COASTAL CORP
8-K, 1997-01-06
NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                           --------------------------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                                 Date of Report
                        (Date of earliest event reported)
                                December 20, 1996

                             THE COASTAL CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                    Delaware
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)


         1-7176                                          74-1734212
(Commission File Number)                      (IRS Employer Identification No.)


Coastal Tower, Nine Greenway Plaza, Houston, Texas             77046-0995
     (Address of principal executive offices)                  (Zip code)


                         Registrant's telephone number,
                       including area code (713) 877-1400


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



<PAGE>


                                       -2-


Item 2.  Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

     On December  20,  1996,  pursuant  to a Purchase  and Sale  Agreement  (the
"Purchase   Agreement")   dated  as  of  October  23,  1996  among  The  Coastal
Corporation,  a Delaware  corporation (the "Registrant"),  Coastal Coal, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("CCI"), Atlantic Richfield Company, a Delaware corporation
("ARCO"), and Itochu Corporation, a Japanese corporation ("Itochu" and, together
with  ARCO,  the "Buyer  Parents"),  as amended  by that  certain  Amendment  to
Purchase and Sale  Agreement  (the  "Amendment")  dated December 20, 1996 by and
among the Registrant,  CCI, ARCO, Itochu,  Coastal Transition,  Inc., a Delaware
corporation  ("CTI"),  Canyon Fuel Company,  LLC, a Delaware  limited  liability
company ("CFC"), ARCO Uinta Coal Company, a Delaware corporation ("ARCO Uinta"),
and Itochu Coal International,  Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Itochu Coal" and,
together with ARCO Uinta,  the "Buyers"),  CTI and CCI completed the sale to the
Parent Buyers and the Buyers of all of CTI's and CCI's respective interests (the
"LLC Interests") in CFC, a newly formed Delaware limited liability company, into
which the western coal operations of the Registrant,  conducted  through Coastal
States Energy Company, a Texas corporation ("CSEC"), and its direct and indirect
wholly owned subsidiaries Coastal Development  Company, a Delaware  corporation,
Sage Point Coal  Company,  a  Delaware  corporation,  Skyline  Coal  Company,  a
Delaware  corporation,  Soldier  Creek Coal  Company,  a  Delaware  corporation,
Southern Utah Fuel Company,  a Delaware  corporation,  and Utah Fuel Company,  a
Delaware  corporation  (the "CSEC  Subsidiaries"  and,  together with CSEC,  the
"Companies"),  were  consolidated  for purposes of such sale. The sale price was
$615,000,000,  as adjusted pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and the Amendment,
in cash and was determined through arms' length negotiations between the parties
to the Purchase  Agreement and the Amendment.  Copies of the Purchase  Agreement
and the Amendment are filed as Exhibits 2.1 and 2.2, respectively, and reference
is made thereto for the terms and conditions thereof.

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

     (b) Pro Forma Financial Information

     The following  unaudited  pro forma  condensed  statements of  consolidated
operations  for the year ended  December  31,  1995,  and the nine months  ended
September  30,1996,  reflect  the  operations  of The  Coastal  Corporation  and
Subsidiaries ("Company") as reported and as restated, reflecting the sale of the
Western  Coal  Operations  as though the sale had  occurred at the  beginning of
1995. The unaudited pro forma condensed  statements of  consolidated  operations
reflect  the  elimination  of interest  expense  and the  related  tax  benefit,
assuming that the proceeds were used to retire debt.

         The following unaudited pro forma condensed  consolidated balance sheet
as of  September  30,1996,  reflects  the  financial  position of the Company as
reported and as restated as though the sale of the Western Coal  Operations  had


<PAGE>

                                      -3-


been  completed  at  September  30,1996.   The  unaudited  pro  forma  condensed
consolidated   balance  sheet  reflects  the   elimination  of  the  assets  and
liabilities  of the  Western  Coal  Operations,  the gain on the  sale,  and the
assumed retirement of debt.

         These unaudited pro forma condensed  consolidated  financial statements
are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily  indicative
of the  financial  position or results of operations  which would  actually have
been reported had the transaction  been in effect during the periods reported or
which may be reported in the future.

         These unaudited pro forma condensed  consolidated  financial statements
have been prepared based on assumptions and estimates deemed appropriate.  These
unaudited pro form condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in
conjunction  with the financial  statements  and notes  thereto  included in the
Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, and the Company's Form
10-Q for the nine months ended September 30, 1996.



<PAGE>


                                      -4-

                    THE COASTAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    PRO FORM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
                                  OF OPERATIONS
                     TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
                              (Millions of Dollars)
                                  (Unaudited)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      As           Western Coal         Pro Forma         As
                                                   Reported       Operations (1)     Adjustments(2)    Restated
                                                  -----------     --------------     --------------   ----------
<S>                                               <C>             <C>                <C>             <C>

OPERATING REVENUES                                $  10,447.7     $      213.0       $         -     $  10,234.7
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------

OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
     Purchases                                        7,554.2                -                 -         7,554.2
     Operating expenses                               1,764.0            119.5                 -         1,644.5
     Depreciation, depletion and
      amortization                                      378.5             22.8                 -           355.7
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------
                                                      9,696.7            142.3                 -         9,554.4
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------

OPERATING PROFIT                                        751.0             70.7                 -           680.3
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------

OTHER INCOME-NET                                         51.6                -                 -            51.6
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------

OTHER EXPENSES
     General and administrative                          64.7              2.4                 -            62.3
     Interest and debt expense                          415.4                -             (60.0)          355.4
     Taxes on income                                     52.1             18.4              21.0            54.7
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------
                                                        532.2             20.8             (39.0)          472.4
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------

NET EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING
     OPERATIONS                                   $     270.4     $       49.9       $      39.0     $     259.5
                                                  ===========     ============       ===========     ===========

NET EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING
     OPERATIONS PER COMMON AND
     COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARE                      $      2.40                                        $      2.30
                                                  ===========                                        ===========

</TABLE>


       See Notes to Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


<PAGE>


                                      -5-


                    THE COASTAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
             PRO FORM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                      NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                              (Millions of Dollars)
                                   (Unaudited)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      As           Western Coal         Pro Forma         As
                                                   Reported       Operations (1)     Adjustments(2)    Restated
                                                  ----------      --------------     --------------    --------

<S>                                               <C>             <C>                <C>             <C>        
OPERATING REVENUES                                $   8,818.6     $      149.1       $         -     $   8,669.5
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------

OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
     Purchases                                        6,702.3                -                 -         6,702.3
     Operating expenses                               1,277.5             88.3                 -         1,189.2
     Depreciation, depletion and
      amortization                                      319.5             18.4                 -           301.1
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------
                                                      8,299.3            106.7                 -         8,192.6
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------

OPERATING PROFIT                                        519.3             42.4                 -           476.9
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------

OTHER INCOME-NET                                         63.6                -                 -            63.6
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------

OTHER EXPENSES
     General and administrative                          42.4              1.9                 -            40.5
     Interest and debt expense                          278.2                -             (39.5)          238.7
     Taxes on income                                     55.1             12.1              13.8            56.8
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------
                                                        375.7             14.0             (25.7)          336.0
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------

EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING
     OPERATIONS                                   $     207.2     $       28.4       $      25.7     $     204.5
                                                  ===========     ============       ===========     ===========

EARNINGS PER SHARE FROM
     CONTINUING OPERATIONS                        $      1.83                                        $      1.80
                                                  ===========                                        ===========

</TABLE>



       See Notes to Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


<PAGE>



                                      -6-


                    THE COASTAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  PRO FORM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                              (Millions of Dollars)
                                   (Unaudited)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      As           Western Coal         Pro Forma         As
                                                   Reported       Operations (3)       Adjustments     Restated
                                                  -----------     --------------       -----------     --------

                     ASSETS

<S>                                               <C>             <C>                <C>            <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
     Cash                                         $      64.4     $       (2.5)      $         -     $      66.9
     Receivables                                      1,463.1             25.1                 -         1,438.0
     Inventories                                      1,023.9             24.2                 -           999.7
     Prepaid expenses and other                         242.1              5.2                 -           236.9
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------
         Total Current Assets                         2,793.5             52.0                 -         2,741.5
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT                        10,575.7            364.9                 -        10,210.8
     Accumulated depreciation, depletion
         and amortization                             3,808.0            178.2                 -         3,629.8
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------
                                                      6,767.7            186.7                 -         6,581.0
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------

INVESTMENT IN AND ADVANCES TO
     WESTERN COAL OPERATIONS                                -           (266.3)           (266.3)              -

OTHER ASSETS                                          1,899.7             54.2                 -         1,845.5
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------
                                                  $  11,460.9     $       26.6       $    (266.3)    $  11,168.0
                                                  ===========     ============       ===========     ===========


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
     Notes payable                                $     275.0     $          -       $         -     $     275.0
     Accounts payable                                 2,079.6             11.3                 -         2,068.3
     Accrued expenses                                   357.3             11.6                 -           345.7
     Current maturities on long-term debt                 7.0                -                 -             7.0
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------
         Total Current Liabilities                    2,718.9             22.9                 -         2,696.0
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------

DEBT                                                  3,791.7                -            (585.2)(2)     3,206.5

DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER                            2,110.5              3.7             131.9 (5)     2,238.7

COMMON STOCK AND OTHER
     STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                             2,839.8                -             187.0 (4)     3,026.8
                                                  -----------     ------------       -----------     -----------
                                                  $  11,460.9     $       26.6       $    (266.3)    $  11,168.0
                                                  ===========     ============       ===========     ===========


</TABLE>

       See Notes to Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


<PAGE>


                                      -7-


Notes to Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1    On December 20, 1996,  the  Company  sold its Western Coal  Operations
          to subsidiaries of Atlantic  Richfield Company and Itochu  Corporation
          for approximately $615 million.  The transaction resulted in a gain of
          approximately   $187   million,   which  is  not  expected  to  change
          significantly when the recording of the sale is finalized.

Note 2 The pro forma adjustments related to the sale are as follows:

          (1)  Elimination  of the results of  operations  of the  Western  Coal
               Operations.

         (2)   Elimination   of  interest   expense  and  related  tax  benefit,
               reflecting the assumed  reduction of debt from the sale proceeds.
               The Company will use the proceeds to retire a significant  amount
               of high-cost  financial  obligations;  but the particular  issues
               have not been finalized.  These pro forma condensed  consolidated
               financial  statements use an average  interest rate for all short
               and  long-term  debt  outstanding  for the periods  presented  in
               determining the elimination of interest expense. A one percentage
               point  increase in the  interest  rate for the debt to be retired
               would result in increased net interest  expense  eliminations  of
               $3.8  million and $2.8  million for the year ended  December  31,
               1995 and the nine months ended September 30, 1996, respectively.

         (3)   Elimination of assets  sold  and  liabilities  assumed of Western
               Coal Operations by the buyers.

         (4)   Estimated gain on sale of Western Coal Operations.

         (5)   Estimated taxes and deferrals related to the sale.


<PAGE>

                                      -8-


     (c) Exhibits.

     Exhibit No. Description

     2.1         Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of October 23, 1996 among
                 The Coastal Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Coastal Coal, 
                 Inc., a Delaware corporation,  Atlantic  Richfield  Company, a 
                 Delaware  corporation,  and  Itochu  Corporation,  a  Japanese
                 corporation.  (Schedules,  as supplemented,  and Exhibits have
                 been  omitted  pursuant to Rule 6.01(b)(2) of Regulation  S-K.
                 Such Schedules and  Exhibits  are  described  in the  Purchase
                 and Sale Agreement. The Registrant hereby agrees to furnish to
                 the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,  upon its request,
                 any or all such omitted Schedules and Exhibits.)

     2.2         Amendment to Purchase and  Sale Agreement dated  as of December
                 20, 1996 by  and among  The  Coastal  Corporation,  a  Delaware
                 corporation,   Coastal  Coal,  Inc.,  a  Delaware  corporation,
                 Atlantic Richfield Company, a Delaware corporation, and Itochu
                 Corporation, a Japanese corporation, Coastal Transition, Inc., 
                 a  Delaware corporation,  Canyon Fuel Company,  LLC, a Delaware
                 limited liability company, ARCO Uinta Coal Company,  a Delaware
                 corporation and  Itochu  Coal  International, Inc.,  a Delaware
                 corporation.

     99          Press  release  of The  Coastal Corporation dated December 23, 
                 1996.



<PAGE>

                                       -9-


                                   SIGNATURES


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

                                       THE COASTAL CORPORATION


Dated:  January 6, 1997                By:    /s/ Austin M. O'Toole
                                              --------------------------------
                                              Name:   Austin M. O'Toole
                                              Title:  Senior Vice President



<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Number      Description 

2.1         Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of October 23,
            1996 among The Coastal Corporation, a Delaware
            corporation, Coastal Coal, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
            Atlantic Richfield Company, a Delaware corporation, and
            Itochu Corporation, a Japanese corporation.  (Schedules, as
            supplemented, and Exhibits have been omitted pursuant to
            Rule 6.01(b)(2) of Regulation S-K.  Such Schedules and
            Exhibits are described in the Purchase and Sale Agreement.
            The Registrant hereby agrees to furnish to the Securities
            and Exchange Commission, upon its request, any or all
            such omitted Schedules and Exhibits.)

2.2         Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of
            December 20, 1996 by and among The Coastal
            Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Coastal Coal, Inc., a
            Delaware corporation, Atlantic Richfield Company, a
            Delaware corporation, and Itochu Corporation, a Japanese
            corporation, Coastal Transition, Inc., a Delaware
            corporation, Canyon Fuel Company, LLC, a Delaware
            limited liability company, ARCO Uinta Coal Company, a
            Delaware corporation, and Itochu Coal International, Inc., a
            Delaware corporation.

99          Press release of The Coastal Corporation dated December
            23, 1996.





                                  EXHIBIT 2.1*

Purchase  and Sale  Agreement  dated as of October  23,  1996 among The  Coastal
Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Coastal Coal, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
Atlantic Richfield Company, a Delaware  corporation,  and Itochu Corporation,  a
Japanese corporation.

*  Confidential  Treatment is being  requested  with respect to portions of this
   exhibit.


<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 2.1




                           PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

                                      AMONG

                             THE COASTAL CORPORATION
                             AND COASTAL COAL, INC.

                                       AND

                           ATLANTIC RICHFIELD COMPANY
                             AND ITOCHU CORPORATION


                          Dated as of October 23, 1996




           ----------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                         Page(s)
ARTICLE I        Definitions................................................  1

ARTICLE II       Purchase and Sale of the LLC Interests.....................  9
    2.1          Sale of the LLC Interests..................................  9
    2.2          Payment of Purchase Price..................................  9
    2.3          Termination of Intercompany Arrangements................... 12
    2.4          Excluded Assets............................................ 12
    2.5          Transfer Taxes............................................. 12

ARTICLE III      Closing.................................................... 12
    3.1          Pre-Closing Actions........................................ 12
    3.2          Closing Date............................................... 14
    3.3          Seller Deliveries.......................................... 14
    3.4          Buyer Deliveries........................................... 15
    3.5          Simultaneous Transactions.................................. 16

ARTICLE IV       Representations and Warranties of Coastal and Seller....... 17
    4.1          Organization and Good Standing............................. 17
    4.2          Authority.................................................. 17
    4.3          No Violations.............................................. 17
    4.4          Approvals, Consents and Other Actions...................... 18
    4.5          Organization and Good Standing of the Companies............ 18
    4.6          Title to the Shares and LLC Interests...................... 18
    4.7          Capitalization............................................. 18
    4.8          Financial Statements....................................... 19
    4.9          Absence of Certain Changes................................. 20
    4.10         No Subsidiaries............................................ 21
    4.11         Real Property.............................................. 21
    4.12         Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities......................... 22
    4.13         Buildings, Structures and Tangible Personal Property....... 23
    4.14         Material Contracts......................................... 23
    4.15         Insurance Policies......................................... 24
    4.16         Taxes...................................................... 24
    4.17         Licenses, Permits, Etc..................................... 25
    4.18         Litigation................................................. 25
    4.19         Compliance with Laws....................................... 25
    4.20         Labor Matters.............................................. 25

                                        i

<PAGE>

                                                                         Page(s)

    4.21         Employee Benefit Plans..................................... 26
    4.22         Bank Accounts.............................................. 27
    4.23         Transactions with Affiliates............................... 27
    4.24         Employment Terms........................................... 27
    4.25         Books and Records.......................................... 27
    4.26         Intellectual Property...................................... 27
    4.27         Certain Interests.......................................... 28
    4.28         Environmental.............................................. 28
    4.29         Accounts Receivable........................................ 31
    4.30         Accuracy of Coastal's and Seller's Information............. 31
    4.31         Brokers and Consultants.................................... 32
    4.32         Disclaimer of Implied Warranties........................... 32
    4.33         LLC Structure.............................................. 32

ARTICLE V        Representations and Warranties of Buyer Parents............ 32
    5.1          Organization and Good Standing............................. 32
    5.2          Authority.................................................. 32
    5.3          No Violations.............................................. 33
    5.4          Approvals and Consents..................................... 33
    5.5          Financing.................................................. 33
    5.6          Accredited Investor........................................ 33
    5.7          Investment Intent.......................................... 33
    5.8          Buyer's Inquiry............................................ 34
    5.9          Brokers and Consultants.................................... 34
    5.10         Compliance with Acreage Limitations........................ 34
    5.11         Accuracy of Buyer's Information............................ 34
    5.12         LLC Structure.............................................. 34

ARTICLE VI       Further Agreements of the Parties.......................... 35
    6.1          Access to Information...................................... 35
    6.2          Conduct of the Business Pending the Closing................ 36
    6.3          Intentionally deleted...................................... 37
    6.4          Antitrust Notification..................................... 37
    6.5          Fees and Expenses.......................................... 38
    6.6          Publicity.................................................. 38
    6.7          Post-Closing Assistance.................................... 38
    6.8          Guarantees................................................. 38
    6.9          Name Changes............................................... 38
    6.10         Software................................................... 39
    6.11         Buyers, Coastal Sub and the LLC to Become Parties
                 to Agreement............................................... 39


                                       ii

<PAGE>

                                                                         Page(s)

ARTICLE VII      Employees and Employee Benefits............................ 39
    7.1          Employment of Employees of the Companies................... 39
    7.2          Retention of Coastal Retirement Plans...................... 39
    7.3          Coastal Pension Plan....................................... 40
    7.4          Thrift Plan................................................ 40
    7.5          Other Employee Benefits.................................... 40
    7.6          Continuation of Post-Retirement Welfare Benefits........... 40
    7.7          Flexible Spending Accounts................................. 41
    7.8          Nonqualified Plans......................................... 41
    7.9          Cooperation................................................ 41
    7.10         Black Lung Matters......................................... 41

ARTICLE VIII     Taxes...................................................... 41
    8.1          Indemnification for Taxes.................................. 41
    8.2          Tax Returns................................................ 43
    8.3          Tax Refunds................................................ 44
    8.4          Cooperation................................................ 45
    8.5          Tax Contests............................................... 45
    8.6          Tax Sharing Agreement...................................... 46
    8.7          Time Limitation............................................ 46

ARTICLE IX       Allocation of Purchase Price............................... 46

ARTICLE X        Indemnification............................................ 47
    10.1         Buyer's Indemnification.................................... 47
    10.2         Coastal's and Seller's Indemnification..................... 48
    10.3         Monetary Limitation........................................ 48
    10.4         Nature and Survival; Time Limits........................... 49
    10.5         Limitation on Remedies..................................... 49
    10.6         General Provisions......................................... 50
    10.7         Cooperation and Communication.............................. 51
    10.8         Power of Attorney; Assignment of Claims in Bankruptcy
                 Proceedings................................................ 51
    10.9         Confidentiality............................................ 51
    10.10        Indemnity a Material Inducement............................ 51

ARTICLE XI       Insurance Agreement........................................ 52
    11.1         Insurance Coverage......................................... 52
    11.2         Surety Bonds............................................... 52
    11.3         Black Lung Liability....................................... 52

ARTICLE XII      Conditions to Closing...................................... 53

                                       iii

<PAGE>


                                                                         Page(s)

    12.1         Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Buyer............... 53
    12.2         Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Seller.............. 54

ARTICLE XIII     Termination of Agreement................................... 55
    13.1         Termination Before Closing................................. 55

ARTICLE XIV      Miscellaneous.............................................. 56
    14.1         Entire Agreement; Participation in Drafting................ 56
    14.2         Governing Law.............................................. 56
    14.3         Headings................................................... 57
    14.4         Notices.................................................... 57
    14.5         Waiver..................................................... 57
    14.6         Binding Effect; Assignment................................. 58
    14.7         Amendment.................................................. 58
    14.8         Counterparts............................................... 58
    14.9         Disclaimer for Communications; Etc......................... 58
    14.10        Forum Selection; Consent to Service of Process; and
                 Waiver of Jury Trial....................................... 58
    14.11        Tax Treatment.............................................. 59
    14.12        Election Regarding Asset Restructuring..................... 59


                                    Exhibits

Exhibit A        Tax Sharing Agreement
Exhibit B        Insurance Coverage
Exhibit C        Opinion of Austin M. O'Toole, Esq.
Exhibit D        Opinion of William S. Hudgins, Jr., Esq.
Exhibit E        Opinion of Counsel for Buyer
Exhibit F        Identified Contracts
Exhibit G        LLC Agreement
Exhibit H        Supplemental Financial Projections
Exhibit I        Market Price Determination


                                       iv

<PAGE>



                           PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT



     THIS  AGREEMENT  is made and  entered  into as of this 23rd day of October,
1996 among The Coastal Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Coastal"),  Coastal
Coal, Inc., a Delaware  corporation ("CCI" or the "Seller"),  Atlantic Richfield
Company, a Delaware  corporation  ("ARCO"),  and Itochu Corporation,  a Japanese
corporation ("Itochu" and, together with ARCO, the "Buyer Parents").

     WHEREAS,  CCI is the owner of all of the issued and  outstanding  shares of
capital stock (the "CSEC Shares") of Coastal States Energy Company  ("CSEC" and,
together  with its  subsidiaries  set  forth in  Section  4.7 of the  Disclosure
Schedule (the "CSEC  Subsidiaries"),  the "CSEC Companies");  the CSEC Companies
being  sometimes  referred  to  herein   collectively  as  the  "Companies"  and
singularly as a "Company"); and

     WHEREAS,  ARCO,  through its subsidiary ARCO Uinta Coal Company, a Delaware
corporation,  and Itochu,  through  its  subsidiary  Itochu  Energy  Company,  a
Delaware  corporation  (ARCO Uinta Coal Company and Itochu Energy  Company being
referred to herein  collectively  as the "Buyers" and  singularly as a "Buyer"),
wish to acquire the businesses of the CSEC Companies; and

     WHEREAS, Seller and Buyers desire to effect a transaction pursuant to which
the businesses of CSEC and the CSEC  Subsidiaries  would be consolidated  into a
newly-formed  Delaware limited liability company (the "LLC") owned by Seller and
either Coastal or its designee,  if any ("Coastal Sub"), all of the interests in
which (the "LLC Interests")  would be sold to Buyers on the terms and conditions
set forth herein;

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of, and subject to, the mutual promises,
agreements, terms and conditions made herein, and intending to be legally bound,
the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I
                                   Definitions

     As used  herein,  the  following  terms  shall  have  the  meanings  herein
specified:

     Advance - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section 2.2(b).

     Affiliate - of any specified  Person means any other person which  directly
or indirectly through one or more intermediaries  controls, or is controlled by,
or is under common control with, such specified Person. For the 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,  means the  possession,  directly or  indirectly,  of the
power to direct or cause

                                        1

<PAGE>



the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.

     Agreement - shall mean this Purchase and Sale Agreement.

     Allocation - shall have the meaning set forth herein in Article IX.

     Allocation  Agreement - shall have the meaning set forth  herein in Article
IX.

     Antitrust  Division - shall have the  meaning  set forth  herein at Section
6.4.

     ARCO - shall  have  the  meaning  set  forth  in the  introduction  to this
Agreement.

     Audited  Financial  Statements - shall have the meaning set forth herein at
Section 4.8.

     Bankruptcy  Proceeding  - shall mean any  proceeding  under Title 11 of the
United States Code or any successor federal statute.

     Business Plan - means the  Descriptive  Memorandum,  as supplemented by the
supplemental  financial  projections dated October 21, 1996,  attached hereto as
Exhibit H.

     Buyer and Buyers - shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this
Agreement.

     Buyer  Certificate  - shall have the  meaning  set forth  herein at Section
8.2(c).

     Buyer  Indemnitees  - shall have the  meaning  set forth  herein at Section
10.2.

     Buyer  Parents - shall have the  meaning set forth in the  introduction  to
this Agreement.

     CCI -  shall  have  the  meaning  set  forth  in the  introduction  to this
Agreement.

     Claim Period - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section 8.7.

     Closing - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section 3.2.

     Closing Date - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section 3.2.

     Closing  Straddle  Period - shall mean a taxable  period  that begins on or
before the Closing Date and ends after the Closing Date.


                                        2

<PAGE>



     Coal Contract Indemnification Obligations - ****

     Coastal - shall  have the  meaning  set forth in the  introduction  to this
Agreement.

     Coastal  Pension  Plan - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section
7.2.

     Coastal  Sub - shall have the  meaning  set forth in the  recitals  to this
Agreement.

     Code - shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,  and rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder.

     Company or  Companies - shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to
this Agreement.

     Companies  Group - shall  mean  CSEC and its  subsidiaries  other  than the
Excluded Corporations.

     Company Intellectual  Property - shall have the meaning set forth herein at
Section 4.26.

     Confidential Information - ****

     Contract Indemnification Section - ****

     Contract Information Request - ****

     Contract Price - ****

     Contract Quantity - ****

     Contract Schedule - ****

     Contract Shortfall - ****

     Cost Items - ****

     Cost Savings - ****

     CSEC - shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

     CSEC  Companies - shall have the meaning set forth in the  recitals to this
Agreement.

- ----------
 **** Confidential  treatment is being requested for these portions of
      this Agreement.

                                        3

<PAGE>


     CSEC Shar s - shall  have the  meaning  set forth in the  recitals  to this
Agreement.

     CSEC Stock Sale - shall mean a  hypothetical  purchase  of the CSEC  Shares
from  Seller,  following  the  completion  of the actions  described in Sections
3.1(a)(i),  (iii),  (iv) and (v), for the Purchase  Price in a transaction  with
respect to which a valid  election is made under Section  338(h)(10) of the Code
(and,  to the extent  applicable,  analogous  provisions of state and local law)
with respect to the shares of each of the Companies.

     CSEC  Subsidiaries  - shall have the meaning  set forth in the  recitals to
this Agreement.

     Descriptive Memorandum - means the descriptive memorandum provided to Buyer
Parents under cover of Lehman Brothers, Inc.

     Designated Coastal Representative - shall mean an employee of Coastal or an
Affiliate  designated  by  Coastal  from time to time.  The  initial  Designated
Coastal  Representative  will be designated at Closing.  Coastal may change such
designation by giving the LLC notice.

     Disagreement  Notice - shall have the meaning  set forth  herein at Section
2.2(d).

     Disclosure  Schedule - shall mean the Disclosure  Schedule attached to this
Agreement and incorporated herein for all purposes.

     Environmental  Claim - shall have the meaning  set forth  herein at Section
4.28.

     Environmental  Conditions  - shall  have the  meaning  set forth  herein at
Section 4.28.

     Environmental  Laws - shall have the  meaning  set forth  herein at Section
4.28.

     ERISA - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section 4.21(a).

     Excluded Assets - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section 2.4.

     Excluded  Corporations - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section
2.4.

     Federal Tax Sharing Amount - shall be the amount  determined as the Federal
Tax Sharing Amount under Article 3 of the Tax Sharing Agreement.

     FTC - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section 6.4.

     GAAP - shall mean United States generally accepted accounting principles.

     Hazardous  Substances  - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section
4.28.


                                        4

<PAGE>



     HSR Act - shall mean the  Hart-Scott-Rodino  Antitrust  Improvements Act of
1976, as amended, and rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

     Identified Contracts - ****

     Income Taxes - shall mean (a) federal, state, local or foreign income taxes
or franchise or other taxes  measured by net income,  together  with any related
liabilities,  penalties,  fines,  additions  to tax,  or interest  imposed  with
respect  thereto,  and (b) any obligations  under any agreements or arrangements
with  respect  to any Income  Taxes  described  in clause (a) above,  except for
obligations arising under the Tax Sharing Agreement.

     Income Tax  Payments - shall mean an amount paid after the Pricing  Date by
the  Companies to Coastal in accordance  with (i) Income Tax sharing  principles
historically  applied  in  relation  to  the  Companies  or  (ii)  at  Coastal's
discretion,  the Federal Tax Sharing Amount or State Tax Sharing Amount, in both
cases  Payments made by the Companies with respect to Income Taxes to any taxing
authority shall be treated as Income Tax Payments.

     Indemnified Amount - ****

     Indemnified  Claim - shall  have the  meaning  set forth  herein at Section
10.6(a).

     Indemnified  Party - shall,  with respect to Article VIII, have the meaning
set forth herein at Section 8.5(a),  and shall,  with respect to Article X, have
the meaning set forth herein at Section 10.6(a).

     Indemnified Shortfall - ****

     Indemnifying  Party - shall, with respect to Article VIII, have the meaning
set forth herein at Section 8.5(a),  and shall,  with respect to Article X, have
the meaning set forth herein at Section 10.6(a).

     Intellectual  Property - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section
4.26.

     Intercompany  Balance - shall mean any amount due or owing  between (a) any
Company and (b) Coastal or its subsidiaries (excluding the Companies).

     Intercompany  Trade  Payables - shall mean  accounts  payable  for goods or
services  purchased  by the  Companies  from  Seller and its  Affiliates  in the
ordinary  course  of  business  and  provided  on  terms  consistent  with  past
practices,  including,  without limitation,  accounts payable in favor of Seller

- ----------
****  Confidential  treatment is being  requested for these portions of
      this Agreement.

                                        5

<PAGE>


and its  Affiliates  for  insurance  and  employee  benefits,  but  specifically
excluding any management fee or any charge for general and administrative  costs
or overhead.

     IRS - shall mean the Internal Revenue Service.

     ITOCHU - shall  have the  meaning  set  forth in the  introduction  to this
Agreement.

     LIBOR - shall mean 5.50%.

     LLC - shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

     LLC Agreement - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section 3.1(a).

     LLC  Interests - shall have the  meaning set forth in the  recitals to this
Agreement.

     Loans - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section 2.2(b).

     Losses - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section 10.6(f).

     Market  Price - with  respect to Unsold  Coal,  shall mean the fair  market
value of coal from the mine from which such Unsold Coal would have been produced
as determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in Exhibit I.

     Material  Adverse Effect - shall mean, with respect to a particular  entity
or group,  a material  adverse effect on (i) the assets of such entity or group,
the business or the condition (financial or otherwise), properties, liabilities,
reserves,  working capital,  earnings,  technology,  prospects or relations with
customers, suppliers, distributors or employees of such entity or group, or (ii)
the right or ability of such entity to consummate the transactions  contemplated
hereby.

     Material  Contract - shall  have the  meaning  set forth  herein at Section
4.14.

     Mergers - shall mean the respective  mergers,  as  contemplated  by Section
3.1(b) of this Agreement.

     Other Taxes - shall mean any Taxes that are not Income Taxes.

     Overnights - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section 2.2(b).

     Participants - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section 7.5.

     Payments - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section 2.2(b).

     Pension Plan - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section 4.21(b).

                                        6

<PAGE>



     Permitted  Intercompany  Indebtedness  - shall have the  meaning  set forth
herein at Section 2.2(b).

     Person  - shall  mean  and  include,  any  individual,  partnership,  joint
venture,  corporation,   trust,  joint-stock  company,   unincorporated  entity,
association, organization, governmental entity, or other legal entity.

     Plans - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section 4.21(a).

     Post-Closing  Period - shall mean any taxable  period that begins after the
Closing Date and the Post-Closing Portion of any Closing Straddle Period.

     Post-Closing  Portion - shall  mean,  with  respect  to a Closing  Straddle
Period,  the  portion of such  Closing  Straddle  Period  commencing  on the day
following the Closing Date.

     Post-Pricing  Period - shall mean any taxable  period that begins after the
Pricing Date and the Post-Pricing Portion of any Pricing Straddle Period.

     Post  Pricing  Portion - shall  mean,  with  respect to a Pricing  Straddle
Period,  the  portion of such  Pricing  Straddle  Period  commencing  on the day
following the Pricing Date.

     Pre-Closing  Period  -  shall  mean  any  taxable  period  ending  on  (and
including) or before the Closing Date and the Pre-Closing Portion of any Closing
Straddle Period.

     Pre-Closing  Portion - shall  mean,  with  respect  to a  Closing  Straddle
Period,  the portion of such Closing  Straddle  Period ending on (and including)
the Closing Date.

     Pre-Pricing  Period  -  shall  mean  any  taxable  period  ending  on  (and
including) or before the Pricing Date and the Pre-Pricing Portion of any Pricing
Straddle Period.

     Pre-Pricing  Portion - shall  mean,  with  respect  to a  Pricing  Straddle
Period,  the portion of such Pricing  Straddle  Period ending on (and including)
the Pricing Date.

     Present  Value  Benefit - shall mean the present value (based on a discount
rate equal to the short-term applicable federal rate as determined under Section
1274(d)  of the  Code at the  time  of  determination,  and  assuming  that  the
indemnified  party will be liable for Tax at all  relevant  times at the maximum
marginal rates) of any Income Tax benefit.

     Pricing Date - shall mean June 30, 1996.

     Pricing  Date  Balance  Sheet - shall have the meaning set forth  herein at
Section 4.8.


                                        7

<PAGE>



     Pricing  Straddle  Period - shall mean a taxable  period  that begins on or
before the Pricing Date and ends after the Pricing Date.

     Purchase Price - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section 2.2(a).

     Section 8.1(c) Indemnified Tax - shall have the meaning set forth herein at
Section 8.1(c).

     Securities Act - shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

     Seller - shall  have the  meaning  set  forth in the  introduction  to this
Agreement.

     Seller  Indemnitees  - shall have the meaning  set forth  herein at Section
10.1.

     Seller's  Group - shall mean  Coastal,  Seller,  Coastal  Sub and any other
member (other than the Companies) of the affiliated  group that includes Coastal
and Seller.

     Short  Period  LLC  Return - shall  have the  meaning  set forth  herein at
Article IX.

     Statement - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section 2.2(c).

     State Tax Sharing Amount - shall be the amount  determined as the State Tax
Sharing Amount under Article 3 of the Tax Sharing Agreement.

     Tax or Taxes - shall mean any tax or taxes,  similar charge,  fee,  impost,
levy or other assessment (including, without limitation, income taxes, severance
taxes, excise taxes, sales taxes,  franchise taxes, real estate taxes,  transfer
taxes or fees,  transfer gain taxes,  use taxes,  ad valorem taxes,  withholding
taxes, payroll taxes, or minimum taxes),  together with any related liabilities,
penalties,  fines,  additions to tax or interest imposed by the United States or
any  state,  county,  local or  foreign  government  or  subdivision,  or agency
thereof.

     Tax  Proceeding  - shall  mean  any Tax  audit,  assessment  or  adjustment
(proposed or threatened) and the  prosecution or defense of any claim,  suit, or
administrative, judicial or other proceeding relating to any Tax.

     Tax Records - shall mean  information,  records or documentation  including
Tax Returns relating to the Companies' liabilities for Taxes.

     Tax Return or Returns - shall mean all returns, claims for refund, reports,
estimates  and  information  statements  including  any  schedule or  attachment
thereto,  and including any  amendment  thereof,  relating to, or required to be
filed  in  connection  with  any  Taxes  pursuant  to the  statutes,  rules  and
regulations of any federal,  state,  county,  local or foreign government taxing
authority.


                                        8

<PAGE>



     Tax Sharing  Agreement - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section
8.6.

     Thrift Plan - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section 7.2.

     Transfer Taxes - shall have the meaning set forth herein at Section 2.5.

     Unaudited Financial Statements - shall have the meaning set forth herein at
Section 4.8.

     Unsold Coal - ****


                                   ARTICLE II
                     Purchase and Sale of the LLC Interests


     2.1   Sale of the LLC Interests.  At the  Closing, subject to the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth, Seller and Coastal Sub shall sell and transfer
to Buyers,  and Buyers  shall  purchase  from  Seller and Coastal  Sub,  the LLC
Interests  free and clear of all security  interests,  pledges,  claims,  liens,
charges, encumbrances, or other rights or interests of any other Person.

     2.2   Payment of Purchase Price.

           (a)  In consideration  for  the  sale  of  the LLC  Interests, Buyers
shall  pay to  Seller  and  Coastal  Sub on the  Closing  Date,  in  immediately
available  funds,  by wire  transfer to the account or  accounts  designated  by
Seller not later than three days prior to the Closing  Date, an aggregate of (i)
Six  Hundred   Fifteen   Million  Five  Hundred  Five  Thousand   Fifty  Dollars
($615,505,050),  plus simple interest  thereon at LIBOR from the Pricing Date to
the Closing Date, and (ii) the amount of any Advances then outstanding  (without
regard to any  closing of  Advances  into  Investment  by Parents as provided in
Section  2.3),  plus  simple  interest  thereon  at LIBOR from the date any such
Advance is made through  (but not  including)  the Closing  Date (the  "Purchase
Price").  Interest  payable  under the  provisions  of this Section 2.2 shall be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed.

           (b)  During  the  period  from  the  Pricing Date through the Closing
Date,  Seller  shall not  permit the Companies to make any payments to Seller or
any of its Affiliates (other  than  the  Companies)  by way of dividend or other
direct or  indirect  transfer or  distribution of money or other property or the
incurrence of indebtedness  in favor of Seller or any of its  Affiliates  (other
than the Companies) ("Payments"), except for Permitted Intercompany Indebtedness
and Income Tax Payments;  provided, however, that the  Companies  may make loans
("Loans") to Coastal or any of its  Affiliates to the extent that (i) such Loans
are  repaid  in  full at the  Closing,  together  with  interest

- ---------
****  Confidential treatment is being requested for these portions of
      this Agreement.

                                        9

<PAGE>



thereon  calculated as if the amounts were invested in overnights  with interest
thereon at the  Federal  funds rate  ("Overnights")  and (ii)  Coastal  provides
documentation  sufficient for Buyers' accountants to confirm the amounts,  dates
and interest on Loans; and further provided that all Payments  effected from and
after the Pricing  Date which are not  Permitted  Intercompany  Indebtedness  or
Income Tax Payments shall be recharacterized as such Loans (also to be repaid at
Closing) bearing interest as if the amounts were invested in Overnights from the
date the Payment was made until the Closing  Date or the date of  repayment,  if
earlier.  As used herein  "Permitted  Intercompany  Indebtedness"  means (i) the
incurrence and payment of  Intercompany  Trade  Payables,  and (ii) the Advances
permitted by this Section  2.2(b).  In the event that at any time  following the
date of this Agreement any Company does not have sufficient  capital to meet its
existing needs,  then upon the prior written consent of the Buyer Parents (which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), Seller agrees to make or
cause  to be  made a  loan  to the  appropriate  Company  (each  such  loan,  an
"Advance")  in an amount  reasonably  necessary to satisfy such  Company's  then
current  needs.  Prior to making any Advance,  Seller shall cause all Loans (and
any interest thereon)  permitted under this Section 2.2(b) to be repaid;  and no
such Loans may be made until all outstanding Advances (and any interest thereon)
have been repaid.  All Advances made prior to the date of this Agreement and set
forth in Section 2.2(b) of the Disclosure  Schedule shall be deemed so approved.
For the period from the date of this Agreement  through the Closing Date, Seller
shall  cause the  Companies  to invest  all cash on hand  (after  any  Loans) in
Overnights as directed by Buyers.  For the avoidance of doubt, (x) to the extent
that any payment of Other Taxes attributable to a Pre-Pricing Period that is not
reflected on the Pricing  Date Balance  Sheet is made during the period from the
day following  the Pricing Date through and  including  the Closing  Date,  such
payment shall be treated as a Loan for purposes of this Section 2.2(b),  and (y)
all Income Tax Payments  shall be deemed to be  attributable  to a  Post-Pricing
Period  and  shall  not be  treated  as a Loan  except as  provided  in  Section
2.2(h)(ii), wherein all Income Tax Payments are subject to recharacterization as
Loans or Advances.

           (c)  Within 60 days after  the  Closing  Date,  Seller  shall provide
a closing statement (the  "Statement"),  setting  forth  (i) an income statement
of the Companies for the period from the  Pricing Date through the Closing Date,
and  which, commencing  from the  pro forma financial  position set forth on the
Pricing Date Balance Sheet, details all intercompany  transactions and provides
back-up  materials  sufficient for Buyers' accountants to confirm that  all such
transactions consist of  Permitted Intercompany Indebtedness, loans as permitted
under Section 2.2(b), Advances or Income Tax Payments, with interest thereon  as
herein  required,  and  otherwise  comply  with all other provisions  of Section
2.2, and (ii) a balance sheet for the Companies as of the Closing Date, prepared
on the same basis as the Pricing Date Balance Sheet.

          (d)   If Buyers disagree with the Statement, they may,  within 60 days
after the delivery of the Statement and all materials required to be provided in
accordance  with  Section  2.2(c),  deliver a notice to Coastal and Seller (the 
"Disagreement  Notice"),  setting  forth  their  calculation  of  the  Permitted
Intercompany  Indebtedness,  Tax  Sharing  Payments,  Loans  and  Advances   and
specifying, in reasonable detail, those items or amounts in the Statement as to
which Buyers disagree and the reasons for such disagreement; provided, however,
that any dispute  regarding the  determination of Tax Sharing Payments shall be
resolved pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreement.  Buyers shall be deemed to  have

                                       10

<PAGE>



agreed with all other items  and amounts  contained in the Statement other than
those  specified  in  such  Disagreement  Notice.  If  Buyers  do  not  file  a
Disagreement  Notice with  Coastal and Sellers  within such 60-day  period,  the
Statement shall become final and binding.

           (e)  If the parties  do  not  reach  agreement  with  respect  to  a
Disagreement  Notice  within 30 days  after it is  given,  the  dispute  will be
determined as provided in Section 14.10.

           (f)  From  the  Closing  Date  until  the  final determination of the
Statement,  Seller will have access to the Companies, their respective books and
records  and  their  respective  employees  who are  responsible  for  financial
matters,  at reasonable times and upon reasonable prior written notice, in order
to assist in such determination.

           (g)  On the Closing Date, Coastal and Seller shall take  all  actions
necessary  to give  effect to  the covenants set forth in this Section 2.2 as of
the Pricing Date, and shall (i) repay all Loans and accrued interest thereon and
(ii)****

           (h)  (i)    On the Closing Date, Coastal and Sellers will make a good
faith  estimate  of  the  Federal  Tax  Sharing Amount and the State Tax Sharing
Amount for the period  commencing  on the day  following  the  Pricing  Date and
ending with the Closing Date, and an appropriate adjusting payment shall be made
between the Companies and Coastal to conform (x) the Federal Tax Sharing  Amount
and the State Tax Sharing Amount  estimated to be due for such period to (y) the
Income Tax Payments  made  previously.  The final  determination  of amounts due
pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreement and final adjusting payments shall be made
pursuant to Sections 4.3 and 6.1 of the Tax Sharing Agreement.

                (ii)  To the extent that, as of September 15, 1996 and December 
15, 1996, the cumulative Income Tax Payments exceed or are less than 50%, in the
case of September  15,  1996,  and  100%,  in the  case of  December  15,  1996,
of the cumulative Federal Tax Sharing  Amounts and the State Tax Sharing Amounts
with respect  to  periods  ending  December 31, 1996,  any such excess  shall be
deemed to be a Loan and any such shortfall shall be  deemed to be an  Advance as
of the Payment date.  For periods  commencing  January 1, 1997,  deemed Loans or
deemed  Advances  shall be  considered  to arise  to the  extent that Income Tax
Payments  made  by  the  Companies  in such  period  exceed or are less than the
cumulative Federal  Tax Sharing  Amounts and the State Tax Sharing  Amounts for
such period determined on an annualized basis and after  application of Sections
6655(c) and (d) of the Code, and relevant portions of state and local law.

     2.3   Termination of Intercompany Arrangements.  On  or before  the Closing
Date, Seller shall close all outstanding Advances, and all Intercompany Balances
existing as of the Pricing Date, into "Investments by Parents" in the Companies,
and no  adjustment  to the  Purchase  Price  will  be  made  by  reason  of such
conversion.

- ----------
****  Confidential  treatment is being requested for these portions of
      this Agreement.

                                       11

<PAGE>



     2.4   Excluded Assets.  Buyer Parents, Coastal and Seller agree that, on or
prior to the Closing Date, CSEC will (i) transfer to Seller the assets listed or
described  in  Section  3.1(a)(iii)  (the  "Excluded  Assets")  and owned by it,
together with all liabilities associated therewith,  and Buyers will not acquire
any interest in the Excluded Assets,  and (ii) adopt a plan of liquidation which
encompasses  the transfer of such  Excluded  Assets  pursuant to the deemed Code
Section  332  liquidation  of the  Companies  in  connection  with the  Mergers.
Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of this  Agreement,  no  representation,
warranty or covenant of Coastal or Seller will be deemed to be breached,  and no
purchase price adjustment will be made, by reason of the transfers  contemplated
by this Section 2.4 or by reason of any facts  relating to the Excluded  Assets,
and the terms CSEC Subsidiaries and Companies shall not include the corporations
mentioned in Section 3.1(a)(iii) (the "Excluded Corporations").

     2.5   Transfer Taxes.  Buyers  shall  be  solely  liable for all applicable
sales, transfer, real  property  transfer, recording,  stock  transfer and other
similar Taxes,  if any  ("Transfer  Taxes"),  that  may  be  imposed  upon,  or
payable, collectible  or incurred in connection  with,  (a) actions  required to
be taken  pursuant  to Section 3.1,  other  than Section 3.1(a)(iii) or (iv) the
Mergers or transfer of the LLC  Interests to Buyers.  Buyers  agree  jointly and
severally to indemnify,  defend  and  hold harmless Seller for all such Transfer
Taxes.  Seller shall be solely liable for all applicable Transfer Taxes, if any,
that may  be  imposed  upon, or  payable,  collectible or incurred in connection
with, the actions required to be taken in  Section 3.1(a)(iii)  or (iv).  Seller
agrees  to  indemnify,  defend,  and  hold harmless Buyers for all such Transfer
Taxes.


                                   ARTICLE III
                                     Closing


     3.1   Pre-Closing Actions.

           (a)  Prior to the Closing, Coastal and Seller shall take, or cause to
be  taken, the  following  actions  (and  all other  actions required by the LLC
Agreement described in  Section 3.1(a)(ii)  below)  in  the following  order  or
(except with respect to  subdivisions  (iii) or (iv)) as reasonably  directed by
Buyer Parents:

                (i)    CSEC will adopt a plan of liquidation.

                (ii)   Seller and  Coastal  Sub shall  form the LLC,  a Delaware
limited  liability  company,  with  Seller  acquiring  a 1%  member interest and
Coastal  Sub  acquiring  a 99%  member  interest,  and execute an LLC  agreement
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G (the "LLC Agreement").

                (iii)  CSEC shall convey, assign and transfer to Seller, without
consideration, (x) all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock  of

                                       12

<PAGE>



each of the following wholly owned subsidiaries  of CSEC: (a) Cravat Coal Export
Company, Inc., (b) McCoy Caney Coal Company and (c) Unique Mining Systems, Inc.,
(y) all of its rights arising out of or relating to the proceedings described in
Section 3.1(a)(iii) of the Disclosure Schedule,  subject to Coastal's obligation
to indemnify  Buyer  Indemnitees against any Loss arising from such proceedings,
and (z) the capital  stock of Fox River Dock Company,  Inc. set forth in Section
3.1(a)(vi) of the Disclosure Schedule.

                (iv)   Coastal  shall   cause  to  be  conveyed,   assigned  and
transferred  to  Seller,  and  Seller shall  cause to be  conveyed, assigned and
transferred  to CSEC  without consideration,  the personal property described in
Section  3.1(a)(iv) of  the Disclosure  Schedule.  No  purchase price adjustment
will be made by reason of the transfers contemplated by this Section 3.1(a)(iv).

                (v)    Coastal  shall  terminate  or  cause  to  be  terminated,
without consideration to Coastal, its Affiliates, CSEC, the CSEC Subsidiaries or
the  LLC,  other  than  as  may  be  payable  pursuant  to  such  contracts  and
arrangements  for  periods  prior  to  the  Pricing  Date,   the  contracts  and
arrangements to which the Companies  are a party set forth in  Section 3.1(a)(v)
of the Disclosure Schedule.  No purchase price adjustment will be made by reason
of the terminations contemplated by this Section 3.1(a)(v).

                (vi)   Intentionally omitted.

                (vii)  Seller  and  Coastal  Sub  shall  cause  the  LLC  to  be
qualified to do business in each state in which the Companies are so qualified.

           (b)  On  the  Closing  Date,  but  immediately  prior to the Closing,
Coastal and Seller shall take, or cause to be taken,  the  following  actions in
the order indicated or as reasonably directed by Buyer Parents:

                (i)    Soldier  Creek   Coal   Company  will  adopt  a  plan  of
liquidation and merge with and into Sage Point Coal Company.

                (ii)   Sage Point Coal Company will adopt a plan of  liquidation
and merge with and into CSEC.

                (iii)  Coastal   Development   Company  will  adopt  a  plan  of
liquidation and merge with and into CSEC.

                (iv)   Southern   Utah   Fuel  Company  will  adopt  a  plan  of
liquidation and merge with and into CSEC.

                (v)    Utah  Fuel  Company  will adopt a plan of liquidation and
merge with and into CSEC.


                                       13

<PAGE>



                (vi)   Skyline  Coal  Company  will adopt a plan of  liquidation
and merge with and into CSEC.

                (vii)  CSEC  will  merge  with  and  into  the  LLC, with Seller
receiving member interests in the LLC on account thereof.

From and after the completion of the foregoing  transactions, all  references in
Sections 2.2,  2.3,  2.4, 6.1  and 6.2 to the Companies  shall be  deemed to  be
references to the LLC.

     3.2   Closing Date.  The  closing  ("Closing") of  the purchase and sale of
the  LLC  Interests  contemplated  hereby  shall  take  place  at the offices of
Cahill Gordon & Reindel, 80 Pine Street, New York,  New York, at 10:00 A.M., New
York City time,  on the later of (i) sixty (60) days after the date  hereof,  or
(ii)  the  third  business  day  after  the  fulfillment or  waiver of all other
conditions precedent to the respective obligations of Buyers, Coastal and Seller
under this Agreement, or at such other place or time as the parties may mutually
agree.  The date  upon which the Closing occurs is referred to in this Agreement
as the "Closing Date."

     3.3   Seller Deliveries.  Seller and Coastal Sub shall deliver, or cause to
be delivered, to Buyers at the Closing the following:

           (a)  duly  executed  assignment documents representing all of the LLC
Interests in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Buyers;

           (b)  all minute books, stock records, corporate seals and corporate
books and records of the Companies and the LLC;

           (c)  copies,  certified  as  of  the Closing Date  by the respective
Secretaries or  Assistant Secretaries  of Coastal,  Coastal Sub,  Seller and the
Companies,  of the  resolution(s)  duly  adopted by their  respective  Boards of
Directors, authorizing the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

           (d)  current   short  form  certificates  of  existence  and/or  good
standing  for  Coastal,  Seller,  Coastal Sub, the LLC and each Company in their
respective  jurisdictions  of  incorporation  or  formation,  as  issued  by the
Secretary of State or other  appropriate  authority of such  jurisdictions,  and
comparable  certificates of qualification and good standing for each Company and
the LLC in all jurisdictions where such entity is qualified to do business;

           (e)  the  opinions  of  counsel  to  Coastal, Seller  and Coastal Sub
required by Section 12.1(d);

           (f)  copies of the certificates or articles of incorporation of  each
Company, each certified as  of  a recent date by the Secretary of State or other
appropriate authority of the jurisdiction in which such Company is incorporated;

                                       14

<PAGE>



           (g)  copies of the bylaws of each Company as in effect on the Closing
Date, certified as of the Closing Date  by its Secretary or  Assistant Secretary
and an original executed copy of the LLC Agreement, certified as of the  Closing
Date by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each of its members;

           (h)  copy of the Certificate of Formation of the LLC, certified as of
a recent date by the Delaware Secretary of State;

           (i)  certificates  of   the   respective   Secretaries  or  Assistant
Secretaries  of Coastal,  Coastal Sub and Seller,  certifying  as of the Closing
Date as to the incumbency  and signatures of the respective  officers of Coastal
and  Seller  authorized  to sign this  Agreement  and as to the  incumbency  and
signatures  of the  respective  officers  of  Coastal,  Coastal  Sub and  Seller
authorized to sign the other documents to be delivered hereunder,  together with
evidence of the incumbency of each such Secretary or Assistant Secretary;

           (j)  a certificate dated  the Closing Date, in  form  satisfactory to
Buyers, of the President or  a Vice  President  of each of  Coastal  and  Seller
stating  that the  representations  and  warranties  of Coastal  or  Seller,  as
applicable, set forth herein remain true and correct in all material respects at
and as of the  Closing  Date  as if  made on and as of  such  date  (except  for
representations  and warranties made as of a specific date,  which shall be true
and  correct  in all  material  respects  as of such  date) and that all  terms,
covenants and  conditions  to be complied with and performed by Coastal,  Seller
and  Coastal  Sub,  as  applicable,  on or prior to the  Closing  Date have been
complied with or performed in all material respects;

           (k)  a certification as to each of Seller's and Coastal Sub's status 
as  a  non-foreign  corporation   in   the   form   provided   by   Treas.  Reg.
ss.1.1445-2(b)(2);

           (l)  certificates,  as issued  by  the  Delaware  Secretary of State,
evidencing  the  completion  of  each of the  Mergers and  liquidations effected
pursuant to Section 3.1; and

           (m)  the resignations of any officers of the LLC required pursuant to
Section 12.1(f).

     3.4   Buyer Deliveries.  Buyers shall deliver to Seller and/or Coastal Sub,
as applicable, at the Closing the following:

           (a)  the Purchase Price in the manner and amount specified in Section
2.2;

            (b)  a  copy  or  copies,  certified  as  of the Closing Date by the
Secretary  or  Assistant  Secretary  of each Buyer,  of the  resolution(s)  duly
adopted by its Board of Directors,  authorizing the transactions contemplated by
this  Agreement,  redacted to omit  confidential  information,  together  with a
certificate  of the  Secretary  or  Assistant  Secretary  that  such  resolution
authorizes the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

                                       15

<PAGE>



           (c)  a  current  short  form  certificate  of  existence and/or good
standing for each Buyer in its jurisdiction of  incorporation,  as issued by the
Secretary of State or other appropriate authority of such jurisdiction;

           (d)  the opinions of counsel to Buyers required by Section 12.2(d);

           (e)  a  certificate of  the  Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each
Buyer  Parent  and  Buyer,  certifying  as  of  the  Closing   Date  as  to  the
incumbency  and  signatures  of the officers of such Buyer Parent  authorized to
sign this  Agreement and as to the  incumbency and signatures of the officers of
such  Buyer  Parent  or Buyer  authorized  to sign  the  other  documents  to be
delivered hereunder,  together with evidence of the incumbency of such Secretary
or Assistant Secretary;

           (f)  a certificate dated  the Closing Date, in  form  satisfactory to
Seller, of the President or a Vice  President of each Buyer  Parent stating that
the representations and  warranties of such Buyer Parent set forth herein remain
true and  correct in all  material  respects at and as of the Closing Date as if
made on  and as of such date  (except for  representations  and  warranties made
as of a specified  date, which  shall  be  true  and  correct  in  all  material
respects as of such date) and that all terms,  covenants  and  conditions  to be
complied with and performed by such Buyer Parent and its subsidiary  Buyer on or
prior to the Closing Date have been  complied  with or performed in all material
respects;

           (g)  a  copy  of  the  certificate  of  incorporation of each  Buyer,
certified  as of a recent date by the  Secretary  of State or other  appropriate
official of the jurisdiction of incorporation of such Buyer; and

           (h)  a  copy  of  the   bylaws  of  each  Buyer  as in  effect on the
Closing Date,  certified as of the Closing Date by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of such Buyer.

     3.5   Simultaneous Transactions.  All of the  transactions  and  deliveries
identified  in Sections 3.3 and 3.4 shall be deemed to occur  simultaneously  on
the Closing Date, and no one transaction shall be deemed completed until all are
completed.


                                   ARTICLE IV
              Representations and Warranties of Coastal and Seller

     Coastal and Seller  jointly  and  severally  represent  and warrant to, and
agree with, Buyers, with respect to themselves and, as of the Closing Date only,
with respect to Coastal Sub and the LLC as well, as follows:


     4.1   Organization and Good Standing.  Each  of  Coastal,  Coastal  Sub and
Seller is a  corporation duly organized, validly existing  and in  good standing
under the  laws of  its state of  incorporation,  the LLC is a limited liability

                                       16

<PAGE>



company duly organized,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the  state  of  Delaware,  and  each  such  corporation is  duly qualified to do
business in every  jurisdiction  where the character of its businesses or nature
of its  properties  makes such  qualification  necessary, except  to the  extent
that any  failure  to be so  qualified  would not have a Material Adverse Effect
on such corporation.  Each of Coastal,  Coastal Sub and Seller has all requisite
corporate  power  and  authority  to  conduct  its  business  as presently being
conducted.

     4.2   Authority.  Each  of Coastal and Seller has full corporate  power and
authority  to enter into this  Agreement  and each of  Coastal,  Coastal Sub and
Seller has full  corporate  power and authority to consummate  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby.  The execution  and delivery of this  Agreement by each of
Coastal and Seller and the  performance  by each of Coastal,  Coastal  Sub,  the
Seller and LLC of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized
by all  necessary  corporate  action  on the part of  Coastal,  Coastal  Sub and
Seller.  This  Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of Coastal
and Seller and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each of Coastal and
Seller,  enforceable  against each of Coastal and Seller in accordance  with its
terms,  subject  to  applicable  laws  of  bankruptcy,   insolvency,  fraudulent
conveyance,  reorganization,  moratorium and similar laws  affecting  creditors'
rights and remedies generally,  and to general principles of equity,  regardless
of whether such  enforceability  is  considered  in a proceeding in equity or at
law.

     4.3   No Violations.  The  execution and delivery of this Agreement by each
of  Coastal  and  Seller  does not,  and the  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated  hereby  will  not,  (i)  violate  any  of  the  provisions  of the
certificate or articles of incorporation or bylaws of Coastal,  Seller,  Coastal
Sub or any Company; (ii) result in the breach of, or constitute a default under,
or accelerate or permit the  acceleration  of the  performance  required by, any
Material  Contract to which  Coastal,  Seller,  Coastal Sub, or any Company is a
party or by which any of their respective properties or assets (whether owned or
leased) are bound;  (iii)  violate in any material  respect any  statute,  rule,
regulation,  ordinance,  code or other law, order,  judgment,  writ, injunction,
decree or award  applicable to Coastal,  Seller,  Coastal Sub, or any Company or
their respective properties or assets (whether owned or leased); (iv) constitute
an event  which,  with notice,  lapse of time or both,  would result in any such
violation, breach or default; or (v) result in the creation or imposition of any
security interest, pledge, claim, lien, charge,  encumbrance,  or other right or
interest of any other Person  against the LLC  Interests or any of the assets or
properties (whether owned or leased) of any of the Companies.

     4.4   Approvals, Consents and Other Actions.  Except (i)  with  respect  to
any  required  filings  under the HSR Act, or (ii) with  respect to any consent,
approval,   license,   permit,  order  or  authorization  of,  or  registration,
declaration  or filing with,  any court,  administrative  agency,  commission or
other governmental  authority or  instrumentality,  domestic or foreign,  or any
third party  necessitated by the  transactions  described in Section 3.1 of this
Agreement and except as set forth in Sections 4.21 and 4.28 of this Agreement or
in Section  4.4 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,  no  material  consent,  approval,
license,  permit,  order or authorization  of, or  registration,  declaration or
filing with, any court,  administrative agency, commission or other governmental
authority  or  instrumentality,  domestic  or  foreign,  or  any third party  is

                                       17

<PAGE>



required to be made or obtained by or with  respect to any of Coastal,  Seller,
Coastal Sub, or the Companies in connection  with the  execution,  delivery and 
performance of this Agreement  by any  of  Coastal,  Seller,  Coastal  Sub,  as
applicable,  or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

     4.5   Organization and Good Standing of the Companies.  Each  Company  is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of its jurisdiction of incorporation,  which jurisdictions are listed in Section
4.5 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,  and is duly qualified to do business in every
jurisdiction  where the character of its  businesses or nature of its properties
makes such qualification  necessary,  which  jurisdictions are listed in Section
4.5 of the Disclosure  Schedule,  except to the extent that any failure to be so
qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect on such Company.  Section 4.5
of the  Disclosure  Schedule  lists all names under which each of the  Companies
conducts  business or is qualified or registered to conduct  business,  or under
which it has conducted business within the last five years. Each Company has all
requisite  corporate  power and  authority  to own and lease its  assets  and to
conduct its  business as  presently  being  conducted.  Seller has  delivered to
Buyers  true  and  correct  copies  of the  charter  documents  of  each  of the
Companies.

     4.6   Title to the Shares and LLC Interests.  Seller holds  of  record  and
owns  beneficially  the  CSEC  Shares  free and clear of any security interests,
pledges, claims, liens,  charges,  encumbrances or other rights or interests of
any other Person.  As of the Closing Date,  Seller and Coastal Sub will hold of
record and own beneficially,  the LLC Interests and, upon delivery to Buyers at
the Closing of documents  evidencing the  assignment of the LLC Interests,  duly
executed  by  Seller  and  Coastal  Sub  for transfer to Buyers, and appropriate
documentation  of  the assignment of  the LLC Interests  as provided in the LLC
Agreement, against payment of the Purchase  Price  therefor and  satisfaction or
waiver of Seller's other  conditions of  closing, Seller and  Coastal  Sub  will
transfer to Buyers the LLC Interests free and clear of any security interests,
pledges, claims,  liens, charges,  encumbrances  or other rights or interests of
any other Person.  Upon such  transfer,  Buyers  will be vested with full right
and title to the LLC Interests and all incidents of ownership  thereof.  Neither
the CSEC Shares nor the LLC Interests  are subject to, or bound or affected by,
any  proxies,  voting  agreements,  or  other  restrictions on the incidents of
ownership  thereof (other  than  any  such  proxies, voting  agreements or other
restrictions which may exist between the Buyers or Buyer Parents).

     4.7   Capitalization.   The  authorized  capital  stock of CSEC consists of
200  shares  of  common  stock,  par  value  $5.00  per  share, all of which are
outstanding and are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not issued
in violation of any preemptive rights of others.  The authorized capital stock, 
par value per share and the number of issued and  outstanding  shares of capital
stock of  each of  the CSEC  Subsidiaries is set forth  in Section 4.7  of  the
Disclosure Schedule.  CSEC  holds of record and owns  beneficially  all  of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of  the CSEC  Subsidiaries (except that the
outstanding shares of capital stock  of  Soldier Creek Coal Company are owned of
record  and  beneficially  by  Sage  Point  Coal  Company) free and clear of all
security  interests,  pledges,  claims,  liens,  charges,  encumbrances or other
rights or  interests of  any  other  Person, and all of such  shares are validly
issued, fully paid  and  non-assessable  and  not  issued  in  violation  of any

                                       18

<PAGE>



preemptive  rights  of others and  not subject to, or bound or affected  by, any
proxies, voting agreements, or other restrictions  or the incidents of ownership
thereof.  None of the Companies has any authorized or outstanding subscriptions,
options  or  other  agreements or commitments obligating it to purchase or issue
shares of its capital stock. Immediately prior to the Closing, the LLC Interests
owned by Seller and Coastal Sub will constitute 100% of the ownership interests
of the LLC, and will be owned 99%  by Seller  and 1% by  Coastal Sub.  As of the
Closing  Date,  the LLC  will not  have  any outstanding subscriptions, options,
convertible  securities,  warrants,  calls,  or  other agreements or commitments
obligating it to issue additional member interests or any other interest in the
LLC  whatsoever.  As of  the Closing Date,  neither Seller nor Coastal Sub shall
have any granted or have  outstanding  any  subscriptions, options,  convertible
securities, warrants, calls, or  other  agreements  or commitments obligating it
to purchase or issue equity interests in the LLC.

     4.8   Financial  Statements.  Attached   hereto  as  Section  4.8  of  the
Disclosure Schedule are (i) the audited  combined balance sheet of the Companies
and the Excluded  Corporations as  of December 31, 1995 and  the related audited
combined statements  of  operations  and cash  flows of the  Companies  and  the
Excluded  Corporations  for the  year  ended  December  31,  1995 (the  "Audited
Financial Statements") and (ii) the  unaudited  pro forma combined balance sheet
of the Companies as of the Pricing Date (which pro forma  balance sheet reflects
the  closing  to "Investments by Parents" of all Intercompany  Balances existing
as of the Pricing Date and assumes that all transactions  described  in  Section
3.1(a)  had occurred as of such date) (the "Pricing Date Balance Sheet") and the
related unaudited pro forma combined  statements of operations and cash flows of
the Companies for the six-month period ended the  Pricing  Date (which pro forma
statements assume that all transactions described in Section 3.1(a) had occurred
as of January  1, 1996) (the  "Unaudited  Financial  Statements").  The  Audited
Financial  Statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  GAAP  and the
Unaudited Financial Statements have been, and the Statement will be, prepared in
accordance with GAAP (except that (i) intercompany accounts with affiliates have
been  included in  "Investment  by Parents"  and (ii) the  information  does not
constitute  full  disclosure  required  by GAAP),  in each case as  applied on a
consistent  basis during the periods  indicated  (except as otherwise  stated in
this Section 4.8 or as set forth in Section 4.8 of the Disclosure Schedule), and
do and will fairly  present  (subject,  in the case of the  Unaudited  Financial
Statements,  to  audit  adjustments)  the  combined  financial  position  of the
Companies  and, in the case of the Audited  Financial  Statements,  the Excluded
Corporations  as of  the  dates  thereof  and  the  combined  results  of  their
operations and cash flows for the periods then ended. The assets and liabilities
and items of income and  expense on the  Audited  Financial  Statements  and the
Unaudited Financial Statements are, and on the Statement will be, bona fide, and
none were or will be acquired,  earned or incurred  pursuant to any agreement or
other transaction  entered into,  amended,  or terminated in anticipation of the
transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  (except  with  respect  to  the
transactions contemplated by Section 3.1(a)(iii-v)).

     4.9   Absence of Certain Changes.  Except  as  set  forth in Section 4.9 of
the  Disclosure  Schedule  or  as  otherwise  contemplated  by Section 2.2(b) or
Section 3.1 of this Agreement, since the date of the Pricing Date Balance Sheet,
none of the Companies has:

                                       19

<PAGE>



           (a)  experienced  or  suffered any  event  or occurrence  which would
constitute,  or reasonably  be expected  to  cause, a Material Adverse Effect on
such Company, other  than as a result of general  economic  conditions  or other
conditions affecting the industry in which the Companies operate, including, but
not limited  to, fluctuations in  coal  prices  and  legislative  or  regulatory
conditions;

           (b)  issued, sold, purchased, acquired or redeemed any of its capital
stock, bonds, debentures, notes or other securities, or issued,  sold or granted
any options, warrants or other rights to acquire  any  thereof  or any  security
convertible into any thereof,  or merged or consolidated  with any other Person,
or acquired securities or other equity interests in any other Person;

           (c)  declared  or  made any  payment of dividends or distributions of
any assets of any kind in respect of its capital stock;

           (d)  sold,  transferred  or  otherwise  disposed  of,  or  agreed  to
sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, any of its assets,  properties or rights
other than (i) cash used to pay  obligations  incurred in the ordinary course of
business,  (ii)  inventory  sold,  and  receivables  converted into cash, in the
ordinary  course of business,  (iii)  property,  plant and  equipment  having an
aggregate fair market value  (determined in good faith) of less than $5,000,000,
(iv) worn out or  obsolete  equipment  having an  aggregate  fair  market  value
(determined in good faith) of less than $2,000,000 and (v) other assets disposed
of in the ordinary course of business;

           (e)  made  any  capital  expenditures, other than maintenance capital
expenditures made  in  the ordinary course of business, which, in the aggregate,
exceed (i)  $5,000,000  for the period from the Pricing Date through the earlier
to occur of the Closing Date and  December  31, 1996 or (ii) if the Closing Date
has not occurred by December 31, 1996, $10,000,000 on and after January 1, 1997;

           (f)  created  or  permitted the attachment of any security  interest,
pledge,  claim,  lien, charge, encumbrance, or other rights or interests of any
other Person  against any of the assets or  properties  owned  or leased  by it,
except those for Taxes not currently due and payable and, with  respect  to real
property,  easements and restrictions of record that do not render title thereto
unmerchantable  and could not interfere with the use thereof by such Company for
the purposes for which currently used by such Company;

           (g)  waived,  released,  discharged,  transferred,  or  cancelled any
rights or claims except in the ordinary course of business;

           (h)  prepaid  any  liabilities  or obligations except in the ordinary
course of business;

           (i)  incurred, assumed, or guaranteed any indebtedness or liability
for or in respect of borrowed money;


                                       20

<PAGE>



           (j)  paid  any money to any of Coastal,  Seller,  or any Affiliate of
Coastal or Seller  (other  than a Company),  or incurred  any charges by any of
Coastal,  Seller, or any Affiliate of Coastal or Seller (other than a Company),
or entered into any other transaction between the Company, on one hand, and any
of  Coastal,  Seller,  or  any  Affiliate  of  Coastal  or  Seller (other than a
Company), on  the  other  hand,  except  as set  forth in Section 4.9(j) of the
Disclosure  Schedule, or  as permitted by Section 2.2(b) or as Buyers shall have
approved in writing;

           (k)  paid any  bonus, profit sharing,  pension, or similar payment or
arrangement or special  compensation to any employee of such Company,  except in
the  ordinary  course  of  the  administration  of  the  Plans;   increased  the
compensation payable or to become payable to any employee of such Company except
in the ordinary course of business; materially modified,  terminated, or renewed
any of the Plans or any  Material  Contract  or  entered  into any new  employee
benefit arrangements or plans;

           (l)  made  any charitable donations of cash or other assets except in
the ordinary course of business;

           (m)  entered into  any  agreement or  commitment to take or do any of
the actions described in clauses (b) through (l) of this Section 4.9; or

          (n)   operated  its  business in  any  material respect other than in
compliance with the Business Plan, except as to which  noncompliance Buyers have
agreed in writing.

     4.10  No Subsidiaries.  All  securities  of  and  other  interests  in  Los
Angeles  Export  Terminal,  Inc. ("LAXT")  which  are  held  by  Coastal  or its
Affiliates are  and  as of the  Closing Date will be owned by one or more of the
Companies. Except for the CSEC Subsidiaries,  the Excluded Corporations, 856,427
shares of common stock of LAXT and as  otherwise set  forth in  Section  4.10 of
the Disclosure  Schedule,  none of the Companies owns or holds rights to acquire
any capital stock of, or other equity  interest in, any corporation, partnership
or other Person.

     4.11  Real Property.  Section 4.11 of the Disclosure  Schedule sets forth a
list of (i) each parcel of real property  owned or leased,  whether as lessor or
lessee,  by each of the  Companies  and (ii)  each  lease,  sublease,  easement,
license  or other  agreement  under  which any  Company  is or will be a lessor,
lessee, licensor,  licensee, grantor, grantee or other party with respect to any
real  property or interest  therein.  Except as set forth in Section 4.11 of the
Disclosure Schedule,  (i) each of the Companies owns the real property described
in Section 4.11 of the Disclosure Schedule as owned by it in fee, free and clear
of all liens, encumbrances,  equities, claims, covenants,  conditions,  defects,
reservations,  restrictions,  easements,  rights  of way and  other  agreements,
except  for (a)  liens  for  Taxes  not yet due and  payable  or that are  being
contested  in good  faith by  appropriate  proceedings  and for  which  adequate
reserves  have  been  established,  (b)  liens in favor  of  vendors,  carriers,
warehousemen,  repairmen, mechanics, workmen and materialmen and construction or
similar liens arising by operation of law or in the ordinary  course of business
in respect of  obligations  that are not yet due or that are being  contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate

                                       21

<PAGE>



reserves  have been  established,  (c) liens to be  released  at or prior to the
Closing,  (d)  rights  reserved  to or  vested  in any  federal,  state or local
governmental  body,  authority  or agency to control or  regulate  any such real
property interests in any manner, and all laws, rules,  regulations,  ordinances
and orders of any such body, authority or agency, which rights do not materially
and adversely affect the present or currently intended use of such real property
(e) easements, reservations, rights-of-way,  restrictions, covenants, conditions
and other similar  encumbrances,  whether of record or apparent on the premises,
including,  but not limited to, road,  highway,  pipeline,  railroad and utility
easements  and  defects  in the  chain of  title  which  individually  or in the
aggregate  do not  materially  and  adversely  affect the  present or  currently
intended use of such real property and (f) minor defects and  irregularities  in
title or encumbrances  which are not substantial in character,  amount or extent
and which do not materially and adversely affect the value of, or interfere with
the use of, the properties subject thereto or affected thereby, (ii) each of the
leases, subleases,  easements, licenses and agreements described in Section 4.11
of the Disclosure Schedule is a valid, binding, enforceable agreement of each of
the Companies  party thereto,  and is in full force and effect,  and each of the
Companies has performed in all material  respects all covenants and  obligations
required  to be  performed  by it under  each such  lease,  sublease,  easement,
license and agreement and there exists no material default or event which,  with
notice,  lapse of time or both,  would  constitute  a  material  default by such
Company,  or, to the knowledge of Coastal or Seller, by the other party thereto,
and (iii) none of Coastal,  Seller or any Company has received as of the date of
this  Agreement  any notice that a lessor,  grantor or  licensor  under any such
lease, sublease,  easement,  license or agreement intends to cancel or terminate
any  such  lease,  easement,   sublease,   license  or  agreement.  All  of  the
improvements  (including leasehold  improvements) and premises of each parcel of
real property  owned or leased by any of the Companies are in good condition and
repair,  ordinary wear and tear excepted,  and are suitable for the purposes for
which currently used by the Companies or lessees or sublessees of the Companies.
To the  knowledge of Coastal and Seller,  the current use and  occupancy of each
such parcel (a) are in compliance in all material  respects with all  applicable
statutes,  laws, ordinances,  rules, orders, and regulations of any governmental
authority  or  instrumentality,  domestic  or  foreign,  and do  not  constitute
nonconforming uses under any of the foregoing  respecting zoning, and (b) are in
compliance in all material respects with private covenants and restrictions.

     4.12  Absence of  Undisclosed Liabilities.  Except  (i)  as  reflected  and
reserved against on the Pricing Date Balance Sheet or (ii) set forth on Sections
4.12 and 4.18 of the Disclosure  Schedule or (iii) as incurred since the date of
the Pricing Date Balance  Sheet in the  ordinary  course of business  consistent
with past practice and in accordance  with this Agreement (none of which relates
to any breach of contract,  breach of warranty,  tort, infringement or violation
of law or arose out of any  complaint,  action,  suit or proceeding  and none of
which  individually or in the aggregate could have a Material  Adverse Effect on
such  Company),  none of the Companies  has any  liabilities,  whether  accrued,
absolute, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become due.

     4.13  Buildings, Structures and Tangible Personal Property.   Section  4.13
of the  Disclosure Schedule lists  all  principal   buildings,   structures  and
improvements  thereon and all items of machinery,  equipment and other  tangible
personal property (i) owned on the date of the Pricing Date Balance Sheet by any

                                       22

<PAGE>



of  the  Companies  with  an  individual net book value in excess of $100,000 or
(ii)  leased  on the  date  of the  Pricing  Date  Balance  Sheet  by any of the
Companies  where the annual lease payments for any such individual item exceeded
$25,000.  Except  as  otherwise  set  forth in  Section  4.13 of the  Disclosure
Schedule, all items of machinery, equipment and other tangible personal property
owned by the Companies are in good operating  condition,  ordinary wear and tear
and routine maintenance  requirements  excepted,  taking into account the age of
such item, and comprise all material  tangible  personal  property  necessary to
conduct the business of the Companies as currently conducted. The Companies have
good,  indefeasible  and  marketable  title  to all  such  items  of  machinery,
equipment,  and other tangible personal property which is listed on Section 4.13
of the Disclosure Schedule as being owned by them.

     4.14  Material Contracts.  Section  4.14  of  the Disclosure Schedule lists
all Material Contracts existing as of the date of this Agreement.  For purposes
of this Agreement, a "Material Contract"  shall  include any material  contract,
agreement,  commitment  or other  instrument,  including  but not limited to the
following:  (a) any agreement  granting any Person, or otherwise  evidencing,  a
security interest, pledge, claim, lien, charge,  encumbrance,  or other right or
interest on or against any  properties  or assets  owned or leased by any of the
Companies;  (b) joint  venture  or  partnership  agreements  between  any of the
Companies and any other Person; (c) any agreement  concerning the sale or supply
of coal, (d) any lease for real property, (e) agreements limiting the freedom of
any of the  Companies  or, or any of their  respective  officers or directors to
engage in or to compete in any activity,  or to use or disclose any  information
in its  possession;  (f) any other  agreement to which any of the Companies is a
party or by which it or the assets or properties owned or leased by it are bound
or affected that are not set forth in other Sections of the Disclosure  Schedule
and  which  individually  contemplate  payments  to or by any  of the  Companies
exceeding  $25,000  in any  twelve-month  period,  or  which  in  the  aggregate
contemplate  payments to or by any of the  Companies  exceeding  $100,000 in any
twelve-month  period.  A true and correct copy of each  contract,  agreement and
document  evidencing any commitment  required to be set forth in Section 4.14 of
the  Disclosure  Schedule has been delivered (or, where so noted in Section 4.14
of the  Disclosure  Schedule,  made  available) to Buyers by Coastal and Seller.
Except as  disclosed  in  Section  4.14 of the  Disclosure  Schedule,  each such
contract,  agreement  and document is in full force and effect and there is not,
under any such contract,  agreement or document, any existing material breach or
material  default (or event or condition which,  after notice,  lapse of time or
both, would constitute a material breach or material default) by any Company or,
to the knowledge of Coastal and Seller, by any other party thereto.

     4.15  Insurance Policies.  Section  4.15 of  the  Disclosure Schedule lists
all  policies  of  insurance (including  self-insurance) which  are  in  effect,
including amounts thereof,  in which any Company is named as the  insured  party
or has a beneficial  interest  or for  which  any Company has paid any premiums.
Such policies are in full force and effect and all  premiums due have been paid.
All tangible personal and real property owned or leased by each of the Companies
is insured  by  responsible  companies  or  is  adequately  self-insured against
casualty and  other  losses  customarily  obtained  with  respect  to comparable
properties  and  assets  by  businesses in  the  region  in  which such tangible
personal  and  real  property  is  located, in  amounts  and coverages which are

                                       23

<PAGE>



reasonable  and  customary  in  light  of  existing  circumstances.  Each of the
Companies carries public liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance
in reasonable amounts,  taking into account any self insurance and participation
in state  insurance  funds,  for its  activities  as currently  conducted and in
accordance  with applicable  statutes,  laws,  ordinances,  rules,  orders,  and
regulations  of any  governmental  authority  or  instrumentality,  domestic  or
foreign.  There are no outstanding or unsatisfied  requirements by any insurance
company that has issued a policy with respect to any of the  Companies or any of
the  assets  or  properties  owned or leased by the  Companies.  There  exist no
disputes  between any of the Companies and any  underwriters  of the  Companies'
insurance  policies.  There are no pending or, to the  knowledge  of Coastal and
Seller,  threatened  terminations  or premium  increases for the current  policy
period of any of the Companies'  insurance  policies and Coastal and Seller have
no  knowledge  of any  condition  or  circumstance  which  could  result in such
termination  or increase.  The  Companies,  the  activities  of the Companies as
currently  conducted,  and the  owned  and  leased  real and  tangible  personal
property owned and leased by the Companies are in compliance with all conditions
of the Companies' insurance policies. Until the Closing Date, Coastal and Seller
will cause each Company to take all  reasonable  steps  necessary to maintain in
full force and effect its presently  existing insurance  coverage,  or insurance
comparable to such existing coverage.

     4.16  Taxes.

           (a)  All  material  Tax Returns that (i)  include  the operations of,
or are required to be filed by, the Companies and (ii) are or will be due on or
before  the  Closing  Date,  have  been  filed  in  true and correct form in all
material respects on a timely basis (including  extensions), or by the Closing
Date will have been so filed.

           (b)  All Taxes shown to be payable on the Tax Returns referred  to in
clause (a) above have been or will be timely paid prior to the Closing Date.

           (c)  All  material  Other  Taxes  of  the  Companies  attributable to
periods  ending on  or prior  to  the Pricing Date  have been  paid or have been
reflected on the Pricing Date Balance Sheet.

           (d)  There is no material dispute or claim concerning any Income Tax
liability of any of the Companies  either (i) claimed or raised by any authority
in writing, or (ii) as to which Coastal or Seller has knowledge.

     For purposes of this Section 4.16, an item shall be regarded as material if
it would have a Material Adverse Effect on Coastal's financial position.

     4.17  Licenses, Permits, Etc. Section 4.17 of the Disclosure Schedule lists
all of the material  licenses,  permits (including mining permits and the amount
of any bond or  other  surety  for each  mining  permit),  certificates,  bonds,
consents,  rights,  approvals and other such authorizations issued or granted to
each of the Companies by local,  state or federal  governmental  authorities  or
agencies. Except as disclosed in such Section 4.17 of the Disclosure Schedule or
in  Sections  4.21  and  4.28  of  this   Agreement,   all  licenses,   permits,
certificates, bonds, consents,  rights  and  other such  authorizations of  each

                                       24

<PAGE>



Company  are  validly  held  by  it,   each   Company  has  complied  with   all
requirements  in  connection  therewith  and the  same  will not be  subject  to
suspension,  modification  or  revocation  as a result of this  Agreement or the
consummation   of   the   transactions   contemplated   hereby,   except   where
noncompliance,  suspension,  modification or revocation,  individually or in the
aggregate,  would  not have a  Material  Adverse  Effect on such  Company.  Each
Company has all licenses,  permits,  certificates,  bonds, consents,  rights and
other such authorizations from local, state and federal governmental authorities
or agencies which are necessary for such Company to own,  lease,  maintain,  and
operate its assets or for the conduct of such Company's business,  excluding any
license,  permit,  certificate,  bond, consent, right or other authorization the
failure of which to have,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on such Company.

     4.18  Litigation. As of  the date of this Agreement,  no Company is a party
to any lawsuit, claim, proceeding  or  investigation,  and, to the  knowledge of
Coastal and Seller,  no lawsuit,  claim,  proceeding or  investigation  has been
threatened in writing  within the last 24 months,  by or against such Company or
any of its properties, assets, operations or businesses, other than as set forth
in Section 4.18 of the Disclosure  Schedule.  No Company is in default under any
judgment,  order or decree of any court,  administrative agency or commission or
other governmental authority or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, applicable
to it or any of its  properties,  assets,  operations  or  businesses,  and  all
judgments,  orders,  and decrees  currently  binding on any of the  Companies or
their  assets or  properties  are set forth in  Section  4.18 to the  Disclosure
Schedule.

     4.19  Compliance  with  Laws.  Each  Company  is  in  compliance  with  all
applicable  statutes,  laws,  ordinances,  rules,  orders and regulations of any
governmental  authority  or  instrumentality,  domestic or  foreign,  including,
without limitation,  statutes,  laws, ordinances,  rules, orders and regulations
relating  to  the   protection   of  human  health  and  safety,   except  where
noncompliance,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  would  not have a  Material
Adverse Effect on such Company.

     4.20  Labor  Matters.  No Company  is a party or  otherwise  subject to any
collective  bargaining agreement with any labor union or association.  There are
no formal  negotiations,  demands  or  proposals  that are  pending or have been
conducted or made with or by any labor union or  association,  and there are not
pending  or, to the  knowledge  of  Coastal or Seller,  threatened  against  any
Company any  strikes,  work  stoppages  or labor  disputes.  Each  Company is in
compliance with all laws respecting employment and employment  practices,  terms
and  conditions of employment and wages and hours,  except where  noncompliance,
individually  or in the aggregate,  would not have a Material  Adverse Effect on
such Company.

     4.21  Employee Benefit Plans.

           (a)  Section 4.21 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of all
"employee  benefit plans" as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee  Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended,  and rules and regulations  promulgated
thereunder ("ERISA"), and any other pension,  savings, profit sharing,  deferred
compensation, golden  parachute,  material  fringe  benefit  or welfare benefit,

                                       25

<PAGE>



stock  option,  restricted  stock  or  unit,  performance share or  unit, bonus,
severance or sick leave plan covering employees of the Companies  (collectively,
the "Plans").

           (b)  Except as set forth in Section 4.21 of the  Disclosure Schedule,
with respect to each Plan  defined in Subsection  4.21(a),  the Companies are in
compliance  with all  applicable  provisions of ERISA and the Code.  None of the
Plans which are employee  pension  benefit plans,  as defined in Section 3(2) of
ERISA and that are not multiemployer  plans as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA
(each a "Pension Plan"), has incurred any "accumulated  funding  deficiency," as
defined  in  Section  412 of the  Code  or  Section  302 of  ERISA.  None of the
Companies  has  incurred  any  currently  outstanding  liability  to the Pension
Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation  under  Title IV of ERISA  other  than for annual
premiums.  Except as set forth in Section 4.21 of the Disclosure Schedule,  none
of the Companies has engaged in a prohibited transaction that could subject such
Company to a tax imposed under Section 4975 of the Code or a civil penalty under
Section 502(i) of ERISA.

           (c)  None of the Companies is or has within the  preceding  five plan
years been a  party  to or contributed to any multiemployer  plan, as defined in
Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.   No event has occurred with respect  to  any  such
multiemployer  plan that has or can be expected to  constitute a  withdrawal  or
partial  withdrawal  with  respect to such plan,  as those  terms are defined in
ERISA.

           (d)  Except as set forth in Section 4.21 of  the Disclosure Schedule,
no  Plan  provides  medical  or  life  insurance  benefits beyond termination of
service or retirement other than coverage mandated by law.

           (e)  Each  Pension Plan  which is intended  to be "qualified," within
the meaning of Section 401(a)  of the  Code, has  received a currently effective
favorable  determination  letter from the IRS or such a letter has been  applied
for and such application is pending and, to the knowledge of Coastal and Seller,
no event has occurred and no condition exists which could reasonably be expected
to result in the revocation of any such determination.

           (f)  With respect to each  "group health plan"  as defined in Section
5000(b)(1)  of the Code,  the  Companies  have operated such plans in compliance
with the group health plan continuation  coverage  requirements of Section 4980B
of the Code and Sections  601 through 608 of ERISA,  and the  provisions  of the
Social Security Act, to the extent such requirements are applicable.

           (g)  Seller has delivered or made available to Buyer Parents true and
complete copies of all documents and summary plan  descriptions  with respect to
any Plan and the IRS Form  5500  filed  for the most  recent  plan year for each
Plan.

     4.22  Bank Accounts.  Section  4.22  of  the Disclosure Schedule sets forth
(i) the  name of each bank, savings and loan or other  financial institution  in
which any Company has any account or safe deposit box and (ii) the  names of all
Persons authorized to draw thereon or have access thereto.

                                       26

<PAGE>



     4.23  Transactions with Affiliates.  Except as set forth in Section 4.23 of
the Disclosure Schedule, none of the Companies is a party to or has any interest
in any contract or agreement  with any  Affiliate,  which  contract or agreement
will continue in effect subsequent to the Closing Date.

     4.24  Employment Terms.  Section 4.24 to the Disclosure Schedule sets forth
the names and positions of all employees of each of the Companies employed as of
the date  hereof at an annual  salary or  equivalent  wage of  $80,000  or more,
together with the current  annual salary or wage,  amount and date of any salary
increase,  and approximate bonus and commission payments paid or payable to such
person for services  rendered during the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995.
Except as set forth in Section  4.24 to the  Disclosure  Schedule,  none of such
employees  has notified  Coastal,  Seller or any of the  Companies of his or her
intention to resign or retire.

     4.25  Books and Records.  All of the books, records and accounts of each of
the Companies are in all material respects true and complete,  are maintained in
accordance  with good  business  practice and all  applicable  laws,  accurately
present and reflect in all  material  respects all of the  transactions  therein
described,  and are and will be reflected accurately in the Pricing Date Balance
Sheet and Statement.

     4.26  Intellectual Property.

           (a)  Section  4.26 of  the  Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and
complete list of all domestic (federal, state or local) and foreign (i)  patents
and patent applications, (ii)  trademark  and  servicemark  registrations, (iii)
copyright  registrations  and  applications,  (iv) trade names and  unregistered
trademarks and servicemarks,  and (v) material software,  computer programs,  or
technology of any kind (collectively, "Intellectual Property") that are licensed
to or  owned  or used by any of the  Companies,  and all  applications  for,  or
licenses  or other  rights to use any of the same  (collectively,  the  "Company
Intellectual  Property").  Except as disclosed in Section 4.26 of the Disclosure
Schedule:  (i) the  activities  of the  Companies as currently  conducted do not
infringe,  misappropriate,  or  otherwise  misuse  any  rights  to  Intellectual
Property  of  other  Persons;  (ii) the  validity  of the  Company  Intellectual
Property, and the title or other rights thereto of the Companies,  have not been
questioned in any litigation or similar proceeding to which any of the Companies
is a party,  nor, to Coastal's  or Seller's  knowledge,  is any such  litigation
threatened;  and  (iii)  to  Coastal's  and  Seller's  knowledge,  there  is  no
unauthorized  use,  infringement,  misappropriation  or  other  misuse  by other
Persons of any Company Intellectual Property.

           (b)  Except as set  forth in Section 4.26 of the Disclosure Schedule:
(i)  all  patents,  patent  applications  and  rights  to  inventions  or  other
intellectual  property  heretofore  owned or held by any  employee or officer of
any of the Companies, where required by any legal requirement or agreement to be
transferred  to any  of  the  Companies,  have  been  duly  and  effectively  so
transferred  with no  restrictions  on the  subsequent  transfer  thereof by the
Companies;  (ii) there has been no act or omission by any of the Companies or by
any of its employees,  duly authorized  attorneys or agents, as the case may be,
or any other fact, which makes or will make invalid or unenforceable  any of the
Company Intellectual Property (by assignment or otherwise),  or which negates or
will  negate  the  right  to  the  issuance  of  any of the Company Intellectual

                                       27

<PAGE>



Property;  and   (iii)  all  of  the  patents  and  trademark  and   servicemark
registrations  included  in the  Company  Intellectual  Property  have been duly
issued by the United  States Patent and  Trademark  Office or the  corresponding
office of  another  country,  as  indicated  in Section  4.26 of the  Disclosure
Schedule,  and all copyright  registrations included in the Company Intellectual
Property  have been duly issued by the United  States  Register of Copyrights or
the corresponding office of another country, as indicated in Section 4.26 of the
Disclosure Schedule.

     4.27  Certain  Interests.  Except  as set  forth  in  Section  4.27  of the
Disclosure Schedule, none of (a) Coastal,  Seller or any of its Affiliates,  nor
(b) to the knowledge of Coastal and Seller,  any  executive  officer of Coastal,
Seller, Coastal Sub or any Company, directly or indirectly is, or owns a greater
than 5%  interest  in, or  controls,  or is an  employee,  officer,  director or
partner  of  or  participant  in,  or  consultant  to,  any  Person  which  is a
competitor, supplier or customer of any of the Companies or a landlord or tenant
with  respect  to any of the  assets  or  properties  leased by or to any of the
Companies,  or has any other type of business or professional  relationship with
any of the Companies.

     4.28  Environmental.  The  representations and warranties contained in this
Section 4.28 relate solely to and are limited to the  properties  conveyed which
are listed on Section 4.11 of the Disclosure Schedule.

          (a)   Except as set  forth in Section 4.28 of the Disclosure Schedule,
each  Company is  in  compliance with all Environmental Laws (as defined below),
except where the failure to comply would not have a Material  Adverse  Effect on
such Company.

           (b)  Except as set forth in Section 4.28 of the Disclosure Schedule, 
none of the Companies,  Coastal and  Seller have   knowledge  of an existing or 
potential Environmental Claim (as defined below), nor has any Company received
any  written  notification  or  have  knowledge  of alleged, actual or potential
responsibility  for,  or  any inquiry or investigation  regarding, any disposal,
release, or threatened release at any location of any Hazardous Substance (as
defined below) generated or transported by such Company.

          (c)  Except as set forth in Section 4.28 of  the  Disclosure Schedule,
(i) no underground tank or other underground  storage receptacle  for  Hazardous
Substances is currently located on any Company's  properties and there have been
no releases  of any  Hazardous  Substances  from any  underground  tank or other
underground  storage  receptacle or related  piping at any time;  and (ii) there
have been no releases (i.e., any past or present releasing,  spilling,  leaking,
pumping,  pouring,  emitting,  emptying,   discharging,   injecting,   escaping,
leaching,  disposing,  or dumping) of Hazardous  Substances by such Company,  in
each case  except  where such  circumstance  or event  would not have a Material
Adverse  Effect on such Company.  In addition,  to the knowledge of such Company
and  Coastal or Seller,  except as set forth in Section  4.28 of the  Disclosure
Schedule,   there  have  been  no  such  releases  by  the  Company's  corporate
predecessors  and  no such  releases  on, upon, or into any real property in the

                                       28

<PAGE>



vicinity  of  any  of  the properties of such Company that, through soil, ground
water or air contamination,  may have come to be located on the property of such
Company.

           (d)  Except as set forth in Section 4.28 of the Disclosure  Schedule,
there has not been issued to any of the Companies,  nor is any of the  Companies
required  under  any  legal  requirements,   to  obtain,  any  license,  permit,
authorization  or  permission  relating to the  generation,  handling,  storage,
transportation, or disposal of any Hazardous Substances.

           (e) Except  as set forth in Section 4.28 of the Disclosure  Schedule,
there are no polychlorinated biphenyls or friable asbestos located  at or on the
property of any Company,  except where the presence of such  material  would not
have a Material Adverse Effect on such Company.

           (f)  No  environmental  lien  has  attached  to  any  property  to be
transferred to Buyers under this Agreement.

           (g)  Except as set forth in Section 4.28 of the Disclosure  Schedule,
all permits, licenses, permissions, and other  authorizations  relating  to  the
properties  owned or leased by any of the Companies  which are  necessary  under
applicable  Environmental  Laws have  been  obtained  and are in full  force and
effect.  Each of the Companies is in compliance with all terms and conditions of
such  permits,  licenses,   permissions  and  authorizations,   other  than  any
noncompliance which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material
Adverse  Effect on such  Company.  Except as set  forth in  Section  4.28 of the
Disclosure  Schedule,  none of the Companies has received any written notice of,
nor does Coastal or Seller have any knowledge of circumstances  relating to, any
past,  present  or  future  events,   conditions,   circumstances,   activities,
practices,  incidents,  actions  or  plans,  including  but not  limited  to the
presence, use, generation,  manufacture, disposal, release or threatened release
of any  Hazardous  Substances  from the real  properties  owned or leased by the
Companies,  which could interfere with or prevent continued  compliance with, or
which could give rise to any liability under, any Environmental  Law, based upon
or related to the processing,  distribution,  use, treatment, storage, disposal,
transport,  or  handling,  or the  emission,  discharge,  release or  threatened
release into the environment,  of any Hazardous  Substances from or attributable
to such owned or leased real property.

           (h)  Definitions:

                (i)   For purposes of this Agreement, "Environmental Laws" shall
    mean all federal, state, district,  local,  and foreign laws,  all rules or
    regulations  promulgated  thereunder,  and  all  orders,  consent  decrees,
    judgments,  notices, permits,  or demand  letters  issued,  promulgated, or
    entered  pursuant  thereto, relating  to  pollution  or  protection  of  the
    environment (including without limitation ambient air, surface water, ground
    water, land surface, or subsurface strata), including without limitation (i)
    laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases, or threatened releases  of
    pollutants,  contaminants, chemicals, materials, wastes, or other substances
    into  the  environment  and   (ii)  laws  relating  to  the  identification,
    generation, manufacture,  processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage,
    disposal, recovery,

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     transport,  or  other  handling  of  pollutants,  contaminants,  chemicals,
     industrial  materials,  wastes,  or  other  substances.  Environmental Laws
     shall include without  limitation the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
     Compensation and Liability Act of 1980,  as amended,  the Toxic  Substances
     Control Act,  as amended,  the Hazardous  Materials Transportation Act,  as
     amended, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act,  as amended, the Clean
     Water Act,  as amended,  the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, the Clean
     Air Act, as  amended,  the Atomic Energy  Act  of  1954,  as  amended,  the
     Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act of 1977,  and  all  analogous laws
     promulgated or issued by any state or other governmental authority.

                (ii)   For purposes of  this  Agreement,  "Environmental Claims"
     shall  mean  all  accusations,  allegations,  notice of violations,  liens,
     claims,  demands,  suits, or causes of action  for  any  damage,  including
     without  limitation,  personal  injury,   property  damage  (including  any
     depreciation  of  property  values), lost use of property, or consequential
     damages, arising directly or indirectly out of Environmental  Conditions or
     Environmental  Laws.  By way of example only, Environmental Claims include
     (i) violations of or obligations under any  contract between such  Company
     and  any  other  person,  (ii)  actual  or  threatened  damages  to natural
     resources,  (iii) claims for nuisance  or  its  statutory  equivalent, (iv)
     claims for the recovery of response costs, or  administrative  or  judicial
     orders  directing  the performance of investigations,  response or remedial
     actions under any  Environmental  Laws,  (v)  a  requirement  to  implement
     "corrective  action" pursuant to any order or permit issued pursuant to the
     Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended or similar provisions of
     applicable  state  law,  (vi)  claims  for  restitution,  contribution,  or
     indemnity,  (vii) fines,  penalties, or liens of any kind against property,
     (viii) claims for injunctive relief or other orders or notices of violation
     from federal, state, or local agencies or courts, and  (ix) with  regard to
     any present or former employees, claims relating to  exposure to  or injury
     from Environmental Conditions.

                (iii) For purposes of this Agreement, "Environmental Conditions"
     shall mean the state of the environment, including natural resources (e.g.,
     flora  and  fauna),  soil,  surface water,  ground water,  any  present  or
     potential  drinking  water  supply,  subsurface  strata,  or  ambient  air,
     relating  to  or  arising  out  of  the use, handling,  storage, treatment,
     recycling, generation, transportation, release, spilling, leaking, pumping,
     pouring,  emptying,  discharging,  injecting, escaping, leaching, disposal,
     dumping, or threatened  release of  Hazardous Substances by such Company or
     its  predecessors  or  successors  in  interest,  agents,  representatives,
     employees,  or  independent  contractors.  With  respect  to  Environmental
     Claims by third parties, Environmental Conditions also include the exposure
     of persons  to  Hazardous  Substances  at the work place or the exposure of
     persons or  property to Hazardous  Substances migrating  from or  otherwise
     emanating from  or located  on property owned, operated, leased or occupied
     by such Company.

                (iv)   For  purposes  of  this Agreement, "Hazardous Substances"
     shall  mean   (i)  any  "hazardous  waste"  as   defined  by  the  Resource
     Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA) (42 U.S.C. ss.6901 et eq.), as

                                       30

<PAGE>



     amended,  and  rules  and  regulations  promulgated  thereunder,  (ii)  any
     "hazardous  substance"  as  defined  by  the  Comprehensive   Environmental
     Response,  Compensation  and  Liability  Act  of  1980  (CERCLA) (42 U.S.C.
     ss.9601 et  seq.), as   amended,  and  rules  and  regulations  promulgated
     thereunder,  (iii) any substance regulated  by the Toxic Substances Control
     Act  (TSCA)  (42 U.S.C.  ss.2601  et  seq.),  as  amended,  and  rules and
     regulations  promulgated  thereunder,  (iv)  asbestos,  (v) polychlorinated
     biphenyls, (vi) any  substances regulated  under  the  underground  storage
     tanks provisions of Subtitle  I of  RCRA  (42 U.S.C.  ss.6991 et seq.), as
     amended,  and  rules  and  regulations promulgated  thereunder,  (vii) any
     substance the presence, use, treatment, storage or disposal of which on the
     real  properties  owned  or  leased  by  the  Companies  is  prohibited  by
     any  legal requirements,  and (viii) any other substance which by any legal
     requirement requires  special handling,  reporting,  or notification of any
     governmental  authority  in  its  collection, storage,  use,  treatment  or
     disposal.

     4.29  Accounts  Receivable.  Each of the  Companies  is the true and lawful
owner of its accounts  receivable  and has good and clear title to each account,
free and clear of all  security  interests,  pledges,  claims,  liens,  charges,
encumbrances,  and other  rights or  interests  of any other  Person.  Each such
account  is  (i) a  valid  obligation  of  the  account  debtor  enforceable  in
accordance  with its  terms,  free and clear of all  set-offs,  adverse  claims,
assessments,  defaults, prepayments, defenses and conditions precedent, and (ii)
a true and correct  statement of the account for  merchandise  actually sold and
delivered to, or for actual services performed for and accepted by, such account
debtor.

     4.30  Accuracy  of  Coastal's  and  Seller's   Information.   None  of  the
Descriptive  Memorandum,   this  Agreement,  the  Disclosure  Schedule,  or  the
projected  financial  information  set forth on Exhibit H when taken as a whole,
and  excluding all  forecasts,  estimates,  or  projections  contained  therein,
contains any untrue  statement of a material  fact, or omits to state a material
fact necessary in order to make the  statements  therein not misleading in light
of the  circumstances  in which made.  To the  knowledge  of Coastal and Seller,
Coastal and Seller have disclosed to Buyers all material information relating to
the Companies and their activities as conducted on the date of this Agreement.

     4.31  Brokers and  Consultants.  None of Buyers, the LLC,  or the Companies
shall be liable with respect to any brokerage,  finder's or similar consultant's
fee or other commission in respect thereof owed to any broker, finder or similar
consultant  as a result  of  Coastal's,  Seller's  or any of  their  Affiliate's
employment or other retainment thereof.

     4.32  Disclaimer of Implied Warranties.  BUYERS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, EXCEPT AS
EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT,  NONE OF COASTAL, SELLER OR ANY AFFILIATE,
EMPLOYEE OR AGENT OF EITHER OF THEM HAS MADE ANY  REPRESENTATIONS  OR WARRANTIES
REGARDING THE COMPANIES,  THEIR  RESPECTIVE  ASSETS OR LIABILITIES,  ANY PORTION
THEREOF OR OTHERWISE. COASTAL AND SELLER HEREBY DISCLAIM ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES,
INCLUDING,  WITHOUT LIMITATION,  ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES  OF  MERCHANTABILITY OR

                                       31

<PAGE>



FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

     4.33  LLC  Structure.  Except  with  respect  to  the  representations  and
warranties  set forth in  Sections  4.1,  4.2,  4.3(v),  4.6,  4.7 and 4.31,  no
representation  or warranty  made by Coastal and Seller in this Article IV shall
be deemed to apply or extend to any action,  or the  consequence  of any action,
taken  pursuant  to  Section  3.1  of  this  Agreement  or  necessitated  by the
transactions  contemplated  by such Section 3.1 except to the extent such action
or  consequence  would  have been  taken or  resulted  if a CSEC  Stock Sale had
occurred.


                                    ARTICLE V
                 Representations and Warranties of Buyer Parents

     Each Buyer Parent represents and warrants to, and agrees with,  Coastal and
Seller, with respect to itself and, as of the Closing Date only, with respect to
the Buyer which is its subsidiary, as follows:


     5.1   Organization and Good Standing.  Each Buyer Parent and each Buyer  is
a  corporation  duly  organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws  of  its state of  incorporation,  and each  Buyer is duly qualified  to do
business in every jurisdiction  where the character of its  businesses or nature
of its properties  makes  such  qualification  necessary,   except to the extent
that any  failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
such Buyer.  Each  Buyer has  all  requisite power  and  authority, corporate or
otherwise, to own and lease its assets and to conduct its business as  presently
being conducted.

     5.2   Authority.  Each  Buyer Parent has full corporate power and authority
to enter into this Agreement  and each  Buyer  Parent  and each  Buyer  has full
corporate  power and  authority  to  consummate  the  transactions  contemplated
hereby.  The execution,  delivery and performance by each Buyer Parent,  and the
performance by each Buyer, of this Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated
hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary  corporate  action on the part
of such  Buyer  Parent or Buyer.  This  Agreement  has been  duly  executed  and
delivered by each Buyer Parent and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of
such Buyer Parent,  enforceable against such Buyer Parent in accordance with its
terms,  subject  to  applicable  laws  of  bankruptcy,   insolvency,  fraudulent
conveyance,  reorganization,  moratorium and similar laws  affecting  creditors'
rights and remedies generally,  and to general principles of equity,  regardless
of whether such  enforceability  is  considered  in a proceeding in equity or at
law.

     5.3   No  Violations.  The  execution  and  delivery  of  this Agreement by
each  Buyer  Parent  does  not, and   the  consummation  of   the   transactions
contemplated  hereby  will not,  (i)  violate  any of the  provisions  of   the
certificate  or articles  of  incorporation  or bylaws of such  Buyer  Parent or
its  subsidiary Buyer;  (ii) result  in the  breach of, or constitute a  default
under,  or accelerate or permit the

                                       32

<PAGE>



acceleration  of the  performance  required by, any material  agreement or other
instrument to which such Buyer Parent or its  subsidiary  Buyer is a party or by
which any of their  properties  or assets  (whether  owned or leased) are bound;
(iii)  violate any  statute,  rule,  regulation,  ordinance,  code or other law,
order,  judgment,  writ,  injunction,  decree or award  applicable to such Buyer
Parent or its subsidiary  Buyer or their  properties or assets (whether owned or
leased);  (iv)  constitute an event which,  with notice,  lapse of time or both,
would  result in any such  violation,  breach or  default;  or (v) result in the
creation or imposition of any security  interest,  pledge,  claim, lien, charge,
encumbrance,  or other right or interest of any other Person  against any of the
assets or  properties  (whether  owned or leased)  of such  Buyer  Parent or its
subsidiary Buyer.

     5.4   Approvals and  Consents.  Except with respect to the filings required
under the HSR Act, no consent, approval, license, permit, order or authorization
of, or  registration,  declaration  or filing  with,  any court,  administrative
agency, commission or other governmental authority or instrumentality,  domestic
or  foreign,  or any third  party is  required to be made or obtained by or with
respect to such Buyer  Parent or its  subsidiary  Buyer in  connection  with the
execution,  delivery and  performance  by such Buyer Parent of this Agreement or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

     5.5   Financing.  Such Buyer Parent has the  financial capacity  to perform
all of its obligations under this  Agreement  and to enable such Buyer  Parent's
subsidiary Buyer to pay all amounts  contemplated by this Agreement,  and at the
closing its Buyer subsidiary will have available all funds necessary to pay such
amounts. Neither Buyer Parent's ability to consummate or cause to be consummated
the  transactions  contemplated  hereby is contingent on its ability to complete
any  public  offering  or private  placement  of  securities  prior to or on the
Closing Date.

     5.6   Accredited  Investor.  Such Buyer Parent and its Buyer subsidiary are
each an "accredited investor" within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1),  (2), (3) or
(7) of the Securities Act.

     5.7   Investment Intent.  Such Buyer is acquiring the LLC Interests for its
own account for the purpose of investment and not with a view to, or for sale in
connection with, any distribution  thereof in any transaction  which would be in
violation of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof. Such
Buyer  Parent  acknowledges  on  behalf  of its  Buyer  subsidiary  that the LLC
Interests have not been registered or qualified  under, and are sold in reliance
upon an exemption from the registration  requirements of, the Securities Act and
any  applicable  state  securities  or "Blue Sky" laws,  and may not be offered,
sold, transferred,  pledged,  hypothecated or otherwise assigned unless they are
registered under the Securities Act and any applicable  securities or "Blue Sky"
laws of any state or an exemption from such registration is available.

     5.8   Buyer's Inquiry.  Subject  to Seller's performance of its obligations
under Section 6.1(a), and as of the Closing Date only, such Buyer Parent and its
representatives   have  reviewed,   or  had  the  opportunity  to  review,  such
information from Coastal,  Seller and the Companies as they have requested,  and
have had the opportunity to make inquiry of officials of Coastal, Seller and the

                                       33

<PAGE>



Companies as they deemed appropriate.  Such Buyer Parent acknowledges that there
are no representations or warranties,  expressed or implied, except as expressly
set forth in this Agreement.

     5.9   Brokers and Consultants.  None of Coastal,  Seller,  Coastal Sub,  or
any Company shall be liable with respect to any brokerage,  finder's  or similar
consultant's  fee or other  commission  in respect  thereof  owed to any broker,
finder  or  similar  consultant  as a  result  of such  Buyer  Parent's,  or its
subsidiary Buyer's, or its Affiliate's employment or other retainment thereof.

     5.10  Compliance   with   Acreage   Limitations.   Immediately   after  the
consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement, Buyers will not
themselves,  nor in  combination  with any Person,  own holdings of federal coal
leases in excess of the limitations set forth in 30 U.S.C. 184 and each Buyer is
an entity eligible to hold federal coal leases.

     5.11  Accuracy  of  Buyer's  Information.  None  of  the  material  written
information  and  documents  which have been or will be  furnished by such Buyer
Parent or its subsidiary Buyer or any  representative  of the same to Coastal or
Seller  or any  representative  of  Coastal  or Seller  in  connection  with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement,  taken as a whole, contains or will
contain,  as the case may be, any untrue  statement of a material fact, or omits
or will omit to state a material fact  necessary in order to make the statements
therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which made.

     5.12  LLC Structure.  Each  Buyer  Parent  and  each  Buyer  have requested
Seller and Coastal  Sub to form the LLC and undertake the transactions described
in Section 3.1 hereof for the  reasons  and on the basis set forth in the letter
dated  September  13, 1996 from the Buyer Parents to Lehman  Brothers,  Inc. and
captioned "Re: Final Proposal - Coastal States Energy Company."


                                   ARTICLE VI
                        Further Agreements of the Parties


     6.1   Access to Information.

          (a)   Between the date hereof and the Closing,  Seller shall cause the
Companies to, (i) during normal business hours and upon reasonable  prior notice
to  Seller,  (a)  give  Buyer  Parents  and  their  authorized   representatives
reasonable  access to all  employees,  outside  counsel,  accountants  and other
consultants,  offices  and  properties,  and to all  books and  records,  of the
Companies  as Buyer  Parents  may from time to time  reasonably  request and (b)
permit Buyer Parents to make such  inspections  as Buyer Parents may  reasonably
require,  excluding  therefrom  any right to test or sample,  but  including any
inspection, when accompanied by representatives of Coastal or Seller, of surface
or  subsurface  mining  conditions  and (ii)  furnish  Buyer  Parents  with such
detailed  financial and operating data and other information with respect to the
business and properties of the

                                       34

<PAGE>



Companies as Buyer Parents may from time to time reasonably request,  subject to
applicable law and to the provisions of this Agreement.

           (b)  Prior to the Closing, Buyer Parents shall  keep (and shall cause
their directors, officers, employees,  representatives, advisors  and Affiliates
to  keep)  all  "Evaluation   Material"  (as  that  term  is   defined  in   the
Confidentiality Agreements,  dated May 16, 1996 and May 22, 1996,  respectively,
between  Coastal and  each  Buyer  Parent) confidential;  provided, that, Buyer
Parents  shall  comply  with  paragraph  3  of  the Supplemental Confidentiality
Agreements,  dated  July  1, 1996,  between Coastal and  each  Buyer Parent with
respect  to  the  "Contracts" (as  that  term  is  defined  in such Supplemental
Confidentiality Agreements). After the Closing, the parties hereto agree to keep
the  terms  and  conditions  of  this  Agreement  confidential  except  for such
information as may be  required to be  disclosed in compliance  with law, or any
governmental or judicial process or such information which is or may become part
of the public domain, other than as a result of a breach of this  Agreement.  In
the  event of any such disclosure by any party hereto,  such party will promptly
notify the other parties hereto of such disclosure, whereupon the restriction in
the preceding  sentence  shall lapse.

           (c)  Each  Buyer Parent  agrees that after the Closing it shall cause
the  LLC  to preserve  and  keep or, at its own expense or at the expense of the
LLC, transport  to a  storage site of its own selection, where it shall preserve
and  keep, the  Tax  Records  and  other  records  of  the Companies and the LLC
obtained by such Buyer Parent's subsidiary Buyer or retained by the Companies or
the LLC pursuant to this Agreement,  including financial or business transaction
records, books of original  entry or  supporting  documents, in  accordance with
such   Buyer's   record   retention  practices  based  on  the  varying  minimum
requirements of laws, rules or regulations of federal and state authorities with
jurisdiction  over  the  activities  of  such  Buyer's  and  its   subsidiaries'
business  activities.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing, such  Buyer Parent shall
cause the LLC to comply with Section 8.4(c).  Within  60 days after the Closing,
Coastal and Seller shall provide each  Buyer with a list  or inventory  of  the
document types and inclusive dates of the records  transmitted  to such Buyer or
retained by the Companies or the LLC.  Each Buyer shall make or shall cause the 
LLC to make such  acquired or retained  records as are dated  up to the  Closing
Date  and  included in  the inventory provided by Coastal and Seller, including,
but not limited to, the general ledger and mining reports, available to Coastal,
Seller, and Coastal Sub as  may be  reasonably  requested by Coastal,  Seller or
Coastal Sub in connection with, among other things,  any of Coastal's, Seller's,
or Coastal Sub's  financial  reporting or Tax filing  obligations,  for the time
periods specified in  Buyer's retention  schedule.  For a period of eleven years
after the Closing Date,  each Buyer shall notify Coastal, Seller and Coastal Sub
in  writing,  on  an annual basis, of  the document  types  and, if  applicable,
inclusive dates of any retained records  which it or the LLC intends to destroy
during the following one-year period. If Coastal, Seller, or Coastal Sub desires
access  to such records  for a period  of time  longer than specified in Buyers'
annual notices,  Coastal,  Seller, or Coastal  Sub, as  the  case  may be, shall
notify  each   Buyer  in  writing,  not  more than  60 days following Coastal's,
Seller's, or Coastal Sub's receipt of Buyers' annual  notices,  of its desire to
retain such records,  and Buyers shall return, or cause the LLC to return, such 
records  to Coastal,  Seller,  or  Coastal Sub,  as the case may be.  If none of
Coastal,  Seller,  or Coastal Sub notifies Buyers of its desire to retain

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<PAGE>



records within such 60-day period, Buyers or the LLC may dispose of such records
according to prudent  records  management  practices  in the ordinary  course of
Buyers' or the LLC's business. Without limiting the generality of this paragraph
(c) or Section 8.4(c),  Buyer Parents  acknowledge that Coastal will need to use
the records  referred to in this paragraph and other Tax Records  frequently and
for  substantial  periods of time  during the six months  following  the Closing
Date.

           (d)  After the date of this Agreement, Coastal and Seller shall keep,
and shall cause Coastal Sub (from and after Closing) and the Companies (prior to
the Closing) and the respective directors, officers, employees, representatives,
advisors  and  Affiliates  of each  of  them  and the  Companies  to  keep,  all
information  relating  to the  Companies  confidential  on the  same  terms  and
conditions as are binding on Buyer Parents in the Confidentiality Agreements and
Supplemental  Confidentiality Agreement referred to above, and after the Closing
Date, none of Coastal,  Seller,  or Coastal Sub shall use, for their own purpose
any  information  relating  to  the  Companies  except  as  otherwise  expressly
permitted herein.

     6.2   Conduct of the Business Pending the Closing.  From the date hereof to
the Closing Date,  except in connection  with the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement, or as otherwise consented to in writing by Buyers (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed),

           (a)  Seller shall cause each Company to (i) conduct its business only
in the ordinary course, consistent with the past practice of  such  Company  and
substantially  in accordance with the Business Plan, (ii) keep in full force and
effect its corporate  existence,  (iii) comply in all material respects with all
Material Contracts,  (iv) use all reasonable efforts to retain its employees and
maintain its business  relationships  with  customers  and  suppliers and others
having  business  relationships  with  it,  (v)  maintain  all  the  assets  and
properties  owned or  leased  by such  Company  in good  condition  and  repair,
ordinary  wear and tear  excepted,  (vi)  maintain  in full force and effect all
insurance  policies  set forth in Section  4.15 of the  Disclosure  Schedule  or
insurance policies with responsible companies,  comparable in amount, scope, and
coverage thereto, (vii) duly comply in all material respects with all applicable
statutes,  laws,  ordinances,  rules, orders and regulations of any governmental
authority or  instrumentality,  domestic or foreign,  (viii) promptly deliver to
Buyers  true  and  complete  copies  of  all  monthly  and  quarterly  financial
statements  pertaining  to such  Company  and any  reports  with  respect to the
activities  of such Company  which are prepared by or for Seller or such Company
at any time from the date hereof until the Closing  Date,  and any other similar
materials  which Buyers may reasonably  request,  (ix) promptly notify Buyers of
any circumstance,  event, or action, by any of the Companies,  Coastal,  Seller,
Coastal Sub or  otherwise,  (a) which,  if known at the date of this  Agreement,
would have been  required to be disclosed in or pursuant to this  Agreement,  or
(b) the  existence,  occurrence,  or taking of which would  result in any of the
representations  and warranties of Coastal or Seller in this Agreement not being
true and correct in all material respects immediately  thereafter or at Closing,
and,  with  respect to clause  (B),  Coastal and Seller  shall use  commercially
reasonable  efforts  to remedy  the same,  and (x) use  commercially  reasonable
efforts to acquire the "Unelco  Tract" and to protect and  maintain  all federal
and state  leases  relating to the  Soldier  Creek Mine in  accordance  with the
pending application; and


                                       36

<PAGE>



           (b)  Seller  shall  cause  each  Company  not  to  (i) enter into any
Material  Contract not  in  the  ordinary  course of business,  (ii)  amend  its
certificate  or  articles  of  incorporation  or bylaws,  (iii) make any capital
expenditures,  other than maintenance  capital expenditures made in the ordinary
course of business,  which,  in the aggregate,  exceed the amounts  specified in
Section 4.9(e), (iv) make any charitable donations of cash or other assets other
than  in  the  ordinary course of  business, (v) incur, assume, or guarantee any
indebtedness or  liability   for   or   in   respect  of  borrowed  money,  (vi)
create or permit the creation or attachment of any security interests,  pledges,
claims, liens, charges, encumbrances, or other rights or interests of any other
Person except in the ordinary course of business,  (vii) prepay any liabilities
or obligations other than in the ordinary course of business and as contemplated
in Section 2.2, (viii) issue any equity  interests, or merge or consolidate with
any  other Person, or acquire any of the equity interests, partnership  or joint
venture interests, or business or any other Person, or (ix) declare,  set aside,
or  pay  any  dividends  or  distributions  on  any of its  equity interests, or
repurchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire any such equity interests.

           (c)  Seller, Coastal  and  Coastal  Sub  shall  not permit the LLC to
engage in any transaction,  or take  any action,  except as provided in Sections
2.3, 3.1, or 6.11.

     6.3   Intentionally deleted.

     6.4   Antitrust  Notification.  Unless in the  opinion of their  respective
counsel, no such filing is necessary,  Coastal, Seller, and Buyer Parents shall,
as promptly as  practicable,  but in no event later than ten business days after
the date of this Agreement,  file with the Federal Trade  Commission (the "FTC")
and  the  Antitrust  Division  of the  Department  of  Justice  (the  "Antitrust
Division")  the  notification  and report  form  required  for the  transactions
contemplated hereby pursuant to the HSR Act. Coastal,  Seller, and Buyer Parents
shall furnish to each other such necessary information and reasonable assistance
as may be requested in connection with the preparation of any filing required to
be made under the HSR Act.  Coastal,  Seller,  and Buyer  Parents  shall use all
reasonable  efforts to respond  as  promptly  as  practicable  to all  inquiries
received from the FTC or the Antitrust  Division for  additional  information or
documentation  and to obtain any  clearance  required  under the HSR Act for the
purchase and sale of the LLC Interests.  Coastal and/or Seller, on the one hand,
and Buyer  Parents,  on the other,  shall each pay  one-half  of the filing fees
assessed against either of them in connection with filings under the HSR Act.

     6.5   Fees and Expenses.  Except as otherwise specifically provided in this
Agreement, each of Coastal, Seller and Buyer Parents shall bear its own fees and
expenses  incurred in connection  with this Agreement and in connection with all
obligations  required to be  performed  by it under this  Agreement.  All of the
reasonable  expenses  (including  legal fees and expenses) of Seller and Coastal
Sub in connection with the transactions contemplated by Sections 3.1(a)(i), (ii)
and (vii) and  3.1(b)  will be paid by Buyers  at the  Closing  (such  amount to
reflect  actual  expenses  incurred  to the  Closing  Date) and Buyers  shall be
obligated to pay any further  expenses  incurred  relating  thereto  invoiced to
Buyers thereafter.


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     6.6   Publicity.  Except as otherwise  required by law or  applicable stock
exchange requirements,  none of the parties hereto shall issue any press release
or public  statement  relating to or  concerning  this  Agreement or the matters
contained  herein,  without  obtaining  the prior  approval of the other parties
hereto of the contents and the manner of presentation  and publication  thereof,
which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

     6.7   Post-Closing  Assistance.  From and after the Closing Date,  upon the
request  of any  party,  each of the other  parties  hereto  shall do,  execute,
acknowledge and deliver all such further acts, assurances,  deeds,  assignments,
transfers,  conveyances  and other  instruments  and papers as may be reasonably
required  or  appropriate  to carry out the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement.

     6.8   Guarantees. Coastal  and/or  one  of  its Affiliates  has  guaranteed
certain obligations of the Companies, which obligations are set forth in Section
6.8 of the Disclosure  Schedule.  Buyers agree to cooperate with Coastal and use
commercially  reasonable  efforts to cause the  release of each such  guarantee,
including  the  substitution  of  Buyers,  Buyer  Parents  and/or a  financially
qualified  Affiliate  of Buyers as guarantor  thereunder.  Buyer  Parents  shall
indemnify and hold harmless Coastal and such Affiliates for all losses,  claims,
damages,  liabilities  and  expenses  incurred by them under any such  guarantee
except to the extent that the act,  omission or circumstance  giving rise to the
same constitutes a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant of Seller or
Coastal under this Agreement.

     6.9   Name Changes.  Buyers  will  take  such  actions  as are necessary to
ensure  that  the  name of  the  LLC  will not include the word "Coastal" and as
promptly as practical will remove the word "Coastal" or references to Coastal in
its  operations  including  without  limitation  from  any invoices, letterhead,
vehicles,  buildings,  personal property and  all other property used by the LLC
and its Affiliates.  Coastal and Seller shall take such actions are necessary to
ensure that  the LLC shall have the exclusive right,  as against Seller, Coastal
and their  Affiliates to use the names "Skyline," "Sage Point," "Soldier Creek,"
"Utah Fuel," "SUFCO "and "Southern Utah Fuel" in connection with its operations,
and as promptly as practical  will remove such names or references to such names
in their operations including without limitation from any invoices,  letterhead,
vehicles,  buildings,  personal property and all other property used by Coastal,
Seller and their Affiliates.

     6.10  Software.  Coastal,  Seller and Buyer Parents shall use  commercially
reasonable efforts to enter into mutually satisfactory arrangements with respect
to the use,  transfer and/or licensing of computer software owned or licensed by
Coastal and used in the Companies'  operations.  Without limiting the generality
of the  foregoing,  at  Buyers'  request,  Coastal  shall  use its  commercially
reasonable  efforts to obtain  authorization from the vendor(s) of such software
for Coastal to use such software to run the LLC's payroll and related  functions
for up to six  months  after  the  Closing  Date,  and  shall  use  commercially
reasonable  efforts to permit Buyers to  participate  in  discussions  with such
vendor(s)  with  respect  thereto.  Buyers  shall,  or shall  cause  the LLC to,
reimburse  Coastal for its actual costs in providing  any such payroll  services
and obtaining such authorization.

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<PAGE>



     6.11  Buyers, Coastal Sub and the LLC to Become Parties to Agreement. Prior
to the Closing,  this  Agreement  shall be amended to include as parties  hereto
each Buyer, the LLC and Coastal Sub, and each of the parties hereto, the Buyers,
the LLC and Coastal Sub shall execute an amendment effecting the same.


                                   ARTICLE VII
                         Employees and Employee Benefits


     7.1   Employment of Employees of the Companies.  Except with respect to the
persons identified on Section 7.1 of the Disclosure Schedule, if any employee of
the LLC who was an employee of a Company at the Closing  Date is  terminated  by
the LLC during the one-year period following the Closing Date otherwise than for
cause,  or if such an employee  voluntarily  terminates  employment  during such
period  following a significant  reduction in that  employee's base rate of pay,
then the LLC shall  provide  severance  benefits  to such  employee in an amount
equal to one week of base pay per full or  partial  year of  service  (including
service  with  Seller  and its  Affiliates,  the  Companies  and the LLC) with a
minimum of two weeks and a maximum of ten weeks.

     7.2   Retention of Coastal Retirement Plans. As between the parties hereto,
Seller or one of its Affiliates  shall retain the assets and  sponsorship of the
Pension Plan for  Employees of The Coastal  Corporation  (the  "Coastal  Pension
Plan"), The Coastal Corporation  Employees' Stock Ownership Plan and The Coastal
Corporation Thrift Plan (the "Thrift Plan") as applicable to employees or former
employees of the CSEC Companies,  respectively, and shall retain the obligations
for providing any benefits  accrued by such employees or former  employees under
such plans prior to the Closing Date, and, as of the Closing Date, the Companies
and the LLC shall cease to be participating employers in such plans.

     7.3   Coastal Pension Plan.  As of the Closing  Date,  participants  in the
Coastal  Pension  Plan  who  are  employees  of the  Companies  or the  LLC,  as
applicable,  shall no longer  participate  in the Coastal  Pension Plan.  Buyers
shall take such action as may be necessary to provide that all  employees of the
LLC on or after the Closing Date who have  participated  in the Coastal  Pension
Plan shall receive credit under a qualified  defined benefit  retirement plan of
the LLC for  eligibility,  vesting and benefit accrual purposes for their period
of service with the Companies (and their respective  predecessors or affiliates)
prior to the Closing Date; provided, however, that the benefits provided to such
employees  under such defined  benefit  retirement  plan shall be reduced by the
benefits  payable in respect of such employees  under the Coastal  Pension Plan;
provided,  further, that in no event shall any such employee be given credit for
eligibility, vesting or benefit accrual purposes for any period of service which
was not  counted  for such  purpose  under the  Coastal  Pension  Plan as of the
Closing Date.  Buyer Parents  understand and agree that the accrued  benefits of
participants  under the Coastal  Pension Plan shall not increase  following  the
Closing Date. The  recognition of Coastal service for benefit accrual under this
Section 7.3 shall apply only to

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<PAGE>



employees  whose accrued benefit under the Coastal Pension Plan is based on such
employees' final average pay.

     7.4   Thrift Plan.  As of the Closing Date, participants in the Thrift Plan
who are employees of the LLC shall no longer participate in the Thrift Plan. The
LLC shall grant service credit for service  recognized under the Thrift Plan for
purposes of  eligibility  to  participate  in a qualified  defined  contribution
retirement  plan  of  the  LLC  (including   eligibility  to  receive   matching
contributions  or any other  benefits,  rights or features  under such plan) and
vesting in any employer  contributions under such qualified defined contribution
retirement  plan. The LLC shall allow  employees of the Companies to make direct
rollovers  under Section  401(a)(31) of the Code of their account  balances from
the Thrift Plan to a defined  contribution  plan  maintained  by Buyers which is
qualified under Section 401 of the Code.

     7.5   Other Employee Benefits. Except as set forth in Sections 7.2, 7.3 and
7.4, as of the Closing Date,  (i)  employees and former  employees of the LLC as
successor to the Companies (and their respective  beneficiaries  and dependents)
shall no longer participate in any employee benefit plan maintained by Seller or
any of its  Affiliates  and (ii) the LLC shall assume or retain (as  applicable)
all employee  benefit  liabilities  relating to employees or former employees of
the LLC as successor to the Companies (and their  respective  beneficiaries  and
dependents).  The LLC  shall  continue  to  provide  the group  health  coverage
currently  provided  to the  employees  of the  Companies  and their  dependents
(collectively,  the "Participants") for a period of not less than one year after
the Closing  Date,  or shall for such period  provide  comparable  group  health
coverage  which  shall (i)  waive  any  pre-existing  condition  limitations  on
benefits for the  Participants,  (ii) waive any eligibility  waiting periods for
the  Participants  and  (iii)  give  effect,  in  determining  or  applying  any
deductible and maximum out-of-pocket  limitations,  to claims incurred,  amounts
paid by or on behalf of and amounts  reimbursed  to the  Participants  under the
Companies' group health plan during the current calendar year.

     7.6   Continuation of  Post-Retirement  Welfare  Benefits.  The  LLC  shall
provide post-retirement  welfare  benefits  under similar  terms to those of the
Companies'retiree health plan and retiree life insurance plans (in each case, as
in effect as of  the  Closing  Date) to (i)  retirees of the  Companies  who are
entitled to such benefits as of the Closing  Date and (ii) employees of the LLC
who retire from service with the LLC within six months of the Closing Date.

     7.7   Flexible Spending Accounts.  Seller and Buyer Parents shall cooperate
with each other in all reasonable  respects to effect an orderly  transition for
employees  of the LLC from the  flexible  spending  account  plans in which such
employees  currently  participate  to the  LLC's  applicable  flexible  spending
account plans as appropriate and to the extent permitted by applicable law.

     7.8   Nonqualified Plans. Buyers  shall  assume  or cause the LLC to assume
the   liabilities and  obligations  attributable  to  the employees  and  former
employees of the LLC under the nonqualified deferred compensation and retirement
plans identified on Schedule 4.21.

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<PAGE>



     7.9   Cooperation.  Seller and Buyers agree to cooperate with each other in
all  reasonable  respects with respect to  administrative  issues arising out of
this Agreement which relate to the employee benefit plans of Seller,  the LLC or
any of their respective Affiliates.

     7.10  Black Lung Matters.  After the Closing, Buyers shall cause the LLC to
pay all  liabilities  of the Companies  under the Federal Mine Safety and Health
Act of 1977, as amended, and rules and regulations promulgated  thereunder,  and
applicable  federal  and state laws for claims  for  disability  or death due to
"black lung" or pneumoconiosis, whenever created.


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                      Taxes


     8.1   Indemnification for Taxes.

           (a)  Coastal  and  Seller  shall  jointly and severally indemnify and
hold harmless Buyers and the LLC from any  and all (i) Taxes imposed on Seller's
Group for any taxable year;  (ii) Income Taxes imposed on any Company or the LLC
for any Pre-Closing  Period, including any Income Taxes payable by the Companies
or the LLC  as  a  result of the Mergers,  provided,  however,  that Coastal and
Seller will not be responsible for Income Taxes  attributable to any transaction
not in  the  ordinary  course of business  occurring  on the Closing  Date after
Buyers' purchase of the LLC  Interests; (iii) Other Taxes imposed on any Company
or the LLC for any Pre-Pricing Period to the extent not reflected on the Pricing
Date  Balance  Sheet  and  (iv) any  Income  Taxes  for which one or more of the
Companies becomes  liable  by virtue of  having  been a member of an  affiliated
group of corporations filing a federal income tax return  other than a group the
common  parent of which is Coastal.  None of the  foregoing  provisions  of this
Section 8.1(a) shall (x) relieve the  Companies from their obligations under the
Tax Sharing Agreement or (y) relieve  Buyer  Parents  and  the  LLC  from  their
obligations under Sections 2.5 or 8.1(c) hereof.

           (b)  Buyer Parents and the LLC shall jointly and severally  indemnify
and hold harmless Coastal,  Seller,  and Coastal Sub from any and all (i) Income
Taxes imposed on any Company or the LLC  (or  any  successor  thereto)  for  any
Post-Closing  Period (ii) Income Taxes  attributable to the ownership of the LLC
Interests (x) with respect to any Post-Closing  Period or (y) arising out of any
transaction  outside  the  ordinary  course of  business  on the  Closing  Date,
referred  to in the proviso to Section  8.1(a)(ii)  hereof and (iii) Other Taxes
imposed on Seller's Group or the Companies with respect to the operations of the
Companies or the LLC attributable to a Post-Pricing Period.

           (c)  Buyer Parents and the LLC shall jointly and severally  indemnify
and  hold  harmless  Coastal,  Seller  and  Coastal  Sub from  and against Taxes
represented by the excess of  (x) the  aggregate  amount of Taxes imposed on the
Companies or any member of Seller's  Group in connection  with  the  pre-Closing
actions taken pursuant to Section 3.1 or the purchase and sale of

                                       41

<PAGE>



LLC Interests as contemplated by this Agreement over (y) the aggregate amount of
Taxes that would have been imposed on each member of Seller's  Group as a result
of a CSEC Stock  Sale (any such  excess  being  referred  to herein as  "Section
8.1(c) Indemnified Tax"). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Buyer
Parents  and the LLC shall  not be  required  to  indemnify  Coastal,  Seller or
Coastal  Sub  pursuant  to this  Section  8.1(c) to the extent  that any Section
8.1(c)  Indemnified  Tax would not have been  incurred  but for the  failure  of
Coastal or Seller to comply with Section 3.1.

           (d)  The amount of any indemnity payment required  to be  made  by an
indemnifying party pursuant to this Section 8.1 shall be determined after giving
effect to the Present  Value Benefit  realized or realizable by the  Indemnified
Party in connection  with or as a result of the events giving rise to the Income
Tax liability  for which the indemnity  payment is to be made and the payment of
such liability.

           (e)  Other Taxes attributable to any Pricing Straddle Period shall be
apportioned in the following manner:  (i) in the case of any ad valorem Tax on a
per day basis in accordance with the number of days in the  Pre-Pricing  Portion
and the number of days in the  Post-Pricing  Portion and (ii) in the case of any
Other Tax not referred to in clause (i),  based on a closing of the books at the
end of the day on the Pricing Date.  Similar  principles shall apply in the case
of any Other Taxes attributable to a Closing Straddle Period.

           (f)  Coastal shall promptly  notify  Buyer Parents  of any Taxes paid
which are subject to indemnification by Buyer Parents under Sections  8.1(b) and
8.1(c) hereof, and Buyer Parents shall promptly notify Coastal of any Taxes paid
which are subject to indemnification by Coastal and Seller under Section  8.1(a)
hereof.  Any  notification  contemplated  by this Section 8.1(f) shall include a
detailed  calculation and a brief  explanation of the basis for  indemnification
hereunder,  and, in particular,  in the case of a notification  regarding  Buyer
Parents'  indemnity  obligations  under Section 8.1(c)  hereof,  shall set forth
sufficient  information  to enable  Buyer  Parents  to verify  that the  amounts
claimed  to be owed are in excess of the  amount of Taxes  that  would have been
imposed on each member of the  Seller's  Group as a result of a CSEC Stock Sale.
Whenever a notification  described in this Section 8.1(g) is given, the notified
party shall,  within 20 days after such notice is given pay the amount requested
in such notice to the notifying  party, but only to the extent that the notified
party agrees with such request.  To the extent the notified party disagrees with
such request, it shall, within such 20-day period, so notify the notifying party
whereupon Coastal and Buyer Parents shall use their commercially reasonable best
efforts  to  resolve  any such  disagreement.  If such  disagreement  cannot  be
resolved  within 15 days after the second  notice,  referred to in the preceding
sentence, is given, the disagreement shall be resolved in the manner provided in
Section 5.2 of the Tax Sharing Agreement.

     8.2   Tax Returns.

           (a)  Coastal and  Seller shall cause to be prepared and timely  filed
all Income Tax Returns of the Companies (including any consolidated, combined or
unitary  returns  that  include the  Companies)  that are due on or prior to the
Closing Date (taking into account proper extensions).

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<PAGE>



Coastal  and  Seller  also  shall  cause to be  prepared  and  timely  filed any
consolidated,  combined or unitary Income Tax Returns that include the Companies
and Coastal,  or the  Companies and at least one entity other than the Companies
that is an Affiliate of Coastal, with respect to any taxable year (including any
short  taxable  year) ending on (and  including) or before the Closing Date that
have not been filed prior to the Closing Date.

           (b)  Coastal  and  Seller  shall  cause  to be prepared and filed all
required  state  and  local  Income  Tax  Returns  (including  any consolidated,
combined or unitary  returns that include the Companies) of the Companies (other
than  those that Coastal or  Seller are  obligated  to file or cause to be filed
pursuant  to  Section  8.2(a)) for  any  tax period ending on (and including) or
prior to the Closing Date, and shall cause all Income Taxes due pursuant to such
returns to be paid.

           (c)  Buyers shall cause the LLC to file federal and appropriate state
Tax Returns for the short year ending on the Closing Date.  Buyers may, in their
sole discretion, cause the LLC to make a timely election pursuant to Section 754
of the Code (and corresponding  provisions of state tax laws) in connection with
such Tax Returns. Buyers shall comply with the reporting requirements of Section
6050K  of the Code in  connection  with the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement.  Buyers shall provide to Seller a copy of all Tax Returns referred to
in this Section 8.2(c),  and, with respect to any such Tax Return, a Certificate
("Buyer  Certificate") signed by an officer of Buyer setting forth the amount of
Tax,  if any,  on such  Tax  Return  at  least  60 days  prior  to the due  date
(including any extension  thereof) for the filing of such Tax Return and Sellers
shall have the right to review  such Tax Return and Buyer  Certificate  prior to
the filing of such Tax Return.  The parties  hereto agree to consult and attempt
to  resolve in good faith any  issues  arising as a result of such  review.  Any
disputes  shall be resolved in the manner  provided  for dispute  resolution  in
Section 5.2 of the Tax Sharing Agreement.

           (d)  All  Income  Tax Returns  referred to in Section 8.2(b) shall be
prepared  in  a  manner  consistent with past practice (including any Income Tax
elections and methods of accounting), unless a contrary treatment is required by
a change in law (or the judicial or administrative interpretation thereof).

           (e)  Coastal, Seller and Coastal Sub shall take such  actions  as are
reasonably  requested by Buyers and permitted  under the Code to cause either of
the Buyers to be the tax matters  partner (as defined in Section  6231(a)(7)  of
the Code) of the LLC for the LLC's short year ending on the Closing Date.

     8.3   Tax Refunds.

           (a)  Any refunds (inclusive of interest) of Income Taxes attributable
to  any  Pre-Closing Period shall be the property of Coastal, Seller and Coastal
Sub.

           (b)  Any refunds (inclusive of interest) of Other  Taxes attributable
to any Post-Pricing Period shall be the property of Buyers.

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<PAGE>



           (c)  Any refunds  (inclusive of interest) of Other Taxes attributable
to  any  Pre-Pricing Period shall be the property of Coastal, Seller and Coastal
Sub.

           (d)  Any refunds (inclusive of interest) of Other Taxes  attributable
to a period which  includes both a Pre-Pricing Period and a Post-Pricing  Period
shall be  allocated between the Pre-Pricing  Portion, on one hand, and the Post-
Pricing Portion, on the other hand, in a manner consistent with Section 8.1(e).

           (e)  The benefit  of any net  operating  loss,  net  capital  loss or
other  carryover  that  relates to a Pre-Closing Period shall be the property of
Coastal, Seller and Coastal Sub.

           (f)  A  refund  of  Taxes  includes  the  application  of  an  amount
otherwise refundable as a reduction of amounts  owed or to be owed and a payment
of  a  deficiency or  shortfall  in  Taxes includes the application of an amount
otherwise  receivable  from  the  taxing  authority  against  such deficiency or
shortfall.

           (g)  Each of  Coastal  and  Seller  shall  exercise  its commercially
reasonable  best  efforts  to  file  for and prosecute any reasonable claims for
refunds which are brought to its attention by Buyers and to which Buyer would be
entitled,  if Coastal or Seller has filed the applicable Tax Return with respect
to which such refund claim relates.  Each  party shall  notify the  other of any
potential refund claims of which it has  knowledge and  to which the other party
would be entitled (with no duty of independent investigation). Each Buyer Parent
agrees that it will cooperate fully, and will cause the LLC to cooperate  fully,
with Coastal and Seller and their counsel in connection therewith.

     8.4   Cooperation.

           (a)  Buyer Parents,  on the one hand,  and Coastal and Seller, on the
other hand, shall furnish or cause to be furnished to each other, upon  request,
as promptly as practicable, such Tax  Records and  assistance  as is  reasonably
necessary for the filing of any Income Tax Return and for the preparation for or
conduct of any Tax Proceeding.

          (b)   Without limiting the generality of Section 8.4(a), in connection
with  any  Tax  Proceeding,  each  party  shall  provide the other with full and
complete cooperation  and  information  as  the requesting  party may reasonably
request,  including,  but  not  limited  to, (i)  making   requested   employees
available on reasonable prior notice to provide explanations of any documents or
information provided  hereunder, (ii) signing  Tax  Returns,  claims  for refund
and other  relevant  documents,  (iii) granting  powers of attorney with respect
to matters relating to a liability for Taxes,  (iv) making available  Persons to
serve as witnesses under oath  regarding  matters  relating to any Tax liability
and  (v)  providing  photocopies (or  originals,  when  requested)  of  relevant
documents.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  nothing in this Agreement or in the
Tax Sharing Agreement shall  require  either  Coastal or Seller or ARCO, Itochu,
Buyers or the LLC to  disclose  any  information  relating  to Taxes  (including
consolidated returns and work papers) of any entity; provided, however,

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<PAGE>



that the  foregoing  limitation  shall  not  apply to the  extent  necessary  to
determine the amount of any Section 8.1(c) Indemnified Tax. The parties agree to
use  their  commercially  reasonable  efforts  to  ensure  that the  cooperation
requested  thereunder  is not  unduly  disruptive  to the  conduct  of the other
party's business.

           (c)  Coastal,  Seller,  Buyer,  the  LLC, the  Companies  and  their
Affiliates shall preserve  all Tax Records  with  respect to any taxable  period
until  the later of the expiration of all applicable  statutes of limitation and
extensions thereof,  or the conclusion of all  litigation  with respect to Taxes
for such period.  If,  in  the  course  of any Tax Proceeding,  any party hereto
requests from  any  other  party Tax Records normally  maintained to support the
determination of Tax liabilities,  and,  with respect to the Companies, required
to  be  maintained as  described  above  or in  Section  6.1(c),  and  such  Tax
Records  were  not   maintained  and,  therefore,  cannot  be  produced  or  are
unavailable,  and  the  lack  of  such  Tax  Records  results  in an adverse Tax
Proceeding  result  against the requesting  party on the Tax issue to which such
Tax Records  relate,  then the party failing to supply the requested Tax Records
shall  indemnify  the  requesting  party  for additional  Taxes relating  to the
undocumented  Tax issue on the same basis as provided in Section 8.1.

     8.5   Tax Contests.

           (a)  Each party hereto shall  promptly  give  written  notice (with a
true, correct  and  complete copy of the relevant  portion or  portions  of  any
determination  or other  documentation  provided by any Tax  authority)  to each
other party of any examination,  audit, inquiry or proposed or actual assessment
by any federal,  state, local or foreign taxing authority covering any potential
liability  for  Taxes  where a right  may  exist on the part of one  party  (the
"Indemnified Party") to demand payment from or be indemnified by the other party
(the "Indemnifying Party") for such Taxes.

           (b)  In case any Tax Proceeding  is brought  against any  Indemnified
Party, and it notifies the  Indemnifying Party of the commencement thereof,  the
Indemnifying Party will be entitled,  at its expense, to participate therein and
to assume  control  thereof  with  counsel  selected by it.  Subsequent  to such
assumption  of  control,  the  Indemnifying  Party  shall  not be  liable to the
Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses  subsequently  incurred by the
Indemnified  Party in connection  with such Tax Proceeding;  provided,  however,
that the  Indemnified  Party shall  thereafter  have the right to participate in
such Tax Proceeding and to be  represented,  solely at its expense,  by advisory
counsel selected by it, it being  understood that the  Indemnifying  Party shall
control such Tax Proceeding and any settlement of such Tax Proceeding; provided,
further,  that no Tax  Proceeding  shall be settled  without  the consent of the
Indemnified Party, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

           (c)  The  Indemnified  Party will, at the expense of the Indemnifying
Party, cooperate with the  Indemnifying  Party in the defense of any such action
in the manner provided in Sections 8.4(a) and (b).


                                       45

<PAGE>



           (d)  Upon waiver of its right to indemnification  with respect to any
matter  that  is  the  subject of  a Tax Proceeding, the Indemnified Party shall
assume sole  control of  the Tax  Proceeding  relating to such  matter,  and the
Indemnifying  Party  shall not thereafter  have any right to participate in such
proceeding or the settlement thereof.

     8.6   Tax Sharing Agreement.  Effective  as of  July 1, 1996, the Companies
and the LLC shall enter into a tax sharing agreement with Coastal  substantially
in the form attached hereto as  Exhibit A (the "Tax Sharing  Agreement")  at the
Closing.

     8.7   Time Limitation.  The agreements in  this  Article VIII shall survive
until the later of (i) 60 days after the expiration of the applicable statute of
limitation (the "Claim Period") or (ii) the conclusion of any litigation that is
commenced during the Claim Period;  provided,  however, that any such time limit
shall  not  apply to bar any  claim  based  on a  party's  fraud or  intentional
misrepresentation.


                                   ARTICLE IX
                          Allocation of Purchase Price

     Except as  hereinafter  provided,  the Buyer  Parents and Seller agree that
they will  attempt  in good faith to enter into an  agreement  (the  "Allocation
Agreement")  prior to the  filing of the  Income  Tax Return for the LLC for the
short  period  ending  on the  Closing  Date (the  "Short  Period  LLC  Return")
concerning the proper  allocation (the  "Allocation") of the purchase price paid
hereunder  among the assets of the LLC as of the Closing Date in accordance with
the Code. Buyers shall prepare a draft of the Allocation Agreement,  which shall
be supported  by an appraisal  obtained at Buyers' sole cost and expense from an
independent,  nationally-recognized  appraisal firm, and shall submit such draft
to Seller and Coastal Sub,  together with the appraisal  report,  for review and
comment no later than four months before the last date on which the Short Period
LLC Return is due (including available extensions). Buyers and Buyer Parents may
rely on such appraisal report in filing their Tax Returns.  The appraisal report
shall provide that Seller and Coastal Sub shall be permitted to rely on the same
in filing  their Tax Returns  with  respect to the  allocation  of the  purchase
price.  The Buyers and Seller and  Coastal  Sub shall  thereupon  enter into the
Allocation Agreement, unless Seller and Coastal Sub determine in good faith that
the  Allocation  Agreement  (or  the  treatment  of one or more  material  items
governed thereby) is unreasonable, and provides the basis for such determination
to the Buyers in reasonable  detail;  provided,  however,  that Buyers and Buyer
Parents  may  rely  on  such  appraisal  report  in  filing  their  Tax  Returns
irrespective  of whether  the Buyers  and Seller and  Coastal  Sub enter into an
Allocation Agreement.



                                   ARTICLE X
                                 Indemnification


                                       46

<PAGE>



     10.1  Buyer's Indemnification.  Subject  to  the limitations and conditions
set forth  in  this  Article  X, each  Buyer  Parent shall jointly and severally
indemnify and  hold  harmless,  to the fullest extent permitted by law, Coastal,
Seller and  Coastal  Sub  and  each  of  their  respective  officers, directors,
employees, agents and  Affiliates (collectively,  the "Seller Indemnitees") from
and against any  and  all  Losses which  they or any of them may suffer or incur
(other than Taxes,  for which  indemnification is provided  in Article VIII), to
 the extent arising from:

           (a)  any  breach  or  default  in performance by such Buyer Parent or
Buyer  of  any  covenant  or  agreement  of  such Buyer Parent contained in this
Agreement;

           (b)  any breach of any  representation or warranty made by such Buyer
Parent or Buyer in this  Agreement or in  any  certificate,  instrument or other
document  delivered  by  or  on  behalf  of  such  Buyer  Parent  or  Buyer pur-
suant hereto;

           (c)  any of  the  pre-Closing  actions,  or the  consequences  of any
such  actions,  taken  pursuant  to Section 3.1 or the purchase and sale of LLC
Interests as contemplated by this Agreement that would not have been suffered or
incurred by the Seller Indemnitees if a CSEC Stock Sale had occurred;  provided,
however,  that  Buyer Parents shall not be required to indemnify Coastal, Seller
or  Coastal Sub pursuant to this  Section  10.1(c) for Losses  arising  from any
failure by Coastal or Seller to comply with Section 3.1; or

           (d)  any Environmental Claim  relating to the operation, ownership or
lease  of  the  properties described in Section 4.11 of the Disclosure Schedule,
but  only  to  the  extent  that  such  Environmental  Claim  is  not subject to
indemnification  by  Coastal  and Seller under Section 10.2(b) without regard to
Section 10.3. 

           Indemnification under this Section 10.1 shall be available regardless
of any investigation made at any time before or after the Closing  Date by or on
behalf of Coastal,  Seller,  Coastal Sub, or any of their  Affiliates  or of any
information any such party may have in respect thereof.

     10.2  Coastal's  and  Seller's Indemnification.  Subject to the limitations
and conditions set forth in this Article X, Coastal and Seller shall jointly and
severally  indemnify and hold harmless,  to the fullest extent permitted by law,
the Buyer Parents,  each Buyer,  the LLC and each of their officers,  directors,
limited liability company members and managers, employees, agents and Affiliates
(collectively,  the "Buyer  Indemnitees")  from and  against  any and all Losses
which  they or any of them may  suffer or incur  (other  than  Taxes,  for which
indemnification is provided in Article VIII), to the extent arising from :

           (a) any breach or default in performance by Coastal  or Seller of any
covenant or agreement of Coastal or Seller contained in this Agreement;


                                       47

<PAGE>



           (b)  any  breach of  any  representation or warranty made by Coastal,
Seller or Coastal Sub in  this  Agreement or in any certificate,  instrument  or
other  document  delivered  by  or  on behalf of Coastal,  Seller or Coastal Sub
pursuant hereto;

           (c)  any Environmental Claim relating to the operation,  ownership or
lease by any of Coastal, Seller,  Coastal Sub or any of their  Affiliates at any
time before or after the date of this Agreement of any property not described in
Section 4.11 of the Disclosure Schedule;

           (d)****

           (e)****

           (f)****

           (g)****

           **** Indemnification  under  this  Section  10.2  shall  be available
regardless of  any  investigation  made at  any time before or after the Closing
Date by or on behalf  of  either Buyer Parent or either Buyer or of any of their
Affiliates or of any information any such party may have in respect thereof.

     10.3  Monetary Limitation.

           (a)  Neither  Coastal  nor  Seller, on  the  one  hand, nor the Buyer
Parents,  on  the other hand,  shall have  any obligation to indemnify any Buyer
Indemnitee or Seller Indemnitee, respectively, pursuant  to  Section  10.2(b) or
10.1(b), respectively,  unless and until the aggregate of all Losses suffered or
incurred by all Buyer Indemnitees or Seller Indemnitees,  as  applicable,  which
would otherwise be subject to indemnification hereunder exceeds $15,000,000, and
then only for the excess over $15,000,000.  In addition, the aggregate liability
of  Coastal  and  Seller  to  indemnify  the  Buyer Indemnitees pursuant to this
Article X shall in no event exceed $615,000,000,  except  with  respect  to  (i)
indemnification under Section 10.2(c) and (ii)****

           (b)  Whenever any  breach,  default,  or other event which triggers a
party's indemnification obligations under Section 10.1(b) or 10.2(b) contains  a
materiality  standard,  the dollar  amount of the Loss which causes such breach,
default,  or other event to meet or exceed such  materiality  standard  shall be
counted from dollar one in determining whether or not the $15,000,000  threshold
set forth in Section  10.3(a)  has been met.  For  example,  if the  materiality
standard for a breach were $400,000 and the Losses from a breach were  $500,000,
the total Losses of $500,000 would be counted against the $15,000,000  threshold
and the $615,000,000 indemnification limit.

- ---------
****  Confidential  treatment is being  requested for these portions of
      this Agreement.

                                       48

<PAGE>



     10.4  Nature and Survival; Time Limits.

           (a)  Regardless of any investigation made at any time by or on behalf
of any party hereto or of any information any party may have in respect thereof,
all  representations  and  warranties  made  herein  or  pursuant  hereto  or in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby  shall survive the  Closing
and continue in effect until the end of the eighteenth month following the month
in which the Closing Date occurs unless specifically  provided otherwise herein;
provided, however, that the representations and warranties set forth in Section 
4.16  shall survive until the end of the applicable statutes of limitations with
respect thereto, and the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.6
shall survive indefinitely;  provided,  further,  that any such time limit shall
not apply to bar any  claim   based   on  a   party's   fraud   or   intentional
misrepresentation.

           (b)  The  covenants  and  agreements of the parties set forth in this
Agreement  shall  survive  indefinitely;  provided,  however,  that,  subject to
Section 10.4(a), any claim against any party hereto for indemnification pursuant
to this Article X as a result of any breach of representation or  warranty  made
by such  party  must  be  brought  within  the  period of time during which such
representation or warranty survives the Closing pursuant to Section 10.4(a).

     10.5  Limitation on Remedies.

           (a)  The  remedies  provided  in  this  Article  X,  subject  to  the
limitations set forth in this Agreement (including, without limitation, Sections
2.5, 6.8 and 11.2 and Article VIII),  shall be  the exclusive remedies available
to a party to this  Agreement  for any breach or violation of this  Agreement by
another party hereto;  provided,  however, that the foregoing shall not limit or
deny any claim based upon a party's fraud or intentional misrepresentation.

           (b)  No  Buyer  Indemnitee  shall  seek  or be entitled to, or accept
payment of any award or judgment for, consequential damages from an Indemnifying
Party with respect  to any  Indemnified Claim  under a Contract Indemnification
Section.

           (c)  No  Indemnified  Party  shall  seek or be entitled to, or accept
payment  of  any  award or judgment for,  punitive  damages from an Indemnifying
Party.

     10.6  General  Provisions.  In the case of any  claim  for  indemnification
brought pursuant to this Article X:

           (a)  The party entitled to indemnification  (the "Indemnified Party")
shall promptly notify the party  obligated  to  provide   indemnification   (the
"Indemnifying  Party") of any claim for which indemnification is sought pursuant
to  this  Article  X  ("Indemnified   Claim"),  in  writing  and  in  reasonable
detail,**** and accompanied by reasonable  supporting documentation,  and within
any

 ---------
 ****  Confidential  treatment is being requested for these portions of
       this Agreement.

                                       49

<PAGE>



applicable time limits specified in this Agreement;  provided, however, that the
failure  of an  Indemnified  Party to give such  notice  shall not  affect  such
Indemnified  Party's rights to  indemnification  under this Article X unless the
Indemnifying Party was materially prejudiced by such failure.

           (b)  The  Indemnified  Party  shall  use  all  reasonable  efforts to
mitigate any Losses;****

           (c)  The Indemnifying Party will be entitled to  participate  in  the
prosecution or defense of an Indemnified Claim and, at its option,  jointly with
any other  Indemnifying  Party which so elects,  elect to assume control of such
Indemnified Claim,  including without limitation the filing and prosecution,  or
defense, of any action in connection with such Indemnified Claim.  Subsequent to
such assumption of control,  (i) the  Indemnifying  Party shall not be liable to
the Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses  subsequently  incurred by
the Indemnified  Party in connection with such  Indemnified  Claim; and (ii) the
Indemnifying Party shall control such Indemnified Claim; provided, however, that
the Indemnified  Party shall have the right to participate in the prosecution or
defense of such Indemnified Claim and to be represented,  solely at its expense,
by counsel selected by it.****

           (d)  The  Indemnified  Party will, at the expense of the Indemnifying
Party, cooperate with the Indemnifying Party in the investigation,  preparation,
prosecution or defense of an  Indemnified  Claim and shall furnish any documents
and endeavor to make available any employees under its control.

           (e)  The Indemnified Party shall not admit any liability with respect
to, or settle,  compromise or discharge, any Indemnified Claim without the prior
written  consent  of   the  Indemnifying  Party,  which  consent  shall  not  be
unreasonably withheld or delayed;  provided, however, that if the defense of any
proceeding  in  respect  of  an  Indemnified   Claim  has  been  assumed  by  an
Indemnifying  Party,  the  Indemnified  Party  shall consent to any  settlement,
compromise or discharge of such Indemnified  Claim which the Indemnifying  Party
may recommend,  so long as such settlement, compromise or discharge by its terms
obligates the Indemnifying Party to pay all of the  Losses  of such  Indemnified
Party arising from such Indemnified Claim,  releases such Indemnified Party from
any  and  all  liabilities  and  obligations it may have in connection with such
Indemnified  Claim,  and  does  not  otherwise adversely affect such Indemnified
Party.

           (f)  For  purposes of this Agreement, "Losses" shall mean any and all
losses,  damages   and   liabilities,  joint   or  several  (including,  without
limitation, punitive damages awarded to a third party), and expenses (including,
without limitation, attorney fees and other costs of litigation, arbitration and
settlement)  suffered  or  incurred  by an  Indemnified  Party in  respect of an
Indemnified  Claim,  (i)  reduced  by the  Present  Value  Benefit  realized  or
realizable by the  Indemnified  Party in  connection  with or as a result of the
incurrence of such losses,  claims,  damages,  liabilities  and  expenses,  (ii)
reduced  by  any  applicable   insurance   proceeds  actually  received  by  the
Indemnified Party or which would have been received by the Indemnified Party had
the Indemnified

                                       50

<PAGE>



Party timely filed and  prosecuted a claim under an existing  insurance  policy,
(iii)**** and (iv) reduced, in the case of Buyer Indemnitees,  by any applicable
reserves on the Pricing Date Balance Sheet.  If any such reduction is determined
after payment by the Indemnifying  Party of any amount otherwise  required to be
paid  pursuant  to this  Article X, the  Indemnified  Party  shall  repay to the
Indemnifying  Party,  promptly  after such  determination,  any amount  that the
Indemnifying Party would not have had to pay pursuant to this Article X had such
determination been made at the time of such payment.

           (g)****

           (h)****

     10.7  Cooperation and Communication.

           (a)  The  parties  to  this  Agreement (i) acknowledge  that they are
subject to  a  covenant  of  good  faith and fair  dealing with  respect to this
Agreement and (ii) agree to use commercially  reasonable efforts to  communicate
with and cooperate  with each other  with respect to any dealings they may have 
with other parties which could reasonably be expected to affect the  obligations
of the parties under this Agreement.

           (b)****

           (c)****

     10.8  Power of Attorney; Assignment of Claims in Bankruptcy
Proceedings.****

     10.9  Confidentiality.****

     10.10 Indemnity  a  Material  Inducement.  Each  of  the  parties  to  this
Agreement acknowledges,  agrees and stipulates that the indemnification provided
under this  Article  X****  constitutes  a material  inducement  for the parties
hereto to enter into,  and perform  their  respective  obligations  under,  this
Agreement. In addition, each of the parties acknowledges,  agrees and stipulates
that  irreparable  harm would occur in the event that any of the  provisions  of
this Article X were not performed in  accordance  with their  specific  terms or
were otherwise  breached and that damages would not be an adequate remedy. It is
accordingly  agreed that any Indemnified  Party, in addition to any other remedy
to which  such  Indemnified  Party is  entitled  at law or in  equity,  shall be
entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of such provisions,
without  the  requirement  of posting a bond (cash or  otherwise)  as  condition
thereto,  and to specific  enforcement  of such  provisions,  including  without
limitation orders or mandatory  injunctions  requiring an Indemnifying  Party to
specifically  perform its  obligations  under this Article X.****  

- --------
****     Confidential treatment is being requested for these portions of
         this Agreement.

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<PAGE>





                                   ARTICLE XI
                               Insurance Agreement


     11.1  Insurance  Coverage.  The parties  have  reached  certain  agreements
relating  to  insurance  that are set forth in  Exhibit B  attached  hereto  and
incorporated herein for all purposes.

     11.2  Surety Bonds.  The  Buyer  Parents  will  use  their  best efforts to
replace or cause to be replaced, effective as of the Closing,  all of the surety
bonds listed in Section 4.17 of the Disclosure Schedule; provided, however, that
to  the  extent that the  Buyer  Parents are  unable to replace such bonds, each
surety  bond  will remain  in  effect  until  the earlier of the time when Buyer
Parent has obtained  replacement surety bonds or 90 days after the Closing Date.
If any surety bond shall not have been  replaced by the Closing Date,  the Buyer
Parents shall  continue to  use  commercially  reasonable efforts  to obtain the
replacement  of  such  surety  bond.  The Buyer Parents shall indemnify and hold
harmless  Coastal  and  Seller  (or  any  member  of  Seller's  Group)  for  any
liabilities  or costs incurred by them under such surety bond without  regard to
the limitations  set  forth in  Article X of this  Agreement.  Should  the Buyer
Parents be unable to replace any surety bond during such 90-day period following
the Closing Date, Coastal and Seller shall refrain from taking  action to cancel
such surety bond in consideration of Buyer's payment of a penalty accruing  on a
daily basis pursuant to the following schedule:

           (a)  two  percent annualized  rate  on  the face value of such surety
bond for up to an additional  six-month  period beyond the initial 90-day period
discussed above; and

           (b)  three percent annualized  rate on the face value of such surety
bond following the six-month period discussed in the above subsection 11.2(a).

     11.3  Black Lung Liability.  The  Buyer Parents have reviewed  the reserves
and accruals recorded  on  the financial  statements, books and  records  of the
Companies, which reserves and accruals Coastal and Seller have advised Buyer are
with respect to liability under the Black Lung Benefits Act of 1972, as amended,
the Black Lung  Benefits  Reform Act of 1977, as amended,  and other  applicable
federal and state black lung acts or laws  designed to provide such  benefits to
employees.  Based upon their review, the Buyer Parents  acknowledge that, except
with respect to any breach of the  representation  and warranty  made by Coastal
and Seller in the following  sentence of this Section 11.3,  any  liabilities in
respect of black lung shall not form the basis for any  assertion of a breach of
a  representation  or warranty  contained in this Agreement.  Coastal and Seller
represent  and warrant to the Buyer  Parents  that,  to  Coastal's  and Seller's
knowledge,  the present value of the actuarial projected black lung liability of
the  Companies  does not exceed the amount  which has been  reserved  for by the
Companies by more than $1,000,000.



                                       52

<PAGE>



                                   ARTICLE XII
                              Conditions to Closing


     12.1  Conditions  Precedent to Obligations of Buyer.  The obligation of the
Buyer  Parents to cause the Buyers to purchase and pay for the LLC  Interests is
subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by the Buyer Parents), prior to or on the
Closing Date, of each of the following conditions:

           (a)  Representations  and  Warranties.  The  representations and war-
ranties  of  Coastal  and  Seller  contained in this Agreement shall be true and
correct when  made  and at and as of the Closing  Date,  with the same effect as
though  made  on  and  as  of  the  Closing Date (except for representations and
warranties  made  as  of a specific  date, which shall be true and correct as of
such date), except for changes or  inaccuracies therein that do not individually
or  in  the  aggregate reflect a Material  Adverse  Effect  with  respect to the
Companies taken as a group.

           (b)  Covenants.  Coastal  and Seller shall have performed or complied
in all  material  respects  with all obligations and covenants  required by this
Agreement to be performed or complied with by Coastal and Seller prior to or at
the Closing.

           (c)  HSR Act.  Any required  waiting  period  under the HSR Act shall
have expired or been terminated,  and neither the Antitrust Division nor the FTC
shall have indicated its objection to,  or its intent to challenge as violative
of any federal laws, any of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement.

           (d)  Opinion of Counsel for Coastal and Seller.

                (i)    The Buyer Parents shall have received  an opinion,  dated
the Closing Date,  of Austin M. O'Toole, Esq.,  Senior Vice President, Secretary
and Senior Counsel of Coastal, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto.

                (ii)   The Buyer Parents shall  have received an opinion,  dated
the Closing Date, of  William S. Hudgins, Jr.,  Vice President,  General Counsel
and Assistant Secretary of CSEC, substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto.

                (iii)  The Buyer Parents  shall have received an opinion,  dated
the Closing Date, of Austin M. O'Toole, Esq.,  Senior Vice President,  Secretary
and Senior Counsel  of Seller  and  Coastal  Sub,  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit D hereto.

           (e)  No Damage or Destruction.  Except  as  described or contemplated
herein or in the  Disclosure  Schedule,  there  shall have been no change in the
business, properties  or  operations   of  the  Companies  since the date of the
Pricing Date Balance  Sheet which  would have  a Material Adverse Effect on such
Companies taken as group, other than as a result of general economic

                                       53

<PAGE>



conditions  or other  conditions  affecting  the industry in which the Companies
operate,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  fluctuations  in coal  prices  and
legislative or regulatory conditions.

           (f)  Resignations.  Buyers  shall  have received such resignations of
the officers  of  the  LLC as shall have been requested  by Buyer in writing not
less than 30 days prior to the Closing Date.

           (g)  No Litigation.  There shall not be in effect any  injunction  or
order issued by any court or administrative agency  of  competent   jurisdiction
preventing, or any pending litigation or proceeding to restrain or prohibit, the
consummation  of  the  transactions  contemplated  by  this  Agreement,  or  the
ownership  of the LLC  Interests  by Buyers  after the Closing Date or to obtain
damages in connection with the consummation of the transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement.

           (h)  Coastal and Seller shall have taken,  or caused to be taken, the
actions set forth in Section 3.1 in the manner and order set forth therein.

           (i)  Execution of Amendment.   An  amendment to this Agreement adding
each Buyer,  the LLC and Coastal Sub as parties  hereto shall have been executed
and delivered by Coastal, Seller and Coastal Sub.

     12.2  Conditions  Precedent to  Obligations  of Seller.  The  obligation of
Seller  and  Coastal  Sub to sell and  deliver  the LLC  Interests  to Buyers is
subject to the  satisfaction  (or waiver by Seller and Coastal),  prior to or on
the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions:

           (a)  Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warran-
ties of Buyers contained  in  this Agreement shall be true and correct when made
and as of the Closing  Date,  with  the same effect as though  made on and as of
the  Closing  Date (except  for  representations  and  warranties  made  as of a
specific date of which shall be true and correct as of such  date),  except  for
changes or inaccuracies  therein that do not  individually  or in the  aggregate
reflect a Material  Adverse  Effect with respect to the Buyer Parent making such
representation and warranty.

           (b)  Covenants.  The Buyer  Parents shall have  performed or complied
in all material respects  with  all  obligations and covenants  required by this
Agreement to  be  performed or complied with by the Buyer Parents prior to or at
the Closing.

           (c)  HSR Act.  Any required  waiting  period  under the HSR Act shall
have expired or been terminated,  and neither the Antitrust Division nor the FTC
shall have indicated its objection to,  or its intent  to challenge as violative
of any federal laws, any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

           (d)  Opinion of  Counsel for  Buyer  and  Buyer Parents.  Coastal and
Seller shall have received (i) an opinion,  dated the Closing Date, of Thomas F.
Linn, General Attorney, Counsel for ARCO and its Buyer subsidiary, substantially
in the form of Exhibit E hereto, (ii) an opinion,

                                       54

<PAGE>



dated the Closing Date, of Latham & Watkins,  special counsel for ITOCHU and its
Buyer  subsidiary,  substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto,  and (iii) an
opinion,  dated the Closing Date, of Richards,  Layton & Finger, special counsel
for Buyer Parents and Buyers,  with respect to enforceability of this Agreement,
in a form reasonably acceptable to Coastal and Seller.

           (e)  No Litigation.  There shall not be in effect any  injunction  or
order issued by any court or administrative agency  of  competent   jurisdiction
preventing, or any pending litigation or proceeding to restrain or prohibit, the
consummation of the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement, or the sale of
the LLC  Interests by the Seller or Coastal Sub on the Closing Date or to obtain
damages in connection with the consummation of the transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement.

           (f)  Execution of  Amendment.  An amendment to this Agreement  adding
each Buyer, the LLC and Coastal Sub as parties  hereto shall have been  executed
and delivered by the Buyer Parents, each Buyer and the LLC.

           (g)  Power of Attorney.  The power of attorney referred to in Section
10.8 shall have been delivered by the LLC.


                                  ARTICLE XIII
                            Termination of Agreement


     13.1  Termination  Before Closing.  This Agreement may be terminated at any
time before Closing:

           (a)  by  the  mutual consent of Coastal, Seller and the Buyer Parents
in writing;

           (b)  by the Buyer Parents if there is a material  breach with respect
to any of the  representations  or  warranties  of Coastal or Seller  contained 
in this Agreement  (except for breaches in such  representations  and warranties
that do not  individually or in the aggregate reflect a Material Adverse  Effect
with respect  to  the Companies taken as a whole) or a default in the observance
or performance of any of the covenants of  Coastal or Seller  contained  in this
Agreement  and such  breach or default  remains  uncured for a period of 30 days
after Buyers deliver notice thereof to Coastal and Seller;  or if the conditions
of this  Agreement  to be complied  with or performed by Coastal or Seller on or
before the Closing  Date are not  complied  with or  performed  in all  material
respects  at the time  required  for such  compliance  or  performance  and such
noncompliance or nonperformance is not waived by the Buyer Parents;

           (c)  by Coastal and Seller if there is a material breach with respect
to any of  the  representations  or warranties of the Buyer Parents contained in
this Agreement (except for breaches in such representations  and warranties that
do not individually or in the aggregate reflect a Material  Adverse  Effect with
respect to the Buyers taken as a whole) or in the observance or performance of

                                       55

<PAGE>



any of the covenants of the Buyer Parents  contained in this  Agreement and such
breach or  default  remains  uncured  for a period of 30 days  after  Coastal or
Seller deliver notice thereof to the Buyer Parents; or if the conditions of this
Agreement  to be complied  with or  performed  by Buyer  Parents or Buyers on or
before the Closing  Date are not  complied  with or  performed  in all  material
respects  at the time  required  for such  compliance  or  performance  and such
noncompliance or nonperformance is not waived by Seller and Coastal Sub; or

           (d)  by  any  of the  Buyer  Parents or Buyers if the Closing has not
occurred on or  prior to March  31,  1997,  other  than as a result  of any such
party's material breach or default of this Agreement.

           (e)  by  Coastal,  Seller  or  Coastal  Sub  if  the  Closing has not
occurred  on  or  prior  to  March 31, 1997, other  than as a result of any such
party's material breach or default of this Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE XIV
                                  Miscellaneous

     14.1  Entire   Agreement;  Participation   in   Drafting.  This  Agreement,
including  the  Disclosure  Schedule,  sets  forth  the  entire  agreement  and
understanding of the parties in respect of the transactions contemplated  herein
and supersedes any previous agreements  and  understandings  between the parties
with respect thereto.  The parties hereto acknowledge that Coastal,  Seller and
Buyer Parents participated  in the  negotiation and drafting  of this  Agreement
on equal terms.  In construing this Agreement,  no inference shall be drawn from
any changes in or deletions  of  provisions  of this  Agreement in the course of
negotiating and drafting this Agreement.

     14.2  Governing Law. This  Agreement shall be construed in accordance  with
the laws of the State of Delaware  without giving effect to the conflicts of law
principles thereof.

     14.3  Headings.  The article and section headings of this Agreement are for
reference  purposes  only and are to be given no effect in the  construction  or
interpretation of this Agreement.

     14.4  Notices.  All notices, requests and demands to or upon the respective
parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing,  by facsimile,  by overnight
courier or by registered or certified  mail,  postage prepaid and return receipt
requested,  and  shall be  deemed to have  been  duly  given or made  upon:  (i)
delivery by hand,  (ii) one business day after being sent by overnight  courier,
(iii) four  business  days being  deposited in the United  States mail,  postage
prepaid; or (iv) in the case of transmission by facsimile,  when confirmation of
receipt is obtained.  Such communications shall be addressed and directed to the
parties listed below as follows:


                                       56

<PAGE>



                  If to Seller or Coastal:

                  The Coastal Corporation
                  Coastal Tower
                  Nine Greenway Plaza
                  Houston, Texas 77046-0995
                  Facsimile:   (713) 877-7071
                  Attention:   Corporate Secretary

                  If to Buyers:

                  Atlantic Richfield Company
                  555 Seventeenth Street
                  Denver, Colorado  80202
                  Facsimile:   (303) 293-4098
                  Attention:   Mr. Harold Tyber

                  and

                  Itochu Corporation
                  5-1, Kita-Aoyama 2-chome,
                  Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-77, Japan
                  Facsimile:   (03) 3497-3470
                  Attention:   Mr. Masayoshi Araya
                               General Manager
                               Coal Department

     14.5  Waiver.  Waivers of or consents  to  departures  from the  provisions
hereof may be given; provided that the same shall be in writing and be signed by
each of the parties  hereto.  No such waiver or consent  shall be construed as a
waiver of or consent to any departure from any other provisions hereof.

     14.6  Binding Effect; Assignment.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure  to the  benefit  of the  parties  and  their  respective  successors  and
permitted  assigns.  No  assignment  of  this  Agreement  or of  any  rights  or
obligations  hereunder  may be  made,  in whole or in  part,  by any  party  (by
operation of law or otherwise)  without the prior  written  consent of the other
parties hereto, and any attempted  assignment without the required consent shall
be void.

     14.7  Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended, modified or  supplemented;
provided  that the same shall be in writing and be signed by each of the parties
hereto.

     14.8  Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of
which shall be an original,  but all of which together shall  constitute one and
the same document.

                                       57

<PAGE>



     14.9  Disclaimer  for  Communications;  Etc.  Except as otherwise set forth
herein or in any other agreement  contemplated herein to which they are parties,
Coastal,  Seller and their  Affiliates  make no  representations  or  warranties
whatsoever,   and   disclaim   all   liability   and   responsibility   for  any
representation,  warranty  or  statement  made  or  communicated  (orally  or in
writing)  to  the  Buyer  Parents  or  their   Affiliates  or  to  any  officer,
stockholder,  director,  employee,  agent,  consultant or  representative of the
Buyer  Parents  or  their  Affiliates,   including,  but  not  limited  to,  the
Descriptive  Memorandum,  or any opinion,  information  or advice which may have
been  provided  to  the  Buyer  Parents  or  their  Affiliates  by  an  officer,
stockholder,  director,  employee, agent, consultant or representative of any of
the  Companies.  Except as and to the  extent  set forth  herein or in any other
agreement  contemplated  herein to which they are  parties,  the Buyer  Parents,
Buyers and their Affiliates make no  representations  or warranties  whatsoever,
and disclaim all liability and responsibility for any  representation,  warranty
or statement made or communicated (orally or in writing) to Coastal or Seller or
their  Affiliates or to any officer,  stockholder,  director,  employee,  agent,
consultant or representative of Coastal or Seller or their Affiliates.

     14.10 Forum  Selection;  Consent to Service of Process;  and Waiver of Jury
Trial. 

           (a)  The parties hereto agree that any action, suit or proceeding  (a
"Proceeding")  arising out of the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement
(except as provided in Article 8) shall be commenced and  litigated  exclusively
in a state court of the State of Delaware.

           (b)  Each of  the parties  hereto irrevocably and unconditionally (i)
consents to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts
in the  State  of Delaware for any Proceeding (and each such party agrees not to
commence any Proceeding,  except in such courts),  (ii)  waives any objection to
the laying of venue of any  Proceeding  in the courts of the State of  Delaware,
and  (iii) waives,  and  agrees  not  to plead or to make,  any  claim  that any
Proceeding brought in any court of the State of Delaware has  been brought in an
improper or otherwise inconvenient forum.

           (c)  Each  party to this Agreement to hereby  irrevocably  designates
and appoints CT  Corporation Service Corp. (hereinafter called the "Agent"),  as
its attorney-in-fact to receive service of process in such proceeding,  it being
agreed that service upon such  attorney-in-fact  shall  constitute valid service
upon such party or its  successors  or  assigns.  Each  party to this  Agreement
hereby agrees to pay to the Agent such compensation as shall be agreed upon from
time to time for services of the Agent hereunder.  Each party hereby agrees that
its submission to jurisdiction  and its designation of the Agent set forth above
is made for the  express  benefit  of each of the  parties  hereto.  Each  party
further  agrees that a final  judgment  against such party in any such action or
proceeding  shall be conclusive,  and may be enforced in other  jurisdictions by
suit on the  judgment or in any other  manner  provided by laws,  a certified or
true copy of which final judgment  shall be conclusive  evidence of the fact and
of the amount of an indebtedness  or liability of such party therein  described;
provided  that  nothing in this Section  14.10(c)  shall affect the right of any
party or its  successors  or assigns to serve legal  process in an other  manner
permitted by law. Each party  further  covenants and agrees that so long as this
Agreement shall be in effect, such party shall maintain a duly-appointed

                                       58

<PAGE>



agent for the service of  summonses  and other legal  processes  in  Wilmington,
Delaware  and will  notify the other  parties  hereto of the name and address of
such agent if it is no longer the Agent.

           (d)  Each of the parties hereto  agrees that it shall not seek a jury
trial in any  proceeding  based  upon or  arising out of or otherwise related to
this Agreement or any of the other documents and instruments contemplated hereby
and EACH OF THE  PARTIES  HERETO  HEREBY  WAIVES  ANY  AND ALL RIGHT TO ANY SUCH
JURY TRIAL.

     14.11  Tax  Treatment.  Any indemnity  payment by a Buyer Parent or the LLC
shall be treated as an  increase in the  Purchase  Price for tax  purposes.  Any
indemnity  payment by Coastal or Seller under this Agreement shall be treated as
a decrease in the Purchase Price for tax purposes.

     14.12 Election  Regarding  Asset   Restructuring.   Upon  delivery   of  an
instrument  waiving  all rights of Coastal,  Seller and Coastal Sub  pursuant to
Section  8.1(c)  hereof  (irrespective  of the  basis  upon  which any claim for
indemnity under that section might arise), Seller shall be permitted to transfer
any asset (such asset, and any other asset into which the transferred  asset may
be converted or for which the transferred  asset may be exchanged being referred
to herein as "Transferred  Asset") to a Company as a contribution to the capital
thereof without such transfer,  or the Company's  ownership of the asset,  being
considered  to  represent  or  give  rise  to a  breach  of any  representation,
warranty,  covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement,  including Section
6.2(b) hereof.  Upon the contribution of any Transferred  Asset, the Transferred
Asset shall be treated as an Excluded  Asset to which the provisions of Sections
2.4, 2.5 and  3.1(a)(iii)  shall apply.  Notwithstanding  any  provision of this
Agreement to the  contrary,  Coastal and Sellers  shall be solely liable for and
shall jointly and severally  indemnify and hold harmless Buyers and the LLC from
any and all Other Taxes  (including,  without  limitation,  applicable  Transfer
Taxes),  if any, that may be imposed on,  payable,  collectible or incurred with
respect to any Transferred Asset or with respect to any contribution, conversion
or exchange thereof.

                                       59

<PAGE>




     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned parties,  intending to be legally bound
hereby, have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

                             "SELLER"

                             COASTAL COAL, INC.

                             By: /s/ James L. Van Lanen
                                 Name:   James L. Van Lanen
                                 Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer


                             "COASTAL"

                             THE COASTAL CORPORATION

                             By: /s/ David A. Arledge
                                 Name:   David A. Arledge
                                 Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer


                             "BUYER PARENTS"

                             ATLANTIC RICHFIELD COMPANY

                             By: /s/ Harold B. Tyber
                                 Name:   Harold B. Tyber
                                 Title:  Vice President, Arco Coal Company, a
                                         Division of Atlantic Richfield Company


                             ITOCHU CORPORATION

                             By: /s/ Katsumi Takahisa
                                 Name:   Katsumi Takahisa
                                 Title:  Deputy General Manager, Coal Dept.

                                       60


                                   EXHIBIT 2.2

Amendment to Purchase and Sale  Agreement  dated as of December 20, 1996 by  and
among The Coastal Corporation,  a Delaware corporation,  Coastal Coal, Inc.,  a
Delaware corporation,  Atlantic Richfield Company, a Delaware  corporation,  and
Itochu Corporation, a Japanese corporation, Coastal Transition, Inc., a Delaware
corporation,  Canyon Fuel Company,  LLC, a Delaware limited  liability  company,
ARCO Uinta Coal Company, a Delaware  corporation and Itochu Coal  International,
Inc., a Delaware corporation.






<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 2.2


                    AMENDMENT TO PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT


     This  Agreement to Purchase and Sale  Agreement  ("Amendment"),  dated this
20th day of December, 1996, is made by and among (i) The Coastal Corporation,  a
Delaware corporation ("Coastal"), and Coastal Coal, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("CCI" and, together with Coastal,  "Sellers"), (ii) Atlantic Richfield Company,
a  Delaware  corporation,   and  Itochu  Corporation,   a  Japanese  corporation
(together,  "Buyer  Parents"),  and (iii) Coastal  Transition,  Inc., a Delaware
corporation  ("CTI"),  ARCO Uinta Coal Company,  a Delaware  corporation  ("ARCO
Uinta"), Itochu Coal International Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Itochu Coal"),
and Canyon Fuel Company,  LLC, a Delaware limited  liability  company (the "LLC"
and, together with CTI, ARCO Uinta, and Itochu Coal, "New Parties").

                                    RECITALS

     A.  Buyer Parents and Sellers are parties to a Purchase and Sale  Agreement
dated as of October 23, 1996 (the "Purchase Agreement"),  providing for the sale
by CCI and CTI, and the purchase by ARCO Uinta and Itochu Coal, of the ownership
interests in the LLC, all upon and subject to the conditions therein set forth.

     B.  Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement,  certain  entities are
to be added as parties to the Purchase Agreement, and Buyer  Parents and Sellers
desire to amend the Purchase Agreement in certain other respects.

                                    AGREEMENT

     For good and valuable consideration,  the receipt and adequacy of which are
hereby acknowledged, Sellers, Buyer Parents, and New Parties agree as follows:

     1.  Definitions.  Capitalized  terms used and not otherwise  defined herein
shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Purchase Agreement.

     2.  Amendments  to the  Agreement.  The  Purchase  Agreement  is amended as
follows:

         A.   All references in the Purchase Agreement to the "Agreement"  shall
mean the Purchase Agreement as amended by this Amendment.

         B.   In  the  recitals  to  the  Purchase  Agreement,  and  thereafter
throughout the Purchase Agreement, (i) the name of "Itochu Energy Company" shall
be restated as  "Itochu Coal International Inc.,"  and  (ii) all  references to
"Coastal Sub" shall be deemed to be references to CTI.

         C.   The New Parties shall  hereby be added as  signatories and parties
to the Purchase Agreement.

                                        1

<PAGE>



         D.   The first sentence of Section 2.2(a) of the Purchase Agreement  is
deleted in its entirety and substituted therefor is the following:

    In consideration for the sale of the LLC Interests, Buyers shall pay to
    Seller and Coastal Sub on the Closing  Date,  in  immediately-available
    funds, by wire transfer to the account or accounts designated by Seller
    not later than three  days prior to the  Closing  Date or by such other
    method as the parties  may  mutually  agree,  an  aggregate  of (i) Six
    Hundred  Fifteen  Million  Five  Hundred Five  Thousand  Fifty  Dollars
    ($615,505,050), plus (x) simple interest on Six Hundred Fifteen Million
    ($615,000,000)  at LIBOR from the Pricing  Date to the Closing Date and
    (y)  simple  interest  on Five  Hundred  Five  Thousand  Fifty  Dollars
    ($505,050) at LIBOR from the date such amount is contributed to the LLC
    by Seller and Coastal Sub to the Closing  Date,  and (ii) the amount of
    any  Advances  then  outstanding  (without  regard  to any  closing  of
    Advances into  Investment by Parents as provided in Section 2.3),  plus
    simple interest thereon at LIBOR from the date any such Advance is made
    through (but not including)  the Closing Date (the  "Purchase  Price").
    Interest  payable  under the  provisions  of this  Section 2.2 shall be
    computed on the basis of a 360-day  year and the actual  number of days
    elapsed.

         E.   Section  8.3  of  the  Purchase Agreement is amended by adding the
following sentence to the end thereof:

    Notwithstanding  the foregoing  clauses (a) through (g), all black lung
    tax  rebates  relating to coal  exported by any of the CSEC  Companies,
    whether for any Pre- Pricing Period,  Post-Pricing  Period, or a period
    including both a Pre-Pricing Period and a Post-Pricing Period, shall be
    the  property of Buyers  and/or the LLC. If any  Affiliate  of Coastal,
    other than a CSEC Company, holds the right to claim any such black lung
    tax rebate,  Coastal shall cause such  Affiliate to transfer such right
    to the LLC at the Closing.

     3.  Conflict;  Agreement  to  Continue  as  Amended.  In  the  event of any
conflict between  the  terms of  this  Amendment  and the terms of the  Purchase
Agreement, such  conflict  shall  be  resolved  in  favor of this Amendment.  As
modified  by this Amendment, the Purchase Agreement shall continue in full force
and effect.

     4.  Counterparts.   This   Amendment  may  be  executed   in  one  or  more
counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

The Coastal Corporation                  Coastal Coal, Inc.

By:    /s/ David A. Arledge              By:      /s/ James L. Van Lanen
Name:  David A. Arledge                  Name:   James L. Van Lanen
Title: President and Chief Executive     Title:  President and Chief Executive
       Officer                                    Officer

                                        2

<PAGE>



Atlantic Richfield Company               Itochu Corporation

By:    /s/ Harold B. Tyber               By:    /s/ Katsumi Takahisa
Name:  Harold B. Tyber                   Name:  Katsumi Takahisa
Its:   Authorized Representative         Its:   On behalf of Itochu Corporation
                                                under that Certain Power of
                                                Attorney dated October 7 1996

Coastal Transition, Inc.                 ARCO Uinta Coal Company

By:    /s/ Austin M. O'Toole             By:    /s/ Harold B. Tyber
Name:  Austin M. O'Toole                 Name:  Harold B. Tyber
Its:   Vice President                    Its:   Authorized Representative

Itochu Coal International Inc.           Canyon Fuel Company, LLC

By:    /s/ Katsumi Takahisa              By:  Coastal Coal, Inc., its member
Name:  Katsumi Takahisa                  By:  /s/ James L. Van Lanen
Its:   Chief Financial Officer           Name:  James L. Van Lanen
                                         Its:   President and Chief Executive
                                                Officer

                                         By:  Coastal Transition, Inc., its
                                              member
                                         By:  /s/ Austin M. O'Toole
                                         Name:    Austin M. O'Toole
                                         Its:     Vice President

                                        3


                                                                      EXHIBIT 99

                Coastal Closes Sale of Western Coal Subsidiaries
                To Atlantic Richfield Company/ITOCHU Corporation

     HOUSTON,  Dec. 23, 1996 - The Coastal  Corporation  announced  today it has
completed  the  closing  of the sale of its  western  coal  operations  for $615
million in cash to  subsidiaries of Atlantic  Richfield  Company of Los Angeles,
California and ITOCHU Corporation of Japan.

     "This sale is a major step toward  positioning The Coastal  Corporation for
future  growth  in the  worldwide  energy  industry,"  said  David  A.  Arledge,
Coastal's chief executive  officer.  "Our objective in selling these  properties
was  to  provide  sufficient  proceeds  to  significantly  improve  our  capital
structure  by paying down debt.  This sale fully  accomplishes  that  objective,
making it possible  for Coastal to continue  its  development  of  higher-growth
opportunities elsewhere."

     This sale included the  operations of  subsidiaries  Coastal  States Energy
Company,  Southern Utah Fuel Company  (SUFCo),  Solider Creek Coal Company,  and
Skyline  Coal  Company,   which   operated   mines  in  Utah  with  reserves  of
approximately  300 million  tons.  The sale also  included  Coastal's  9-percent
interest in the Los Angeles Export Terminal Company, Inc.

     Coastal's  ANR  Coal  Company  and its  subsidiaries  will  continue  their
operations  in the eastern  United  States,  which include  operating  mines and
processing  plants and  marketing  coal from an  extensive  reserve base in West
Virginia,  Virginia,  and Kentucky.  These  operations  have a history of strong
profitability and offer the potential for continued profitability and growth.

     The  Coastal  Corporation  (NYSE:CGP)  is a  Houston-based  energy  holding
company,  with  consolidated  assets of more  than $10  billion  and  subsidiary
operations  in natural gas  marketing,  transmission,  storage,  gathering,  and
processing;  petroleum  refining  and  marketing;  oil and gas  exploration  and
production; chemicals; power production; and coal.



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