EXHIBIT 10.1







                             PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

THIS  AGREEMENT is entered  into on this 17 day of January,  2012 by and between
Natural Resource Group,  Inc., a Colorado  Corporation  (hereinafter  "NRG") and
National Petroleum Corporation,  a Kansas Corporation (hereinafter  "National").
The companies described above may be referred to as a "Party" or collectively as
the "Parties".

WHEREAS NRG has previously  acquired  leasehold  interests in and to certain oil
and gas leases (all of which are currently held by production ("HBP")),  as well
as some mineral fee interests, covering approximately 5,241 acres, that are more
particularly described in those leases listed in Exhibit "A" attached hereto and
made a part hereof (hereinafter the "Underlying Leases"); and

WHEREAS  National  has agreed to provide NRG with funds for certain  development
projects on the Underlying  Leases,  in accordance with the terms and conditions
of this agreement (the "Agreement"),

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration for the obligations and promises set forth below
the Parties agree as follows:


                I. PROMISSORY NOTE, OVERRIDING ROYALTY, MODIFIED
                      NET PROFITS INTEREST, AND OTHER TERMS

     1.1  Funding Additional  Development.  NRG owns a 100% working interest and
          an 82.5% net revenue interest in the Underlying  Leases.  National has
          agreed,  through the attached Convertible  Promissory Note, to provide
          funds to NRG to conduct the  Additional  Development on the Underlying
          Leases. The Additional  Development is generally  described as (a) the
          upgrading  of the  existing  plant  and  related  equipment;  (b)  any
          permitting and related work necessary to drill three shallow gas wells
          on the Underlying  Leases;  and (c) the actual drilling and completion
          of three shallow gas wells on the Underlying Leases. NRG shall use the
          funds  provided for in the  Convertible  Promissory  Note  ($350,000),
          attached as Exhibit "B", for the purpose of conducting  the Additional
          Development.  A  detailed  description  and  budget  for  expenditures
          expected to be incurred by NRG for Additional  Development is attached
          hereto as Exhibit "B-1". Funds are made available for draw pursuant to
          the Convertible Promissory Note in three (3) tranches, as follows:

                                       1


       Draw Date              Amount                         Purpose
       ---------              ------                         -------

   Date of Issuance           $150,000          Phase I-Additional Development
   As Drawn by NRG            $100,000          Phase II-Additional Development
   As Drawn by NRG            $100,000          Phase III-Additional Development

     The phases of Additional Development (Phase I, II and III) are as described
     and inferred  from the expected  expenditures  in each phase as provided by
     Exhibit "B-1".  The expected  expenditures  described in Exhibit "B-1" have
     been  prepared  in good  faith by NRG.  The  Parties  acknowledge  that the
     development  of oil and gas  resources  is  inherently  unpredictable.  The
     expenditures  in  Exhibit  "B-1" may be subject to change in the event that
     NRG encounters  difficulties or unexpected  circumstances in conducting the
     Additional  Development.  NRG shall not incur any  liability  in regards to
     Exhibit  "B-1" so long as NRG acts in good  faith to  forward  the  general
     purposes of the Additional Development.  The funds provided pursuant to the
     Promissory  Note shall be kept by NRG in a  segregated  account.  NRG shall
     provide  National,  within 30 days of the end of each month commencing with
     the  month in which  this  Agreement  is  executed,  a  detailed  statement
     reflecting the type and amount of  expenditures  paid from funds drawn upon
     the  Convertible  Promissory  Note.  Successive  draws upon the Convertible
     Promissory  Note  shall  be  available  to  NRG  upon  providing  good  and
     sufficient  evidence  to  National of NRG's  successful  completion  of the
     preceding  phase(s) of the  Additional  Development  and the payment of the
     related expenditures. In the event NRG completes the Additional Development
     and  Convertible  Promissory  Note funds remain undrawn or unexpended,  NRG
     shall have the right to use the remaining  funds for its general  corporate
     purposes.

      1.1.A   Election to Increase the "Additional Development".

     Within  forty (40) days of the  conclusion  of the  Additional  Development
     described above, NRG shall provide National with a full accounting of costs
     incurred. NRG shall also provide National with its good faith opinion as to
     whether it is feasible to drill a fourth well with the remaining  funds. If
     it is NRG's good faith  opinion that it is feasible to drill an  additional
     well out of the remaining funds then NRG shall proceed with the drilling of
     the fourth well.  If NRG  indicates  that it is not feasible  then National
     shall elect from 3 options:

               (1)  National  may elect to increase  the  Maximum  Amount of the
                    Promissory  Note to such amount  that the  Parties  mutually
                    agree is  sufficient to provide for the drilling of a fourth
                    well, and provide such  additional  funds to NRG in a fourth
                    tranche.

               (2)  National  may request an estimate  from NRG  concerning  the
                    details  and  cost of  shooting  seismic  on the  Underlying
                    Leases. If there are sufficient funds remaining to cover the
                    expense of shooting seismic,  National may elect to have NRG
                    use the funds for such purpose.

                                       2

               (3)  National  may elect to consider the  Additional  Development
                    fully  completed and the remaining  funds may be used by NRG
                    in the sole discretion of NRG.

                 Upon receiving the accounting and opinion discussed above from
                 NRG, National shall have twenty (20) days to provide NRG with
                 written notice of its election. If National fails to provide
                 NRG with written notice, then National shall be deemed to have
                 elected the option specified in Article 1.1.A(3).

     1.2  Modified Net Profits  Interest in Existing  Wells.  Upon  execution of
          this Agreement, and as part of the consideration for National entering
          this  Agreement,  NRG shall  assign to  National  a 20%  Modified  Net
          Profits  Interest in the  existing  Garcia  Field  producing  wells by
          assignment  in the form of Exhibit  "C"  attached,  such  Wells  being
          described in Schedule "1" attached thereto.

     1.3  Modified Net Profits Interest in Additional Wells. Upon the completion
          of each of the wells drilled in the course of  Additional  Development
          as described,  above,  NRG shall assign to National a 20% Modified Net
          Profits  Interest in such wells,  by  completing  and  recording  of a
          Schedule "2" as referred to in Exhibit "C" attached hereto.

     1.4  Assignment of Royalty Interest. Upon execution of this Agreement,  NRG
          shall  assign to  National a 1%  Overriding  Royalty  Interest  in the
          Underlying  Leases,  such  assignment to be in the form of Exhibit "D"
          attached hereto.

     1.5  Additional Garcia Acreage.  In the event that NRG acquires  additional
          acreage  that is  within a 10 mile  radius of any land  covered  by an
          existing  Underlying  Lease,  then all  terms and  provisions  of this
          Agreement  shall apply to that  acreage in addition to the  Underlying
          Leases, and Exhibit "A" shall be formally supplemented to include such
          acreage  and  the  Leases  pertaining  thereto.   However,   under  no
          circumstances  shall this Article  (1.5) be applied to more than 2,000
          gross  acres.  This  Article  (1.5)  shall apply for a period of three
          years after the execution of this Agreement.  At the conclusion of the
          three  year  period  Article  1.5 shall  expire  and be of no  further
          effect.

                       II. RIGHT TO FURTHER PARTICIPATION

     2.1  Right to Further  Participate.  At the  conclusion  of the  Additional
          Development,  upon  mutual  agreement,  the  Parties may engage in two
          additional three-well drilling programs.  There shall be no obligation
          on the part of either Party to go forward with any further  operations
          under this  Agreement  other than  those  described  in Article I, and
          either Party may elect not to participate in further operations.

     2.2  Additional  Documentation  in Event of Further  Participation.  In the
          event the Parties mutually elect to participate in further development

                                       3

          this  Agreement  may continue to govern the  relationship  between the
          Parties,  subject to such  additional  terms as the  parties  may then
          agree.

                III. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND OBLIGATIONS

     3.1  NRG  Obligations.  NRG shall  promptly  notify  National  and  provide
          details regarding the occurrence of: (i) any written notice of default
          or termination received or given to NRG with respect to the Underlying
          Leases,  (ii) any written  notice of any pending or threatened  claim,
          demand,  action, suit, inquiry or proceeding related to the Underlying
          Leases.

     3.2  NRG's Representations and Warranties.

          (a)  NRG  holds the  rights to  certain  interests  in the  Underlying
               Leases  described  in  Exhibit  A, free and  clear of any  liens,
               claims,  burdens or encumbrances except for the security interest
               held by Energy Oil and Gas,  Inc.  ("EOGI")  with an  approximate
               unpaid  balance of  $190,000.  EOGI's  security  interest  in the
               Underlying Leases shall be made second,  subordinate and inferior
               to National's Deed of Trust,  Mortgage and Security  Agreement as
               described in the Convertible Promissory Note.

          (b)  The Leases are in full force and effect, and no notice of breach,
               default  or  termination  has  been  received  by NRG,  or to the
               knowledge  of NRG, by any other  party.  The  Underlying  Leases,
               together  with  applicable  law,  contain  the  entirety of NRG's
               obligation  to  the  lessors,   and  no  other  understanding  or
               agreement  exists  between  NRG and any lessor in relation to the
               subject matter of this Agreement,  except as otherwise  stated in
               this Agreement.

          (c)  Documents.  NRG has provided  National  with complete and correct
               copies of the  Underlying  Leases.  NRG hereby  warrants that all
               rental  payments due concerning  the Underlying  Leases have been
               paid in a timely manner,  and the Underlying Leases are currently
               held in their entirety by production.  These Leases are described
               in Exhibit A.

          (d)  NRG is aware of no  material  claims,  demands,  actions,  suits,
               governmental  inquiries,  or  proceedings  pending,  or to  NRG's
               knowledge,  threatened in connection  with the Underlying  Leases
               which would have an adverse effect upon the  consummation  of the
               transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          (e)  NRG is aware of no  Preferential  Rights or options  to  purchase
               which will be  triggered by the  execution  of this  Agreement or
               which would  impair  National's  rights and  interests  under the
               terms of this Agreement.

     3.3  National's Representations and Warranties.

          (a)  There  are  no  material   claims,   demands,   actions,   suits,
               governmental  inquiries, or proceedings pending, or to National's
               knowledge,  threatened  against  National  which  would  have  an
               adverse effect upon this Agreement.

                                       4

          (b)  National  has  sufficient  funds  and  reserves  to  enable it to
               perform its obligations under this Agreement.

     3.4  Mutual Obligations and Warranties.

          (a)  Corporate  Authority.  Each Party is duly  organized  and validly
               existing under the laws of the country-regionplaceUnited  States.
               To the  extent  required,  each  Party is  qualified  to  conduct
               business  in  the   jurisdiction  as  necessary  to  perform  the
               Agreement.  Each  Party  has all  requisite  corporate  power and
               authority   to  enter  into  this   Agreement,   to  perform  its
               obligations   hereunder,   and  to  consummate  the  transactions
               contemplated  hereby.  This  Agreement has been duly executed and
               delivered  by each  Party  and  constitutes  a legal,  valid  and
               binding obligation of each Party,  enforceable against each Party
               in accordance with its terms.

          (b)  Other  Representations  and  Warranties.  Except as  disclosed in
               schedules  attached to this Agreement,  the execution,  delivery,
               and performance of this Agreement by each Party, the consummation
               of the transactions  contemplated hereby, and the compliance with
               the  provisions  hereof  will  not,  to the best of each  Party's
               knowledge and belief:

                    i.   violate any  applicable  laws,  regulations,  judgment,
                         decree or award;
                    ii.  contravene the organization documents of a Party; or
                    iii. result  in a  violation  of a  term  or  provision,  or
                         constitute a default or accelerate  the  performance of
                         an obligation under any contract or agreement  executed
                         by a Party hereto.

          (c)  All  representations  and  warranties  given under this Agreement
               shall,  for the  contractual  term set  forth  herein,  be deemed
               repeated and valid,  true and correct as of the execution of this
               Agreement, and each Party agrees to inform the other Party of any

                                       5

               material  changes  to  the  facts  in  the   representations  and
               warranties upon the occurrence of such change

     3.5  Disclaimer of Additional Warranties.

          (a)  Except for the  representations  and warranties  provided in this
               article,  NRG and National make no, and disclaim any, warranty or
               representation of any kind, either expressed, implied, statutory,
               or  otherwise,  including,  without  limitation,  the accuracy or
               completeness  of  any  data,   reports,   records,   projections,
               information, or materials now, heretofore, or hereafter furnished
               or made available to National in connection with this Agreement.

          (b)  National  acknowledges that NRG makes no warranties regarding the
               oil and gas potential  related to or the likelihood of success of
               the Underlying Leases.

          (c)  NRG makes no warranty of title  concerning the Underlying  Leases
               subject  to this  Agreement.  NRG  agrees to  indemnify  National
               solely  regarding  claims  of any and all  persons  claiming  by,
               through or under NRG, but not otherwise.  NRG expressly disclaims
               any liability for title issues  concerning the Leases which arose
               prior to NRG taking a legal  interest  in the  Underlying  Leases
               concerned.

                            IV. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

     4.1  Due  Diligence.  NRG has made  available  to National all geologic and
          geophysical  information  in its  possession  regarding the Underlying
          Leases.  This  information  includes but is not limited to seismic and
          geologic data well logs,  cement bond logs,  well samples,  and coring
          data. NRG makes no  representations  of accuracy  regarding such data.
          National agrees to keep all such information confidential.

     4.2  Acceptance  of Prior Terms.  National  hereby  ratifies,  confirms and
          accepts the terms of the Underlying Leases, and agrees to abide by the
          terms  of the  Underlying  Leases  so far  as it  concerns  National's
          Modified Net Profits Interest and Overriding Royalty Interest.

     4.3  Tax  Obligations.  Each Party shall be  responsible  for reporting and
          discharging  its own tax measured by the profit or income of the Party
          and the  satisfaction of such Party's share of all  obligations  under
          this  Agreement.  Each Party shall protect,  defend and indemnify each
          other Party from any and all loss, cost or liability  arising from the
          indemnifying  Party's  failure to report and  discharge  such taxes or
          satisfy such  obligations.  The Parties intend that all income and all
          tax  benefits  (including   deductions,   depreciation,   credits  and
          capitalization)  with respect to the expenditures  made by the Parties
          hereunder will be allocated by the  Government tax  authorities to the
          Parties based on the share of each tax item actually received or borne
          by each  Party.  If such  allocation  is not  accomplished  due to the
          application of the laws,  regulations or other government  action, the
          Parties shall attempt to adopt mutually  agreeable  arrangements  that
          will allow the Parties to achieve the financial results intended.

     4.4  Notices. All notices authorized or required between the Parties by any
          of the provisions of this Agreement  shall be in writing and delivered
          in  person  or by  courier  service  or by  any  electronic  means  of
          transmitting    written    communications   which   provides   written
          confirmation of complete  transmission,  and properly addressed to the
          other  Party.  Verbal  communication  does not  constitute  notice for
          purposes of this  Agreement,  however e-mail is  acceptable.  A notice
          given under any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed  delivered
          only when  received by the Party to whom such notice is directed,  and
          the time for such Party to  deliver  any  notice in  response  to such
          originating  notice shall run from the date the originating  notice is
          received.  "Received"  for purposes of this Article  shall mean actual
          delivery  of  the  notice  to  the  address  of  the  Party  specified
          hereunder.

      Name:      Natural Resource Group, Inc. Name:     National Petroleum Corp.
      Address:   1789 W. Littleton Blvd.      Address:  597 W. Waterview Drive
                 Littleton, CO  80120                   Green Valley, AZ  85614
      Email:     plaird@nrgcolo.com           Email:    rrmcginnis@cox.net
      Telephone: (303) 797-5417x246           Telephone:(520) 490-6824

                                       6


     4.5  Governing Law and Dispute Resolution.  This Agreement has been entered
          into and shall be construed and enforced in  accordance  with the laws
          of the State of StateplaceColorado. This Agreement shall be subject to
          the   exclusive   jurisdiction   of  the  courts  in   PlaceNameDenver
          PlaceTypeCounty  in the state of  StateplaceColorado.  The  parties to
          this Agreement  agree that any breach of any term or condition of this
          Agreement  shall be  deemed to be a breach  occurring  in the State of
          Colorado  by virtue of a failure  to  perform  an act  required  to be
          performed in the State of Colorado and irrevocably and expressly agree
          to submit to the  jurisdiction  of the courts of the State of Colorado
          for the purpose of resolving any disputes  among the parties  relating
          to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. The parties
          irrevocably  waive,  to the  fullest  extent  permitted  by  law,  any
          objection  which they may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue
          of any suit,  action or proceeding  arising out of or relating to this
          Agreement,  or any  judgment  entered by any court in  respect  hereof
          brought in the State of Colorado,  and further  irrevocably  waive any
          claim  that any suit,  action or  proceeding  brought  in the State of
          Colorado has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

          Neither  party  shall  have any right or  obligation  to engage in any
          arbitration proceeding regarding issues arising under this Agreement.

     4.6  Force  Majeure.  If either  Party is rendered  unable,  in whole or in
          part, to carry out its  obligations  under this Agreement due to Force
          Majeure,  then performance  (other than obligations for the payment of
          money and the delivery of  instruments) is excused to the extent it is
          affected by the Force Majeure and both Parties' obligations  hereunder
          shall be suspended during the period of Force Majeure. The term "Force
          Majeure" will mean an act of God, strike,  lockout or other industrial
          disturbance,  act of the public  enemy,  war  blockage,  public  riot,
          lightning, fire, flood, explosion,  governmental action,  governmental
          delay,   restraint,   or  inaction,   delays  in  obtaining   permits,
          unavailability of equipment,  and any other cause, whether of the kind
          specifically  enumerated  above or otherwise,  which is not reasonably
          within either Parties' control.  Either Party claiming a Force Majeure
          event shall give notice to the other Party of the Force Majeure within
          a reasonable time after the events occur, and reasonably  describe the
          events constituting the Force Majeure.

     4.7  Further  Assurances.  Each of the  Parties  shall do all such acts and
          execute and deliver all such documents as shall be reasonably required
          in order to fully perform and carry out the terms of this Agreement.

     4.8  Waiver.  No waiver by any Party of any one or more defaults by another
          Party in the  performance  of any  provision of this  Agreement  shall
          operate or be construed as a waiver of any future  default or defaults
          by the  same  Party  whether  of a like or of a  different  character.
          Except as  expressly  provided  in this  Agreement,  no Party shall be
          deemed to have  waived,  released or  modified  any of its right under
          this  Agreement  unless such Party has expressly  stated,  in writing,
          that it does waive, release or modify such right.

     4.9  Joint Preparation. Each provision of this Agreement shall be construed
          as though all  Parties  participated  equally in the  drafting  of the
          same.  Any rule of  construction  that a document  is to be  construed
          against the drafting party shall not be applicable to this Agreement.

                                       7


     4.10 Severance of Invalid  Provisions.  If and for so long as any provision
          of this Agreement  shall be deemed to be judged invalid for any reason
          whatsoever, such invalidity shall not affect the validity or operation
          of any other  provision of this Agreement  except only so far as shall
          be necessary to give effect to the  construction  of such  invalidity,

          and any such  invalid  provision  shall be  deemed  severed  from this
          Agreement  without  affecting  the  validity  of the  balance  of this
          Agreement.

     4.11 Modifications. There shall be no modification of this Agreement except
          by written consent of all Parties.

     4.12 Priority  of  Agreement.  In the  event of any  conflict  between  the
          provisions of the main body of this  Agreement  and its Exhibits,  the
          provisions of the main body of the Agreement shall prevail.

     4.13 Headings.  The  topical  headings  used  in  this  Agreement  are  for
          convenience  only and shall not be construed as having any substantive
          significance  or as  indicating  that  all of the  provisions  of this
          Agreement  relating  to any  topic  are to be found in any  particular
          article.

     4.14 Counterpart Execution. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
          counterparts  and each such  counterpart  shall be deemed an  original
          Agreement for all  purposes;  provided that no Party shall be bound to
          this   Agreement   unless  and  until  all  Parties  have  executed  a
          counterpart.  For purposes of  assembling  all  counterparts  into one
          document, either party is authorized to detach the signature page from
          one  or  more   counterparts  and,  after  signature  thereof  by  the
          respective Party, attach each signed signature page to a counterpart.

     4.15 Entirety.  With respect to the subject matter contained  herein,  this
          Agreement  (i) is  the  entire  agreement  of the  Parties;  and  (ii)
          supersedes all prior understandings and negotiations of the Parties.

     4.16 Merger.   This  Agreement  shall  not  merge  but  shall  survive  all
          conveyances of interests.

     4.17 Costs.   NRG  shall  pay  the  costs  of  recording  the   instruments
          (assignments  and Deed of  Trust,  Mortgage  and  Security  Agreement)
          contemplated  hereby  for  recording,  together  with  any  associated
          registration fees, revenue stamps, mortgage taxes and the like.

     4.18 Effective  Date.  This Agreement  shall be effective upon execution by
          both Parties.

Agreed and accepted this 17 day of January, 2012.


                           [Signature Page to Follow]


                                       8







NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION

/s/ Ron McGinnis                          1/17/2012
---------------------------------         ------------------------
By: Ron McGinnis                          Date
President


NATURAL RESOURCE GROUP, INC.

/s/ Paul Laird                            1/17/2012
---------------------------------         ------------------------
By:Paul Laird                             Date
Chief Executive Officer

                                       9



                                                 Schedule "1"
                                                EXISTING WELLS
 Natural Resource Group, Inc. Royalty Assignment to National Petroleum Corp.
Descriptions


                                                                                       


              Well                          Location              API Number      Footage     Assignor's Net
                                                                                             Revenue Interest

          Garcia 34-14                SESW 34 33S 62W 6PM        05-071-07232   All Depths        82.5%

           Garcia 4-12                 NWSW 4 34S 62W 6PM        05-071-07235   All Depths        82.5%

           Windy Point                 NWNW 3 34S 62W 6PM        05-071-09644   All Depths        82.5%

              Mirah                    NWSW 3 34S 62W 6PM        05-071-09451   All Depths        82.5%



                                       1





                                  Schedule "2"

                                ADDITIONAL WELLS

 Natural Resource Group, Inc. Royalty Assignment to National Petroleum Corp.
Descriptions


Well         Location            API Number        Footage       Assignor's Net
                                                                Revenue Interest







                                       2