests in the Global Note rep-
                                  resenting the Exchange Notes will be shown
                                  on, and transfers thereof will be effected
                                  only through, records maintained by the De-
                                  positary and its participants. Except as de-
                                  scribed herein, Exchange Notes in certifi-
                                  cated form will not be issued in exchange for
                                  the Global Note or interests therein. See
                                  "Description of Exchange Notes--Book-Entry,
                                  Delivery and Form."
 
                                       12

 
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS...............  The Exchange Notes will be issued pursuant to
                                  the Indenture, which contains certain cove-
                                  nants that, among other things, limit the
                                  ability of Coda and its Restricted Subsidiar-
                                  ies to incur additional indebtedness and is-
                                  sue Disqualified Stock, pay dividends, make
                                  distributions, make investments, make certain
                                  other Restricted Payments, enter into certain
                                  transactions with affiliates, dispose of cer-
                                  tain assets, incur liens securing pari passu
                                  or subordinated indebtedness of Coda and en-
                                  gage in mergers and consolidations. See "De-
                                  scription of Exchange Notes--Certain Cove-
                                  nants."
 
MANDATORY REDEMPTION............  None.
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.............  Except as described below, the Notes are not
                                  redeemable at Coda's option prior to April 1,
                                  2001. After April 1, 2001, the Notes will be
                                  subject to redemption at the option of Coda,
                                  in whole or in part, at the redemption prices
                                  set forth herein, plus accrued and unpaid in-
                                  terest thereon to the applicable redemption
                                  date.
 
                                  In addition, until March 12, 1999, up to
                                  $27.5 million in aggregate principal amount
                                  of Notes will be redeemable at the option of
                                  Coda on any one or more occasions from the
                                  net proceeds of an offering of common equity
                                  of Coda, at a price of 110.5% of the aggre-
                                  gate principal amount of the Notes, together
                                  with accrued and unpaid interest thereon to
                                  the date of the redemption; provided, howev-
                                  er, that at least $82.5 million in aggregate
                                  principal amount of Notes must remain out-
                                  standing immediately after the occurrence of
                                  such redemption; provided, further, that any
                                  such redemption shall occur within 75 days of
                                  the date of the closing of such offering of
                                  common equity. See "Description of Exchange
                                  Notes--Optional Redemption."
 
CHANGE OF CONTROL...............  In the event of a Change of Control, holders
                                  of the Notes will have the right to require
                                  Coda to repurchase their Notes, in whole or
                                  in part, at a price in cash equal to 101% of
                                  the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus
                                  accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the
                                  date of repurchase. The Indenture will re-
                                  quire that, prior to such a repurchase but in
                                  any event within 90 days of such Change of
                                  Control, Coda must either repay all Senior
                                  Debt or obtain any required consent to such
                                  repurchase. See "Description of Exchange
                                  Notes--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--
                                  Change of Control."
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
  Prior to making an investment decision, holders of the Private Notes should
consider all of the information set forth in this Prospectus and should
evaluate the considerations set forth in "Risk Factors" beginning on page 17
hereof.
 
                                       13

 
 
                         SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
  The following table sets forth certain historical and pro forma operating and
financial data of the Company. See "Selected Historical and Pro Forma Financial
Data" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations." The historical data should be read in conjunction with
the Historical Financial Statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in
this Prospectus. The Company acquired significant producing oil and natural gas
properties in all the periods presented which affect the comparability of the
historical financial and operating data for the periods presented. As a result
of the Merger, JEDI acquired Coda effective February 16, 1996. The Merger will
be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. As such, JEDI's cost
of acquiring Coda will be allocated to the assets and liabilities acquired
based on estimated fair values. As a result, the Company's financial position
and operating results subsequent to the date of the Merger will reflect a new
basis of accounting and will not be comparable to prior periods. The pro forma
information should be read in conjunction with the Pro Forma Condensed
Financial Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
Neither the historical results nor the pro forma results are necessarily
indicative of the Company's future operations or financial results.
 


                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                            ---------------------------------------------------
                                          HISTORICAL
                            ----------------------------------------- PRO FORMA
                             1991     1992     1993    1994    1995    1995(1)
                            -------  -------  ------- ------- ------- ---------
                                      (in thousands, except ratios)
                                                    
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
 Oil and gas sales......... $16,512  $18,631  $38,877 $50,683 $60,997 $ 66,156
 Gas gathering and process-
  ing(2)...................   5,246    4,709      732  20,081  35,634   35,634
 Total revenues............  22,782   23,637   40,050  71,586  97,838  102,997
 Interest expense..........   2,420    2,752    4,834   5,281   8,676   18,840
 Total costs and expenses..  21,865   24,778   36,398  65,676  88,881  109,604
 Income (loss) before in-
  come taxes...............     917   (1,141)   3,652   5,910   8,957   (6,607)
 Net income (loss).........     (65)    (734)   2,334   3,329   5,755   (4,197)
 Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges(3)...............    1.4x      --      1.8x    2.1x    2.0x      --
CASH FLOW DATA(4):
 Net income (loss)......... $   (65) $  (734) $ 2,334 $ 3,329 $ 5,755 $ (4,197)
 Depletion, depreciation
  and amortization.........   4,823    4,813   10,808  16,419  19,715   27,770
 Net cash provided by oper-
  ating activities.........   6,127    2,241   16,443  22,987  24,301   17,052
OTHER DATA(5):
 EBITDA....................   8,160    6,424   19,294  27,610  37,348   40,003
 EBITDA/interest expense...    3.4x     2.3x     4.0x    5.2x    4.3x     2.1x
 Debt/EBITDA...............    3.8x     9.2x     3.2x    3.8x    3.3x     4.9x
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:
 Oil and gas property ac-
  quisitions............... $21,650  $23,318  $42,223 $40,109 $25,363
 Oil and gas development
  and other................   4,404    7,550   10,403  12,450  14,464
 Gas plant and gathering
  systems and other
  property additions.......     687    1,365      646   7,380   8,500

 
                                       14

 
                   SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
 


                                                          AT DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                          ----------------------
                                                                        PRO
                                                            ACTUAL    FORMA(1)
                                                          ---------- -----------
                                                             (in thousands)
                                                               
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Total assets........................................... $  229,064 $  304,369
  Notes..................................................        --     110,000
  Other long-term debt, less current maturities..........    123,907     86,938
  Redeemable Preferred Stock.............................        --      20,000
  Common stockholders' equity............................     79,188     35,409

 
                             SUMMARY OPERATING DATA
 


                                                 AT DECEMBER 31,
                                   --------------------------------------------
                                               HISTORICAL
                                   ---------------------------------- PRO FORMA
                                    1991   1992   1993   1994   1995   1995(1)
                                   ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ---------
                                                    
  Production
    Oil (Mbbls)...................    517    734  1,766  2,650  3,165   3,440
    Gas (Mmcf)....................  4,188  3,255  4,703  4,982  4,416   4,895
    Oil Equivalent (Mboe).........  1,215  1,277  2,550  3,480  3,901   4,256
  Average sales prices
    Oil (per Bbl)................. $19.14 $19.03 $16.88 $15.86 $17.08  $17.01
    Gas (per Mcf).................   1.58   1.44   1.92   1.74   1.57    1.56
  Production costs per Boe(6).....   5.86   8.02   6.90   6.22   6.95    7.18
  Depreciation, depletion and
   amortization per Boe...........   3.89   3.64   4.15   4.27   4.33    5.83
  General and administrative per
   Boe............................   2.06   1.98   1.02   0.90   0.74    0.46
  Average finding cost per Boe....   1.96   3.57   5.27   4.21   2.97

 
                              SUMMARY RESERVE DATA
 


                                                  AT DECEMBER 31,
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                     1991     1992     1993     1994     1995
                                    ------- -------- -------- -------- --------
                                                        
  Proved reserves(7)
    Oil (Mbbls)....................  12,389   18,941   30,084   39,207   42,590
    Gas (Mmcf).....................  28,601   27,830   36,196   39,808   37,130
    Total proved reserves (Mboe)...  17,156   23,579   36,117   45,842   48,778
    Proved developed reserves
     (Mboe)........................  12,496   18,222   21,326   25,633   31,126
  Annual reserve replacement
   ratio(8)........................     5.7      5.6      6.9      6.0      2.3
  Estimated reserve life (in
   years)(9).......................    12.9     11.6      9.9     10.3     11.7
  Present value of estimated future
   net revenues before income taxes
   (in thousands)(10).............. $81,361 $121,494 $140,980 $217,540 $283,375
  Standardized measure of
   discounted future net cash flows
   (in thousands)(11)..............  65,175   95,860  116,023  168,616  220,742

 
                                       15

 
- --------
(1) Reflects the pro forma effect of the Snyder Acquisition, the Merger, the
    sale of the Private Notes and the application of the proceeds thereof to
    retire the JEDI Debt and pay down a portion of the outstanding borrowings
    under the Credit Agreement. See the Company's Pro Forma Condensed Financial
    Statements, included elsewhere in this Prospectus, for a discussion of the
    preparation of these data. The pro forma combined results of operations
    exclude a charge of approximately $58.2 million (net of related deferred
    taxes of $32.7 million) representing the adjustment of the carrying value
    of proved oil and gas properties pursuant to the full cost method of
    accounting. Such adjustment will be included in the results of operations
    of the Company in the period the Merger was consummated. Pro forma net cash
    provided by operating activities was obtained by adjusting the historical
    amount for the pro forma changes in oil and natural gas sales, oil and
    natural gas production expenses, general and administrative expenses and
    interest expense (except for the amortization of debt costs). The exchange
    of the Exchange Notes for the Private Notes would have no effect on the pro
    forma information. See also "Use of Proceeds" and "Capitalization."
(2) The Company ceased its third party natural gas marketing operations in
    1992. The Company acquired Taurus in April 1994.
(3) For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings
    consist of income before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges
    consist of interest expense. For the year ended December 31, 1992, earnings
    were inadequate to cover fixed charges by approximately $1.1 million. Pro
    forma earnings for the year ended December 31, 1995, would have been
    inadequate to cover fixed charges by approximately $6.6 million.
(4) In addition to cash flows provided by operating activities, the Company
    also has significant cash flows which are provided by or used in investing
    and financing activities. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
    Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital
    Resources," "--Effects of the Merger, the Sale of the Private Notes and the
    Exchange Offer--Credit Agreement" and the Historical Financial Statements
    of the Company.
(5) EBITDA is calculated as operating income before interest, income taxes,
    depletion, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not a measure of cash
    flow as determined by generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP").
    The Company has included information concerning EBITDA because EBITDA is a
    measure used by certain investors in determining the Company's historical
    ability to service its indebtedness. EBITDA should not be considered as an
    alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income or cash flows as
    determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of the Company's
    operating performance or liquidity. Pro forma debt/EBITDA is calculated
    using pro forma debt as of December 31, 1995, and pro forma EBITDA for the
    year ended December 31, 1995.
(6) Production costs in 1992 were relatively high because two of the Company's
    waterflood operations and the costs associated therewith commenced in 1992
    but the anticipated response of increased oil production did not commence
    to any material degree until 1993.
(7) In 1994, the Company acquired Diamond Energy Operating Company and a
    related company which have since merged ("Diamond") in a transaction
    accounted for as a pooling of interests. Reserve data were prepared by the
    Company's independent consulting engineers except that such estimates
    related to the reserves of Diamond as of December 31, 1991, 1992 and 1993
    were prepared by Diamond's in-house engineers.
(8) The annual reserve replacement ratio is calculated by dividing total
    reserve additions (purchases of reserves, extensions and revisions) on a
    Boe basis for the year by actual production on a Boe basis for such year
    with the acquisition of Diamond treated as a purchase instead of a pooling.
(9) The estimated reserve life is calculated by dividing the proved reserves on
    a Boe basis by the forecasted production on a Boe basis for the 12 months
    following the date indicated (both as estimated by the Company's
    independent consulting engineers as of December 31 of each year).
(10) Discounted at an annual rate of 10%. See "Glossary" included elsewhere in
     this Prospectus for the definition of "present value of estimated future
     net revenues."
(11) Represents after tax present value of estimated future net revenues.
 
                                       16

 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  Prior to making an investment decision, prospective investors should
consider fully, together with the other information contained in this
Prospectus, the following factors. This Prospectus contains forward looking
statements of the Company. The Company wishes to caution prospective investors
that the following important factors could affect the Company's actual results
in the future.
 
FAILURE TO EXCHANGE PRIVATE NOTES
 
  Exchange Notes will be issued in exchange for Private Notes only after
timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of such Private Notes, a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal and all other required
documentation. Therefore, holders of Private Notes desiring to tender such
Private Notes in exchange for Exchange Notes should allow sufficient time to
ensure timely delivery. Neither the Exchange Agent nor the Company is under
any duty to give notification of defects or irregularities with respect to
tenders of Private Notes for exchange. Private Notes that are not tendered or
are tendered but not accepted will, following consummation of the Exchange
Offer, continue to be subject to the existing restrictions upon transfer
thereof. In addition, any holder of Private Notes who tenders in the Exchange
Offer for the purpose of participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes
will be required to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction.
Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account in
exchange for Private Notes, where such Private Notes were acquired by such
broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or any other trading
activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such Exchange Notes. To the extent that Private Notes are
tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer, the trading market for untendered
and tendered but unaccepted Private Notes could be adversely affected due to
the limited amount, or "float," of the Private Notes that are expected to
remain outstanding following the Exchange Offer. Generally, a lower "float" of
a security could result in less demand to purchase such security and could,
therefore, result in lower prices for such security. For the same reason, to
the extent that a large amount of Private Notes are not tendered or are
tendered and not accepted in the Exchange Offer, the trading market for the
Exchange Notes could be adversely affected. See "Plan of Distribution" and
"The Exchange Offer."
 
LEVERAGE
 
  The Company incurred substantial indebtedness in connection with the Merger
and as a result, the Company is highly leveraged. As of December 31, 1995,
after giving pro forma effect to the Merger and the related financing
transactions, including the sale of the Private Notes, the Company would have
had total indebtedness of approximately $197.1 million and stockholders'
equity (including preferred stock) of approximately $55.4 million. Also, after
giving pro forma effect to such transactions, the Company's earnings would
have been insufficient to cover its fixed charges by approximately $6.6
million for 1995. Pro forma interest expense for 1995 would have been
approximately $18.8 million. The Company intends to incur additional
indebtedness in the future as it executes its acquisition and exploitation
strategy. See "--Ability to Obtain Capital to Finance Acquisitions,"
"Capitalization" and Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements.
 
  The Company's ability to make scheduled payments of principal of, or to pay
interest on, or to refinance its indebtedness (including the Notes) depends on
its future performance, which, to a certain extent, is subject to general
economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors
beyond its control, as well as to the prevailing market prices for oil and
natural gas. There can be no assurance that the Company's business will
generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future bank credit will
be available in an amount sufficient to enable the Company to service its
indebtedness, including the Notes, or make necessary capital expenditures. In
addition, the Company anticipates that it is likely to find it necessary to
refinance a portion of the principal amount of the Notes at or prior to
 
                                      17

 
their maturity. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be
able to obtain financing to complete a refinancing of the Notes. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
 
  The degree to which the Company is leveraged as a result of the sale of the
Private Notes could have important consequences to holders of the Notes,
including, but not limited to, the following: (i) a substantial portion of the
Company's cash flow from operations will be required to be dedicated to debt
service and will not be available for other purposes; (ii) the Company's
ability to obtain additional financing in the future could be limited; (iii)
certain of the Company's borrowings are at variable rates of interest, which
could result in higher interest expense in the event of increases in interest
rates; and (iv) the Company will be subject to a variety of restrictive
covenants and the failure of the Company to comply with such covenants could
result in events of default which, if not cured or waived, could have a
material adverse effect on the Company and its ability to make payments of
principal of, and interest on, the Notes. See "Description of Exchange Notes"
and "Description of Other Indebtedness."
 
ACQUISITION RISKS; DEPLETION OF RESERVES
 
  The Company's strategy is to increase oil and natural gas reserves and cash
flow by selectively acquiring and exploiting producing oil and natural gas
properties, primarily in the mid-continent region of the United States, rather
than engaging in exploratory drilling. The Company's business strategy assumes
that major integrated oil companies and independent oil companies will
continue to divest many of their domestic oil and natural gas properties.
There can be no assurance, however, that such divestitures will continue or
that the Company will be able to acquire such properties at acceptable prices
or develop additional reserves in the future. If such acquisition
opportunities should cease to exist, the Company may be required to alter its
business strategy.
 
  Although the Company performs a review of the properties proposed to be
acquired, such reviews are subject to uncertainties. It is not feasible to
review in detail every individual property involved in each acquisition.
Ordinarily, the Company will focus its review efforts on the higher-valued
properties. However, even a detailed review of all properties and records may
not necessarily reveal existing or potential problems; nor will it permit the
Company to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to assess fully
their deficiencies and capabilities. Inspections are not routinely performed
on every well, and many potential problems, for example, mechanical integrity
of equipment and environmental conditions that may require significant
remedial expenditures, are not necessarily detectable even when an inspection
is undertaken. See "Business--Strategy."
 
  Producing oil and natural gas reservoirs are, in general, characterized by
declining production rates. The decline rate varies depending upon reservoir
characteristics and other factors. The Company's future oil and natural gas
reserves and production, and, therefore, cash flow and income, are highly
dependent upon the Company's level of success in exploiting its current
reserves and acquiring or finding additional reserves. Without reserve
additions in excess of production through acquisition or exploitation and
development activities, the Company's reserves and production will decline
over the long term. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
find and develop or acquire additional reserves to replace its current and
future production.
 
ABILITY TO OBTAIN CAPITAL TO FINANCE ACQUISITIONS
 
  The Company's strategy of acquiring producing oil and natural gas properties
is dependent upon its ability to obtain financing for any such acquisitions.
The Company expects to utilize its Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement")
with NationsBank of Texas, N.A. ("NationsBank"), individually and as agent,
and certain other financial institutions as lenders, to borrow 60% to 100% of
the funds required on any given transaction. The Credit Agreement limits the
amounts the Company may borrow thereunder to amounts, determined by the
lenders in their sole discretion, based upon projected net
 
                                      18

 
revenues from the Company's oil and natural gas properties and gas gathering
and processing assets and restricts the amounts the Company may borrow under
other credit facilities. The lenders can adjust the borrowings permitted to be
outstanding under the Credit Agreement semiannually. The lenders require that
outstanding borrowings in excess of the borrowing limit be repaid ratably over
a period no longer than six months. No assurances can be given that the
Company will be able to make any such mandatory principal payments required by
the lenders.
 
  Any future acquisition by the Company requiring bank financing in excess of
the amount then available under the Credit Agreement will depend upon the
lenders' evaluations of the properties proposed to be acquired. For a
description of the Credit Agreement and its principal terms and conditions,
see "Description of Other Indebtedness."
 
VOLATILITY OF OIL, NATURAL GAS AND NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS PRICES
 
  The Company's financial results are significantly impacted by the price
received for the Company's oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids
production. Historically, the markets for oil, natural gas and natural gas
liquids have been volatile and are likely to continue to be volatile in the
future. Prices for oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids are subject to
wide fluctuation in response to market uncertainty, changes in supply and
demand and a variety of additional factors, all of which are beyond the
control of the Company. These factors include domestic and foreign political
conditions, the overall level of supply of and demand for oil, natural gas and
natural gas liquids, the price of imports of oil and natural gas, weather
conditions, the price and availability of alternative fuels and overall
economic conditions. The Company's future financial condition and results of
operations will be dependent, in part, upon the prices received for the
Company's oil and natural gas production, as well as the costs of acquiring,
finding, developing and producing reserves. If oil and natural gas prices fall
materially below their current levels, the availability of funds and the
Company's ability to repay outstanding amounts under its Credit Agreement and
the Notes could be materially adversely affected. See "--Ability to Obtain
Capital" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations."
 
RELIANCE ON ESTIMATES OF PROVED RESERVES AND FUTURE NET REVENUES
 
  There are numerous uncertainties in estimating quantities of proved reserves
and in projecting future rates of production and the timing of development
expenditures, including many factors beyond the control of the Company. The
reserve data set forth in this Prospectus are only estimates. Reserve
estimates are imprecise and may be expected to change as additional
information becomes available. Furthermore, estimates of oil and gas reserves,
of necessity, are projections based on engineering data, and there are
uncertainties inherent in the interpretation of such data as well as the
projection of future rates of production and the timing of development
expenditures. Reserve engineering is a subjective process of estimating
underground accumulations of oil and natural gas that cannot be exactly
measured, and the accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the
quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and
judgment. Accordingly, estimates of the economically recoverable quantities of
oil and natural gas attributable to any particular group of properties,
classifications of such reserves based on risk of recovery and estimates of
the future net cash flows expected therefrom prepared by different engineers
or by the same engineers at different times may vary substantially. There also
can be no assurance that the reserves set forth herein will ultimately be
produced or that the proved undeveloped reserves will be developed within the
periods anticipated. It is likely that variances from the estimates will be
material. In addition, the estimates of future net revenues from proved
reserves of the Company and the present value thereof are based upon certain
assumptions about future production levels, prices and costs that may not be
correct. The Company emphasizes with respect to the estimates prepared by
independent petroleum engineers that the discounted future net cash flows
should not be construed as representative of the fair market value of the
proved oil and natural gas properties belonging to the Company, since
discounted future net
 
                                      19

 
cash flows are based upon projected cash flows which do not provide for
changes in oil and natural gas prices or for escalation of expenses and
capital costs. The meaningfulness of such estimates is highly dependent upon
the accuracy of the assumptions upon which they were based. Actual results are
likely to differ materially from the results estimated. Prospective investors
in the Exchange Notes are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the reserve
data included in this Prospectus.
 
DRILLING AND OPERATIONAL RISKS
 
  The Company's oil and natural gas business is also subject to all of the
operating risks associated with the drilling for and production and secondary
recovery of oil and natural gas, including, but not limited to, uncontrollable
flows of oil, natural gas, brine or well fluids (including fluids used in
waterflood activities) into the environment (including groundwater
contamination), fires, explosions, pollution and other risks, any of which
could result in substantial losses to the Company. The natural gas gathering
and processing business is also subject to certain of these risks, including
fires, explosions and environmental contamination. Although the Company
carries insurance at levels which it believes are consistent with industry
practices, it is not fully insured against all risks. Losses and liabilities
arising from uninsured and underinsured events could have a material adverse
effect on the financial condition and operations of the Company. See
"Business--Exploitation and Development Activities."
 
  There are certain risks associated with secondary recovery operations,
especially the use of waterflooding techniques, and drilling activities in
general. Waterflooding involves significant capital expenditures and
uncertainty as to the total amount of secondary reserves that can be
recovered. In waterflood operations, there is generally a delay between the
initiation of water injection into a formation containing hydrocarbons and any
increase in production that may result. The unit production costs per Boe of
waterflood projects are generally higher during the initial phases of such
projects due to the purchase of injection water and related costs, as well as
during the later stages of the life of the project. The degree of success, if
any, of any secondary recovery program depends on a large number of factors,
including the porosity of the formation, the technique used and the location
of injector wells. Drilling activities carry the risk that no commercial
production will be obtained. The cost of drilling, completing and operating
wells is often uncertain, and drilling operations may be curtailed, delayed or
canceled as a result of many factors.
 
SUBORDINATION OF THE NOTES AND GUARANTEES
 
  The Notes and Guarantees will be subordinated in right of payment to all
existing and future Senior Debt of the Company, which includes all
indebtedness under the Credit Agreement. As of December 31, 1995, after giving
pro forma effect to the Merger and the sale of the Private Notes and the
application of the net proceeds therefrom, the Company would have had Senior
Debt aggregating approximately $87.1 million and would have had up to $29.8
million available under the Credit Agreement which, if borrowed, would be
included as Senior Debt. As of March 31, 1996, the Company had $81.8 million
in Senior Debt and $35.0 million available for borrowing under the Credit
Agreement. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution, reorganization,
bankruptcy or any similar proceeding regarding the Company, the assets of the
Company will be available to pay obligations on the Notes only after Senior
Debt of the Company has been paid in full. Accordingly, there may not be
sufficient funds remaining to pay amounts due on all or any of the Notes. See
"Description of Exchange Notes--Subordination."
 
  The Company's oil and natural gas properties will not serve as collateral
under the Credit Agreement unless certain events occur. The Company will
provide the lenders with first lien deeds of trust on substantially all of the
Company's oil and natural gas properties. The lenders have agreed, however,
that the mortgages will not be effective and the lenders will not file the
deeds of trust on the oil and natural gas assets unless (i) 80% of any
outstanding borrowings in excess of the borrowing limit is not repaid within a
90 day period, (ii) cash collateral securing a hedging transaction exceeds 20%
of the borrowing limit or (iii) an event of default or a material adverse
event, as defined in the Credit Agreement, occurs.
 
                                      20

 
  In addition to being subordinated to all existing and future Senior Debt of
the Company, the Notes and Guarantees will not be secured by any of the
Company's assets.
 
GOVERNMENT LAWS AND REGULATIONS
 
  The Company's operations are affected from time to time in varying degrees
by political developments and federal and state laws and regulations. In
particular, oil and natural gas production, operations and economics are or
have been affected by price controls, taxes and other laws relating to the oil
and natural gas industry, by changes in such laws and by changes in
administrative regulations. The Company cannot predict how existing laws and
regulations may be interpreted by enforcement agencies or court rulings,
whether additional laws and regulations will be adopted, or the effect such
changes may have on its business or financial condition. See "Business--
Regulation."
 
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
 
  The Company's operations are subject to complex and constantly changing
environmental laws and regulations adopted by federal, state and local
governmental authorities. The Company believes that compliance with such laws
has had no material adverse effect upon the Company's operations to date, and
that the cost of such compliance has not been material. Nevertheless, the
discharge of oil, natural gas or other pollutants into the air, soil or water
may give rise to liabilities on the part of the Company to the government and
third parties and may require the Company to incur costs of remediation.
Additionally, since a significant portion of the Company's reserves are
dependent upon waterflood operations, any change in produced water disposal
requirements or injection well permitting could have a material adverse effect
on the financial conditions and operations of the Company. Moreover, from time
to time the Company has agreed to indemnify both sellers of producing
properties from whom the Company acquires reserves and purchasers of
properties from the Company against certain liabilities for environmental
claims associated with the properties being purchased or sold by the Company.
No assurance can be given that existing environmental laws or regulations, as
currently interpreted or reinterpreted in the future, or future laws or
regulations, will not materially adversely affect the Company's operations and
financial condition or that material indemnity claims will not arise against
the Company with respect to properties acquired or sold by the Company. See
"Business--Environmental Matters."
 
USE AND RISKS OF HEDGING TRANSACTIONS
 
  The Company has in the past and may in the future enter into oil and natural
gas hedging transactions. While intended to reduce the effects of volatility
of the price of oil and natural gas, such transactions may limit potential
gains by the Company if oil and natural gas prices were to rise substantially
over the price established by the hedge. If the Company is required to
maintain cash collateral on hedging transactions which exceeds 20% of the
Company's borrowing limit under its Credit Agreement, the Company may be
required by the lenders to pledge substantially all of its oil and natural gas
properties as collateral under the Credit Agreement. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--
Results of Operations" and Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements.
 
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
 
  Enron Corp. ("Enron") is the parent of ECT and accordingly may be deemed to
control indirectly both JEDI and the Company. Enron and certain of its
subsidiaries and other affiliates collectively participate in nearly all
phases of the oil and natural gas industry and are, therefore, competitors of
the Company. In addition, ECT and JEDI have provided, and may in the future
provide, and ECT Securities Corp. has assisted, and may in the future assist,
in arranging, financing to non-affiliated participants in the oil and natural
gas industry who are or may become competitors of the Company.
 
                                      21

 
  ECT, the Company, JEDI and the Management Group have entered into a Business
Opportunity Agreement (the "Business Opportunity Agreement") that is intended
to make clear that Enron and its affiliates have no duty to make business
opportunities available to the Company in most circumstances. The Business
Opportunity Agreement also provides that ECT and its affiliates may pursue
certain business opportunities to the exclusion of the Company. Accordingly,
the Business Opportunity Agreement may limit the business opportunities
available to the Company. In addition, pursuant to the Business Opportunity
Agreement there may be circumstances in which the Company will be required to
offer business opportunities to certain affiliates of Enron. If an Enron
affiliate is offered such an opportunity and decides to pursue it, the Company
may be unable to pursue it.
 
  In addition, the Company has in the past marketed a material portion of its
crude oil and natural gas production through certain Enron trading
subsidiaries and will likely continue to do so in the future. During 1994 and
1995, sales of oil and natural gas to EOTT Energy Operating Limited
Partnership (a subsidiary of Enron) accounted for 22% and 18%, respectively,
of the Company's consolidated revenues. The Indenture will not prohibit the
Company from conducting business with Enron and its subsidiaries and
affiliates, but will provide that certain requirements must be satisfied in
order for the Company to transact such business. See "Description of Exchange
Notes--Certain Covenants" and "Certain Transactions."
 
COMPETITION
 
  The Company encounters substantial competition in acquiring properties,
marketing oil and natural gas and securing trained personnel. Many competitors
have financial resources, staffs and facilities which substantially exceed
those of the Company. See "Business--Markets and Competition."
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
  The Company believes that its operations are dependent to a significant
extent upon its senior management. The loss of the services of a significant
number of these key personnel could have a material adverse effect upon the
Company. The Credit Agreement contains a covenant that requires the continued
employment of certain members of management and requires that certain officers
of the Company maintain specified levels of equity ownership in the Company.
See "Management."
 
PAYMENT UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL
 
  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of the Notes may
require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of such holder's Notes at
101% of the principal amount of the Notes, together with accrued and unpaid
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of repurchase. The
Indenture will require that prior to such a repurchase, the Company must
either repay all outstanding Senior Debt or obtain any required consents to
such repurchase. Further, under the Credit Agreement, an event of default is
deemed to occur if (i) JEDI, Enron, CalPERS or any wholly owned subsidiary of
either Enron or CalPERS ceases to own greater than 50% of every class of
issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company (on either an undiluted or
fully diluted basis), (ii) JEDI, Enron, CalPERS or any wholly owned subsidiary
of either Enron or CalPERS ceases to own a majority of the outstanding capital
stock of the Company (on either an undiluted or fully diluted basis) having
ordinary voting rights for the election of directors or (iii) certain officers
cease to serve in their current positions. In such circumstances, the lenders
could require the repayment of the borrowings under the Credit Agreement.
Thus, if a Change of Control were to occur, the Company may not have the
financial resources to repay all of the Senior Debt, the Notes and the other
indebtedness that would become payable upon the occurrence of such Change of
Control. See "Description of Exchange Notes--Repurchase at the Option of
Holders--Change of Control."
 
                                      22

 
FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE
 
  Management of the Company believes that the indebtedness represented by the
Notes and the Guarantees was incurred for proper purposes and in good faith,
and that, based on present forecasts, asset valuations and other financial
information, after the consummation of the sale of the Private Notes and the
Exchange Offer, the Company will be solvent, will have sufficient capital for
carrying on its business and will be able to pay its debts as they mature.
See, however, "--Leverage." Notwithstanding management's belief, however, if a
court of competent jurisdiction in a suit by an unpaid creditor or a
representative of creditors (such as a trustee in bankruptcy or a debtor-in-
possession) were to find that, at the time of the incurrence of such
indebtedness, the Company or any of the Guarantors were insolvent, were
rendered insolvent by reason of such incurrence, were engaged in a business or
transaction for which its remaining assets constituted unreasonably small
capital, intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its
ability to pay such debts as they matured, or intended to hinder, delay or
defraud its creditors, and that the indebtedness was incurred for less than
reasonably equivalent value, then such court could, among other things, (i)
void all or a portion of the Company's or the Guarantors' obligations to the
holders of the Notes, the effect of which would be that the holders of the
Notes may not be repaid in full and/or (ii) subordinate the Company's or the
Guarantors' obligations to the holders of the Notes to other existing and
future indebtedness of the Company to a greater extent than would otherwise be
the case, the effect of which would be to entitle such other creditors to be
paid in full before any payment could be made on the Notes or the Guarantees.
 
LACK OF PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE NOTES; RESTRICTIONS ON RESALES
 
  As of the date of this Prospectus, the only registered holder of the Private
Notes is Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. The Company believes that, as of the
date of this Prospectus, such holder is not an "affiliate" (as such term is
defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of the Company. Prior to the
offering of the Private Notes, there had been no existing trading market for
the Notes, and there can be no assurance regarding the future development of a
market for the Notes, or the ability of holders of the Notes to sell their
Notes or the price at which such holders may be able to sell their Notes. If
such a market were to develop, the Notes could trade at prices that may be
higher or lower than the initial offering price of the Private Notes depending
on many factors, including prevailing interest rates, the Company's operating
results and the market for similar securities. The Initial Purchasers (other
than ECT Securities Corp.) have advised the Company that they currently intend
to make a market in the Notes. The Purchasers are not obligated to do so,
however, and any market-making with respect to the Notes may be interrupted or
discontinued at any time without notice. In addition, such market making
activity may be limited during the Exchange Offer and the pendency of the
Shelf Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement), if any. There can be no assurance as to the liquidity of any
trading market for the Notes or that an active public market for the Notes
will develop. The Private Notes are eligible for trading in the Private
Offerings, Resales and Trading through Automatic Linkages (PORTAL) Market. The
Company does not intend to apply for listing or quotation of the Notes on any
securities exchange or stock market.
 
 
                                      23

 
                              THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
  The Private Notes were sold by the Company on March 18, 1996 (the "Closing
Date") to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. The
Initial Purchasers subsequently sold the Private Notes to (i) "qualified
institutional buyers" ("QIBs"), as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities
Act ("Rule 144A"), in reliance on Rule 144A and (ii) a limited number of
institutional "accredited investors" ("Accredited Institutions"), as defined
in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act. As a condition to
the sale of the Private Notes, the Company and the Initial Purchasers entered
into the Registration Rights Agreement on March 18, 1996. Pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement, the Company agreed that it would (i) file with
the Commission a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect
to the Exchange Notes within 30 days after the Closing Date and (ii) cause
such Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act
within 90 days after the Closing Date. A copy of the Registration Rights
Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. The
Registration Statement is intended to satisfy certain of the Company's
obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement and the Purchase
Agreement.
 
RESALE OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES
 
  With respect to the Exchange Notes, based upon an interpretation by the
staff of the Commission set forth in certain no-action letters issued to third
parties, the Company believes that a holder (other than (i) a broker-dealer
who purchases such Exchange Notes directly from the Company to resell pursuant
to Rule 144A or any other available exemption under the Securities Act or (ii)
any such holder that is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of
Rule 405 under the Securities Act) who exchanges Private Notes for Exchange
Notes in the ordinary course of business and who is not participating, does
not intend to participate, and has no arrangement with any person to
participate, in a distribution of the Exchange Notes, will be allowed to
resell Exchange Notes to the public without further registration under the
Securities Act and without delivering to the purchasers of the Exchange Notes
a prospectus that satisfies the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities
Act. However, if any holder acquires Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer for
the purpose of distributing or participating in the distribution of the
Exchange Notes or is a broker-dealer, such holder cannot rely on the position
of the staff of the Commission enumerated in certain no-action letters issued
to third parties and must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction,
unless an exemption from registration is otherwise available. Each broker-
dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for
Private Notes, where such Private Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as
a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must
acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such Exchange Notes. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging
and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit
that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. This
Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be
used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Notes received
in exchange for Private Notes where such Private Notes were acquired by such
broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities.
Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company has agreed to make
this Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time,
available to broker-dealers for use in connection with any resale for a period
of one year after the date the Registration Statement is declared effective.
See "Plan of Distribution."
 
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus
and in the Letter of Transmittal, the Company will accept any and all Private
Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date. The
Company will issue $1,000 principal amount of Exchange Notes in
 
                                      24

 
exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of outstanding Private Notes
surrendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer. Private Notes may be tendered only
in integral multiples of $1,000.
 
  The form and terms of the Exchange Notes are the same as the form and terms
of the Private Notes except that (i) the Exchange Notes will bear a Series B
designation, (ii) the Exchange Notes will have been registered under the
Securities Act and, therefore, the Exchange Notes will not bear legends
restricting the transfer thereof and (iii) holders of the Exchange Notes will
not be entitled to any of the rights of holders of Private Notes under the
Registration Rights Agreement, which rights will terminate upon the
consummation of the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Notes will evidence the same
indebtedness as the Private Notes (which they replace) and will be issued
under, and be entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture, which also
authorized the issuance of the Private Notes, such that both series of Notes
will be treated as a single class of debt securities under the Indenture.
 
  As of the date of this Prospectus, $110,000,000 in aggregate principal
amount of the Private Notes are outstanding and registered in the name of Cede
& Co., as nominee for DTC. Only a registered holder of the Private Notes (or
such holder's legal representative or attorney-in-fact) as reflected on the
records of the Trustee under the Indenture may participate in the Exchange
Offer. There will be no fixed record date for determining registered holders
of the Private Notes entitled to participate in the Exchange Offer.
 
  Holders of the Private Notes do not have any appraisal or dissenters' rights
under the Indenture in connection with the Exchange Offer. The Company intends
to conduct the Exchange Offer in accordance with the provisions of the
Registration Rights Agreement and the applicable requirements of the
Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
 
  The Company shall be deemed to have accepted validly tendered Private Notes
when, as and if the Company has given oral or written notice thereof to the
Exchange Agent. The Exchange Agent will act as agent for the tendering holders
of Private Notes for the purposes of receiving the Exchange Notes from the
Company.
 
  Holders who tender Private Notes in the Exchange Offer will not be required
to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the
Letter of Transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of Private
Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The Company will pay all charges and
expenses, other than certain applicable taxes described below, in connection
with the Exchange Offer. See "--Fees and Expenses."
 
EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS
 
  The term "Expiration Date" shall mean 5:00 p.m., New York City time on     ,
1996, unless the Company, in its sole discretion, extends the Exchange Offer,
in which case the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest date and time
to which the Exchange Offer is extended.
 
  In order to extend the Exchange Offer, the Company will (i) notify the
Exchange Agent of any extension by oral or written notice, (ii) mail to the
registered holders an announcement thereof and (iii) issue a press release or
other public announcement which shall include disclosure of the approximate
number of Private Notes deposited to date, each prior to 9:00 a.m., New York
City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration
Date. Without limiting the manner in which the Company may choose to make a
public announcement of any delay, extension, amendment or termination of the
Exchange Offer, the Company shall have no obligation to publish, advertise, or
otherwise communicate any such public announcement, other than by making a
timely release to an appropriate news agency.
 
 
                                      25

 
  The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, (i) to delay
accepting any Private Notes, (ii) to extend the Exchange Offer or (iii) if any
conditions set forth below under "--Conditions" shall not have been satisfied,
to terminate the Exchange Offer by giving oral or written notice of such
delay, extension or termination to the Exchange Agent. Any such delay in
acceptance, extension, termination or amendment will be followed as promptly
as practicable by oral or written notice thereof to the registered holders. If
the Exchange Offer is amended in a manner determined by the Company to
constitute a material change, the Company will promptly disclose such
amendment by means of a prospectus supplement that will be distributed to the
registered holders, and the Company will extend the Exchange Offer for a
period of five to ten business days, depending upon the significance of the
amendment and the manner of disclosure to the registered holders, if the
Exchange Offer would otherwise expire during such five to ten business day
period.
 
INTEREST ON THE EXCHANGE NOTES
 
  The Exchange Notes will bear interest at a rate equal to 10 1/2% per annum.
Interest on the Exchange Notes will be payable semiannually in arrears on each
April 1 and October 1, commencing October 1, 1996. Holders of Exchange Notes
will receive interest on October 1, 1996 from the date of initial issuance of
the Exchange Notes, plus an amount equal to the accrued interest on the
Private Notes from the date of initial delivery to the date of exchange
thereof for Exchange Notes. Holders of Private Notes that are accepted for
exchange will be deemed to have waived the right to receive any interest
accrued on the Private Notes.
 
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING
 
  Only a registered holder of Private Notes may tender such Private Notes in
the Exchange Offer. To tender in the Exchange Offer, a holder of Private Notes
must complete, sign and date the Letter of Transmittal, or a facsimile
thereof, have the signatures thereon guaranteed if required by the Letter of
Transmittal, and mail or otherwise deliver such Letter of Transmittal or such
facsimile to the Exchange Agent at the address set forth below under "--
Exchange Agent" for receipt prior to the Expiration Date. In addition, either
(i) certificates for such Private Notes must be received by the Exchange Agent
along with the Letter of Transmittal, (ii) a timely confirmation of a book-
entry transfer (a "Book-Entry Confirmation") of such Private Notes, if such
procedure is available, into the Exchange Agent's account at the Depositary
pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer described below, must be
received by the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date or (iii) the
holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.
 
  The tender by a holder that is not withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date
will constitute an agreement between such holder and the Company in accordance
with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the
Letter of Transmittal.
 
  THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF PRIVATE NOTES AND THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND
ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK
OF THE HOLDER. INSTEAD OF DELIVERY BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT HOLDERS USE
AN OVERNIGHT OR HAND DELIVERY SERVICE, PROPERLY INSURED. IN ALL CASES,
SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ASSURE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT
BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE. NO LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR PRIVATE NOTES SHOULD
BE SENT TO THE COMPANY. HOLDERS MAY REQUEST THEIR RESPECTIVE BROKERS, DEALERS,
COMMERCIAL BANKS, TRUST COMPANIES OR NOMINEES TO EFFECT THE ABOVE TRANSACTIONS
FOR SUCH HOLDERS.
 
  Any beneficial owner(s) of the Private Notes whose Private Notes are
registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or
other nominee and who wishes to tender should contact the registered holder
promptly and instruct such registered holder to tender on such beneficial
 
                                      26

 
owner's behalf. If such beneficial owner wishes to tender on such owner's own
behalf, such owner must, prior to completing and executing the Letter of
Transmittal and delivering such owner's Private Notes, either make appropriate
arrangements to register ownership of the Private Notes in such owner's name
or obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered holder. The
transfer of registered ownership may take considerable time.
 
  Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal described
below (see "--Withdrawal of Tenders"), as the case may be, must be guaranteed
by an Eligible Institution (as defined below) unless the Private Notes
tendered pursuant thereto are tendered (i) by a registered holder who has not
completed the box titled "Special Delivery Instructions" on the Letter of
Transmittal or (ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution. In the event
that signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the
case may be, are required to be guaranteed, such guarantee must be made by a
member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a commercial bank or trust company
having an office or correspondent in the United States or an "eligible
guarantor institution" within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange
Act which is a member of one of the recognized signature guarantee programs
identified in the Letter of Transmittal (an "Eligible Institution").
 
  If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered
holder of any Private Notes listed therein, such Private Notes must be
endorsed or accompanied by a properly completed bond power, signed by such
registered holder as such registered holder's name appears on such Private
Notes.
 
  If the Letter of Transmittal or any Private Notes or bond powers are signed
by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers
of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity,
such persons should so indicate when signing, and unless waived by the
Company, evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority to so act
must be submitted with the Letter of Transmittal.
 
  The Exchange Agent and the Depositary have confirmed that any financial
institution that is a participant in the Depositary's system may utilize the
Depositary's Automated Tender Offer Program to tender Private Notes.
 
  All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt), acceptance and withdrawal of tendered Private Notes will be
determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which determination will be
final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and
all Private Notes not properly tendered or any Private Notes the Company's
acceptance of which would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be
unlawful. The Company also reserves the right to waive any defects,
irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular Private Notes. The
Company's interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer
(including the instructions in the Letter of Transmittal) will be final and
binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in
connection with tenders of Private Notes must be cured within such time as the
Company shall determine. Although the Company intends to notify holders of
defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Private Notes, neither
the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall incur any liability
for failure to give such notification. Tenders of Private Notes will not be
deemed to have been made until such defects or irregularities have been cured
or waived.
 
  While the Company has no present plan to acquire any Private Notes that are
not tendered in the Exchange Offer or to file a registration statement to
permit resales of any Private Notes that are not tendered pursuant to the
Exchange Offer, the Company reserves the right in its sole discretion to
purchase or make offers for any Private Notes that remain outstanding
subsequent to the Expiration Date or, as set forth below under "--Conditions,"
to terminate the Exchange Offer and, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, purchase Private Notes in the open market, in privately negotiated
 
                                      27

 
transactions or otherwise. The terms of any such purchases or offers could
differ from the terms of the Exchange Offer.
 
  By tendering, each holder of Private Notes will represent to the Company
that, among other things, (i) Exchange Notes to be acquired by such holder of
Private Notes in connection with the Exchange Offer are being acquired by such
holder in the ordinary course of business of such holder, (ii) such holder has
no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the
distribution of the Exchange Notes, (iii) such holder acknowledges and agrees
that any person who is a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act or is
participating in the Exchange Offer for the purposes of distributing the
Exchange Notes must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale
transaction of the Exchange Notes acquired by such person and cannot rely on
the position of the staff of the Commission set forth in certain no-action
letters, (iv) such holder understands that a secondary resale transaction
described in clause (iii) above and any resales of Exchange Notes obtained by
such holder in exchange for Private Notes acquired by such holder directly
from the Company should be covered by an effective registration statement
containing the selling securityholder information required by Item 507 or Item
508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K of the Commission and (v) such holder is
not an "affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of the
Company. If the holder is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for
such holder's own account in exchange for Private Notes that were acquired as
a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, such holder
will be required to acknowledge in the Letter of Transmittal that such holder
will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange
Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, such
holder will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act.
 
RETURN OF PRIVATE NOTES
 
  If any tendered Private Notes are not accepted for any reason set forth in
the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer or if Private Notes are
withdrawn or are submitted for a greater principal amount than the holders
desire to exchange, such unaccepted, withdrawn or non-exchanged Private Notes
will be returned without expense to the tendering holder thereof (or, in the
case of Private Notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the Exchange
Agent's account at the Depositary pursuant to the book-entry transfer
procedures described below, such Private Notes will be credited to an account
maintained with the Depositary) as promptly as practicable.
 
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
 
  The Exchange Agent will make a request to establish an account with respect
to the Private Notes at the Depositary for purposes of the Exchange Offer
within two business days after the date of this Prospectus, and any financial
institution that is a participant in the Depositary's systems may make book-
entry delivery of Private Notes by causing the Depositary to transfer such
Private Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at the Depositary in
accordance with the Depositary's procedures for transfer. However, although
delivery of Private Notes may be effected through book-entry transfer at the
Depositary, the Letter of Transmittal or facsimile thereof, with any required
signature guarantees and any other required documents, must, in any case, be
transmitted to and received by the Exchange Agent at the address set forth
below under "--Exchange Agent" on or prior to the Expiration Date or pursuant
to the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.
 
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
 
  Holders who wish to tender their Private Notes and (i) whose Private Notes
are not immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Private Notes,
the Letter of Transmittal or any other required documents to the Exchange
Agent prior to the Expiration Date, may effect a tender if:
 
 
                                      28

 
    (a) The tender is made through an Eligible Institution;
 
    (b) Prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent receives from such
  Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of
  Guaranteed Delivery substantially in the form provided by the Company (by
  facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery) setting forth the name and
  address of the holder, the certificate number(s) of such Private Notes and
  the principal amount of Private Notes tendered, stating that the tender is
  being made thereby and guaranteeing that, within five New York Stock
  Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date, the Letter of Transmittal
  (or a facsimile thereof), together with the certificate(s) representing the
  Private Notes in proper form for transfer or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as
  the case may be, and any other documents required by the Letter of
  Transmittal, will be deposited by the Eligible Institution with the
  Exchange Agent; and
 
    (c) Such properly executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof),
  as well as the certificate(s) representing all tendered Private Notes in
  proper form for transfer and all other documents required by the Letter of
  Transmittal are received by the Exchange Agent within five New York Stock
  Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date.
 
  Upon request to the Exchange Agent, a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery will be
sent to holders who wish to tender their Private Notes according to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth above.
 
WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS
 
  Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Private Notes may be
withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date.
 
  To withdraw a tender of Private Notes in the Exchange Offer, a written or
facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be received by the Exchange
Agent at its address set forth herein prior to the Expiration Date. Any such
notice of withdrawal must (i) specify the name of the person having deposited
the Private Notes to be withdrawn (the "Depositor"), (ii) identify the Private
Notes to be withdrawn (including the certificate number or numbers and
principal amount of such Private Notes) and (iii) be signed by the holder in
the same manner as the original signature on the Letter of Transmittal by
which such Private Notes were tendered (including any required signature
guarantees). All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including
time of receipt) of such notices will be determined by the Company in its sole
discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Any
Private Notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered
for purposes of the Exchange Offer and no Exchange Notes will be issued with
respect thereto unless the Private Notes so withdrawn are validly retendered.
Properly withdrawn Private Notes may be retendered by following one of the
procedures described above under "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for
Tendering" at any time prior to the Expiration Date.
 
CONDITIONS
 
  Notwithstanding any other term of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall not
be required to accept for exchange, or exchange the Exchange Notes for, any
Private Notes, and may terminate the Exchange Offer as provided herein before
the acceptance of such Private Notes, if the Exchange Offer violates
applicable law, rules or regulations or an applicable interpretation of the
staff of the Commission.
 
  If the Company determines in its sole discretion that any of these
conditions are not satisfied, the Company may (i) refuse to accept any Private
Notes and return all tendered Private Notes to the tendering holders, (ii)
extend the Exchange Offer and retain all Private Notes tendered prior to the
expiration of the Exchange Offer, subject, however, to the rights of holders
to withdraw such Private Notes (see "--Withdrawal of Tenders") or (iii) waive
such unsatisfied conditions with respect to the
 
                                      29

 
Exchange Offer and accept all properly tendered Private Notes that have not
been withdrawn. If such waiver constitutes a material change to the Exchange
Offer, the Company will promptly disclose such waiver by means of a prospectus
supplement that will be distributed to the registered holders of the Private
Notes, and the Company will extend the Exchange Offer for a period of five to
ten business days, depending upon the significance of the waiver and the
manner of disclosure to the registered holders, if the Exchange Offer would
otherwise expire during such five to ten business day period.
 
TERMINATION OF CERTAIN RIGHTS
 
  All rights under the Registration Rights Agreement (including registration
rights) of holders of the Private Notes eligible to participate in the
Exchange Offer will terminate upon consummation of the Exchange Offer except
with respect to the Company's continuing obligations (i) to indemnify such
holders (including any broker-dealers) and certain parties related to such
holders against certain liabilities (including liabilities under the
Securities Act), (ii) to provide, upon the request of any holder of a
transfer-restricted Private Note, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4)
under the Securities Act in order to permit resales of such Private Notes
pursuant to Rule 144A, (iii) to use its best efforts to keep the Registration
Statement effective to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for
resales of transfer-restricted Private Notes by broker-dealers for a period of
up to one year from the date the Registration Statement is declared effective
and (iv) to provide copies of the latest version of the Prospectus to broker-
dealers upon their request for a period of up to one year from the date the
Registration Statement is declared effective.
 
ADDITIONAL INTEREST
 
  In the event of a Registration Default (as defined in the Registration
Rights Agreement), the Company is required to pay as liquidated damages,
Additional Interest (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) to each
holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (as defined below), during the first
90-day period immediately following the occurrence of such Registration
Default in an amount equal to $0.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of
Private Notes constituting Transfer Restricted Securities held by such holder.
Such Additional Interest rate will increase by an additional $0.05 per week
for each subsequent 90-day period during which the Registration Default
continues. Transfer Restricted Securities shall mean each Private Note until
(i) the date on which such Private Note has been exchanged for an Exchange
Note in the Exchange Offer and is entitled to be resold to the public by the
holder thereof without complying with the prospectus delivery requirements of
the Securities Act, (ii) the date on which such Private Note has been
effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance
with the Shelf Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement) and (iii) the date on which such Private Note is distributed to the
public pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or by a broker-dealer
pursuant to the "Plan of Distribution" set forth in this Prospectus (including
delivery of this Prospectus). The amount of the Additional Interest will
increase by an additional $0.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of
Private Notes constituting Transfer Restricted Securities for each subsequent
90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum
Additional Interest of $0.50 per week per $1,000 principal amount of Private
Notes constituting Transfer Restricted Securities. Following the cure of all
Registration Defaults, the payment of Additional Interest will cease. The
filing and effectiveness of the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus is a part and the consummation of the Exchange Offer will eliminate
all rights of the holders of Private Notes eligible to participate in the
Exchange Offer to receive damages that would have been payable if such actions
had not occurred.
 
EXCHANGE AGENT
 
  Texas Commerce Bank National Association has been appointed as Exchange
Agent of the Exchange Offer. Questions and requests for assistance, requests
for additional copies of this
 
                                      30

 
Prospectus or of the Letter of Transmittal and requests for Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery should be directed to the Exchange Agent addressed as
follows:
 
  By Registered or Certified Mail:           By Overnight or Hand Delivery:
  
    Texas Commerce Bank National              Texas Commerce Bank National 
           Association                                 Association   
           P.O. Box 660197                     2200 Ross Avenue, 5th Floor
      Dallas, Texas 75266-0197                     Dallas, Texas 75201
          Attn: Gary Jones                          Attn: Gary Jones
 
             By Facsimile:                         Confirm by Telephone:
  
            (214) 965-3577                            (214) 965-3510
 
FEES AND EXPENSES
 
  The expenses of soliciting tenders will be borne by the Company. The
principal solicitation is being made by mail; however, additional solicitation
may be made by telegraph, telephone or in person by officers and regular
employees of the Company and its affiliates.
 
  The Company has not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the
Exchange Offer and will not make any payments to brokers, dealers or others
soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer. The Company, however, will pay
the Exchange Agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and will
reimburse it for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection
therewith.
 
  The cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange Offer will
be paid by the Company and are estimated in the aggregate to be approximately
$70,000. Such expenses include registration fees, fees and expenses of the
Exchange Agent and the Trustee, accounting and legal fees and printing costs,
among others.
 
  The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange
of Private Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If, however, a transfer tax
is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of the Private Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes
(whether imposed on the registered holder or any other persons) will be
payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such
taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter of Transmittal,
the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering
holder.
 
CONSEQUENCE OF FAILURES TO EXCHANGE
 
  Participation in the Exchange Offer is voluntary. Holders of the Private
Notes are urged to consult their financial and tax advisors in making their
own decisions on what action to take.
 
  The Private Notes that are not exchanged for the Exchange Notes pursuant to
the Exchange Offer will remain restricted securities. Accordingly, such
Private Notes may be resold only (i) to a person whom the seller reasonably
believes is a QIB in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, (ii)
in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities
Act, (iii) outside the United States to a foreign person in a transaction
meeting the requirements of Rule 904 under the Securities Act, (iv) in
accordance with another exemption from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act (and based upon an opinion of counsel if the Company so
requests), (v) to the Company or (vi) pursuant to an effective registration
statement and, in each case, in accordance with any applicable securities laws
of any state of the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction.
 
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
 
  For accounting purposes, the Company will recognize no gain or loss as a
result of the Exchange Offer. The expenses of the Exchange Offer will be
amortized over the term of the Exchange Notes.
 
                                      31

 
                                  THE MERGER
 
  On October 31, 1995, the Company announced that it had entered into an
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October 30, 1995, by and among Coda,
JEDI and CAI, whereby JEDI would acquire in the Merger all outstanding shares
of common stock, par value $0.02 per share, of Coda (the "Common Stock").
Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, JEDI and CAI entered
into certain agreements with the Management Group providing for a continuing
role of management in the Company after the Merger. The per share purchase
price for the Common Stock was $7.75 in cash (for an aggregate purchase price
of approximately $176.2 million). The Merger was completed on February 16,
1996.
 
  JEDI was formed as a limited partnership between CalPERS and an affiliate of
ECT, with the ECT affiliate designated as the general partner. The purpose of
the partnership is to invest in a diversified portfolio of energy related
assets.
 
  The Management Group entered into written agreements with JEDI and CAI
concerning their employment with and/or equity participation in the Company.
The Management Group holds an aggregate of approximately 1.5% of the Company's
common stock (approximately 5% on a fully diluted basis, including options
granted to such persons). See "Executive Compensation and Other Information."
 
  The sources and uses of funds related to financing the Merger were as
follows:
 
                               SOURCES OF FUNDS
                                 (in millions)
 

                                                                      
      Credit Agreement.................................................. $ 95.0
      JEDI Debt(1)......................................................  100.0
      Redeemable Preferred Stock issued to JEDI.........................   20.0
      Common Stock issued to JEDI.......................................   90.0
                                                                         ------
          Total......................................................... $305.0
                                                                         ======

 
                                 USES OF FUNDS
                                 (in millions)
 

                                                                      
      Payments to Coda stockholders, warrantholders and optionholders... $176.2
      Repayment of former credit facility and other indebtedness........  122.7
      Merger costs and other expenses...................................    6.1
                                                                         ------
          Total......................................................... $305.0
                                                                         ======

     --------
     (1) Represents indebtedness incurred by CAI and assumed by Coda to
         fund a portion of the consideration paid in the Merger. See "Use
         of Proceeds."
 
                                      32

 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  The net proceeds of the sale of the Private Notes were approximately $107.25
million and $100 million of such proceeds were used to repay all of the
principal amount of the indebtedness owed to JEDI (the "JEDI Debt") incurred
by CAI in connection with the Merger and assumed by the Company upon the
Company's merger with CAI. The JEDI Debt bore interest at the rate of U.S.
Treasury instruments with a maturity closest to the maturity date of the JEDI
Debt plus 6.25% per annum; however, during the first six months, the Company
could choose an interest rate option which provided for interest at the rate
of LIBOR plus 4.25% per annum. The JEDI Debt had a maturity date of February
16, 2003. See "The Merger" and "Certain Transactions."
 
  The remaining net proceeds of approximately $7.25 million, together with
available corporate cash of $2.75 million, were used to repay indebtedness
outstanding under the Credit Agreement (which had an outstanding balance of
approximately $122.0 million at December 31, 1995 and approximately $80.0
million at March 31, 1996). The indebtedness under the Credit Agreement was
incurred primarily in connection with acquisitions of producing properties and
for other general corporate purposes. After application of such net proceeds
of the sale of the Private Notes, approximately $35.0 million is available as
of March 31, 1996 for reborrowing under the Credit Agreement to be used for
general corporate purposes, which may include acquiring producing oil and
natural gas properties or companies owning the same. The Company has no
current understandings or agreements in respect of any pending material
acquisition. See "Description of Other Indebtedness--Credit Agreement" and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."
 
                                      33

 
                                CAPITALIZATION
 
  The following table sets forth the unaudited capitalization of the Company
as of December 31, 1995, on an historical basis and on a pro forma basis
giving effect to the Merger and the sale of the Notes and the application of
the net proceeds thereof to the repayment of the JEDI Debt and a portion of
indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement, as if such transactions
had been consummated as of December 31, 1995. The following table should be
read in conjunction with the Company's Historical Financial Statements, the
unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements, the related notes, and the
other information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus, including the
information set forth in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations." For further information regarding the
terms of the long-term debt reflected in the following table, see "Description
of Other Indebtedness" and Note 4 of the Notes to Historical Financial
Statements.


                                                          DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                        ----------------------
                                                        HISTORICAL  PRO FORMA
                                                        ----------- ----------
                                                            (in thousands)
                                                              
Current maturities of long-term debt(1)................ $       453 $      120
Long-term debt:
  Former credit facility...............................     122,000        --
  Credit Agreement(1)..................................         --      85,200
  12% Senior Subordinated Debentures due 2000(1).......         988      1,153
  10 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006...........         --     110,000
  Other(1).............................................         919        585
                                                        ----------- ----------
    Total long-term debt...............................     123,907    196,938
                                                        ----------- ----------
15% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock(2)...........         --         200
  Additional paid-in capital...........................         --      19,800
                                                        ----------- ----------
    Total preferred stock..............................         --      20,000
                                                        ----------- ----------
Common stockholders' equity of management, subject to
 put and call rights:
  Common stock(3)......................................         --         --
  Additional paid-in capital...........................         --       4,560
  Less related notes receivable........................         --        (937)
                                                        ----------- ----------
    Total common stockholders' equity of management....         --       3,623
                                                        ----------- ----------
Other common stockholders' equity:
  Common stock(3)......................................         442          9
  Additional paid-in capital...........................      68,671     89,991
  Retained earnings (deficit)(4).......................      10,075    (58,214)
                                                        ----------- ----------
    Total other common stockholders' equity............      79,188     31,786
                                                        ----------- ----------
Total capitalization................................... $   203,548 $  252,467
                                                        =========== ==========
Shares authorized
  Preferred stock; par value $0.001 historical; par
   value $0.01 pro forma...............................   7,500,000     40,000
  Common stock; par value $0.02 historical; par value
   $0.01 pro forma.....................................  40,000,000  1,000,000

- --------
(1) Such indebtedness is senior in right of payment to the Notes.
(2) At December 31, 1995, there were no shares of preferred stock (par value
    $0.001 per share) issued or outstanding on an historical basis and 20,000
    shares (par value $0.01 per share) outstanding on a pro forma basis. The
    15% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the
    "Preferred Stock"), was issued to JEDI in connection with the Merger and
    can be paid cash dividends or redeemed for cash only to the extent
    permitted by the Indenture and the Credit Agreement. See "Description of
    Exchange Notes--Certain Covenants--Restricted Payments" and "Description
    of Capital Stock--Preferred Stock."
(3) At December 31, 1995, there were 22,088,903 shares (par value $0.02 per
    share) of Common Stock issued and outstanding on an historical basis and
    913,611 shares (par value $0.01 per share) issued and outstanding (13,611
    shares held by the Management Group and 900,000 shares held by JEDI) on a
    pro forma basis (excluding 2,416,632 shares and 31,989 shares reserved for
    issuance on an historical and pro forma basis, respectively, upon exercise
    of outstanding options and warrants to purchase Common Stock). On an
    historical basis, the Common Stock held by management is included in other
    common stockholders' equity. See "Certain Transactions--Stockholders
    Agreement" and "Description of Capital Stock--Common Stock."
(4) The pro forma retained deficit results from a charge of approximately
    $58.2 million (net of related deferred taxes of $32.7 million)
    representing the adjustment of the carrying value of proved oil and gas
    properties pursuant to the full cost method of accounting. Such adjustment
    will be included in the results of operations of the Company in the period
    the Merger was consummated.
 
                                      34

 
               SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
 
  The following table sets forth for the period indicated selected historical
and pro forma financial data for the Company. The selected historical
financial data as of and for each of the years in the five-year period ended
December 31, 1995, have been derived from the historical financial statements
of the Company, which were audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors.
The Company acquired significant producing oil and natural gas properties in
all the periods presented which affect the comparability of the historical
financial and operating data for the periods presented. As a result of the
Merger, JEDI acquired Coda effective February 16, 1996. The Merger will be
accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. As such, JEDI's cost of
acquiring Coda will be allocated to the assets and liabilities acquired based
on estimated fair values. As a result, the Company's financial position and
operating results subsequent to the date of the Merger will reflect a new
basis of accounting and will not be comparable to prior periods. The pro forma
condensed financial data presented in the table below are derived from the Pro
Forma Condensed Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
  The information below should be read in conjunction with "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," the
Historical Financial Statements of the Company and the notes thereto, as well
as the Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements and the notes thereto included
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 


                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                            ---------------------------------------------------
                                          HISTORICAL
                            ----------------------------------------- PRO FORMA
                             1991     1992     1993    1994    1995    1995(1)
                            -------  -------  ------- ------- ------- ---------
                                      (in thousands, except ratio)
                                                    
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
 Oil and gas sales......... $16,512  $18,631  $38,877 $50,683 $60,997 $ 66,156
 Gas gathering and
  processing(2)............   5,246    4,709      732  20,081  35,634   35,634
 Total revenues............  22,782   23,637   40,050  71,586  97,838  102,997
 Interest expense..........   2,420    2,752    4,834   5,281   8,676   18,840
 Total costs and expenses..  21,865   24,778   36,398  65,676  88,881  109,604
 Income (loss) before
  income taxes.............     917   (1,141)   3,652   5,910   8,957   (6,607)
 Net income (loss).........     (65)    (734)   2,334   3,329   5,755   (4,197)
 Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges(3)...............    1.4x      --      1.8x    2.1x    2.0x      --
CASH FLOW DATA(4):
 Net income (loss)......... $   (65) $  (734) $ 2,334 $ 3,329 $ 5,755 $ (4,197)
 Depletion, depreciation
  and amortization.........   4,823    4,813   10,808  16,419  19,715   27,770
 Net cash provided by
  operating activities.....   6,127    2,241   16,443  22,987  24,301   17,052
OTHER DATA(5):
 EBITDA....................   8,160    6,424   19,294  27,610  37,348   40,003
 EBITDA/interest expense...    3.4x     2.3x     4.0x    5.2x    4.3x     2.1x
 Debt/EBITDA...............    3.8x     9.2x     3.2x    3.8x    3.3x     4.9x
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES:
 Oil and gas property
  acquisitions............. $21,650  $23,318  $42,223 $40,109 $25,363
 Oil and gas development
  and other................   4,404    7,550   10,403  12,450  14,464
 Gas plant and gathering
  systems and other
  property additions.......     687    1,365      646   7,380   8,500

 
                                      35

 


                                                          AT DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                          ----------------------
                                                                        PRO
                                                            ACTUAL    FORMA(1)
                                                          ---------- -----------
                                                             (in thousands)
                                                               
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Total assets........................................... $  229,064 $  304,369
  Notes..................................................        --     110,000
  Other long-term debt, less current maturities..........    123,907     86,938
  Redeemable Preferred Stock.............................        --      20,000
  Common stockholders' equity of management..............        --       3,623
  Other stockholders' equity.............................     79,188     35,409

- --------
(1) Reflects the pro forma effect of the Snyder Acquisition, the Merger, the
    sale of the Private Notes and the application of the proceeds thereof to
    retire the JEDI Debt and pay down a portion of the outstanding borrowings
    under the Credit Agreement. See the Company's Pro Forma Condensed
    Financial Statements, included elsewhere in this Prospectus, for a
    discussion of the preparation of these data. The pro forma combined
    results of operations exclude a charge of approximately $58.2 million (net
    of related deferred taxes of $32.7 million) representing the adjustment of
    the carrying value of proved oil and gas properties pursuant to the full
    cost method of accounting. Such adjustment will be included in the results
    of operations of the Company in the period the Merger was consummated. Pro
    forma net cash provided by operating activities was obtained by adjusting
    the historical amount for the pro forma changes in oil and natural gas
    sales, oil and natural gas production expenses, general and administrative
    expenses and interest expense (except for the amortization of debt costs).
    The exchange of the Exchange Notes for the Private Notes would have no
    effect on the pro forma information. See also "Use of Proceeds" and
    "Capitalization."
(2) The Company ceased its third party natural gas marketing operations in
    1992. The Company acquired Taurus in April 1994.
(3) For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings
    consist of income before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges
    consist of interest expense. For the year ended December 31, 1992,
    earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges by approximately $1.1
    million. Pro forma earnings for the year ended December 31, 1995, would
    have been inadequate to cover fixed charges by approximately $6.6 million.
(4) In addition to cash flows provided by operating activities, the Company
    also has significant cash flows which are provided by or used in investing
    and financing activities. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
    Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital
    Resources," "--Effects of the Merger, the Sale of the Private Notes and
    the Exchange Offer--Credit Agreement" and the Historical Financial
    Statements of the Company.
(5) EBITDA is calculated as operating income before interest, income taxes,
    depletion, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not a measure of cash
    flow as determined by GAAP. The Company has included information
    concerning EBITDA because EBITDA is a measure used by certain investors in
    determining the Company's historical ability to service its indebtedness.
    EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to, or more meaningful
    than, net income or cash flows as determined in accordance with GAAP as an
    indicator of the Company's operating performance or liquidity. Pro forma
    debt/EBITDA is calculated using pro forma debt as of December 31, 1995,
    and pro forma EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 1995.
 
                                      36

 
               MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
GENERAL
 
  The Company is an independent energy company principally engaged in the
acquisition and exploitation of producing oil and natural gas properties. The
Company also owns and operates natural gas processing and liquids extraction
facilities and natural gas gathering systems. The Company seeks to acquire
properties whose predominant economic value is attributable to proved producing
reserves and to enhance that value through control of operations, reduction of
costs, and property development.
 
  The Company's principal strategy is to increase oil and natural gas reserves,
production and cash flow by selectively acquiring and exploiting producing oil
and natural gas properties, especially those properties with enhanced recovery
and other lower risk development potential. The Company's exploitation efforts
include, where appropriate, the drilling of lower risk development wells, the
initiation of secondary recovery projects, the renegotiation of marketing
agreements and the reduction of drilling, completion and lifting costs. Cost
savings may be principally achieved through reductions in field staff and the
more effective utilization of field facilities and equipment by virtue of
geographic concentration. The success of the Company's strategy is dependent
upon a number of factors, some of which are beyond its control. See "Risk
Factors."
 
  As a result of the Company's successful acquisition and exploitation
activities, the Company has shown significant growth in reserves, production
and EBITDA over the last five years. From January 1, 1991 to December 31, 1995,
the Company completed acquisitions with an aggregate purchase price of $172.2
million and estimated reserves at the date of acquisition of 47.1 Mmboe
(treating the acquisition of Diamond for this purpose as a purchase). The
Company's producing properties are concentrated onshore in the mid-continent
region of the United States. At December 31, 1995, the Company had proved
reserves of 42.6 Mmbbls of oil and 37.1 Bcf of natural gas, aggregating 48.8
Mmboe. The Company has two principal operating sources of cash: (i) net oil and
natural gas sales from its oil and natural gas properties and (ii) net margins
earned from gas gathering and processing operations.
 
  The Company expects to continue its efforts to acquire additional oil and
natural gas properties. Future acquisitions, if any, would necessitate, in most
cases, borrowing additional funds under the Credit Agreement. The ability to
borrow such funds is dependent upon the Company's borrowing base under the
Credit Agreement.
 
  On February 16, 1996, the Company completed the Merger. The Merger will be
accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. As such, JEDI's cost of
acquiring Coda will be allocated to the assets and liabilities acquired using
estimated fair values. As a result, the Company's financial position and
operating results subsequent to the date of the Merger will reflect a new basis
of accounting and will not be comparable to prior periods. The immediately
following sections, "--Results of Operations" and "--Liquidity and Capital
Resources," discuss the Company's historical financial position and operating
results. For a discussion of the expected impact of the Merger and the sale of
the Private Notes on the Company's financial position and results of operations
see "--Effects of the Merger, the Sale of the Private Notes and the Exchange
Offer."
 
                                       37

 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The following table sets forth certain operating data regarding the
production and sales volumes, average sales prices, and costs associated with
the Company's oil and natural gas operations and gas gathering and processing
operations for the periods indicated on an historical basis.
 


                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                        -----------------------
                                                         1993    1994    1995
                                                        ------- ------- -------
                                                               
   OIL AND NATURAL GAS OPERATING DATA:
   Net production:
     Oil (Mbbls).......................................   1,766   2,650   3,165
     Natural Gas (Mmcf)................................   4,703   4,982   4,416
   Average sales price:
     Oil (per Bbl)..................................... $ 16.88 $ 15.86 $ 17.08
     Natural Gas (per Mcf).............................    1.92    1.74    1.57
   Production cost per Boe.............................    6.90    6.22    6.95
   GAS GATHERING AND PROCESSING OPERATING DATA:
   Sales:
     Total revenue (in thousands)...................... $   732 $20,081 $35,634
     Gas sales (MMBTU, in thousands)...................     --    6,725  13,356
     Gas sales average price...........................     --  $  1.82 $  1.58
     Natural gas liquids sales (M gallons).............   2,467  26,193  53,284
     Natural gas liquids average price................. $0.2966 $0.2967 $0.2739
   Costs and expenses (in thousands):
     Gas purchases.....................................     146  15,121  26,547
     Plant operating expenses..........................     424   2,203   3,926

 
 COMPARISON OF THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND 1995
 
  Oil and natural gas sales for the year ended December 31, 1995 increased 20%
to approximately $61.0 million from approximately $50.7 million in 1994
primarily due to a 19% increase in oil production and an increase of $1.22 per
barrel in the average sales price for oil. The increase in production was a
result of the acquisition of producing oil and natural gas properties during
the fourth quarters of 1994 and 1995, the Company's development drilling
program and favorable responses from certain of the Company's waterflood
units. This increase was partially offset by an 11% decrease in natural gas
production (due primarily to sales of properties) and a decrease in the
average sales price for natural gas of $0.17 per Mcf. During the year ended
December 31, 1995, 89% of oil and natural gas sales was attributable to oil
production. Oil and natural gas prices remain unpredictable. See "--Changes in
Prices and Hedging Activities."
 
  As a result of the acquisition of Taurus on April 29, 1994, gas gathering
and processing revenues, expenses and gross profit increased significantly for
the year ended December 31, 1995, compared to 1994. The year ended December
31, 1994 only includes eight months of Taurus' operations. Contributing to the
increases in revenues and expenses was the acquisition in January 1995 of the
remaining ownership interest in one of Taurus' gas plants and associated
facilities for $6.5 million. The levels of revenues and expenses attributed to
Taurus' operations are largely dependent on natural gas and natural gas
liquids prices and plant throughput volumes and, therefore, may fluctuate
significantly.
 
  Oil and natural gas production expenses (including production taxes) for the
year ended December 31, 1995 increased 25% to approximately $27.1 million from
approximately $21.6 million for 1994, reflecting the effects of the increased
production from the properties acquired in 1994 and from new wells drilled.
Oil and natural gas production expenses for the year ended December 31,
 
                                      38

 
1995 were $6.95 per Boe. Absent additional significant acquisitions, the
Company expects production expenses to be between $7.00 and $7.50 per Boe in
1996.
 
  Depletion, depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December
31, 1995 increased 20% to approximately $19.7 million from approximately $16.4
million for 1994, reflecting the increase in oil production from acquisitions
in 1994, property development and the acquisition of Taurus in April 1994. The
increase attributable to Taurus was approximately $1.2 million. Oil and
natural gas depletion, depreciation and amortization expense increased to
$4.33 per Boe for the year ended December 31, 1995 from $4.27 per Boe for
1994. The increase reflects the relatively higher purchase price of the
reserves related to the properties acquired during 1994.
 
  General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 1995
decreased to approximately $2.9 million from approximately $3.1 million for
1994. This decrease was primarily due to increased overhead charges billed to
working interest owners on the properties acquired during the fourth quarters
of 1994 and 1995, being partially offset by additional employees needed as a
result of acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties and the acquisition
of Taurus.
 
  Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 1995 increased 64% to
approximately $8.7 million from approximately $5.3 million for 1994, primarily
due to increases in outstanding debt levels used to fund development drilling,
oil and natural gas property acquisitions and the acquisition of Taurus and
related assets, and higher market interest rates in 1995.
 
  Business combination expenses of $1.8 million in 1994 were related to the
acquisition of Diamond pursuant to a merger. The merger with Diamond was
accounted for as a pooling of interests and accordingly the transaction costs
were expensed when incurred.
 
  Net income for the year ended December 31, 1995 increased to approximately
$5.8 million from approximately $3.3 million for 1994, primarily due to (i) an
increase in oil production from the Company's waterflood units, the Company's
development drilling program and the oil and natural gas property acquisitions
during the fourth quarters of 1994 and 1995, (ii) an increase in the average
sales price of oil by $1.22 per barrel and (iii) the lack of business
combination expenses in 1995.
 
 COMPARISON OF THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993 AND 1994
 
  Oil and natural gas sales for the year ended December 31, 1994 increased 30%
to approximately $50.7 million from approximately $38.9 million in 1993
primarily due to an increase in oil and natural gas production of 50% and 6%,
respectively, as a result of the acquisition of producing oil and natural gas
properties in the third quarter of 1993, the Company's development drilling
program and the favorable response of Diamond's waterflood units, partially
offset by a decrease in oil prices. During the year ended December 31, 1994,
83% of oil and natural gas sales was attributable to oil production.
 
  On April 29, 1994, the Company acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding
common stock of Taurus, a privately held Texas corporation, in exchange for
1.5 million shares of the Company's Common Stock, valued at approximately $7.3
million, and approximately $3.3 million cash. The Company assumed existing
Taurus debt of approximately $9.8 million. Taurus owns and operates three gas
processing and liquids extraction facilities and approximately 700 miles of
gas gathering systems located primarily in west central Texas.
 
  As a result of this acquisition, gas gathering and processing revenues,
expenses and gross profit increased significantly for the year ended December
31, 1994, which reflects eight months of activity for Taurus. In January 1995,
Taurus purchased for $6.5 million the remaining interest in one of the plants
that it operates. The level of revenues and expenses for Taurus is largely
dependent on natural gas and natural gas liquids prices and plant throughput
volumes and, therefore, may fluctuate significantly.
 
                                      39

 
  Other income for the year ended December 31, 1994 increased to approximately
$822,000 from approximately $441,000 for 1993, due primarily to the receipt in
1994 of $107,000 of interest income attributable to the receipt in December
1993 of previously suspended oil and natural gas sales proceeds and to the
receipt of $117,000 related to the settlement of claims which arose in
connection with an unsuccessful acquisition effort in a prior year. Also
contributing to the increase was an increase in rental income from the
Company's office building.
 
  Oil and natural gas production expenses (including production taxes) for the
year ended December 31, 1994 increased 23% to approximately $21.6 million from
approximately $17.6 million for 1993, reflecting the effects of increased
production from the properties acquired in the third quarter of 1993 and from
new wells drilled. Oil and natural gas production expenses per Boe decreased
in 1994 to $6.22 per Boe from $6.90 per Boe in 1993, reflecting the effect of
the relatively lower lifting cost related to the properties acquired in the
third quarter of 1993 and the effect of increased production response from the
Diamond waterflood units.
 
  Depletion, depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December
31, 1994 increased 52% to approximately $16.4 million from approximately $10.8
million for 1993, reflecting the increases in production from the acquisitions
in the third quarter of 1993 and the acquisition of Taurus in April 1994. The
increase attributable to Taurus was approximately $1.4 million. Oil and
natural gas depletion, depreciation and amortization expense increased from
$4.15 per Boe for the year ended December 31, 1993, to $4.27 per Boe for 1994.
The increase reflects the relatively higher purchase price of the reserves
related to the properties acquired during the third quarter of 1993.
 
  General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 1994
increased to approximately $3.1 million from approximately $2.6 million for
1993. This increase was primarily due to additional employees needed as a
result of the 1993 acquisitions and the acquisition of Taurus, partially
offset by increased overhead charges billed to working interest owners on the
properties acquired during 1993. The increase attributable to Taurus was
approximately $483,000.
 
  Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 1994 increased 10% to
approximately $5.3 million from approximately $4.8 million for 1993, primarily
as a result of increases in outstanding debt levels used to fund development
drilling, property acquisitions and the acquisition of Taurus, partially
offset by lower market interest rates in the first half of 1994.
 
  In connection with the merger with Diamond, the Company incurred
approximately $1.8 million of legal, accounting, printing and other costs
related to the combination of the previously separate entities. Included in
these expenses is the writeoff of approximately $316,000 of Diamond's deferred
financing costs. Under pooling of interests accounting, these costs were
expensed in September 1994. Furthermore, certain of these expenses are neither
deductible nor amortizable for income tax purposes, resulting in a higher than
expected effective tax rate.
 
  Net income for the year ended December 31, 1994 increased to approximately
$3.3 million from approximately $2.3 million for 1993, primarily due to an
increase in oil and natural gas production from Diamond's waterflood units,
the Company's development drilling program and the acquisitions in the third
quarter of 1993, partially offset by a $1.02 per barrel decrease in average
oil prices and $1.8 million in business combination expenses.
 
 CHANGES IN PRICES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
 
  Annual average oil and natural gas prices have fluctuated significantly over
the past three years. The Company's weighted average oil price per Bbl during
1995 and at December 31, 1995 was $17.08 and $18.31, respectively. For the
year ended December 31, 1995, the Company averaged $1.32 per Bbl less
(including an oil hedging price increase of $0.09 per barrel) and $0.13 per
Mcf less for its oil and natural gas sales, respectively, than the average
NYMEX prices for the same period. The Company's weighted average price per Bbl
during 1994 and at December 31, 1994, was $15.86 and $16.24, respectively. For
the year ended December 31, 1994, the Company averaged $1.33 per Bbl and $0.20
per Mcf, respectively, less for its oil and natural gas sales than the average
NYMEX prices for the same period.
 
                                      40

 
  Pursuant to the loan agreements with Diamond's former primary lender,
Diamond entered into an agreement with a refining and marketing company to
sell a fixed number of barrels attributable to its share of production of
liquid hydrocarbons from certain formerly secured properties at a price of
$15.25 per barrel. The effect of this contract was to lower the Company's 1995
oil revenue by approximately $1.0 million or $0.32 per barrel. The remaining
commitment under this agreement at December 31, 1995, was 47,000 barrels. The
Company fulfilled this commitment during the first quarter of 1996.
 
  In an effort to reduce the effects of the volatility of the price of oil and
natural gas on the Company's operations, management has adopted a policy of
hedging oil and natural gas prices through the use of commodity futures,
options, and swap agreements whenever market prices are in excess of the
prices anticipated in the Company's operating budget and profit plan. While
the use of these hedging arrangements limits the downside risk of adverse
price movements, it may also limit future gains from favorable movements. All
hedging is accomplished pursuant to exchange-traded contracts or master swap
agreements based upon standard forms. The Company addresses market risk by
selecting instruments whose value fluctuations correlate strongly with the
underlying commodity being hedged. Credit risk related to hedging activities,
which is minimal, is managed by requiring minimum credit standards for
counterparties, periodic settlements and mark-to-market valuations. The
Company has not historically been required to provide any significant amount
of collateral in connection with its hedging activities. The following table
sets forth the barrels and weighted average NYMEX prices hedged under various
swap agreements entered into as of December 31, 1995.
 


                                                                        WEIGHTED
                                                                        AVERAGE
           PERIODS COVERED                                 BARRELS SOLD  PRICE
           ---------------                                 ------------ --------
                                                                  
      Year ending December 31, 1996.......................   740,000     $18.79
      Year ending December 31, 1997.......................   375,000     $19.02

 
  The Company has also sold call options covering 25,000 Bbls of oil per month
at an option price of $18.30 per Bbl for the period October 1995 to August
1996, increasing to $20.00 per Bbl for the period from September 1996 to
August 1997. In the event of a significant increase in the future NYMEX oil
prices above the swap price for the periods covered by the swap, the Company
may be required to utilize cash to fund margin accounts.
 
  During the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994, the Company's oil and
natural gas sales were reduced by $289,000 and $5,000, respectively as a
result of hedging transactions. During the year ended December 31, 1995, the
Company's oil sales were increased by $298,000, representing an average price
increase of $0.09 per barrel of oil, as a result of hedging transactions. See
Note 7 of the Notes to the Company's Historical Financial Statements for a
further discussion of the Company's hedging activities.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
  At December 31, 1995, the Company had cash and cash equivalents aggregating
approximately $4.6 million and working capital of approximately $8.3 million.
Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 1995
increased to approximately $24.3 million compared to $23.0 million for 1994,
due primarily to an increase in oil production and an oil price increase. Cash
flows used in investing activities decreased from $56.8 million for the year
ended December 31, 1994 to $43.0 million in 1995. This decrease was a result
of the sale of assets in 1995 for almost $5.7 million and a slight decrease in
the total spending on oil and natural gas properties in 1995, partially offset
by the acquisition by Taurus of an additional interest in one of its plants
for $6.5 million. Cash flows provided by financing activities decreased to
$16.9 million for the year ended December 31, 1995 from $36.2 million for
1994, primarily due to a decrease in net borrowings under the Company's then-
existing credit agreement. As a result of the Merger, the Company's financial
position and results of operations will reflect a new basis of accounting and
will not be comparable to prior periods. The following section discusses the
expected impact of the Merger, the sale of the Private Notes and the Exchange
Offer on the Company's financial position and results of operations.
 
                                      41

 
EFFECTS OF THE MERGER, THE SALE OF THE PRIVATE NOTES AND THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
 THE MERGER
 
  On February 16, 1996, the Company completed the Merger. The Merger will be
accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. As such, JEDI's cost of
acquiring Coda will be allocated to the assets and liabilities acquired using
estimated fair values. As a result, the Company's financial position and
operating results subsequent to the date of the Merger will reflect a new
basis of accounting and will not be comparable to prior periods. Concurrently
with the execution of the Merger Agreement, JEDI and CAI entered into certain
agreements with the Management Group providing for a continuing role of
management in the Company after the Merger. The sources and uses of funds
related to financing the Merger were as follows:
 
                               SOURCES OF FUNDS
                                 (in millions)
 

                                                                      
      Credit Agreement.................................................. $ 95.0
      JEDI Debt(1)......................................................  100.0
      Redeemable Preferred Stock issued to JEDI.........................   20.0
      Common Stock issued to JEDI.......................................   90.0
                                                                         ------
        Total........................................................... $305.0
                                                                         ======

 
                                 USES OF FUNDS
                                 (in millions)
 

                                                                    
      Payments to Coda stockholders, warrantholders and
       optionholders.................................................. $176.2
      Repayment of former credit facility and other indebtedness......  122.7
      Merger costs and other expenses.................................    6.1
                                                                       ------
        Total......................................................... $305.0
                                                                       ======

     --------
     (1) Represents indebtedness incurred by CAI and assumed by Coda to
         fund a portion of the consideration paid in the Merger. See "Use
         of Proceeds."
 
  The Company incurred substantial indebtedness in connection with the Merger
and is highly leveraged. As of December 31, 1995, after giving pro forma
effect to the Merger and the related financing transactions, including the
sale of the Private Notes and the Exchange Offer, the Company would have had
total indebtedness of approximately $197.1 million and stockholders' equity
(including Preferred Stock) of approximately $55.4 million. After giving pro
forma effect to such transactions and the Snyder Acquisition, the Company's
earnings would have been insufficient to cover its fixed charges by
approximately $6.6 million for 1995. Pro forma interest expense for 1995 would
have been approximately $18.8 million. Pro forma cash flow from operations
(assuming that the additional interest was paid in cash) would have been
approximately $17.1 million. Based upon the Company's current level of
operations and anticipated growth, management of the Company believes that
available cash, together with available borrowings under the Credit Agreement
and other sources of liquidity, will be adequate to meet the Company's
anticipated future requirements for working capital, capital expenditures and
scheduled payments of principal of, and interest on, its indebtedness,
including the Notes. There can be no assurance that such anticipated growth
will be realized, that the Company's business will generate sufficient cash
flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available in an amount
sufficient to enable the Company to service its indebtedness, including the
Notes, or make necessary capital expenditures. In addition, the Company
anticipates that it is likely to find it necessary to refinance a portion of
the principal amount of the Notes at or prior to their maturity. However,
there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain financing to
complete a refinancing of the Notes. See "Risk Factors--Leverage."
 
  The Company has planned development and exploitation activities for all of
its major operating areas. The Company has budgeted capital spending of
approximately $18 million in 1996, but is not
 
                                      42

 
contractually committed to expend these funds. In addition, the Company is
continuing to evaluate oil and natural gas properties for future acquisitions.
Historically, the Company has used the public equity market (i) to raise cash
to fund acquisitions or repay indebtedness incurred for acquisitions and (ii)
as a medium of exchange for other companies' capital stock or assets in
connection with acquisitions. As a result of being 95% owned by JEDI (on a
fully diluted basis), the Company does not expect to utilize the public equity
market to finance acquisitions in the near term. Accordingly, any material
expenditures in connection with acquisitions would require borrowing under the
Credit Agreement or from other sources. There can be no assurance that such
funds will be available to the Company. Furthermore, the Company's ability to
borrow in the future is subject to restrictions imposed by the Credit
Agreement and the Indenture as more fully described below. See "Description of
Other Indebtedness" and "Description of Exchange Notes--Certain Covenants--
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock."
 
 CREDIT AGREEMENT
 
  In connection with the Merger, the Company entered into the Credit Agreement
to replace a prior credit facility. The borrowing base under the Credit
Agreement currently is $115.0 million. As of  March 31, 1996, approximately
$35.0 million was available for borrowing under the Credit Agreement. The
borrowing base is scheduled to be redetermined on July 1, 1996; however, the
Credit Agreement allows the lenders to redetermine the borrowing base upon the
occurrence of either of the following events: (i) the sale of all, or
substantially all, of the assets or common stock of Taurus or (ii) the
issuance of public subordinated debt in an amount greater than $100.0 million.
The lenders under the Credit Agreement have agreed to waive their right to
redetermine the borrowing base with respect to the issuance of the Notes. As a
result of the sale of the Private Notes, ECT Securities Corp., an affiliate of
ECT, refunded to the Company $2.0 million in fees paid by the Company to ECT
Securities Corp. for arranging the JEDI Debt. These additional funds, together
with other available cash of $550,000 and the remaining net proceeds of the
sale of the Private Notes were used to repay approximately $10.0 million of
the indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement.
 
  The Credit Agreement is unsecured. The Company has provided the bank lenders
with first lien deeds of trust on its oil and natural gas assets that will not
become effective, and that the lenders have agreed to not file, unless: (i)
80% of any outstanding borrowings in excess of the borrowing limit are not
repaid within a 90 day period, (ii) cash collateral securing a hedging
transaction exceeds 20% of the borrowing limit or (iii) an event of default or
a material adverse event, as defined in the Credit Agreement, occurs.
 
  The Credit Agreement contains various restrictive covenants, including
limitations on the granting of liens, restrictions on the issuance of
additional debt, restrictions on investments, a requirement to maintain
positive working capital, and restrictions on dividends and stock repurchases.
The Credit Agreement also contains requirements that JEDI, Enron, CalPERS or
any wholly owned subsidiary of either Enron or CalPERS must continue to own a
majority of the outstanding equity of the Company and must have the ability to
elect the majority of the Board of Directors and that certain members of
management maintain specified levels of equity ownership in the Company and
continue their employment with the Company.
 
  So long as no default (as defined in the Credit Agreement) is continuing,
the Company has the option of having all or any portion of the amount borrowed
under the Credit Agreement be the subject of one of the following interest
rates: (i) NationsBank's prime rate, (ii) the CD Rate plus 1 1/4% to 1 5/8%
based upon the ratio of outstanding debt to the available borrowing base and
(iii) LIBOR plus 1 1/4% to 1 5/8% based upon the ratio of outstanding debt to
the available borrowing base. The Company must also pay a commitment fee of
between 0.375% to 0.425% on the unused portion of the borrowing base facility.
 
 JEDI DEBT
 
  The principal amount of JEDI Debt outstanding after the Merger was $100.0
million. A portion of the net proceeds of the sale of the Private Notes was
used to repay the JEDI Debt. The Company also paid approximately $823,000 of
accrued interest thereon. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
                                      43

 
 15% CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The Company's Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of up to
40,000 shares of Preferred Stock. In conjunction with the Merger, the Company
issued 20,000 shares of Preferred Stock to JEDI for $20.0 million in cash.
Additional shares of Preferred Stock in excess of 20,000 shares may be issued
only for the purpose of paying dividends on the issued and outstanding
Preferred Stock. The holders of each share of Preferred Stock are entitled to
receive, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, cumulative
preferential dividends at the rate of $150.00 per share per annum, payable in
equal semi-annual installments. Dividend payments will be made in cash or
through the issuance of additional shares of Preferred Stock. The payment of
Preferred Stock dividends in cash is restricted by the Credit Agreement and
the Indenture.
 
  The Company's Certificate of Incorporation requires that the Company redeem
all the issued and outstanding shares of Preferred Stock at a redemption price
of $1,000 per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends (including
undeclared dividends) to the date of redemption, if the Company has sufficient
funds legally available for such redemption and if such redemption would not
violate or conflict with any loan agreement, credit agreement, note agreement,
indenture or other agreement relating to indebtedness to which the Company is
a party, on or before the fifth business day after the earliest to occur of
the following: (i) the closing of the sale by the Company of Taurus and (ii) a
Trigger Event, as such term is defined in the Stockholders Agreement. The
Preferred Stock may be redeemed by the Company at its option, as a whole or in
part, to the extent the Company shall have funds legally available for such
redemption, at any time or from time to time at a redemption price of $1,000
per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends (including undeclared
dividends) to the date of redemption. Such redemption, whether required or
optional, is restricted by the Credit Agreement and the Indenture.
 
 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  As a result of the Merger, the Company has significantly more debt
outstanding at a higher weighted average interest rate than before the Merger.
On a pro forma basis reflecting the effects of the Snyder Acquisition, the
Merger and the sale of the Private Notes, as if such transactions had occurred
on January 1, 1995, pro forma depletion, depreciation and amortization
increased by $8.1 million, pro forma interest expense increased by $10.1
million and pro forma general and administrative expenses decreased by
$921,000, compared to the actual amounts reported for 1995. Pro forma EBITDA
would have increased to $40.0 million from $37.3 million on a historical
basis. Pro forma net loss for 1995 would have been $4.2 million compared to
historical net income of $5.8 million. The pro forma combined results of
operations exclude a charge of approximately $58.2 million (net of related
deferred taxes of $32.7 million) representing the adjustment of the carrying
value of proved oil and gas properties pursuant to the full cost method of
accounting. Such adjustment will be included in the results of operations of
the Company in the period the Merger was consummated.
 
  Based on preliminary allocations of purchase price, the Company expects oil
and natural gas property depletion, depreciation and amortization to be
approximately $5.83 per Bbl in 1996. Absent significant changes in the
Company's operations or interest rates, general and administrative expenses
are expected to be approximately $3 million in 1996 and interest expense for
1996 should be approximately $17 million. Absent significant increases in
prices or increases in production through development or acquisition
activities, the Company will continue to incur net losses. In addition, the
Company will be incurring a 15% cumulative dividend on $20.0 million of
Preferred Stock (payable in cash or shares of Preferred Stock) issued to JEDI
in connection with the Merger. See Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements
included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
  The Company estimates that it has approximately $15.4 million in available
net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs"). While the Merger will result in a
change in control pursuant to (S)382 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company
does not expect such change to have any significant impact on its ability to
utilize its NOLs.
 
                                      44

 
                                   BUSINESS
 
GENERAL
 
  The Company is an independent energy company that is principally engaged in
the acquisition and exploitation of oil and natural gas properties. The
Company also owns and operates natural gas processing and liquids extraction
facilities and natural gas gathering systems. The Company seeks to acquire oil
and natural gas properties whose predominant economic value is attributable to
proved producing reserves and to enhance that value through control of
operations, reduction of costs and property development. The Company's
producing properties are concentrated in the mid-continent region of the
United States. At December 31, 1995, the Company had proved reserves of 42.6
Mmbbls of oil and 37.1 Bcf of natural gas, aggregating 48.8 Mmboe. Company
operated properties accounted for approximately 94% of its 1995 production of
3.9 Mmboe.
 
  As a result of the Company's successful acquisition and exploitation
activities, the Company has shown significant growth in reserves, production
and EBITDA over the last five years. From 1991 through 1995, the Company
achieved an average annual reserve replacement of 480% at an average cost of
$3.67 per Boe (with the acquisition of Diamond treated as a purchase instead
of a pooling). To achieve these results, management estimates that the Company
evaluated, over the last five years, in excess of 1,400 acquisition
opportunities with an aggregate market value estimated by management to exceed
$15 billion. Over the same period (with the acquisition of Diamond treated as
a purchase instead of a pooling), management estimates that the Company made
approximately 280 offers totaling more than $3 billion and successfully closed
in excess of 50 transactions having an aggregate purchase price of $172.2
million. This strategy enabled the Company to increase average net daily
production from 3,329 Boe in 1991 to 10,688 Boe in 1995, representing a
compound annual growth rate of 34%. Similarly, EBITDA increased at a 46%
compound annual growth rate from $8.2 million in 1991 to $37.3 million in
1995.
 
STRATEGY
 
  The Company's strategy is to increase oil and natural gas reserves,
production and cash flow by selectively acquiring and exploiting oil and
natural gas properties, especially those properties with enhanced recovery and
other lower risk development potential. In order to implement its strategy,
the Company principally seeks to acquire oil and natural gas properties with
the following characteristics:
 
  .  Geographic Focus--The Company has focused its acquisition activities in
     the mid-continent region of the United States. This region includes oil
     and natural gas basins with geological and production characteristics
     potentially responsive to the Company's exploitation and development
     techniques. Management believes that it has considerable experience in,
     and knowledge of, this region. The Company presently has four core
     operating areas: west Texas, north Texas, west central Oklahoma and
     southwestern Kansas. The geographic proximity of the Company's various
     properties allows the Company to minimize the number of operations and
     field production offices that it must maintain and the number of
     supervisory personnel that it must employ.
 
  .  Proved Developed Reserves--The Company prefers to acquire properties
     where the majority of the reserves are proved developed reserves
     producing from relatively shallow horizons. Management believes these
     properties generally present lower geologic and mechanical risks for
     drilling, recompleting and operating activities. Substantially all of
     the Company's wells are under 10,000 feet deep.
 
  .  Operated, High Working Interest Properties--The Company prefers to
     operate the properties it acquires and to own the majority working
     interest in those properties. This allows the
 
                                      45

 
     Company greater control over (i) timing and plans for future
     development, (ii) drilling, completing and lifting costs and (iii)
     marketing of production. At December 31, 1995, the Company operated
     approximately 2,052 of the 2,190 gross producing and active water
     injection wells in which it owned an interest, and its weighted average
     working interest in its properties was approximately 82%.
 
  .  Exploitation Potential--The Company seeks to increase production and
     recoverable reserves through exploitation efforts on the properties it
     acquires. Exploitation efforts include workovers and/or recompletions of
     existing wells; the initiation of, or improvements to, secondary
     recovery projects, particularly the use of waterflooding; and the
     drilling of lower risk development and/or infill wells. The Company
     believes that it has been able to enhance the value and to extend the
     economic life of many of the properties that it has acquired by
     utilizing techniques such as these.
 
  .  Cost Reduction Potential--The Company seeks to acquire properties where
     significant economic value can be created by lowering operating costs.
     The Company believes that it has been able to lower the lifting costs on
     certain properties it has acquired in comparison to the costs incurred
     by the major oil companies and larger independents that previously
     operated the properties. These savings were achieved through reductions
     in labor, electricity, materials and other costs.
 
  .  Price Improvement Potential--Whenever possible, the Company attempts to
     negotiate more favorable marketing agreements than those in place under
     prior owners. After the Company has begun its exploitation activities on
     its properties, it may attempt to negotiate more favorable prices as the
     volumes of oil increase. Certain of the Company's oil purchasers have
     paid and are currently paying a premium over posted prices and have
     eliminated certain quality and marketing deductions for a portion of the
     Company's oil production due to the Company's control over a significant
     volume of oil production in its core geographic areas.
 
  The Company believes that future acquisitions, like its past acquisitions,
will come from several categories of sellers including : (i) major oil
companies; (ii) companies that are consolidating operations to achieve cost
savings; (iii) companies and individuals owning interests in wells in which
the Company owns a substantial working interest; and (iv) companies with
limited capital resources.
 
  The success of the Company's strategy depends upon a number of factors
outside of the Company's control, including the availability of attractive
acquisition opportunities. In recent years, major oil companies have been
divesting many of their higher cost domestic oil and natural gas properties.
In addition, the oil and natural gas industry continues to consolidate as
smaller independents exit the business. The Company believes these trends will
continue. By increasing production and lowering operating costs, the Company
believes that it can increase economic value and cash flow as well as extend
the productive lives of these properties. See "--Exploitation and Development
Activities" and "Risk Factors--Acquisition Risks; Depletion of Reserves."
 
ACQUISITION AND EXPLOITATION OF PRINCIPAL PROPERTIES
 
 GENERAL
 
  Management estimates that the Company evaluated, over the last five years,
in excess of 1,400 acquisition opportunities with an aggregate market value
estimated by management to exceed $15 billion. Over the same period (with the
acquisition of Diamond treated as a purchase instead of a pooling), management
estimates that the Company made approximately 280 offers totaling more than $3
billion and successfully closed in excess of 50 transactions having an
aggregate purchase price of $172.2 million. Management estimates that in 1995,
the Company evaluated more than $4.5 billion of acquisition opportunities,
offered to purchase more than $1.2 billion of such opportunities and closed
transactions worth $25.4 million. The Company generally
 
                                      46

 
prefers to focus on larger acquisitions. It is management's opinion that
operating larger properties will allow even greater cost savings due to
economies of scale, as well as higher prices for oil and natural gas due to
the concentration of production in a given geographic area.
 
  The table below presents the results of the Company's acquisition activities
since January 1, 1991, showing the aggregate net purchase price and the
estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves purchased (with the acquisition
of Diamond treated as a purchase instead of a pooling). The reserve estimates
are shown as of the dates of acquisition, were generally derived from the
studies prepared by in-house engineers prior to the acquisition, and have not
been adjusted for subsequent revisions, if any.
 


                                           PROVED RESERVES WHEN ACQUIRED
                           AGGREGATE NET   ---------------------------------
                         PURCHASE PRICE(1)    OIL        GAS       COMBINED    ACQUISITION
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,   (IN THOUSANDS)    (MBBLS)     (MMCF)       MBOE     COST (PER BOE)
- -----------------------  ----------------- ----------  ---------  ----------  --------------
                                                               
1991....................      $16,368           8,100        808        8,235     $1.99
1992....................       20,546           5,448      2,466        5,859      3.51
1993....................       36,872           5,521      8,881        7,001      5.27
1994....................       73,100          15,900      9,123       17,421      4.20
1995....................       25,363           7,324      7,298        8,540      2.97

- --------
(1) Includes the value attributable to cash and non-cash consideration and
    reflects credits against the gross purchase price for production from the
    effective date of the acquisition through the actual closing date. Does
    not include future development costs.
 
 HISTORICAL ACQUISITIONS
 
  Since 1991, the Company has been actively engaged in the acquisition of
producing oil and natural gas properties located primarily in north Texas, the
Permian Basin in west Texas, west central Oklahoma and southwestern Kansas.
These acquisitions have permitted the Company to develop concentrated
ownership positions in certain producing fields, building on the Company's
knowledge of the reservoir characteristics in these areas and enhancing the
Company's ability to operate these properties more efficiently than prior
owners.
 
  1991 Acquisitions. During 1991, the Company consummated three major
purchases in north Texas and the Permian Basin in west Texas, which
established those areas as core operating areas for the Company. In March
1991, the Company paid approximately $2.9 million to acquire an existing
waterflood project located in the Wichita County Regular Field of the West
Burkburnett Area of north Texas. In May 1991, the Company paid approximately
$2.7 million to acquire 16 producing wells in the McElroy Field located in
Upton County in west Texas. The Company subsequently initiated a waterflood
project on this lease. In July 1991, the Company paid $10.5 million to acquire
an existing waterflood project and a natural gas processing plant and
gathering facility located in Wichita and Wilberger Counties in north Texas
(the "Electra Properties").
 
  1992 Acquisitions. The December 1992 purchase of producing oil and natural
gas properties located in the Permian Basin in west Texas and in north Texas
furthered the Company's objective of acquiring proved reserves in concentrated
geographic locations in which the Company was familiar with the geology and
other reservoir characteristics. These properties already were operating on
waterflood recovery. In the first of these acquisitions, the Company paid an
aggregate of approximately $17.2 million to acquire interests in 13 producing
oil and natural gas properties located in the Permian Basin of west Texas and
Lea County, New Mexico. One of these properties, the Shafter Lake Unit, is a
12,720 acre San Andres formation waterflood project. In the second
acquisition, the Company paid approximately $4.1 million to acquire working
interests in an existing waterflood project plus ancillary assets located in
Wichita, Wilberger and Hardeman Counties in north Texas. These properties are
adjacent to the Company's Electra Properties, which were acquired in 1991.
 
                                      47

 
  1993 Acquisitions. In 1993, the Company concluded two significant
acquisitions. The first acquisition created the Company's core operating area
in southwestern Kansas. These properties were acquired from Mobil Oil
Corporation for approximately $15.8 million. The second acquisition, MJM Oil &
Gas, Inc. ("MJM"), added properties in the Company's core operating areas of
north Texas, the Permian Basin of west Texas and west central Oklahoma.
 
  1994 Acquisitions. The most significant acquisition of oil and natural gas
properties during 1994 was the Company's acquisition of Diamond, whose
properties are principally concentrated in west central Oklahoma.
Substantially all of Diamond's properties are waterflood recovery projects
which were initiated and developed by Diamond. This acquisition also brought
to the Company additional management with experience in waterflood recovery
projects. The Company also completed two acquisitions of properties located in
west Texas in December 1994, as well as several other smaller acquisitions.
The Company paid an aggregate of $73.1 million in connection with its
acquisitions during 1994 (including $21.4 million of the Company's Common
Stock issued in connection with the Diamond merger).
 
  1995 Acquisitions. On October 6, 1995, the Company acquired 63 producing oil
and natural gas properties and related assets from Snyder. The majority of
these properties are located in the Permian Basin in west Texas. The total
purchase price of these properties was $17.1 million in cash, of which $16.0
million was financed with borrowings under the Company's then-existing credit
agreement. The Company believes that these properties present exploitation
opportunities, including opportunities to implement cost-cutting strategies
and initiate or improve secondary recovery operations and lower risk
development drilling activities. The Snyder Acquisition complements the
Company's core operating areas within the mid-continent region of the United
States. In addition to the Snyder Acquisition, the Company completed several
other smaller acquisitions during 1995. The aggregate purchase price of the
Company's acquisitions during 1995 was $25.4 million.
 
  The Company does not have a specific acquisition budget since the timing and
size of acquisitions are difficult to forecast. The Company is constantly
reviewing acquisition possibilities and anticipates acquisitions in 1996 and
thereafter. The Company may expand its geographic core areas if it identifies
properties that complement its current activities and that it believes will
likely be responsive to the Company's exploitation strategy. At the present
time, the Company has no binding agreements with respect to any significant
acquisitions.
 
EXPLOITATION AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
 
 GENERAL
 
  The Company concentrates on exploiting proved producing properties,
including those with development potential, through workovers, behind the pipe
recompletions, secondary recovery operations, the drilling of development
wells or infill wells and other exploitation techniques. The Company has
conducted or intends to conduct significant secondary recovery/infill drilling
programs on many of the properties it has acquired.
 
  Secondary recovery projects have represented the Company's primary
development focus over the past four years. Generally, "secondary recovery"
refers to methods of oil extraction in which fluid or gas (usually water,
natural gas or CO/2/) is injected into a formation through input (injector)
wells, and oil is removed from surrounding wells. "Waterflooding" is one
proven method of secondary recovery in which water is injected into an oil
reservoir for the purpose of forcing the oil out of the reservoir rock and
into the bore of a producing well. Waterflood projects are engineered to suit
the type of reservoir, depth and condition of the field. The Company has
considerable experience with and actively employs waterflood techniques in
many of its fields in order to stimulate production.
 
 
                                      48

 
  The Company also seeks to exploit its properties through cost reduction
measures, including the reduction of labor, electrical and materials costs. It
seeks to take advantage of volume discounts in the purchase of equipment and
supplies and more effectively utilize field facilities and equipment by virtue
of its geographical concentration. The Company attempts to negotiate more
favorable marketing agreements upon completion of an acquisition, particularly
for oil production. Certain oil purchasers have paid in the past and are
currently paying a premium over posted prices and have eliminated certain
quality and marketing deductions for a portion of the Company's oil production
due to the Company's control over a significant volume of oil production in
its core geographic areas.
 
  The Company makes only limited investments in exploratory drilling.
 
 EXPLOITATION RESULTS
 
  The properties presented in this table represent the ten largest properties
in which the Company had an ownership position as of January 1, 1995, based
upon the present value of estimated future net revenues at December 31, 1995.
These ten properties represent 65% of the present value of estimated future
net revenues at December 31, 1995, as estimated by the Company's independent
engineers, and are among the Company's most successful projects to date. The
present value of estimated future net revenues at December 31, 1995 and the
financial data presented provide an indication of the results of the Company's
exploitation strategy to date; however, certain of the properties acquired by
the Company have not been as successful as those described below and there can
be no assurance that the results presented below will be indicative of the
Company's future exploitation activities.
 


                                                       A          B              C        (A+B+C)      D            E        (D+E)
                                                                                                              PRESENT VALUE
            PROPERTY (INITIAL                       ORIGINAL   COST OF                                        OF ESTIMATED
              ACQUISITION/                          PURCHASE  ADDITIONAL      CAPITAL                 NET      FUTURE NET
          UNITIZATION DATE)(1)                      PRICE(2) PURCHASES(3) EXPENDITURES(4)  TOTAL  REVENUES(5)  REVENUES(6)   TOTAL
          --------------------                      -------- ------------ --------------- ------- ----------- ------------- --------
                                                                                     (in thousands)
                                                                                                       
Andrews Wolfcamp Field (Various).........           $ 7,690    $ 7,565        $   606     $15,861   $ 6,968     $ 50,406    $ 57,374
Oakdale Red Fork Unit (4/1/91)...........             3,217      8,205          2,269      13,691     5,350       31,925      37,275
Shafter Lake San Andres Unit (10/1/92)...             7,613        836          3,771      12,220     4,210       28,949      33,159
Calumet Cottage Grove Unit (5/1/92)......             6,855      7,134          2,830      16,819    11,764       23,132      34,896
Chadbourne Ranch (9/30/93)...............             8,252        222          6,002      14,476     8,424       11,662      20,086
McElroy (5/1/91).........................             2,730        403          2,084       5,217       976       10,013      10,989
S.M.A. Unit "B" (3/1/91).................             1,760        --           6,149       7,909     4,832        9,385      14,217
Cutter South Unit (6/1/93)...............             1,343        332            642       2,317       536        6,984       7,520
B.A. Bywaters (7/1/91)...................             1,694        --           4,154       5,848     2,821        5,931       8,752
L.K. Johnson (9/30/93)...................             2,501        100          1,071       3,672     1,235        4,833       6,068
                                                    -------    -------        -------     -------   -------     --------    --------
 Totals..................................           $43,655    $24,797        $29,578     $98,030   $47,116     $183,220    $230,336
                                                    =======    =======        =======     =======   =======     ========    ========

- --------
(1) Shows the effective date of acquisition by the Company or the date that
    unitization was approved by the appropriate regulatory agency.
(2) Represents the amount of the original purchase price allocated to this
    property.
(3) Represents the amount of the purchase price of additional interests
    acquired in the property.
(4) Represents capital expenditures incurred in the Company's exploitation of
    each of the indicated properties.
(5) Represents the sum of all revenues recorded by the Company on the property
    since the date of acquisition less the total of all operating expenses
    (excluding overhead charged by the Company) and severance and other taxes
    on the property.
(6) Represents the present value of estimated future net revenues at December
    31, 1995, discounted at an annual rate of 10%, as determined by the
    Company's independent engineers. See "Glossary."
 
                                      49

 
  Andrews Wolfcamp Field. On January 1, 1993, as part of a larger acquisition,
the Company took over operations of three leases in the Andrews Wolfcamp
Field. These leases produce primarily from the Wolfcamp and Pennsylvanian
formations at an average depth of 9,000 feet and are located in Andrews
County, Texas. The Company recognized the waterflood potential of this field
and thus began acquiring offset leases. In July 1994, the Company purchased a
100% working interest in three adjacent properties with five active wells. In
December 1994, the Company purchased 100% working interests in two additional
leases and a 93.8% working interest in a third lease. The Company purchased
several additional minor leases in 1995. The Company produced an average of
475 Bbls and 1,196 Mcf per day from 36 wells on these leases in December 1995.
The Company has begun the process of unitizing the field and under the
proposed plan of participation, the Company will have a 96.4% working interest
in the unit. The Company anticipates initiating waterflood activities in the
third quarter of 1996. Remaining proved reserves, net to the Company's
interest, were estimated by the Company's independent engineers to be 7,551
Mbbls and 2,107 Mmcf at December 31, 1995.
 
  Oakdale Red Fork Unit. Recognizing that the Oakdale Red Fork Field located
in Woods County, Oklahoma was an excellent candidate for secondary recovery,
the Company began acquiring leases in 1991. At that time, cumulative
production from the field was a total of 4.9 Mmbbls of oil from the Red Fork
Formation at an average depth of 5,800 feet. In April 1991, even though a
prior attempt by another party to unitize the field had failed, the Company
was able to effect unitization and assume operational control of the unit. The
unit was producing 30 Bbls per day when the Company installed a waterflood
project in 1991. Average daily oil and natural gas production in December 1995
was 1,471 Bbls per day. The Company increased its ownership in the unit to an
89% working interest through acquisitions in December 1994 and February 1995.
Remaining proved reserves, net to the Company's interest, were estimated by
the Company's independent engineers to be 4,246 Mbbls and 659 Mmcf at December
31, 1995.
 
  Shafter Lake San Andres Unit. On January 1, 1993, the Company became the
operator of the Shafter Lake San Andres Unit in Andrews County, Texas by
acquiring a 49% working interest in the unit from the prior operator. At that
time, this 12,720 acre unit was producing 743 Bbls per day from the
Grayburg/San Andres formation at an average depth of 4,500 feet. The Company
has since acquired an additional 14% working interest in this property through
eleven different acquisitions. In 1993, the Company expanded an east-west line
drive waterflood pattern by converting eight wells to water injection. The
Company continued expanding this pattern in 1994 and 1995 by drilling 21
additional producing wells and converting nine existing wells to water
injection. In December 1995, average daily production was 1,071 Bbls from 111
producing wells and 36 water injection wells. The Company has identified 58
additional drilling locations. Remaining proved reserves, net to the Company's
interest, were estimated by the Company's independent engineers to be 4,871
Mbbls and 1,407 Mmcf at December 31, 1995.
 
  Calumet Cottage Grove Unit. The Company recognized the secondary recovery
potential of this field, located in Canadian County, Oklahoma, in 1991. The
Company made approximately 100 separate acquisitions of leases prior to
forming the unit. During the unitization of this 11,440 acre unit, the Company
solicited approvals from 801 working interest and royalty interest owners. The
acquisition and unitization process took over 18 months to complete before the
unit was finally formed in May 1992. Average daily oil production increased
from 229 Bbls to over 3,300 Bbls within 26 months of initiating water
injection and in December 1995 was 2,986 Bbls. Remaining proved reserves, net
to the Company's 43.8% working interest, were estimated by the Company's
independent engineers to be 2,511 Mbbls at December 31, 1995.
 
  Chadbourne Ranch. The Company obtained 14 leases in the West Fort Chadbourne
Field located in Coke and Runnels Counties, Texas in September 1993 as part of
the acquisition of MJM. The Company has also leased 240 offsetting acres.
While there are multiple pay zones in this field,
 
                                      50

 
the production is primarily from the Odom formation at a depth of
approximately 5,500 feet. The Company has drilled 18 wells in this field. In
December 1995, the average daily production was 632 Bbls and 1,670 Mcf from 39
wells. The Company has produced, net to its interest, 559 Mbbls and 1,379 Mmcf
since acquisition. The Company has identified four additional drilling
locations. Remaining proved reserves, net to the Company's interest, were
estimated by the Company's independent engineers to be 1,089 Mbbls and 3,151
Mmcf at December 31, 1995.
 
  McElroy. On July 1, 1991, the Company acquired a 100% working interest in
the Hardwicke University Section 48 lease in Upton County, Texas. The lease is
on the eastern flank of the McElroy Field and produces from the Grayburg/San
Andres formation from an average depth of 3,600 feet. Cumulative primary
production from this 160 acre lease is over 3.0 Mmbbls of primary oil. In
October 1992, the Company initiated a waterflood program by drilling six
injection wells and one producing well and converting one existing well to
injection. In September 1993, the Company acquired a 100% working interest in
four offsetting leases totaling 240 acres. Response from the waterflood has
not met the initial projections of the Company's engineers and as a result,
the expansion of waterflood operations on these leases will not occur until
performance on the existing waterflood improves. Average production in the
field in December 1995 was 112 Bbls and 143 Mcf per day. Remaining proved
reserves, net to the Company's interest, were estimated by the Company's
independent engineers to be 1,755 Mbbls and 754 Mmcf at December 31, 1995.
 
  S.M.A. Unit "B". In March 1991, the Company acquired the S.M.A. Unit "B"
along with six smaller leases in the Wichita County Regular Field in Wichita
County, Texas. Initially, the Company acquired only an 89% working interest in
the S.M.A. Unit "B." Later in 1991, the Company purchased the remaining 11%
working interest. At the time of acquisition, there were 37 producing wells
and 24 water injection wells producing 165 Bbls per day from an average depth
of 1,750 feet. The Company has since implemented a five spot waterflood
pattern by drilling 60 producing wells and 46 water injection wells and
converting 15 wells to water injection. Average daily production in December
1995 was 475 Bbls from 94 producing wells and 77 water injection wells. The
Company has identified 14 additional drilling locations. Remaining proved
reserves, net to the Company's interest, were estimated by the Company's
independent engineers to be 1,597 Mbbls at December 31, 1995. The Company is
planning to install a pilot test of an enhanced recovery process on this
property in 1996.
 
  Cutter South Mississippian Unit. In June 1993, the Company acquired nine
leases and assumed operations of 11 producing wells in the Cutter South Field
in Stevens County, Kansas. Average daily production was 80 Bbls when the
Company took over operation of these leases. Production is from the Chester
formation at an average depth of 6,000 feet, which lies below the Hugoton Gas
Field. While performing its evaluation prior to acquisition, the Company
recognized that these properties could be successfully exploited by secondary
recovery. The Company acquired three additional edge leases in this field in
1994 and 1995. On June 1, 1995, the Company was able to complete the
unitization of the field. The injection of water into the producing formation
began in November 1995. Ultimately, the Company plans to have 14 water
injection wells in the unit. The Company's working interest in the unit is
93.5% and average daily production was 82 Bbls in December 1995. Remaining
proved reserves, net to the Company's interest, were estimated by the
Company's independent engineers to be 793 Mbbls and 110 Mmcf at December 31,
1995.
 
  B.A. Bywaters. The Company acquired a 100% working interest in the B.A.
Bywaters lease on July 1, 1991. This lease is in the Wichita County Special
Field in Wichita County, Texas and produces from multiple Pennsylvanian sands
ranging from 300 to 2,000 feet. There were 26 wells producing 85 Bbls per day
when the Company took over operations in July 1991. The Company has since
drilled 33 producing wells and 29 injector wells and converted seven wells to
water injection. Production from 55 wells in December 1995 averaged 372 Bbls
per day. The Company has identified four additional drilling locations.
Remaining proved reserves, net to the Company's interest, were estimated by
the Company's independent engineers to be 1,101 Mbbls and 104 Mmcf at December
31, 1995.
 
                                      51

 
  L.K. Johnson. The Company acquired a 50% working interest in, and the
operations of, the L.K. Johnson lease in Foard County, Texas as part of the
MJM acquisition in September 1993. The Company has since acquired an
additional 1.5% working interest in the lease. In September 1993, production
from 18 wells averaged 163 Bbls per day from five productive horizons ranging
in depth from 2,400 to 4,000 feet. The Company has since drilled eight
additional producing wells. A pilot waterflood project began in February 1996
in the Cisco "K" field on this lease. Average daily production was 160 Bbls
and 309 Mcf in December 1995. The Company has identified 14 additional
drilling locations. Remaining proved reserves, net to the Company's interest,
were estimated by the Company's independent engineers to be 763 Mbbls and
1,104 Mmcf at December 31, 1995.
 
MARKETING
 
  With the exception of the Taurus operations (see "--Gas Plants and Gathering
Systems Operations" below), the Company does not refine or process any of the
oil and natural gas it produces. The Company's oil and natural gas production
is sold to various purchasers typically in the areas where the oil or natural
gas is produced. The Company is currently able to sell, under contract or in
the spot market, all of the oil and most of the natural gas it is capable of
producing at current market prices. Substantially all of the Company's oil and
natural gas is sold under short term contracts or contracts providing for
periodic adjustments or in the spot market; therefore, its revenue streams are
highly sensitive to changes in current market prices. Certain of the Company's
oil purchasers have paid in the past and are currently paying a premium over
posted prices and have eliminated certain quality and marketing deductions for
a portion of the Company's oil production due to the Company's control over a
significant volume of oil production in its core geographic areas. The
Company's principal market for natural gas is pipeline companies as opposed to
end users.
 
  In an effort to reduce the effects of the volatility of the price of crude
oil and natural gas on the Company's operations, management has adopted a
policy of hedging oil and gas prices whenever market prices are in excess of
the prices anticipated in the Company's operating budget and profit plan
through the use of commodity futures, options and swap agreements. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Changes in Prices and Hedging Activities" and Note 7 of Notes to
the Company's Historical Financial Statements.
 
  During the year ended December 31, 1994, sales of oil and natural gas to
Amoco Production Company and EOTT Energy Operating Limited Partnership, a
subsidiary of Enron ("EOTT"), accounted for 13% and 22%, respectively, of the
Company's consolidated revenues. During the year ended December 31, 1995,
sales of oil and natural gas to Amoco Production Company and EOTT accounted
for 10% and 18%, respectively, of the Company's consolidated revenues. EOTT is
a subsidiary of Enron and an affiliate of the Company, ECT and ECT Securities,
Inc. See "Certain Transactions." Management believes that in the event these
purchasers were to discontinue their purchases, the Company could quickly
locate other buyers and, therefore, the loss of these purchasers would not
have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of
operations. However, short term disruptions could occur while the Company
sought alternative buyers.
 
OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVES
 
  The following tables summarize certain information regarding the Company's
estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves as of December 31, 1993, 1994
and 1995. Such estimated reserves, as set forth herein and in Note 10 of Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements, are based upon reports prepared by Lee
Keeling and Associates, Inc., independent consulting petroleum engineers. A
summary of the December 31, 1995 report is included in this Prospectus as
Annex A. Reserve estimates as of December 31, 1993 for Diamond were prepared
by Diamond's in-house engineers. All such reserves are located in the United
States. All reserves are evaluated at contract temperature and pressure which
can affect the measurement of natural gas reserves. For further information,
see Note
 
                                      52

 
10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Reserve estimates are
inherently imprecise and there can be no assurance that the reserves set forth
below will ultimately be produced at all or at the prices and costs assumed in
the estimates of future net revenues. See "Risk Factors--Reliance on Estimates
of Proved Reserves and Future Net Revenues" and "Experts."
 
  The following table sets forth proved reserves considered to be economically
recoverable under normal operating methods and existing conditions, at prices
and operating costs prevailing at the dates indicated below.
 


                                                    DECEMBER 31,
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                          1993          1994          1995
                                      ------------- ------------- -------------
                                                   (in thousands)
                                       OIL    GAS    OIL    GAS    OIL    GAS
                                      (BBLS) (MCF)  (BBLS) (MCF)  (BBLS) (MCF)
                                      ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
                                                       
Proved developed reserves............ 16,230 30,573 20,151 32,890 25,877 31,496
Proved undeveloped reserves.......... 13,854  5,623 19,056  6,918 16,713  5,634
                                      ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
  Total proved reserves.............. 30,084 36,196 39,207 39,808 42,590 37,130
                                      ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======

 
  No major discovery or other favorable or adverse event is believed to have
caused a significant change in these estimates of the Company's proved
reserves since January 1, 1996.
 
  Except for Form EIA 23, "Annual Survey of Domestic Oil and Gas Reserves,"
filed with the United States Department of Energy, no other estimates of total
proven net oil or gas reserves have been filed by the Company with, or
included in any report to, any United States authority or agency pertaining to
the Company's individual reserves since the beginning of the Company's last
fiscal year. Reserves reported in Form EIA 23 are comparable to the reserves
reported by the Company herein.
 
OPERATIONS DATA
 
  Productive Wells. The following table sets forth the total gross and net
productive wells in which the Company owned an interest as of December 31,
1995. Substantially all of the Company's wells are under 10,000 feet deep.
 


                                                           GROSS (1)   NET (1)
                                                           ---------- ----------
                                                           OIL(2) GAS OIL(2) GAS
                                                           ------ --- ------ ---
                                                                 
     Texas................................................ 1,802   16 1,561    8
     Oklahoma.............................................   258   27   145    8
     Kansas...............................................    76    5    67    4
     Other................................................     6  --      1  --
                                                           -----  --- -----  ---
       Total.............................................. 2,142   48 1,774   20
                                                           =====  === =====  ===

    --------
    (1) The number of gross wells is the total number of wells in which a
        fractional working interest is owned. The number of net wells is
        the sum of the fractional working interests owned by the Company in
        gross wells.
    (2) The oil well category includes 615 gross and 524 net active water
        injection and utility wells which are necessary for the operation
        of the Company's waterflood projects.
 
  Production Economics. The following table shows the approximate net
production attributable to the Company's oil and natural gas interests, the
average sales price and the average production and depletion, depreciation and
amortization expenses per Bbl of oil and Mcf of natural gas attributable to
the Company's oil and natural gas production for the periods indicated.
Production and sales information relating to properties acquired or disposed
of is reflected in this table only since or up to
 
                                      53

 
the closing date of their respective acquisition or sale and may affect the
comparability of the data between the periods presented.
 


                                                       YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                      --------------------------
                                                        1993     1994     1995
                                                      -------- -------- --------
                                                               
   OIL AND NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION
    Oil (Mbbls)......................................    1,766    2,650    3,165
    Natural gas (Mmcf)...............................    4,703    4,982    4,416
   AVERAGE SALES PRICES (1)
    Oil (Bbl)........................................   $16.88   $15.86   $17.08
    Natural gas (Mcf)................................     1.92     1.74     1.57
   PRODUCTION COST (2)
    Per equivalent Bbl (3)...........................    $6.90    $6.22    $6.95
    Per dollar of sales..............................     0.45     0.43     0.44
   DEPLETION, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
    Per equivalent Bbl (3)...........................    $4.15    $4.27    $4.33
    Per dollar of sales..............................     0.27     0.29     0.28

  --------
  (1) Before deduction of production taxes and net of hedging results for
      the three years ended December 31, 1995.
  (2) Excludes depletion, depreciation and amortization. Production cost
      includes lease operating expenses and production and ad valorem taxes,
      if applicable.
  (3) Natural gas production is converted to equivalent barrels of oil at
      the rate of six Mcf of natural gas per barrel, representing the
      estimated relative energy content of natural gas and oil.
 
  The following table sets forth the results of the Company's annual drilling
activities (wells completed or abandoned) as of fiscal year end. At January
31, 1996, the Company was in the process of drilling one well.
 


                                      1993            1994            1995
                                 --------------- --------------- ---------------
                                 GROSS(1) NET(1) GROSS(1) NET(1) GROSS(1) NET(1)
                                 -------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ------
                                                        
   EXPLORATORY:
     Oil........................   --       --     --       --     --       --
     Gas........................   --       --       1     0.38      2     0.75
     Dry........................   --       --     --       --     --       --
                                   ---    -----    ---    -----    ---    -----
       Total....................   --       --       1     0.38      2     0.75
                                   ===    =====    ===    =====    ===    =====
   DEVELOPMENT:
     Oil........................    57    55.09     86    66.68    109    98.88
     Gas........................   --       --     --       --     --       --
     Dry........................   --       --       1     0.50    --       --
                                   ---    -----    ---    -----    ---    -----
       Total....................    57    55.09     87    67.18    109    98.88
                                   ===    =====    ===    =====    ===    =====
   TOTAL:
     Oil........................    57    55.09     86    66.68    109    98.88
     Gas........................   --       --       1     0.38      2     0.75
     Dry........................   --       --       1     0.50    --       --
                                   ---    -----    ---    -----    ---    -----
       Total....................    57    55.09     88    67.56    111    99.63
                                   ===    =====    ===    =====    ===    =====

  --------
  (1) The number of gross wells is the total number of wells in which the
      Company owns a fractional working interest. The number of net wells is
      the sum of the fractional working interests owned by the Company in
      gross wells.
 
  For purposes of the table above, an "exploratory well" is a well drilled to
find and produce oil or natural gas in an unproved area, to find a reservoir
in a field previously found to be productive of oil or gas in another
reservoir or to extend a known reservoir. A "development well" is a well
drilled within
 
                                      54

 
the proven boundaries of an oil or natural gas reservoir with the intention of
completing the stratigraphic horizon known to be productive. A "dry well" is
an exploratory or development well found to be incapable of producing either
oil or gas in sufficient quantities to justify completion as an oil or natural
gas well.
 
DEVELOPED AND UNDEVELOPED ACREAGE
 
  The following table sets forth the approximate gross acres and net acres of
productive properties in which the Company owned a leasehold interest as of
December 31, 1995. Gross acres refers to the total acres in which the Company
has a working interest, and net acres refers to the fractional working
interests owned by or attributable to the Company multiplied by the gross
acres in which the Company has a working interest. Developed acreage is that
acreage spaced or assignable to productive wells. Undeveloped acreage is
considered to be that acreage on which wells have not been drilled or
completed to a point that would permit the production of commercial quantities
of oil and natural gas regardless of whether or not such acreage contains
proved reserves. At December 31, 1995, the Company had no significant amount
of undeveloped acreage.
 


                                                                    DEVELOPED
                                                                  --------------
                                                                   GROSS   NET
                                                                  ------- ------
                                                                    
     Texas.......................................................  93,615 51,998
     Oklahoma....................................................  49,585 24,559
     Kansas......................................................  16,199 13,856
     Other.......................................................   5,341  1,817
                                                                  ------- ------
       Total..................................................... 164,740 92,230
                                                                  ======= ======

 
  Essentially all of the Company's oil and gas interests are leasehold working
interests or overriding royalty interests under standard onshore oil and
natural gas leases, rather than mineral or fee interests.
 
GAS PLANTS AND GATHERING SYSTEM OPERATIONS
 
  On April 29, 1994, the Company acquired by merger all of the issued and
outstanding common stock of Taurus, in exchange for 1.5 million shares of
Coda's Common Stock, valued at approximately $7.3 million, and approximately
$3.3 million in cash. The Company assumed existing Taurus indebtedness of
approximately $9.8 million. Taurus owns and operates three natural gas
processing facilities and approximately 700 miles of natural gas gathering
systems, primarily located in west central Texas. Taurus represented
approximately nine percent of the Company's consolidated 1995 EBITDA of
approximately $37.3 million.
 
  In July 1994, Taurus acquired ownership of the Shackelford gas processing
plant and gathering system ("Shackelford"). Taurus had previously been
operating the Shackelford system and plant under operating leases. Shackelford
consists of approximately 210 miles of pipeline located in Shackelford,
Callahan, Stephens and Throckmorton Counties, Texas. The plant is a 30,000 Mcf
per day capacity refrigerated lean oil absorption plant located near Putnam,
Texas. The steel gathering lines range in size from 3 inches to 10 inches in
diameter. There are over 100 purchase, check and sales meters. The system
utilizes 14 compressors with over 3,000 total horsepower.
 
  In January 1995, Taurus acquired the remaining 42% interest in the Hamlin
gas processing plant and gathering system ("Hamlin"). The Hamlin gathering
system consists of about 450 miles of low pressure gathering lines and twelve
compressor stations in Fisher, Cottle, Taylor, Stonewall, Jones, Haskell, King
and Knox Counties, Texas. The Hamlin plant utilizes a cryogenic process and
has a processing capacity of 20,000 Mcf per day. Gas supply to the system
consists almost entirely of high
 
                                      55

 
BTU casinghead gas. The Hamlin plant produces a demethanized stream which is
delivered into a products pipeline.
 
  The following table shows certain financial data in respect of the Company's
gas gathering and processing operations, including Taurus, for the three years
ended December 31, 1995 .
 


                                                          1993   1994    1995
                                                         ------ ------- -------
                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                               
     Gas sales.......................................... $   -- $12,261 $21,038
     Natural gas liquids sales..........................    732   7,771  14,597
     Operating margin...................................    162   2,724   5,161
     EBITDA.............................................      7   2,073   3,354
     Total assets.......................................  1,157  32,577  38,040

 
  The Merger Agreement originally required as a condition to JEDI's
consummation of the Merger that the Company sell Taurus on terms acceptable to
JEDI. However, negotiations with prospective purchasers for Taurus failed to
progress beyond preliminary stages and by December 1995, the Company's
management and JEDI had concluded a timely sale of Taurus upon terms
satisfactory to JEDI was not feasible or likely. Subsequently, the Merger
Agreement was amended to remove this condition. The Company intends to study
alternatives for maximizing the value of its investment in Taurus. These
alternatives could include a sale of Taurus, whether by merger, sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of Taurus or sale of all of the capital stock
of Taurus.
 
  Sales and markets. Taurus' two largest plants and gathering systems,
Shackelford and Hamlin, account for the majority of Taurus' revenue.
 
  Taurus sells its residue gas from Shackelford to a variety of large natural
gas purchasers under short-term contracts at market sensitive prices. Residue
gas from Shackelford can be delivered into either one of two major pipeline
systems. These connections provide significant marketing flexibility by giving
access to major marketing hubs in east Texas, west Texas and the Gulf Coast.
Major natural gas consuming markets in California, the Midwest, the Northeast
and along the Texas Gulf Coast can be accessed through these market hubs.
Generally, residue gas is sold under short-term contracts either at the
tailgate of the Shackelford Plant or out of the intrastate pipeline.
 
  The Shackelford Plant produces a demethanized stream which is delivered into
a products pipeline. Ethane, normal butane and natural gasoline components of
the product stream are generally sold as they enter the pipeline. The
remaining components of the product stream are then sold under short term
agreements to various customers at a central marketing point in Mont Belvieu,
Texas. A transportation and fractionation fee is paid on all gallons not sold
to the pipeline owner.
 
  Residue gas from Hamlin can be delivered into either the Palo Duro Pipeline
or the Lone Star Gas pipeline. These connections afford Taurus the opportunity
to offer residue gas from both Hamlin and Shackelford as a package which
increases the marketing flexibility and leverage of both plants. Since
assuming operation of Hamlin, Taurus has sold all residue gas under short term
contracts at market sensitive prices to a variety of large purchasers.
 
  The Hamlin Plant produces a demethanized stream which is delivered into a
products pipeline. All of Hamlin's liquids production is being sold under
agreements that provide for market index prices less a transportation and
fractionation fee.
 
  Purchases. Taurus purchases gas for Shackelford from approximately 250 wells
in Shackelford, Callahan, Stephens and Throckmorton Counties, Texas. The
majority of the production connected to the gathering system is low volume
casinghead gas. The system is operated at low pressure with lateral line
pressures ranging from 15 to 150 psi. The mainline pressure averages about 300
psi.
 
                                      56

 
  Taurus utilizes two base forms of gas purchase agreements: percentage of
proceeds and fixed price. Percentage contracts provide that the seller is
allocated its proportionate share of residue gas sales and natural gas liquids
production. Fixed price contracts, which generally provide for acreage
dedications, are for primary terms of up to 20 years with annual renewals
thereafter. The purchase price to be paid is stated in the contract and is
subject to annual price redetermination if certain specific conditions are
met.
 
  The natural gas connected to Shackelford is purchased under both percentage
and fixed price contracts. The majority of the natural gas connected to Hamlin
is being purchased utilizing percentage of proceeds contracts. There are about
200 natural gas purchase agreements covering over 450 wells connected to
Hamlin. Less than two percent of Taurus' purchases are from the Company's
wells.
 
MARKETS AND COMPETITION
 
  The oil and natural gas industry is highly competitive. Competitors include
major oil companies, other independent oil and natural gas concerns, and
individual producers and operators, many of which have financial resources,
staffs and facilities substantially greater than those of the Company. In
addition, the Company encounters substantial competition in acquiring oil and
natural gas properties, marketing oil and natural gas and securing trained
personnel. When possible, the Company tries to avoid open competitive bidding
for acquisition opportunities. The principal means of competition with respect
to the sale of oil and natural gas production are product availability and
price. While it is not possible for the Company to state accurately its
position in the oil and natural gas industry, the Company believes that it
represents a minor competitive factor.
 
  The market for oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids produced by the
Company depends on factors beyond its control, including domestic and foreign
political conditions, the overall level of supply of and demand for oil,
natural gas and natural gas liquids, the price of imports of oil and natural
gas, weather conditions, the price and availability of alternative fuels, the
proximity and capacity of natural gas pipelines and other transportation
facilities and overall economic conditions. The oil and natural gas industry
as a whole also competes with other industries in supplying the energy and
fuel requirements of industrial, commercial and individual consumers.
 
REGULATION
 
  The Company's operations are affected in various degrees by political
developments, federal and state laws and regulations. In particular, oil and
natural gas production operations and economics are affected by price
controls, tax and other laws relating to the petroleum industry, by changes in
such laws and by changes in administrative regulations and the interpretation
and application of such rules and regulations.
 
  Sales of oil and natural gas liquids by the Company are not regulated and
are made at market prices. The price the Company receives from the sale of
these products is affected by the cost of transporting the products to market.
Effective as of January 1, 1995, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
implemented regulations establishing an indexing system for transportation
rates for oil pipelines, which, generally, would index such rates to
inflation, subject to certain conditions and limitations. These regulations
could increase the cost of transporting oil and natural gas liquids by
pipeline, although the most recent adjustment generally decreased rates. These
regulations are subject to pending petitions for judicial review. The Company
is not able to predict with certainty what effect, if any, these regulations
will have on it, but, other factors being equal, the regulations may, over
time, tend to increase transportation costs or reduce wellhead prices for oil
and natural gas liquids.
 
 
                                      57

 
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
 
  Operations of the Company are subject to numerous and constantly changing
federal, state and local laws and regulations governing the discharge of
materials into the environment or otherwise relating to environmental
protection. These laws and regulations may require the acquisition of certain
permits, restrict or prohibit the types, quantities and concentration of
substances that can be released into the environment in connection with
drilling and production, restrict or prohibit drilling activities that could
impact wetlands, endangered or threatened species or other protected natural
resources and impose substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from the
Company's operations. Such laws and regulations may substantially increase the
cost of exploring for, developing or producing oil and natural gas and may
prevent or delay the commencement or continuation of a given project. In the
opinion of the Company's management, the Company is in substantial compliance
with current applicable environmental laws and regulations, and the cost of
compliance with such laws and regulations has not been material and is not
expected to be material during the next fiscal year. However, changes in
existing environmental laws and regulations or in interpretations thereof
could have a significant impact on the operating costs of the Company, as well
as the oil and natural gas industry in general. For instance, legislation has
been proposed in Congress from time to time that would reclassify certain oil
and natural gas production wastes as "hazardous wastes," which
reclassification would make exploration and production wastes subject to much
more stringent handling, disposal and clean-up requirements. State initiatives
to further regulate the disposal of oil and natural gas wastes and naturally
occurring radioactive materials are also pending in certain states, including
Texas, and these various initiatives could have a similar impact on the
Company.
 
  The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
("CERCLA"), also known as the "Superfund" law, imposes liability, without
regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct, on certain classes of
persons that are considered to have contributed to the release of a "hazardous
substance" into the environment. These persons include the owner or operator
of the disposal site or site where the release occurred and companies that
disposed or arranged for the disposal of the hazardous substances found at the
site. Persons who are or were responsible for releases of hazardous substances
under CERCLA may be subject to joint and several liability for the costs of
cleaning up the hazardous substances that have been released into the
environment and for damages to natural resources, and it is not uncommon for
neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal
injury and property damage allegedly caused by the hazardous substances
released into the environment. The Company is able to control directly the
operation of only those wells with respect to which it acts as operator.
Notwithstanding the Company's lack of control over wells operated by others,
the failure of the operator to comply with applicable environmental
regulations may, in certain circumstances, be attributed to the Company. The
Company has no material commitments for capital expenditures to comply with
existing environmental requirements.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
  As of March 31, 1996, the Company's staff consisted of 156 full-time
employees, of whom 67 were administrative personnel, 60 were field and
service-related personnel, and 29 were personnel whose duties related to
Taurus. The Company also engages independent consulting petroleum engineers,
environmental professionals, geologists, landmen, accountants and attorneys on
a fee basis.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
  The Company is a defendant or codefendant in minor lawsuits that have arisen
in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not expect any of these
to have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial
position.
 
                                      58

 
                                  MANAGEMENT
 
  The executive officers and directors of the Company following completion of
the Merger are listed below, together with a description of their experience
and certain other information. Each of the directors serve for a one year
term. Executive officers are appointed by the Board of Directors. The
Company's Bylaws provide that the Chairman of the Board and the Vice Chairman
of the Board (or the President if there is no Vice Chairman) shall be
directors of the Company.
 


   NAME                         AGE OFFICE SINCE      POSITION WITH COMPANY
   ----                         --- ------------ -------------------------------
                                        
Douglas H. Miller..............  48     1989     Chairman of the Board and Chief
                                                  Executive Officer
Jarl P. Johnson................  66     1994     President of Diamond, Vice
                                                  Chairman of the Board and
                                                  Chief Operating Officer
Grant W. Henderson.............  37     1993     President, Chief Financial
                                                  Officer and Director
J. William Freeman.............  55     1990     Vice President--Engineering
J.W. Spencer, III..............  45     1991     Vice President--Operations
Randell A. Bodenhamer..........  41     1995     Vice President--Land
Richard A. Causey..............  36     1995     Director
James V. Derrick, Jr...........  51     1995     Director
Gene E. Humphrey...............  49     1995     Director
C. John Thompson...............  42     1995     Director

 
  Douglas H. Miller was elected Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company in October 1989 and has served as a director of Coda
since 1987. Beginning in 1983, Mr. Miller also served as president of a
securities broker/dealer which Mr. Miller sold in 1993.
 
  Jarl P. Johnson has been active in the oil and natural gas industry since
1953. Mr. Johnson worked for Phillips Petroleum from 1953 to 1955, and for
Kewanee Oil Co. from 1955 to 1978 where he served as Manager of Engineering
for 14 years. He worked for Hamilton Brothers Oil Company from 1978 to 1980 as
Vice President of Engineering. From 1980 to 1986 he was Vice President of
Operations for Ensource Inc. Mr. Johnson formed his own company, PetroJarl,
Inc., in 1986 to own non-operated oil and gas interests. He became President
and a director of Diamond in October 1989. Mr. Johnson joined the Company as
Vice Chairman of the Company in 1994 in connection with the Company's
acquisition of Diamond and became Chief Operating Officer of the Company upon
consummation of the Merger.
 
  Grant W. Henderson joined the Company in October 1993 as Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. He was elected a
director of Coda in 1995 and became President of the Company upon consummation
of the Merger. Mr. Henderson also will continue to serve as Chief Financial
Officer of the Company. Mr. Henderson was previously employed by NationsBank,
beginning 1981, last serving as a Senior Vice President in its Energy Banking
Group.
 
  J. William Freeman is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of
Texas and joined the Company in 1990 as its senior reservoir and economics
engineer. Mr. Freeman has worked in the oil and natural gas industry for 27
years, principally in the area of acquisitions of oil and natural gas
properties. Prior to 1985 Mr. Freeman was employed by Gulf Oil Corporation.
From 1985 to November 1989 he worked as an independent oil and gas engineer.
 
 
                                      59

 
  J.W. Spencer, III has been involved in production and reservoir engineering
since 1973. From 1985 until March 1991, when he joined the Company as Vice
President--Operations of the Company, he was manager of production operations
for Conquest Exploration Company. Prior to 1985, Mr. Spencer was employed as
an engineer by Gulf Oil Corporation.
 
  Randell A. Bodenhamer joined the Company in 1994 as Executive Vice President
of Diamond in conjunction with the Company's acquisition of Diamond. Mr.
Bodenhamer was appointed Vice President--Land of the Company in August 1995.
Prior to joining Diamond as an employee, Mr. Bodenhamer was owner of R.A.
Bodenhamer & Associates, Inc., a Tulsa-based land service company. From 1986
through 1994, Mr. Bodenhamer worked primarily for Diamond acquiring and
unitizing waterflood projects on its behalf.
 
  Richard A. Causey currently is a Vice President of ECT and is responsible
for the treasury activities of ECT. He has been associated with ECT since
1991.
 
  James V. Derrick, Jr. is Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Enron.
He serves on the Management Committee of Enron and is a director of Enron
Global Power & Pipelines LLC, a New York Stock Exchange-listed entity that
owns interests in certain international pipeline and power projects. He has
been associated with Enron since 1991.
 
  Gene E. Humphrey has been with ECT since its inception in 1990, most
recently serving as Managing Director. Previously, he was a Vice President in
Citibank's Petroleum Department where he specialized in financial and
investment banking services for the oil and natural gas industry.
 
  C. John Thompson has been employed by ECT since its inception in 1990,
serving as Vice President of the Domestic Corporate Finance Group. Previously,
he was a Partner with James C. Cooper, Inc., an investment banking firm based
in Houston, Texas.
 
                                      60

 
                    SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
                             OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
  The following table sets forth the name and address of the only stockholder
of the Company who is known by the Company to beneficially own more than five
percent of the Company's outstanding common stock, the number of shares
beneficially owned by such stockholder, and the percentage of outstanding
common stock so owned, as of March 1, 1996. As of March 1, 1996, there were
913,611 shares of common stock outstanding.
 


                                                         AMOUNT AND
                           NAME AND ADDRESS              NATURE OF       PERCENT OF
   TITLE OF CLASS         OF BENEFICIAL OWNER       BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP   CLASS
   --------------   ------------------------------- -------------------- ----------
                                                                
   Common           Joint Energy Development              900,000           98.5
    Stock           Investments Limited Partnership
                    1400 Smith Street
                    Houston, Texas 77002

 
  The table appearing below sets forth information as of March 1, 1996 with
respect to shares of common stock beneficially owned by each of the Company's
directors, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the four other most highly
compensated executive officers for 1995, and all directors and executive
officers as a group, and the percent of the outstanding common stock so owned
by each.
 


                                                          AMOUNT AND
                                                           NATURE OF
                                                          BENEFICIAL   PERCENT OF
 TITLE OF CLASS DIRECTORS AND NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS   OWNERSHIP (1)   CLASS
 -------------- --------------------------------------   ------------- ----------
                                                              
 Common Stock   Richard A. Causey.....................         --         --
 Common Stock   James V. Derrick, Jr..................         --         --
 Common Stock   T. W. Eubank (2)......................         --         --
 Common Stock   Grant W. Henderson....................       4,750(4)      (8)
 Common Stock   Gene E. Humphrey......................         --         --
 Common Stock   Jarl P. Johnson.......................       3,800(5)      (8)
 Common Stock   Tommie E. Lohman(3)...................         --         --
 Common Stock   Douglas H. Miller.....................      23,750(6)     2.5
 Common Stock   C. John Thompson......................         --         --
 Common Stock   All directors and executive officers
                 as a group (12 persons)..............      39,425(7)     4.2

- --------
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, all shares are owned directly by the named
    person and such person has sole voting and investment power with respect to
    such shares.
(2) Mr. Eubank retired from the Company in February 1996.
(3) Mr. Lohman retired from Taurus in April 1996.
(4) Includes options to purchase 2,375 shares exercisable within 60 days.
(5) Includes options to purchase 1,185 shares exercisable within 60 days.
(6) Includes options to purchase 23,750 shares exercisable within 60 days.
(7) Includes all options referenced in notes (3) through (5) above; 4,708
    shares held directly by other executive officers of the Company and options
    to purchase 2,417 shares exercisable within 60 days held by other executive
    officers of the Company.
(8) Less than one percent.
 
                                       61

 
                  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION
 
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
  The following table sets forth the annual and long-term compensation for the
Company's Chief Executive Officer and the four other most highly compensated
executive officers for 1995, as well as the total compensation paid to each
such individual during the Company's last three fiscal years. Such individuals
are sometimes referred to as the "named executive officers."
 


                                                                    LONG-TERM
                                                                   COMPENSATION
                                                                   ------------
                                 ANNUAL COMPENSATION                  AWARDS
                         --------------------------------------    ------------
                                                                    SECURITIES
                                                   OTHER ANNUAL     UNDERLYING
        NAME AND                                   COMPENSATION    OPTIONS/SARS      ALL OTHER
   PRINCIPAL POSITION    YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($)      ($)(6)           (#)        COMPENSATION($)
   ------------------    ---- --------- --------   ------------    ------------   ---------------
                                                                
Douglas H. Miller....... 1995  218,968   16,826       13,500(7)          --            7,340(12)
 Chief Executive         1994  201,469   15,938       12,000(7)       28,865           7,131(13)
 Officer; Chairman of    1993  181,563   24,811       12,000(7)       17,500           6,769(14)
 the Board
T. W. Eubank(1)......... 1995  187,687   14,644       13,500(7)          --            9,650(15)
 President; Chief        1994  172,688   13,604       12,000(7)       24,750           9,629(16)
 Operating Officer       1993  155,625   21,498       12,000(7)       15,000           9,320(17)
Grant W.
 Henderson(2)........... 1995  156,406   12,338        9,750(7)(8)   100,000(11)       5,335(18)
 Executive Vice          1994  143,906   10,919          --           20,620           4,958(19)
 President; Chief        1993   30,501    3,996          --           25,000             --
 Financial Officer
Tommie E.
 Lohman(3).............. 1995  152,474    8,275       13,500(7)          --            7,439(20)
 President--Taurus       1994  100,781    7,475        6,500(7)(9)   107,500(11)       4,928(21)
 Energy Corp.            1993      --       --           --              --              --
Jarl P. Johnson(4)...... 1995  175,000    9,165       13,500(7)          --            7,627(22)
 Vice Chairman of the    1994   45,854   31,104(5)     1,500(7)(10)  108,750(11)       2,100(23)
 Board; President--      1993      --       --           --              --              --
 Diamond Energy
 Operating Company

- --------
 (1) Mr. Eubank retired from the Company in February 1996.
 (2) Mr. Henderson's employment did not commence until October 15, 1993, when
     he joined the Company as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
     Officer. Mr. Henderson's compensation is therefore reported from October
     15, 1993 through December 31, 1995.
 (3) Mr. Lohman's employment did not commence until April 29, 1994, when the
     Company acquired Taurus. Mr. Lohman's compensation is therefore reported
     from May 1, 1994 through December 31, 1995. Mr. Lohman retired from Taurus
     in April 1996.
 (4) Mr. Johnson's employment did not commence until September 30, 1994, when
     the Company acquired Diamond. Mr. Johnson's compensation is therefore
     reported from October 1, 1994 through December 31, 1995.
 (5) Includes $27,936 paid to Mr. Johnson as compensation pursuant to the terms
     of the acquisition of Diamond.
 (6) For each of the named executive officers, the aggregate amount of
     perquisites and other personal benefits did not exceed the lesser of
     $50,000 or 10% of the officer's total annual salary and bonus.
 (7) Reflects director's fees paid by the Company of $12,000 per year (in years
     prior to 1995 as $6,000 in cash and $6,000 in Common Stock, calculated
     quarterly at the average market price per quarter, and during 1995 as
     $9,000 in cash and $3,000 in Common Stock, calculated quarterly at the
     average market price per quarter, all of which Common Stock was paid in
     the first two quarters of 1995). The cash portion of the director's fees
     is paid in the quarter earned while the stock portion of the director's
     fees is paid after the end of such quarter.
 (8) Director's fees paid to Mr. Henderson were prorated to reflect his
     becoming a director on March 15, 1995.
 (9) Director's fees paid to Mr. Lohman were prorated to reflect his becoming a
     director on April 29, 1994. Although Mr. Lohman accrued $8,000 in
     director's fees, only $6,500 of those fees were paid in fiscal year 1994.
     See Note (7).
 
                                       62

 
(10) Director's fees paid to Mr. Johnson were prorated to reflect his becoming
     a director on September 30, 1994. Although Mr. Johnson accrued $3,000 in
     director's fees, only $1,500 of those fees were paid in fiscal year 1994.
     See Note (7).
(11) Includes a warrant for the purchase of up to 100,000 shares which is
     awarded to each director of the Company on the date of his election or
     selection and vests 25,000 shares per year beginning on the first
     anniversary of the grant.
(12) Includes $6,930 attributable to the Company's matching contribution to
     its 401(k) Plan, and $410 paid by the Company for term life insurance
     premium.
(13) Includes $6,742 attributable to the Company's matching contribution to
     its 401(k) Plan, and $389 paid by the Company for term life insurance
     premium.
(14) Includes $6,381 attributable to the Company's matching contribution to
     its 401(k) Plan, and $389 paid by the Company for term life insurance
     premium.
(15) Includes $9,240 attributable to the Company's matching contribution to
     its 401(k) Plan, and $410 paid by the Company for term life insurance
     premium.
(16) Includes $9,240 attributable to the Company's matching contribution to
     its 401(k) Plan, and $389 paid by the Company for term life insurance
     premium.
(17) Includes $8,931 attributable to the Company's matching contribution to
     its 401(k) Plan, and $389 paid by the Company for term life insurance
     premium.
(18) Includes $4,925 attributable to the Company's matching contribution to
     its 401(k) Plan, and $410 paid by the Company for term life insurance
     premium.
(19) Includes $4,569 attributable to the Company's matching contribution to
     its 401(k) Plan, and $389 paid by the Company for term life insurance
     premium.
(20) Includes $7,029 attributable to the Company's matching contribution to
     its 401(k) Plan, and $410 paid by the Company for term life insurance
     premium.
(21) Includes $4,747 attributable to the Company's matching contribution to
     its 401(k) Plan, and $181 paid by the Company for term life insurance
     premium.
(22) Includes $7,217 attributable to the Company's matching contribution to
     its 401(k) Plan, and $410 paid by the Company for term life insurance
     premium.
(23) Consists of $2,100 paid by the Company for term life insurance premium.
 
  The following table sets forth certain information concerning options/SARs
granted during 1995 to the named executive officers of the Company.
 


                                        INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
                         ------------------------------------------------
                                                                           POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                       PERCENT OF                            VALUE AT ASSUMED
                          NUMBER OF      TOTAL                             ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
                          SECURITIES  OPTIONS/SARS                        PRICE APPRECIATION FOR
                          UNDERLYING   GRANTED TO  EXERCISE OR                OPTION TERM(1)
                         OPTIONS/SARS EMPLOYEES IN BASE PRICE  EXPIRATION ----------------------
          NAME             GRANTED    FISCAL YEAR    ($/SH)       DATE       5%($)      10%($)
          ----           ------------ ------------ ----------- ----------    -----    -----------
                                                                    
Douglas H. Miller.......      --           --          --           --            --          --
T.W. Eubank.............      --           --          --           --            --          --
Grant W. Henderson......   100,000        100         6.00      3/15/05       377,337     956,245
Tommie E. Lohman........      --           --          --           --            --          --
Jarl P. Johnson.........      --           --          --           --            --          --

- --------
(1) The amounts disclosed in these columns, which reflect appreciation at the
    5% and 10% rates dictated by the Commission, are not intended to be a
    forecast of Common Stock price and are not necessarily indicative of the
    actual values which may be realized by the named executive officers.
 
  The following table shows aggregated option/SAR exercises in the last fiscal
year and fiscal year end option/SAR values for each of the named executive
officers:
 


                                                                                VALUE OF
                                                                              UNEXERCISED
                                                    NUMBER OF SECURITIES      IN-THE MONEY
                                                   UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED     OPTIONS/SARS
                           SHARES                       OPTIONS/SARS         AT FY-END ($)
                         ACQUIRED ON    VALUE           AT FY-END (#)         EXERCISABLE/
          NAME           EXERCISE(#) REALIZED ($) EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE(1)
          ----           ----------- ------------ ------------------------- ----------------
                                                                
Douglas H. Miller.......     --          --            558,660/18,955       2,422,723/35,994
T.W. Eubank.............     --          --             76,000/18,750         266,188/35,078
Grant W. Henderson......     --          --            25,829/119,791         43,428/177,927
Tommie E. Lohman........     --          --             27,500/80,000         68,594/201,250
Jarl P. Johnson.........     --          --             27,917/80,833          22,475/62,135

 
                                      63

 
- --------
(1) Values are calculated by subtracting the exercise price per share from the
    market value per share of the Company's Common Stock at fiscal year end,
    multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the "in-the-
    money" options, and assumes a fair market value at fiscal year end of
    $7.4375 per share (the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on
    December 29, 1995).
 
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
 
  Following completion of the Merger, members of the Company's Board of
Directors will not receive compensation for any services provided in their
capacities as directors, other than the reimbursement of reasonable expenses
incurred in attending meetings of the Board of Directors.
 
  Prior to completion of the Merger, the directors were compensated pursuant
to the terms of the Compensation Plan for Directors adopted during 1990 (the
"Plan"), which applied equally to non-employee directors and directors who
were also employees of the Company. The Plan provided a quarterly director's
fee of $3,000, half in cash and half in Common Stock (at the average market
price for the quarter), plus the one time grant to each director of a warrant
to purchase up to 100,000 shares of Common Stock, at an exercise price equal
to the greater of $3.00 per share or the closing trade price on the date of
the grant. Pursuant to the Merger, each of the outstanding warrants
(irrespective of whether or not such warrant was currently exercisable) was
canceled in exchange for either (i) the cash payment of the "in-the-money"
position of the warrant or (ii) equity positions with the Company following
the Merger.
 
  Pursuant to the Plan, the cash portion of the director's compensation was
paid monthly in the month earned. The stock portion of the director's
compensation was paid quarterly, at the beginning of the quarter immediately
following the quarter in which the compensation was earned. The Plan was
amended on September 27, 1995 to provide that, effective July 1, 1995, all of
the compensation was to be paid in cash. During 1995, each director, except
for Mr. Henderson, was paid $9,000 in cash and 703 shares of Common Stock
under the Plan. Mr. Henderson was paid $8,000 in cash and 261 shares of Common
Stock under the Plan. Additionally, Messrs. Earl Ellis, David Keener and
Worthy Warnack received $20,000, $15,000 and $15,000, respectively, for their
service on the Board of Directors' Special Committee which was formed in April
1995.
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
  Messrs. Douglas H. Miller, Jarl P. Johnson, Grant W. Henderson, Randell A.
Bodenhamer, J. William Freeman and J.W. Spencer, III, have entered into
employment agreements (the "Employment Agreements") with the Company which
became effective on February 16, 1996. The Employment Agreements are for a
period of five years from February 16, 1996 (three years in the case of
Messrs. Johnson and Spencer) and provide for the payment of base salaries,
together with other benefits generally available to employees of the Company,
and positions with the Company as set forth below:
 


          NAME                    POSITION WITH THE COMPANY           ANNUAL BASE SALARY
          ----                    -------------------------           ------------------
                                                                
 Randell A. Bodenhamer.. Vice President--Land                              $145,000
 J. William Freeman..... Vice President--Engineering                       $170,000
 Grant W. Henderson..... President and Chief Financial Officer             $225,000
 Jarl P. Johnson........ Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief              $250,000
                          Operating Officer
 Douglas H. Miller...... Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive         $350,000
                          Officer
 J.W. Spencer, III...... Vice President--Operations                        $170,000

 
  Each of these persons would receive his salary for the remaining term of his
Employment Agreement if the Company were to terminate his Employment Agreement
other than for cause. The
 
                                      64

 
Employment Agreements provide that the employees agree not to compete with the
Company for a period of six months after their voluntary termination or
termination for cause; in the case of Mr. Miller, the covenant not to compete
is for a period of two years, except that the noncompetition period is one
year in the event of incapacity, involuntary termination other than for cause
or his resignation due to a breach by the Company of Mr. Miller's Employment
Agreement.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
  The Board of Directors had a Compensation Committee consisting of Walter
Hailey and Frank Horlock. This committee did not meet in 1995.
 
                             CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS
 
  In connection with the acquisition of Taurus, Mr. Lohman made a loan to the
Company for the sum of $1.0 million in exchange for a subordinated promissory
note from the Company having a term of three years, payable in three equal
annual installments of principal plus accrued interest calculated at the rate
of 7% per annum. Such amount represented the highest outstanding balance owed
by the Company to Mr. Lohman in 1995. On December 31, 1995, the principal
balance remaining on the promissory note was $666,667. On February 16, 1996,
the Company repaid Mr. Lohman the aggregate amount of principal and interest
owed by the Company to Mr. Lohman.
 
  Douglas H. Miller, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, was indebted to the Company in an aggregate amount of $83,589 as of
June 30, 1995. Such amount represented the highest outstanding balance owed by
Mr. Miller to the Company in 1995. The indebtedness consisted of three
promissory notes, dated as of May 31, 1992, October 1, 1994, and May 31, 1995,
in the original principal amounts of $19,022, $19,250 and $69,526,
respectively. The October 1, 1994 note bore interest at 3.75%, and the
remaining two notes bore interest at the prime rate charged by NationsBank
plus one percent. Except for the promissory note in the aggregate amount of
$14,490, the proceeds from which were used to purchase Common Stock under the
Company's 1994 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, all indebtedness represented Mr.
Miller's miscellaneous personal expenses. On February 20, 1996, Mr. Miller
repaid the Company an aggregate amount of $90,105 representing all
indebtedness owed by Mr. Miller to the Company.
 
  In May 1995, Jarl P. Johnson, Vice Chairman of the Board and President of
Diamond, repaid Diamond the sum of $236,194, representing full payment of
indebtedness evidenced by a promissory note, payable on demand, bearing
interest at the rate of 10% per annum. Such amount represented the highest
outstanding balance owed by Mr. Johnson to the Company in 1995. The
indebtedness was secured by a pledge of certain shares of Common Stock owned
by Mr. Johnson. The indebtedness arose in June 1990, prior to the Company's
acquisition of Diamond, when Mr. Johnson and certain other Diamond
shareholders obtained certain properties of Diamond Energy Operating Company
in exchange for notes. The properties were then contributed to Diamond A Inc.
in exchange for shares of Diamond A Inc., which shares were in turn pledged to
secure the notes.
 
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
 
  CAI entered into a Subscription Agreement dated as of October 30, 1995, as
amended by Amendment No. 1 to Subscription Agreement dated as of January 10,
1996, with members of the Management Group (as amended, the "Subscription
Agreement") which provided for the acquisition by such persons of CAI common
stock and the grant to them of nonqualified stock options to purchase shares
of post-Merger common stock (the "Replacement Options") of Coda. Under the
Subscription Agreement, each member of the Management Group who acquired CAI
common stock paid $100 per share for shares thereof, which is the same price
per share paid by JEDI for the remaining shares of
 
                                      65

 
CAI common stock. Under the Subscription Agreement, the Management Group
acquired CAI common stock immediately prior to the effective time of the
Merger in exchange for varying combinations of (i) proceeds from limited
recourse promissory notes payable to CAI in the aggregate principal amount of
$937,300 (the "Promissory Notes"), (ii) Common Stock, which was valued for
this purpose at $7.75 per share, and (iii) cash. The CAI common stock so
acquired was not registered under the Securities Act or any state securities
laws and does not have the benefit of any registration rights, but is subject
to the Stockholders Agreement described below. See "--Stockholders Agreement."
By virtue of the Merger, each share of CAI common stock was converted into one
share of Coda common stock.
 
  The Subscription Agreement provided that the Specified Options (representing
certain options to purchase Common Stock held by certain members of the
Management Group) and Specified Warrants (representing certain warrants to
purchase Common Stock held by certain members of the Management Group) would
not be exercised prior to the effective time of the Merger and would, as of
the effective time, be canceled without exercise and without payment of
consideration. Concurrently, the Management Group entered into Nonstatutory
Stock Option Agreements governing the Replacement Options that provided for
the right for a period of 10 years from and after the effective time of the
Merger to purchase shares of post-Merger Coda common stock for $0.01 per
share. However, the Replacement Options that may only be exercised while the
holder remains an employee of the Company and for a limited period of time
thereafter. The number of shares of Coda common stock underlying the
Replacement Options each member of the Management Group received is based on
the amount of cash the holder would have received if his Specified Options or
Specified Warrants had been converted into cash in the Merger on the same
basis as other outstanding options and warrants to purchase Common Stock were
converted, divided by the $100 per share purchase price paid by JEDI and the
other Management Group members for their shares of CAI common stock. Thus, if
the Replacement Options are exercised, the holders will have effectively paid
the same purchase price per share as JEDI and the Management Group paid for
their shares of common stock of Coda.
 
  The Promissory Notes will be due on February 16, 2001, bear interest at the
mid-term applicable federal rate (annual compounding) for the month February
1996 (5.61%), are secured by the Company common stock purchased with the
proceeds thereof and certain rights of the maker under the Stockholders
Agreement described below, and provide that in no event will an individual
maker's liability thereunder for any deficiency on his respective Promissory
Note (after the sale and disposition of all collateral securing same) exceed
35% of the original principal balance of the Promissory Note.
 
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
 
  CAI, JEDI and the Management Group entered into a Stockholders Agreement
dated as of October 30, 1995, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Stockholders
Agreement dated as of January 10, 1996 (as amended, the "Stockholders
Agreement"), which provides generally that all parties, including JEDI and the
Management Group, (i) have rights of first refusal to acquire additional
shares of common stock of Coda that may be issued by Coda and (ii) are
restricted from transferring their Coda common stock. Coda has a right to
match any third party offer to purchase shares of Coda common stock from any
stockholder, and, in the event that Coda does not purchase those shares, the
other stockholders may have a right to include a pro rata portion of their
Coda common stock in the transaction. The Stockholders Agreement provides
that, if the employment of a member of the Management Group terminates for any
reason (including death or disability) other than his voluntary termination
(except upon retirement at age 65 or older or the expiration of the term of
any employment agreement he has with Coda) or his termination by Coda for
cause, then Coda shall have a right to purchase such member's shares of Coda
common stock at a purchase price to be determined from time to time by Coda
pursuant to a formula that values the shares on the basis of a comparison of
the discretionary cash flow and EBITDA (as defined therein) of the Company and
a group of peer companies. The Stockholders Agreement also provides that, if
the employment of a member of the Management Group terminates for any reason
other than voluntary termination or termination of such
 
                                      66

 
member for cause, then such member shall have the right to require Coda to
purchase such member's shares of Coda common stock based on the previously
described formula. The purchase price under the formula will vary depending on
the financial performance of the Company and the group of peer companies. The
Stockholders Agreement provides that each member of the Management Group shall
have the right (the "Special Management Rights") to receive from JEDI, upon
the occurrence of certain events (generally an initial public offering, a
business combination with another person or the liquidation of Coda) (each, a
"Trigger Event"), an amount, which is payable in cash or additional shares of
Coda common stock depending upon the cause of the Trigger Event, designed to
result in the Management Group receiving in connection with the Trigger Event
one-third of the proceeds, attributable to the shares of Coda common stock
purchased by JEDI, above the amount of proceeds necessary for JEDI to achieve
an internal annual rate of return on that investment of 15%. The individual
member's interest in such Special Management Rights is proportional to such
member's ownership of the fully diluted common stock of Coda. The Stockholders
Agreement also provides that if the employment of a member of the Management
Group terminates, his Special Management Rights shall terminate and, if the
termination is other than a voluntary termination or a termination for cause,
he may be entitled to receive an amount based on the discretionary cash flow
and EBITDA formula discussed above. The Stockholders Agreement further
provides that, after the effective time of the Merger, Coda will establish an
employee benefit plan for the benefit of its employees who are not members of
the Management Group and will contribute to the plan 1,900 shares of Coda
common stock. Furthermore, pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, 4% of the
Special Management Rights will be allocated thereto.
 
  The Stockholders Agreement will terminate and no party thereto will have any
further obligations or rights thereunder upon the earliest to occur of (i) the
termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, (ii) October
30, 2005, (iii) the date on which an initial public offering of Coda common
stock or any business transaction involving Coda whereby Coda common stock
becomes a publicly traded security is consummated, (iv) the date of the
dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of Coda and (v) the date of the
delivery to Coda of a written termination notice executed by certain parties
to the Stockholders Agreement.
 
ENRON
 
  Enron is the parent of ECT and accordingly may be deemed to control
indirectly both JEDI and the Company. Enron and certain of its subsidiaries
and other affiliates collectively participate in nearly all phases of the oil
and natural gas industry and are, therefore, competitors of the Company. In
addition, ECT and JEDI have provided, and may in the future provide, and ECT
Securities Corp. has assisted, and may in the future assist, in arranging,
financing to non-affiliated participants in the oil and natural gas industry
who are or may become competitors of the Company. Because of these various
conflicting interests, ECT, the Company, JEDI and the Management Group have
entered into the Business Opportunity Agreement which is intended to make it
clear that Enron and its affiliates have no duty to make business
opportunities available to the Company in most circumstances. The Business
Opportunity Agreement also provides that ECT and its affiliates may pursue
certain business opportunities to the exclusion of the Company. The Business
Opportunity Agreement may limit the business opportunities available to the
Company. In addition, pursuant to the Business Opportunity Agreement there may
be circumstances in which the Company will offer business opportunities to
certain affiliates of Enron. If an Enron affiliate is offered such an
opportunity and decides to pursue it, the Company may be unable to pursue it.
See "Offer and Resale" for a discussion of ECT Securities, Inc.'s involvement
in the Offering.
 
  During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, EOTT made payments to the
Company aggregating approximately $17.7 million for oil purchases. See
"Business--Marketing." Furthermore, during the fiscal year ended December 31,
1995, Enron Industrial Natural Gas Company, an indirect subsidiary of Enron
and an affiliate of JEDI, made payments aggregating approximately $1.8 million
for purchases of natural gas from Taurus.
 
                                      67

 
                         DESCRIPTION OF EXCHANGE NOTES
 
GENERAL
 
  The Exchange Notes will be issued pursuant to an Indenture (the "Indenture")
among the Company, the initial Guarantors and Texas Commerce Bank National
Association, as trustee (the "Trustee"). The Exchange Notes will evidence the
same indebtedness as the Private Notes (which they replace) and will be issued
under, and be entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture. The form and terms
of the Exchange Notes are the same as the form and terms of the Private Notes
except that (i) the Exchange Notes will bear the Series B designation, (ii)
the Exchange Notes will have been registered under the Securities Act and,
therefore, the Exchange Notes will not bear legends restricting the transfer
thereof and (iii) holders of the Exchange Notes will not be entitled to
certain rights of holders of the Private Notes under the Registration Rights
Agreement, which rights will terminate upon consummation of the Exchange
Offer. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those
made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
(the "Trust Indenture Act"). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and
Holders of Notes are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for
a statement thereof. The following summary of certain provisions of the
Indenture does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms
used below. The definitions of certain terms used in the following summary are
set forth below under "--Certain Definitions."
 
  The Notes will be general unsecured obligations of the Company and will be
subordinated in right of payment to Senior Debt. See "Risk Factors--
Subordination." The Notes will be guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by
all of the Company's current Subsidiaries and future Restricted Subsidiaries.
The obligation of the Restricted Subsidiaries under such guarantees will be
general unsecured obligations of such Restricted Subsidiaries and will be
subordinated in right of payment to all obligations of such Restricted
Subsidiaries in respect of Senior Debt. See "--Subsidiary Guarantees" and
"Risk Factors--Subordination."
 
  As of the date of the Indenture, all of the Company's Subsidiaries will be
Restricted Subsidiaries. However, under certain circumstances, the Company
will be able to designate current or future Subsidiaries as Unrestricted
Subsidiaries. Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to many of the
restrictive covenants set forth in the Indenture.
 
  For purposes of this section, the term "Company" means Coda Energy, Inc. and
the term "Taurus" has the meaning given under the caption "--Certain
Definitions."
 
SUBORDINATION
 
  The payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, on the Notes and any other payment obligations of the Company
in respect of the Notes (including any obligation to repurchase the Notes)
will be subordinated in certain circumstances in right of payment, as set
forth in the Indenture, to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt,
whether outstanding on the date of the Indenture or thereafter incurred.
 
  Upon any distribution to creditors of the Company in a liquidation or
dissolution of the Company or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency,
receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property, or
in an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any marshalling of the
Company's assets and liabilities, the holders of Senior Debt will be entitled
to receive payment in full of all Obligations due in respect of such Senior
Debt (including interest after the commencement of any such proceeding at the
rate specified in the applicable Senior Debt) before the Holders of Notes will
be entitled to receive any payment with respect to the Notes, and until all
Obligations with respect to Senior Debt are paid in full, any distribution to
which the Holders of Notes would be entitled shall be
 
                                      68

 
made to the holders of Senior Debt (except that Holders of Notes may receive
securities that are subordinated at least to the same extent as the Notes to
Senior Debt and any securities issued in exchange for Senior Debt (provided
that receipt of such securities will not cause the Notes to be treated in any
case or proceeding or similar event described in this paragraph in the same
class of claims as Senior Debt or any class of claims pari passu with Senior
Debt for any payment or distribution) and payments made from the trust
described under "--Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance").
 
  The Company also may not make any payment upon or in respect of the Notes
(except in such subordinated securities or from the trust described under "--
Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance") if (i) a default in the payment of
the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on Designated Senior Debt
occurs and is continuing beyond any applicable period of grace or (ii) any
other default occurs and is continuing with respect to Designated Senior Debt
that permits, or with the giving of notice or passage of time or both (unless
cured or waived) will permit, holders of the Designated Senior Debt as to
which such default relates to accelerate its maturity and the Trustee receives
a notice of such default (a "Payment Blockage Notice") from the Company or the
holders of any Designated Senior Debt. Payments on the Notes shall be resumed
(a) in the case of a payment default, upon the date on which such default is
cured or waived and (b) in case of a nonpayment default, the earlier of the
date on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived or 179 days after the
date on which the applicable Payment Blockage Notice is received, unless the
maturity of any Designated Senior Debt has been accelerated. No new period of
payment blockage may be commenced unless and until (i) 360 days have elapsed
since the date of commencement of the payment blockage period resulting from
the immediately prior Payment Blockage Notice and (ii) all scheduled payments
of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes that have come due
have been paid in full in cash. No nonpayment default that existed or was
continuing on the date of delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice to the
Trustee shall be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage
Notice.
 
  The Indenture will further require that the Company promptly notify holders
of Senior Debt if payment of the Notes is accelerated because of an Event of
Default.
 
  As a result of the subordination provisions described above, in the event of
a liquidation or insolvency of the Company, Holders of Notes may recover less
ratably than creditors of the Company who are holders of Senior Debt. On a pro
forma basis, after giving effect to the Merger and the sale of the Private
Notes and the application of the proceeds therefrom, the principal amount of
Senior Debt outstanding at December 31, 1995 would have been approximately
$86.9 million, which includes $85.3 million of borrowings under the Credit
Agreement. See "Description of Other Debt." The Indenture will limit, subject
to certain financial tests, the amount of additional Indebtedness, including
Senior Debt, that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries can incur. See
"--Certain Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred
Stock."
 
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES
 
  The Company's payment obligations under the Notes will be jointly and
severally and unconditionally guaranteed (the "Subsidiary Guarantees") by the
Guarantors. The Subsidiary Guarantee of each Guarantor will be subordinated
(to the same extent and in the same manner as the Notes are subordinated to
the Senior Debt) to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt of such
Guarantor, which, on a pro forma basis, after giving effect to the Merger and
the sale of the Private Notes and the application of proceeds therefrom, would
have been approximately $86.9 million as of December 31, 1995. The obligations
of each Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited so as not to
constitute a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law. See, however, "Risk
Factors--Fraudulent Conveyances."
 
 
                                      69

 
  The Indenture will provide that no Guarantor may consolidate with or merge
with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), another
corporation, Person or entity whether or not affiliated with such Guarantor
unless (i) subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, the Person
formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such
Guarantor) assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor, pursuant to a
supplemental indenture in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Trustee in respect of the Notes, the Indenture and such Guarantor's Subsidiary
Guarantee; (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no
Default or Event of Default exists; and (iii) such transaction does not
violate any of the covenants described under the heading "--Certain
Covenants."
 
  The Indenture will provide that in the event of a sale or other disposition
of all or substantially all of the assets of any Guarantor to a third party or
an Unrestricted Subsidiary in a transaction that does not violate any of the
covenants in the Indenture, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a
sale or other disposition of all of the capital stock of any Guarantor, then
such Guarantor (in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of such a
merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all of the capital stock of such
Guarantor) or the corporation acquiring the property (in the event of a sale
or other disposition of all of the assets of such Guarantor) will be released
from and relieved of any obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee; provided
that the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in
accordance with the covenant described under the caption "--Repurchase at the
Option of Holders--Asset Sales."
 
  Any Guarantor that is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance
with the terms of the Indenture shall be released from and relieved of its
obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee and any Unrestricted Subsidiary
that ceases to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be required to execute a
Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
 
PRINCIPAL, MATURITY AND INTEREST
 
  The Notes will be limited in aggregate principal amount to $110.0 million
and will mature on April 1, 2006. Interest on the Notes will accrue at the
rate of 10 1/2% per annum and will be payable semiannually in arrears on April
1 and October 1, commencing on October 1, 1996, to Holders of record on the
immediately preceding March 15 and September 15. Interest on the Notes will
accrue from the most recent date on which interest has been paid or, if no
interest has been paid, from the date of original issuance of the Exchange
Notes, plus an amount equal to the accrued interest on the Private Notes from
the date of initial delivery to the date of exchange thereof for the Exchange
Notes. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of
twelve 30-day months. Principal, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, on the Notes will be payable at the office or agency of the
Company maintained for such purpose within the City and State of New York or,
at the option of the Company, payment of interest and Liquidated Damages, if
any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders of the Notes at their
respective addresses set forth in the register of Holders of Notes; provided
that all payments with respect to Notes having an aggregate principal amount
of $5.0 million or more the Holders of which have given wire transfer
instructions to the Company at least ten business days prior to the applicable
payment date will be required to be made by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders thereof. Until
otherwise designated by the Company, the Company's office or agency in New
York will be the office of the Trustee maintained for such purpose. The
Exchange Notes will be issued in registered form, without coupons, and in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
 
  The Notes will not be redeemable at the Company's option prior to April 1,
2001, except as provided below. Thereafter, the Notes will be subject to
redemption at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, upon not less
than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at the redemption prices
 
                                      70

 
(expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued
and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon to the applicable
redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April
1 of the years indicated below:
 


      YEAR                                                            PERCENTAGE
      ----                                                            ----------
                                                                   
      2001...........................................................   105.25%
      2002...........................................................  102.625%
      2003 and thereafter............................................      100%

 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, before March 12, 1999, the Company may, on
any one or more occasions, redeem up to $27.5 million in aggregate principal
amount of Notes at a redemption price of 110.5% of the principal amount
thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any,
thereon to the redemption date, with the net proceeds of an offering of common
equity of the Company; provided that at least $82.5 million in aggregate
principal amount of Notes must remain outstanding immediately after the
occurrence of such redemption; and provided, further, that any such redemption
shall occur within 75 days of the date of the closing of such offering of
common equity of the Company.
 
SELECTION AND NOTICE
 
  If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, selection of
Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the
requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which
the Notes are listed, or, if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis,
by lot or by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate;
provided that no Notes of $1,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. Notices of
redemption shall be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than
60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at
its registered address. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice
of redemption that relates to such Note shall state the portion of the
principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal
to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the Holder
thereof upon cancellation of the original Note. On and after the redemption
date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of them called for
redemption.
 
MANDATORY REDEMPTION
 
  Except as set forth below under "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders," the
Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments
with respect to the Notes.
 
REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS
 
 Change of Control
 
  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder of Notes will have
the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to
$1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of such Holder's Notes pursuant to the
offer described below (the "Change of Control Offer") at an offer price in
cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and
unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon to the date of
purchase (the "Change of Control Payment"). Within 30 days following any
Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder describing
the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and
offering to repurchase Notes pursuant to the procedures required by the
Indenture and described in such notice. The Company will comply with the
requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities
laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are
applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a
Change of Control.
 
  On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent
lawful, (i) accept for payment all Notes or portions thereof properly tendered
pursuant to the Change of Control Offer,
 
                                      71

 
(ii) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control
Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered and (iii)
deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes so accepted together
with an Officers' Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes
or portions thereof being purchased by the Company. The Paying Agent will
promptly mail to each Holder of Notes so tendered the Change of Control
Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail
(or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in
principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any;
provided that each such new Note will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an
integral multiple thereof. The Indenture will provide that, prior to complying
with the provisions of this covenant, but in any event within 90 days
following a Change of Control, the Company will either repay all outstanding
Senior Debt or obtain the requisite consents, if any, under all agreements
governing outstanding Senior Debt to permit the repurchase of Notes required
by this covenant. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change
of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control
Payment Date.
 
  The Change of Control provisions described above will be applicable whether
or not any other provisions of the Indenture are applicable. Except as
described above with respect to a Change of Control, the Indenture does not
contain provisions that permit the Holders of the Notes to require that the
Company repurchase or redeem the Notes in the event of a takeover,
recapitalization or similar transaction.
 
  The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a
Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the
manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set
forth in the Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the
Company and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such
Change of Control Offer.
 
  The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the sale,
lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of "all or substantially all"
of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although
there is a developing body of case law interpreting the phrase "substantially
all," there is no precise established definition of the phrase under
applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a Holder of Notes to require the
Company to repurchase such Notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer,
conveyance or other disposition of less than all of the assets of the Company
and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another Person or group may be
uncertain.
 
 Asset Sales
 
  The Indenture will provide that the Company will not, and will not permit
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in an Asset Sale unless (i) the
Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives
consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market
value (as determined by a resolution of the Board of Directors set forth in an
Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee, which determination shall be
conclusive evidence of compliance with this provision) of the assets or Equity
Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of and (ii) at least 85% of the
consideration therefor received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents; provided that the amount of (x)
any liabilities (as shown on the Company's or such Restricted Subsidiary's
most recent balance sheet), of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other
than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms
subordinated to the Notes or any guarantee thereof) that are assumed by the
transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that
releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability and
(y) any Liquid Securities received by the Company or any such Restricted
Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 180 days of closing such Asset Sale,
shall be deemed to be cash for purposes of this provision (to the extent of
the cash received).
 
 
                                      72

 
  Within 270 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale,
the Company may apply such Net Proceeds, at its option, (a) to reduce Senior
Debt, (b) to acquire a controlling interest in another Oil and Gas Business,
to make a Permitted Business Investment, to make capital expenditures in
respect of the Company's or its Restricted Subsidiaries' Oil and Gas Business,
or to purchase long-term assets that are used or useful in the Oil and Gas
Business or (c) in the case of any Net Proceeds derived from an Asset Sale in
respect of Taurus, to redeem JEDI Preferred Stock. Pending the final
application of any such Net Proceeds, the Company may temporarily reduce
Senior Debt that is revolving debt or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in
any manner that is not prohibited by the Indenture. Any Net Proceeds from
Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in the first sentence
of this paragraph will (after the expiration of the periods specified in this
paragraph) be deemed to constitute "Excess Proceeds."
 
  When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $10.0 million, the
Company will be required to make an offer to all Holders of Notes and, to the
extent required by the terms thereof, to all holders or lenders of Pari Passu
Indebtedness (an "Asset Sale Offer") to purchase the maximum principal amount
of Notes and any such Pari Passu Indebtedness to which the Asset Sale Offer
applies that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds, at an offer price in
cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued
and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon to the date of
purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture or the
agreements governing the Pari Passu Indebtedness, as applicable. To the extent
that the aggregate amount of Notes tendered or Pari Passu Indebtedness
tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the
Company may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes.
If the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by Holders thereof and
Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by holders or lenders thereof,
collectively, exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select
the Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis,
based on the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable)
thereof surrendered in such Asset Sale Offer. Upon completion of such Asset
Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
 
  The Credit Agreement may prohibit the Company from purchasing any Notes and
also provides that certain change of control events with respect to the
Company would constitute a default thereunder. Any future credit agreements or
other agreements relating to Senior Debt to which the Company becomes a party
may contain similar restrictions and provisions. In the event a Change of
Control or Asset Sale Offer occurs at a time when the Company is prohibited
from purchasing Notes, the Company could seek the consent of its lenders to
the purchase of or could attempt to refinance the borrowings that contain such
prohibition. If the Company does not obtain such a consent or repay such
borrowings, the Company may remain prohibited from purchasing Notes. In such
case, the Company's failure to purchase tendered Notes would constitute an
Event of Default under the Indenture which would, in turn, constitute a
default under the Credit Agreement. In such circumstances, the subordination
provisions in the Indenture would likely restrict payments to the Holders of
Notes.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
 Restricted Payments
 
  The Indenture will provide that the Company will not, and will not permit
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly: (i) declare or
pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the
Company's Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in
connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) or to the
direct or indirect holders of the Company's Equity Interests in their capacity
as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests
(other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company); (ii) purchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the Company or
any direct or indirect parent or other Affiliate of the Company that is not a
Subsidiary of the Company; (iii) make any
 
                                      73

 
principal payment on, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or
retire for value any Indebtedness that is subordinated to the Notes, except at
final maturity; or (iv) make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and
other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively
referred to as "Restricted Payments"), unless, at the time of and after giving
effect to such Restricted Payment:
 
    (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing
  or would occur as a consequence thereof; and
 
    (b) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after
  giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made
  at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted
  to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed
  Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant
  described below under the caption "--Incurrence of Indebtedness and
  Issuance of Preferred Stock"; and
 
    (c) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate of all other
  Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
  after the date of the Indenture (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by
  clauses (2), (3), (5), (6) and (7) of the next succeeding paragraph), is
  less than the sum of (i) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company
  for the period (taken as one accounting period) from the beginning of the
  first fiscal quarter commencing after the date of the Indenture to the end
  of the Company's most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal
  financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment
  (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less
  100% of such deficit), plus (ii) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds
  received by the Company from the issue or sale since the date of the
  Indenture of Equity Interests of the Company (other than the JEDI Preferred
  Stock) or of debt securities of the Company that have been converted into
  or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or
  convertible debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company and other
  than Disqualified Stock or debt securities that have been converted into
  Disqualified Stock), plus (iii) to the extent that any Restricted
  Investment that was made after the date of the Indenture is sold for cash
  or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash, the lesser of (A) the net
  proceeds of such sale, liquidation or repayment and (B) the initial amount
  of such Restricted Investment, plus (iv) 50% of any dividends received by
  the Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary after the date of the
  Indenture from an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company.
 
  The foregoing provisions will not prohibit (1) the payment of any dividend
within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at said date of
declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of the
Indenture; (2) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of
any Equity Interests of the Company in exchange for, or out of the proceeds
of, the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the
Company) of other Equity Interests of the Company (other than any Disqualified
Stock); provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are
utilized for any such redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition
shall be excluded from clause (c)(ii) of the preceding paragraph; (3) the
defeasance, redemption or repurchase of subordinated Indebtedness with the net
cash proceeds from an incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Debt or the
substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of
Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock); provided that
the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such
redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition shall be excluded from
clause (c)(ii) of the preceding paragraph; (4) the repurchase, redemption or
other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company held by any of the
Company's (or any of its Subsidiaries') employees pursuant to any management
equity subscription agreement or stock option agreement in effect as of the
date of the Indenture; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such
repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests shall not exceed
$1.5 million in any twelve-month period (plus the aggregate
 
                                      74

 
cash proceeds received by the Company during such twelve-month period from any
issuance of Equity Interests by the Company to any Principal and to employees
of the Company and its Subsidiaries); and provided further that no Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing immediately after such
transaction; (5) the redemption of the JEDI Preferred Stock, at a redemption
price equal to the liquidation preference thereof plus accrued dividends
thereon to the date of redemption, in each case calculated in accordance with
the provisions thereof as the same are in effect on the date of the Indenture,
with the net proceeds from the sale of the Equity Interests in or all or
substantially all of the assets of Taurus in accordance with the covenant
described under the caption "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Asset
Sales"; (6) repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of
stock options if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise
price of such options; (7) the repayment of all amounts due in respect of the
JEDI Debt; and (8) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to
exceed $5.0 million.
 
  The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the fair
market value (as determined by a resolution of the Board of Directors set
forth in an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee, which
determination shall be conclusive evidence of compliance with this provision)
on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) proposed to be
transferred by the Company or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the
case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. Not later than five days
after the date of making any Restricted Payment, the Company shall deliver to
the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such Restricted Payment is
permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the calculations required by
the covenant "Restricted Payments" were computed.
 
  The Board of Directors may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an
Unrestricted Subsidiary if such designation would not cause a Default;
provided that in no event shall the properties currently operated by Diamond
be transferred to or held by an Unrestricted Subsidiary. For purposes of
making such determination, all outstanding Investments by the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid in cash) in the
Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments at the time
of such designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted
Payments under clause (c) of the first paragraph of this covenant and/or the
applicable provisions of the second paragraph of this covenant, as
appropriate. All such outstanding Investments will be deemed to constitute
Investments in an amount equal to the greatest of (x) the net book value of
such Investments at the time of such designation, (y) the fair market value of
such Investments at the time of such designation and (z) the original fair
market value of such Investments at the time they were made. Such designation
will only be permitted if such Restricted Payment would be permitted at such
time and if such Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock
 
  The Indenture will provide that the Company will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue,
assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable,
contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, "incur") any
Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and that the Company will not issue any
Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to issue any
shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that the Company may incur
Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock
if:
 
    (i) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company's most recently ended
  four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are
  available immediately preceding the date on which such additional
  Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock is issued would have
  been at least 2.5 to 1, determined on a pro forma basis as set forth in the
  definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio; and
 
    (ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing
  at the time such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified
  Stock is issued or would occur as a consequence of the incurrence of the
  additional Indebtedness or the issuance of the Disqualified Stock.
 
 
                                      75

 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indenture will not prohibit any of the
following (collectively, "Permitted Indebtedness"): (a) the Indebtedness
evidenced by the Notes; (b) the incurrence by the Company of Indebtedness
pursuant to Credit Facilities, so long as the aggregate principal amount of
all Indebtedness outstanding under all Credit Facilities does not, at any one
time, exceed the Borrowing Base, provided that if the Company incurs any
Indebtedness pursuant to this clause (b) that would cause the total principal
amount of Indebtedness under this clause (b) to exceed an amount equal to
$150.0 million (less the aggregate amount of all Net Proceeds of Asset Sales
including, without limitation, an Asset Sale involving Taurus, applied to
reduce Senior Debt pursuant to clause (a) of the second paragraph of the
covenant described under the caption "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--
Asset Sales"), the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company's most recently
ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are
available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness
is incurred would have been at least 2.0 to 1, determined on a pro forma basis
as set forth in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio; (c) the
guarantee by the Guarantors of any Indebtedness that is permitted by the
Indenture to be incurred by the Company; (d) Existing Indebtedness; (e)
intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Wholly
Owned Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that (i) if the Company is
the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is expressly subordinate
to the payment in full of all Obligations with respect to the Notes and
(ii)(A) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results
in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary and (B) any sale or other transfer of any
such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an
incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary,
as the case may be; (f) Indebtedness in connection with one or more standby
letters of credit, Guarantees, performance bonds or other reimbursement
obligations, in each case, issued in the ordinary course of business and not
in connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of advances or
credit (other than advances or credit on open account, includible in current
liabilities, for goods and services in the ordinary course of business and on
terms and conditions which are customary in the Oil and Gas Business, and
other than the extension of credit represented by such letter of credit,
Guarantee or performance bond itself), not to exceed in the aggregate at any
given time 5% of Total Assets; (g) the incurrence by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in connection with the acquisition of
assets or a new Subsidiary; provided that such Indebtedness was incurred by
the prior owner of such assets or such Subsidiary prior to such acquisition by
the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries and was not incurred in
connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition by the Company or
one of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and provided further that (i) the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company's most recently ended four full fiscal
quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately
preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred would
have been at least 2.5 to 1, determined on a pro forma basis as set forth in
the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and (ii) no Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time such additional
Indebtedness is incurred or would occur as a consequence of the incurrence of
such additional Indebtedness; (h) Indebtedness under Interest Rate Hedging
Agreements entered into for the purpose of limiting interest rate risks,
provided that the obligations under such agreements are related to payment
obligations on Indebtedness otherwise permitted by the terms of this covenant
and that the aggregate notional principal amount of such agreements does not
exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness to which such agreements
relate; (i) Indebtedness under Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts, provided that
such contracts were entered into in the ordinary course of business for the
purpose of limiting risks that arise in the ordinary course of business of the
Company and its Subsidiaries; (j) the incurrence by the Company of
Indebtedness not otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to this
paragraph, provided that the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as
applicable) of all Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (j), together
with all Permitted Refinancing Debt incurred pursuant to clause (k) of this
paragraph in respect of Indebtedness previously incurred pursuant to this
clause (j), does not exceed $15.0 million at any one time
 
                                      76

 
outstanding; (k) Permitted Refinancing Debt incurred in exchange for, or the
net proceeds of which are used to refinance, extend, renew, replace, defease
or refund, Indebtedness that was permitted by the Indenture to be incurred
(including Indebtedness previously incurred pursuant to this clause (k)); (l)
accounts payable or other obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary to
trade creditors created or assumed by the Company or such Subsidiary in the
ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of goods or
services; (m) Indebtedness consisting of obligations in respect of purchase
price adjustments, guarantees or indemnities in connection with the
acquisition or disposition of assets; (n) the incurrence by the Company's
Unrestricted Subsidiaries of Non-Recourse Debt, provided, however, that if any
such Indebtedness ceases to be Non-Recourse Debt of an Unrestricted
Subsidiary, such event shall be deemed to constitute an incurrence of
Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and (o) production
imbalances that do not, at any one time outstanding, exceed two percent of the
Total Assets of the Company.
 
 No Senior Subordinated Debt
 
  The Indenture will provide that (i) the Company will not incur, create,
issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness that
is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any Senior Debt and senior in
any respect in right of payment to the Notes and (ii) no Guarantor will
directly or indirectly incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise
become liable for any Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in right of
payment to any Guarantees issued in respect of Senior Debt and senior in any
respect in right of payment to the Subsidiary Guarantees, provided, however,
that the foregoing limitations will not apply to distinctions between
categories of Indebtedness that exist by reason of any Liens arising or
created in respect of some but not all such Indebtedness.
 
 Liens
 
  The Indenture will provide that the Company will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer
to exist or become effective any Lien securing Indebtedness of any kind (other
than Permitted Liens) upon any of its property or assets, now owned or
hereafter acquired.
 
 Sale and Leaseback Transactions
 
  The Indenture will provide that the Company will not, and will not permit
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback
transaction; provided that the Company may enter into a sale and leaseback
transaction if (i) the Company could have (a) incurred Indebtedness in an
amount equal to the Attributable Debt relating to such sale and leaseback
transaction pursuant to the test set forth in the first paragraph of the
covenant described above under the caption "--Incurrence of Additional
Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock" and (b) incurred a Lien to
secure such Indebtedness pursuant to the covenant described above under the
caption "--Liens," (ii) the gross cash proceeds of such sale and leaseback
transaction are at least equal to the fair market value (as determined in good
faith by a resolution the Board of Directors set forth in an Officers'
Certificate delivered to the Trustee, which determination shall be conclusive
evidence of compliance with this provision) of the property that is the
subject of such sale and leaseback transaction and (iii) the transfer of
assets in such sale and leaseback transaction is permitted by, and the Company
applies the net proceeds of such transaction in compliance with, the covenant
described above under the caption "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--
Asset Sales."
 
 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries
 
  The Indenture will provide that the Company will not, and will not permit
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or
otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any encumbrance or
restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (i)(x) pay
dividends or make any other distributions to the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (1) on its Capital
 
                                      77

 
Stock or (2) with respect to any other interest or participation in, or
measured by, its profits, or (y) pay any indebtedness owed to the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) make loans or advances to the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) transfer any of its properties
or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, except for
such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (a) the
Credit Agreement as in effect as of the date of the Indenture, and any
amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements,
refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof or any other Credit Facility,
provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals,
increases, supplements, refundings, replacements, refinancings or other Credit
Facilities are no more restrictive with respect to such dividend and other
payment restrictions than those contained in the Credit Agreement as in effect
on the date of the Indenture, (b) the Indenture and the Notes, (c) applicable
law, (d) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person
acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at
the time of such acquisition (except, in the case of Indebtedness, to the
extent such Indebtedness was incurred in connection with or in contemplation
of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to
any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person
and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person and its
Subsidiaries, so acquired, provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such
Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of the Indenture to be incurred, (e)
by reason of customary non-assignment provisions in leases entered into in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, (f) purchase
money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business
that impose restrictions of the nature described in clause (iii) above on the
property so acquired, or (g) Permitted Refinancing Debt, provided that the
restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing
Debt are no more restrictive than those contained in the agreements governing
the Indebtedness being refinanced.
 
 Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets
 
  The Indenture will provide that the Company may not consolidate or merge
with or into (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation), or
sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related
transactions, to another Person and the Company may not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to enter into any such transaction or series of
transactions if such transaction or series of transactions would, in the
aggregate, result in a sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance, or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the
Company to another Person unless (i) the Company is the surviving corporation
or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if
other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease,
conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a corporation
organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof
or the District of Columbia; (ii) the Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale,
assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been
made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and the
Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture in a form reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee; (iii) immediately before and after giving effect
to such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists; and (iv) except in
the case of a merger of the Company with or into a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of
the Company, the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale,
assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been
made (A) will have Total Assets immediately after the transaction equal to or
greater than the Total Assets of the Company immediately preceding the
transaction and (B) will, at the time of such transaction and after giving pro
forma effect thereto as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of
the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of
additional Indebtedness pursuant to the test set forth in the first paragraph
of the covenant described above under the caption "--Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock."
 
 
                                      78

 
 Transactions with Affiliates
 
  The Indenture will provide that the Company will not, and will not permit
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease,
transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or
purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any
contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for
the benefit of, any of its Affiliates (each of the foregoing, an "Affiliate
Transaction"), unless (i) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no
less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those
that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person and (ii) the Company
delivers to the Trustee (a) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or
series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in
excess of $1.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors set forth in an
Officers' Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with
clause (i) above and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a
majority of the members of the Board of Directors who are disinterested with
respect to such Affiliate Transaction, which resolution shall be conclusive
evidence of compliance with this provision, and (b) with respect to any
Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving
aggregate consideration in excess of $5.0 million, an opinion as to the
fairness to the Holders of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point
of view issued by an accounting, appraisal, engineering or investment banking
firm of national standing; provided that the following shall not be deemed
Affiliate Transactions: (1) any sale of hydrocarbons or other mineral products
or the entering into or performance of Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts, gas
gathering, transportation or processing contracts or oil or natural gas
marketing or exchange contracts, in each case, in the ordinary course of
business, so long as the terms of any such transaction are approved by a
majority of the members of the Board of Directors who are disinterested with
respect to such transaction as being the most favorable of at least (x) two
bids, quotes or proposals, at least one of which is from a Person that is not
an Affiliate of the Company (in the event that the Company determines in good
faith that it is able to obtain only two bids, quotes or proposals with
respect to such transaction) or (y) three bids, quotes or proposals, at least
two of which are from Persons that are not Affiliates of the Company (in all
other circumstances), (2) the repayment of all amounts due in respect of the
JEDI Debt, (3) the sale to an Affiliate of the Company of Equity Interests in
the Company that do not constitute Disqualified Stock, (4) transactions
contemplated by any employment agreement or other compensation plan or
arrangement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
in the ordinary course of business and consistent with the past practice of
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, including those described in this
Prospectus under the caption "Executive Compensation and Other Information--
Employment Agreements," (5) transactions between or among the Company and/or
its Restricted Subsidiaries, (6) Restricted Payments and Permitted Investments
that are permitted by the provisions of the Indenture described above under
the caption "--Restricted Payments," (7) the transactions described in this
Prospectus under the caption "Certain Transactions" and (8) the payment of
dividends on, or the redemption of, the JEDI Preferred Stock, in either case,
to the extent otherwise permitted by the Indenture.
 
 Additional Subsidiary Guarantees
 
  The Indenture will provide that if the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
shall acquire or create another Subsidiary after the date of the Indenture,
then such newly acquired or created Subsidiary will be required to execute a
Subsidiary Guarantee and deliver an opinion of counsel, in accordance with the
terms of the Indenture, provided that the foregoing requirement shall not
apply to any newly acquired or created Subsidiary that has been properly
designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the Indenture for
so long as it continues to constitute an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
 Business Activities
 
  The Company and the Guarantors will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, engage in any material respect in any business other than the
Oil and Gas Business.
 
                                      79

 
 Reports
 
  Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, upon effectiveness of the
Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantors will be required to
file with the Commission reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K for the
remainder of 1996, at a minimum. In addition, the Company and the Guarantors
have covenanted to file with the Commission, to the extent such filings are
accepted by the Commission and whether or not the Company has a class of
securities registered under the Exchange Act, the annual reports, quarterly
reports and other documents that the Company and the Guarantors would be
required to file if the Company were subject to Section 13 or 15 of the
Exchange Act, in each case on or before the dates on which such reports and
other documents would have been required to have been filed with the
Commission if the Company had been subject to Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange
Act beginning with the Company's fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1996. The
Company will also be required (a) to file with the Trustee (with exhibits),
and provide to each Holder of Notes (without exhibits), without cost to such
Holder, copies of such reports and documents within 15 days after the date on
which the Company files such reports and documents with the Commission or the
date on which the Company would be required to file such reports and documents
if the Company were so required and (b) if filing such reports and documents
with the Commission is not accepted by the Commission or is prohibited under
the Exchange Act, to supply at the Company's cost copies of such reports and
documents (including any exhibits thereto) to any Holder of Notes promptly
upon written request. In addition, the Company and the Guarantors have agreed
that, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding, they will furnish to the
Holders and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information
required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
 
  The Indenture will provide that each of the following constitutes an Event
of Default: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on the
Notes (whether or not prohibited by the subordination provisions of the
Indenture); (ii) default in payment when due of the principal of or premium,
if any, on the Notes (whether or not prohibited by the subordination
provisions of the Indenture); (iii) failure by the Company for 30 days after
notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal
amount of the Notes then outstanding to comply with the provisions described
under the captions "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Change of Control,"
"--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Asset Sales," "--Certain Covenants--
Restricted Payments," "--Certain Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Preferred Stock" or "--Certain Covenants--Merger, Consolidation,
or Sale of Assets"; (iv) failure by the Company for 60 days after notice from
the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of
the Notes then outstanding to comply with any of its other agreements in the
Indenture or the Notes; (v) except as permitted by the Indenture, any
Subsidiary Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary shall be held in any judicial
proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be
in full force and effect or any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary, or
any Person acting on behalf of any such Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its
obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee; (vi) default under any mortgage,
indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may
be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness
or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of the Indenture, which
default (a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of or premium, if any, or
interest on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period
provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a "Payment
Default") or (b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its
express maturity and, in each case, the principal amount of any such
Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such
Indebtedness under which there is then existing a Payment Default or the
maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $10.0 million or more;
(vii) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay
final, non-appealable judgments aggregating in excess of $5.0 million, which
judgments remain unpaid or
 
                                      80

 
undischarged for a period of 60 days; and (viii) certain events of bankruptcy
or insolvency with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries that constitute a Significant Subsidiary or any group of
Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant
Subsidiary.
 
  If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders
of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare
all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of
bankruptcy or insolvency, with respect to the Company, any Restricted
Subsidiary that constitutes a Significant Subsidiary or any group of
Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant
Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further
action or notice. Holders of the Notes may not enforce the Indenture or the
Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations,
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may
direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may
withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event
of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of
principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their
interest.
 
  In the case of any Event of Default occurring by reason of any willful
action (or inaction) taken (or not taken) by or on behalf of the Company with
the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have
had to pay if the Company then had elected to redeem the Notes pursuant to the
optional redemption provisions of the Indenture, an equivalent premium shall
also become and be immediately due and payable to the extent permitted by law
upon the acceleration of the Notes. If an Event of Default occurs prior to
April 1, 2001 by reason of any willful action (or inaction) taken (or not
taken) by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding the
prohibition on redemption of the Notes prior to April 1, 2001, then the
premium specified in the Indenture shall also become immediately due and
payable to the extent permitted by law upon the acceleration of the Notes.
 
  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of
the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences
under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the
payment of interest, premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, on, or the
principal of, the Notes.
 
  The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement
regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required, within
five business days of becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to
deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of
Default.
 
NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND STOCKHOLDERS
 
  No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company,
as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the
Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason
of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes, by accepting a
Note, waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part
of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. Such waiver may not be
effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the
view of the Commission that such a waiver is against public policy.
 
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
  The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have all of its
obligations discharged with respect to the outstanding Notes ("Legal
Defeasance") except for (i) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to
receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on such Notes when such payments are due from the
trust referred to below, (ii) the Company's obligations with respect to the
Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of Notes, mutilated,
destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for
payment and money for security payments held in trust, (iii) the rights,
powers, trusts, duties
 
                                      81

 
and immunities of the Trustee, and the Company's obligations in connection
therewith and (iv) the Legal Defeasance provisions of the Indenture. In
addition, the Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have the
obligations of the Company released with respect to certain covenants that are
described in the Indenture ("Covenant Defeasance") and thereafter any omission
to comply with such obligations shall not constitute a Default or Event of
Default with respect to the Notes. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs,
certain events (not including non-payment, bankruptcy, receivership,
rehabilitation and insolvency events) described under "Events of Default" will
no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Notes.
 
  In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, (i) the
Company or the Guarantors must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust,
for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, non-
callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as
will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any,
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the outstanding Notes on the
stated maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and
the Company or the Guarantors must specify whether the Notes are being
defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date; (ii) in the case of
Legal Defeasance, the Company or the Guarantors shall have delivered to the
Trustee an opinion of counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to
the Trustee confirming that (A) the Company or the Guarantors has received
from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or
(B) since the date of the Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable
federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon
such opinion of counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding
Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes
as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax
on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have
been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred; (iii) in the case of
Covenant Defeasance, the Company or the Guarantors shall have delivered to the
Trustee an opinion of counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to
the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not
recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of
such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same
amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case
if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred; (iv) no Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit
(other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of
funds to be applied to such deposit) or insofar as Events of Default from
bankruptcy or insolvency events are concerned, at any time in the period
ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit; (v) such Legal Defeasance or
Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute
a default under any material agreement or instrument (other than the
Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a
party or by which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is bound;
(vi) the Company or the Guarantors must have delivered to the Trustee an
opinion of counsel to the effect that after the 91st day following the
deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors'
rights generally; (vii) the Company or the Guarantors must deliver to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the
Company or the Guarantors, as applicable, with the intent of preferring the
Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Company or the Guarantors, as
applicable, with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding
creditors of the Company or the Guarantors, as applicable, or others; and
(viii) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an
opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for
relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied
with.
 
TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE
 
  A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture.
The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to
furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may
require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law
 
                                      82

 
or permitted by the Indenture. The Company is not required to transfer or
exchange any Note selected for redemption. Also, the Company is not required
to transfer or exchange any Note for a period of 15 days before a selection of
Notes to be redeemed.
 
  The registered Holder of a Note will be treated as the owner of it for all
purposes.
 
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
 
  Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the Indenture or
the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at
least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including,
without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or
tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes), and any existing default or
compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with
the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then
outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a tender
offer or exchange offer for Notes).
 
  Without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver may not
(with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder): (i) reduce the
principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment,
supplement or waiver, (ii) reduce the principal of or change the fixed
maturity of any Note or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption of
the Notes (other than provisions relating to the covenants described above
under the caption "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders"), (iii) reduce the
rate of or change the time for payment of interest or Liquidated Damages on
any Note, (iv) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal
of or premium, if any, or interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes
(except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes and a waiver of the
payment default that resulted from such acceleration), (v) make any Note
payable in money other than that stated in the Notes, (vi) make any change in
the provisions of the Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the
rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of or premium, if
any, or interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes, (vii) waive a
redemption payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by
one of the covenants described above under the caption "--Repurchase at the
Option of Holders") or (viii) make any change in the foregoing amendment and
waiver provisions. Without the consent of at least 66 2/3% in aggregate
principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including consents obtained in
connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes),
no waiver or amendment to the Indenture may make any change in the provisions
described above under the captions "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--
Change of Control" and "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Assets Sales"
that adversely affect the rights of any Holder of Notes. In addition, any
amendment to the provisions of Article 10 of the Indenture (which relate to
subordination) will require the consent of the Holders of at least 66 2/3% in
aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding if such amendment
would adversely affect the rights of Holders of Notes.
 
  Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any Holder of Notes,
the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes
to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated
Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to provide for the
assumption of the Company's obligations to Holders of Notes in the case of a
merger or consolidation, to make any change that would provide any additional
rights or benefits to the Holders of Notes or that does not adversely affect
the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder, or to comply with
requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the
qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
  The Indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee,
should it become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims in
certain cases, or to realize on certain property received
 
                                      83

 
in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee will be
permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any
conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to
the Commission for permission to continue or resign. The Trustee is a lender
to the Company under the Credit Agreement and is an affiliate of Chemical
Securities Inc. See "Description of Other Indebtedness--Credit Agreement" and
"Offer and Resale."
 
  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes
will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to
certain exceptions. The Indenture provides that in case an Event of Default
shall occur (which shall not be cured), the Trustee will be required, in the
exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the
conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee will be
under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
Indenture at the request of any Holder of Notes, unless such Holder shall have
offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any
loss, liability or expense.
 
BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM
 
  The Notes to be issued as set forth herein will initially be issued in the
form of one or more permanent global certificates in definitive, fully-
registered form ("Global Note"). Each Global Note will be deposited on the
date of the closing of the exchange of the Private Notes for the Exchange
Notes offered hereby (the "Closing Date") with, or on behalf of, The
Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as
nominee of the Depositary (such nominee being referred to herein as the
"Global Note Holder").
 
  The Depositary is a limited-purpose trust company that was created to hold
securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the
"Participants" or the "Depositary's Participants") and to facilitate the
clearance and settlement of transactions in such securities between
Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its
Participants. The Depositary's Participants include securities brokers and
dealers (including the Initial Purchasers), banks and trust companies,
clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to the
Depositary's system is also available to other entities such as banks,
brokers, dealers and trust companies (collectively, the "Indirect
Participants" or the "Depositary's Indirect Participants") that clear through
or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or
indirectly. Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities
held by or on behalf of the Depositary only thorough the Depositary's
Participants or the Depositary's Indirect Participants.
 
  The Company expects that pursuant to procedures established by the
Depositary (i) upon deposit of the Global Note, the Depositary will credit the
accounts of Participants designated by the Initial Purchasers with portions of
the principal amount of the Global Note and (ii) ownership of the Notes
evidenced by the Global Note will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership
thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary
(with respect to the interests of the Depositary's Participants), the
Depositary's Participants and the Depositary's Indirect Participants.
Prospective purchasers are advised that the laws of some states require that
certain persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities that
they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer Notes evidenced by the Global
Note will be limited to such extent.
 
  So long as the Global Note Holder is the registered owner of any Notes, the
Global Note Holder will be considered the sole Holder under the Indenture of
any Notes evidenced by the Global Note. Beneficial owners of Notes evidenced
by the Global Note will not be considered the owners or Holders thereof under
the Indenture for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any
directions, instructions or approvals to the Trustee thereunder. Neither the
Company nor the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any
aspect of the records of the Depositary or for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any records of the Depositary relating to the Notes.
 
                                      84

 
  Payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, on any Notes
registered in the name of the Global Note Holder on the applicable record date
will be payable by the Trustee to or at the direction of the Global Note
Holder in its capacity as the registered Holder under the Indenture. Under the
terms of the Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may treat the persons in
whose names Notes, including the Global Note, are registered as the owners
thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments. Consequently, neither the
Company nor the Trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for
the payment of such amounts to beneficial owners of Notes. The Company
believes, however, that it is currently the policy of the Depositary to
immediately credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with such
payments, in amounts proportionate to their respective holdings of beneficial
interests in the relevant security as shown on the records of the Depositary.
Payments by the Depositary's Participants and the Depositary's Indirect
Participants to the beneficial owners of Notes will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practice and will be the responsibility of the
Depositary's Participants or the Depositary's Indirect Participants.
 
 Certificated Securities
 
  Subject to certain conditions, any person having a beneficial interest in
the Global Note may, upon request to the Trustee, exchange such beneficial
interest for Notes in the form of Certificated Securities. Upon any such
issuance, the Trustee is required to register such Certificated Securities in
the name of, and cause the same to be delivered to, such person or persons (or
the nominee of any thereof). In addition, if (i) the Company notifies the
Trustee in writing that the Depositary is no longer willing or able to act as
a depositary and the Company is unable to locate a qualified successor within
90 days or (ii) the Company, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing
that it elects to cause the issuance of Notes in the form of Certificated
Securities under the Indenture, then, upon surrender by the Global Note Holder
of its Global Note, Notes in such form will be issued to each person that the
Global Note Holder and the Depositary identify as being the beneficial owner
of the related Notes.
 
  Neither the Company nor the Trustee will be liable for any delay by the
Global Note Holder or the Depositary in identifying the beneficial owners of
Notes and the Company and the Trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be
protected in relying on, instructions from the Global Note Holder or the
Depositary for all purposes.
 
 Same-Day Settlement and Payment
 
  The Indenture will require that payments in respect of the Notes represented
by the Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) be
made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified
by the Global Note Holder. With respect to Certificated Securities, the
Company will make all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest, by
wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the
Holders thereof that hold at least $5.0 million in aggregate principal amount
of the Notes or, if no such account is specified or if a Holder holds less
than $5.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the Notes, by mailing a
check to each such Holder's registered address. The Notes represented by the
Global Note are expected to be eligible to trade in the Depositary's Same-Day
Funds Settlement System, and any permitted secondary market trading activity
in such Notes will, therefore, be required by the Depositary to be settled in
immediately available funds.
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
  Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the Indenture. Reference
is made to the Indenture for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as
any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided.
 
  "Acquired Debt" means, with respect to any specified Person, (i)
Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is
merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such
 
                                      85

 
specified Person, including, without limitation, Indebtedness incurred in
connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or
into or becoming a Subsidiary of such specified Person, and (ii) Indebtedness
secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.
 
  "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, "control"
(including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling," "controlled
by" and "under common control with"), as used with respect to any Person,
shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether
through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise;
provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the voting securities of
a Person shall be deemed to be control.
 
  "Asset Sale" means (i) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition (but
excluding the creation of a Lien) of any assets including, without limitation,
by way of a sale and leaseback (provided that the sale, lease, conveyance or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and
its Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions of the
Indenture described above under the caption "--Repurchase at the Option of
Holders--Change of Control" and/or the provisions described above under the
caption "--Certain Covenants--Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets" and
not by the provisions described above under "--Repurchase at the Option of
Holders--Asset Sales"), and (ii) the issue or sale by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries of Equity Interests of any of the Company's
Subsidiaries (including the sale by a Restricted Subsidiary of Equity
Interests in an Unrestricted Subsidiary), in the case of either clause (i) or
(ii), whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (a)
that have a fair market value in excess of $2.0 million or (b) for net
proceeds in excess of $2.0 million. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
following shall not be deemed to be Asset Sales: (i) a transfer of assets by
the Company to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company or by a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or to another Wholly Owned Subsidiary
of the Company, (ii) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or to another Wholly Owned Subsidiary
of the Company, (iii) a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is
permitted by the covenant described above under the caption "--Certain
Covenants--Restricted Payments," (iv) the sale or transfer (whether or not in
the ordinary course of business) of oil and gas properties or direct or
indirect interests in real property, provided that at the time of such sale or
transfer such properties do not have associated with them any proved reserves,
(v) the abandonment, farm-out, lease or sublease of developed or undeveloped
oil and gas properties in the ordinary course of business, (vi) the trade or
exchange by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of any oil and gas
property owned or held by the Company or such Subsidiary for any oil and gas
property owned or held by another Person or (vii) the sale or transfer of
hydrocarbons or other mineral products or surplus or obsolete equipment in the
ordinary course of business.
 
  "Attributable Debt" in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction means, at
the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the rate of
interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP) of
the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term
of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction (including any
period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the
lessor, be extended).
 
  "Borrowing Base" means, as of any date, the aggregate amount of borrowing
availability as of such date under all Credit Facilities that determine
availability on the basis of a borrowing base or other asset-based
calculation, provided that in no event shall the Borrowing Base exceed $250.0
million.
 
  "Capital Lease Obligation" means, at the time any determination thereof is
to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that
would at such time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in
accordance with GAAP.
 
                                      86

 
  "Capital Stock" means (i) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock,
(ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares,
interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of
corporate stock, (iii) in the case of a partnership, partnership interests
(whether general or limited) and (iv) any other interest or participation that
confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of,
or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
 
  "Cash Equivalents" means (i) United States dollars, (ii) securities issued
or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or
any agency or instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than six
months from the date of acquisition, (iii) certificates of deposit and
eurodollar time deposits with maturities of six months or less from the date
of acquisition, bankers' acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months
and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any lender party to the Credit
Agreement or with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in
excess of $500 million and a Thompson Bank Watch Rating of "B" or better, (iv)
repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying
securities of the types described in clauses (ii) and (iii) above entered into
with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause
(iii) above and (v) commercial paper having a rating of at least P1 from
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and a rating of at least A1 from Standard &
Poor's Corporation.
 
  "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the
sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of
merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any "person" (as such term is used in Section
13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than a Person controlled by the
Principals, (ii) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or
dissolution of the Company, (iii) the consummation of any transaction
(including, without limitation, any purchase, sale, acquisition, disposition,
merger or consolidation) the result of which is that (x) the Principals cease
to "beneficially own" (as such term is described in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5
under the Exchange Act), in the aggregate, at least 33% of the aggregate
voting power of all classes of Capital Stock of the Company having the right
to elect directors under ordinary circumstances or (y) any "person" (as
defined above) becomes the "beneficial owner" (as such term is defined in Rule
13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of more of the aggregate voting
power of all classes of Capital Stock of the Company having the right to elect
directors under ordinary circumstances than is owned at that time by the
Principals in the aggregate or (iv) the first day on which a majority of the
members of the Board of Directors of the Company are not Continuing Directors.
 
  "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
  "Consolidated Cash Flow" means, with respect to any Person for any period,
the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus (i) an amount
equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss realized in connection with
an Asset Sale (together with any related provision for taxes), to the extent
such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income, plus (ii)
provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for
taxes was included in computing such Consolidated Net Income, plus
(iii) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (including, without
limitation, amortization of original issue discount, non-cash interest
payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the
interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations,
imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and
other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers'
acceptance financings, and net payments (if any) pursuant to Interest Rate
Hedging Agreements), to the extent that any such expense was deducted in
computing such Consolidated Net Income, plus (iv) depreciation, depletion and
amortization expenses (including amortization of goodwill and other
intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid
in a prior period) for such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period to the extent that such
 
                                      87

 
depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses were deducted in computing
such Consolidated Net Income, plus (v) other non-cash charges (excluding any
such non-cash charge to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve
for cash charges in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash
expense that was paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such other non-cash charges
were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income, in each case, on a
consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the provision for taxes on the income or profits of, and the
depreciation, depletion and amortization and other non-cash charges and
expenses of, a Restricted Subsidiary of the referent Person shall be added to
Consolidated Net Income to compute Consolidated Cash Flow only to the extent
(and in same proportion) that the Net Income of such Restricted Subsidiary was
included in calculating the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and only if
a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be
dividended to the Company by such Restricted Subsidiary without prior
governmental approval (that has not been obtained), and without direct or
indirect restriction pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements,
instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental
regulations applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders.
 
  "Consolidated Net Income" means, with respect to any Person for any period,
the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries
for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP;
provided that (i) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a
Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of
accounting shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or
distributions paid in cash to the referent Person or a Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary thereof, (ii) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary shall be
excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar
distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the
date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that
has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms
of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute,
rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or
its stockholders, (iii) the Net Income of any Person acquired in a pooling of
interests transaction for any period prior to the date of such acquisition
shall be excluded, (iv) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principles shall be excluded and (v) the Net Income of any Unrestricted
Subsidiary shall be excluded, whether or not distributed to the Company or one
of its Subsidiaries.
 
  "Consolidated Net Working Capital" of any Person as of any date of
determination means the difference (shown on the balance sheet of such Person
and its consolidated Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter of such
Person for which internal financial statements are available) between (i) all
current assets of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries and (ii) all
current liabilities of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries except
the current portion of long-term Indebtedness.
 
  "Continuing Directors" means, as of any date of determination, any member of
the Board of Directors of the Company who (i) was a member of such Board of
Directors on the date of the Indenture or (ii) was nominated for election or
elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the
Continuing Directors who were members of such Board at the time of such
nomination or election.
 
  "Credit Agreement" means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of February
14, 1996, by and among the Company and NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as agent
and as a lender, and certain other institutions, as lenders, providing for up
to $250.0 million of Indebtedness, including any related notes, guarantees,
collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection
therewith, and in each case as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded,
replaced or refinanced, in whole or in part, from time to time.
 
 
                                      88

 
  "Credit Facilities" means, with respect to the Company, one or more debt
facilities (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement) or commercial
paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders providing for
revolving credit loans, term loans, production payments, receivables financing
(including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special
purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables)
or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed,
refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.
Indebtedness under Credit Facilities outstanding on the date on which Notes
are first issued and authenticated under the Indenture shall be deemed to have
been incurred on such date in reliance on the exception provided by clause (b)
of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness.
 
  "Default" means any event that is or with the passage of time or the giving
of notice or both would be an Event of Default.
 
  "Designated Senior Debt" means (i) the Credit Agreement and (ii) any other
Senior Debt permitted under the Indenture the principal amount of which is $25
million or more and that has been designated by the Company as "Designated
Senior Debt."
 
  "Disqualified Stock" means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the
terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is
exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily
redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable
at the option of the Holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the
date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature, provided that
the JEDI Preferred Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock.
 
  "Dollar-Denominated Production Payments" means production payment
obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all
undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.
 
  "Equity Interests" means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other
rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is
convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
 
  "Existing Indebtedness" means up to $3.0 million in aggregate principal
amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than
Indebtedness under the Credit Facilities and the JEDI Debt) in existence on
the date of the Indenture, until such amounts are repaid.
 
  "Fixed Charges" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of
(i) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (including, without
limitation, amortization of original issue discount, non-cash interest
payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the
interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations,
imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and
other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers'
acceptance financings, and net payments (if any) pursuant to Interest Rate
Hedging Agreements) and (ii) the consolidated interest expense of such Person
and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period, and
(iii) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is
Guaranteed by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by
a Lien on assets of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (whether
or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon) and (iv) the product of (a) all
cash dividend payments (and non-cash dividend payments in the case of a Person
that is a Restricted Subsidiary) on any series of preferred stock of such
Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, times (b) a fraction, the
numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then
current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person,
expressed as a decimal, in each case, on a consolidated basis and in
accordance with GAAP.
 
 
                                      89

 
  "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means with respect to any Person for any
period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period
to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, Guarantees or
redeems any Indebtedness (other than revolving credit borrowings) or issues
preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the date on which
the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the "Calculation
Date"), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro
forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee or redemption of
Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of preferred stock, as if the
same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference
period. In addition, for purposes of making the computation referred to above,
(i) acquisitions that have been made by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations and including any
related financing transactions, during the four-quarter reference period or
subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date
(including, without limitation, any acquisition to occur on the Calculation
Date) shall be deemed to have occurred on the first day of the four-quarter
reference period and Consolidated Cash Flow for such reference period shall be
calculated without giving effect to clause (iii) of the proviso set forth in
the definition of Consolidated Net Income, (ii) the net proceeds of
Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock issued by the Company pursuant to
the first paragraph of the covenant described under the caption "--Certain
Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock" during
the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and
on or prior to the Calculation Date shall be deemed to have been received by
the Company on the first day of the four-quarter reference period and applied
to its intended use on such date, (iii) the Consolidated Cash Flow
attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with
GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date,
shall be excluded, and (iv) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued
operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or
businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, shall be excluded, but
only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will
not be obligations of the referent Person or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date.
 
  "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such
other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession, which are in effect from time to time.
 
  "Guarantee" means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable
instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or
indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, letters of credit and
reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any
Indebtedness.
 
  "Guarantors" means each of (i) Diamond Energy Operating Company, Taurus
Energy Corp. and Electra Resources, Inc. and (ii) any other subsidiary of the
Company that executes a Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the provisions
of the Indenture, and, in each case, their respective successors and assigns.
 
  "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, (a)
any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent, (i) in respect of
borrowed money, (ii) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar
instruments, (iii) evidenced by letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements
in respect thereof) or banker's acceptances, (iv) representing Capital Lease
Obligations, (v) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase
price of any property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued
expense or trade payable, (vi) representing any obligations in respect of
Interest Rate Hedging Agreements or Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts, (vii) in
respect of obligations to pay rent or other amounts with respect to a sale and
leaseback transaction to which such
 
                                      90

 
Person is a party, and (viii) in respect of any Production Payment, (b) all
indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person (whether
or not such indebtedness is assumed by such Person), (c) obligations of such
Person in respect of production imbalances and (d) to the extent not otherwise
included in the foregoing, the Guarantee by such Person of any indebtedness of
any other Person, provided that the indebtedness described in clauses (a)(i),
(ii), (iv) and (v) shall be included in this definition of Indebtedness only
if, and to the extent that, the indebtedness described in such clauses would
appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such Person prepared in
accordance with GAAP.
 
  "Interest Rate Hedging Agreements" means, with respect to any Person, the
obligations of such Person under (i) interest rate swap agreements, interest
rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements and (ii) other
agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against
fluctuations in interest rates.
 
  "Investments" means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such
Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of direct or
indirect loans (including guarantees of Indebtedness or other obligations, but
excluding trade credit and other ordinary course advances customarily made in
the oil and gas industry), advances or capital contributions (excluding
commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the
ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for
consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together
with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance
sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that the following shall not
constitute Investments: (i) an acquisition of assets, Equity Interests or
other securities by the Company for consideration consisting of common equity
securities of the Company, (ii) Interest Rate Hedging Agreements entered into
in accordance with the limitations set forth in clause (h) of the second
paragraph of the covenant described under the caption "--Certain Covenants--
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock" and (iii) Oil
and Gas Hedging Agreements entered into in accordance with the limitations set
forth in clause (i) of the second paragraph of the covenant described under
the caption "--Certain Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Stock." If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company sells or
otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect
Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or
disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company, the Company
shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or
disposition equal to the fair market value of the Equity Interests of such
Subsidiary not sold or disposed of.
 
  "JEDI Preferred Stock" means all outstanding shares of the Company's 15%
Cumulative Preferred Stock held by JEDI as in effect on the date of the
Indenture, including any shares of the Company's 15% Cumulative Preferred
Stock issued thereafter as payment of accrued dividends thereon in accordance
with the terms thereof as in effect on the date of the Indenture.
 
  "Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge,
security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether
or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including
any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the
nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security
interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement
under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any
jurisdiction).
 
  "Liquid Securities" means securities (i) of an issuer that is not an
Affiliate of the Company and (ii) that are publicly traded on the New York
Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq National Market;
provided, that securities meeting the requirements of clauses (i) and
(ii) above shall be treated as Liquid Securities from the date of receipt
thereof until and only until the earlier of (x) the date on which such
securities are sold or exchanged for cash or cash equivalents and (y) 180 days
following the date of the closing of the Asset Sale in connection with which
such Liquid
 
                                      91

 
Securities were received. In the event such securities are not sold or
exchanged for cash or cash equivalents within such 180-day period, for
purposes of determining whether the transaction pursuant to which the Company
or a Restricted Subsidiary received the securities was in compliance with the
covenant described under the caption "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--
Asset Sales," such securities shall be deemed not to have been Liquid
Securities at any time.
 
  "Net Income" means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of
such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in
respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however, (i) any gain (but
not loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (but not
loss), realized in connection with (a) any Asset Sale (including, without
limitation, dispositions pursuant to sale and leaseback transactions) or (b)
the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii) any extraordinary or nonrecurring gain
(but not loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such
extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (but not loss).
 
  "Net Proceeds" means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including,
without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of
Liquid Securities or any other any non-cash consideration received in any
Asset Sale, but excluding cash amounts placed in escrow, until such amounts
are released to the Company), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset
Sale (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking
fees, and sales commissions) and any relocation expenses incurred as a result
thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account
any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements),
amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness (other than
Indebtedness under any Credit Facility) secured by a Lien on the asset or
assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale and any reserve for adjustment
in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance
with GAAP and any reserve established for future liabilities.
 
  "Non-Recourse Debt" means Indebtedness (i) as to which neither the Company
nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind
(including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute
Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable (as a guarantor or
otherwise), or (c) constitutes the lender; and (ii) no default with respect to
which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take
enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit (upon
notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any other Indebtedness of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such
other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable
prior to its stated maturity; and (iii) as to which the lenders have been
notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or
assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
 
  "Obligations" means any principal, interest, penalties, fees,
indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under
the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
 
  "Oil and Gas Business" means (i) the acquisition, exploration, development,
operation and disposition of interests in oil, gas and other hydrocarbon
properties, (ii) the gathering, marketing, treating, processing, storage,
selling and transporting of any production from such interests or properties,
(iii) any business relating to exploration for or development, production,
treatment, processing, storage, transportation or marketing of oil, gas and
other minerals and products produced in association therewith and (iv) any
activity that is ancillary to or necessary or appropriate for the activities
described in clauses (i) through (iii) of this definition.
 
 
                                      92

 
  "Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts" means any oil and gas purchase or hedging
agreement, and other agreement or arrangement, in each case, that is designed
to provide protection against oil and gas price fluctuations.
 
  "Pari Passu Indebtedness" means Indebtedness that ranks pari passu in right
of payment to the Notes.
 
  "Permitted Business Investments" means investments made in the ordinary
course of, and of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, the Oil
and Gas Business as a means of actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring,
developing, processing, gathering, marketing or transporting oil and gas
through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements which permit one
to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local
ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct
of Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including, without
limitation, (i) ownership interests in oil and gas properties, processing
facilities, gathering systems or ancillary real property interests and (ii)
Investments in the form of or pursuant to operating agreements, processing
agreements, farm-in agreements, farm-out agreements, development agreements,
area of mutual interest agreements, unitization agreements, pooling
agreements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, joint venture
agreements, partnership agreements (whether general or limited), subscription
agreements, stock purchase agreements and other similar agreements with third
parties.
 
  "Permitted Indebtedness" has the meaning given in the covenant described
under the caption "--Certain Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Disqualified Stock."
 
  "Permitted Investments" means (a) any Investment in the Company or in a
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; (b) any Investment in Cash
Equivalents or securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured
by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof
having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition; (c)
any Investment by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if
as a result of such Investment and any related transactions that, at the time
of such Investment are contractually mandated to occur (i) such Person becomes
a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (ii) such Person is
merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys
substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; (d) any Investment made as
a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was
made pursuant to and in compliance with the covenant described above under the
caption "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Asset Sales"; (e) other
Investments in any Person having an aggregate fair market value (measured on
the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent
changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made
pursuant to this clause (e) that are at the time outstanding, not to exceed
the greater of $5.0 million or two percent of Total Assets of the Company; (f)
Permitted Business Investments; (g) any Investment acquired by the Company in
exchange for Equity Interests in the Company (other than Disqualified Stock);
(h) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries with net cash proceeds
contributed to the common equity capital of the Company since the date of the
Indenture, provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are
utilized for any such Investment shall be excluded from clause (c)(ii) of the
first paragraph of the covenant described under the caption "--Certain
Covenants--Restricted Payments" and (i) shares of Capital Stock received in
connection with any good faith settlement of a bankruptcy proceeding involving
a trade creditor.
 
  "Permitted Liens" means (i) Liens securing Indebtedness of a Subsidiary or
Senior Debt that is outstanding on the date of issuance of the Notes or that
is permitted by the terms of the Indenture to be incurred; (ii) Liens securing
Attributable Debt with respect to sale and leaseback transactions permitted by
the terms of the Indenture; (iii) Liens in favor of the Company; (iv) Liens on
property existing at the time of acquisition thereof by the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company and Liens
 
                                      93

 
on property or assets of a Subsidiary existing at the time it became a
Subsidiary, provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the
contemplation of the acquisition and do not extend to any assets other than
the acquired property; (v) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary
course of business in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment
insurance or other kinds of social security, or to secure the payment or
performance of tenders, statutory or regulatory obligations, surety or appeal
bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the
ordinary course of business (including lessee or operator obligations under
statutes, governmental regulations or instruments related to the ownership,
exploration and production of oil, gas and minerals on state or federal lands
or waters); (vi) Liens existing on the date of the Indenture; (vii) Liens for
taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet
delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded, provided that any
reserve or other appropriate provision as shall be required in conformity with
GAAP shall have been made therefor; (viii) statutory liens of landlords,
mechanics, suppliers, vendors, warehousemen, carriers or other like Liens
arising in the ordinary course of business; (ix) judgment Liens not giving
rise to an Event of Default so long as any appropriate legal proceeding that
may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment shall not have
been finally terminated or the period within which such proceeding may be
initiated shall not have expired; (x) Liens on, or related to, properties or
assets to secure all or part or the costs incurred in the ordinary course of
the Oil and Gas Business for the exploration, drilling, development, or
operation thereof; (xi) Liens in pipeline or pipeline facilities that arise
under operation of law; (xii) Liens arising under operating agreements, joint
venture agreements, partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, farm-out
agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, transportation or
exchange of oil or natural gas, unitization and pooling declarations and
agreements, area of mutual interest agreements and other agreements that are
customary in the Oil and Gas Business; (xiii) Liens reserved in oil and gas
mineral leases for bonus or rental payments and for compliance with the terms
of such leases; (xiv) Liens not otherwise permitted by clauses (i) through
(xiii) and that are incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company
or any Subsidiary of the Company with respect to obligations that do not
exceed $5.0 million at any one time outstanding; and (xv) Liens on assets of
Unrestricted Subsidiaries that secure Non-Recourse Debt of Unrestricted
Subsidiaries.
 
  "Permitted Refinancing Debt" means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of
which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund other
Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred under a Credit Facility) of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that: (i) the
principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted
value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed,
replaced, defeased or refunded (plus the amount of reasonable expenses
incurred in connection therewith); (ii) such Permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness has a final maturity date on or later than the final maturity
date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than
the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended,
refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; (iii) if the Indebtedness
being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is
subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such Permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of,
and is subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes on terms at least as
favorable to the Holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation
governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced,
defeased or refunded; and (iv) such Indebtedness is incurred either by the
Company or by the Restricted Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness
being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.
 
  "Principal(s)" means (a) Enron Corp., (b) the California Public Employees
Retirement System, or (c) JEDI or another entity or entities, as long as JEDI
or such other entity or entities is controlled by
 
                                      94

 
(i) Enron Corp., (ii) the California Public Employees' Retirement System,
(iii) any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of either such entity or
(iv) any combination of any of the foregoing entities.
 
  "Production Payments" means Dollar-Denominated Production Payments and
Volumetric Production Payments, collectively.
 
  "Restricted Investment" means an Investment other than a Permitted
Investment.
 
  "Restricted Subsidiary" of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent
Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
  "Senior Debt" means (i) Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company under or in respect of any Credit Facility and (ii) any other
Indebtedness permitted under the terms of the Indenture, unless the instrument
under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is on a
parity with or subordinated in right of payment to the Notes. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in the foregoing sentence, Senior Debt will not
include (w) any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or
owing by the Company, (x) any Indebtedness of the Company to any of its
Subsidiaries or other Affiliates, (y) any trade payables or (z) any
Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of the Indenture (other than
Indebtedness under any Credit Facility that is incurred on the basis of a
representation by the Company to the applicable lenders that it is permitted
to incur such Indebtedness under the Indenture).
 
  "Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that would be a "significant
subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated
pursuant to the Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date hereof.
 
  "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation,
association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total
voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the
occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers
or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that
Person (or a combination thereof) and (ii) any partnership (a) the sole
general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a
Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such
Person or of one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination
thereof).
 
  "Taurus" means the Company's gas gathering and processing business and the
properties and other assets related thereto, whether or not held by Taurus
Energy Corp.
 
  "Total Assets" means, with respect to any Person, the total consolidated
assets of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as shown on the most
recent balance sheet of such Person.
 
  "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) any Subsidiary (other than Diamond or
any successor to Diamond) that is designated by the Board of Directors as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution, and any Subsidiary of
an Unrestricted Subsidiary; but only to the extent that such Subsidiary: (a)
has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt; (b) is not party to any
agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement,
contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from
Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company; (c) is a Person with respect to
which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any
direct or indirect obligation (x) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests
or (y) to maintain or preserve such Person's financial condition or to cause
such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; (d) has not
guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any
Indebtedness of the Company or any of
 
                                      95

 
its Restricted Subsidiaries; and (e) has at least one director on its board of
directors that is not a director or executive officer of the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries and has at least one executive officer that is not
a director or executive officer of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, provided, however, that the death or resignation of any such
director or executive officer shall not cause a Subsidiary that would otherwise
be an Unrestricted Subsidiary to be deemed to be a Restricted Subsidiary unless
ten days has elapsed in which the Company has failed to appoint or elect a
successor to replace such director or executive officer who satisfies the
criteria set forth in this clause (e). Any such designation by the Board of
Directors shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a
certified copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an
Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the
foregoing conditions and was permitted by the covenant described above under
the caption "--Certain Covenants--Restricted Payments." If, at any time, any
Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the foregoing requirements as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted
Subsidiary for purposes of the Indenture and any Indebtedness of such
Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company as of such date (and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be
incurred as of such date under the covenant described under the caption "--
Certain Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified
Stock," the Company shall be in default of such covenant). The Board of
Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary
to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation shall be deemed
to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such
designation shall only be permitted if (i) such Indebtedness is permitted under
the covenant described under the caption "--Certain Covenants--Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock," and (ii) no Default or Event
of Default would be in existence following such designation.
 
  "Volumetric Production Payments" means production payment obligations
recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all
undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.
 
  "Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, when applied to any Indebtedness
at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the
products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining
installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of
principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the
number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse
between such date and the making of such payment, by (ii) the then outstanding
principal amount of such Indebtedness.
 
  "Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary" of any Person means a Restricted
Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding Capital Stock or other
ownership interests of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) shall at
the time be owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person.
 
                                       96

 
                       DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
 
CREDIT AGREEMENT
 
  On February 14, 1996, the Company entered into the Credit Agreement with
NationsBank, as lender and as agent, and additional lenders named therein. The
Credit Agreement is guaranteed by all of the Company's subsidiaries and
provides for a revolving credit facility in the amount of $250.0 million. The
current borrowing base is $115.0 million and is subject to redetermination:
(i) semi-annually, (ii) upon the sale of Taurus and (iii) upon issuance of
public subordinated debt in an amount greater than $100.0 million. The lenders
under the Credit Agreement have agreed to waive their right to redetermine the
borrowing base with respect to the issuance of the Notes. At March 31, 1996,
$80.0 million was outstanding under the Credit Agreement and $35.0 million was
available for borrowing thereunder. See "Use of Proceeds."
 
  The Credit Agreement is unsecured. The Company has provided the lenders with
first lien deeds of trust on its oil and natural gas assets which will not
become effective, and the lenders have agreed not to file, unless (i) 80% of
any outstanding borrowings in excess of the borrowing limit is not repaid
within a 90 day period, (ii) cash collateral securing a hedge transaction
exceeds 20% of the borrowing limit or (iii) an event of default or a material
adverse event, as defined in the Credit Agreement, occurs.
 
  So long as no default (as defined in the Credit Agreement) is continuing,
the Company has the option of having all or any portion of the amount borrowed
under the Credit Agreement be the subject of one of the following interest
rates: (i) NationsBank's prime rate, (ii) the CD Rate plus 1 1/4% to 1 5/8%
based upon the ratio of outstanding debt to the available borrowing base and
(iii) LIBOR plus 1 1/4% to 1 5/8% based upon the ratio of outstanding debt to
the available borrowing base. The Company must also pay a commitment fee of
between 0.375% to 0.425% on the unused portion of the credit facility. The
Credit Agreement contains various restrictive covenants, including limitations
on the granting of liens, restrictions on the issuance of additional debt,
restrictions on investments, a requirement to maintain positive working
capital, and restrictions on dividends and stock repurchases. The Credit
Agreement also contains requirements that JEDI, Enron, CalPERS or any wholly
owned subsidiary of either Enron or CalPERS must continue to own a majority of
the outstanding equity of the Company and must have the ability to elect the
majority of the Board of Directors and that certain members of management
maintain specified levels of equity ownership in the Company and continue
their employment with the Company. The Credit Agreement matures on February
16, 2001.
 
12% SENIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES DUE 2000
 
  On June 13, 1985, the Company issued its 12% Senior Subordinated Debentures
due 2000 (the "Debentures") under an indenture dated as of June 1, 1985,
between the Company and Texas American Bank/Dallas, as trustee. The Debentures
bear interest at 12% per annum, payable semi-annually. The Debentures will be
due on June 1, 2000 and are unsecured obligations of the Company. The
Debentures rank senior in right of payment to the Notes. At December 31, 1995,
approximately $1.2 million in aggregate principal amount of the Debentures was
outstanding.
 
  On March 28, 1996, the Company gave notice of redemption, prior to maturity,
to each of the record holders of the outstanding Debentures. The outstanding
Debentures will be redeemed on May 1, 1996 at a redemption price of 100.0% of
the principal amount of the Debentures plus accrued and unpaid interest
thereon to May 1, 1996. On May 1, 1996, the Company will deposit with the
trustee of the Debentures funds sufficient to so redeem the Debentures, and
thereafter interest on the Debentures will cease to accrue.
 
                                      97

 
                     DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF CODA
 
COMMON STOCK
 
  The authorized common stock of Coda aggregates 1,000,000 shares, par value
$0.01 per share. As of February 19, 1996, 913,611 shares of common stock were
outstanding. The holders of shares of common stock possess full voting power
for the election of directors and for all other purposes, each holder of
common stock being entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held of
record by such holder. The shares of common stock do not have cumulative
voting rights. Holders of a majority of the shares of common stock represented
at a meeting may currently approve most actions submitted to the stockholders
except for certain corporate actions (e.g., mergers, sale of assets and
charter amendments), which require the approval of holders of a majority of
the total outstanding shares of common stock. Coda has never paid dividends on
its common stock.
 
  Subject to the rights of holders of any outstanding shares of Preferred
Stock, dividends may be paid on the common stock as and when declared by
Coda's Board of Directors out of any funds of Coda legally available for the
payment thereof. Holders of common stock have no subscription, redemption,
sinking fund, conversion or preemptive rights, except for certain put and call
rights described in "Certain Transactions." The outstanding shares of common
stock are fully paid and nonassessable. After payment is made in full to the
holders of any outstanding shares of Preferred Stock in the event of any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of Coda, the remaining
assets and funds of Coda will be distributed to the holders of common stock
according to their respective shares. The common stock is held by 16 holders
of record. There is no established trading market for the common stock.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
  Under Coda's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors
is authorized to issue up to 40,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01
per share. All 40,000 shares of preferred stock are designated as "15%
Cumulative Preferred Stock." The holders of each share of Preferred Stock are
entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of Directors,
cumulative preferential dividends, at the rate of $150.00 per share per annum.
There are currently 20,000 shares of Preferred Stock issued and outstanding.
Shares of Preferred Stock in excess of such 20,000 shares shall be issuable
only for the purpose of paying dividends on the Preferred Stock.
 
  As long as any shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding, no dividends
whatsoever, whether paid in cash, stock or otherwise (except for dividends
paid in shares of common stock, either in the form of a stock split or stock
dividend), may be paid or declared, nor may any distribution be made, on any
common stock to the holders of such stock, unless certain conditions are met.
 
  Coda's Restated Certificate of Incorporation requires that Coda redeem all
the issued and outstanding shares of Preferred Stock at a redemption price of
$1,000 per share, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends (including undeclared
dividends) to the date of redemption, if Coda has sufficient funds legally
available for such redemption and if such redemption would not violate or
conflict with any loan agreement, credit agreement, note agreement, indenture
or other agreement relating to indebtedness to which Coda is a party, on or
before the fifth business day after the earliest to occur of the following:
(i) the closing of the sale by Coda of Taurus and (ii) a Trigger Event, as
such term is defined in the Stockholders Agreement. The Preferred Stock may be
redeemed by Coda at its option, as a whole or in part, to the extent Coda
shall have funds legally available for such redemption, at any time or from
time to time at a redemption price of $1,000 per share, plus all accrued and
unpaid dividends (including undeclared dividends) to the date of redemption.
Such redemption, whether required or optional, is restricted by the Credit
Agreement and the Indenture.
 
                                      98

 
  Upon the complete liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of Coda, whether
voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of Preferred Stock shall be
entitled, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other
liabilities of Coda but before any distribution is made to the holders of any
common stock, to be paid $1,000 per share plus all accrued and unpaid
dividends (including undeclared dividends), and shall not be entitled to any
further payment.
 
  Except as otherwise provided herein or required by law, the holders of
shares of Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any matters to be
voted on by the stockholders of Coda; provided, however, that so long as any
shares of the Preferred Stock are outstanding, Coda shall not, without the
written consent or the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of
the total number of shares of Preferred Stock then outstanding and voting as a
class, (i) amend its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or (ii) authorize
the merger (whether or not Coda is a surviving corporation in such merger) of
Coda, in each case, if such amendment or merger would alter, change or abolish
the powers, preference or rights of the Preferred Stock so as to affect the
holders of the Preferred Stock adversely.
 
                   CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
  In the opinion of Haynes and Boone, L.L.P., counsel to the Company, the
following discussion describes the material federal income tax consequences
expected to result to holders whose Private Notes are exchanged for Exchange
Notes in the Exchange Offer. Such opinion is based upon current provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), applicable
Treasury regulations, judicial authority and administrative rulings and
practice. There can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service (the
"Service") will not take a contrary view, and no ruling from the Service has
been or will be sought with respect to the Exchange Offer. Legislative,
judicial or administrative changes or interpretations may be forthcoming that
could alter or modify the statements and conclusions set forth herein. Any
such changes or interpretations may or may not be retroactive and could affect
the tax consequences to holders. Certain holders (including insurance
companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, broker-dealers,
foreign corporations and persons who are not citizens or residents of the
United States) may be subject to special rules not discussed below. EACH
HOLDER OF PRIVATE NOTES SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE
PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES OF EXCHANGING PRIVATE NOTES FOR EXCHANGE NOTES,
INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN LAWS.
 
  The exchange of Private Notes for Exchange Notes will be treated as a "non-
event" for federal income tax purposes because the Exchange Notes will not be
considered to differ materially in kind or extent from the Private Notes. As a
result, no material federal income tax consequences will result to holders
exchanging Private Notes for Exchange Notes.
 
                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
  Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account pursuant
to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes. This Prospectus, as it may
be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer
in connection with the resales of Exchange Notes received in exchange for
Private Notes where such Private Notes were acquired as a result of market-
making activities or other trading activities. The Company has agreed that for
a period of up to one year after the effective date of the Registration
Statement, it will make this Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available
to any broker-dealer that requests such document in the Letter of Transmittal
for use in connection with any such resale.
 
                                      99

 
  The Company will not receive any proceeds from any sale of Exchange Notes by
broker-dealers or any other persons. Exchange Notes received by broker-dealers
for their own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to
time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated
transactions, through the writing of options on the Exchange Notes or a
combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time
of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated
prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through
brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or
concessions from any such broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such
Exchange Notes. Any broker-dealer that resells Exchange Notes that were
received by it for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any
broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such Exchange Notes
may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act
and any profit on any such resale of Exchange Notes and any commissions or
concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting
compensation under the Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that
by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a
broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within
the meaning of the Securities Act.
 
  The Company has agreed to pay all expenses incident to the Company's
performance of, or compliance with, the Registration Rights Agreement and will
indemnify the holders of Private Notes (including any broker-dealers), and
certain parties related to such holders, against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  Certain legal matters related to the Exchange Notes offered hereby are being
passed upon for the Company by Mr. Joe Callaway, Vice President and General
Counsel of the Company, and by Haynes and Boone, L.L.P., Dallas, Texas. Mr.
Callaway currently holds 475 shares, and options to purchase 475 shares, of
Coda common stock.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 1994
and 1995, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1995, appearing in this Prospectus and Registration Statement have been
audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their
report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon
such report given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
  The estimates as of December 31, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 relating to
the Company's proved oil and natural gas reserves, future net revenues of oil
and natural gas reserves and present value of future net revenues of oil and
natural gas reserves included herein are based upon estimates of such reserves
prepared by Lee Keeling and Associates, Inc. in reliance upon its reports and
upon the authority of this firm as experts in petroleum engineering, except
that such estimates related to the reserves of Diamond as of December 31,
1991, 1992 and 1993 were prepared by Diamond's in-house engineers.
 
                                      100

 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
  The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-4 under the Securities Act with respect to the Exchange Notes offered
hereby. As permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission, this
Prospectus omits certain information, exhibits and undertakings contained in
the Registration Statement. For further information with respect to the
Company and the Exchange Notes offered hereby, reference is made to the
Registration Statement, including the exhibits thereto and the financial
statements, notes and schedules filed as a part thereof. As a result of the
Exchange Offer, the Company will become subject to the informational
requirements of the Exchange Act. The Registration Statement (and the exhibits
and schedules thereto), as well as the periodic reports and other information
filed by the Company with the Commission, may be inspected and copied at the
Public Reference Section of the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the regional offices of the
Commission located at Room 1400, 75 Park Place, New York, New York 10007 and
Suite 1400, Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago,
Illinois 6061-2511. Copies of such materials may be obtained from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission, Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and its public reference facilities in
New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois at the prescribed rates. Statements
contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other
document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made
to the copy of such contract or document filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by
such reference.
 
  Pursuant to the Indenture, the Company has agreed that, to the extent such
filings are accepted by the Commission and whether or not it has a class of
securities registered under the Exchange Act, it will file the annual reports,
quarterly reports and other documents that the Company would be required to
file if it were subject to Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act, in each case
on or before the dates on which such reports and other documents would have
been required to have been filed with the Commission if the Company had been
subject to Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act. The Company will also be
required (i) to file with the Trustee (with exhibits), and provide to each
holder of Notes (without exhibits), without cost to such holder, copies of
such reports and documents within 15 days after the date on which the Company
files such reports and documents with the Commission or the date on which the
Company would be required to file such reports and documents if the Company
were so required and (ii) if filing such reports and documents with the
Commission is not accepted by the Commission or is prohibited under the
Exchange Act, to supply at its cost copies of such reports and documents
(including any exhibits thereto) to any holder of Notes promptly upon written
request.
 
  The principal address of the Company is 5735 Pineland Drive, Suite 300,
Dallas, Texas 75231, and the Company's telephone number is (214) 692-1800.
 
                                      101

 
                                    GLOSSARY
 
  The terms defined in this glossary are used throughout this Prospectus.
 
  "AVERAGE NYMEX PRICE." The average of the NYMEX closing prices for the near
month.
 
  BBL. One stock tank barrel, or 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume, used herein in
reference to crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
 
  BCF. One billion cubic feet of natural gas.
 
  "BEHIND THE PIPE." Hydrocarbons in a potentially producing horizon penetrated
by a well bore the production of which has been postponed pending the
production of hydrocarbons from another formation penetrated by the well bore.
These hydrocarbons are classified as proved but non-producing reserves.
 
  BOE. Barrels of oil equivalent (converting six Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl
of oil).
 
  "DEVELOPMENT WELL." A well drilled within the proven boundaries of an oil or
natural gas reservoir with the intention of completing the stratigraphic
horizon known to be productive.
 
  "GROSS WELLS." The total number of wells in which a working interest is
owned.
 
  "INFILL WELL." A well drilled between known producing wells to better exploit
the reservoir.
 
  MBBLS. One thousand barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
 
  MBOE. One thousand barrels of oil equivalent.
 
  MMBTU. One million British thermal units.
 
  MCF. One thousand cubic feet of natural gas.
 
  M GALLONS. One thousand U.S. gallons liquid volume, used herein in reference
to natural gas liquids.
 
  MMBBLS. One million barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
 
  MMBOE. One million barrels of oil equivalent.
 
  MMCF. One million cubic feet of natural gas.
 
  "NET WELLS." The sum of the fractional working interests owned in gross
wells.
 
  NYMEX. New York Mercantile Exchange.
 
  "PRESENT VALUE OF ESTIMATED FUTURE NET REVENUES." The present value of
estimated future net revenues is an estimate of future net revenues from a
property at its acquisition date, at December 31, 1995, or as otherwise
indicated, after deducting production and ad valorem taxes, future capital
costs and operating expenses, but before deducting federal income taxes. The
future net revenues have been discounted at an annual rate of 10% to determine
their "present value." The present value is shown to indicate the effect of
time on the value of the revenue stream and should not be construed as being
the fair market value of the properties. Estimates have been made using
constant oil and natural gas prices and operating costs at the acquisition
date, at December 31, 1995, or as otherwise indicated.
 
                                      102

 
  "PRODUCING WELL," "PRODUCTION WELL" OR "PRODUCTIVE WELL." A well that is
producing oil or natural gas or that is capable of production.
 
  "PROVED DEVELOPED RESERVES." Proved developed reserves are those quantities
of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids that, upon analysis of
geological and engineering data, are expected with reasonable certainty to be
recoverable in the future from known oil and natural gas reservoirs under
existing economic and operating conditions. This classification includes: (a)
proved developed producing reserves, which are those expected to be recovered
from currently producing zones under continuation of present operating
methods; and (b) proved developed non-producing reserves, which consist of (i)
reserves from wells that have been completed and tested but are not yet
producing due to lack of market or minor completion problems that are expected
to be corrected, and (ii) reserves currently behind the pipe in existing wells
which are expected to be productive due to both the well log characteristics
and analogous production in the immediate vicinity of the well.
 
  "PROVED RESERVES." The estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas and
natural gas liquids which geological and engineering data demonstrate with
reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs
under existing economic and operating conditions.
 
  "PROVED UNDEVELOPED RESERVES." Proved reserves that may be expected to be
recovered from existing wells that will require a relatively major expenditure
to develop or from undrilled acreage adjacent to productive units that are
reasonably certain of production when drilled.
 
  "ROYALTY INTEREST." An interest in an oil and natural gas property entitling
the owner to a share of oil and natural gas production free of costs of
production.
 
  "WORKING INTEREST." The operating interest that gives the owner the right to
drill, produce and conduct operating activities on the property and to a share
of production, subject to all royalties, overriding royalties and other
burdens and to all costs of exploration, development and operations and all
risks in connection therewith.
 
                                      103

 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 


                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----
                                                                        
Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements:
  Pro Forma Condensed Statement of Operations for the year ended December
   31, 1995...............................................................  F-3
  Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1995...............  F-4
  Notes to Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements.......................  F-5
Historical Financial Statements:
  Report of Ernst and Young LLP, Independent Auditors.....................  F-8
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1994 and 1995............  F-9
  Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31,
   1993, 1994 and 1995.................................................... F-10
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31,
   1993, 1994 and 1995.................................................... F-11
  Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended
   December 31, 1993 1994 and 1995........................................ F-12
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.............................. F-13

 
                                      F-1

 
                      CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
  The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed statements of operations of
Coda Energy, Inc. (the "Company") for the year ended December 31, 1995 have
been prepared as if the acquisition of the Snyder Properties and the Merger
(each as more fully described in the notes to pro forma condensed financial
statements) had occurred on January 1, 1995. The accompanying unaudited pro
forma condensed balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 1995 has been
prepared as if the Merger, the sale of the Private Notes and the Exchange
Offer had occurred on that date. Because the Exchange Notes are being issued
under the same financial terms and conditions, the Exchange Offer has no
impact on the pro forma data.
 
  The historical financial information of the Company was obtained from the
audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1995
contained elsewhere in this document. The historical financial information of
the Snyder Properties was obtained from internal reports prepared by the
seller and is unaudited. The unaudited pro forma condensed financial
statements do not purport to represent the financial position or results of
operations which would have occurred had such transactions been consummated on
the dates indicated or the Company's financial position or results of
operation for any future date or period. These unaudited pro forma condensed
financial statements should be read in conjunction with the historical
financial statements of the Company.
 
                                      F-2

 
                       CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                  PRO FORMA CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 


                                                  PRO FORMA           PRO FORMA
                                                 ADJUSTMENTS         ADJUSTMENTS
                                      SNYDER       FOR THE         FOR THE MERGER,
                                    PROPERTIES  ACQUISITION OF     THE SALE OF THE
                          COMPANY   NINE MONTHS   THE SNYDER      PRIVATE NOTES AND
                         HISTORICAL HISTORICAL    PROPERTIES      THE EXCHANGE OFFER      PRO FORMA
                         ---------- ----------- --------------    ------------------      ---------
                                                                           
Revenues:
  Oil and gas sales.....  $60,997     $5,159                                              $ 66,156
  Gas marketing,
   gathering, and
   processing...........   35,634                                                           35,634
  Other income..........    1,207        921       $  (921)/(1)/                             1,207
                          -------     ------       -------                                --------
                           97,838      6,080          (921)                                102,997
                          -------     ------       -------                                --------
Costs and expenses:
  Oil and gas
   production...........   27,119      3,425                                                30,544
  Gas gathering and
   processing...........   30,473                                                           30,473
  Depletion,
   depreciation, and
   amortization.........   19,715                    1,295 /(2)/      $   6,760 /(5)/       27,770
  General and
   administrative.......    2,898                     (921)/(1)/                             1,977
                                                                         (2,545)/(6)/
  Interest..............    8,676                      899 /(3)/         11,550 /(7)/       18,840
                                                                            260 /(8)/
                          -------     ------       -------            ---------           --------
                           88,881      3,425         1,273               16,025            109,604
                          -------     ------       -------            ---------           --------
Income (loss) before
 income taxes...........    8,957      2,655        (2,194)             (16,025)            (6,607)
Income tax expense
 (benefit)..............    3,202                      157 /(4)/         (5,769)/(9)/       (2,410)
                          -------     ------       -------            ---------           --------
Net income (loss).......    5,755      2,655        (2,351)             (10,256)            (4,197)
Preferred stock
 dividends..............      --                                          3,000 /(10)/       3,000
                          -------     ------       -------            ---------           --------
Net income (loss)
 applicable to common
 stockholders...........  $ 5,755     $2,655       $(2,351)           $ (13,256)          $ (7,197)
                          =======     ======       =======            =========           ========

 
                                      F-3

 
                               CODA ENERGY, INC.
                       PRO FORMA CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 


                                            PRO FORMA
                                       ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE
                                     ---------------------------------
                                                         SALE OF THE
                                                        PRIVATE NOTES
                           COMPANY                         AND THE
                          HISTORICAL  MERGER            EXCHANGE OFFER        PRO FORMA
                          ---------- ---------          --------------        ---------
                                                                  
ASSETS
Current assets:
                                     $ 210,000 /(11)/     $ 107,250 /(19)/
                                            26 /(12)/         2,000 /(20)/  $  4,858
  Cash..................   $  4,604   (122,667)/(13)/           550 /(21)/
                                        95,000 /(14)/      (109,800)/(22)/
                                      (176,213)/(15)/
                                        (5,892)/(16)/
  Accounts receivable,
   net..................     13,061                                             13,061
  Other current assets..      2,206                                              2,206
                           --------  ---------            ---------           --------
                             19,871        254                  --              20,125
Amounts due from
 stockholders...........         81                                                 81
Unproved properties.....        --       1,000 /(17)/                            1,000
Oil and gas properties,
 net....................    170,608    161,605 /(17)/                          241,254
                                       (90,959)/(18)/
Gas plants and gathering
 systems, net...........     33,986                                             33,986
Other properties, net...      2,142      2,000 /(17)/                            4,142
                                         2,000 /(16)/         2,750 /(19)/
Other assets............      2,376       (608)/(16)/        (2,000)/(20)/       3,781
                                          (187)/(17)/          (550)/(21)/
                           --------  ---------            ---------           --------
                           $229,064  $  75,105            $     200           $304,369
                           ========  =========            =========           ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
 EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Current maturities of
   long-term debt.......   $    453  $    (333)/(13)/                         $    120
  Accounts payable and
   accrued expenses.....     11,116                                             11,116
                           --------  ---------                                --------
                             11,569       (333)                                 11,236
                                      (122,334)/(13)/
Long-term debt, less
 current maturities.....    123,907     95,000 /(14)/       $(9,800)/(22)/      86,938
                                           165 /(17)/
JEDI debt...............        --     100,000 /(11)/      (100,000)/(22)/         --
Notes...................        --                          110,000 /(19)/     110,000
Deferred income taxes...     14,400     59,131 (/1//7/)                         40,786
                                       (32,745)(/1//8/)
Redeemable preferred
 stock..................        --      20,000 /(11)/                           20,000
Common stockholders' eq-
 uity of management,
 subject to put and call
 rights:
  Additional paid-in
   capital..............        --       4,560 /(12)/                            4,560
  Notes receivable......        --        (937)/(12)/                             (937)
                           --------  ---------                                --------
                                --       3,623                                   3,623
                           --------  ---------                                --------
Other common
 stockholders' equity:
                                             9 /(11)/
  Common stock..........        442         (1)/(12)/                                9
                                          (441)/(15)/
                                        89,991 /(11)/
                                          (397)/(12)/
  Additional paid-in
   capital..............     68,671   (175,772)/(15)/                           89,991
                                        (4,500)/(16)/
                                       111,998 /(17)/
                                        (3,199)/(12)/
   Retained earnings
   (deficit)............     10,075     (6,876)/(17)/                          (58,214)
                                       (58,214)/(18)/
                           --------  ---------                                --------
                             79,188    (47,402)                                 31,786
                           --------  ---------            ---------           --------
                           $229,064  $  75,105            $     200           $304,369
                           ========  =========            =========           ========

 
                                      F-4

 
                      CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
               NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
NOTE A--PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE SNYDER PROPERTIES
 
  In October 1995, the Company acquired interests in 63 producing oil and gas
properties located in west Texas from Snyder Oil Company (the "Snyder
Properties"). The aggregate purchase price was $17.1 million in cash, of which
$16.0 million was financed by borrowings under the Company's then-existing
credit agreement. The acquisition was accounted for by the purchase method of
accounting. Prior to the acquisition, the Snyder Properties were included in
the consolidated financial statements of the seller and were not accounted for
as a separate entity.
 
  The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed statement of operations has
been prepared as if the acquisition of the Snyder Properties occurred on
January 1, 1995 and reflects the following adjustments:
 
    (1) To reclassify fees from overhead charges billed to working interest
  owners, which are classified as a reduction of general and administrative
  expenses in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.
 
    (2) To adjust depletion, depreciation and amortization to reflect the
  effect of the acquisition of the Snyder Properties. Depletion, depreciation
  and amortization of oil and gas properties is computed using the unit-of-
  production method.
 
    (3) To adjust interest expense for the estimated amounts the Company
  would have incurred on the incremental borrowings pursuant to the Company's
  credit facility used to acquire the Snyder Properties. The interest rate
  used was based on the interest rate options provided for in the Company's
  credit facility in effect at the time.
 
    (4) To adjust the provision for income taxes for the change in financial
  taxable income resulting from inclusion of the historical results of the
  Snyder Properties and adjustments (2) and (3).
 
NOTE B--PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE MERGER, THE SALE OF THE PRIVATE NOTES
AND THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
  On February 16, 1996, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as
of October 30, 1995 (as subsequently amended, the "Merger Agreement") by and
among Coda Energy, Inc. ("Coda"), Joint Energy Development Investments Limited
Partnership ("JEDI"), an affiliate of Enron Capital & Trade Resources Corp.,
and Coda Acquisition, Inc. ("Purchaser"), a subsidiary of JEDI, JEDI acquired
Coda through a merger (the "Merger") at a price of $7.75 per share in cash.
 
  The sources and uses of funds related to the Merger are as follows (in
millions):
 

                                                                      
Sources of funds:
  Credit agreement...................................................... $ 95.0
  JEDI debt.............................................................  100.0
  Redeemable preferred stock issued to JEDI.............................   20.0
  Common stock issued to JEDI...........................................   90.0
                                                                         ------
                                                                         $305.0
                                                                         ======
Uses of funds:
  Payments to Coda stockholders, warrantholders and optionholders....... $176.2
  Repayment of former credit facility and other indebtedness............  122.7
  Merger costs and other expenses.......................................    6.1
                                                                         ------
                                                                         $305.0
                                                                         ======

 
 
                                      F-5

 
  Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, JEDI and Purchaser
entered into certain agreements with members of management of the Company
concerning their employment with and/or equity participation in the Company
after the Merger.
 
  The Merger will be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. As
such, JEDI's cost of acquiring Coda will be allocated to the assets and
liabilities acquired based on estimated fair values. As a result, the
Company's financial position and operating results subsequent to the date of
the Merger will reflect a new basis of accounting and will not be comparable
to prior periods.
 
  Following the Merger, the Company issued $110 million principal amount of
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 and used $100 million of the proceeds
therefrom to repay all of the subordinated debt owed to JEDI. The remaining
net proceeds together with the reimbursements described below were used to
repay approximately $9.8 million in debt outstanding under the Credit
Agreement. ECT Securities Corp. refunded to the Company $2.0 million in fees
paid in connection with the issuance of the JEDI debt. Further, the Purchasers
of the Private Notes reimbursed the Company for costs and expenses in the
amount of $550,000.
 
  The Company is offering to exchange the Exchange Notes for the Private
Notes. The Private Notes were sold in transactions exempt from registration
under the Securities Act on March 18, 1996. The Exchange Offer is intended to
satisfy certain of the Company's obligations under the Registration Rights
Agreement and Purchase Agreement. Because the Exchange Notes are being issued
under the same financial terms and conditions as the Private Notes, the
Exchange Offer has no impact on the pro forma data.
 
  The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed statement of operations has
been prepared as if the Merger, the sale of the Private Notes and the Exchange
Offer had occurred on January 1, 1995 and reflects the following adjustments:
 
    (5) To adjust depletion, depreciation, and amortization to reflect JEDI's
  purchase price allocated to property and equipment.
 
    (6) To adjust interest expense to give effect to the net reduction of
  approximately $36.8 million under the Company's credit facility and
  repayment of the note payable to an officer of the Company, partially
  offset by an increase in the interest rate on borrowings under the new
  credit facility of .25%.
 
    (7) To record interest on the Notes at an interest rate of 10 1/2%.
 
    (8) To record amortization of the cost of the Notes over the term such
  debt is expected to be outstanding (10 years).
 
    (9) To adjust the provision for income taxes for the change in financial
  taxable income resulting from adjustments (5), (6), (7) and (8).
 
    (10) To record the cumulative dividend requirements of the redeemable
  preferred stock issued to JEDI.
 
  The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed balance sheet has been
prepared as if the Merger had occurred on December 31, 1995, and reflects the
following adjustments:
 
    (11) To record cash received from JEDI in exchange for subordinated debt
  ($100.0 million), 15% cumulative redeemable preferred stock ($20.0 million)
  and common stock ($90.0 million).
 
    (12) To record common stock and stock options issued to management
  investors in exchange for cash ($26,000), Coda common stock ($398,000),
  notes receivable ($937,000) and in-the-money Coda common stock options
  ($3.2 million).
 
    (13) To record repayment of debt outstanding under the existing credit
  agreement and the note payable to an officer of the Company.
 
                                      F-6

 
    (14) To record borrowings under the Company's new credit agreement.
 
    (15) To record the purchase of the outstanding Coda common stock and the
  in-the-money outstanding options and warrants for cash based on a price of
  $7.75 per share of Coda common stock.
 
    (16) To record the payment of the estimated transaction costs.
 
    (17) To adjust assets and liabilities based on purchase accounting to
  estimated fair values based on JEDI's purchase price. JEDI's purchase price
  has been allocated to the consolidated assets and liabilities of the
  Company based on preliminary estimates of fair values. Accordingly, the
  information presented herein may differ from the actual purchase price
  allocation. No goodwill has been recorded in this transaction.
 
    (18) To adjust the carrying value of proved oil and gas properties
  pursuant to the full cost method of accounting. Under the full cost method
  of accounting, the carrying value of oil and gas properties (net of related
  deferred taxes) is generally not permitted to exceed the sum of the present
  value (10% discount rate) of estimated future net cash flows from proved
  reserves, based on current prices and costs, plus the lower of cost or
  estimated fair value of unproved properties (the "cost center ceiling").
  Based upon the preliminary allocation of JEDI's purchase price and
  estimated proved reserves and product prices in effect at the date of the
  Merger, the purchase price allocated to oil and gas properties (net of
  related deferred taxes) would be in excess of the cost center ceiling by
  approximately $58.2 million. The resulting writedown will be included in
  the results of operations in the period the Merger was consummated. The
  actual amount of such writedown will increase or decrease as a result of
  finalization of the purchase price allocation and changes in estimated
  proved reserves at the date of the Merger.
 
  The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed balance sheet has been
prepared as if the sale of the Private Notes and the Exchange Offer occurred
on December 31, 1995, and reflects the following adjustments:
 
    (19) To record the issuance of $110.0 million principal amount of Notes
  and receipt of the estimated proceeds therefrom of $107.3 million.
 
    (20) To record the receipt of the fee refund from ECT Securities Corp.
 
    (21) To record the receipt of the cost and expense reimbursement from the
  Purchasers.
 
    (22) To record the repayment of the JEDI debt and partial repayment of
  debt outstanding under the Credit Agreement.
 
                                      F-7

 
               REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Coda Energy, Inc.
 
  We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Coda Energy,
Inc., and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 1994 and 1995, and
the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows, and
stockholders' equity for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1995. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.
 
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position
of Coda Energy, Inc., and subsidiaries at December 31, 1994 and 1995, and the
consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1995, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Dallas, Texas
February 17, 1996
 
                                      F-8

 
                       CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND 1995
 
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 


                                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------
                                                                1994     1995
                                                              -------- --------
                                                                 
                           ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................. $  6,474 $  4,604
  Accounts receivable--revenue...............................    7,551   10,598
  Accounts receivable--joint interest and other..............    1,766    2,463
  Other current assets.......................................    1,276    2,206
                                                              -------- --------
                                                                17,067   19,871
Amounts due from stockholders................................    1,375       81
Oil and gas properties (full cost accounting method).........  190,967  226,650
  Less accumulated depletion, depreciation, and amortiza-
   tion......................................................   39,154   56,042
                                                              -------- --------
    Oil and gas properties, net..............................  151,813  170,608
Gas plants and gathering systems, at cost....................   29,835   38,068
  Less accumulated depreciation..............................    1,492    4,082
                                                              -------- --------
    Gas plants and gathering systems, net....................   28,343   33,986
Other properties, net........................................    2,150    2,142
Other assets.................................................    2,354    2,376
                                                              -------- --------
                                                              $203,102 $229,064
                                                              ======== ========
            LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Current maturities of long-term debt....................... $    424 $    453
  Accounts payable--trade....................................    5,954    7,252
  Accounts payable--revenue and other........................    3,599    3,394
  Accrued interest...........................................    1,375      342
  Income taxes payable.......................................      733      128
                                                              -------- --------
                                                                12,085   11,569
Long-term debt, less current maturities......................  105,063  123,907
Deferred income taxes........................................   11,213   14,400
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, 7,500 shares authorized; none issued......      --       --
  Common stock, $.02 par value; 40,000 shares authorized;
   22,228 and 22,089 shares issued at December 31, 1994 and
   1995, respectively........................................      445      442
  Additional paid-in capital.................................   69,976   68,671
  Retained earnings subsequent to June 30, 1989..............    4,320   10,075
                                                              -------- --------
    Total stockholders' equity...............................   74,741   79,188
                                                              -------- --------
                                                              $203,102 $229,064
                                                              ======== ========

 
                See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-9

 
                       CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994, AND 1995
 
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
 


                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                     --------------------------
                                                       1993     1994     1995
                                                     -------- -------- --------
                                                              
Revenues:
  Oil and gas sales................................. $ 38,877 $ 50,683 $ 60,997
  Gas gathering and processing......................      732   20,081   35,634
  Other income......................................      441      822    1,207
                                                     -------- -------- --------
                                                       40,050   71,586   97,838
Costs and expenses:
  Oil and gas production............................   17,590   21,646   27,119
  Gas gathering and processing......................      570   17,357   30,473
  Depletion, depreciation, and amortization.........   10,808   16,419   19,715
  General and administrative........................    2,596    3,144    2,898
  Business combination..............................      --     1,829      --
  Interest..........................................    4,834    5,281    8,676
                                                     -------- -------- --------
                                                       36,398   65,676   88,881
                                                     -------- -------- --------
Income before income taxes..........................    3,652    5,910    8,957
Income tax expense..................................    1,318    2,581    3,202
                                                     -------- -------- --------
Net income.......................................... $  2,334 $  3,329 $  5,755
                                                     ======== ======== ========

 
 
                See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-10

 
                       CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994, AND 1995
 
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 


                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                     -------------------------
                                                      1993     1994     1995
                                                     -------  -------  -------
                                                              
Cash flows from operating activities:
 Net income......................................... $ 2,334  $ 3,329  $ 5,755
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
  provided by operating activities:
   Depletion, depreciation, and amortization........  10,808   16,419   19,715
   Deferred income tax expense......................   1,038    1,567    3,187
   Amortization of deferred financing costs.........     --       554      101
   Amortization of prepaid gas purchases............     --       --       440
   Other............................................     183      123       55
   Effect of changes in:
    Accounts receivable.............................  (1,545)     589   (3,849)
    Other current assets............................    (221)      60     (558)
    Accounts payable and other current liabilities..   3,846      346     (545)
                                                     -------  -------  -------
      Net cash provided by operating activities.....  16,443   22,987   24,301
Cash flows from investing activities:
 Additions to oil and gas properties................ (34,375) (49,732) (41,079)
 Additions to gas plant and gathering systems and
  other property....................................    (646)  (4,130)  (8,500)
 Business combinations..............................  (5,074)  (3,250)     --
 Investment in common equity securities.............     --       --      (573)
 Payments received on amounts due from
  stockholders......................................     --       --     1,294
 Proceeds from sale of assets.......................     441    2,515    5,722
 Prepaid long-term gas purchases....................     --    (1,759)     --
 Other, net.........................................    (137)    (423)     106
                                                     -------  -------  -------
      Net cash used in investing activities......... (39,791) (56,779) (43,030)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 Proceeds from common stock offering, net...........  36,128      --       --
 Repayment of long-term debt........................ (53,286) (41,542) (11,551)
 Proceeds from bank borrowings......................  43,217   76,350   30,400
 Proceeds from exercise of stock options and
  warrants..........................................     972    2,370      772
 Repurchases of common stock........................     (68)    (812)  (2,125)
 Other, net.........................................    (804)    (140)    (637)
                                                     -------  -------  -------
      Net cash provided by financing activities.....  26,159   36,226   16,859
                                                     -------  -------  -------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
 equivalents........................................   2,811    2,434   (1,870)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year......   1,229    4,040    6,474
                                                     -------  -------  -------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year............ $ 4,040  $ 6,474  $ 4,604
                                                     =======  =======  =======
Supplemental cash flow information:
 Interest paid...................................... $ 4,364  $ 3,788  $ 9,584
                                                     =======  =======  =======
 Income taxes paid.................................. $   156  $   300  $   618
                                                     =======  =======  =======

 
                See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-11

 
                       CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994, AND 1995
 
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 


                           COMMON STOCK                        TREASURY STOCK
                           --------------                      ----------------
                                          ADDITIONAL RETAINED
                                           PAID-IN   EARNINGS
                           SHARES  AMOUNT  CAPITAL   (DEFICIT) SHARES   AMOUNT
                           ------  ------ ---------- --------- -------  -------
                                                      
Balances December 31,
 1992....................  12,850   $257   $20,891    $(1,218)     524  $   981
Common stock issued for
 cash, net...............   6,789    136    35,992        --       --       --
Shares issued as director
 compensation............       8    --         41        --       --       --
Shares issued upon
 exercise of stock
 options and warrants....     339      7       965        --       --       --
Cancellation of treasury
 stock...................    (524)   (11)     (970)       --      (524)    (981)
Repurchase and
 cancellation of common
 stock...................      (7)   --        (68)       --       --       --
Dividends on Diamond
 Energy Operating Company
 common stock............     --     --        --        (125)     --       --
Net income...............     --     --        --       2,334      --       --
                           ------   ----   -------    -------   ------  -------
Balances December 31,
 1993....................  19,455    389    56,851        991      --       --
Shares issued as director
 compensation............       7    --         44        --       --       --
Shares issued upon
 exercise of stock
 options and warrants....     788     16     2,355        --       --       --
Common stock issued to
 purchase Taurus Energy
 Corp....................   1,500     30     7,265        --       --       --
Repurchase and
 cancellation of common
 stock...................    (157)    (3)     (809)       --       --       --
Common stock issued to
 acquire reversionary
 interests in oil and gas
 properties..............     635     13     4,270        --       --       --
Net income...............     --     --        --       3,329      --       --
                           ------   ----   -------    -------   ------  -------
Balances December 31,
 1994....................  22,228    445    69,976      4,320      --       --
Shares issued as director
 compensation............       7    --         45        --       --       --
Shares issued upon
 exercise of stock
 options and warrants....     225      5       767        --       --       --
Repurchase and
 cancellation of common
 stock...................    (371)    (8)   (2,117)
Net income...............     --     --        --       5,755      --       --
                           ------   ----   -------    -------   ------  -------
Balances December 31,
 1995....................  22,089   $442   $68,671    $10,075      --   $   --
                           ======   ====   =======    =======   ======  =======

 
                See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      F-12

 
                      CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES
 
  PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION AND BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION--
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Coda Energy,
Inc. ("Coda"), its majority owned subsidiaries, and its pro rata share of the
assets, liabilities, and operations of oil and gas limited partnerships and
joint ventures (the "Company"). See Note 2. All significant intercompany
balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain
reclassifications have been made to amounts reported in prior years to conform
with the current presentation.
 
  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
 
  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS--Cash and cash equivalents include commercial
paper or deposits with major financial institutions with maturities of three
months or less when purchased.
 
  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE--Substantially all of the Company's accounts receivable
arise from sales of oil, natural gas, or natural gas liquids or from
participants in oil and gas wells for which the Company serves as the
operator. Generally, operators of oil and gas properties have the right to
offset future revenues against unpaid charges related to operated wells. Oil
and gas sales are generally unsecured. Most of the Company's receivables are
from a broad and diverse group of oil and gas companies and, accordingly, do
not represent a significant credit risk. Credit losses are provided for in the
financial statements and have been within management's expectations. The
allowance for doubtful accounts receivable aggregated $185,000 and $158,000 at
December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
  OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES--Oil and gas properties are recorded at cost using
the full cost method of accounting, as prescribed by the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Under the full cost method, all costs
associated with the acquisition, exploration, or development of oil and gas
properties are capitalized as part of the full cost pool. Sales, dispositions,
and other oil and gas property retirements are accounted for as adjustments to
the full cost pool, with no recognition of gain or loss unless such
disposition would significantly alter the amortization rate. Under rules of
the SEC for the full-cost method of accounting, the net carrying value of oil
and gas properties is limited to the sum of the present value (10% discount
rate) of estimated future net cash flows from proved reserves, based on
period-end prices and costs, plus the lower of cost or estimated fair value of
unproved properties.
 
  Depletion, depreciation, and amortization of evaluated oil and gas
properties are provided using the unit-of-production method based on total
proved reserves, as determined by independent petroleum reservoir engineers.
 
  GAS PLANTS AND GATHERING SYSTEMS--Gas plants and gathering systems are
recorded at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated
useful lives of 15 years.
 
  OVERHEAD REIMBURSEMENT FEES--Fees from overhead charges billed to working
interest owners, including the Company, of $2,999,000, $3,372,000, and
$5,571,000 for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994, and 1995,
respectively, have been classified as a reduction of general and
administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of
operations.
 
                                     F-13

 
                      CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
  OIL AND GAS FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS--The Company enters into swap agreements
to reduce the effects of the volatility of the price of crude oil and natural
gas on the Company's operations. These agreements involve the receipt of fixed
price amounts in exchange for variable payments based on NYMEX prices and
specific volumes. The differential to be paid or received is accrued in the
month of the related production and recognized as a component of oil and gas
revenues.
 
  The Company also sells call options on crude oil. The strike price of these
agreements exceeds current market prices at the time they are entered into.
Option premiums received, which have not been material, are deferred. If the
applicable market price exceeds the strike price and option premium, the
differential is accrued and recognized as a reduction of oil revenues in the
month of the related production. Any remaining deferred option premiums are
recognized at the end of the option period.
 
  The fair values of the swap agreements and sold call options are not
included in the financial statements.
 
  INCOME TAXES--The Company has adopted the Financial Accounting Standards
Board's Statement No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("FAS 109"), which
requires the use of the liability method in accounting for income taxes.
 
  QUASI-REORGANIZATION--In 1989, the Company, with the approval of the Board
of Directors, implemented a quasi-reorganization and adjusted its assets and
liabilities to fair value at June 30, 1989; eliminated accumulated depletion,
depreciation, and amortization existing on all properties at June 30, 1989,
against the respective asset accounts; and transferred the accumulated deficit
at June 30, 1989, of $39,663,000 and the cost of canceled treasury stock of
$1,809,000 to additional paid-in capital.
 
  NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS--In the first quarter of 1996, the Company
will adopt the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement No.
121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to be Disposed of" ("FAS 121"). Adoption of this statement will not
have a material effect on the Company's financial statements.
 
  In October 1995, the FASB issued its statement No. 123, "Accounting for
Stock Based Compensation" ("FAS 123") which establishes an alternative method
of accounting for stock based compensation to the method set forth in
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 ("APB 25"). FAS 123 encourages, but
does not require, adoption of a fair value based method of accounting for
stock options and similar equity instruments granted to employees. The Company
will continue to account for such grants under the provisions of APB 25 and
will adopt the disclosure provisions of FAS 123 in the first quarter of 1996.
Accordingly, adoption of FAS 123 will not effect the Company's financial
statements.
 
2. MERGER WITH DIAMOND
 
  On September 30, 1994, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the
"Merger Agreement"), the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding
stock of Diamond Energy Operating Company and Diamond A Inc. ("DEOC" and
"Diamond A," respectively, and collectively, "Diamond"), and two newly formed,
wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company merged into DEOC and Diamond A. The
Company issued an aggregate of 3,647,715 shares of the Company's common stock
to the Diamond stockholders. Contemporaneously with the merger, Diamond
acquired the
 
                                     F-14

 
                      CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
overriding royalty and reversionary interests owned by Diamond's primary
lender in certain of Diamond's oil and gas properties for $9.0 million cash.
Coda provided the funds necessary to complete such acquisition and repay $18.5
million of existing Diamond indebtedness. If the price of oil received from
the Diamond properties averages more than $17.65 per barrel for the 48-month
period ending September 30, 1998, Diamond's former lender will be paid an
additional $1.0 million. In addition, other reversionary interests in oil and
gas properties in which Diamond owns an interest were purchased from certain
employees and former employees of, and consultants to, DEOC and from a
financial advisor to Diamond for 634,519 shares of the Company's common stock
and approximately $39,000 in cash.
 
  The merger with Diamond has been accounted for as a pooling of interests.
Accordingly, the merger of the equity interests has been given retroactive
effect in these financial statements for periods prior to the merger to
represent the combined financial statements of the previously separate
entities. The acquisitions of the reversionary interests were accounted for as
purchases effective September 30, 1994.
 
  Separate and combined results of Coda and Diamond for periods prior to the
merger are as follows (in thousands):
 


                                                        CODA   DIAMOND COMBINED
                                                       ------- ------- --------
                                                              
Year ended December 31, 1993:
  Revenues............................................ $27,226 $12,824 $40,050
  Net income..........................................     840   1,494   2,334
Nine months ended September 30, 1994 (unaudited):
  Revenues............................................  37,048  13,314  50,362
  Net income..........................................     194   1,831   2,025

 
  In connection with the merger, the Company incurred approximately $1.8
million of legal, accounting, printing, and other costs related to the
combination of the previously separate entities. Under pooling of interests
accounting, these costs were expensed in September 1994.
 
  Amounts due from stockholders shown in the accompanying balance sheets are
primarily related to the sale by DEOC of its oil and gas properties to its
stockholders in July 1990 in exchange for a note receivable. The note bears
interest at 10% and is due on demand. Interest is added to the principal
balance as accrued. The note is secured by certain of the shares of Coda
common stock which the former Diamond stockholders received in the merger.
 
3. ACQUISITIONS
 
  The Company is continually acquiring oil and gas properties. The significant
transactions that have occurred since January 1, 1993, are discussed below.
 
  In July 1993, the Company acquired interests in 71 producing oil and gas
properties effective June 1, 1993, located primarily in the Morrow and Chester
formations in southwest Kansas (the "Kansas Properties"), from affiliates of
Mobil Oil Corp. The total purchase price for the Kansas Properties was
$15,800,000, all of which was funded pursuant to the Company's credit
agreement.
 
  In September 1993, the Company purchased all of the issued and outstanding
shares of MJM Oil & Gas, Inc. ("MJM"). The total purchase price was
$5,650,000, all of which was funded from the net
 
                                     F-15

 
                      CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995

proceeds of a public offering of common stock (Note 5). The acquisition was
accounted for as a purchase. As a result of the acquisition of MJM, the
Company acquired 147 producing oil and gas properties, located primarily in
north and west Texas and western Oklahoma, at a cost of approximately $19.9
million, including the assumption of approximately $11.7 million of MJM
indebtedness.
 
  On April 29, 1994, Coda acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding common
stock of Taurus Energy Corporation ("Taurus"), a privately held Texas
corporation, in exchange for 1,500,000 shares of the Company's common stock,
valued at approximately $7.3 million, and $3.25 million cash. The Company
assumed existing Taurus indebtedness of approximately $9.75 million. The cash
portion of the purchase price was funded, and the assumed debt was refinanced,
under the Company's existing credit agreement. Taurus operates three natural
gas processing facilities and owns interests in approximately 700 miles of
natural gas gathering systems located primarily in west central Texas.
 
  Contemporaneously with the consummation of the acquisition of Taurus, the
president and former principal stockholder of Taurus loaned the Company $1.0
million in exchange for a subordinated promissory note from the Company having
a term of three years, payable in three equal annual installments of principal
plus accrued interest calculated at the rate of 7% per annum.
 
  In July 1994, Taurus acquired ownership of the Shackelford gas gathering
system and processing plant. Taurus had previously been operating the system
and plant under operating leases. Taurus paid $3.8 million for the system and
plant, which was funded under the Company's existing credit agreement. In
related transactions, Taurus entered into an agreement to sell 10,000 MMBTU
per day to the former owner of Shackelford for a period of 48 months.
Simultaneously, Taurus entered into a gas purchase agreement with an unrelated
third party for similar quantities over the same term. Pricing under both the
gas sales agreement and the gas purchase agreement is structured to allow
Taurus to earn a margin on all volumes sold during the term of the agreements.
In January 1995, Taurus acquired the remaining ownership interest in one of
Taurus' gas plants and related facilities for $6.5 million which was financed
under the Company's credit facility.
 
  In December 1994, in two separate transactions, the Company acquired
interests in 31 producing oil and gas properties in west Texas from two major
oil companies. The acquisition prices were $13.3 million and $10.0 million,
respectively, all of which was financed under the Company's credit facility.
The acquisitions were accounted for as a purchase. The properties acquired for
$13.3 million are referred to herein as the Major Oil Company Properties.
 
  In October 1995, Coda acquired from Snyder Oil Company interests in 63
producing oil and gas properties located in west Texas (the "Snyder
Properties"). The aggregate purchase price was $17.1 million in cash, of which
$16.0 million was financed by borrowings under the Company's existing credit
facility. The acquisition was accounted for by the purchase method of
accounting.
 
  The following pro forma data present the consolidated results of operations
of the Company for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, as if the
acquisitions of Taurus, the Major Oil Company Properties, and the Snyder
Properties had occurred on January 1, 1994. The pro forma results of
operations are presented for comparative purposes only and are not necessarily
indicative of the results that would have been obtained had such acquisitions
been consummated as presented. The following data reflect pro forma
adjustments for depletion, depreciation, and amortization related to the
acquired oil and gas properties, gas plants, and gathering systems;
anticipated changes in general and
 
                                     F-16

 
                      CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
administrative expenses; adjustments to interest expense on borrowed funds;
and resulting adjustments to income tax expense.
 


                                                              PRO FORMA
                                                      (UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS,
                                                      EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                      --------------------------
                                                          1994         1995
                                                      ------------ -------------
                                                             
     Revenues........................................      $89,970      $102,997
                                                      ============ =============
     Net income...................................... $      3,664 $       6,121
                                                      ============ =============

 
4. LONG-TERM DEBT
 
  Long-term debt is summarized as follows (in thousands):
 


                                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                                               -----------------
                                                                 1994     1995
                                                               -------- --------
                                                                  
     NationsBank credit agreements............................ $102,700 $122,000
     Note payable to NationsBank..............................      723      606
     Senior subordinated debentures...........................      964      988
     Other....................................................    1,100      766
                                                               -------- --------
                                                                105,487  124,360
     Less current maturities..................................      424      453
                                                               -------- --------
     Long-term debt........................................... $105,063 $123,907
                                                               ======== ========

 
  NATIONSBANK CREDIT AGREEMENTS--Until the merger with JEDI on February 16,
1996 (Note 9), the Company had a credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement")
with NationsBank of Texas, N.A. ("NationsBank") and three additional
participant banks. The Credit Agreement as last amended through August 1995
had a notional amount of $250.0 million, subject to borrowing base
limitations, based on the value of the Company's oil and gas properties and
its gas gathering and processing assets, as determined by the lenders from
time to time. Under the Credit Agreement, the Company was required to pay a
facility fee equal to one-quarter of one percent on any accepted increase in
the borrowing base in excess of the previously determined borrowing base and a
commitment fee of three-eighths of one percent on the unused portion of the
borrowing base. The maturity date of the Credit Agreement was May 31, 1999.
 
  The Credit Agreement provided that the interest rate on borrowings will
range from NationsBank's prime rate to LIBOR plus between 1% and 1 3/8% based
on the ratio of outstanding debt to the available borrowing base. The weighted
average interest rate on borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement was
7.72% and 7.29% at December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
  There were no scheduled principal payments due on the Credit Agreement until
maturity. At December 31, 1995, the borrowing base was $125.0 million and
approximately $3.0 million was available for borrowing. A borrowing base
deficiency is created in the event that the outstanding loan balances exceed
the borrowing base, as determined by the lenders in their sole discretion.
Upon such event, the borrowing base deficiency must be repaid by mandatory
reductions of the loan balances over a period of not more than six months. The
Company did not anticipate a borrowing base
 
                                     F-17

 
                      CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
deficiency, and, accordingly, the current portion of long-term debt at
December 31, 1995, does not include any amount related to the Credit
Agreement.
 
  Borrowings under the Credit Agreement were unsecured. The Credit Agreement
contained various restrictive covenants, including limitations on the granting
of liens, restrictions on the issuance of additional debt, requirements to
maintain net worth of at least $46.5 million and to maintain positive working
capital, as defined, and prohibited the payment of dividends on Coda's capital
stock.
 
  NOTE PAYABLE TO NATIONSBANK--In December 1992, the Company purchased a
building in Dallas, Texas, containing approximately 65,000 square feet of
office space to serve as its corporate headquarters. The Company currently
occupies approximately two-thirds of the office space and has made the balance
available for lease. The purchase price was $950,000, of which $850,000 was
financed by NationsBank pursuant to a promissory note requiring monthly
principal and interest payments, with the remaining unpaid balance due
December 31, 1995. The promissory note bears interest at prime plus 1%. The
remainder of the purchase price was financed by the seller and is evidenced by
a second lien promissory note requiring quarterly interest payments. In
February 1995, NationsBank agreed to amend the note payable to reduce the
interest rate to NationsBank's prime rate and to extend the maturity date to
January 2, 1998.
 
  SENIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES--The Company's 12% Senior Subordinated
Debentures (the "Debentures") are presented net of unamortized issuance
discount of $189,000 and $165,000 at December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
The effective interest rate on the Debentures is 16.61%. The remaining
outstanding Debentures are due in 2000.
 
  Scheduled maturities of long-term debt as of December 31, 1995, are as
follows (in thousands):
 

                                                                     
     1996.............................................................. $    453
     1997..............................................................      453
     1998..............................................................      366
     1999..............................................................  122,100
     2000..............................................................      988
                                                                        --------
                                                                        $124,360
                                                                        ========

 
  The carrying value of the Company's long-term debt approximates fair value.
 
5. COMMON STOCK
 
  COMMON STOCK--On September 30, 1994, the Company's stockholders approved an
amendment to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation increasing the number
of authorized shares of common stock from 30 million shares to 40 million
shares.
 
  In September 1993, the Company sold 6,788,750 shares of common stock
pursuant to a public offering. The net proceeds of approximately $36.1 million
to the Company were used to purchase the capital stock of MJM (Note 3), to
repay certain MJM indebtedness (approximately $900,000), and to repay amounts
under the Company's Credit Agreement.
 
  In December 1993, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to
3,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock, from time to time and
whenever, in the opinion of the Company's
 
                                     F-18

 
                      CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
management, market conditions make such repurchase a prudent use of Company
funds. In January 1994, the Company received written approval for such
repurchases from NationsBank provided that the amount paid does not exceed
$5,000,000 in the aggregate. No shares had been repurchased as of December 31,
1993. During the year ended December 31, 1994 and 1995, the Company
repurchased and canceled 136,500 and 371,000 shares of common stock,
respectively, in open market transactions at a cost of approximately $648,000
and $2.1 million, respectively.
 
  STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS--The Company has three stock option plans
providing for the granting of stock options to officers and key employees.
Compensation expense is not recognized at the time options are granted because
the option price per share represents the market value of the share at the
date of grant.
 
  The 1986 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan provides that options may be
granted, from time to time, to key employees and directors to purchase a
maximum of 180,000 shares of common stock. The 1989 Incentive Stock Option
Plan provides that options may be granted, from time to time, to key employees
to purchase a maximum of 750,000 shares of common stock. The 1993 Incentive
Stock Option Plan permits the granting of options to purchase up to 1,500,000
shares of common stock.
 
  Option transactions are summarized below:
 


                                                  NUMBER
                                                 OF SHARES  OPTION PRICE RANGE
                                                 ---------  ------------------
                                                      
Outstanding at December 31, 1992................   726,750    $2.25 --$3.50
  Granted.......................................   343,584     5.13 -- 6.00
  Exercised.....................................  (163,750)    2.25 -- 3.00
  Forfeited.....................................    (7,500)        3.50
                                                 ---------
Outstanding at December 31, 1993................   899,084     2.25 -- 6.00
  Granted.......................................   525,785     5.00 -- 6.50
  Exercised.....................................  (108,629)    2.25 -- 5.75
  Forfeited.....................................   (56,708)    3.50 -- 5.75
                                                 ---------
Outstanding at December 31, 1994................ 1,259,532     2.25 -- 6.50
  Granted.......................................       --
  Exercised.....................................  (100,213)    2.25 -- 5.75
  Forfeited.....................................   (42,687)    3.50 -- 5.75
                                                 ---------
Outstanding at December 31, 1995 (755,756 exer-
 cisable)....................................... 1,116,632     2.25 -- 6.50
                                                 =========
Reserved for future options.....................   837,876
                                                 =========

 
  The following table summarizes warrants outstanding at December 31, 1995:
 


                                                                         EXERCISE
      NUMBER OF                                     NUMBER OF              PRICE
SHARES UNDER WARRANTS     EXPIRATION DATE       SHARES EXERCISABLE       PER SHARE
- ---------------------     ---------------       ------------------       ---------
                                                                
        500,000           October 1999                500,000              $3.00
        450,000           December 2000               450,000               3.13
         50,000           April 2002                   25,000               3.00
        100,000           April 2004                   25,000               4.88
        100,000           September 2004               25,000               6.75
        100,000           March 2005                      --                6.00
      ---------                                     ---------
      1,300,000                                     1,025,000
      =========                                     =========

 
 
                                     F-19

 
                      CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
  The warrants that expire in October 1999 are held by an officer of the
Company. The remaining warrants are held by the Company's directors.
 
  As a result of the merger described in Note 9, all outstanding options and
warrants are fully vested and the holders thereof are entitled to receive the
difference between $7.75 per share and the exercise price for each share
represented by the options and warrants. Certain members of the management of
the Company have exchanged their right to receive this payment for an equity
participation in the Company.
 
6. INCOME TAXES
 
  At December 31, 1995, Coda has net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs") for
income tax purposes that expire beginning in 1998. Utilization of the NOLs is
severely restricted because of a change in ownership, as defined by the Tax
Reform Act of 1986, of Coda, which occurred in March 1990. Coda estimates that
approximately $15.4 million of the NOLs is available to offset future taxable
income without limitation, while the remainder will become available in the
future at the rate of approximately $921,000 per year through 2004. Coda also
has available statutory depletion carryforwards of approximately $1,000,000.
For financial reporting purposes, a valuation allowance has been recognized to
offset the deferred tax assets related to carryforwards prior to Coda's quasi-
reorganization. The Company anticipates that the merger described in Note 9
will not have a material effect on its ability to utilize the remaining NOLs.
 
                                     F-20

 
                      CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
  Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components
of the Company's deferred tax liabilities and assets are as follows (in
thousands):
 


                                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ----------------
                                                               1994     1995
                                                              -------  -------
                                                                 
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Book basis of oil and gas properties in excess of tax ba-
   sis....................................................... $ 8,980  $11,441
  Book basis of gas plants and gathering systems in excess of
   tax basis.................................................   5,355    6,447
  Revenues not recognized for tax purposes...................     360      --
  Other......................................................      40    1,074
                                                              -------  -------
    Total deferred tax liabilities...........................  14,735   18,962
Deferred tax assets:
  Net operating loss carryforwards...........................   6,887    8,468
  Credit carryforwards.......................................     569      --
  Other......................................................     108      136
  Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets................  (4,042)  (4,042)
                                                              -------  -------
    Net deferred tax assets..................................   3,522    4,562
                                                              -------  -------
Net deferred tax liabilities................................. $11,213  $14,400
                                                              =======  =======

 
  Significant components of income tax expense are as follows (in thousands):
 


                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                       ------------------------
                                                        1993     1994    1995
                                                       -------  ------- -------
                                                               
   Current............................................ $   280  $   733 $    15
   Deferred...........................................   1,104    1,848   3,187
   Adjustments to the valuation allowance.............     (66)     --      --
                                                       -------  ------- -------
                                                        $1,318   $2,581  $3,202
                                                       =======  ======= =======

 
  The following is a reconciliation, stated as a percentage of pretax income
taxable at the corporate level, of the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate
to the Company's effective tax rate:
 


                                                                  1993  1994  1995
                                                                  ----  ----  ----
                                                                     
   U.S. federal statutory rate...................................  34%   34%   34%
   State taxes...................................................   4     5     2
   Non-deductible business combination expenses..................  --     5    --
   Adjustments to the valuation allowance........................  (2)   --    --
                                                                  ---   ---   ---
                                                                   36%   44%   36%
                                                                  ===   ===   ===

 
7. OPERATIONS
 
 NATURE OF OPERATIONS
 
  The Company is an independent energy company principally engaged in the
acquisition and exploitation of producing oil and natural gas properties. The
Company seeks to acquire properties
 
                                     F-21

 
                      CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
whose predominant economic value is attributable to proved producing reserves
and to enhance that value through control of operations, reduction of costs,
and property development. The Company's producing properties are concentrated
in the mid-continent region of the United States. Through a subsidiary,
Taurus, the Company also operates natural gas processing and liquid extraction
facilities and natural gas gathering systems.
 
 OIL AND GAS PRODUCING ACTIVITIES
 
  The results of operations from the Company's oil and gas producing
activities are as follows (in thousands):
 


                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                   ----------------------------
                                                     1993      1994      1995
                                                   --------  --------  --------
                                                              
   Oil and gas sales.............................. $ 38,877  $ 50,683  $ 60,997
   Production costs...............................  (17,590)  (21,646)  (27,119)
   Depletion, depreciation, and amortization......  (10,573)  (14,853)  (16,889)
   Income tax expense.............................   (3,643)   (4,823)   (5,776)
                                                   --------  --------  --------
                                                   $  7,071  $  9,361  $ 11,213
                                                   ========  ========  ========

 
  Costs incurred in oil and gas producing activities are as follows (in
thousands, except per equivalent barrel amounts):
 


                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                    --------------------------
                                                      1993     1994     1995
                                                    -------- -------- --------
                                                             
   Property acquisition costs...................... $ 42,223 $ 40,109 $ 25,363
   Development costs...............................   10,403   12,450   14,464
   Exploration costs...............................       46      206      511
   Production costs................................   17,590   21,646   27,119
   Depletion, depreciation, and amortization rate
    per equivalent barrel..........................     4.15     4.27     4.33

 
  All of the Company's oil and gas revenues are from proved developed
properties located in the United States.
 
  The Company has capitalized internal costs of $658,000, $712,000, and
$748,000 for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994, and 1995, respectively.
Such capitalized costs include salaries and related benefits of individuals
directly involved in the Company's acquisition, exploration, and development
activities based on the percentage of their time devoted to such activities.
 
  During the year ended December 31, 1993, sales of oil and gas to two
purchasers accounted for 21% and 22% of consolidated gross revenues. During
the year ended December 31, 1994, sales of oil and gas to two purchasers
accounted for 13% and 22% of consolidated gross revenues. During the year
ended December 31, 1995, sales of oil and gas to two purchasers accounted for
10% and 18% of consolidated gross revenues. Management believes that the loss
of these purchasers would not have a material impact on the Company's
consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
 
                                     F-22

 
                      CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
  During the fourth quarter of 1993, the Company received a payment of oil and
gas revenues relating to a recalculation of interests owned in certain of the
Company's properties for the period from 1985 through 1993. Oil and gas sales
increased by $343,000 as a result.
 
 OIL AND GAS HEDGING ACTIVITIES AND COMMITMENTS
 
  In an effort to reduce the effects of the volatility of the price of crude
oil and natural gas on the Company's operations, management has adopted a
policy of hedging oil and gas prices whenever such prices are in excess of the
prices anticipated in the Company's operating budget and profit plan through
the use of commodity futures, options, and swap agreements. The Company does
not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. Hedging
transactions require the approval of the Board of Directors.
 
  While the use of these hedging arrangements limits the downside risk of
adverse price movements, it may also limit future gains from favorable
movements. All hedging is accomplished pursuant to exchange-traded contracts
or master swap agreements based upon standard forms. The Company addresses
market risk by selecting instruments whose value fluctuations correlate
strongly with the underlying commodity being hedged. Credit risk related to
hedging activities, which is minimal, is managed by requiring minimum credit
standards for counterparties, periodic settlements, and marked to market
valuations. The Company has not historically been required to provide any
significant amount of collateral relating to its hedging activities.
 
  At December 31, 1995, the Company had entered into various swap agreements
to fix selling prices for crude oil at a weighted average NYMEX price of
$18.79 and $19.02 per barrel for 740,000 and 375,000 barrels during 1996 and
1997, respectively. While these contracts have no carrying value, their fair
value (the estimated amount that would have been received upon termination of
the swaps at December 31, 1995) was approximately $900,000.
 
  The Company has also sold call options covering 25,000 Bbls of oil per month
at an option price of $18.30 per Bbl for the period October 1995 to August
1996, and at an option price of $20.00 per barrel for the period September
1996 to August 1997. While these call options have no carrying value, their
fair value (the estimated amount that would have been paid by the Company upon
termination of the call options at December 31, 1995) was approximately
$230,000.
 
  During the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994, and 1995, oil and gas sales
were reduced by $289,000 and $5,000, and increased by $298,000, respectively,
as a result of hedging transactions.
 
  Pursuant to the loan agreements with Diamond's former lender, Diamond
entered into an agreement with a refining and marketing company to sell a
fixed number of barrels attributable to its share of production of liquid
hydrocarbons from certain secured properties at a price of $15.25 per Bbl.
Under the purchase and sale agreement, the remaining commitment was
approximately 47,000 Bbls at December 31, 1995. The Company expects to fulfill
this commitment during the first quarter of 1996.
 
8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
  The Company does not believe that future costs related to site restoration,
dismantlement, and abandonment costs, net of estimated salvage values, will
have a significant effect on its results of
 
                                     F-23

 
                      CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
operations or financial position because the salvage value of equipment and
related facilities should approximate or exceed any future expenditures for
restoration, dismantlement, or abandonment. The Company has not incurred any
net expenditures for costs of this nature during the last three years.
 
  The Company is a defendant or co-defendant in minor lawsuits that have
arisen in the ordinary course of business. In the lawsuits, management
believes, based in part on advice from legal counsel, that the Company has
meritorious defense against the claims asserted. Management believes that the
ultimate resolution of the lawsuits and claims will not have a material
adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial position.
 
9. AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
 
  On February 16, 1996, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as
of October 30, 1995 (as amended, the "Merger Agreement") by and among Coda,
Joint Energy Development Investments Limited Partnership ("JEDI"), an
affiliate of Enron Capital & Trade Resources Corp., and Coda Acquisition, Inc.
("Purchaser"), a subsidiary of JEDI, JEDI acquired Coda through a merger (the
"Merger") at a price of $7.75 per share in cash. Concurrently with the
execution of the Merger Agreement, JEDI and Purchaser entered into certain
agreements with certain members of the Company's management concerning their
employment with and/or equity participation in the Company after the Merger.
 
  The sources and uses of funds related to the Merger were as follows (in
millions):
 

                                                                      
   Sources of funds:
     Credit agreement................................................... $ 95.0
     JEDI Debt..........................................................  100.0
     Redeemable preferred stock issued to JEDI..........................   20.0
     Common stock issued to JEDI........................................   90.0
                                                                         ------
                                                                         $305.0
                                                                         ======
   Uses of funds:
     Payments to Coda stockholders, warrantholders and optionholders.... $176.2
     Repayment of former credit facility and other indebtedness.........  122.7
     Merger costs and other expenses....................................    6.1
                                                                         ------
                                                                         $305.0
                                                                         ======

 
  The Merger will be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. As
such, JEDI's cost of acquiring Coda will be allocated to the assets and
liabilities acquired based on estimated fair values. As a result, the
Company's financial position and operating results subsequent to February 16,
1996 will reflect a new basis of accounting and will not be comparable to
prior periods.
 
10. SUPPLEMENTAL OIL AND GAS RESERVE AND STANDARDIZED MEASURE INFORMATION
(UNAUDITED)
 
  The Company retains independent engineering firms to provide annual year-end
estimates of the Company's future net recoverable oil, gas, and natural gas
liquids reserves. Estimated proved net
 
                                     F-24

 
                      CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
recoverable reserves as shown below include only those quantities that can be
expected to be commercially recoverable at prices and costs in effect at the
balance sheet dates under existing regulatory practices and with conventional
equipment and operating methods. Proved developed reserves represent only
those reserves expected to be recovered through existing wells. Proved
undeveloped reserves include those reserves expected to be recovered from new
wells on undrilled acreage or from existing wells on which a relatively major
expenditure is required for recompletion.
 
  Reserve estimates are imprecise and may be expected to change as additional
information becomes available. Furthermore, estimates of oil and gas reserves,
of necessity, are projections based on engineering data, and there are
uncertainties inherent in the interpretation of such data as well as the
projection of future rates of production and the timing of development
expenditures. Reserve engineering is a subjective process of estimating
underground accumulations of oil and gas that cannot be measured in an exact
way, and the accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of
available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment.
Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the reserves set forth herein will
ultimately be produced nor can there be assurance that the proved undeveloped
reserves will be developed within the periods anticipated. The Company
emphasizes with respect to the estimates prepared by independent petroleum
engineers that the discounted future net cash inflows should not be construed
as representative of the fair market value of the proved oil and gas
properties belonging to the Company, since discounted future net cash inflows
are based upon projected cash inflows which do not provide for changes in oil
and gas prices nor for escalation of expenses and capital costs. The
meaningfulness of such estimates is highly dependent upon the accuracy of the
assumptions upon which they were based.
 
                    ESTIMATED QUANTITIES OF PROVED RESERVES
                                (IN THOUSANDS)
 


                                                             OIL (BBL) GAS (MCF)
                                                             --------- ---------
                                                                 
December 31, 1992...........................................  18,941     27,830
Purchase of reserves in place...............................   5,872     13,274
Extensions..................................................   7,165      2,259
Revisions of previous estimates.............................    (113)    (2,289)
Production..................................................  (1,766)    (4,703)
Sales of reserves in place..................................     (15)      (175)
                                                              ------    -------
December 31, 1993...........................................  30,084     36,196
Purchase of reserves in place...............................  11,038      5,482
Extensions..................................................     271        912
Revisions of previous estimates.............................     749      4,107
Production..................................................  (2,650)    (4,982)
Sales of reserves in place..................................    (285)    (1,907)
                                                              ------    -------
December 31, 1994...........................................  39,207     39,808
Purchase of reserves in place...............................   7,324      7,298
Extensions..................................................     783      3,173
Revisions of previous estimates.............................  (1,011)     1,459
Production..................................................  (3,165)    (4,416)
Sales of reserves in place..................................    (548)   (10,192)
                                                              ------    -------
December 31, 1995...........................................  42,590     37,130
                                                              ======    =======

 
 
                                     F-25

 
                      CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
               ESTIMATED QUANTITIES OF PROVED DEVELOPED RESERVES
                                (IN THOUSANDS)
 


                                                             OIL (BBL) GAS (MCF)
                                                             --------- ---------
                                                                 
December 31, 1992...........................................  14,413    22,852
December 31, 1993...........................................  16,230    30,573
December 31, 1994...........................................  20,151    32,890
December 31, 1995...........................................  25,877    31,496

 
  The following is a summary of a standardized measure of discounted net cash
flows related to the Company's proved oil, gas, and natural gas liquids
reserves. The information presented is based on a valuation of proved reserves
using discounted cash flows based on year-end prices, costs, and economic
conditions and a 10% discount rate. The additions to proved reserves from new
discoveries and extensions could vary significantly from year to year;
additionally, the impact of changes to reflect current prices and costs of
reserves proved in prior years could also be significant. Accordingly, the
information presented below should not be viewed as an estimate of the fair
value of the Company's oil and gas properties, nor should it be considered
indicative of any trends.
 
           STANDARDIZED MEASURE OF DISCOUNTED FUTURE NET CASH FLOWS
                                (IN THOUSANDS)
 


                                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                                               -----------------
                                                                 1994     1995
                                                               -------- --------
                                                                  
Future cash inflows........................................... $696,910 $860,180
Future production and development costs.......................  335,656  366,421
                                                               -------- --------
Future net cash flows before income taxes.....................  361,254  493,759
Discount of future net cash flows at 10% per annum............  143,714  210,384
                                                               -------- --------
Discounted future net cash flows before income taxes..........  217,540  283,375
Future income taxes, net of discount at 10% per annum.........   48,924   62,633
                                                               -------- --------
Discounted future net cash flows after income taxes........... $168,616 $220,742
                                                               ======== ========

 
  During recent years, there have been significant fluctuations in the prices
paid for crude oil in the world markets. This situation has had a
destabilizing effect on crude oil's posted prices in the United States,
including the posted prices paid by purchasers of the Company's crude oil. The
weighted average prices of oil and gas at December 31, 1994 and 1995, used in
the above table, were $16.24 and $18.31 per Bbl, respectively, and $1.45 and
$2.19 per Mcf, respectively.
 
                                     F-26

 
                      CODA ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
  The following are the principal sources of change in the standardized
measure of discounted future net cash flows (in thousands):
 


                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                    1993      1994      1995
                                                  --------  --------  --------
                                                             
Sales and transfers of oil and gas produced, net
 of production costs ...........................  $(21,287) $(29,037) $(33,878)
Net changes in prices and production costs......   (62,305)   18,674    37,290
Extensions and discoveries, net of future
 development and production costs...............    29,260     3,673    15,932
Development costs during the period.............    10,403    12,656    14,464
Revisions of previous quantity estimates........    (1,098)    3,579   (19,084)
Sales of reserves in place......................      (365)   (1,755)   (6,323)
Purchases of reserves in place..................    52,732    54,672    35,680
Accretion of discount before income taxes.......    12,150    14,098    21,754
Net change in income taxes......................       673   (23,967)  (13,709)
                                                  --------  --------  --------
Net change......................................  $ 20,163  $ 52,593  $ 52,126
                                                  ========  ========  ========

 
11. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
  Summarized quarterly financial data for 1994 and 1995 is as follows (in
thousands, except for per share amounts):
 


                                                 THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                      MARCH 31 JUNE 30 SEPTEMBER 30 DECEMBER 31
                                      -------- ------- ------------ -----------
                                                        
1994:
  Total revenues..................... $11,611  $17,143   $21,608      $21,224
  Income before income taxes.........     958    2,003       912        2,037
  Net income.........................     553    1,217       255        1,304
  Net income per common and common
   equivalent share..................    0.03     0.06      0.01         0.06
1995:
  Total revenues.....................  23,039   25,014    23,292       26,493
  Income before income taxes.........   2,101    2,776     1,242        2,838
  Net income.........................   1,305    1,814       798        1,838
  Net income per common and common
   equivalent share..................    0.06     0.08      0.03         0.08

 
  Total revenues, income before income taxes and net income for the three
months ended March 31 and June 30, 1994 do not include the operations of
Taurus prior to its acquisition in April 1994. Income before income taxes for
the three months ended September 30, 1994, includes a charge of $1.8 million
for business combination expenses related to the merger with Diamond.
 
                                     F-27

 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO GIVE
ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPEC-
TUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RE-
LIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURI-
TIES OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR AN OFFER TO
SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUM-
STANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,
CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE
COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR
THEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
 
                                  -----------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                          PAGE
                                                                          ----
                                                                       
Summary..................................................................   4
Risk Factors.............................................................  17
The Exchange Offer.......................................................  24
The Merger...............................................................  32
Use of Proceeds..........................................................  33
Capitalization...........................................................  34
Selected Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data.........................  35
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
 of Operations...........................................................  37
Business.................................................................  45
Management...............................................................  59
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management...........  61
Executive Compensation and Other Information.............................  62
Certain Transactions.....................................................  65
Description of Exchange Notes............................................  68
Description of Other Indebtedness........................................  97
Description of Capital Stock of Coda.....................................  98
Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations................................  99
Plan of Distribution.....................................................  99
Legal Matters............................................................ 100
Experts.................................................................. 100
Available Information.................................................... 101
Glossary................................................................. 102
Index to Financial Statements............................................ F-1
Summary Reserve Report................................................... A-1

 
 UNTIL      , 1996, ALL DEALERS EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE EXCHANGE NOTES,
WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A
PROSPECTUS. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A PRO-
SPECTUS WHEN ACTING AS UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOT-
MENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                 $110,000,000
 
                   [LOGO OF CODA ENERGY, INC. APPEARS HERE]
 
   OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS 10 1/2% SERIES B SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2006
 WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, FOR
 ANY AND ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING 10 1/2% SERIES A SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE
                                     2006
 
                                  -----------
 
                                  PROSPECTUS
 
                                  -----------
 
                                       , 1996
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 
                                    PART II
 
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
  The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Coda provides for the
indemnification by Coda of each director, officer, employee and agent of Coda
to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as
the same exists or may hereafter be amended. Section 145 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law provides in relevant part that a corporation may
indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party
to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or
in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or
was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was
serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good
faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed
to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person's conduct
was unlawful.
 
  In addition, Section 145 provides that a corporation may indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the
corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such
person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or
is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of
the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against
expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such
person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if
such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and
except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or
matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the
corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery
or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon
application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the
circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other
court shall deem proper. Delaware law further provides that nothing in the
above-described provisions shall be deemed exclusive of any other rights to
indemnification or advancement of expenses to which any person may be entitled
under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise.
 
  The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Coda further provides that a
director of Coda shall not be personally liable to Coda or its stockholders
for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director except for
the liability of a director for (i) breach of the duty of loyalty, (ii) acts
or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of the law, (iii) unlawful payment of dividends, and (iv)
transactions from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
 
  Coda has entered into Indemnification Agreements with each of its officers
and certain of its directors pursuant to which such officers and directors may
be indemnified against losses arising from certain claims, including claims
under the Securities Act, which may be made by reason or their being officers
or directors.
 
  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling Coda pursuant
to the foregoing provisions, Coda has been
 
                                     II-1

 
advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore
unenforceable.
 
  Coda has purchased directors and officers liability insurance which would
indemnify the directors and officers of Coda against damages arising out of
certain kinds of claims which might be made against them based on their
negligent acts or omissions while acting in their capacity as such.
 
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
  (a) Exhibits
 


 EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
 ----------- -----------
          
     2.1     --Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among Coda, Joint Energy
              Development Investments Limited Partnership and Coda Acquisition,
              Inc. dated as of October 30, 1995 filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Coda's
              Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 30, 1995, and
              incorporated by reference herein.
     2.2     --Agreement of Coda to provide schedules to the Agreement and Plan
              of Merger (Exhibit 2.1) omitted pursuant to Item 6.01(b)(2) of
              Regulation S-K filed as Exhibit 2.2 to Coda's Quarterly Report on
              Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1995, and
              incorporated by reference herein.
     2.3     --Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December
              22, 1995 filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Coda's Current Report on Form 8-
              K dated December 22, 1995, and incorporated by reference herein.
     2.4     --Second Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
              January 10, 1996 filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Coda's Current Report on
              Form 8-K dated January 10, 1996, and incorporated by reference
              herein.
     2.5     --Agreement of Coda to provide schedules and exhibits to Second
              Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger (Exhibit 2.4) and to
              provide schedules to Amendment No. 1 to Subscription Agreement
              (Exhibit 10.17) and Amendment No. 1 to Stockholders Agreement
              (Exhibit 10.18) filed as Exhibit 99.4 to Coda's Current Report on
              Form 8-K dated January 10, 1996, and incorporated by reference
              herein.
     3.1     --Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Coda.
     3.2     --Amended and Restated Bylaws of Coda.
     3.3     --Certificate of Incorporation of Diamond Energy Operating
              Company, as amended.
     3.4     --Bylaws of Diamond Energy Operating Company, as amended.
     3.5     --Articles of Incorporation of Taurus Energy Corp., as amended.
     3.6     --Bylaws of Taurus Energy Corp., as amended.
     3.7     --Articles of Incorporation of Electra Resources, Inc.
     3.8     --Bylaws of Electra Resources, Inc.
     4.1     --Indenture, dated as of March 18, 1996, among Coda, the
              Guarantors and Texas Commerce Bank National Association, as
              trustee, relating to $110,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
              10 1/2% Series A and Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006.
     4.2     --Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 18, 1996, among
              Coda, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers.
     4.3     --Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 12, 1996, among Coda, the
              Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers.

 
                                     II-2

 


 EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
 ----------- -----------
                                                                      
     4.4     --Indenture between Coda and Texas American Bank/Dallas, as
              Trustee, dated June 1, 1985, as amended, governing Coda's
              12% Senior Subordinated Debentures due 2000 filed as
              Exhibit 4.3 to Coda's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
              fiscal year ended December 31, 1994 (the "1994 10-K"), and
              incorporated by reference herein.
 
     4.5     --Credit Agreement, dated February 14, 1996, among the
              Company, NationsBank of Texas, N.A., individually and as
              agent, and additional lenders named therein.
 
     4.6     --Promissory Note dated February 14, 1996, in the original
              principal amount of $87,500,000.00, executed by Coda,
              payable to NationsBank of Texas, N.A.
 
     4.7     --Promissory Note dated February 14, 1996, in the original
              principal amount of $37,500,000.00, executed by Coda,
              payable to Bank One, Texas, N.A.
 
     4.8     --Promissory Note dated February 14, 1996, in the original
              principal amount of $75,000,000.00, executed by Coda,
              payable to Texas Commerce Bank National Association.
 
     4.9     --Promissory Note dated February 14, 1996, in the original
              principal amount of $50,000,000.00, executed by Coda,
              payable to the First National Bank of Boston.
 
     4.10    --Specimen Certificate of Series A 10 1/2% Senior
              Subordinated Notes due 2006 (the "Private Notes") (included
              in Exhibit 4.1 hereto).
 
     4.11    --Specimen Certificate of Series B 10 1/2% Senior
              Subordinated Notes due 2006 (the "Exchange Notes")
              (included in Exhibit 4.1 hereto).
     5.1     --Opinion of Haynes and Boone regarding the validity of the
              Exchange Notes.
     8.1     --Opinion of Haynes and Boone as to certain tax matters.
    10.1     --Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into between
              Coda and each of its directors and officers filed as
              Exhibit 10.1 to the 1994 10-K, and incorporated by
              reference herein.
    10.2     --List of directors and officers that have entered into
              Indemnification Agreements with Coda filed as Exhibit 10.1
              to Coda's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
              period ended September 30, 1995, and incorporated by
              reference herein.
    10.3     --Agreement and Plan of Merger, entered into as of April 29,
              1994 among Coda, Alliance Natural Gas, Inc., Taurus Energy
              Corp., and the shareholders of Taurus Energy Corp. more
              particularly identified therein, filed as Exhibit 2.1 to
              Coda's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 29, 1994, as
              amended by Form 8-K/A No. 1, dated June 14, 1994 and Form
              8-K/A No. 2, dated August 17, 1994, and incorporated by
              reference herein.
    10.4     --Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June 11, 1994, among
              Coda, DEO Acquisition Corp., DA Acquisition Corp. and
              Diamond, filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Coda's Registration
              Statement on Form S-4, dated July 13, 1994 (No. 33-81532)
              (the "1994 Form S-4"),
              and incorporated by reference herein.
    10.5     --Agreement of Coda to provide schedules to Agreement and
              Plan of Merger (Exhibit 10.6) omitted pursuant to Item
              6.01(b)(2) of Regulation S-K, and filed as Exhibit 2.4 to
              the 1994 Form S-4, and incorporated by reference herein.
    10.6     --Form of First Amendment to the Agreement and Plan of
              Merger dated as of June 11, 1994 by and among Coda, DEO
              Acquisition Corp., DA Acquisition Corp. and Diamond, filed
              as Exhibit 2.5 to the 1994 Form S-4 and incorporated by
              reference herein.
 

 
                                      II-3

 


 EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
 ----------- -----------
          
    10.7     --Stockholders Agreement dated October 30, 1995 filed as Exhibit
              99.2 to Coda's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 30, 1995,
              and incorporated by reference herein.
    10.8     --Subscription Agreement among Coda Acquisition, Inc. and The
              Management Investors dated October 30, 1995 filed as Exhibit 99.3
              to Coda's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 30, 1995, and
              incorporated by reference herein.
    10.9     --Agreement of Coda to provide schedules to Stockholders Agreement
              (Exhibit 10.7) and to Subscription Agreement (Exhibit 10.8) filed
              as Exhibit 99.11 to Coda's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
              October 30, 1995, and incorporated by reference herein.
    10.10    --Business Opportunity Agreement dated as of October 30, 1995
              filed as Exhibit 99.4 to Coda's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
              October 30, 1995, and incorporated by reference herein.
    10.11    --Executive Employment Agreement between Coda Acquisition, Inc.
              and Randell A. Bodenhamer filed as Exhibit 99.5 to Coda's Current
              Report on Form 8-K dated October 30, 1995, and incorporated by
              reference herein.
    10.12    --Executive Employment Agreement between Coda Acquisition, Inc.
              and J. William Freeman filed as Exhibit 99.6 to Coda's Current
              Report on Form 8-K dated October 30, 1995, and incorporated by
              reference herein.
    10.13    --Executive Employment Agreement between Coda Acquisition, Inc.
              and Grant W. Henderson filed as Exhibit 99.7 to Coda's Current
              Report on Form 8-K dated October 30, 1995 and incorporated by
              reference herein.
    10.14    --Executive Employment Agreement between Coda Acquisition, Inc.
              and Jarl P. Johnson filed as Exhibit 99.8 to Coda's Current
              Report on Form 8-K dated October 30, 1995, and incorporated by
              reference herein.
    10.15    --Executive Employment Agreement between Coda Acquisition, Inc.
              and Douglas H. Miller filed as Exhibit 99.9 to Coda's Current
              Report on Form 8-K dated October 30, 1995, and incorporated by
              reference herein.
    10.16    --Executive Employment Agreement between Coda Acquisition, Inc.
              and J.W. Spencer, III filed as Exhibit 99.10 to Coda's Current
              Report on Form 8-K dated October 30, 1995, and incorporated by
              reference herein.
    10.17    --Amendment No. 1 to Subscription Agreement dated as of January
              10, 1996 filed as Exhibit 99.2 to Coda's Current Report on Form
              8-K dated January 10, 1996, and incorporated by reference herein.
    10.18    --Amendment No. 1 to Stockholders Agreement dated as of January
              10, 1996 filed as Exhibit 99.3 to Coda's Current Report on Form
              8-K dated January 10, 1996, and incorporated by reference herein.
    10.19    --Credit Agreement, dated February 14, 1996, among the Company,
              NationsBank of Texas, N.A., individually and as agent, and
              additional lenders named therein filed as Exhibit 4.5 above.
    10.20    --Promissory Note dated February 14, 1996, in the original
              principal amount of $87,500,000.00, executed by Coda, payable to
              NationsBank of Texas, N.A. filed as Exhibit 4.6 above.
    10.21    --Promissory Note dated February 14, 1996, in the original
              principal amount of $37,500,000.00, executed by Coda, payable to
              Bank One, Texas, N.A. filed as Exhibit 4.7 above.

 
                                      II-4

 


 EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
 ----------- -----------
          
    10.22    --Promissory Note dated February 14, 1996, in the original
              principal amount of $75,000,000.00, executed by Coda, payable to
              Texas Commerce Bank National Association filed as Exhibit 4.8
              above.
    10.23    --Promissory Note dated February 14, 1996, in the original
              principal amount of $50,000,000.00, executed by Coda, payable to
              the First National Bank of Boston filed as Exhibit 4.9 above.
    10.24    --Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement attached and filed
              as Exhibit A to Exhibit 99.3 to Coda's Current Report on Form 8-K
              dated October 30, 1995, and incorporated by reference herein.
    10.25    --Form of Limited Recourse Promissory Note attached and filed as
              Exhibit B to Exhibit 99.3 to Coda's Current Report on Form 8-K
              dated October 30, 1995, and incorporated by reference herein.
    10.26    --Form of Security Agreement attached and filed as Exhibit C to
              Exhibit 99.3 to Coda's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October
              30, 1995, and incorporated by reference herein.
    10.27    --List of Management Investors who are parties to Nonstatutory
              Stock Option Agreement (Exhibit 10.24), Limited Recourse
              Promissory Note (Exhibit 10.25) or Security Agreement (Exhibit
              10.26).
    10.28    --Non-competition Agreement between Coda and Tommie E. Lohman
              dated April 29, 1994.
    12.1     --Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
    21.1     --Subsidiaries of Registrants.
    23.1     --Consent of Haynes and Boone, L.L.P. (included in their opinions
              filed as Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1).
    23.2     --Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
    23.3     --Consent of Lee Keeling & Associates, Inc.
    24.1     --Power of Attorney of each Registrant (included on signature
              pages to this Registration Statement on Form S-4).
    25.1     --Statement of Eligibility and Qualification (Form T-1) under the
              Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Texas Commerce Bank National
              Association.
    27.1     --Financial Data Schedule
    99.1     --Form of Letter of Transmittal and related documents to be used
              in conjunction with the Exchange Offer.

 
  (b) Financial Statement Schedules: None.
 
 
                                      II-5

 
                               SCHEDULES OMITTED
 
  Schedules not listed above are omitted because of the absence of the
conditions under which they are required or because the information required
by such omitted schedules is set forth in the financial statements or the
notes thereto.
 
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
  (a) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act"), may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the Registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim of
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or the registrant in the successful defense of
any action, suit paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the
registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of
its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a
court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by
it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by
the final adjudication of such issue.
 
  (b) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus pursuant to
Item 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through
the date of responding to the request.
 
  (c) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
 
  (d) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that:
 
  (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Act, the information
omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration
statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus
filed by the registrants pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the
Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time
it was declared effective.
 
  (2) For purposes of determining any liability under the Act, each such post-
effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
 
  (e) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake:
 
  (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement; (i) to include any
prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) to
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement; (iii) to
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to
such information in the Registration Statement.
 
  (2) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.
 
                                     II-6

 
                                  SIGNATURES
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, THE REGISTRANT HAS DULY
CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE
UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF DALLAS, STATE OF TEXAS
ON APRIL 8, 1996.
 
                                          CODA ENERGY, INC.
 
                                          By:   /s/ Grant W. Henderson
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Name:  Grant W. Henderson
                                            Title:  President, Chief Financial
                                                 Officer and Director
 
  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned officers and
directors of Coda Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), for
himself and not for one another, does hereby constitute and appoint Douglas H.
Miller, Grant W. Henderson and Joe Callaway, each of them, a true and lawful
attorney in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign his
name to any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this
registration statement with respect to the proposed issuance, sale and
delivery by the Company of 10 1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due
2006, and to cause the same to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys and each of them full power and
authority to do and perform any act and thing necessary and proper to be done
in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned could
do if personally present, and each of them shall lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND AS OF THE DATES INDICATED.
 
              SIGNATURE                        TITLE                 DATE
 
       /s/ Douglas H. Miller           Chairman of the          April 8, 1996
- -------------------------------------   Board and Chief
          DOUGLAS H. MILLER             Executive Officer
                                        (Principal
                                        Executive Officer)
 
        /s/ Jarl P. Johnson            Vice Chairman of the     April 8, 1996
- -------------------------------------   Board and Chief
           JARL P. JOHNSON              Operating Officer
 
      /s/ Grant W. Henderson           President, Chief         April 8, 1996
- -------------------------------------   Financial Officer
         GRANT W. HENDERSON             and Director
                                        (Principal
                                        Financial and
                                        Accounting Officer)
 
       /s/ Richard A. Causey           Director                 April 8, 1996
- -------------------------------------
          RICHARD A. CAUSEY
 
     /s/ James V. Derrick, Jr.         Director                 April 8, 1996
- -------------------------------------
        JAMES V. DERRICK, JR.
 
       /s/ Gene E. Humphrey            Director                 April 8, 1996
- -------------------------------------
          GENE E. HUMPHREY
 
       /s/ C. John Thompson            Director                 April 8, 1996
- -------------------------------------
          C. JOHN THOMPSON
 
                                     II-7

 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, THE REGISTRANT HAS DULY
CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE
UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF DALLAS, STATE OF TEXAS
ON APRIL 8, 1996.
 
                                          DIAMOND ENERGY OPERATING COMPANY
 
                                          By:     /s/ Jarl P. Johnson
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Name:  Jarl P. Johnson
                                            Title:  President
 
  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned officers and
directors of Diamond Energy Operating Company, an Oklahoma corporation
("Diamond"), for himself and not for one another, does hereby constitute and
appoint Douglas H. Miller, Grant W. Henderson and Joe Callaway, each of them, a
true and lawful attorney in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign his name to any and all amendments, including post-
effective amendments, to this registration statement with respect to the
proposed issuance, sale and delivery by Diamond of an unconditional guarantee
of Coda Energy, Inc.'s 10 1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006, and
to cause the same to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said attorneys and each of them full power and authority to do
and perform any act and thing necessary and proper to be done in the premises,
as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned could do if personally
present, and each of them shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE CAPACITIES AND AS OF
THE DATES INDICATED.
 
              SIGNATURE                         TITLE                DATE
 
        /s/ Jarl P. Johnson             President and           April 8, 1996
- -------------------------------------    Director (Principal
           JARL P. JOHNSON               Executive Officer)
 
      /s/ Grant W. Henderson            Vice President,         April 8, 1996
- -------------------------------------    Treasurer and
         GRANT W. HENDERSON              Director(Principal
                                         Financial and
                                         Accounting Officer)
 
       /s/ Douglas H. Miller            Director                April 8, 1996
- -------------------------------------
          DOUGLAS H. MILLER
 
         /s/ Joe Callaway               Director                April 8, 1996
- -------------------------------------
            JOE CALLAWAY
 
     /s/ Randell A. Bodenhamer          Director                April 8, 1996
- -------------------------------------
        RANDELL A. BODENHAMER
 
                                      II-8

 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, THE REGISTRANT HAS DULY
CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE
UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF DALLAS, STATE OF TEXAS
ON APRIL 8, 1996.
 
                                          TAURUS ENERGY CORP.
 
                                          By:     /s/ Douglas H. Miller
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Name:  Douglas H. Miller
                                            Title:  Chairman and Chief
                                            Executive Officer
 
  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned officers and
directors of Taurus Energy Corp., a Texas corporation ("Taurus"), for himself
and not for one another, does hereby constitute and appoint Douglas H. Miller,
Grant W. Henderson and Joe Callaway, each of them, a true and lawful attorney
in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign his name to
any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this
registration statement with respect to the proposed issuance, sale and
delivery by Taurus of an unconditional guarantee of Coda Energy, Inc.'s 10
1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006, and to cause the same to be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys and each of them full power and authority to do and perform any act
and thing necessary and proper to be done in the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as the undersigned could do if personally present, and
each of them shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND AS OF THE DATES INDICATED.
 
              SIGNATURE                        TITLE                 DATE
 
     /s/ Douglas H. Miller             Chairman of the          April 8, 1996
- -------------------------------------   Board; Chief
          DOUGLAS H. MILLER             Executive Officer
                                        (Principal
                                        Executive Officer)
 
     /s/ Grant W. Henderson            Vice President,          April 8, 1996
- -------------------------------------   Treasurer and
         GRANT W. HENDERSON             Director(Principal
                                        Financial and
                                        Accounting Officer)
 
        /s/ Joe Callaway               Director                 April 8, 1996
- -------------------------------------
            JOE CALLAWAY
 
      /s/ Jarl P. Johnson              Director                 April 8, 1996
- -------------------------------------
           JARL P. JOHNSON
 
                                     II-9

 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, THE REGISTRANT HAS DULY
CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE
UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF DALLAS, STATE OF TEXAS
ON APRIL 8, 1996.
 
                                          ELECTRA RESOURCES, INC.
 
                                                 /s/ Grant W. Henderson
                                          By:
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Name:  Grant W. Henderson
                                            Title:  President
 
  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned officers and
directors of Electra Resources, Inc., a Texas corporation ("Electra"), for
himself and not for one another, does hereby constitute and appoint Douglas H.
Miller, Grant W. Henderson and Joe Callaway, each of them, a true and lawful
attorney in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign his
name to any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, to this
registration statement with respect to the proposed issuance, sale and
delivery by Electra of an unconditional guarantee of Coda Energy, Inc.'s 10
1/2% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006, and to cause the same to be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys and each of them full power and authority to do and perform any act
and thing necessary and proper to be done in the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as the undersigned could do if personally present, and
each of them shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND AS OF THE DATES INDICATED.
 
              SIGNATURE                        TITLE                 DATE
 
      /s/ Grant W. Henderson           President and            April 8, 1996
- -------------------------------------   Director (Principal
         GRANT W. HENDERSON             Executive,
                                        Financial and
                                        Accounting Officer)
 
                                     II-10

 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 


 EXHIBIT
   NO.                             DESCRIPTION                             PAGE
 -------                           -----------                             ----
                                                                     
   2.1   --Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among Coda, Joint Energy
           Development Investments Limited Partnership and Coda
           Acquisition, Inc. dated as of October 30, 1995 filed as
           Exhibit 2.1 to Coda's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October
           30, 1995, and incorporated by reference herein.
   2.2   --Agreement of Coda to provide schedules to the Agreement and
           Plan of Merger (Exhibit 2.1) omitted pursuant to Item
           6.01(b)(2) of Regulation S-K filed as Exhibit 2.2 to Coda's
           Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
           September 30, 1995, and incorporated by reference herein.
   2.3   --Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
           December 22, 1995 filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Coda's Current
           Report on Form 8-K dated December 22, 1995, and incorporated
           by reference herein.
   2.4   --Second Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
           January 10, 1996 filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Coda's Current Report
           on Form 8-K dated January 10, 1996, and incorporated by
           reference herein.
   2.5   --Agreement of Coda to provide schedules and exhibits to Second
           Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger (Exhibit 2.4) and to
           provide schedules to Amendment No. 1 to Subscription Agreement
           (Exhibit 10.17) and Amendment No. 1 to Stockholders Agreement
           (Exhibit 10.18) filed as Exhibit 99.4 to Coda's Current Report
           on Form 8-K dated January 10, 1996, and incorporated by
           reference herein.
   3.1   --Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Coda.
   3.2   --Amended and Restated Bylaws of Coda.
   3.3   --Certificate of Incorporation of Diamond Energy Operating
           Company, as amended.
   3.4   --Bylaws of Diamond Energy Operating Company, as amended.
   3.5   --Articles of Incorporation of Taurus Energy Corp., as amended.
   3.6   --Bylaws of Taurus Energy Corp., as amended.
   3.7   --Articles of Incorporation of Electra Resources, Inc.
   3.8   --Bylaws of Electra Resources, Inc.
   4.1   --Indenture, dated as of March 18, 1996, among Coda, the
           Guarantors and Texas Commerce Bank National Association, as
           trustee, relating to $110,000,000 aggregate principal amount
           of 10 1/2% Series A and Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due
   4.2   --Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 18, 1996,
           among Coda, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers.
   4.3   --Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 12, 1996, among Coda,
           the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers.
   4.4   --Indenture between Coda and Texas American Bank/Dallas, as
           Trustee, dated June 1, 1985, as amended, governing Coda's 12%
           Senior Subordinated Debentures due 2000 filed as Exhibit 4.3
           to Coda's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
           December 31, 1994 (the "1994 10-K"), and incorporated by
           reference herein.
   4.5   --Credit Agreement, dated February 14, 1996, among the Company,
           NationsBank of Texas, N.A., individually and as agent, and
           additional lenders named therein.


 


 EXHIBIT
   NO.                             DESCRIPTION                             PAGE
 -------                           -----------                             ----
                                                                     
   4.6   --Promissory Note dated February 14, 1996, in the original
           principal amount of $87,500,000.00, executed by Coda, payable
           to NationsBank of Texas, N.A.
 
   4.7   --Promissory Note dated February 14, 1996, in the original
           principal amount of $37,500,000.00, executed by Coda, payable
           to Bank One, Texas, N.A.
 
   4.8   --Promissory Note dated February 14, 1996, in the original
           principal amount of $75,000,000.00, executed by Coda, payable
           to Texas Commerce Bank National Association.
 
   4.9   --Promissory Note dated February 14, 1996, in the original
           principal amount of $50,000,000.00, executed by Coda, payable
           to the First National Bank of Boston.
 
   4.10  --Specimen Certificate of Series A 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated
           Notes due 2006 (the "Private Notes") (included in Exhibit 4.1
           hereto).
 
   4.11  --Specimen Certificate of Series B 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated
           Notes due 2006 (the "Exchange Notes") (included in Exhibit 4.1
           hereto).
   5.1   --Opinion of Haynes and Boone regarding the validity of the
           Exchange Notes.
   8.1   --Opinion of Haynes and Boone as to certain tax matters.
  10.1   --Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into between Coda
           and each of its directors and officers filed as Exhibit 10.1
           to the 1994 10-K, and incorporated by reference herein.
  10.2   --List of directors and officers that have entered into
           Indemnification Agreements with Coda filed as Exhibit 10.1 to
           Coda's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
           ended September 30, 1995, and incorporated by reference
           herein.
  10.3   --Agreement and Plan of Merger, entered into as of April 29,
           1994 among Coda, Alliance Natural Gas, Inc., Taurus Energy
           Corp., and the shareholders of Taurus Energy Corp. more
           particularly identified therein, filed as Exhibit 2.1 to
           Coda's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 29, 1994, as
           amended by Form 8-K/A No. 1, dated June 14, 1994 and Form 8-
           K/A No. 2, dated August 17, 1994, and incorporated by
           reference herein.
  10.4   --Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June 11, 1994, among
           Coda, DEO Acquisition Corp., DA Acquisition Corp. and Diamond,
           filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Coda's Registration Statement on Form
           S-4, dated July 13, 1994 (No. 33-81532) (the "1994 Form S-4"),
           and incorporated by reference herein.
  10.5   --Agreement of Coda to provide schedules to Agreement and Plan
           of Merger (Exhibit 10.6) omitted pursuant to Item 6.01(b)(2)
           of Regulation S-K, and filed as Exhibit 2.4 to the 1994 Form
           S-4, and incorporated by reference herein.
  10.6   --Form of First Amendment to the Agreement and Plan of Merger
           dated as of June 11, 1994 by and among Coda, DEO Acquisition
           Corp., DA Acquisition Corp. and Diamond, filed as Exhibit 2.5
           to the 1994 Form S-4 and incorporated by reference herein.
  10.7   --Stockholders Agreement dated October 30, 1995 filed as
           Exhibit 99.2 to Coda's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
           October 30, 1995, and incorporated by reference herein.
  10.8   --Subscription Agreement among Coda Acquisition, Inc. and The
           Management Investors dated October 30, 1995 filed as Exhibit
           99.3 to Coda's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 30,
           1995, and incorporated by reference herein.


 


 EXHIBIT
   NO.                             DESCRIPTION                             PAGE
 -------                           -----------                             ----
                                                                     
  10.9   --Agreement of Coda to provide schedules to Stockholders
           Agreement (Exhibit 10.7) and to Subscription Agreement
           (Exhibit 10.8) filed as Exhibit 99.11 to Coda's Current Report
           on Form 8-K dated October 30, 1995, and incorporated by
           reference herein.
  10.10  --Business Opportunity Agreement dated as of October 30, 1995
           filed as Exhibit 99.4 to Coda's Current Report on Form 8-K
           dated October 30, 1995, and incorporated by reference herein.
  10.11  --Executive Employment Agreement between Coda Acquisition, Inc.
           and Randell A. Bodenhamer filed as Exhibit 99.5 to Coda's
           Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 30, 1995, and
           incorporated by reference herein.
  10.12  --Executive Employment Agreement between Coda Acquisition, Inc.
           and J. William Freeman filed as Exhibit 99.6 to Coda's Current
           Report on Form 8-K dated October 30, 1995, and incorporated by
           reference herein.
  10.13  --Executive Employment Agreement between Coda Acquisition, Inc.
           and Grant W. Henderson filed as Exhibit 99.7 to Coda's Current
           Report on Form 8-K dated October 30, 1995 and incorporated by
           reference herein.
  10.14  --Executive Employment Agreement between Coda Acquisition, Inc.
           and Jarl P. Johnson filed as Exhibit 99.8 to Coda's Current
           Report on Form 8-K dated October 30, 1995, and incorporated by
           reference herein.
  10.15  --Executive Employment Agreement between Coda Acquisition, Inc.
           and Douglas H. Miller filed as Exhibit 99.9 to Coda's Current
           Report on Form 8-K dated October 30, 1995, and incorporated by
           reference herein.
  10.16  --Executive Employment Agreement between Coda Acquisition, Inc.
           and J.W. Spencer, III filed as Exhibit 99.10 to Coda's Current
           Report on Form 8-K dated October 30, 1995, and incorporated by
           reference herein.
  10.17  --Amendment No. 1 to Subscription Agreement dated as of January
           10, 1996 filed as Exhibit 99.2 to Coda's Current Report on
           Form 8-K dated January 10, 1996, and incorporated by reference
           herein.
  10.18  --Amendment No. 1 to Stockholders Agreement dated as of January
           10, 1996 filed as Exhibit 99.3 to Coda's Current Report on
           Form 8-K dated January 10, 1996, and incorporated by reference
           herein.
  10.19  --Credit Agreement, dated February 14, 1996, among the Company,
           NationsBank of Texas, N.A., individually and as agent, and
           additional lenders named therein filed as Exhibit 4.5 above.
  10.20  --Promissory Note dated February 14, 1996, in the original
           principal amount of $87,500,000.00, executed by Coda, payable
           to NationsBank of Texas, N.A. filed as Exhibit 4.6 above.
  10.21  --Promissory Note dated February 14, 1996, in the original
           principal amount of $37,500,000.00, executed by Coda, payable
           to Bank One, Texas, N.A. filed as Exhibit 4.7 above.
  10.22  --Promissory Note dated February 14, 1996, in the original
           principal amount of $75,000,000.00, executed by Coda, payable
           to Texas Commerce Bank National Association filed as Exhibit
           4.8 above.
  10.23  --Promissory Note dated February 14, 1996, in the original
           principal amount of $50,000,000.00, executed by Coda, payable
           to the First National Bank of Boston filed as Exhibit 4.9
           above.


 


 EXHIBIT
   NO.                             DESCRIPTION                             PAGE
 -------                           -----------                             ----
                                                                     
  10.24  --Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement attached and
           filed as Exhibit A to Exhibit 99.3 to Coda's Current Report on
           Form 8-K dated October 30, 1995, and incorporated by reference
           herein.
  10.25  --Form of Limited Recourse Promissory Note attached and filed
           as Exhibit B to Exhibit 99.3 to Coda's Current Report on Form
           8-K dated October 30, 1995, and incorporated by reference
           herein.
  10.26  --Form of Security Agreement attached and filed as Exhibit C to
           Exhibit 99.3 to Coda's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
           October 30, 1995, and incorporated by reference herein.
  10.27  --List of Management Investors who are parties to Nonstatutory
           Stock Option Agreement (Exhibit 10.24), Limited Recourse
           Promissory Note (Exhibit 10.25) or Security Agreement (Exhibit
           10.26).
  10.28  --Non-competition Agreement between Coda and Tommie E. Lohman
           dated April 29, 1994.
  12.1   --Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
           Charges.
  21.1   --Subsidiaries of Registrants.
  23.1   --Consent of Haynes and Boone, L.L.P. (included in their
           opinions filed as Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1).
  23.2   --Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
  23.3   --Consent of Lee Keeling & Associates, Inc.
  24.1   --Power of Attorney of each Registrant (included on signature
           pages to this Registration Statement on Form S-4).
  25.1   --Statement of Eligibility and Qualification (Form T-1) under
           the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Texas Commerce Bank
           National Association.
  27.1   --Financial Data Schedule
  99.1   --Form of Letter of Transmittal and related documents to be
           used in conjunction with the Exchange Offer.