EXHIBIT 10.3

                                                                     [Execution]

                              LLC PLEDGE AGREEMENT
                              --------------------

         THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made as of May 1, 2002, by
St. Mary Land & Exploration Company, a Delaware corporation (herein called
"Debtor"), in favor of Bank of America, N.A., individually and as agent (herein
called "Secured Party").

                                    RECITALS:

         1. Debtor has executed in favor of Agent and Lenders (as hereinafter
defined) those certain promissory notes dated June 24, 2000, payable to the
order of Lenders in the aggregate principal amount of $200,000,000 (such
promissory notes, as from time to time amended, and all promissory notes given
in substitution, renewal or extension therefor or thereof, in whole or in part,
being herein collectively called the "Note").

         2. The Note was executed pursuant to a Credit Agreement dated June 30,
1998 (herein, as from time to time amended, supplemented or restated, called the
"Credit Agreement"), by and between Borrower, Agent and Lenders, pursuant to
which Lenders have agreed to advance funds to Borrower under the Note.

         3. Debtor is executing and delivering this Agreement to Secured Party
pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement.

         4. The board of directors of Debtor has determined that Debtor's
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement may reasonably be expected
to benefit Debtor, directly or indirectly, and are in the best interests of
Debtor.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, of the benefits which
will inure to Debtor from Lenders' extensions of credit under the Credit
Agreement, and of Ten Dollars and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of all of which are hereby acknowledged, and in order to
induce Lenders to extend credit under the Credit Agreement, Debtor hereby agrees
with Secured Party for the benefit of each Lender as follows:

                                   AGREEMENTS

                     ARTICLE I -- Definitions and References
                     ---------------------------------------

         Section 1.1. General Definitions. As used herein, the terms
                      -------------------
"Agreement", "Debtor", "Secured Party", "Note" and "Credit Agreement" shall have
the meanings indicated above, and the following terms shall have the following
meanings:

         "Collateral" means all property, of whatever type, which is described
          ----------
in Section 2.1 as being at any time subject to a security interest granted
hereunder to Secured Party.

         "Commitment" means the agreement or commitment by Lenders to make loans
          ----------
or otherwise extend credit to Debtor under the Credit Agreement, and any other
agreement, commitment, statement of terms or other document contemplating the
making of loans or advances or other extension of credit by Lenders to or for
the account of Debtor which is now or at any time hereafter intended to be
secured by the Collateral under this Agreement.

         "Lenders" means the Persons who are from time to time "Lenders" as
          -------
defined in the Credit Agreement.

         "LLC" means any limited liability company which is included within the
          ---
term "Limited Liability Company" pursuant to Section 2.1(a), and any successor
of any such limited liability company.

         "LLC Agreements", "LLC Rights", and "LLC Rights to Payments" have the
          --------------
meanings given them in Section 2.1(a).

         "Obligation Documents" means the Credit Agreement, all other Loan
          --------------------
Documents, and all other documents and instruments under, by reason of which, or
pursuant to which any or all of the Secured Obligations are evidenced, governed,
secured, guarantied, or otherwise dealt with, and all other agreements,
certificates, and other documents, instruments and writings heretofore or
hereafter delivered in connection herewith or therewith.

         "Other Liable Party" means any Person, other than Debtor, who may now
          ------------------
or may at any time hereafter be primarily or secondarily liable for any of the
Secured Obligations or who may now or may at any time hereafter have granted to
Secured Party or Lenders a Lien upon any property as security for the Secured
Obligations.

         "Other LLC Rights" has the meaning given it in Section 2.1(a).
          ----------------

         "Secured Obligations" shall have the meaning given to it in Section
2.2.      -------------------

         "UCC" means the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of
          ---
Colorado on the date hereof.

         Section 1.2. Incorporation of Other Definitions. Reference is hereby
                      ----------------------------------
made to the Credit Agreement for a statement of the terms thereof. All
capitalized terms used in this Agreement which are defined in the Credit
Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings herein
as set forth therein. All terms used in this Agreement which are defined in the
UCC and not otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement shall have the
same meanings herein as set forth therein, except where the context otherwise
requires.

         Section 1.3. Attachments. All exhibits or schedules which may be
                      -----------
attached to this Agreement are a part hereof for all purposes.

         Section 1.4. Amendment of Defined Instruments. Unless the context
                      --------------------------------
otherwise requires or unless otherwise provided herein, references in this
Agreement to a particular agreement, instrument or document (including, but not

                                       2

limited to, references in Section 2.1) also refer to and include all renewals,
extensions, amendments, modifications, supplements or restatements of any such
agreement, instrument or document, provided that nothing contained in this
Section shall be construed to authorize any Person to execute or enter into any
such renewal, extension, amendment, modification, supplement or restatement.

         Section 1.5. References and Titles. All references in this Agreement to
                      ---------------------
Exhibits, Articles, Sections, subsections, and other subdivisions refer to the
Exhibits, Articles, Sections, subsections and other subdivisions of this
Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise. Titles appearing at the beginning
of any subdivision are for convenience only and do not constitute any part of
any such subdivision and shall be disregarded in construing the language
contained in this Agreement. The words "this Agreement", "herein", "hereof",
"hereby", "hereunder" and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a
whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. The
phrases "this Section" and "this subsection" and similar phrases refer only to
the Sections or subsections hereof in which the phrase occurs. The word "or" is
not exclusive, and the word "including" (in all of its forms) means "including
without limitation". Pronouns in masculine, feminine and neuter gender shall be
construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form shall be
construed to include the plural and vice versa unless the context otherwise
requires.

                         ARTICLE II -- Security Interest
                         -------------------------------

         Section 2.1. Grant of Security Interest. As collateral security for all
                      --------------------------
of the Secured Obligations, Debtor hereby pledges and assigns to Secured Party
and grants to Secured Party a continuing security interest for the benefit of
each Lender in and to all right, title and interest of the following:

         (a) LLC Rights. All of the following (herein collectively called the
             ----------
"LLC Rights"), whether now or hereafter existing, which are owned by Debtor or
in which Debtor otherwise has any rights:

                  (i) all units of limited liability company ownership interests
         and all proceeds, interest, profits, and other payments or rights to
         payment attributable to Debtor's interests in each limited liability
         company (whether one or more, herein called the "LLCs") described in
         Exhibit A hereto, and all distributions, cash, instruments and other
         property now or hereafter received, receivable or otherwise made with
         respect to or in exchange for any interest of Debtor in any LLC,
         including interim distributions, returns of capital, loan repayments,
         and payments made in liquidation of any LLC, and whether or not the
         same arise or are payable under any LLC agreement or certificate
         forming any LLC or any other agreement governing any LLC or the
         relations among the members of any LLC (any and all such proceeds,
         interest, profits, payments, rights to payment, distributions, cash,
         instruments, other property, interim distributions, returns of capital,
         loan repayments, and payments made in liquidation being herein called
         the "LLC Rights to Payments", and any and all such LLC agreements,
         certificates, and other agreements being herein called the "LLC
         Agreements"); and

                                       3

                  (ii) all other interests and rights of Debtor in any of the
         LLCs, whether under the LLC Agreements or otherwise, including without
         limitation any right to cause the dissolution of any LLC or to appoint
         or nominate a successor to Debtor as a member in any LLC (all such
         other interests and rights being herein called the "Other LLC Rights").

         (b)  Proceeds. All proceeds of any and all of the foregoing Collateral.
              --------

In each case, the foregoing shall be covered by this Agreement, whether Debtor's
ownership or other rights therein are presently held or hereafter acquired and
however Debtor's interests therein may arise or appear (whether by ownership,
security interest, claim or otherwise).

         The granting of the foregoing security interest does not make Secured
Party a successor to Debtor as a member of any LLC, and neither Secured Party
nor any of its successors or assigns hereunder shall be deemed to have become a
member of any LLC by accepting this Agreement or exercising any right granted
herein unless and until such time, if any, when Secured Party or any such
successor or assign expressly becomes a member of any LLC after a foreclosure
upon Other LLC Rights. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding (except
to the extent, if any, that Secured Party or any of its successors or assigns
hereafter expressly becomes a member of any LLC), neither Secured Party nor any
of its successors or assigns shall be deemed to have assumed or otherwise become
liable for any debts or obligations of any LLC or of Debtor to or under any LLC,
and the above definition of "Other LLC Rights" shall be deemed modified, if
necessary, to prevent any such assumption or other liability.

         Section 2.2. Secured Obligations Secured. The security interest created
                      ---------------------------
hereby in the Collateral constitutes continuing collateral security for all of
the following obligations, indebtedness and liabilities, whether now existing or
hereafter incurred or arising:

         (a) Credit Agreement Indebtedness. The payment by Debtor , as and when
             -----------------------------
due and payable, of the "Obligations", as defined in the Credit Agreement, of
all amounts from time to time owing by Debtor under or in respect of the Credit
Agreement, the Note, or any of the other Obligation Documents, and the due
performance by Debtor of all of its other obligations under or in respect of the
various Obligation Documents.

         (b) Other Indebtedness. All loans and future advances made by Lenders
             ------------------
to Debtor and all other debts, obligations and liabilities of every kind and
character of Debtor now or hereafter existing in favor of Lenders, whether such
debts, obligations or liabilities be direct or indirect, primary or secondary,
joint or several, fixed or contingent, and whether originally payable to Lenders
or to a third party and subsequently acquired by Lenders and whether such debts,
obligations or liabilities are evidenced by notes, open account, overdraft,
endorsement, security agreement, guaranty or otherwise (it being contemplated
that Debtor may hereafter become indebted to Lenders in further sum or sums but
Lenders shall have no obligation to extend further indebtedness by reason of
this Agreement).

         (c) Renewals. All renewals, extensions, amendments, modifications,
             --------
supplements, or restatements of or substitutions for any of the foregoing.

                                       4

As used herein, the term "Secured Obligations" refers to all present and future
indebtedness, obligations, and liabilities of whatever type which are described
above in this section, including any interest which accrues after the
commencement of any case, proceeding, or other action relating to the
bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization of Debtor. Debtor hereby acknowledges
that the Secured Obligations are owed to the various Lenders and that each
Lender is entitled to the benefits of the Liens given under this Agreement.


            ARTICLE III -- Representations, Warranties and Covenants
            --------------------------------------------------------

         Section 3.1. Representations and Warranties. Debtor hereby represents
                      ------------------------------
and warrants to Secured Party and Lenders as follows:


         (a) Security Interest. Debtor has and will have at all times full
             -----------------
right, power and authority to grant a security interest in the Collateral to
Secured Party as provided herein, free and clear of any Lien, adverse claim, or
encumbrance. This Agreement creates a valid and binding first priority security
interest in favor of Secured Party in the Collateral, which security interest
secures all of the Secured Obligations.

         (b) Perfection. The taking possession by Secured Party of all
             ----------
certificates, instruments and cash constituting Collateral from time to time and
the filing of financing statements with the Secretary of State (or equivalent
governmental official) of the State in which Debtor is organized will perfect,
and establish the first priority of, Secured Party's security interest hereunder
in the Collateral securing the Secured Obligations. No further or subsequent
filing, recording, registration, other public notice or other action is
necessary or desirable to perfect or otherwise continue, preserve or protect
such security interest except (i) for continuation statements described in UCC
Section 9.515(d), (ii) for filings required to be filed in the event of a change
in the name, identity, or corporate structure of Debtor, or (iii) in the event
any financing statement filed by Secured Party relating hereto otherwise becomes
inaccurate or incomplete.

         (c) LLC Rights. All units and other securities constituting the LLC
             ----------
Rights have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and
non-assessable, and were not issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any
person or of any agreement by which Debtor or any LLC is bound. All documentary,
stamp or other taxes or fees owing in connection with the issuance, transfer or
pledge of the LLC Rights (or rights in respect thereof) have been paid. No
restrictions or conditions exist with respect to the transfer, voting or capital
of any LLC Rights. Except as disclosed to Secured Party in writing on or prior
to the date hereof, no LLC has any outstanding rights to subscribe, options,
warrants or convertible securities outstanding or any other rights outstanding
whereby any person would be entitled to have issued to it units of ownership
interest in any LLC. Debtor has taken or concurrently herewith is taking all
actions necessary to perfect Secured Party's security interest in the LLC
Rights, including any registrations, filings or notices which may be necessary
or advisable under Article 8 of the UCC as in effect in the state or states in
which any LLC was organized. No other Person has any such registration in
effect. Debtor owns the interests in each LLC which are described on Exhibit A.
No LLC has made any calls for capital which have not been fully paid by Debtor
and by each other member of such LLC. Debtor is not in default under any of the
LLC Agreements, nor is any other member of any LLC. Neither the making of this

                                       5

Agreement nor the exercise of any rights or remedies of Secured Party hereunder
will cause a default under any of the LLC Agreements or otherwise adversely
affect or diminish any of the LLC Rights. Debtor's rights under the LLC
Agreements are enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as such
enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws of general
application relating to the enforcement of creditors' rights.

         Section 3.2. Covenants. Unless Secured Party shall otherwise consent in
                      ---------
writing, Debtor will at all times (i) comply with the covenants contained in the
Credit Agreement which are applicable to Debtor and (ii) comply with the
covenants contained in this Section 3.2 so long as any part of the Secured
Obligations or the Commitment is outstanding.

         (a) LLC Rights. Debtor will maintain its ownership of the interests in
             ----------
each LLC listed on Exhibit A. Debtor will timely honor all calls under any LLC
Agreement to provide capital to any LLC, and Debtor will not otherwise default
in performing any of Debtor's obligations under any LLC Agreement or allow any
LLC Rights to be adversely affected or diminished. Debtor will promptly inform
Secured Party of any such failure to honor a capital call, default, adverse
effect, or diminution. Debtor will promptly inform Secured Party of any such
failure to honor a capital call or default by another member of any LLC. The LLC
Rights shall at all times be duly authorized and validly issued and shall not be
issued in violation of the pre-emptive rights of any Person or of any agreement
by which Debtor or the LLC thereof is bound.

         (b) Delivery of Certificates. All certificates, instruments, or
             ------------------------
writings evidencing the LLC Rights shall be delivered to Secured Party on or
prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, together with a true and
correct copy of each LLC Agreement and all amendments and supplements thereto.
All other certificates, instruments, or writings hereafter evidencing or
constituting LLC Rights, and all amendments or supplements to any LLC Agreement
(whether or not authorized hereunder), shall be delivered to Secured Party
promptly upon the receipt thereof by or on behalf of Debtor. All such
certificates, instruments, or writings shall be held by or on behalf of Secured
Party pursuant hereto and shall be delivered in suitable form for transfer by
delivery with any necessary endorsement or shall be accompanied by fully
executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, all in form and
substance satisfactory to Secured Party.

         (c) Proceeds of LLC Rights. If Debtor shall receive, by virtue of its
             ----------------------
being or having been an owner of any LLC Rights, any (i) certificate,
instrument, deed, bill of sale, promissory note, or other instrument or writing
(including any given in connection with any increase or reduction of capital,
reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation, sale of assets,
liquidation, or partial liquidation); (ii) option or right, whether as an
addition to, substitution for, or in exchange for, any LLC Rights, or otherwise;
or (iii) distributions payable in cash (except distributions permitted to be
retained by Debtor pursuant to Section 4.8 hereof) or in securities or other
property, Debtor shall receive the same in trust for the benefit of Secured
Party, shall segregate it from Debtor's other property, and shall promptly
deliver it to Secured Party in the exact form received, with any necessary
endorsement or instruments of transfer duly executed in blank, to be held by
Secured Party as Collateral.

         (d) Notices from LLC. Debtor will promptly deliver to Secured Party a
             ----------------
copy of each notice or other communication received by Debtor from any LLC in
respect of any LLC Rights.

                                       6

         (e) Diminution of LLC Rights. Debtor will not adjust, settle,
             ------------------------
compromise, amend or modify any of the LLC Rights or the LLC Agreements. Debtor
will not permit the creation of any additional interests in any LLC (unless
immediately upon creation the same are pledged to Secured Party pursuant to the
terms hereof to the extent necessary to give Secured Party a first priority
security interest in total LLC Rights after such creation which are in the
aggregate at least the same percentage of the outstanding rights of the same
kind in any LLC as were subject hereto before such issue), whether such
additional interests are presently vested or will vest upon the payment of money
or the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any other condition. Debtor will not enter
into any agreement (other than the Obligation Documents) creating, or otherwise
permit to exist, any restriction or condition upon the transfer or exercise of
any LLC Rights.

         (f) Status of LLC Rights. Any certificates evidencing the LLC Rights
             --------------------
shall at all times be valid and genuine and shall not be altered. The LLC Rights
at all times shall be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, and
non-assessable, and shall not be issued in violation of the preemptive rights of
any person or of any agreement by which Debtor or any LLC is bound and shall not
be subject to any restrictions with respect to transfer, voting or capital of
such LLC Rights.

         (g) Restrictions on LLC Rights. Debtor will not enter into any
             --------------------------
agreement creating, or otherwise permit to exist, any restriction or condition
upon the transfer, voting or control of any LLC Rights.


                ARTICLE IV -- Remedies, Powers and Authorizations
                -------------------------------------------------

         Section 4.1.  Provisions Concerning the Collateral.
                       ------------------------------------

         (a) Additional Filings. Debtor hereby authorizes Secured Party to file,
             ------------------
without the signature of Debtor where permitted by law, one or more financing or
continuation statements, and amendments thereto, covering or otherwise relating
to the Collateral. Debtor further agrees that a carbon, photographic or other
reproduction of this Security Agreement or of any financing statement describing
any Collateral is sufficient as a financing statement and may be filed in any
jurisdiction by Secured Party.

         (b) Power of Attorney. Debtor hereby irrevocably appoints Secured Party
             -----------------
as Debtor's attorney-in-fact and proxy, with full authority in the place and
stead of Debtor and in the name of Debtor or otherwise, from time to time in
Secured Party's discretion, to take any action, and to execute or indorse any
instrument, certificate or notice, which Secured Party may deem necessary or
advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement including any action or
instrument: (i) to request or instruct each LLC (and each registrar, transfer
agent, or similar Person acting on behalf of each LLC) to register the pledge or
transfer of the Collateral to Secured Party; (ii) to otherwise give notification
to any LLC, registrar, transfer agent, financial intermediary, or other Person
of Secured Party's security interests hereunder; (iii) to ask, demand, collect,
sue for, recover, compound, receive and give acquittance and receipts for moneys
due and to become due under or in respect of any of the Collateral; (iv) to
receive, indorse and collect any drafts or other instruments or documents; (v)
to enforce any obligations included among the Collateral; and (vi) to file any

                                       7

claims or take any action or institute any proceedings which Secured Party may
deem necessary or desirable for the collection of any of the Collateral or
otherwise to enforce, perfect, or establish the priority of the rights of
Secured Party with respect to any of the Collateral. Debtor hereby acknowledges
that such power of attorney and proxy are coupled with an interest, and are
irrevocable.

         (c) Performance by Secured Party. If Debtor fails to perform any
             ----------------------------
agreement or obligation contained herein, Secured Party may itself perform, or
cause performance of, such agreement or obligation, and the expenses of Secured
Party incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by Debtor under Section
4.5.

         (d) Collection Rights. Secured Party shall have the right at any time,
             -----------------
upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to notify
(or require Debtor to notify) any or all Persons (including any LLC) obligated
to make payments which are included among the Collateral (whether accounts,
general intangibles, dividends, distribution rights, LLC Rights to Payment, or
otherwise) of the assignment thereof to Secured Party under this Agreement and
to direct such obligors to make payment of all amounts due or to become due to
Debtor thereunder directly to Secured Party and, upon such notification and at
the expense of Debtor and to the extent permitted by law, to enforce collection
thereof and to adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment thereof, in
the same manner and to the same extent as Debtor could have done. After Debtor
receives notice that Secured Party has given (and after Secured Party has
required Debtor to give) any notice referred to above in this subsection:

         (i) all amounts and proceeds (including instruments and writings)
         received by Debtor in respect of such accounts, general intangibles,
         dividends, distribution rights, or LLC Rights to Payments shall be
         received in trust for the benefit of Secured Party hereunder, shall be
         segregated from other funds of Debtor and shall be forthwith paid over
         to Secured Party in the same form as so received (with any necessary
         indorsement) to be, at Secured Party's discretion, either (A) held as
         cash collateral and released to Debtor upon the remedy of all Defaults
         or Events of Default or (B) if any Event of Default shall have occurred
         and be continuing, applied as specified in Section 4.3, and

         (ii) Debtor will not adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment
         of any such account or general intangible or LLC Right to Payments or
         release wholly or partly any account debtor or obligor thereof
         (including any LLC) or allow any credit or discount thereon.

         Section 4.2. Event of Default Remedies. If an Event of Default shall
                      -------------------------
have occurred and be continuing, Secured Party may from time to time in its
discretion, without limitation and without notice except as expressly provided
below:

         (a) exercise in respect of the Collateral, in addition to any other
rights and remedies provided for herein, under the other Obligation Documents or
otherwise available to it, all the rights and remedies of a secured party on
default under the UCC (whether or not the UCC applies to the affected
Collateral);

                                       8

         (b) require Debtor to, and Debtor hereby agrees that it will at its
expense and upon request of Secured Party, promptly assemble all books, records
and information of Debtor relating to the Collateral at a place to be designated
by Secured Party which is reasonably convenient to both parties;

         (c) reduce its claim to judgment or foreclose or otherwise enforce, in
whole or in part, the security interest created hereby by any available judicial
procedure;

         (d) dispose of, at its office, on the premises of Debtor or elsewhere,
all or any part of the Collateral, as a unit or in parcels, by public or private
proceedings, and by way of one or more contracts (it being agreed that the sale
of any part of the Collateral shall not exhaust Secured Party's power of sale,
but sales may be made from time to time, and at any time, until all of the
Collateral has been sold or until the Secured Obligations have been paid and
performed in full), and at any such sale it shall not be necessary to exhibit
any of the Collateral;

         (e) buy (or allow one or more of the Lenders to buy) the Collateral, or
any part thereof, at any public sale in accordance with the UCC;

         (f) buy (or allow one or more of the Lenders to buy) the Collateral, or
any part thereof, at any private sale if the Collateral is of a type customarily
sold in a recognized market or is of a type which is the subject of widely
distributed standard price quotations, in accordance with the UCC;

         (g) apply by appropriate judicial proceedings for appointment of a
receiver for the Collateral, or any part thereof, and Debtor hereby consents to
any such appointment; and

         (h) at its discretion, retain the Collateral in satisfaction of the
Secured Obligations whenever the circumstances are such that Secured Party is
entitled to do so under the UCC or otherwise (provided that Secured Party shall
in no circumstances be deemed to have retained the Collateral in satisfaction of
the Secured Obligations in the absence of an express notice by Secured Party to
Debtor that Secured Party has either done so or intends to do so).

Debtor agrees that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at
least ten (10) days' notice to Debtor of the time and place of any public sale
or the time after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute
reasonable notification. Secured Party shall not be obligated to make any sale
of Collateral regardless of notice of sale having been given. Secured Party may
adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time
and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at
the time and place to which it was so adjourned.

         Section 4.3. Application of Proceeds. If any Event of Default shall
                      -----------------------
have occurred and be continuing, Secured Party may in its discretion apply any
cash held by Secured Party as Collateral, and any cash proceeds received by
Secured Party in respect of any sale of, collection from, or other realization
upon all or any part of the Collateral, to any or all of the following in such
order as Secured Party may (subject to the rights of Lenders under the Credit
Agreement) elect:

                                       9

         (a) To the repayment of all costs and expenses, including reasonable
attorneys' fees and legal expenses, incurred by Secured Party in connection with
(i) the administration of this Agreement, (ii) the custody, preservation, use or
operation of, or the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any
Collateral, (iii) the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights of Secured
Party hereunder, or (iv) the failure of Debtor to perform or observe any of the
provisions hereof;

         (b) To the payment or other satisfaction of any Liens, encumbrances, or
adverse claims upon or against any of the
Collateral;

         (c) To the reimbursement of Secured Party for the amount of any
obligations of Debtor or any Other Liable Party paid or discharged by Secured
Party pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement or the other Obligation
Documents, and of any expenses of Secured Party payable by Debtor hereunder or
under the other Obligation Documents;

         (d)  To the satisfaction of any other Secured Obligations;

         (e)  By holding the same as Collateral;

         (f) To the payment of any other amounts required by applicable law
(including any provision of the UCC); and

         (g) By delivery to Debtor or to whomever shall be lawfully entitled to
receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

         Section 4.4. Deficiency. In the event that the proceeds of any sale,
                      ----------
collection or realization of or upon Collateral by Secured Party are
insufficient to pay all Secured Obligations and any other amounts to which
Secured Party is legally entitled, Debtor shall be liable for the deficiency,
together with interest thereon as provided in the governing Obligation Documents
or (if no interest is so provided) at such other rate as shall be fixed by
applicable law, together with the costs of collection and the reasonable fees of
any attorneys employed by Secured Party or Lenders to collect such deficiency.

         Section 4.5. Indemnity and Expenses. In addition to, but not in
                      ----------------------
qualification or limitation of, any similar obligations under other Obligation
Documents:

         (a) Debtor will indemnify Secured Party and each Lender from and
against any and all claims, losses and liabilities growing out of or resulting
from this Agreement (including enforcement of this Agreement), WHETHER OR NOT
SUCH CLAIMS, LOSSES AND LIABILITIES ARE IN ANY WAY OR TO ANY EXTENT OWED, IN
WHOLE OR IN PART, UNDER ANY CLAIM OR THEORY OF STRICT LIABILITY OR ARE CAUSED BY
OR ARISE OUT OF SUCH INDEMNIFIED PARTY'S OWN NEGLIGENCE, except to the extent
such claims, losses or liabilities are proximately caused by such indemnified
party's individual gross negligence or willful misconduct.

                                       10

         (b) Debtor will upon demand pay to Secured Party the amount of any and
all reasonable costs and expenses, including the reasonable fees and
disbursements of Secured Party's counsel and of any experts and agents, which
Secured Party may incur in connection with (i) the transactions which give rise
to this Agreement, (ii) the preparation of this Agreement and the perfection and
preservation of this security interest created under this Agreement, (iii) the
administration of this Agreement; (iv) the custody, preservation, use or
operation of, or the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any
Collateral; (v) the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights of Secured
Party hereunder; or (vi) the failure by Debtor to perform or observe any of the
provisions hereof, except expenses resulting from Secured Party's gross
negligence or willful misconduct.

         Section 4.6. Non-Judicial Remedies. In granting to Secured Party the
                      ---------------------
power to enforce its rights hereunder without prior judicial process or judicial
hearing, Debtor expressly waives, renounces and knowingly relinquishes any legal
right which might otherwise require Secured Party to enforce its rights by
judicial process. In so providing for non-judicial remedies, Debtor recognizes
and concedes that such remedies are consistent with the usage of trade, are
responsive to commercial necessity, and are the result of a bargain at arm's
length. Nothing herein is intended, however, to prevent Secured Party from
resorting to judicial process at its option.

         Section 4.7. Other Recourse. Debtor waives any right to require Secured
                      --------------
Party or any Lender to proceed against any other Person, to exhaust any
Collateral or other security for the Secured Obligations, or to have any Other
Liable Party joined with Debtor in any suit arising out of the Secured
Obligations or this Agreement, or pursue any other remedy in Secured Party's
power. Debtor further waives any and all notice of acceptance of this Agreement
and of the creation, modification, rearrangement, renewal or extension for any
period of any of the Secured Obligations of any Other Liable Party from time to
time. Debtor further waives any defense arising by reason of any disability or
other defense of any Other Liable Party or by reason of the cessation from any
cause whatsoever of the liability of any Other Liable Party. This Agreement
shall continue irrespective of the fact that the liability of any Other Liable
Party may have ceased and irrespective of the validity or enforceability of any
other Obligation Document to which Debtor or any Other Liable Party may be a
party, and notwithstanding any death, incapacity, reorganization, or bankruptcy
of any Other Liable Party or any other event or proceeding affecting any Other
Liable Party. Until all of the Secured Obligations shall have been paid in full,
Debtor shall have no right to subrogation and Debtor waives the right to enforce
any remedy which Secured Party or any Lender has or may hereafter have against
any Other Liable Party, and waives any benefit of and any right to participate
in any other security whatsoever now or hereafter held by Secured Party and each
Lender. Debtor authorizes Secured Party and each Lender, without notice or
demand, without any reservation of rights against Debtor, and without in any way
affecting Debtor's liability hereunder or on the Secured Obligations, from time
to time to (a) take or hold any other property of any type from any other Person
as security for the Secured Obligations, and exchange, enforce, waive and
release any or all of such other property, (b) apply the Collateral or such
other property and direct the order or manner of sale thereof as Secured Party
may in its discretion determine, (c) renew, extend for any period, accelerate,
modify, compromise, settle or release any of the obligations of any Other Liable
Party in respect to any or all of the Secured Obligations or other security for
the Secured Obligations, (d) waive, enforce, modify, amend, restate, or
supplement any of the provisions of any Obligation Document with any Person

                                       11

other than Debtor, and (e) release or substitute any Other Liable Party.

         Section 4.8.  Exercise of LLC Rights.
                       ----------------------

         (a) So long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing, Debtor may receive and retain any and all distributions of
profits paid in cash in respect of the LLC Rights to Payments; provided,
                                                               --------
however, that any and all other payments in respect of the LLC Rights to
- -------
Payments shall be, and shall forthwith be delivered to Secured Party to hold as,
Collateral and shall, if received by Debtor, be received in trust for the
benefit of Secured Party, be segregated from the other property or funds of
Debtor, and be forthwith delivered to Secured Party in the exact form received
with any necessary indorsement or instruments of transfer duly executed in
blank, to be held by Secured Party as Collateral.

         (b) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default or an
Event of Default, all rights of Debtor to receive and retain any distributions
of profits or other payments of any kind in respect of LLC Rights to Payments
which Debtor would otherwise be authorized to receive and retain pursuant to
subsection (a) of this section shall automatically cease, and all such rights
shall thereupon become vested in Secured Party which shall thereupon have the
sole right to receive and hold as Collateral all such distributions and
payments, and all distributions of profits and other payments of any kind in
respect of LLC Rights to Payments which are nonetheless received by Debtor shall
be received in trust for the benefit of Secured Party, shall be segregated from
other funds of Debtor, and shall be forthwith paid over to Secured Party in the
exact form received, to be held by Secured Party as Collateral.

         Section 4.9. Private Sale of LLC Rights. Debtor recognizes that Secured
                      --------------------------
Party may deem it impracticable to effect a public sale of all or any part of
the LLC Rights and that Secured Party may, therefore, determine to make one or
more private sales of LLC Rights to a restricted group of purchasers who will be
obligated to agree, among other things, to acquire the same for their own
account, for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale
thereof. Debtor acknowledges that any such private sale may be at prices and on
terms less favorable to the seller than the prices and other terms which might
have been obtained at a public sale and, notwithstanding the foregoing, agrees
that such private sales shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially
reasonable manner and that Secured Party shall have no obligation to delay sale
of any LLC Rights for the period of time necessary to permit their registration
for public sale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), to the extent, if any, that it is applicable thereto. Debtor further
acknowledges and agrees that any offer to sell any LLC Rights which has been (a)
publicly advertised on a bona fide basis in a newspaper or other publication of
general circulation in the financial community of Denver, Colorado (to the
extent that such an offer may be so advertised without prior registration under
the Securities Act), or (b) made privately in the manner described above to not
less than fifteen (15) bona fide offerees shall be deemed to involve a "public
disposition" for the purposes of Section 9.610(c) of the UCC (or any successor
or similar, applicable statutory provision), notwithstanding that such sale may
not constitute a "public offering" under the Securities Act and that Secured
Party may, in such event, bid for the purchase of such LLC Rights.

                                       12

                           ARTICLE V. -- Miscellaneous
                           ---------------------------

         Section 5.1. Notices. Any notice or communication required or permitted
                      -------
hereunder shall be given as provided in the Credit Agreement.

         Section 5.2. Amendments. No amendment of any provision of this
                      ----------
Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by Debtor and
Secured Party, and no waiver of any provision of this Agreement, and no consent
to any departure by Debtor therefrom, shall be effective unless it is in writing
and signed by Secured Party, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective
only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given and
to the extent specified in such writing. In addition to all such amendments and
waivers shall be effective only if given with the necessary approvals of Lenders
as required in the Credit Agreement.

         Section 5.3. Preservation of Rights. No failure on the part of Secured
                      ----------------------
Party or any Lender to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder
or under any other Obligation Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor
shall any single or partial exercise of any such right preclude any other or
further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. Neither the
execution nor the delivery of this Agreement shall in any manner impair or
affect any other security for the Secured Obligations. The rights and remedies
of Secured Party provided herein and in the other Obligation Documents are
cumulative and are in addition to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies
provided by law. The rights of Secured Party under any Obligation Document
against any party thereto are not conditional or contingent on any attempt by
Secured Party to exercise any of its rights under any other Obligation Document
against such party or against any other Person.

         Section 5.4. Unenforceability. Any provision of this Agreement which is
                      ----------------
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction,
be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity without
invalidating the remaining portions hereof or thereof or affecting the validity
or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

         Section 5.5. Survival of Agreements. All representations and warranties
                      ----------------------
of Debtor herein, and all covenants and agreements herein shall survive the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, the execution and delivery of any
other Obligation Documents and the creation of the Secured Obligations.

         Section 5.6. Other Liable Party. Neither this Agreement nor the
                      ------------------
exercise by Secured Party or the failure of Secured Party to exercise any right,
power or remedy conferred herein or by law shall be construed as relieving any
Other Liable Party from liability on the Secured Obligations or any deficiency
thereon. This Agreement shall continue irrespective of the fact that the
liability of any Other Liable Party may have ceased or irrespective of the
validity or enforceability of any other Obligation Document to which Debtor or
any Other Liable Party may be a party, and notwithstanding the reorganization,
death, incapacity or bankruptcy of any Other Liable Party, and notwithstanding
the reorganization or bankruptcy or other event or proceeding affecting any
Other Liable Party.

                                       13

         Section 5.7. Binding Effect and Assignment. This Agreement creates a
                      -----------------------------
continuing security interest in the Collateral and (a) shall be binding on
Debtor and its successors and permitted assigns and (b) shall inure, together
with all rights and remedies of Secured Party hereunder, to the benefit of
Secured Party and Lenders and their respective successors, transferees and
assigns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Secured Party and any
Lender may (except as otherwise provided in the Credit Agreement) pledge, assign
or otherwise transfer any or all of its rights under any or all of the
Obligation Documents to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon
become vested with all of the benefits in respect thereof granted to Secured
Party, herein or otherwise. None of the rights or duties of Debtor hereunder may
be assigned or otherwise transferred without the prior written consent of
Secured Party.

         Section 5.8. Termination. It is contemplated by the parties hereto that
                      -----------
there may be times when no Secured Obligations are outstanding, but
notwithstanding such occurrences, this Agreement shall remain valid and shall be
in full force and effect as to subsequent outstanding Secured Obligations. Upon
the satisfaction in full of the Secured Obligations and the termination or
expiration of the Credit Agreement and any other commitment of Lenders to extend
credit to Debtor, then upon written request for the termination hereof delivered
by Debtor to Secured Party this Agreement and the security interest created
hereby shall terminate and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to Debtor.
Secured Party will, upon Debtor's request and at Debtor's expense, (a) return to
Debtor such of the Collateral as shall not have been sold or otherwise disposed
of or applied pursuant to the terms hereof; and (b) execute and deliver to
Debtor such documents as Debtor shall reasonably request to evidence such
termination.

         SECTION 5.9. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
                      -------------
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF COLORADO APPLICABLE TO
CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE, EXCEPT AS
REQUIRED BY MANDATORY PROVISIONS OF LAW AND EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE
PERFECTION AND THE EFFECT OF PERFECTION OR NON-PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY
INTEREST CREATED HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR COLLATERAL, ARE
GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN SUCH STATE.

         SECTION 5.10. FINAL AGREEMENT. THIS WRITTEN AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER
                       ---------------
LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO AND MAY
NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL
AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN
THE PARTIES HERETO.

         Section 5.11. Counterparts. This Agreement may be separately executed
                       ------------
in any number of counterparts, all of which when so executed shall be deemed to
constitute one and the same Agreement.

                                       14

         Section 5.12. "Loan Document". This Agreement is a "Loan Document", as
                        -------------
defined in the Credit Agreement, and, except as expressly provided herein to the
contrary, this Agreement is subject to all provisions of the Credit Agreement
governing such Loan Documents.

            *[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank]

                                       15


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Debtor has caused this Agreement to be executed and
delivered this Agreement by its officer thereunto duly authorized, as of the
date first above written.


                                         ST. MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY


                                         By: /s/ MILAM RANDOLPH PHARO
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Milam Randolph Pharo
                                            Vice President - Land and Legal








                                                                       EXHIBIT A



             Description of Interests in Limited Liability Companies
             -------------------------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
                 Limited Liability Company                    Interest
- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Box Church Gas Gathering, LLC                                 58.6754%
- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Four Winds Marketing, LLC                                         100%
- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
Roswell, L.L.C.                                                   100%
- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------


together with all other limited liability company interests now owned or
hereafter owned by any Debtor in any Limited Liability Company.