GULF CANADA RESOURCES LTD
8-K, 1998-11-19
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
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<PAGE>   1
===============================================================================





                       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
                                November 16, 1998
                        (Date of earliest event reported)


                          GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             CANADA                                   001-09073                             98-0086499
<S>                                           <C>                                     <C>
 (State or other jurisdiction of              (Commission File Number)                   (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                                                       Identification Number)
</TABLE>


                               ONE NORWEST CENTER
                         1700 LINCOLN STREET, SUITE 5000
                           DENVER, COLORADO 80203-4525
                    (Address of principal executive offices)


                                 (303) 813-3800
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)




===============================================================================


<PAGE>   2


ITEM 1.  CHANGES IN CONTROL OF REGISTRANT

         Not applicable.

ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS

         Not applicable.

ITEM 3.  BANKRUPTCY OR RECEIVERSHIP

         Not applicable

ITEM 4.  CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANTS

         Not applicable

ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS

         On November 16, 1998, Gulf Canada Resources Limited ("Gulf Canada" or
the "Corporation") closed the offering of U.S. $200,000,000 of the Corporation's
8 3/8% Senior Notes due 2005 (the "Notes") pursuant to the Registration
Statement on Form F-10 (File No. 333-7802) filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC") on October 17, 1997 ("Registration Statement"), as
amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement filed with the SEC on
October 22, 1997. The Prospectus Supplement was filed with the SEC on November
12, 1998. The Notes were sold pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement dated
November 6, 1998 between Gulf Canada and Goldman, Sachs & Co.

ITEM 6.  RESIGNATION OF REGISTRANT'S DIRECTORS

         Not applicable

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(a)      Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired

               Not applicable.

(b)      Pro forma Financial Information

               Not applicable.


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3


(c)            Exhibits


         EXHIBIT
         NUMBER
         -------

            3.1       Underwriting Agreement dated November 6, 1998 between Gulf
                      Canada and Goldman, Sachs & Co.

            3.2       Certified Resolutions of the Board of Directors of the
                      Corporation approving the preliminary shelf prospectus
                      (incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to the
                      Registrant's Registration Statement on Form F-10 (file no.
                      333-7802))

            3.3       Certified Resolutions of the Board of Directors of the
                      Corporation approving the final shelf prospectus
                      (incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3.3 to the
                      Registrant's Registration Statement on Form F-10 (file no.
                      333-7802))

            3.4       Certified Resolutions of the Board of Directors of the
                      Corporation approving the supplemental prospectus

            4.1       Annual Information Form of Gulf Canada and Management's
                      Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31,
                      1997 (incorporated herein by reference from the
                      Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
                      1997 (file no. 001-09073))

            4.2       Audited Comparative Consolidated Financial Statements of
                      Gulf Canada and the notes thereto, together with the
                      Auditors' Report thereon for the fiscal years ended
                      December 31, 1997 and 1996 (incorporated herein by
                      reference from the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year
                      ended December 31, 1997 (file no. 001-09073))

            4.3       Management Proxy Circular of the Registrant dated March
                      23, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to the
                      Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A
                      dated March 23, 1998 (file no. 001-09073))

            4.4       Unaudited Comparative Consolidated Financial Statements of
                      Gulf Canada for the three month period ended March 31,
                      1998, the six month period ended June 30, 1998 and the
                      nine month period ended September 30, 1998 and the notes
                      thereto (incorporated herein by reference to the
                      Registrant's Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended
                      March 31, 1998, June 30, 1998 and September 30, 1998,
                      respectively (file no. 001-09073))

            4.5       Management's Discussion and Analysis for the period ended
                      September 30, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to
                      the Registrant's Report on Form 10-Q for the nine month
                      period ended September 30, 1998 (file no. 001-09073))

            4.6       Material Change Report of Gulf Canada dated February 10,
                      1998 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's
                      Report on Form 6-K filed February 11, 1998 (file no. 
                      0-09073))

            5.1       Consent of Ernst & Young



                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4


            5.2       Consent and comfort letter of Ernst & Young filed with the
                      Alberta Securities Commission

            5.3       Consent of Bennett Jones (incorporated herein by reference
                      from Exhibit 5.3 to the Registrant's Registration
                      Statement on Form F-10 (file no. 333-7802))

            5.4       Consent of Butler & Binion, L.L.P. (incorporated herein by
                      reference from Exhibit 5.4 to the Registrant's
                      Registration Statement on Form F-10 (file no. 333-7802))

            6.1       Powers of Attorney (incorporated herein by reference from
                      Exhibit 6.1 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
                      Form F-10 (file no. 333-7802))

            7.1       Form of Indenture (incorporated herein by reference from
                      Exhibit 7.1 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
                      Form F-10 (file no. 333-7802))

            7.2       First Supplemental Indenture dated November 16, 1998
                      between Gulf Canada and The Bank of New York, as Trustee


ITEM 8.  CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR

         Not applicable

ITEM 9.  SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES PURSUANT TO REGULATION S

         Not applicable


                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5


                                   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.

                                  GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED



November 18, 1998                 By:   /s/ Craig S. Glick
                                  Craig S. Glick, Executive Vice President
                                     and Chief Financial Officer



                                      -5-

<PAGE>   6


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


         EXHIBIT
         NUMBER
         -------

            3.1       Underwriting Agreement dated November 6, 1998 between Gulf
                      Canada and Goldman, Sachs & Co.

            3.2       Certified Resolutions of the Board of Directors of the
                      Corporation approving the preliminary shelf prospectus
                      (incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to the
                      Registrant's Registration Statement on Form F-10 (file no.
                      333-7802))

            3.3       Certified Resolutions of the Board of Directors of the
                      Corporation approving the final shelf prospectus
                      (incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3.3 to the
                      Registrant's Registration Statement on Form F-10 (file no.
                      333-7802))

            3.4       Certified Resolutions of the Board of Directors of the
                      Corporation approving the supplemental prospectus

            4.1       Annual Information Form of Gulf Canada and Management's
                      Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31,
                      1997 (incorporated herein by reference from the
                      Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
                      1997 (file no. 001-09073))

            4.2       Audited Comparative Consolidated Financial Statements of
                      Gulf Canada and the notes thereto, together with the
                      Auditors' Report thereon for the fiscal years ended
                      December 31, 1997 and 1996 (incorporated herein by
                      reference from the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year
                      ended December 31, 1997 (file no. 001-09073))

            4.3       Management Proxy Circular of the Registrant dated March
                      23, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to the
                      Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A
                      dated March 23, 1998 (file no. 001-09073))

            4.4       Unaudited Comparative Consolidated Financial Statements of
                      Gulf Canada for the three month period ended March 31,
                      1998, the six month period ended June 30, 1998 and the
                      nine month period ended September 30, 1998 and the notes
                      thereto (incorporated herein by reference to the
                      Registrant's Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended
                      March 31, 1998, June 30, 1998 and September 30, 1998,
                      respectively (file no. 001-09073))

            4.5       Management's Discussion and Analysis for the period ended
                      September 30, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to
                      the Registrant's Report on Form 10-Q for the nine month
                      period ended September 30, 1998 (file no. 001-09073))

            4.6       Material Change Report of Gulf Canada dated February 10,
                      1998 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's
                      Report on Form 6-K filed February 11, 1998 (file no. 
                      0-09073))


                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7


            5.1       Consent of Ernst & Young

            5.2       Consent and comfort letter of Ernst & Young filed with the
                      Alberta Securities Commission

            5.3       Consent of Bennett Jones (incorporated herein by reference
                      from Exhibit 5.3 to the Registrant's Registration
                      Statement on Form F-10 (file no. 333-7802))

            5.4       Consent of Butler & Binion, L.L.P. (incorporated herein by
                      reference from Exhibit 5.4 to the Registrant's
                      Registration Statement on Form F-10 (file no. 333-7802))

            6.1       Powers of Attorney (incorporated herein by reference from
                      Exhibit 6.1 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
                      Form F-10 (file no. 333-7802))

            7.1       Form of Indenture (incorporated herein by reference from
                      Exhibit 7.1 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
                      Form F-10 (file no. 333-7802))

            7.2       First Supplemental Indenture dated November 16, 1998
                      between Gulf Canada and The Bank of New York, as Trustee


                                      -7-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.1

                          GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED

                          8.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2005

                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT


                                                                November 6, 1998


Goldman, Sachs & Co.
85 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004


Ladies and Gentlemen:

         Gulf Canada Resources Limited, a corporation incorporated under the
Canada Business Corporations Act (the "Company"), proposes, subject to the terms
and conditions stated herein, to issue and sell to Goldman, Sachs & Co. (the
"Underwriter") an aggregate of $200,000,000 principal amount of the Notes
specified above (the "Securities").

         1.       (a) The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, 
the Underwriter that:

                  (i) The Company has (A) prepared and filed (I) with the
         Alberta Securities Commission (the "ASC"), which has been notified that
         it has been selected as the principal jurisdiction regulating the
         offering of the Securities, a preliminary short form shelf prospectus
         relating to the Securities (the "Canadian Preliminary Shelf
         Prospectus") omitting the Shelf Information (as hereinafter defined),
         and (II) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the
         "Commission") a registration statement on Form F-10 (File No. 333-7802)
         for the registration of the Securities under the United States
         Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), including the Canadian
         Preliminary Shelf Prospectus (with such deletions therefrom and
         additions thereto as are permitted or required by Form F-10 and the
         applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, such modified
         document being referred to herein as the "U.S. Preliminary Shelf
         Prospectus"), having elected to rely upon the rules and procedures
         established pursuant to National Policy No. 44 of the Canadian
         Securities Administrators for the distribution of securities on a
         continuous or delayed basis (the "Shelf Procedures"); (B) prepared and
         filed (I) with the ASC, and has obtained from the ASC a receipt for, a
         final short form shelf prospectus relating to the Securities (the
         "Canadian Shelf Prospectus") omitting the Shelf Information (as
         hereinafter defined) and (II) with the Commission, an amendment to such
         registration statement, including the Canadian Shelf Prospectus (with
         such deletions therefrom and additions thereto as are permitted or
         required by Form F-10 and the applicable rules and regulations of the



<PAGE>   2


         Commission, such modified document being referred to herein as the
         "U.S. Shelf Prospectus") omitting the Shelf Information, which most
         recent such amendment has been declared effective by the Commission on
         October 22, 1997 (the "Effective Date"); and (C) will prepare and file,
         as soon as possible and in any event within two business days after the
         execution and delivery (the "Execution Time") of this Agreement, (I)
         with the ASC, in accordance with the Shelf Procedures, a prospectus
         supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement") setting forth the Shelf
         Information and (II) with the Commission, in accordance with General
         Instruction II.L. of Form F-10, the Prospectus Supplement; and the
         information, if any, included in the Prospectus Supplement that is
         omitted from the Canadian Shelf Prospectus for which a final receipt
         has been obtained from the ASC but that is deemed under the Shelf
         Procedures to be incorporated by reference into the Canadian Shelf
         Prospectus as of the date of the Prospectus Supplement is referred to
         herein as the "Shelf Information;" and no other document with respect
         to the Canadian Shelf Prospectus or such registration statement, other
         than the documents subsequently deemed to be incorporated by reference
         therein, has heretofore been filed with the ASC or the Commission;

                  (ii) (A) The U.S. Preliminary Shelf Prospectus and the U.S.
         Shelf Prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference
         therein, are collectively referred to herein as the "Shelf Prospectus;"
         (B) the registration statement on Form F-10, including the exhibits
         thereto and the documents incorporated by reference therein, as amended
         at the Effective Date, is herein called the "Registration Statement;"
         (C) the U.S. Shelf Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement, including
         the documents incorporated by reference therein, are collectively
         referred to herein as the "Prospectus;" (D) the Canadian Shelf
         Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement, including the documents
         incorporated by reference therein, are collectively referred to herein
         as the "Canadian Prospectus;" and (E) any amendment to the Canadian
         Prospectus, any amended or supplemental prospectus or any auxiliary
         material, information, evidence, return, report, application, statement
         or document that may be filed by or on behalf of the Company under the
         securities laws of the Province of Alberta prior to the Closing Date
         (as hereinafter defined) or, where such document is deemed to be
         incorporated by reference into the Canadian Prospectus, prior to
         completion of distribution of the Securities is referred to herein
         collectively as the "Canadian Supplementary Material;"

                  (iii) The Company has also prepared and filed with the
         Commission an appointment of agent for service of process upon the
         Company on Form F-X in conjunction with the filing of the Registration
         Statement (the "Form F-X");

                  (iv) On the Effective Date, the Company met the general
         eligibility requirements for the use of Form F-10 under the Act and is
         and will be eligible to use the Shelf Procedures on the Effective Date
         and at all times subsequent thereto up to the Time of Delivery (as
         defined in Section 4 hereof); (A) the Canadian Prospectus complied with
         or will comply with in all material respects the securities laws
         applicable in the Province of Alberta as interpreted and applied by the
         ASC (including the Shelf Procedures, if applicable) and the ASC has
         issued a receipt for the Canadian Shelf Prospectus; (B) the Prospectus
         conformed with or will


                          GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED
                          8.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2005
                                     PAGE 2

<PAGE>   3




         conform to the Canadian Prospectus except for such deletions therefrom
         and additions thereto as are permitted or required by Form F-10 and the
         applicable rules and regulations of the Commission; (C) each of the
         Prospectus, the Canadian Prospectus, any Canadian Supplementary
         Material or any amendment or supplement thereto constituted or will
         constitute true and complete disclosure of all material facts relating
         to the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, and
         the Securities, and did not or will not contain an untrue statement of
         a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
         therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of
         the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; except
         that the representations and warranties contained in (C) above shall
         not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in
         conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by the
         Underwriter expressly for use therein or to statements or omissions
         from that part of the Registration Statement which shall constitute the
         Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act (Form T-1) of
         the Trustee;

                  (v) Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates has taken or
         will take, directly or indirectly, any action which is designed to or
         which has constituted or which might reasonably be expected to cause or
         result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of
         the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities;

                  (vi) No stop order or cease trade order suspending the
         effectiveness of the Registration Statement or revoking the receipt for
         the Canadian Prospectus has been issued and no proceeding for that
         purpose has been initiated or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened
         by the Commission or the ASC;

                  (vii) No order preventing or suspending the use of any
         Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and each Prospectus, at
         the time of filing thereof, conformed in all material respects to the
         requirements of the Act and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended
         (the "Trust Indenture Act"), and the rules and regulations of the
         Commission thereunder, and did not contain an untrue statement of a
         material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
         therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of
         the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided,
         however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any
         statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with
         information furnished in writing to the Company by the Underwriter
         expressly for use therein;

                  (viii) The documents incorporated by reference in the
         Prospectus, when they became effective or when filed with the
         Commission, as the case may be, conformed in all material respects to
         the requirements of the Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
         amended (the "Exchange Act") or the applicable securities laws of the
         Province of Alberta, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of
         the Commission or the ASC thereunder, and none of such documents
         contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
         material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
         statements therein not


                          GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED
                          8.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2005
                                     PAGE 3

<PAGE>   4


         misleading; and any further documents so filed and incorporated by
         reference in the Prospectus or any further amendment or supplement
         thereto, when such documents become effective or are filed with the
         Commission or the ASC, as the case may be, will conform in all material
         respects to the requirements of the Act, the Exchange Act or the
         applicable securities laws of the Province of Alberta, as applicable,
         and the rules and regulations of the Commission or the ASC thereunder
         and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
         state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
         make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that
         this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or
         omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
         furnished in writing to the Company by the Underwriter expressly for
         use therein;

                  (ix) The Registration Statement conforms, and the Prospectus
         and any further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement
         or the Prospectus will conform, in all material respects to the
         requirements of the Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and
         regulations of the Commission thereunder and the Registration Statement
         as of the Effective Date did not, and any amendments or supplements
         thereto will not, as of the applicable effective date, contain an
         untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
         required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
         therein not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and
         warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in
         reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing
         to the Company by the Underwriter expressly for use therein or to
         statements or omissions from that part of the Registration Statement
         which shall constitute the Statement of Eligibility under the Trust
         Indenture Act (Form T-1) of the Trustee;

                  (x) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
         sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements
         included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus any material
         loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or
         other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor
         dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise
         than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus; and, since the
         respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration
         Statement and the Prospectus, there has not been any change in the
         capital stock (other than as a result of the exercise of any warrants
         or options in existence as of such dates) or any increase in short-term
         or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (in an
         aggregate amount in excess of Cdn. $75,000,000) or any material adverse
         change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse
         change, in or affecting the general affairs, management, financial
         position, shareholders' equity or results of operations of the Company
         and its subsidiaries, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in
         the Prospectus;

                  (xi) To the best of the Company's knowledge and belief, the
         Company is unaware of any defects in title to its core oil and gas
         properties or its material assets and facilities which are used in the
         production and marketing of oil and gas that, in the aggregate, would


                          GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED
                          8.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2005
                                     PAGE 4

<PAGE>   5




         have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries
         taken as a whole, except as is customary in the oil and gas business;

                  (xii) Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has been duly
         incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing
         under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, with power and
         authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its
         business as described in the Prospectus, and has been duly qualified as
         a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is in good
         standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or
         leases properties or conducts any business so as to require such
         qualification, or is subject to no material liability or disability by
         reason of the failure to be so qualified in any such jurisdiction;

                  (xiii) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set
         forth in the Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock
         of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are
         fully paid and non-assessable; and all of the issued shares of capital
         stock of each Material Subsidiary of the Company have been duly and
         validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and
         are owned directly or indirectly by the Company (other than Gulf
         Indonesia Resources Limited of which the Company owns 72% of the
         outstanding capital stock), free and clear of all liens, encumbrances,
         equities or claims;

                  (xiv) The Securities have been duly authorized and, when
         issued and delivered pursuant to this Agreement, will have been duly
         executed, authenticated, issued and delivered and will constitute valid
         and legally binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits
         provided by the Indenture dated as of October 17, 1997 as supplemented
         by a supplemental indenture (the "Indenture") between the Company and
         The Bank of New York, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), under which they are
         to be issued, which will be substantially in the form filed as an
         exhibit to the Registration Statement; the Indenture has been duly
         authorized and duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and, when
         executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustee, will constitute
         a valid and legally binding instrument, enforceable in accordance with
         its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency,
         reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or
         affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles; and the
         Securities and the Indenture will conform to the descriptions thereof
         in the Prospectus;

                  (xv) The issue and sale of the Securities by the Company and
         the compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of the
         Securities, the Indenture and this Agreement and the consummation of
         the transactions herein and therein contemplated (including, without
         limitation, the use of proceeds from the sale of the Securities for the
         uses described in the Prospectus) will not conflict with or result in a
         breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute
         a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement
         or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its
         subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
         subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the


                          GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED
                          8.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2005
                                     PAGE 5

<PAGE>   6


         property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
         subject, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions
         of the Articles of Amalgamation or By-laws of the Company or any
         statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental
         agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its
         subsidiaries or any of their properties; and no consent, approval,
         authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such
         court or governmental agency or body is required for the issue and sale
         of the Securities or the consummation by the Company of the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Indenture, except
         the registration of the Securities under the Act and the applicable
         securities laws of the Province of Alberta and other applicable
         securities and corporate laws of Canada, such as have been obtained
         under the Trust Indenture Act and such consents, approvals,
         authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required
         under state or foreign securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with
         the purchase and distribution of the Securities by the Underwriter;

                  (xvi) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in
         violation of its respective Articles of Amalgamation or By-laws or in
         default in the performance or observance of any material obligation,
         agreement, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage,
         deed of trust, loan agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument
         to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be
         bound;

                  (xvii) The statements to be set forth in the Prospectus under
         the captions "Description of the Notes" and "Description of Debt
         Securities," insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of the
         terms of the Securities, and under the caption "Certain Income Tax
         Considerations," insofar as they purport to describe the provisions of
         the laws and documents referred to therein, will be accurate, complete
         and fair;

                  (xviii) Other than as set forth or contemplated in the
         Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to
         which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any
         property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject
         which, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its
         subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a material
         adverse effect on the current or future consolidated financial
         position, shareholders' equity or results of operations of the Company
         and its subsidiaries; and, to the best of the Company's knowledge, no
         such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental
         authorities or threatened by others;

                  (xix) Other than as described in the Prospectus, neither the
         Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any law,
         ordinance, administrative or governmental rule or regulation or court
         decree applicable to it, or is not in compliance with any term or
         condition of, or has failed to obtain, any license, permit, franchise
         or other administrative or governmental authorization necessary to the
         ownership of its property or to the conduct of its business, which
         violation, non-compliance or failure to obtain would individually or in
         the aggregate have a materially adverse effect on the consolidated
         financial position, 


                          GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED
                          8.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2005
                                     PAGE 6

<PAGE>   7


         shareholders' equity or results of operations of the Company and its
         subsidiaries taken as a whole;

                  (xx) All consents, approvals, authorizations and orders
         necessary for the execution and delivery by the Company of this
         Agreement and the Indenture, and for the sale and delivery of the
         Securities, have been obtained;

                  (xxi) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
         delivered by the Company and, assuming it has been duly authorized,
         executed and delivered by the Underwriter, will constitute a valid and
         legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the
         Company in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to
         bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws relating to or
         affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles, and the
         rights to indemnity and contribution under this Agreement may be
         limited by applicable law;

                  (xxii) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the
         offering and sale of the Securities, will not be an "investment
         company" or an entity "controlled" by an "investment company," as such
         terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
         (the "Investment Company Act"); and

                  (xxiii) Ernst & Young, Chartered Accountants, who have
         certified certain financial statements of the Company and its
         subsidiaries, are independent public accountants as required by the Act
         and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

         2. Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company
agrees to issue and sell to the Underwriter, and the Underwriter agrees to
purchase from the Company, at a purchase price of 99.557% (less an underwriting
discount of 2.375%) of the principal amount thereof, the Securities.

         3. Upon the authorization by the Underwriter of the release of the
Securities, the Underwriter proposes to offer the Securities for sale upon the
terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus.

         4. (a) The Securities to be purchased by the Underwriter hereunder will
be represented by one or more definitive global Securities in book-entry form
which will be deposited by or on behalf of the Company with The Depository Trust
Company ("DTC") or its designated custodian. The Company will deliver the
Securities to the Underwriter against payment by or on behalf of the Underwriter
of the purchase price therefor by certified or official bank check or checks,
payable to the order of the Company in Federal (same day) funds, by causing DTC
to credit the Securities to the account of the Underwriter at DTC. The Company
will cause the certificates representing the Securities to be made available to
the Underwriter for checking at least twenty-four hours prior to the Time of
Delivery (as defined below) at the office of DTC or its designated custodian
(the "Designated Office"). The time and date of such delivery and payment shall
be


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9:30 a.m., New York City time, on November 16, 1998 or such other time and date
as the Underwriter and the Company may agree upon in writing. Such time and date
are herein called the "Time of Delivery."

         (b) The documents to be delivered at the Time of Delivery by or on
behalf of the parties hereto pursuant to Section 7 hereof, including the
cross-receipt for the Securities and any additional documents requested by the
Underwriter pursuant to Section 7 hereof, will be delivered at the offices of
the Company at One Norwest Center, 1700 Lincoln, Suite 5000, Denver, Colorado
80203-4524 (the "Closing Location"), and the Securities will be delivered at the
Designated Office, all at the Time of Delivery. A meeting will be held at the
Closing Location at 2:00 p.m., Denver time, on the New York Business Day next
preceding the Time of Delivery, at which meeting the final drafts of the
documents to be delivered pursuant to the preceding sentence will be available
for review by the parties hereto. For the purposes of this Section 4, "New York
Business Day" shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York are generally
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

         5.       The Company agrees with the Underwriter:

         (a) To use its best efforts to prepare the Canadian Prospectus and the
Prospectus in a form approved by you and to comply with the requirements of the
Shelf Procedures and General Instruction II.L. of Form F-10; prior to the Time
of Delivery, to make no further amendment or any supplement to the Registration
Statement or Prospectus or Canadian Prospectus which shall be disapproved by you
promptly after reasonable notice thereof; to advise you, promptly after it
receives notice thereof, of the time when any amendment to the Registration
Statement has been filed or becomes effective or any supplement to the
Prospectus or Canadian Prospectus or any amended Prospectus or amended Canadian
Prospectus has been filed and to furnish you with copies thereof; to file
promptly all reports and any definitive proxy or information statements required
to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c),
14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of the Prospectus and for
so long as the delivery of a prospectus is required in connection with the
offering or sale of the Securities; to advise you, promptly after it receives
notice thereof, (i) when the Prospectus or any post-effective amendment to the
Registration Statement shall have been filed with the Commission or shall have
become effective and when any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended
Prospectus or amended Canadian Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement or
Canadian Supplemental Material shall have been filed, (ii) of the receipt of any
comments or other communications from the ASC or from the Commission, (iii) of
any request by the ASC to amend or supplement the Canadian Prospectus or for
additional information or of any request by the Commission to amend the
Registration Statement or to amend or supplement the Prospectus or for
additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order
or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Prospectus or
prospectus, of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for
offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any
proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the
amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement or Prospectus or for
additional information; and (v) of the issuance by the ASC of any order having
the effect of ceasing


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or suspending the distribution of the Securities, or of the institution or, to
the knowledge of the Company, threatening of any proceedings for any such
purpose; and, in the event of the issuance of any stop order or of any order
preventing or suspending the use of any Prospectus or prospectus or suspending
any such qualification or ceasing or suspending the distribution of the
Securities, promptly to use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such
order;

         (b) Promptly from time to time to take such action as you may
reasonably request to qualify the Securities for offering and sale under the
securities laws of such jurisdictions as you may request and to comply with such
laws so as to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such
jurisdictions for as long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of
the Securities, provided that in connection therewith the Company shall not be
required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general consent to
service of process in any jurisdiction;

         (c) To furnish the Underwriter with copies of the Prospectus in such
quantities as you may from time to time reasonably request, and, if the delivery
of a prospectus is required at any time prior to the expiration of nine months
after the time of issue of the Prospectus in connection with the offering or
sale of the Securities and if at such time any event shall have occurred as a
result of which the Prospectus or Canadian Prospectus as then amended or
supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such Prospectus
or Canadian Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason
it shall be necessary during such period to amend or supplement the Prospectus
or Canadian Prospectus or to file under the Exchange Act or the applicable
securities laws of the Province of Alberta any document incorporated by
reference in the Prospectus in order to comply with the Act or the Exchange Act
or the applicable securities laws of the Province of Alberta, to notify you and
upon your request to file such document and to prepare and furnish without
charge to the Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as many copies as you
may from time to time reasonably request of an amended Prospectus or a
supplement to the Prospectus which will correct such statement or omission or
effect such compliance, and in case the Underwriter is required to deliver a
prospectus in connection with sales of any of the Securities at any time nine
months or more after the time of issue of the Prospectus, upon your request but
at the expense of the Underwriter, to prepare and deliver to the Underwriter as
many copies as you may request of an amended or supplemented Prospectus
complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Act;

         (d) To make generally available to its securityholders as soon as
practicable, but in any event not later than eighteen months after the date of
the Prospectus, an earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which
need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158);

         (e) During the period beginning from the date hereof and continuing to
and including the date 90 days after the date of the Prospectus Supplement, not
to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any debt securities of
the Company denominated in United States dollars in an offering to the public in
the United States (or in a private offering where holders of the debt


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<PAGE>   10




securities are granted rights to have such debt securities registered under the
Act or to exchange such debt securities for other debt securities that are so
registered) without the prior written consent of the Underwriter, which will not
be unreasonably withheld;

         (f) To furnish to the record holders of the Securities, in accordance
with the requirements under Canadian law, an annual report (including a balance
sheet and statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows of the
Company and its consolidated subsidiaries certified by independent public
accountants) and, in accordance with the requirements under Canadian law
(beginning with the fiscal quarter ending after the effective date of the
Registration Statement), consolidated summary financial information of the
Company and its subsidiaries for each quarter of each fiscal year in reasonable
detail; and to furnish to the record holders of the Securities all other
documents specified in Section 1010 of the Indenture;

         (g) During a period of five years from the effective date of the
Registration Statement, to furnish to you copies of all reports or other
communications (financial or other) furnished to shareholders, and to deliver to
you (i)(A) as soon as they are publicly available, copies of any reports and
financial statements furnished to or filed with the Commission or any national
securities exchange on which any class of securities of the Company is listed
and (B) as soon as they are available, the documents specified in Section 1010
of the Indenture as in effect at the Time of Delivery; and (ii) such additional
information concerning the business and financial condition of the Company as
you may from time to time reasonably request (such financial statements to be on
a consolidated basis to the extent the accounts of the Company and its
subsidiaries are consolidated in reports furnished to its shareholders generally
or to the Commission); and

         (h) To use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the
Securities pursuant to this Agreement in the manner specified in the Prospectus
under the caption "Use of Proceeds."

         6. (a) The Company covenants and agrees with the Underwriter that the
Company will pay or cause to be paid the following: (A) the fees, disbursements
and expenses of the Company's counsel and accountants in connection with the
registration of the Securities under the Act and the applicable securities laws
of the Province of Alberta and all other expenses in connection with the
preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement, any Preliminary
Shelf Prospectus and the Prospectus and amendments and supplements thereto and
the mailing and delivery of copies thereof to the Underwriter and dealers; (B)
the cost of printing or producing this Agreement, the Indenture, the Blue Sky
and Legal Investment Memoranda, closing documents (including any compilations
thereof) and any other documents in connection with the offering, purchase, sale
and delivery of the Securities; (C) all expenses in connection with the
qualification of the Securities for offering and sale under state securities
laws as provided in Section 5(b) hereof, including the fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Underwriter in connection with such qualification and in
connection with the Blue Sky and legal investment surveys; (D) any fees charged
by securities rating services for rating the Securities; (E) the filing fees
incident to, and the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriter in
connection with, securing any required review by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. of the terms of the sale of the Securities; (F) all


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expenses of or incidental to any institutional or retail roadshows, including,
without limitation, the printing of blue sheets and any other materials used or
distributed in connection with such roadshows and tours of the Company's
properties, if any, and similar events; (G) the fees and expenses of the Trustee
and any agent of the Trustee and the fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Trustee in connection with the Indenture and the Securities; (H) the cost of
preparing the Securities; (I) the cost and charges of any transfer agent or
registrar; and (J) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of
its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically provided for in
this Section. It is understood, however, that except as provided in this Section
6(a), and Sections 8 and 10 hereof, the Underwriter will pay all of its own
costs and expenses, including the fees of its counsel, transfer taxes on resale
of any of the Securities by it, and any advertising expenses connected with any
offers it may make.

         (b) The Underwriter covenants and agrees with the Company that, during
the period of distribution of the Securities, it will not, directly or
indirectly, offer, sell or deliver any of the Securities in Canada or any
province or territory thereof, or to anyone it has reason to believe is a
resident of Canada, other than in accordance with applicable Canadian law or the
applicable law of any province or territory thereof, and further agrees that it
will insert a comparable restriction in any sub-underwriting, banking group or
selling group agreement that may be entered into with the Underwriter in
connection with the distribution of the Securities.

         7. The obligations of the Underwriter hereunder shall be subject, in
its discretion, to the condition that all representations and warranties and
other statements of the Company herein are, at and as of the Time of Delivery,
true and correct, the condition that the Company shall have performed all of its
obligations hereunder theretofore to be performed, and the following additional
conditions:

         (a) The Prospectus Supplement shall have been filed with the Commission
pursuant to General Instruction II.L. of Form F-10 within the applicable time
period prescribed for such filing by the rules and regulations under the Act and
in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof; no stop order or cease trade order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof
or revoking the receipt for the Canadian Prospectus shall have been issued and
no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the
ASC or the Commission; and all requests for additional information on the part
of the ASC or the Commission shall have been complied with to your reasonable
satisfaction;

         (b) Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., United States counsel for the Underwriter,
shall have furnished to you such opinion or opinions, dated the Time of
Delivery, with respect to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and other
related matters as you may reasonably request; and such counsel shall have
received such papers and information as they may reasonably request to enable
them to pass upon such matters;


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         (c) Bennett Jones Verchere, Canadian counsel for the Company, shall
have furnished to you their written opinion, dated such Time of Delivery, in
form and substance satisfactory to you, to the effect that:

                  (i) The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and validly
         subsisting under the laws of Canada, being the jurisdiction of its
         incorporation, with corporate power and capacity to own its properties
         and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus;

                  (ii) (A) The authorized share capital of the Company consists
         of an unlimited number of ordinary shares, an unlimited number of
         Senior Preference Shares, issuable in series, and an unlimited number
         of Junior Preference Shares, issuable in series; and (B) all of the
         issued shares in the capital of the Company have been validly
         authorized and issued and are outstanding as fully paid and
         non-assessable (such counsel being entitled to rely in respect of
         issued capital upon certificates of officers of the Company);

                  (iii) The Company (A) is duly registered as an
         extra-provincial corporation and is in good standing with respect to
         the filing of annual returns with the appropriate authorities in the
         Province of Alberta; and (B) has been duly registered as an
         extra-provincial company in the Province of British Columbia for the
         transaction of business and is in good standing with respect to the
         filing of returns with the Registrar of Companies for the Province,
         being all the jurisdictions in which it owns or leases material
         properties or conducts any material business so as to require such
         qualification, or is subject to no material liability or disability by
         reason of failure to be so qualified in any such jurisdiction (such
         counsel being entitled to rely in respect of the opinion in this clause
         upon opinions of local counsel and in respect of matters of fact upon
         certificates of officers of the Company, provided that such counsel
         shall state that they believe that both you and they are justified in
         relying upon such opinions and certificates);

                  (iv) Each Material Subsidiary of the Company is a corporation
         duly incorporated and validly subsisting under the laws of its
         jurisdiction of incorporation; and all of the issued shares in the
         capital of each such Material Subsidiary have been validly authorized
         and issued, are outstanding as fully paid and non-assessable, and are
         owned directly or indirectly by the Company (other than Gulf Indonesia
         Resources Limited of which the Company owns 72% of the outstanding
         capital stock), free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or
         claims (such counsel being entitled to rely in respect of the opinion
         in this clause upon opinions of local counsel and in respect to matters
         of fact upon certificates of officers of the Company or its
         subsidiaries, provided that such counsel shall only be required to
         opine on these matters to the extent that local counsel can opine and
         shall state that they believe that both you and they are justified in
         relying upon such opinions and certificates);

                  (v) To the best of such counsel's knowledge and other than as
         set forth in the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental
         proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
         a party or of which any property of the Company or any of its


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         subsidiaries is the subject which, if determined adversely to the
         Company or any of its subsidiaries, would individually or in the
         aggregate have a material adverse effect on the current or future
         consolidated financial position, shareholders' equity or results of
         operations of the Company and its subsidiaries; and, to the best of
         such counsel's knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or
         contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others;

                  (vi) This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized,
         executed and delivered by the Company;

                  (vii) The Indenture has been duly and validly authorized,
         executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming that it constitutes
         a valid and binding obligation of the Company under New York law,
         constitutes a valid and binding instrument of the Company, enforceable
         against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to
         bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium
         and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
         creditors' rights and to general equity principles;

                  (viii) The Securities have been duly authorized, executed,
         issued and delivered by the Company and, assuming that they have been
         duly authenticated by the Trustee under New York law and constitute
         valid and binding obligations of the Company under New York law,
         constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company; and
         the holders of Securities are entitled to the benefits of the
         Indenture;

                  (ix) The issue and sale of the Securities and the compliance
         by the Company with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the
         Indenture and the consummation of the transactions herein and therein
         contemplated (including, without limitation; the use of proceeds from
         the sale of Securities for the uses described in the Prospectus) will
         not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the
         terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture,
         mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or
         instrument known to such counsel to which the Company or any of its
         subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
         subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the
         Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, nor will such action
         result in any violation of the provisions of the Articles of
         Amalgamation or By-laws of the Company or any statute or any order,
         rule or regulation known to such counsel of any court or governmental
         agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its
         subsidiaries or any of their properties;

                  (x) No consent, approval, authorization or order of or
         qualification with any governmental body or agency in Canada is
         required to be obtained by the Company for the offer and sale of the
         Securities in the manner contemplated by this Agreement or the
         consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement and the Indenture, except such as have been obtained;


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                  (xi) Neither the Company nor any of its Material Subsidiaries
         is in violation of its Articles of Amalgamation or By-laws (such
         counsel being entitled to rely in respect of the opinion in this clause
         upon certificates of officers of the Company);

                  (xii) The statements set forth in the Prospectus under the
         captions "Description of the Notes" and "Description of Debt
         Securities," insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of the
         terms of the Securities, and subject to the qualifications set out
         therein, the statements set forth in the Prospectus under the caption
         "Certain Income Tax Considerations" insofar as they purport to describe
         the provisions of the laws of Canada and documents referred to therein,
         are accurate, complete and fair in all material respects;

                  (xiii) There are no documents required to be filed with the
         ASC in connection with the Canadian Prospectus that have not been filed
         as required;

                  (xiv) A receipt has been obtained in respect of the Canadian
         Prospectus from the ASC and to the best of such counsel's knowledge the
         ASC has not revoked such receipt;

                  (xv) The Company is eligible to file a short form prospectus
         with the ASC and use the Shelf Procedures in respect of the Securities;

                  (xvi) A court of competent jurisdiction in the Province of
         Alberta would give effect to the choice of New York law as the proper
         law governing the Indenture, the Securities and this Agreement,
         provided that such choice of law is bona fide (in the sense that it was
         not made with a view to avoiding the consequences of the laws of any
         other jurisdiction) and provided that such choice of law is not
         contrary to public policy, as that term is understood under the laws of
         the Province of Alberta and the federal laws of Canada applicable
         therein; to such counsel's knowledge, there are no reasons under
         present law for avoiding the choice of New York law to govern the
         Indenture, the Securities and this Agreement under the laws of the
         Province of Alberta and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein;

                  (xvii) If the Indenture, the Securities and this Agreement
         were sought to be enforced in the Province of Alberta in accordance
         with the laws applicable thereto, as chosen by the parties, namely, New
         York law, a court of competent jurisdiction in the Province of Alberta
         would and to the extent specifically pleaded and proved as a fact by
         expert evidence, recognize the choice of New York law and apply such
         law to all issues that, under the conflict of laws rules of the
         Province of Alberta, are to be determined in accordance with the proper
         or general law of a contract, provided that none of the provisions of
         the Indenture, the Securities or this Agreement, or of New York law,
         are contrary to public policy as that term is understood under the laws
         of the Province of Alberta and the federal laws of Canada applicable
         therein; and further provided that, in matters of procedure (as that
         term is understood under the laws of the Province of Alberta and the
         federal laws of Canada applicable therein), the laws of the Province of
         Alberta will be applied, and a court of competent jurisdiction in the
         Province of Alberta will retain discretion to decline to hear such


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<PAGE>   15




         action and apply such law (A) if it is contrary to public policy (as
         that term is understood under the laws of the Province of Alberta and
         the federal laws of Canada applicable therein) for such court to do so,
         or (B) if it is not the proper forum to hear such an action or (C) if
         concurrent proceedings are being brought elsewhere; to such counsel's
         knowledge, there are no reasons based on public policy, as that term is
         understood under the laws of the Province of Alberta and the laws of
         Canada applicable therein, for avoiding enforcement of the Indenture,
         the Securities or this Agreement (with the exception of the indemnity
         contribution provisions contained therein);

                  (xviii) The laws of the Province of Alberta permit an action
         to be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction in the Province of
         Alberta on any final and conclusive judgment in personam for a fixed
         sum of money of any federal or state court located in the Borough of
         Manhattan in The City of New York ("New York Court") respecting the
         enforcement of the Indenture, the Securities and this Agreement that is
         not impeachable as void or voidable under the internal laws of the
         State of New York for a sum certain if: (A) the court rendering such
         judgment had jurisdiction over the judgment debtor, as recognized by
         the courts of the Province of Alberta (to such counsel's knowledge,
         submission under the provisions of the Indenture, the Securities and
         this Agreement to the jurisdiction of the New York Court will be
         sufficient for this purpose), and the judgment debtor was properly
         served in the action leading to such judgment; (B) such judgment was
         not obtained by fraud or in a manner contrary to natural justice and
         the enforcement thereof would not be inconsistent with public policy,
         as such term is understood under the laws of the Province of Alberta,
         or contrary to any order made by the Attorney General of Canada under
         the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act (Canada) or by the
         Competition Tribunal under the Competition Act (Canada); (C) the
         enforcement of such judgment does not constitute, directly or
         indirectly, the enforcement of foreign revenue, expropriation or penal
         laws or other laws of a public law nature; (D) no new admissible
         evidence relevant to the action is discovered prior to rendering of
         judgment by the court in the Province of Alberta; and (E) the action to
         enforce such judgment is commenced within the applicable limitation
         period; to such counsel's knowledge, there are no reasons under present
         law of the Province of Alberta for avoiding recognition of said
         judgments of New York Courts under the Indenture, the Securities and
         this Agreement based upon public policy, as that term is understood
         under the laws of the Province of Alberta and the federal laws of
         Canada applicable therein;

                  (xix) In an action on a final and conclusive judgment in
         personam for a fixed sum of money of a New York court which is not
         impeachable as void or voidable under New York law, a court of
         competent jurisdiction in the Province of Alberta would not refuse to
         recognize the jurisdiction of the court rendering such judgment on the
         basis of process having been served on CT Corporation System as the
         agent to receive service of process in the United States of America
         appointed by the Corporation under the Indenture and this Agreement;


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                  (xx) The Prospectus and any Supplemental Material in
         connection with the offering of the Securities (excluding the financial
         statements and related schedules therein and information that pertains
         or relates to estimated natural resource reserves, the estimated future
         net reserves therefrom, or the discounted present value of such
         estimated future net revenues, as to which such counsel need express no
         opinion) comply as to form in all material respects with Alberta law,
         including the Shelf Procedures, if applicable, as interpreted and
         applied by the Alberta Securities Commission in connection with the
         offering of the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement;

                  (xxi) No stamp duty, registration or documentary taxes, duties
         or similar charges are payable under the laws of the Province of
         Alberta or the federal laws of Canada applicable therein in connection
         with the creation, issuance and delivery to the Underwriter of the
         Securities or the authorization, execution and delivery of the
         Indenture and this Agreement;

                  (xxii) To the best of such counsel's knowledge without a
         specific investigation for the purposes of this opinion, there is no
         action, proceeding or investigation pending or threatened against the
         Company which questions the validity of the issuance of the Securities
         or the offering thereof by the Underwriter;

                  (xxiii) An exemption has been obtained under Section 82(3) of
         the Canada Business Corporations Act (the "CBCA") to exempt the
         Indenture from the application of Part VIII of the CBCA, including to
         permit a non-Canadian trust company to act as Trustee under the
         Indenture; and no other registration, filing or recording of the
         Indenture under the laws of Canada or the Province of Alberta is
         necessary in order to preserve or protect the validity or
         enforceability of the Indenture or the Securities issued thereunder;
         and

                  (xxiv) Such counsel has reviewed the Prospectus, as
         supplemented by the Prospectus Supplement, and the Shelf Information,
         and has participated in discussions with your representatives and your
         counsel and those of the Company, its United States counsel and its
         auditors, at which the Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement and the
         Shelf Information were discussed; on the basis of the information
         gained by such counsel in the course of the performance of such
         services, such counsel confirms that nothing has come to their
         attention in the course of their review that has caused them to believe
         that any part of the Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement or the Shelf
         Information (if applicable), (other than the financial statements and
         reserve information and related schedules therein, as to which such
         counsel need express no opinion) when such part became effective, or
         any further amendment to any of the foregoing made by the Company prior
         to the Time of Delivery contained an untrue statement of a material
         fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein
         or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that, as
         of the date of the Prospectus, the Prospectus, the Prospectus
         Supplement or the Shelf Information (other than the financial
         statements and reserve information and related schedules therein, as to
         which such counsel need express no opinion), or any further amendment
         or supplement thereto


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         made by the Company prior to the Time of Delivery contained an untrue
         statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
         necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
         circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or that, as of
         the Time of Delivery, either the Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement
         or the Shelf Information, or any further amendment or supplement
         thereto made by the Company prior to the Time of Delivery (other than
         the financial statements and reserve information and related schedules
         therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) contains an
         untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact
         necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
         circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (in connection
         with the belief expressed in the next preceding clause, such counsel
         may assume that the term "material fact" has the same interpretation
         under United States law as it has under the Securities Act (Alberta);
         and they do not know of any amendment to the Prospectus, the Prospectus
         Supplement or the Shelf Information required to be filed or of any
         contracts or other documents of a character required to be filed as an
         exhibit in connection with the Prospectus, the Shelf Prospectus
         Supplement or the Shelf Information or required to be incorporated by
         reference into the Prospectus or required to be described in the
         Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement or the Shelf Information, which
         are not filed or incorporated by reference or described as required by
         Canadian law; given the limitations inherent in the independent
         verification of factual matters and the character of determinations
         involved in the filing and obtaining of a receipt from the ASC for the
         Prospectus and the registration process, such counsel need not pass
         upon and need not assume any responsibility for the accuracy,
         completeness or genuineness of the statements included in the
         Prospectus or the Prospectus Supplement (including the documents
         incorporated therein by reference), except for those made under the
         captions "Description of the Notes," "Description of Debt Securities"
         and "Certain Income Tax Considerations -- Certain Canadian Federal
         Income Tax Considerations," insofar as such statements constitute
         summaries of the matters, documents or proceedings therein described;
         such counsel need not express any opinion or belief as to the financial
         statements or other financial data contained in the Prospectus
         (including the documents incorporated by reference) and the Prospectus
         Supplement, information included in the Prospectus or the Prospectus
         Supplement that pertains or relates to estimated natural resource
         reserves, the estimated future net revenues therefrom or the discounted
         present value of such estimated future net revenues or statements
         contained in the Prospectus or the Prospectus Supplement concerning
         matters of the United States income tax law.

                  In rendering such opinion, such counsel may state that they
         express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction outside Alberta
         and in relying on local counsel for opinions relating to the laws of
         any jurisdiction outside Alberta, or in relation to Material
         Subsidiaries, such counsel is only required to opine on matters to the
         extent provided by such local counsel.


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<PAGE>   18




         (d) Butler & Binion L.L.P., United States counsel for the Company,
shall have furnished to you their written opinion, dated the Time of Delivery,
in form and substance satisfactory to you, to the effect that:

                  (i) The statements set forth in the Prospectus under the
         caption "Certain Income Tax Considerations -- Certain U.S. Federal
         Income Tax Considerations," insofar as such statements relate to U.S.
         Federal income tax considerations, fairly summarize the material U.S.
         Federal income tax considerations to those U.S. holders of Securities
         referred to herein;

                  (ii) The Company is not an "investment company" or an entity
         "controlled" by an "investment company," as such terms are defined in
         the Investment Company Act;

                  (iii) No authorization, consent or approval of, notice to or
         filing with any United States federal or State of New York governmental
         authority is required for the execution, delivery or performance by the
         Company of this Agreement or the consummation by the Company of the
         transactions contemplated hereby or is required to be obtained by the
         Company for the offer and sale of the Securities in the United States
         by the Underwriter except such as have been obtained under the Act and
         the Trust Indenture Act or such as may be required under state blue sky
         laws;

                  (iv) The Registration Statement is effective under the Act
         and, to the best of the knowledge, information and belief of such
         counsel, no stop order with respect thereto has been issued, or
         proceeding for that purpose has been instituted or threatened, by the
         Commission;

                  (v) The Form F-X complies as to form in all material respects
         with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the
         Commission thereunder;

                  (vi) The statements set forth in the Prospectus under the
         captions "Description of the Notes" and "Description of Debt
         Securities" insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of the
         terms of the Securities, fairly summarize the terms of the Securities;

                  (vii) Assuming the Indenture has been duly authorized,
         executed and delivered by the Company under Canadian federal and
         Alberta law, the Indenture has been duly executed and delivered by the
         Company, and constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of the
         Company enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to
         bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium
         and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
         creditors' rights and to general equity principles;

                  (viii) Assuming the Securities have been duly authorized,
         executed, issued and delivered by the Company and duly authenticated by
         the Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and under
         Canadian federal and Alberta law, the Securities, upon payment for and
         delivery of the Securities in accordance with the Indenture and the
         Under-


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<PAGE>   19

         writing Agreement, have been duly executed, issued and delivered
         by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee and constitute valid
         and legally binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits
         of the Indenture and enforceable in accordance with their terms,
         subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
         moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or
         affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles;

                  (ix) The Securities are direct unsecured obligations of the
         Company and rank (A) senior to the Company's 9-1/4% Senior Subordinated
         Debentures Due 2004 and the Company's 9-5/8% Senior Subordinated
         Debentures Due 2005, the only senior subordinated indebtedness for
         borrowed money of the Company known to such counsel, and (B) pari passu
         with the Company's 8.25% Senior Notes due 2017, the Company's 9%
         Debentures due 1999, the Company's 8.35% Senior Notes due 2006 and the
         Company's bank credit facilities, the only other senior indebtedness
         for borrowed money of the Company known to such Counsel;

                  (x) Assuming this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed
         and delivered under Canadian federal and Alberta law, this Agreement
         has been duly executed and delivered by the Company;

                  (xi) The Indenture has been duly qualified under the U.S.
         Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended;

                  (xii) Each part of the Registration Statement, when such part
         became effective, and the Prospectus, as supplemented by the Prospectus
         Supplement, as of the date of the Prospectus Supplement, appeared on
         their face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects
         relevant to the offering of the Securities, to the requirements of the
         Act, the Trust Indenture Act and the applicable rules and regulations
         of the Commission thereunder;

                  (xiii) As United States counsel to the Company, they reviewed
         the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, participated in
         discussions with representatives of the Under writer and those of the
         Company, their accountants and the Company's Canadian counsel, and
         advised the Company as to the requirements of the Act and the
         applicable rules and regulations thereunder; on the basis of the
         information that such counsel gained in the course of the performance
         of such services, considered in the light of their understanding of the
         applicable law (including the requirements of Form F-10 and the
         character of the prospectus contemplated thereby) and the experience
         they have gained through their practice under the Act, they confirm to
         the Underwriter that nothing that came to such counsel's attention in
         the course of such review has caused such counsel to believe that
         insofar as relevant to the offering of the Securities, any part of the
         Registration Statement, when such part became effective, contained any
         untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material
         fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
         therein not misleading or that the Prospectus, as supplemented by the
         Prospectus Supplement, as of the date of the


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<PAGE>   20




         Prospectus Supplement or as of the Time of Delivery, contained or
         contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to
         state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
         therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made,
         not misleading; and such counsel do not know of any amendment to the
         Registration Statement required to be filed or of any contracts or
         other documents of a character required to be filed as an exhibit to
         the Registration Statement or required to be incorporated by reference
         into the Prospectus or required to be described in the Registration
         Statement or the Prospectus which are not filed or incorporated by
         reference or described as required. Such counsel may state that the
         limitations inherent in the independent verification of factual matters
         and the character of determinations involved in the registration
         process are such that they do not assume any responsibility for the
         accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the
         Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Prospectus Supplement
         except for those made under the captions "Description of Debt
         Securities" and "Certain Income Tax Considerations" in the Prospectus
         and "Description of the Notes" and "Certain Income Tax Considerations
         -- Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations" in the Prospectus
         Supplement insofar as they relate to provisions of documents or legal
         matters; that such counsel do not express any opinion or belief as to
         the financial statements or other financial data or as to the operating
         and statistical data regarding oil and gas reserves and production
         contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the
         Prospectus Supplement, or as to any statement of the eligibility of the
         Trustee; and that their letter is furnished, as United States counsel
         to the Company, to the Underwriter and the Company and is solely for
         the benefit of the Underwriter and the Company.

                  In rendering such opinion, such counsel may state that they
         express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction outside the
         United States.

         (e) On the date of the Prospectus at a time prior to the execution of
this Agreement, at 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the effective date of any
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement filed subsequent to the
date of this Agreement and also at the Time of Delivery, Ernst & Young,
Chartered Accountants, shall have furnished to you a letter or letters, dated
the respective dates of delivery thereof, in form and substance satisfactory to
you, to the effect set forth in Annex I hereto;

         (f) (i) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall have
sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus any loss or interference with its
business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered
by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order
or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus, and
(ii) since the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Prospectus there shall not have been any change in the capital stock (other than
as a result of the exercise of any warrants or options in existence as of such
dates) or any increase in short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company (in
an aggregate amount in excess of Cdn. $75,000,000) or any of its subsidiaries or
any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting
the general affairs, management, financial position,


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<PAGE>   21




shareholders' equity or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus, the
effect of which, in any such case described in clause (i) or (ii), is in the
judgment of the Underwriter so material and adverse as to make it impracticable
or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the
Securities being delivered at the Time of Delivery on the terms and in the
manner contemplated in the Prospectus;

         (g) On or after the date hereof (i) no downgrading shall have occurred
in the rating accorded the Company's debt securities by any "nationally
recognized statistical rating organization," as that term is defined by the
Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Act, and (ii) no such
organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or
review, with possible negative implications, its rating of any of the Company's
debt securities;

         (h) On or after the date hereof there shall not have occurred any of
the following: (i) a suspension or material limitation in trading in securities
generally on the New York Stock Exchange or The Toronto Stock Exchange; (ii) a
suspension or material limitation in trading in the Company's securities on the
New York Stock Exchange or The Toronto Stock Exchange; (iii) a general
moratorium on commercial banking activities declared by either Federal or New
York State authorities or authorities of Canada or a province thereof; or (iv)
the outbreak or escalation of hostilities involving the United States or Canada
or the declaration by the United States or Canada of a national emergency or
war, if the effect of any such event specified in this clause (iv) in the
judgment of the Underwriter makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed
with the public offering or the delivery of the Securities on the terms and in
the manner contemplated in the Prospectus;

         (i) The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to you
at the Time of Delivery certificates of officers of the Company satisfactory to
you as to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company
herein at and as of such Time of Delivery, as to the performance by the Company
of all of their respective obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to
the Time of Delivery, and as to such other matters as you may reasonably
request, and the Company shall have furnished certificates as to matters set
forth in subsections (a) and (f) of this Section and as to such other matters as
you may reasonably request.

         8. (a) The Company will indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriter
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which
the Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out
of or are based upon (i) an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, or the Shelf Information, (ii) the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) the
non-compliance or alleged non-compliance by the Company with any requirement of
the ASC, Canadian securities laws, U.S. securities laws or the bylaws, rules or
regulations of any stock exchange, and will reimburse the Underwriter for any
legal or other


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<PAGE>   22




expenses reasonably incurred by the Underwriter in connection with investigating
or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent
that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
made in any Preliminary Shelf Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement, or the Shelf Information, in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by the Underwriter expressly for use therein. The rights of indemnity
contained in this Section 8(a) in respect of a claim based on a
misrepresentation or omission or alleged misrepresentation or omission in any
Preliminary Shelf Prospectus shall not apply if the Prospectus or any
Supplementary Material corrects in all material respects such misrepresentation
or omission or alleged misrepresentation or omission, the Underwriter was
required by the Act to deliver the Prospectus or such Supplementary Material to
the person asserting such claim, and the Underwriter failed to do so.

         (b) The Underwriter will indemnify and hold harmless the Company
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may
become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based
upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any Preliminary Shelf Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or the Shelf Information, or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the
extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission was made in any Preliminary Shelf Prospectus, the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement, or the Shelf
Information, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Company by the Underwriter expressly for use therein; and will
reimburse the Company for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the
Company in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim
as such expenses are incurred.

         (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection (a)
or (b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party
shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying
party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the
commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall
not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party
otherwise than under such subsection. In case any such action shall be brought
against any indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the
commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate
therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any other
indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with
counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the
consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and,
after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its
election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be
liable to such indemnified party under such subsection for any legal expenses of
other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such
indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other than


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<PAGE>   23




reasonable costs of investigation. No indemnifying party shall, without the
written consent of the indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise
of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or
threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution
may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or
potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or
judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all
liability arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a
statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or
on behalf of any indemnified party.

         (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is
unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
subsection (a) or (b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriter on
the other from the offering of the Securities. If, however, the allocation
provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable
law or if the indemnified party failed to give the notice required under
subsection (c) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to such
amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative
fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriter on the other in
connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any
other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the
Company on the one hand and the Underwriter on the other shall be deemed to be
in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before
deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total underwriting
discounts and commissions received by the Underwriter, in each case as set forth
in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state
a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand
or the Underwriter on the other and the parties' relative intent, knowledge,
access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or
omission. The Company and the Underwriter agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection (d) were determined by pro
rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account
of the equitable considerations referred to above in this subsection (d). The
amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above
in this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating
or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
subsection (d), the Underwriter shall not be required to contribute any amount
in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities
underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public
exceeds the amount of any damages which the Underwriter has otherwise been
required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission
or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within
the meaning of


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Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who
was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

         (e) The obligations of the Company under this Section 8 shall be in
addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend,
upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls the
Underwriter within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the
Underwriter under this Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability which the
Underwriter may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and
conditions, to each officer and director of the Company (including any person
who, with his or her consent, is named in the Registration Statement as about to
become a director of the Company) and to each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of the Act.

         9. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties
and other statements of the Company and the Underwriter, as set forth in this
Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to this
Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any
investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf
of the Underwriter or any controlling person of the Underwriter, the Company or
any officer or director or controlling person of the Company and shall survive
delivery of and payment for the Securities.

         10. If for any reason any Securities are not delivered by or on behalf
of the Company as provided herein, the Company will reimburse the Underwriter
for all out-of-pocket expenses approved in writing by you, including fees and
disbursements of counsel, reasonably incurred by the Underwriter in making
preparations for the purchase, sale and delivery of the Securities not so
delivered, but the Company shall then be under no further liability to the
Underwriter in respect of the Securities not so delivered except as provided in
Sections 6 and 8 hereof.

         11. All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be
in writing, and if to the Underwriter shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex
or facsimile transmission to Goldman, Sachs & Co., 85 Broad Street, New York,
New York 10004, Attention: Registration Department; and if to the Company shall
be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to the address of
the Company set forth in the Registration Statement, Attention: Secretary. Any
such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect at the time
of receipt thereof.

         12. Other definition in this Agreement: "Material Subsidiaries" means
Gulf Indonesia Resources Limited, Clyde Petroleum Limited and Stampeder
Acquisition (No. 2) Ltd.

         13. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure solely to the
benefit of, the Underwriter and the Company and, to the extent provided in
Sections 8 and 9 hereof, the officers and directors of the Company and each
person who controls the Company or the Underwriter, and their respective heirs,
executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and no other person shall
acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement. No purchaser of
any of the Securities from the Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign
by reason merely of such purchase.


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         14. Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement. As used herein, the
term "business day" shall mean any day of the year, other than a Saturday or a
Sunday, on which banks are open for business in the cities of Calgary, Alberta,
and New York, New York.

         15. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York. The Company irrevocably submits to the
jurisdiction of any Federal court (or, if such court refuses to take
jurisdiction, any New York State Court) located in the Borough of Manhattan in
The City of New York over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or
relating to this Agreement, the Calculation Agreement, the Security Agreement or
any Security. The Company irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, any objection which it may have to the laying of the venue of any such
suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any such
suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in any
inconvenient forum. The Company agrees that final judgment in any such suit,
action or proceeding brought in such a court shall be conclusive and binding
upon the Company and may be enforced in the courts of Canada (or any other
courts to the jurisdiction of which the Company is subject) by a suit upon such
judgment, provided that service of process is effected upon the Company in the
manner specified in the following paragraph or as otherwise permitted by law;
provided, however, that the Company does not waive, and the foregoing provisions
of this sentence shall not constitute or be deemed to constitute a waiver of,
(i) any right to appeal any such judgment, to seek any stay or otherwise to seek
reconsideration or review of any such judgment in each case before the trial
court of a U.S. Federal or State court having appellate jurisdiction over such
trial court or (ii) any stay of execution or levy pending an appeal from, or a
suit, action or proceeding for reconsideration or review of, any such judgment.

         As long as any of the Securities remain outstanding, the Company will
at all times have an authorized agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York upon whom process may be served in any legal action or proceeding
arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any Security. Service of process
upon such agent and written notice of such service mailed or delivered to the
Company shall to the extent permitted by law be deemed in every respect
effective service of process upon the Company in any such legal action or
proceeding. The Company hereby irrevocably appoints CT Corporation System, whose
address is, as of the date hereof, 1633 Broadway, New York, New York 10019, as
its agent for such purpose until November 15, 2006, and covenants and agrees
that service of process in any such legal action or proceeding may be made upon
it at the office of such agent at said address (or at such other address in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, as the Company may designate by
written notice to the Underwriter.

         The Company hereby consents to process being served in any suit, action
or proceeding of the nature referred to in the preceding paragraphs by service
upon such agent together with the mailing of a copy thereof by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the address of the
Company set forth in the first paragraph of this instrument or to any other
address of which the Company shall have given written notice to the Underwriter.
The Company irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all
claim of error by reason of any such service (but does not waive any right to
assert lack of subject matter jurisdiction) and agrees that


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such service and mailing (i) shall be deemed in every respect effective service
of process upon the Company in any such suit, action or proceeding and (ii)
shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be taken and held to be valid
personal service.

         Nothing in this Section shall affect the right of the Underwriter to
serve process in any manner permitted by law or limit the right of the
Underwriter to bring proceeding against the Company in the courts of any
jurisdiction or jurisdictions.

         16. This Agreement may be executed by any one or more of the parties
hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an
original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same
instrument.


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<PAGE>   27




         If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign
and return to us 10 counterparts hereof, and upon the acceptance hereof by you,
this letter and such acceptance hereof shall constitute a binding agreement
between the Underwriter and the Company.

                                     Very truly yours,

                                     Gulf Canada Resources Limited


                                     By:    /s/  Craig S. Glick
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     Name:  Craig S. Glick
                                     Title: Senior Vice-President, Corporate and
                                            Corporate Secretary and Chief 
                                            Financial Officer

Accepted as of the date hereof:

Goldman, Sachs & Co.


By: /s/ Goldman, Sachs & Co.
   ----------------------------
    (Goldman, Sachs & Co.)


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<PAGE>   28




                                                                         ANNEX I



                  Pursuant to Section 7(e) of this Agreement, Ernst & Young,
Chartered Accountants, shall furnish letters to the Underwriter to the effect
that:

                  (i) they are independent auditors within the meaning of the
         Act and the applicable published rules and regulations of the
         Commission thereunder;

                  (ii) in their opinion the financial statements examined by
         them and included, or incorporated by reference, in the Registration
         Statement and Prospectus comply in form in all material respects with
         the applicable accounting requirements of the Securities Act (Alberta),
         the Act and the Exchange Act and the related published rules and
         regulations thereunder;

                  (iii) on the basis of a reading of the latest available
         interim financial statements of the Company, a reading of the minutes
         of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee of
         the Board of Directors and of the shareholders of the Company,
         inquiries of officials of the Company who have responsibility for
         financial and accounting matters and other specified procedures,
         nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that:

                           (A) at the date of the latest available balance sheet
                  read by such accountants, or at a subsequent specified date
                  not more than five business days prior to the Time of
                  Delivery, there was any change in the capital stock or any
                  increase in short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company
                  and its consolidated subsidiaries or, at the date of the
                  latest available balance sheet read by such accountants, any
                  decrease in consolidated net current assets or shareholders'
                  equity, as compared with amounts shown on the latest balance
                  sheet included in the Prospectus; or

                           (B) for the period from the closing date of the
                  latest income statement incorporated by reference in the
                  Prospectus to the closing date of the latest available income
                  statement read by such accountants, there was any decrease, as
                  compared with the corresponding period of the previous year,
                  in consolidated net oil and gas revenues, earnings from
                  continuing operations, earnings per ordinary share or
                  consolidated earnings;

         except in all cases set forth in clauses (B) and (C) above for changes,
         increases or decreases which the Prospectus discloses have occurred or
         may occur or which are described in such letter; and


                          GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED
                          8.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2005
                                    ANNEX I-1

<PAGE>   29



                  (iv) they have compared specified dollar amounts (or
         percentages derived from such dollar amounts) and other financial
         information contained, or incorporated by reference, in the
         Registration Statement and Prospectus (in each case to the extent that
         such dollar amounts, percentages and other financial information are
         derived from the general accounting records of the Company and its
         subsidiaries subject to the internal controls of the Company's
         accounting system or are derived directly from such records by analysis
         or computation) with the results obtained from inquiries, a reading of
         such general accounting records and other procedures specified in such
         letter and have found such dollar amounts, percentages and other
         financial information to be in agreement with such results, except as
         otherwise specified in such letter.


                          GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED
                          8.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2005
                                    ANNEX I-2

<PAGE>   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.4

                          GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED

                                   CERTIFICATE


         The undersigned, being the Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial
Officer of Gulf Canada Resources Limited (the "Corporation"), hereby certifies
for and on behalf of the Corporation that the document attached hereto is a true
copy of resolutions duly passed at a meeting of the board of directors of the
Corporation held on October 17, 1997, which resolutions are in full force and
effect, unamended as of the date hereof.

         DATED the 6th day of November, 1998.



                                    GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED



                                    Per:     "Craig S. Glick"
                                        ----------------------------------
                                              CRAIG S. GLICK
                                              Executive Vice-President
                                              and Chief Financial Officer
<PAGE>   2


                          GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED

                             DIRECTORS' RESOLUTIONS


SHELF PROGRAM

RESOLVED THAT:

1.       "The Corporation is authorized to borrow money upon the credit of the
         Corporation and to that end is hereby authorized to create, issue and
         sell Debt Securities ("Securities") under the Shelf Program upon the
         following terms and conditions:

         a.       the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Securities to be
                  issued and sold pursuant to the authority of this resolution
                  shall be U.S. $250 million, or an equivalent amount at the
                  time of issue and sale denominated in another currency; and

         b.       the maximum term to final maturity of any series of the
                  Securities shall be not more than 50 years from the date of
                  issuance.

2.       In connection with the issuance of any Securities authorized under the
         Shelf Program, and subject to the parameters set out in paragraph 1,
         the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice-President, Corporate and
         Corporate Secretary and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation are
         authorized to determine:

         a.       the type of Security; however, no Security shall be secured or
                  convertible into any equity securities or other debt
                  securities of the Corporation;

         b.       the aggregate principal amounts and denominations of the
                  Securities;

         c.       the maturity or maturities of the Securities;

         d.       the price (or the method of determination thereof if offered
                  on a non-fixed price basis) to be received by the Corporation
                  in any offering of the Securities (which may be at a premium
                  or a discount from the principal amount of the Securities at
                  their maturity) and any offering price and any discount
                  received by or commission paid to any underwriters or selling
                  agents and the selection and compensation of underwriters or
                  selling agents;

         e.       the effective yield on the Securities;

         f.       the interest rate or rates, if any, to be established for the
                  Securities and the date or dates on which such interest shall
                  be payable and the record date for any interest redemption
                  payable;

         g.       the currency of denomination of the Securities;

         h.       whether payment of principal of and any premium or interest on
                  Securities may be


<PAGE>   3



                                        2

                  payable in a currency other than that in which the Securities
                  are stated to be payable, and the terms of any election to
                  make payment in such a manner;

         i.       the listing of any Securities on a securities or stock
                  exchange;

         j.       whether the Securities will be issued in bearer or registered
                  form, or any combination of such forms, including provisions
                  regarding any temporary or global Securities, and any
                  exchangeability of one form for another and any restrictions
                  on the foregoing;

         k.       whether the Securities will be subject to redemption and, if
                  redeemable, the redemption terms thereof;

         l.       any special or restrictive covenants or other features, if
                  any, to be undertaken by the Corporation relating to
                  Securities;

         m.       any trustees, authenticating, paying or calculation agents,
                  transfer agents, depositories, registrars or other similar
                  agents or their replacements (each a "Fiduciary") and the
                  approval and execution of supplemental indentures,
                  authentication orders or other agreements and documents
                  relating to a Fiduciary; and

         n.       any other terms, conditions and provisions including the
                  approval of the form of and the execution of any other
                  necessary documents and agreements as such officers shall deem
                  appropriate;

and that the officers referred to above be and are hereby authorized to approve
the form, terms and provisions of, and to execute and file, if necessary, with
the appropriate securities commission(s) in Canada in the name and on behalf of
the Corporation, all prospectus amendments, prospectus supplements, orders,
documents, other agreements and Securities, including approving the form of and
executing any Securities with respect to the Shelf Program and to take any and
all actions and to do, or authorize to be done, all things as they deem
necessary or appropriate to give effect to these resolutions, including the
negotiation, execution and delivery of subsequent agreements and all other
documents ancillary thereto in respect of the issuance and sale of Securities,
either by private sale, through underwriting agreements or otherwise."




<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                         [ERNST & YOUNG LLP LETTERHEAD]



                  CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS




We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form F-10 No. 333-7802) and related Short Form Shelf
Prospectus, as supplemented by the Prospectus Supplement of Gulf Canada
Resources Limited dated November 6, 1998 for the registration of Debt Securities
in the amount of U.S. $200 million and to the incorporation by reference therein
of our report dated February 18, 1998 with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Gulf Canada Resources Limited included in its 1997 Annual Report
to Shareholders (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1997 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                            /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Calgary, Canada
November 10, 1998                                 Chartered Accountants

<PAGE>   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.2

                         [ERNST & YOUNG LLP LETTERHEAD]






November 10, 1998


Alberta Securities Commission

Dear Sirs:

RE: GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED (THE "COMPANY")

We refer to the short form shelf prospectus of the Company dated October 22,
1997, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated November 6, 1998, (
collectively the "Prospectus"), relating to the issuance by the Company of U.S.
$200 million of Debt Securities.

We consent to the use, through incorporation by reference in the above mentioned
Prospectus, of our audit report dated February 18, 1998 to the Shareholders of
the Company on the following consolidated financial statements:

     Consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 1997 and
     1996; and

     Consolidated statements of earnings (loss) and retained earnings (deficit)
     and cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended
     December 31, 1997.

We report that we have read the Prospectus and all information specifically
incorporated by reference therein and have no reason to believe that there are
any misrepresentations in the information therein that is derived from the
financial statements and financial information upon which we have reported and
which are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus or that is within our
knowledge as a result of our audits of such financial statements and financial
information.

This letter is provided to the securities regulatory authority to which it is
addressed pursuant to the requirements of applicable securities legislation and
should not be relied on for any other purpose.

Yours faithfully,

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Chartered Accountants
<PAGE>   2
                         [ERNST & YOUNG LLP LETTERHEAD]



November 10, 1998



Alberta Securities Commission


Dear Sirs:

RE:  GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED (THE "COMPANY")

We are the auditors of the Company and under date of February 18, 1998 we
reported on the following consolidated financial statements incorporated by
reference in the Prospectus Supplement to the Short Form Shelf Prospectus
relating to the offering of U.S.$200 million of Debt Securities (the
"Prospectus"):

     Consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 1997 and
     1996; and

     Consolidated statements of earnings (loss) and retained earnings (deficit)
     and cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended
     December 31, 1997.

Incorporated by reference in the Prospectus are the following unaudited interim
consolidated financial statements (hereinafter referred to collectively as the
"Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements"):

     Consolidated statements of financial position as at March 31, June 30 and
     September 30, 1998; and

     Consolidated statements of earnings (loss) and retained earnings (deficit)
     and cash flows for the three month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997,
     the three and six month periods ended June 30, 1998 and 1997, and the three
     and nine month periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1997.

We have not audited any financial statements of the Company as at any date or
for any period subsequent to December 31, 1997. Although we have performed an
audit for the year ended December 31, 1997, the purpose and therefore the scope
of the audit was to enable us to express our opinion on the consolidated
financial statements of the Company as at December 31, 1997 and for the year
then ended, but not on the consolidated financial statements for any interim
period within that year.


<PAGE>   3
                                      -2-


Therefore, we are unable to and do not express an opinion on the Unaudited
Interim Consolidated Financial Statements nor on the financial position, results
of operations or changes in financial position as at any date or for any period
subsequent to December 31, 1997.

We have, however, performed review procedures which meet the standards
established by The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants relating to
unaudited interim financial statements in prospectuses. Based on the results of
these procedures, we have no reason to believe that the Unaudited Interim
Consolidated Financial Statements are not presented, in all material respects,
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

The procedures referred to in the preceding paragraph do not constitute an audit
and would not necessarily reveal material adjustments which might be required in
order for the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements to present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as at
March 31, June 30 and September 30, 1998 and the results of its operations and
the changes in its financial position for the three month periods ended March
31, 1998 and 1997, the three and six month periods ended June 30, 1998 and 1997,
and the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

This letter is provided solely for the purpose of assisting the securities
regulatory authority to whom it is addressed in discharging their
responsibilities and should not be relied on for any other purpose.


Yours faithfully,


/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP



Chartered Accountants

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 7.2


================================================================================







                          GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED

                                       TO

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                                     Trustee


                                   ----------



                          FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

                          Dated as of November 16, 1998

                                       TO

                                    INDENTURE

                          Dated as of October 17, 1997


                                   ----------



                          8 3/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2005







================================================================================



<PAGE>   2







                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                 Page
                                                                                                                 ----
<S>                                                                                                              <C>
PARTIES

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY...........................................................................................1

ARTICLE ONE  DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION..............................................1
         Section 101 Definitions..................................................................................1

ARTICLE TWO  SECURITY FORMS.......................................................................................2
         Section 201 Form of Securities of this Series............................................................2
         Section 202 Form of Face of Security.....................................................................2
         Section 203 Form of Reverse of Security..................................................................3

ARTICLE THREE THE SERIES OF SECURITIES............................................................................6
         Section 301 Title and Terms..............................................................................6

ARTICLE FOUR MODIFICATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO THE INDENTURE.........................................................7
         Section 401 Modifications to the Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.....................7
         Section 402 Additions for Indemnification for Foreign Currency Judgments.................................7

ARTICLE FIVE MISCELLANEOUS........................................................................................8
         Section 501 Miscellaneous................................................................................8
</TABLE>


                                      (i)

<PAGE>   3


         FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of November 16, 1998, between
Gulf Canada Resources Limited, a corporation duly organized and existing under
the laws of Canada (herein called the "Company"), having its principal office at
401 Ninth Avenue Southwest, Calgary, Alberta T2P 3C5, and The Bank of New York,
a New York banking corporation, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee").

                             RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

         The Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an
Indenture dated as of October 17, 1997 (the "Indenture"), providing for the
issuance from time to time of the Company's unsecured debentures, notes or other
evidences of indebtedness (herein and therein called the "Securities"), to be
issued in one or more series as in the Indenture provided.

         Section 201 of the Indenture permits the form of the Securities of any
series to be established pursuant to an indenture supplemental to the Indenture.

         Section 301 of the Indenture permits the terms of the Securities of any
series to be established in an indenture supplemental to the Indenture.

         Section 901(7) of the Indenture provides that, without the consent of
any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the
Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more
indentures supplemental to the Indenture for the purpose of establishing the
form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301
of the Indenture.

         The Company, pursuant to the foregoing authority, proposes in and by
this First Supplemental Indenture to establish the terms and form of the
Securities of a new series and to amend and supplement the Indenture in certain
respects with respect to the Securities of such series.

         All things necessary to make this First Supplemental Indenture a valid
agreement of the Company, and a valid amendment of and supplement to the
Indenture, have been done.

         NOW, THEREFORE, THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

         For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the
Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and
proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities of the series to be
created hereby, as follows:


                                   ARTICLE ONE

             DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

         SECTION 101       DEFINITIONS.

                  (a)      For all purposes of this First Supplemental
Indenture:



<PAGE>   4

                           (1) Capitalized terms used herein without definition
shall have the meanings specified in the Indenture;

                           (2) All references herein to Articles and Sections,
unless otherwise specified, refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of
this First Supplemental Indenture and, where so specified, to the Articles and
Sections of the Indenture as supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture;
and

                           (3) The terms "hereof", "herein", "hereby", "hereto",
"hereunder" and "herewith" refer to this First Supplemental Indenture.


                                   ARTICLE TWO

                                 SECURITY FORMS

         SECTION 201  FORM OF SECURITIES OF THIS SERIES. The Securities of this
series shall be in the form set forth in this Article.

         SECTION 202  FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY.

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A
NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A
SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE
REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE
THEREOF, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.

                          GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED

No. _________                                                            $ _____

                                                             CUSIP NO. _________

Gulf Canada Resources Limited, a corporation duly organized and existing under
the laws of Canada (herein called the "Company", which term includes any
successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value
received, hereby promises to pay to _________________, or registered assigns,
the principal sum of ______________ Dollars on November 15, 2005, and to pay
interest thereon from November 16, 1998 or from the most recent Interest Payment
Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually in
arrears on May 15 and November 15 in each year, commencing May 15, 1999, at the
rate of 8-3/8% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available
for payment. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for,
on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the
Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is
registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such
interest, which shall be the May 1 or November 1 (whether or not a Business
Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such
interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be
payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the
Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities)


                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>   5

is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment
of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Company, notice whereof shall be
given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to
such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not
inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the
Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required
by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.

         Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest
on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained
for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York, in such
coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is
legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at
the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the
Security Register; and provided further, that at the option of the Company
payment may be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds with respect
to principal of and interest and premium on this Security and all other
Securities of this series the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer
instructions to the Company or the Payment Agent, if any.

         Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set
forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

         Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security
shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed and attested.

                                         Gulf Canada Resources Limited



                                         By
                                           ------------------------------
Attest:


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



         SECTION 203  FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY.

         This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the
Company (herein called the "Securities"), issued and to be issued in one or more
series under an Indenture, dated as of October 17, 1997, as supplemented by the
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 16, 1998 (as so supplemented,
herein called the "Indenture", which term shall have the meaning assigned to it
in such instrument), each between the Company and The Bank of New York, as
Trustee (herein called the "Trustee", which term includes any 


                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>   6

successor trustee under the Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the
Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto for a statement of the
respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of
the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon
which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This
Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, limited in
aggregate principal amount to $200,000,000.

         The Company may, at any time, redeem as a whole but not in part, the
Outstanding Securities of this series at a redemption price of 100% of the
principal amount thereof plus accrued interest (if any) to the date of
redemption if it has become or would become obligated to pay any Additional
Amounts in respect of the Securities of this series as a result of (i) any
change in or amendment to the laws (or regulations promulgated thereunder) of
Canada (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein ) or
(ii) any change in or amendment to any official position regarding the
application or interpretation of such laws or regulations, which change or
amendment is announced or is effective on or after November 16, 1998.

         The Securities of this series do not provide for any sinking fund
payments.

         The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the
entire indebtedness of this Security or certain restrictive covenants and Events
of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with
certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

         If an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series
shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series
may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in
the Indenture. Upon payment (i) of the principal so declared due and payable and
(ii) of interest on any overdue principal, premium and interest (in each case to
the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all
of the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and
premium and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series shall terminate.

         The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the
amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be
affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the
consent of the Holders of not less than a majority of principal amount of the
Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture
also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in
principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on
behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by
the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults
under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the
Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and
upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the
registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof,
whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

         As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the
Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding
with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or
for any other remedy thereunder, unless 


                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>   7

such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the
Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Securities of this
series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to
institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered
the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the Trustee shall not have received from
the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at
the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have
failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such
notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any
suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any
payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the
respective due dates expressed herein.

         No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security
or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and
interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or
currency, herein prescribed.

         Interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months. For disclosure purposes under the Interest Act
(Canada), whenever in the Indenture or the Securities interest at a specified
rate is to be calculated on the basis of a period less than a calendar year, the
yearly rate of interest to which such rate is equivalent is such rate multiplied
by the actual number of days in the relevant calendar year and divided by the
number of days in such period.

         As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein
set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security
Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the
office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any
premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or
accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of
this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same
aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or
transferees.

         The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form
without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. As
provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth,
Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount
of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized
denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

         No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer
or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

         Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer,
the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat
the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all
purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and none of the Company, the
Trustee and any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.


                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>   8

         All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

         The Indenture and this Security shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.


                                  ARTICLE THREE

                            THE SERIES OF SECURITIES

         SECTION 301 TITLE AND TERMS. There shall be a series of Securities
designated as the "8 3/8% Senior Notes due 2005" of the Company. Their Stated
Maturity shall be November 15, 2005, and they shall bear interest at the rate of
8 3/8% per annum.

         Interest on the Securities of this series will be payable semi annually
on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing May 15, 1999 until the
principal thereof is made available for payment. The interest so payable, and
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will be paid
to the Person in whose name the Securities of this series (or one or more
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular
Record Date for such interest, which shall be the May 1 or November 1 (whether
or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment
Date.

         In the case where any Interest Payment Date or the maturity date of the
Securities of this series does not fall on a Business Day, payment of interest
or principal otherwise payable on such date need not be made on such day, but
may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect
as if made on such Interest Payment Date or the maturity date of the Securities
of this series.

         The aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series which may
be authenticated and delivered under this First Supplemental Indenture is
limited to $200,000,000 except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon
registration or transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities
of this series pursuant to Section 304, 305 and 306 of the Indenture and except
for any Securities of this series which, pursuant to Section 303 of the
Indenture, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered under the
Indenture.

         The Securities of this series will be represented by one or more Global
Securities representing the entire $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
the Securities of this series, and the Depositary with respect to such Global
Security or Global Securities will be The Depository Trust Company.

         The Place of Payment for the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on the Securities of this series shall be the office or agency of the
Company in the City of New York, State of New York, maintained for such purpose,
which shall be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and at any other office
or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose; provided, however, that at
the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the
Security Register; and provided further, that at the option of the Company
payment may be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds with 


                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>   9

respect to principal of and interest and premium on the Securities of this
series the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to
the Company or the Payment Agent, if any.

         The Securities of this series are not redeemable prior to maturity
unless the Company is obligated to pay Additional Amounts in which case the
provisions of Article Eleven of the Indenture shall be applicable to the
Securities of this series.

         The Securities of this series are not subject to a sinking fund and the
provisions of Section 501(3) and Article Twelve of the Indenture shall not be
applicable to the Securities of this series.

         The Securities of this series are subject to the provisions of Article
Eight, Article Ten and Article Thirteen of the Indenture.


                                  ARTICLE FOUR

                  MODIFICATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO THE INDENTURE

         SECTION 401 MODIFICATIONS TO THE REGISTRATION, REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER
                     AND EXCHANGE.

         With respect to the Securities of this series, Clause (2) of Section
305 of the Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety and the following shall be
substituted therefor:

                  "(2) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, no
         Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities
         registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part
         may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary
         for such Global Security or a nominee thereof unless (A) such
         Depositary (i) has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable
         to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or (ii) has ceased
         to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, (B) there
         shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect
         to such Global Security, or (C) the Company executes and delivers to
         the Trustee a notice that such Global Security shall be so
         transferable, registrable, and exchangeable, and such transfers shall
         be registrable."

         SECTION 402  ADDITIONS FOR INDEMNIFICATION FOR FOREIGN CURRENCY 
                      JUDGMENTS.

         With respect to the Securities of this series, a new Section 1013 of
the Indenture shall be added which shall provide as follows:

                  "SECTION 1013.  INDEMNIFICATION FOR FOREIGN CURRENCY JUDGMENTS

                  The obligations of the Company to any Holder or the Trustee
         shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the "Judgment
         Currency") other than United States dollars (the "Agreement Currency"),
         be discharged only to the extent that on the day following receipt by
         such Holder or the Trustee, as the case may be, of any amount in the
         Judgment Currency, such 


                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>   10

         Holder or the Trustee may in accordance with normal banking procedures
         purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency. If the
         amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the amount
         originally to be paid to such Holder or the Trustee, as the case may
         be, in the Agreement Currency, the Company agrees, as a separate
         obligation and notwithstanding such judgment, to pay to such Holder or
         the Trustee, as the case may be, the difference, and if the amount of
         the Agreement Currency so purchased exceeds the amount originally to
         be paid to such Holder or the Trustee, as the case may be, such Holder
         or the Trustee, as the case may be, shall pay to or for the account of
         the Company such excess, provided that such Holder or the Trustee, as
         the case may be, shall not have any obligation to pay any such excess
         as long as a Default has occurred and is continuing, in which case
         such excess may be applied by such Holder or the Trustee, as the case
         may be, to such obligations."


                                  ARTICLE FIVE

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         SECTION 501  MISCELLANEOUS.

                  (a) The Trustee accepts the trusts created by the Indenture,
as supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, and agrees to perform the
same upon the terms and conditions of the Indenture, as supplemented by this
First Supplemental Indenture.

                  (b) The recitals contained herein shall be taken as statements
of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness.
The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this
First Supplemental Indenture.

                  (c) All capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall
have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

                  (d) Each of the Company and the Trustee makes and reaffirms as
of the date of execution of this First Supplemental Indenture all of its
respective representations, covenants and agreements set forth in the Indenture.

                  (e) All covenants and agreements in this First Supplemental
Indenture by the Company or the Trustee shall bind its respective successors and
assigns, whether so expressed or not.

                  (f) In case any provisions in this First Supplemental
Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby.

                  (g) Nothing in this First Supplemental Indenture, express or
implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their
successors under the Indenture and the Holders of the series of Securities
created hereby, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim
under the Indenture.


                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>   11

                  (h) If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts
with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as may be amended from time
to time, that is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this First
Supplemental Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision
hereof modifies or excludes any provision of such Act that may be so modified or
excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this First
Supplemental Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.

                  (i) This First Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

                  (j) All amendments to the Indenture made hereby shall have
effect only with respect to the series of Securities created hereby.

                  (k) All provisions of this First Supplemental Indenture shall
be deemed to be incorporated in, and made a part of, the Indenture; and the
Indenture, as supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, shall be read,
taken and construed as one and the same instrument.

                  (l) This instrument may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but
all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.


                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>   12


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed and attested, and The Bank of New York has caused its corporate
seal to be hereunto affixed, all as of the day and year first above written.


                                         GULF CANADA RESOURCES LIMITED


                                         By /s/ Craig S. Glick
                                           -------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Craig S. Glick
                                            Title:  Executive Vice President
                                                    and Chief Financial Officer

Attest:


/s/ Joanne Alexander
- -------------------------------------
Assistant Secretary

                                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee


                                         By /s/ Robert A. Massimillo
                                           -------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Robert A. Massimillo
                                            Title:  Assistant Vice President

[Seal]

Attest:


/s/ Mary Beth Lewicki
- -------------------------------------


                                     - 10 -


<PAGE>   13



STATE OF COLORADO )
             ss.: )
COUNTY OF DENVER  )

         On the 11th day of November, 1998, before me personally came Craig S.
Glick, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is
Executive Vice President of Gulf Canada Resources Limited, one of the
corporations described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; and that
he signed his name thereto by authority of the Board of Directors of said
corporation.


                                                     /s/ Marilyn Bettinger
                                                     ---------------------------


                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>   14



STATE OF NEW YORK   )
              ss.:  )
COUNTY OF NEW YORK  )

         On the 12th day of November, 1998, before me personally came Robert A.
Massimillo, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he
is an Assistant Vice President of The Bank of New York one of the corporations
described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he knows the seal
of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate
seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said
corporation, and that he signed his name thereto by like authority.


                                                     /s/ William J. Cassels
                                                     ---------------------------


                                     - 12 -


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