ENERGY VENTURES INC /DE/
SC 13D, 1996-09-24
OIL & GAS FIELD MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT
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<PAGE>   1





                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 13D

                   UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                              (AMENDMENT NO. ___)*

                            PARKER DRILLING COMPANY
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                (Name of Issuer)

                  COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.16 2/3 PER SHARE
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                  701081 10 1
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                 BERNARD J. DUROC-DANNER, ENERGY VENTURES, INC.
 5 POST OAK PARK, SUITE 1760, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77027-3415, TEL. NO. (713) 297-8400
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
            (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized
                     to Receive Notices and Communications)

                               SEPTEMBER 14, 1996
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
            (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)


If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box [ ].

Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement [x].  (A fee
is not required only if the reporting person: (1) has a previous statement on
file reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class of
securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent
thereto reporting beneficial ownership of less than five percent of such class.
See Rule 13d-7).

NOTE: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be filed
with the Commission.  See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies are to
be sent.

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities,
and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of
the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see
the Notes).




                              Page 1 of 6 Pages


<PAGE>   2

<TABLE>
<S>                 <C>                                        <C>                <C>                                  <C>
- -----------------------------------------------                                   ------------------------------------------------
|        CUSIP NO. 701081 10 1                |                 13 D              |              Page 2 of 6 Pages               |
- -----------------------------------------------                                   ------------------------------------------------

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
                     S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
          1
                     Energy Ventures, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
                     ID# 04-2515019
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*                                                (a)  [ ]
          2
                                                                                                                      (b)  [ ]
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     SEC USE ONLY
          3

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     SOURCE OF FUNDS

          4          OO

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

          5                                                                                                                [ ]
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
          6
                     Delaware
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     SOLE VOTING POWER
                               7
                                     3,571,429 shares*
                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         NUMBER OF                   SHARED VOTING POWER
           SHARES              8
        BENEFICIALLY                 -0-
           OWNED         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          BY EACH                 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
         REPORTING             9
           PERSON                    3,571,429 shares*
            WITH         ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                               10
                                     -0-
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
         11
                     3,571,429 shares*
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES
         12                                                                                                                [ ]
                     N/A
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

         13          5.18%*

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

         14          CO
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
*        See Item 5(a) of this Schedule 13D.


                               Page 2 of 6 Pages
<PAGE>   3
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                WASHINGTON, D.C.
                                  SCHEDULE 13D
                   UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

ITEM 1.  SECURITY AND ISSUER

The equity securities to which this statement relates are the common stock, par
value $0.16 2/3 per share (the "Common Stock"), of Parker Drilling Company, a
Delaware corporation ("Parker").  Parker's principal executive offices are
located at Eight East Third Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103.

ITEM 2.  IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND

This statement is being filed by Energy Ventures, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("EVI").  EVI is an international supplier of oilfield equipment and contract
drilling services.  The address of its principal business and its principal
office is 5 Post Oak Park, Suite 1760, Houston, Texas 77027.  Attached to this
statement as Schedule I is a list of directors and executive officers of EVI
and the business address, citizenship and principal occupation or employment of
each director and executive officer (including the name, principal business and
address of any corporation or organization at which their employment is
conducted).  During the last five years, neither EVI nor any of the persons
listed in Schedule I has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding
traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or been a party to a civil
proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction as a
result of which EVI or any such person was or is subject to a judgment, decree
or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating
activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any
violation with respect to such laws.

ITEM 3.  SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION

On September 14, 1996, EVI and Parker entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement
(the "Stock Purchase Agreement") providing for the purchase by Parker from EVI
of all of the outstanding capital stock of Mallard Bay Drilling, Inc., a
Louisiana corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of EVI (the "Purchase").  As
part of the consideration for the Purchase, EVI will receive a number of shares
of Parker's Series D convertible preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share (the
"Series D Preferred Stock"), to be determined pursuant to the terms of the Stock
Purchase Agreement.  Such shares will have an aggregate value, determined
pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, of $25,000,000.  Each
share of Series D Preferred Stock will automatically convert into 100 shares of
Common Stock upon an amendment of Parker's Restated Certificate of Incorporation
to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock, which amendment is
to be effected prior to January 31, 1997.

The closing of the Stock Purchase Agreement is subject to certain conditions,
including the completion of necessary financing by Parker, which is expected to
occur prior to December 31, 1996, the receipt of all required regulatory
approvals and the expiration or termination of all waiting periods (and
extensions thereof) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.  Although there can be no
assurance that the Stock Purchase Agreement will close, EVI currently
anticipates that the Purchase will be consummated shortly after the completion
of Parker's financing and the receipt of the required regulatory approvals.

The foregoing description of the Stock Purchase Agreement is a summary and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such agreement filed as Exhibit 7.1
hereto, which is incorporated into this Item 3 by reference.





                               Page 3 of 6 Pages
<PAGE>   4
ITEM 4.  PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION

The securities which EVI may acquire pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement
will be acquired as partial consideration for the Purchase pursuant to the
Stock Purchase Agreement described in Item 3 to this Schedule 13D; such
description is incorporated into this Item 4 by reference.  Such description is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the Stock Purchase Agreement filed as
Exhibit 7.1 to this Schedule 13D and incorporated into this Item 4 by
reference.

         The Series D Preferred Stock and the Common Stock issuable upon the
conversion thereof are being acquired by EVI for investment purposes.  It is
contemplated that EVI will be provided with registration rights with respect to
the shares of Common Stock issuable to it on conversion of the Series D
Preferred Stock.  Although EVI has no current agreements or understandings for
the disposition of such shares of Common Stock, subject to market conditions
and other factors, EVI currently anticipates that such shares will be disposed
by it pursuant to such registration rights at sometime in the future in one or
more transactions.

         Parker has invited Bernard Duroc-Danner, President and Chief Executive
Officer of EVI, to serve as a director of Parker following the closing of the
Purchase and Mr. Duroc-Danner has indicated his willingness to accept such
offer.

         Except as contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement, the terms of
the Series D Preferred Stock and as otherwise described in this Schedule 13D,
neither EVI nor any of the persons named in Schedule I hereto has any current
plans or proposals with respect to (i) the acquisition or disposition of any
securities of Parker, (ii) any extraordinary corporate transaction, such as a
merger, reorganization or liquidation, involving Parker or any of its
subsidiaries, (iii) any sale or transfer of a material amount of assets of
Parker or any of its subsidiaries, (iv) any change in the present board of
directors or management of Parker, including any plans or proposals to change
the number or term of directors or to fill any existing vacancies on the board,
(v) any material change in the present capitalization or dividend policy of
Parker, (vi) any other material change in Parker's business or corporate
structure, (vii) any changes in Parker's charter, bylaws or instruments
corresponding thereto or other actions which may impede the acquisition of
control of Parker by any person, (viii) causing a class of securities of Parker
to be delisted from a national securities exchange or to cease to be authorized
to be quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system of a registered national
securities association, (ix) any class of equity securities of Parker becoming
eligible for termination of registration pursuant to Section 12(g)(4) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or (x) any action similar to any of those
enumerated above.

ITEM 5.  INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF ISSUER

         (a)     AMOUNT OF SHARES OWNED

                 As of the date of this statement, EVI may be deemed to
                 beneficially own an aggregate of 3,571,429 shares of Common
                 Stock, all of which represent the right to acquire Common
                 Stock upon the closing of the Stock Purchase Agreement and the
                 automatic conversion of the Series D Preferred Stock.
                 According to information contained in the Stock Purchase
                 Agreement, EVI may be deemed to beneficially own shares that 
                 represent 5.18% of the outstanding Common Stock as of 
                 September 14, 1996.

                 The number of shares that EVI may be deemed to beneficially
                 own was computed by dividing $25,000,000, the aggregate value
                 (as determined by the Stock Purchase Agreement) of the shares
                 of Series D Preferred Stock that EVI is to receive upon the
                 closing of the Stock Purchase Agreement, by $7, the





                               Page 4 of 6 Pages
<PAGE>   5
                 average of the high and low trading prices of the Common Stock
                 on Monday, September 16, 1996, as reported by the New York
                 Stock Exchange.
        
        
                 To the knowledge of EVI, no person named in Schedule I under
                 Item 2 beneficially owned shares of the Common Stock as of
                 September 14, 1996.

         (b)     NUMBER OF SHARES AS TO WHICH EVI HAS:

                 As of the date hereof, EVI has no right to vote any of the
                 shares of Series D Preferred Stock or Common Stock issuable on
                 conversion thereof.  Once issued, EVI will have the sole power
                 to vote and dispose of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock
                 to be issued to it and the shares of Common Stock issuable
                 upon the conversion thereof.

         (c)     Except as described in this Item 5, EVI has not effected any
                 transactions with respect to the Common Stock during the past
                 60 days.

                 To the knowledge of EVI, no person named in Schedule I under
                 Item 2 has effected any transactions with respect to the Common
                 Stock during the past 60 days.

         (d)     No other person is known to have the right to receive or the
                 power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds
                 from the sale of, the shares of Common Stock.

         (e)     Not applicable.

ITEM 6.  CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT
         TO SECURITIES OF ISSUER

EVI is a party to the Stock Purchase Agreement described in Item 3 of this
Schedule 13D; such description is incorporated in this Item 6 by reference.
Such description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Stock
Purchase Agreement filed as Exhibit 7.1 to this Schedule 13D and incorporated
into this Item 6 by reference.

At the closing of the Stock Purchase Agreement, EVI and Parker will enter into
a Registration Rights Agreement (the "Registration Rights Agreement").  Such
agreement will grant to EVI the right on one occasion to require Parker to
register shares of the Common Stock held by EVI for sale under the Securities
Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") and on an unlimited basis (at any time
within three years of the date of the Registration Rights Agreement) to
register such shares for sale under the Securities Act by including such shares
in any registration statement proposed to be filed by Parker with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Registration Rights Agreement also
will provide that in connection with any such registration, Parker will
indemnify EVI against, and provide contribution with respect to, certain
liabilities, including liabilities incurred under the Securities Act.  The
foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement is a summary and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of such agreement filed as
Exhibit 7.2 hereto, which is incorporated into this Item 6 by reference.

ITEM 7.  MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.

         7.1     Stock Purchase Agreement dated September 14, 1996, by and
                 among Parker Drilling Company and Energy Ventures, Inc.
         7.2     Form of Registration Rights Agreement between Parker Drilling
                 Company and Energy Ventures, Inc.





                               Page 5 of 6 Pages


<PAGE>   6
                                   SIGNATURE

         After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.


Dated:  September 24, 1996            ENERGY VENTURES, INC.
                                      
                                      
                                      
                                      By:         /s/ JAMES G. KILEY
                                           -------------------------------------
                                                      James G. Kiley
                                                    Vice President and
                                                 Chief Financial Officer
                                      




                               Page 6 of 6 Pages

<PAGE>   7
                                   SCHEDULE  I
                                   (TO ITEM 2)

           EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF ENERGY VENTURES, INC.

         The name, residence or business address, present principal occupation
or employment, and citizenship of each executive officer and director of Energy
Ventures, Inc. ("EVI") is set forth below.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    NAME AND POSITION                        RESIDENCE OR BUSINESS
   WITH RESPECT TO EVI                              ADDRESS                            CITIZENSHIP

 <S>                                       <C>                                         <C>
 *Bernard J. Duroc-Danner                  5 Post Oak Park, Suite 1760                 United States
 President, Chief Executive                Houston, Texas  77027
 Officer and Director

 *Ghazi J. Hashem                          5 Post Oak Park, Suite 1760                 United States
 Senior Vice President,                    Houston, Texas  77027
 Technical Operations

 *James G. Kiley                           5 Post Oak Park, Suite 1760                 United States
 Vice President and Chief                  Houston, Texas  77027
 Financial Officer

 *Frances R. Powell                        5 Post Oak Park, Suite 1760                 United States
 Vice President-Accounting                 Houston, Texas  77027
 and Controller

 David J. Butters                          3 World Financial Center                    United States
 Director and Chairman of the              200 Vesey Street, 11th Floor
 Board                                     New York, New York 10285

 Uriel E. Dutton                           1301 McKinney, Suite 5100                   United States
 Director                                  Houston, Texas  77010
 
 Eliot M. Fried                            3 World Financial Center                    United States
 Director                                  200 Vesey Street, 17th Floor
                                           New York, New York 10285

 Sheldon S. Gordon                         1330 Avenue of the Americas                 United States
 Director                                  5th Floor
                                           New York, New York 10019

 Sheldon B. Lubar                          777 E. Wisconsin Ave., #3380                United States
 Director                                  Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202

 Robert B. Millard                         3 World Financial Center                    United States
 Director                                  200 Vesey Street, 11th Floor
                                           New York, New York 10285

 Robert A. Rayne                           33 Robert Adam Street                       United Kingdom
 Director                                  London W1M 5AH England
</TABLE>

*The principal occupation of the named person is the position set forth above.





                                     I-1
<PAGE>   8
Mr. Butters is a Managing Director of Lehman Brothers ("Lehman Brothers"), an
investment banking firm and division of Lehman Brothers Inc., which is a
subsidiary of Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc., at the address set forth above.

Mr. Dutton is a partner in Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., a law firm, at the
address set forth above.

Mr. Fried is a Managing Director of Lehman Brothers at the address set forth
above.

Mr. Gordon is Chairman of Union Bancaire Privee International, Inc., a merchant
bank, at the address set forth above.

Mr. Lubar is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Christiana Companies,
Inc., a diversified holding company with interests in refrigerated and
non-refrigerated warehousing and logistic services, at the address set forth
above.

Mr. Millard is a Managing Director of Lehman Brothers at the address set forth
above.

Mr. Rayne is an Investment Director of London Merchant Securities plc (property
investment and development with major investments in leisure enterprises), a
United Kingdom listed public limited company, at the address set forth above.




                                     I-2
<PAGE>   9
                              INDEX TO EXHIBITS



         7.1     Stock Purchase Agreement dated September 14, 1996, by and
                 among Parker Drilling Company and Energy Ventures, Inc.
         7.2     Form of Registration Rights Agreement between Parker Drilling
                 Company and Energy Ventures, Inc.








<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 7.1


                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT


         This STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated as of September 14, 1996 (the
"Agreement") is by and among PARKER DRILLING COMPANY, a Delaware corporation
("Parker") and ENERGY VENTURES, INC., a Delaware corporation ("EVI").  Parker
and EVI are referred to collectively herein as the "Parties," and each
individually as a "Party."  EXHIBIT A sets forth the definitions of certain
terms used herein.

                                   RECITALS:

         WHEREAS, EVI beneficially and of record owns all of the outstanding
capital stock of  Mallard Bay Drilling, Inc., a Louisiana corporation
("Mallard"), which is engaged in the contract drilling business;

         WHEREAS, subject to and in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, Parker wishes to purchase from EVI, and EVI wishes to sell to
Parker, all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Mallard; and

         WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to set forth certain
representations, warranties, and covenants made by each to the other as an
inducement to the consummation of the purchase and sale of the shares of the
capital stock of Mallard;

         Now, therefore, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
promises herein made, and in consideration of the representations, warranties,
and covenants herein contained, the Parties agree as follows:

         1.      PURCHASE AND SALE OF MALLARD STOCK.

         (a)     BASIC TRANSACTION.  On and subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, Parker agrees to purchase from EVI, and EVI agrees to sell
to Parker, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Mallard
for the consideration specified in this Section 1.

         (b)     PURCHASE PRICE.  Parker agrees to deliver to EVI at the
Closing (as defined below) (i) the Estimated Amount (as defined below) in cash
by wire transfer into an account designated by EVI at least one business day
before Closing, and (ii) a number of shares of a newly created series of
preferred stock of Parker, par value $1.00 per share, which shall be designated
the "Parker Series D Convertible Preferred Stock" ("Series D Preferred Stock")
with a Market Value of $25,000,000.  The form of certificate of designations of
the Series D Preferred Stock is attached hereto as EXHIBIT B.  For purposes of
this Agreement, the "Market Value" of the Series D Preferred Stock shall equal
the average of the last reported sales price on the New York Stock Exchange
composite index for the common stock, par value $.16 2/3 per share, of Parker
("Parker Common Stock") for the ten trading days ending two Business Days
before the Closing Date (as defined below).  The cash payment and shares of
Series D Preferred Stock to be delivered to EVI
<PAGE>   2
by Parker at the Closing pursuant to this Section 1(b) are referred to
collectively herein as the "Purchase Price."  The "Estimated Amount" shall mean
$313,000,000 plus or minus the Estimated Adjustment.  The "Estimated
Adjustment" shall be an amount equal to the difference between $161,901,000 and
the estimated Net Assets (as defined in Section 1(f)(1)) as of the Closing Date
based on the latest available balance sheet ("Pre-Closing Balance Sheet") for
the Contract Drilling Business (as defined below) prepared in accordance with
GAAP and on the same basis as the Most Recent Balance Sheet (as defined in
Section 2(e)(3)).  EVI shall advise Parker of the amount of the Estimated
Amount no later than five Business Days prior to the Closing Date and shall
provide to Parker a copy of the Pre-Closing Financial Statements and the
calculations used by EVI in arriving at the Estimated Amount.

         (c)     THE CLOSING.  The closing of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement (the "Closing") shall take place at the offices of Vinson &
Elkins L.L.P., Suite 2300, 1001 Fannin, Houston, Texas 77002-6760, commencing
at 9:00 a.m. local time on the second Business Day following the satisfaction
or waiver of all conditions to the obligations of the Parties to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby (other than conditions with respect to actions
the respective Parties will take at the Closing itself) or such other date as
the Parties may mutually determine (the "Closing Date").

         (d)     DELIVERIES AT THE CLOSING.  At the Closing, (i) EVI will
deliver to Parker the various certificates, instruments, and documents referred
to in Section 6(a), (ii) Parker will deliver to EVI the various certificates,
instruments, and documents referred to in Section 6(b), (iii) EVI will deliver
to Parker stock certificates representing all of the issued and outstanding
shares of capital stock of Mallard, endorsed in blank or accompanied by duly
executed stock powers, and (iv) Parker will deliver to EVI the consideration
specified in Section 1(b).

         (e)     TAKING OF NECESSARY ACTION; FURTHER ACTION.  The Parties
hereto shall take all such reasonable and lawful action as may be necessary or
appropriate in order to effectuate the transactions contemplated hereby as
promptly as possible.  If, at any time after the Closing Date, any such further
action is necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, EVI shall, and
shall direct its representatives to, take all such lawful and necessary action.

         (f)     ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PURCHASE PRICE.  Parker and EVI agree that
in the event that the Net Assets (as defined and subject to the adjustments
described below) attributable to the contract drilling business and related
operations of Mallard and the other subsidiaries of EVI on a combined basis
(the "Contract Drilling Business") as of the Closing Date are greater or lesser
than $161,901,000, the Purchase Price shall be increased or decreased, as the
case may be, by an amount equal to the difference between the actual Net Assets
and $161,901,000, in the manner set forth herein.

                 (1)      On or before a date that is 90 days following the
         Closing (or the next Business Day if such day is not a Business Day),
         Parker will prepare and deliver to EVI a statement (the "Closing
         Balance Sheet") showing the actual amount of assets and liabilities
         attributable to the Contract Drilling Business as of the Closing Date,
         prepared in accordance with GAAP and on the same basis as the Most
         Recent Balance Sheet.  For




                                     -2-
<PAGE>   3
         purposes of this Agreement, "Net Assets" shall mean the difference
         between (i) total assets excluding any intercompany receivables, and
         (ii) total liabilities excluding any intercompany liabilities (other
         than those for drill pipe, tubulars and related products purchased
         after the date hereof in the Ordinary Course of Business at
         arm's-length market prices) and deferred income tax liabilities, each
         prepared in accordance with GAAP and on the same basis as the Most
         Recent Balance Sheet; provided, however, that the following
         adjustments shall be made in the calculation of Net Assets on the
         Closing Balance Sheet: the amount of assets shall be decreased by the
         book value of the upgrade to Rig 74 contemplated by Section 4(l)
         hereof or funds advanced in respect thereof.  In addition, the Parties
         agree that to the extent the carrying value of the total assets is
         overstated or the carrying value of the total liabilities is
         understated on the Most Recent Balance Sheet, no adjustment to such
         values shall be made in the Closing Balance Sheet unless the aggregate
         value of such revisions to the carrying value of the assets and
         liabilities on the Most Recent Balance Sheet exceeds $2,500,000, and
         in such case only to the extent that such revisions exceed $2,500,000.

                 (2)      Within 30 days following delivery of the Closing
         Balance Sheet, EVI shall notify Parker whether it agrees with such
         statement; provided, however, that if EVI shall fail to so notify
         Parker within such 30-day period, EVI shall be deemed to have agreed
         with such statements.  If EVI disagrees with such statements, EVI and
         Parker shall work in good faith to reach agreement on such statements;
         but if they shall not agree within 10 days the matter will be referred
         to one of the "Big Six" independent public accounting firms as EVI and
         Parker may mutually agree, the costs of which shall be borne equally
         by EVI and Parker.  Such accountants shall examine the records of the
         Contract Drilling Business and determine the disputed Closing Balance
         Sheet items within 30 days following the date such matter is referred
         to them, and such determination shall be final and binding on Parker
         and EVI, and may be enforced by appropriate judicial or other
         proceedings.

                 (3)      If, as so determined, the Net Assets reflected on the
         Closing Balance Sheet exceed $161,901,000, then Parker will within ten
         Business Days of such determination make a cash payment to EVI in an
         amount equal to the excess of the amount of the Net Assets over
         $161,901,000, as an adjustment to the Purchase Price.  If the Net
         Assets as reflected on the Closing Balance Sheet are less than
         $161,901,000, then EVI shall within ten Business Days of such
         determination make a cash payment to Parker in an amount equal to the
         excess of $161,901,000 over the Net Assets on such date, as an
         adjustment to the Purchase Price.  The amount of any Estimated
         Adjustment paid shall be credited against any amount payable pursuant
         to this paragraph (3).

         2.      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EVI.  EVI represents and
warrants to Parker that the statements contained in this Section 2 are true,
correct and complete as of the date of this Agreement and will be true, correct
and complete as of the Closing Date (as though made then and as though the
Closing Date were substituted for the date of this Agreement throughout this
Section 2, except for representations that are made effective as of a specific
date, which shall be true, correct and complete as of such date), except as set
forth in the Schedule applicable to such representation and warranty contained
in the disclosure schedule delivered by EVI to Parker on





                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
the date hereof and attached hereto as EXHIBIT C (the "Disclosure Schedule")
and for such matters due to changes in facts from the date hereof required or
permitted by this Agreement.

         (a)     ORGANIZATION.  EVI is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.  Except
as set forth in Schedule 2(a), Mallard is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Louisiana.  Except
as set forth in Schedule 2(a), each subsidiary of Mallard that is a corporation
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation.

         (b)     AUTHORIZATION OF TRANSACTION.  EVI has all requisite power and
authority to execute and to deliver this Agreement and the Registration Rights
Agreement (as defined in Section 4(j)) and to perform its obligations hereunder
and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Registration
Rights Agreement by EVI and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action
and no other corporate action on the part of EVI, including any action by the
stockholders of EVI, is necessary to authorize this Agreement or the
Registration Rights Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by EVI
and constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of EVI enforceable
against EVI in accordance with its terms, and the Registration Rights
Agreement, when executed and delivered by each party thereto, will constitute
the valid and legally binding obligation of EVI enforceable in accordance with
its terms.  Except as set forth in Schedule 2(b), as required under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act or as otherwise provided herein, none of EVI, Mallard or
any subsidiary of Mallard is obligated to give any notice to, to make any
filing with, or to obtain any authorization, consent, or approval of any
Governmental Authority in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement other than those that the failure to obtain would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

         (c)     ORGANIZATION, QUALIFICATION, AND CORPORATE POWER.  Mallard and
its subsidiaries have all requisite corporate or other power and authority to
own, lease and operate their properties and to carry on their businesses as
currently conducted, and are duly qualified and in good standing to do business
in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by them or
the ownership or leasing of their properties makes such qualification
necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing
would not have a Material Adverse Effect.  Mallard and its subsidiaries are in
possession of all certifications, franchises, authorizations, licenses,
permits, approvals and orders of any Governmental Authority (collectively,
"Permits") necessary to own, lease and operate their properties and to carry on
their businesses as currently conducted, except for such Permits the failure of
which to obtain would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect, and there is no action, proceeding or investigation pending, or
to the knowledge of EVI, threatened, regarding the suspension or cancellation
of any of the Permits, except for those actions, proceedings or investigations
that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect.  EVI has delivered to Parker correct and complete copies of the
charters and bylaws of Mallard and its subsidiaries, each as amended to date.
The minute books (containing the records of meetings of the stockholders, the
board of





                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
directors, and any committees of the board of directors), the stock certificate
books, and the stock record books of Mallard and its subsidiaries are correct
and complete in all material respects.  Schedule 2(c) lists the directors and
officers of Mallard and each of its subsidiaries.

         (d)     CAPITALIZATION; SUBSIDIARIES.

         (1)     The entire authorized capital stock of Mallard consists of
100,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Mallard Common
Stock"), of which 33,000 shares are issued and outstanding.  All of the issued
and outstanding shares of Mallard Common Stock have been duly authorized and
are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.  Except as set forth in
Schedule 2(d), all outstanding shares of Mallard Common Stock are owned by EVI,
and are free and clear of any Security Interests, options, warrants, calls,
purchase rights, conversion rights, exchange rights, trusts, voting trusts or
other contracts or commitments relating to any capital stock or other security
of Mallard (other than this Agreement).  There are no outstanding or authorized
options, warrants, purchase rights, conversion rights, exchange rights, trusts,
voting trusts or other contracts or commitments that could require Mallard to
issue, sell, or otherwise cause to become outstanding any shares of its capital
stock.  There are no outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, phantom
stock, profit participation, or similar rights with respect to Mallard's
capital stock, and there are no voting trusts, proxies, or other agreements or
understandings with respect to the voting of Mallard's capital stock.

         (2)     Schedule 2(d) lists (i) each subsidiary of Mallard, (ii) the
authorized and issued and outstanding capital stock of each subsidiary of
Mallard ("Mallard Subsidiary Common Stock") and (iii) each other entity in
which Mallard owns an equity interest, including the nature and amount of such
interest ("Other Equity Interests").  All of the issued and outstanding shares
of Mallard Subsidiary Common Stock have been duly authorized and are validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.  Except as set forth in Schedule 2(d),
all outstanding shares of Mallard Subsidiary Common Stock and all Other Equity
Interests are owned, directly or indirectly, by Mallard, and are free and clear
of Security Interests, options, warrants, calls, purchase rights, conversion
rights, exchange rights, trusts, voting trusts or other contracts or
commitments relating to any capital stock or other security of such subsidiary.
There are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, purchase rights,
conversion rights, exchange rights, trusts, voting trusts or other contracts or
commitments that could require  any subsidiary of Mallard to issue, sell, or
otherwise cause to become outstanding any of shares of its capital stock.
There are no outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock,
profit participation, or similar rights with respect to the capital stock of
any subsidiary of Mallard and there are no voting trusts, proxies, or other
agreements or understandings with respect to the voting of the capital stock of
any subsidiary of Mallard.

         (e)     COMMISSION FILINGS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

         (1)     EVI has filed all reports, proxy statements, registration
statements and other documents, together with any amendments required to be
made with respect thereto, required to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Exchange Act.  All such
reports, proxy statements, registration statements and other documents
(including





                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6
all exhibits thereto and all documents incorporated by reference therein) filed
by EVI with the Commission since January 1, 1995, together with any amendments
thereto, are referred to herein as the "EVI Commission Filings."  EVI has
delivered to Parker copies of the EVI Commission Filings.  As of the respective
dates of their filing with the Commission, the EVI Commission Filings complied
in all material respects with the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of
the Commission thereunder, and did not contain any 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 light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that EVI makes no
representation or warranty as to misstatements or omissions in the EVI
Commission Filings that relate solely to businesses other than the Contract
Drilling Business and would be immaterial to a purchaser of the Contract
Drilling Business.

         (2)     All of the consolidated financial statements included in the
EVI Commission Filings (including any related notes or schedules) were prepared
in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis (except as may be noted
therein) and complied in all material respects with all applicable rules of the
Commission.  Such consolidated financial statements fairly present the
consolidated financial position of EVI and its subsidiaries as of the dates
thereof and the results of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders'
equity for the periods then ended (subject in the case of interim financial
statements to normal year-end audit adjustments on a basis comparable with past
periods).

         (3)     Set forth in Schedule 2(e) are the following unaudited
consolidated financial statements of the Contract Drilling Business presented
on a combined basis (the "Mallard Unaudited Financial Statements"):  (i)
unaudited balance sheets and income statement as of and for each of the years
ended December 31, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995; (ii) an unaudited balance
sheet and income statement as of and for the six months ended June 30, 1996 and
(iii) an unaudited balance sheet as of July 31, 1996 (the "Most Recent Balance
Sheet").  The Mallard Unaudited Financial Statements were prepared in
accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis for financial statements of
an operating division of EVI (except as noted therein) and fairly present in
all material respects the financial position of the Contract Drilling Business
as of the dates thereof and the results of operations for the periods then
ended (subject to the qualifications described therein).  The "intercompany
debt" line item on the Most Recent Balance Sheet includes all intercompany
accounts payable or other amounts owing to EVI or any of its affiliates,
including accounts payable with respect to the purchase of drill pipe, tubulars
or other oilfield equipment or services.

         (f)     EVENTS SUBSEQUENT TO MOST RECENT QUARTER END.  Except as set
forth on Schedule 2(f), since June 30, 1996 there has not been any change in
the conduct of the ongoing business operations of the Contract Drilling
Business that would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect (other than those changes affecting the oil and gas industry or the
drilling and workover segment thereof in general).  Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, except as set forth in Schedule 2(f), since that
date to the date hereof, Mallard and the other subsidiaries of EVI with respect
to their operations constituting a part of the Contract Drilling Business have
not:





                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7
                 (1)      sold, leased, transferred, imposed any Security
         Interest or assigned any assets, tangible or intangible, with a book
         value of $100,000 or more, or assets with an aggregate book value of
         $250,000 or more, or assets with an aggregate purchase price of
         $250,000 or more;

                 (2)      entered into any agreement, contract, lease or
         license outside the Ordinary Course of Business, or entered into any
         drilling contract on a turnkey or footage basis, or entered into any
         vessel or rig charter other than with an affiliate of Mallard or for a
         term less than one month entered into in the Ordinary Course of
         Business;

                 (3)      made any declaration, setting aside or payment of
         dividends or distributions in respect of shares of Mallard Common
         Stock or any redemption, purchase or other acquisition of any other
         securities of Mallard or its subsidiaries;

                 (4)      amended their respective certificates of
         incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents;

                 (5)      issued, delivered, sold, pledged or encumbered any
         shares of their capital stock or any securities convertible into, or
         exchangeable or exercisable for, shares of their capital stock;

                 (6)      except for borrowings under existing credit
         facilities in the Ordinary Course of Business, (i) incurred any
         obligation for borrowed money or purchase money indebtedness, or (ii)
         made any loan, advance, guarantee, capital contribution or investment
         in any Person other than a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary
         of Mallard;

                 (7)      made any change in their accounting methods,
         principles or practices other than as required by GAAP;

                 (8)      waived the benefits of, or agreed to modify, any
         material confidentiality, standstill or similar agreement;

                 (9)      except for changes made in the Ordinary Course of
         Business not involving officers or key employees of Mallard or its
         subsidiaries, increased or otherwise modified the compensation of
         their employees, including salaries, bonus or other employee benefits
         or severance payments or obligations, or entered into or modified the
         terms of any employment, severance or collective bargaining agreement;

                 (10)     made any capital expenditures outside the Ordinary
         Course of Business or in an amount in excess of $250,000 for any one
         expenditure or $1,000,000 in the aggregate for all unscheduled
         expenditures;

                 (11)     experienced any damage, destruction, or loss (whether
         or not covered by insurance) to their property, other than ordinary
         wear and tear or damage, destruction or loss in an aggregate amount
         not in excess of $250,000;





                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8
                 (12)     paid, discharged, reserved against, or satisfied
         claims, liabilities or obligations in an amount in excess of $250,000
         in the aggregate or written off or reduced the carrying value of
         assets by more than $250,000 in the aggregate, other than as reflected
         or reserved against in the Most Recent Balance Sheet (as defined in
         Section 2(h) hereof) or in the Ordinary Course of Business; or

                 (13)     committed to do any of the foregoing.

         (g)     LEGAL COMPLIANCE; NONCONTRAVENTION.  Except as set forth in
Schedule 2(g), Mallard and its subsidiaries have complied with and are not in
violation of or default under (i) any Law applicable to them or their
properties or (ii) any Permits, except for such events of noncompliance,
violation or default that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect.  No action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation,
charge, complaint, claim, demand, or notice alleging any failure so to comply
has been filed or commenced against Mallard or its subsidiaries and, to the
knowledge of EVI, no such action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation,
charge, complaint, claim, demand, or notice has been threatened and no event
which may reasonably be expected to result in such an event has occurred,
except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect.  Except as set forth in Schedule 2(g), the execution and delivery of
this Agreement by EVI does not, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby will not, (x) conflict with or violate the charter or
bylaws of either EVI, Mallard or the subsidiaries of Mallard, (y) conflict with
or violate any Law, or (z) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or
an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default)
under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or
cancellation of, or require payment under, or result in the creation of a
Security Interest on any properties or assets of Mallard or its subsidiaries
pursuant to any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease,
Permit or other instrument or obligation to which Mallard or any of its
subsidiaries is a party or by which Mallard or any of its subsidiaries or their
properties are bound or subject to, except in the case of clauses (y) and (z)
for conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults, events, rights of termination,
amendment, acceleration or cancellation, payment obligations or Security
Interests that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect.

         (h)     TITLE TO PROPERTIES.  Except as disclosed in the Financial
Statements or on Schedule 2(h), Mallard and its subsidiaries have good and
indefeasible title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, the properties and
assets used by them, located on their premises, or shown on the Most Recent
Balance Sheet or acquired after the date thereof, free and clear of all
Security Interests, except for properties and assets disposed of in the
Ordinary Course of Business since the date of the Most Recent Balance Sheet and
except for such other liens or imperfections in title that will not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

         (i)     INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.  Mallard and EVI's other subsidiaries
own or hold licenses under such patents, trademarks, trade names, and
copyrights as necessary for the conduct of the Contract Drilling Business as
now being conducted.  Neither EVI nor Mallard and its subsidiaries have
received any notice of infringement or notice of conflict with the asserted
rights of others in such patents, trademarks, trade names, and copyrights; nor
are EVI or Mallard and its subsidiaries





                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9
otherwise aware of any such infringement or conflict, or of any infringement
by, or conflict on the part of, others with respect to patents, trademarks,
trade names, or copyrights of Mallard and its subsidiaries.

         (j)     TANGIBLE ASSETS.  Schedule 2(j) lists and describes all of the
drilling rigs currently used in the Contract Drilling Business and the book
value of each such rig as of July 31, 1996.  Except for the rigs used in Peru,
which are owned and subject to the agreements and partnership arrangements
described in Schedule 2(h), all such rigs will be owned at Closing by Mallard
or one or more of its subsidiaries.  With the exception of such rigs that are
listed on Schedule 2(j) as "stacked," the rigs owned by Mallard, EVI or any of
their respective subsidiaries are being operated or maintained in a manner
consistent with past practice and such rigs are in operating condition.  Except
as set forth in Schedule 2(j), at Closing Mallard or one or more of its
subsidiaries will own all of the machinery, equipment, vessels, rigs and other
tangible assets currently utilized by EVI, Mallard or any of their respective
subsidiaries in connection with the Contract Drilling Business (other than any
assets  currently under lease by EVI, Mallard or any of their respective
subsidiaries in which case Mallard or its subsidiaries, at Closing, will hold a
valid and legally binding leasehold interest in such leased assets).

         (k)     CONTRACTS.  Schedule 2(k) lists the following contracts and
other agreements (written and oral) to which Mallard or its subsidiaries are a
party in effect as of the date hereof:

                 (1)      any agreement (or group of related agreements) for
         the purchase or sale of raw materials, commodities, equipment,
         supplies, products, or other personal property, or any agreement (or
         group of related agreements) for the lease of personal property (other
         than under a drilling contract) to or from any Person providing for
         lease payments in excess of $250,000 per year;

                 (2)      all domestic drilling contracts as of September 9,
         1996, and all international drilling contracts (other than contracts
         relating to land rigs used in Peru);

                 (3)      any agreement concerning a partnership or joint
         venture or agency relationships;

                 (4)      any agreement (or group of related agreements) under
         which it has created, incurred, assumed, or guaranteed any
         indebtedness for borrowed money, or any capitalized lease obligation,
         in excess of $100,000 or under which it has imposed a Security
         Interest on any of its assets, tangible or intangible;

                 (5)      any material agreement concerning confidentiality or
         noncompetition;

                 (6)      any collective bargaining agreement or other contract
         with any labor union;

                 (7)      any separate agreement for the employment of any
         individual on a full-time, part-time, consulting, or other basis
         providing annual compensation in excess of $75,000





                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10
         or any agreement or document providing severance benefits outside
         EVI's customary severance policy;

                 (8)      any agreement under which it has advanced or loaned
         any amount to any of its directors, officers, and employees outside
         the Ordinary Course of Business;

                 (9)      any agreement under which the consequences of a
         default or termination would have a Material Adverse Effect;

                 (10)     any acquisition or disposition agreement involving
         consideration in excess of $500,000 under which Mallard or its
         subsidiaries have any material ongoing obligations, including
         indemnification obligations; or

                 (11)     any other agreement (or group of related agreements)
         the performance of which involves consideration in excess of $500,000.

With respect to each such agreement, except as set forth on Schedule 2(k) or as
would otherwise not have a Material Adverse Effect:  (A) the agreement is
legal, valid and binding and in full force and effect; (B) to EVI's knowledge,
no party is in breach or default, and no event has occurred which with notice
or lapse of time would constitute a breach or default, or permit termination,
modification, or acceleration under the agreement; (C) the agreement will
continue to be legal, valid and binding, and in full force and effect following
the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein; and (D) no party has
repudiated any material provision of the agreement.

         (l)     INSURANCE.  Schedule 2(l) sets forth information as of the
date hereof with respect to each insurance policy (including policies providing
property, casualty, liability, and workers' compensation coverage, and bond and
surety arrangements) to which Mallard or any of its subsidiaries is a party, a
named insured, or otherwise  a named beneficiary of coverage (excluding
policies maintained by unaffiliated third parties for the benefit of Mallard or
any of its subsidiaries).  With respect to each such insurance policy, and
except as set forth on Schedule 2(l):  (A) the policy is in full force and
effect; (B) to the knowledge of EVI, neither Mallard nor its subsidiaries is in
breach or default (including with respect to the payment of premiums or the
giving of notices), and no event has occurred which, with notice or the lapse
of time, would constitute such a breach or default, or permit termination,
modification, or acceleration under the policy; and (C) no party to the policy
has repudiated any provision thereof.  Mallard and its subsidiaries have not
reached or exceeded their respective policy limits for any insurance policies
in effect at any time during the past five years.

         (m)     LITIGATION.  Schedule 2(m) sets forth a brief description of
all matters existing on the date hereof in which Mallard or any of its
subsidiaries or their properties (i) is subject to any outstanding injunction,
judgment, order, decree, ruling, or charge, or (ii) is a party to any action,
suit, proceeding, hearing, or investigation of, in, or before any Governmental
Authority or before any arbitrator and seeking a judgment or award against the
Mallard or any of its subsidiaries, in each case described in (i) and (ii)
above, in an amount  in excess of $250,000 and each instance in which, to the
knowledge of EVI, any such actions described in (i) and (ii) above are
threatened





                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11
against Mallard or any of its subsidiaries or their properties or in which EVI
has provided notice to its insurance carriers of the existence of any potential
claim or action.

         (n)     EMPLOYEE BENEFIT MATTERS.

         (1)     Schedule 2(n) provides a description of each of the following
that is currently sponsored, maintained or contributed to by Mallard or any of
its affiliates for the benefit of the employees of Mallard or any of its
subsidiaries:

                 (A)      each "employee benefit plan," as such term is defined
         in Section 3(3) of ERISA, (including, but not limited to, employee
         benefit plans, such as foreign plans, which are not subject to the
         provisions of ERISA), ("Plan");

                 (B)      each stock option plan, collective bargaining
         agreement, bonus plan or arrangement, incentive award plan or
         arrangement, severance pay plan, policy or agreement, deferred
         compensation agreement or arrangement, executive compensation or
         supplemental income arrangement, consulting and employment agreement
         ("Benefit Program or Agreement").

Mallard and its subsidiaries have no outstanding liability other than accrued
as a current liability on the Most Recent Balance Sheet with respect to any of
the items described in clauses (A) and (B) above that are not currently
sponsored, maintained or contributed to by Mallard or any of its subsidiaries,
but were so sponsored, maintained or contributed to by Mallard or any of its
subsidiaries within the past six years.

         (2)     True, correct and complete copies of each of the Plans,
Benefit Programs or Agreements and related trusts, as in effect on the date
hereof, have been furnished to Parker.

         (3)     Neither Mallard nor any of its subsidiaries contribute to or
have an obligation to contribute to, nor have Mallard or any of its
subsidiaries at any time within six years prior to the Closing Date contributed
to or had an obligation to contribute to, any employee benefit plan that is
subject to Title IV of ERISA, including, without limitation, a multiemployer
plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA.

         (4)     Except as otherwise set forth on Schedule 2(n) or as to other
matters as would not have a Material Adverse Effect,

                 (A)      Mallard and each of its subsidiaries have
         substantially performed all obligations, whether arising by operation
         of law or by contract, required to be performed by it in connection
         with the Plans and the Benefit Programs or Agreements, and there have
         been no defaults or violations by any other party to the Plans or
         Benefit Programs or Agreements;





                                      -11-
<PAGE>   12
                 (B)      Each Plan and each Benefit Program or Agreement has
         been administered and operated in substantial compliance with its
         governing documents and applicable law (including, where applicable,
         ERISA and the Code);

                 (C)      Each of the Plans intended to be qualified under
         Section 401 of the Code satisfies the requirements of such Section and
         has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal
         Revenue Service regarding such qualified status and has not, since
         receipt of the most recent favorable determination letter, been
         amended or operated in a way which would adversely affect such
         qualified status;

                 (D)      There are no actions, suits or claims pending (other
         than routine claims for benefits) or threatened against, or with
         respect to, any of the Plans or Benefit Programs or Agreements or
         their assets, and there is no matter pending (other than routine
         qualification determination filings) with respect to any of the Plans
         or Benefit Programs or Agreements before any governmental agency or
         authority;

                 (E)      All contributions required to be made to the Plans
         pursuant to their terms and provisions have been made timely;

                 (F)      As to any Plan intended to be qualified under Section
         401 of the Code, there has been no termination or partial termination
         of the Plan within the meaning of Section 411(d)(3) of the Code;

                 (G)      No act, omission or transaction has occurred which
         would result in imposition on Mallard or any of its subsidiaries of
         (A) breach of fiduciary duty liability damages under Section 409 of
         ERISA, (B) a civil penalty assessed pursuant to subsections (c), (i)
         or (l) of Section 502 of ERISA or (C) a tax imposed pursuant to
         Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code;

                 (H)      Each trust funding a Plan, which trust is intended to
         be exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(9)
         of the Code, satisfies the requirements of such section and has
         received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue
         Service regarding such exempt status and has not, since receipt of the
         most recent favorable determination letter, been amended or operated
         in a way which would adversely affect such exempt status;

                 (I)      With respect to any employee benefit plan, within the
         meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, which is not listed in Schedule 2(n)
         of the Disclosure Schedule but which is sponsored, maintained or
         contributed to, or has been sponsored, maintained or contributed to
         within six years prior to the Closing Date, by any corporation, trade,
         business or entity under common control with Mallard or any of its
         subsidiaries, within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of
         the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA ("Commonly Controlled Entity"), (A)
         no withdrawal liability, within the meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA,
         has been incurred, which withdrawal liability has not been satisfied,
         (B) no liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has been
         incurred





                                      -12-
<PAGE>   13
         by any Commonly Controlled Entity, which liability has not been
         satisfied, (C) no accumulated funding deficiency, whether or not
         waived, within the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of
         the Code has been incurred, (D) all contributions (including
         installments) to such plan required by Section 302 of ERISA and
         Section 412 of the Code have been timely made and (E) neither Mallard
         nor any of its subsidiaries has provided security to such Plan under
         section 401(a)(29) of the Code; and

                 (J)      the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
         consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (A)
         require Mallard or any of its subsidiaries to make a larger
         contribution to, or pay greater benefits under, any Plan or Benefit
         Program or Agreement than it otherwise would or (B) except as
         contemplated in Section 4(f) of this Agreement, create or give rise to
         any additional vested rights or service credits under any Plan or
         Benefit Program or Agreement.

         (5)     Except as otherwise set forth in Schedule 2(n), neither
Mallard nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any agreement, nor have
Mallard or any of its subsidiaries established any policy or practice,
requiring it to make a payment or provide any other form of compensation or
benefit to any person performing services for such entity upon termination of
such services which would not be payable or provided in the absence of the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         (6)     In connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, no payments have or will be made hereunder or
under the Plans or Benefit Programs or Agreements which, in the aggregate,
would result in imposition of the sanctions imposed under Sections 280G and
4999 of the Code on Parker, Mallard or their respective subsidiaries.

         (7)     Each Plan which is an "employee welfare benefit plan," as such
term is defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA, may be unilaterally amended or
terminated in its entirety without liability except as to benefits accrued
thereunder prior to such amendment or termination and except for obligations of
the Mallard and its subsidiaries under COBRA.

         (8)     None of the U.S. employees of Mallard or any of its
subsidiaries are subject to union or collective bargaining agreements.  Except
as otherwise set forth in Schedule 2(n) or as would otherwise not have a
Material Adverse Effect, Mallard and its subsidiaries have not at any time
during the past four years had or been threatened with any work stoppages or
other labor disputes or controversies with respect to their employees.

         (o)     TAX MATTERS.

         (1)     Except as set forth in Schedule 2(o), (i) all Tax Returns of
or with respect to any Tax that are required to be filed on or before the
Closing Date by or with respect to Mallard, any subsidiary of Mallard or any
affiliated group of corporations of which Mallard or any subsidiary of Mallard
was a member at any time during the five year period ending on the Closing Date
(a "Seller Affiliated Group") have been or will be duly and timely filed, (ii)
all items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit or other items required
to be included in each such Tax Return





                                      -13-
<PAGE>   14
have been or will be so included and all information provided in each such Tax
Return is true, correct and complete in all material respects, (iii) all Taxes
which have become or will become due with respect to the period covered by each
such Tax Return have been or will be timely paid in full, (iv) all withholding
Tax requirements imposed on or with respect to Mallard or any subsidiary of
Mallard have been or will be satisfied in full, and (v) no penalty, interest or
other charge is or will become due with respect to the late filing of any such
Tax Return or late payment of any such Tax.

         (2)     All Tax Returns of, or with respect to Mallard, any subsidiary
of Mallard or any Seller Affiliated Group have been audited by the applicable
governmental authority, or the applicable statute of limitations has expired,
for all periods up to and including the periods set forth in Schedule 2(o).

         (3)     There is no claim against Mallard, any subsidiary of Mallard,
or any Seller Affiliated Group for any Taxes, and no assessment, deficiency or
adjustment has been asserted or proposed with respect to any Tax Return of or
with respect to Mallard, any subsidiary of Mallard or any Seller Affiliated
Group, other than those disclosed (and to which are attached true and complete
copies of all audit or similar reports) in Schedule 2(o).

         (4)     Except as set forth in Schedule 2(o), there is not in force
any extension of time with respect to the due date for the filing of any Tax
Return of or with respect to Mallard, any subsidiary  of Mallard, or any Seller
Affiliated Group or any waiver or agreement for any extension of time for the
assessment or payment of any Tax of or with respect to Mallard, any subsidiary
of Mallard or any Seller Affiliated Group.

         (5)     Schedule 2(o) contains a true and complete copy of each
written Tax allocation or sharing agreement and a true and complete description
of each unwritten Tax allocation or sharing arrangement affecting Mallard or
any subsidiary of Mallard.  All such agreements shall be terminated prior to
the Closing Date and no payments are due or will become due by Mallard or any
subsidiary of Mallard on or after the Closing Date pursuant to any such
agreement or arrangement.

         (6)     Except as set forth in Schedule 2(o), none of the property of
Mallard or any subsidiary  of Mallard is held in an arrangement that could be
classified as a partnership for Tax purposes, and neither Mallard nor any
subsidiary of Mallard own any interest in any controlled foreign corporation
(as defined in section 957 of the Code), passive foreign investment company (as
defined in section 1296 of the Code) or other entity the income of which is
required to be included in the income of Mallard or any subsidiary of Mallard.

         (7)     Except as set forth in Schedule 2(o), none of the property of
Mallard or any subsidiary  of Mallard is subject to a safe-harbor lease
(pursuant to section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as in
effect after the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 and before the Tax Reform
Act of 1986) or is "tax-exempt use property" (within the meaning of section
168(h) of the Code) or "tax-exempt bond financed property" (within the meaning
of section 168(g)(5) of the Code).





                                      -14-
<PAGE>   15
         (8)     Except as set forth in Schedule 2(o), neither Mallard nor any
subsidiary of Mallard will be required to include any amount in income for any
taxable period beginning the Closing Date as a result of a change in accounting
method for any taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date or pursuant
to any agreement with any Tax authority with respect to any such taxable
period.

         (9)     Neither Mallard nor any subsidiary of Mallard has consented to
have the provisions of section 341(f)(2) of the Code apply with respect to a
sale of its stock.

         (p)     BROKERS' FEES.  EVI, Mallard and its subsidiaries do not have
any liability to pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder, or agent
with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which
Parker or Mallard could be liable or obligated after Closing.

         (q)     REAL PROPERTY.  Schedule 2(q) lists and describes briefly all
real property owned by Mallard and its subsidiaries.  With respect to each such
parcel of owned real property:

                 (1)      the identified owner has good and indefeasible title
         to, and quiet enjoyment of, the parcel of real property, free and
         clear of any Security Interest, easement, covenant, or other
         restriction, except for installments of special assessments not yet
         delinquent, recorded easements, covenants, and other restrictions, and
         utility easements, building restrictions, zoning restrictions, and
         other easements and restrictions existing generally with respect to
         properties of a similar character that do not affect materially and
         adversely the current use, occupancy, or value of the property subject
         thereto;

                 (2)      there are no pending or, to the knowledge of EVI,
         threatened condemnation proceedings, lawsuits, or administrative
         actions relating to the property or other matters affecting materially
         and adversely the current use, occupancy, or value thereof;

                 (3)      there are no leases, subleases, licenses,
         concessions, or other agreements, written or oral, granting to any
         party or parties the right of use or occupancy of any portion of the
         parcel or real property; and

                 (4)      there are no outstanding options or rights of first
         refusal to purchase the parcel of real property, or any portion
         thereof or interest therein.

         (r)     LEASES.  Schedule 2(r) lists and describes briefly all real
property leased or subleased by Mallard and its subsidiaries.  EVI has made
available to Parker or its representatives correct and complete copies of the
leases and subleases listed in Schedule 2(r).  With respect to each lease and
sublease listed in Schedule 2(r), except for such matters that would not have a
Material Adverse Effect:

                 (1)      the lease or sublease is legal, valid, binding,
         enforceable, and in full force and effect in all material respects;





                                      -15-
<PAGE>   16
                 (2)      no party to the lease or sublease is in material
         breach or default, and no event has occurred which, with notice or
         lapse of time, would constitute a material breach or default or permit
         termination, modification, or acceleration thereunder;

                 (3)      no party to the lease or sublease has repudiated any
         material provision thereof;

                 (4)      there are no material disputes, oral agreements, or
         forbearance programs in effect as to the lease or sublease;

                 (5)      Mallard and its subsidiaries have not assigned,
         transferred, conveyed, mortgaged, deeded in trust, or encumbered any
         interest in the leasehold or subleasehold;

                 (6)      all facilities leased or subleased thereunder have
         received all approvals of Governmental Authorities (including material
         Permits) required in connection with the operation thereof; and

                 (7)      the lease or sublease will continue to be in full
         force and effect following the consummation of the transaction
         contemplated herein and no consents are required under such lease or
         sublease in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

         (s)     ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.  Except as disclosed on Schedule 2(s):

         (1)     Mallard and its subsidiaries are not in violation of any
Environmental Laws or any order or requirement of any Governmental Authority to
the extent pertaining to health or the environment, nor are there any
conditions existing on or resulting from operation of the businesses or
properties of Mallard and its subsidiaries that may give rise to any on-site or
off-site remedial obligations under any Environmental Law, except for such
violations or conditions as will not have a Material Adverse Effect;

         (2)     Without limitation of clause (1) above, Mallard and its
subsidiaries and their properties are not subject to any existing, pending or,
to the knowledge of EVI, threatened action, suit, investigation, inquiry or
proceeding by or before any Governmental Authority under any Environmental Law;

         (3)     All notices, permits, licenses or similar authorizations, if
any, required to be obtained or filed by Mallard and its subsidiaries under any
Environmental Law, including without limitation those relating to the
treatment, storage, disposal or release of a hazardous substance or solid waste
into the environment, have been duly obtained or filed, and Mallard and its
subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such
notices, permits, licenses and similar authorizations, except as would
otherwise not have a Material Adverse Effect;

         (4)     Except where such failure would not have a Material Advance
Effect, since the effective date of the relevant requirements of the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 ("RCRA"), as amended, or other applicable
Environmental Laws, all hazardous substances or





                                      -16-
<PAGE>   17
solid wastes generated by Mallard and its subsidiaries or at any properties of
Mallard and its subsidiaries and requiring disposal have been transported only
by carriers maintaining valid authorizations under RCRA and any other
Environmental Laws and treated and disposed of only at treatment, storage and
disposal facilities maintaining valid authorizations under RCRA and any other
Environmental Law, and, to the knowledge of EVI, such carriers and facilities
have been and are operating in compliance with such authorizations and are not
the subject of any existing, pending or overtly threatened action,
investigation or inquiry by any Governmental Authority in connection with any
Environmental Laws, except as would not otherwise have a Material Adverse
Effect;

         (5)     There are no asbestos-containing materials or naturally
occurring radioactive materials on or in any of the properties of Mallard and
its subsidiaries, and there are no storage tanks, open or closed pits, sumps,
or other containers on or under any of the properties of Mallard and its
subsidiaries from which hazardous substances, petroleum, petroleum products,
oil and gas exploration and production wastes, or other contaminants may be
released into the surrounding environment, except as would otherwise not have a
Material Adverse Effect; and

         (6)     Without limiting the foregoing, there is no material liability
to any non-governmental third party in tort in connection with any release or
threatened release of any hazardous substances, solid wastes, petroleum,
petroleum products, and oil and gas exploration and production wastes into the
environment as a result of or with respect to the properties or businesses of
Mallard and its subsidiaries, except as would otherwise not have a Material
Adverse Effect.

         (t)     RECEIVABLES.  Schedule 2(t) sets forth an accurate aging of
the receivables of Mallard and its subsidiaries as of July 31, 1996, and write
offs of bad debt by Mallard or its subsidiaries from January 1, 1993 to July
31, 1996.  All of the receivables reflected on the Most Recent Balance Sheet or
incurred since the date of the Most Recent Balance Sheet through the date
hereof have arisen only from bonafide transactions entered into in the Ordinary
Course of Business.

         (u)     INVESTMENT INTENT.  EVI is acquiring the shares of Series D
Preferred Stock for investment purposes only and not with a view to or in
connection with any distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities
Act.  EVI acknowledges that the sale of such shares has not been registered
under the Securities Act in reliance upon an exemption therefrom and that such
shares will be "restricted securities" as defined in Rule 144 under the
Securities Act, cannot be offered, sold or otherwise disposed of except
pursuant to registration under the Securities Act or an applicable exemption
from registration and will bear a restrictive legend to this effect.

         3.      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARKER.  Parker represents
and warrants to EVI that the statements contained in this Section 3 are true,
correct and complete as of the date of this Agreement and will be true, correct
and complete as of the Closing Date (as though made then and as though the
Closing Date were substituted for the date of this Agreement throughout this
Section 3).





                                      -17-
<PAGE>   18
         (a)     ORGANIZATION.  Parker is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing, and in good standing under the laws of Delaware.

         (b)     AUTHORIZATION OF TRANSACTION.  Parker has all requisite power
and authority to execute and to deliver this Agreement and the Registration
Rights Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.  The execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement by Parker and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been
duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and no other corporate action
on the part of Parker, including any action by the stockholders of Parker, is
necessary to authorize this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement or
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (other than
adoption by the Board of Directors of Parker of the Certificate of Designations
for the Series D Convertible Preferred Stock and the filing of such Certificate
of Designations with the Delaware Secretary of State).  This Agreement has been
duly executed and delivered by Parker and constitutes the valid and legally
binding obligation of Parker, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and the
Registration Rights Agreement, when executed and delivered by each party
thereto, will constitute the valid and legal binding obligation of Parker
enforceable in accordance with its terms.  Except as required under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act or as otherwise provided herein, Parker need not give
any notice to, make any filing with, or obtain any authorization, consent, or
approval of any Governmental Authority in order to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement other than those that the failure to obtain
would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

         (c)     POWER AND AUTHORITY.  Parker has all requisite corporate or
other power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry
on its business as each is now being conducted.

         (d)     CAPITALIZATION.  The entire authorized capital stock of Parker
consists of 70,000,000 shares of Parker Common Stock and 1,942,000 shares of
preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share ("Parker Preferred Stock").  As of
the date hereof there are 65,334,528 shares of Parker Common Stock outstanding
and no shares of Parker Preferred Stock outstanding.  The shares of Series D
Preferred Stock to be issued to EVI on the Closing Date pursuant to the
transactions contemplated hereby will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

         (e)     COMMISSION FILINGS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

         (1)     Parker has filed all reports, proxy statements, registration
statements and other documents, together with any amendments required to be
made with respect thereto, required to be filed with the Commission under the
Exchange Act.  All such reports, proxy statements, registration statements and
other documents (including all exhibits thereto and all documents incorporated
by reference therein) filed by Parker with the Commission since January 1,
1995, together with any amendments thereto, are referred to herein as the
"Parker Commission Filings."  Parker has delivered to EVI copies of the Parker
Commission Filings.  As of the respective dates of their filing with the
Commission, the Parker Commission Filings complied in all material respects
with the Exchange Act, the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the





                                      -18-
<PAGE>   19
Commission thereunder, and did not contain any 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 light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading.

         (2)     All of the consolidated financial statements included in the
Parker Commission Filings (including any related notes or schedules) were
prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis (except as may
be noted therein) and complied in all material respects with all applicable
rules of the Commission.  Such consolidated financial statements fairly present
the consolidated financial position of Parker and its subsidiaries as of the
dates thereof and the results of operations, cash flows and changes in
shareholders' equity for the periods then ended (subject in the case of interim
financial statements to normal year-end audit adjustments on a basis comparable
with past periods).

         (f)     EVENTS SUBSEQUENT TO MOST RECENT QUARTER END.  Since June 30,
1996 there has not been any change in the conduct of the ongoing business
operations of Parker and its subsidiaries that would, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect (other than changes affecting the oil
and gas industry or the drilling and workover segment thereof in general).

         (g)     LEGAL COMPLIANCE; NONCONTRAVENTION.   The execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement by Parker does
not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby
(including the issuance and redemption of the Series D Preferred Stock under
the terms thereof) will not, (i) conflict with or violate the certificate of
incorporation or bylaws of Parker, (ii) conflict with or violate any Law, or
(iii) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an event that with
notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to
others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of,
or require payment under, or result in the creation of a Security Interest on
any properties or assets of Parker pursuant to any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, contract, agreement, lease, Permit or other instrument or obligation
to which Parker or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which Parker or any
of its subsidiaries or their properties are bound or subject to, except that
consummation of the transactions will require consents under Parker's bank
credit facilities and except for breaches, defaults, events, rights of
termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation, payment obligations or
Security Interests that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect or affect the validity or prohibit the issuance of the
Series D Preferred Stock.

         (h)     BROKERS' FEES.  Parker shall not have any liability to pay any
fees or commissions to any broker, finder, or agent with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which EVI could become liable
or obligated.

         (i)     INVESTMENT INTENT.  Parker is acquiring the shares of Mallard
Common Stock for investment purposes only and not with a view to or for sale in
connection with any distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities
Act.





                                      -19-
<PAGE>   20
         (j)     CITIZENSHIP.  Parker is a citizen of the United States within
the meaning of Section 2 of the Shipping Act 1916, as amended.

         4.      PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS.  The Parties agree as follows with
respect to the period between the execution of this Agreement and the Closing:

         (a)     GENERAL.  Each of the Parties will use all reasonable efforts
to take all action and to do all things necessary, proper, or advisable in
order to consummate and to make effective the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (including satisfaction, but not waiver, of the closing conditions
set forth in Section 6).

         (b)     NOTICES AND CONSENTS.  EVI and Parker will give any notices to
third parties, and will use all reasonable efforts to obtain all third-party
consents, that are required for the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or that Parker may reasonably request in connection with
the matters referred to in Sections 2(k) and 2(r).  Parker will use reasonable
efforts to cooperate with EVI in obtaining the releases described in Schedule
6(b) of the Disclosure Schedule.  Each of the Parties will (and EVI will cause
Mallard and its subsidiaries to) give any notices to, make any filings with,
and use all reasonable efforts to obtain any authorizations, consents, and
approvals of Governmental Authorities in connection with the matters referred
to in Sections 2(b) and 3(b).  Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, each of the Parties will file any Notification and Report Forms and
related material that it may be required to file with the Federal Trade
Commission and the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of
Justice under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, will use all reasonable efforts to
obtain an early termination of the applicable waiting period, and will make any
further filings pursuant thereto that may be necessary, proper, or advisable in
connection therewith.

         (c)     OPERATION OF BUSINESS.  EVI covenants and agrees that unless
otherwise expressly contemplated by this Agreement or consented to in writing
by Parker, (x) Mallard and its subsidiaries will:

                 (1)      operate their businesses only in the Ordinary Course
         of Business;

                 (2)      use reasonable efforts to preserve their businesses
         and properties, including their present operations, physical
         facilities, working conditions and relationships with lessors,
         licensors, suppliers, customers and employees; and

                 (3)      subject to the availability of the same on
         commercially reasonable terms, keep in full force and effect insurance
         and bonds comparable in amount and scope of coverage to that currently
         maintained;

and (y) Mallard and its subsidiaries will not, except as contemplated herein:

                 (1)      sell, lease, transfer, impose any Security Interest
         or assign any assets, tangible or intangible, except for immaterial
         transactions with sales prices not in excess of $1,000,000 in the
         aggregate;





                                      -20-
<PAGE>   21
                 (2)      enter into any agreement, contract, lease or license
         outside the Ordinary Course of Business, or enter into any drilling
         contract on a turnkey or footage basis, or enter into any vessel or
         rig charter other than with an affiliate of Mallard or for a term less
         than one month entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business;

                 (3)      make any declaration, setting aside or payment of
         dividends or distributions in respect of shares of Mallard Common
         Stock or any redemption, purchase or other acquisition  of any other
         securities of Mallard or its subsidiaries;

                 (4)      amend their respective certificates of incorporation,
         bylaws or other organizational documents;

                 (5)      issue, deliver, sell, pledge or otherwise encumber
         any shares of their capital stock or any securities convertible into,
         or exchangeable or exercisable for, shares of their capital stock;

                 (6)      except for borrowings under existing credit
         facilities in the Ordinary Course of Business, (i) incur any
         obligation for borrowed money or purchase money indebtedness, or (ii)
         make any loan, advance, guarantee, capital contribution or investment
         in any Person other than a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary
         of Mallard;

                 (7)      make any change in their accounting methods,
         principles or practices other than as required by GAAP;

                 (8)      waive the benefits of, or agree to modify, any
         material confidentiality, standstill or similar agreement;

                 (9)      except for changes made in the Ordinary Course of
         Business not involving officers or key employees of Mallard, increase
         or otherwise modify (except as contemplated by this Agreement) the
         compensation of their employees, including salaries, bonus and other
         employee benefits, or severance payments or obligations, or enter into
         or modify the terms of any employment, severance or collective
         bargaining agreement;

                 (10)     except for existing commitments and capital
         expenditures as may be necessary to perform obligations under existing
         contracts or maintain the assets in the event of damage thereto, make
         any capital expenditure outside the Ordinary Course of Business or in
         an amount in excess of $250,000;

                 (11)     modify, terminate or establish any new (except as
         contemplated by this Agreement and those adopted by EVI for
         substantially all the employees of its subsidiaries) Plans or Benefit
         Programs or Agreements;

                 (12)     pay, discharge, reserve against or satisfy any
         material claims, liabilities or obligations or write off or reduce the
         carrying value of any assets, other than as reflected or reserved
         against in the Most Recent Balance or as may be required under the
         terms





                                      -21-
<PAGE>   22
         thereof or in the Ordinary Course of Business (including the
         settlement of litigation in accordance with past practice); or

                 (13)     authorize, commit or agree to take any of the
         foregoing actions.

         (d)     FULL ACCESS.  Subject to the terms of the Confidentiality
Agreement dated September 9, 1996 (the "Confidentiality Agreement"), EVI will
permit representatives of Parker to have full access to Mallard and its
subsidiaries at reasonable times during normal business hours, in a manner that
will not interfere with the normal business operations of Mallard and its
subsidiaries, and to all premises, properties, personnel, books, records
(including Tax records), environmental reports or surveys, contracts, and
documents of or pertaining to Mallard and its subsidiaries.

         (e)     NOTICE OF DEVELOPMENTS.  Each Party will give prompt written
notice to the other of any material adverse development causing a breach of any
of its representations and warranties under this Agreement.

         (f)     BENEFIT PLANS.  At or prior to the Closing, but effective as
of the Closing Date, EVI shall, at its sole expense and with no adverse tax or
other consequences to Mallard, Parker or their respective subsidiaries, (i)
cause Mallard and its subsidiaries to cease to be adopting employers under all
Plans and Benefit Programs or Agreements and (ii) cause one or more designees
of EVI (other than Mallard or any of its subsidiaries) to assume all past,
present and future obligations and liabilities of Mallard and its subsidiaries
with respect to the Plans and Benefit Programs or Agreements.  On or before the
Closing Date, and effective as of such date, EVI will cause each employee of
Mallard and its subsidiaries to have a fully vested and nonforfeitable interest
in his or her account balance under the 401(k) Plan and the Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan.  With respect to employees of Mallard and its subsidiaries
as of the Closing Date, Parker will permit such employees to participate in its
group health plan without exclusion for pre-existing conditions (other than
such exclusions currently in effect under any group health plan for employees
of Mallard and its subsidiaries).

         (g)     NO SOLICITATION.  From and after the date of this Agreement
until the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, neither
EVI nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any officer, director, employee, agent or
representative of EVI or any of its subsidiaries, shall, directly or
indirectly, solicit or encourage, including by way of furnishing information,
the initiation of any inquiries or proposals regarding, or engage in or
continue any discussions or enter into any agreements regarding, any merger,
tender offer, sale of shares of capital stock or similar business combination
transactions involving any or all of the Contract Drilling Business, or any
sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Contract Drilling Business,
other than in connection with the transaction with Parker contemplated herein;
provided, however, that EVI or its officers, directors, employees, agents or
representatives may furnish information with respect to the Contract Drilling
Business in connection with any inquiry or proposal or discussions relating to
a merger, tender offer, sale of shares of capital stock or similar business
combination transaction involving EVI, or any sale of all or substantially all
of the assets of EVI, provided that no such discussions or agreements resulting
therefrom shall in any manner conflict with the terms of this Agreement and





                                      -22-
<PAGE>   23
that EVI or such person acting on behalf of EVI shall provide advance written
notice to each other party to such discussions that EVI is party to a valid and
legally binding agreement with Parker with respect to the Contract Drilling
Business.

         (h)     INSURANCE MATTERS.  EVI shall use its reasonable efforts to
obtain an endorsement on the insurance policies for Mallard and its
subsidiaries naming Parker and its subsidiaries and affiliates as additional
named insureds effective on the Closing Date as long as Parker utilizes EVI's
current insurance broker.

         (i)     CONTRIBUTED ASSETS.  Prior to the Closing, EVI shall take all
necessary action to provide that all of the assets owned by EVI or its
subsidiaries used primarily in connection with or otherwise integral to the
Contract Drilling Business are owned directly or indirectly by Mallard,
including the contribution of certain assets described on Schedule 4(i) (the
"Contributed Assets"); provided, however, the foregoing shall not include (i)
the historical tax, accounting or financial records of EVI, (ii) the accounting
and management information systems and software of EVI used in connection with
the business of Mallard, (iii) the subsidiaries of EVI whose assets may be
transferred to Mallard or its subsidiaries pursuant to this section, or (iv)
the assets described in Schedule 2(j) of the Disclosure Schedule as being
retained by EVI or its subsidiaries other than Mallard and its subsidiaries.
After the Closing, EVI will provide Parker with access to such historical
accounting and other records relating to the business of Mallard and its
subsidiaries prior to Closing to the extent reasonably necessary to assist
Parker in making its tax, regulatory, Exchange Act and related filings.

         (j)     REGISTRATION RIGHTS.  At the Closing, Parker and EVI shall
enter into a registration rights agreement in substantially the form attached
hereto as EXHIBIT D ("Registration Rights Agreement").

         (k)     AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  EVI shall use its best efforts
to deliver to Parker within 20 days after the date hereof, and shall in any
event deliver to Parker within 30 days after the date hereof, audited financial
statements for Mallard and its consolidated subsidiaries, together with the
Contributed Assets, accompanied by a report of EVI's independent public
accountants, consisting of balance sheets and statements of income, cash flows
and stockholders' equity as of and for each of the years ended December 31,
1993, 1994 and 1995 (the "Mallard Audited Financial Statements").  The Mallard
Audited Financial Statements will be prepared in accordance with GAAP applied
on a consistent basis (except as may be noted therein) and will fairly present
the consolidated financial position of Mallard and its subsidiaries as of the
dates thereof and the results of operations, cash flows and changes in
stockholders' equity for the periods then ended.

         (l)     RIG UPGRADE.  Prior to Closing, EVI shall complete the rig
modification and upgrade to Rig 74 as described on Schedule 4(l) (the "Rig
Upgrade").





                                      -23-
<PAGE>   24
         (m)     ACTION OF PARKER REGARDING FINANCING.

         (1)     Parker shall promptly after the date of this Agreement
initiate and diligently pursue action to obtain financing in an amount
necessary to permit Parker to pay the cash portion of the Purchase Price. In
such connection, Parker plans to effect a private placement of debt and Parker
agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to complete such placement.

         (2)     Parker shall keep EVI informed from time to time as to the
status of the financing contemplated by subsection (1) of this Section 4(m) and
in any event shall inform EVI upon pricing of the securities.  Parker shall
also provide EVI with copies of all preliminary and final offering memorandums.

         (n)     PREFERRED STOCK.  Prior to Closing, the Board of Directors of
Parker shall approve and adopt the Certificate of Designations for the Parker
Series D Convertible Preferred Stock in substantially the form attached hereto
as Exhibit B and cause such Certificate of Designations to be filed with the
Secretary of State of Delaware.

         (o)     INTERCOMPANY DEBT.  All debt and other obligations of Mallard
or any of its subsidiaries as of the Closing Date shall be cancelled
immediately prior to the Closing (other than debt related to purchases of drill
pipe, tubulars and related products from Grant Prideco, Inc. after the date
hereof).

         5.      POST-CLOSING COVENANTS.  The Parties agree as follows with
respect to the period following the Closing.

         (a)     GENERAL.  In case at any time after the Closing any further
action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement,
each of the Parties will take such further action (including the execution and
delivery of such further instruments and documents) as the other Party
reasonably may request; provided, however, that this Section 5(a) shall not be
deemed to require either party to expend funds or to incur obligations not
otherwise expressly required pursuant to the Agreement.

         (b)     LITIGATION SUPPORT.  In the event and for so long as any Party
actively is contesting or defending against any action, suit, proceeding,
hearing, investigation, charge, complaint, claim, or demand in connection with
(i) any transaction contemplated under this Agreement or (ii) any fact,
situation, circumstance, status, condition, activity practice, plan,
occurrence, event, incident, action, failure to act, or transaction on or prior
to the Closing Date involving Mallard and its subsidiaries, each of the other
Parties will cooperate with it and its counsel in the contest or defense, make
available their personnel, and provide such testimony and access to their books
and records as shall be necessary in connection with the contest or defense,
all at the sole cost and expense of the contesting or defending Party (unless
the contesting or defending Party is entitled to indemnification therefor under
Section 7).





                                      -24-
<PAGE>   25
         (c)     LISTING OF SHARES.  Promptly after the Closing, Parker shall
effect the listing on the New York Stock Exchange of the shares of Parker
Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series D Preferred Stock.

         (d)     AUTHORIZATION OF COMMON STOCK.  Parker agrees that at its next
annual meeting of stockholders, and in any event at a meeting to be held prior
to January 31, 1997, it will propose an amendment to its Restated Certificate
of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Parker Common
Stock to at least 80,000,000 shares.  The Board of Directors of Parker will
recommend to Parker's stockholders that they vote in favor of any such proposal
to increase Parker's authorized shares, and Parker will use its best efforts to
solicit proxies in favor of such proposal.

         (e)     VOTING OF SERIES D PREFERRED STOCK.  If the Closing shall have
occurred prior to the stockholders meeting to approve the increase in the
authorized shares of Common Stock, EVI agrees to vote the shares of Series D
Preferred Stock in favor of the proposal.

         6.      CLOSING CONDITIONS.

         (a)     CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF PARKER.  The obligation of Parker
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby is subject to satisfaction
of the following conditions:

                 (1)      the representations and warranties of EVI set forth
         in Section 2 shall be true and correct in all material respects at and
         as of the Closing Date;

                 (2)      EVI shall have performed and complied with all of its
         covenants and agreements hereunder in all material respects through
         the Closing;

                 (3)      the Parties shall have procured all material third
         party consents specified in Section 4(b);

                 (4)      no action, suit, or proceeding shall be pending
         before any Governmental Authority by any person (other than a party to
         this Agreement or any affiliate thereof) which would reasonably be
         expected to result in a permanent injunction, judgment, order, decree
         or  ruling that would (A) prevent consummation of any of the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (B) cause any of the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be rescinded following
         consummation, (C) affect materially and adversely the right of Parker
         to own Mallard Common Stock and the capital stock of Mallard's
         subsidiaries, or (D) affect materially and adversely the right of
         Mallard and its subsidiaries to own their assets and to operate their
         businesses in the manner currently owned and operated (and no such
         injunction, judgment, order or decree or ruling shall be in effect);

                 (5)      there shall have not occurred any events or
         developments, individually or in the aggregate, resulting in a
         Material Adverse Effect with respect to Mallard and its subsidiaries;





                                      -25-
<PAGE>   26
                 (6)      EVI shall have delivered to Parker a certificate to
         the effect that each of the conditions specified above in Section
         6(a)(1)-(5) is satisfied in all respects;

                 (7)      all applicable waiting periods (and any extensions
         thereof) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act shall have expired or
         otherwise been terminated;

                 (8)      Parker shall have received the opinion of Fulbright &
         Jaworski L.L.P., dated as of the Closing Date, in substantially the
         form attached hereto as EXHIBIT E;

                 (9)      the guarantees by Mallard and each of its
         subsidiaries with respect to the obligations of EVI under EVI's 10.25%
         Senior Notes due 2004 and under EVI's bank credit facility shall be
         terminated in all respects effective as of the Closing and all
         Security Interests on the stock of Mallard and its subsidiaries shall
         have been released;

                 (10)     EVI shall have caused Mallard to have completed the
         Rig Upgrade or advanced funds sufficient to complete the Rig Upgrade,
         which funds shall not be treated as assets for purposes of the
         purchase price adjustment pursuant to Section 1(f) hereof;

                 (11)     Parker shall have arranged the financing necessary,
         and received sufficient proceeds, to pay the cash portion of the
         Purchase Price; and

                 (12)     EVI shall have complied with the requirements of
         Section 8(a) of this Agreement.

At or prior to the Closing, Parker may waive in writing any condition specified
in this Section 6(a), to the extent permitted by law.

         (b)     CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF EVI.  The obligations of EVI to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby are subject to satisfaction of
the following conditions:

                 (1)      the representations and warranties of Parker set
         forth in Section 3 shall be true and correct in all material respects
         at and as of the Closing Date;

                 (2)      Parker shall have performed and complied with all of
         their respective covenants hereunder in all material respects through
         the Closing;

                 (3)      the Parties shall have procured all material third
         party consents specified in Section 4(b);

                 (4)      no action, suit, or proceeding shall be pending
         before any Governmental Authority by any person (other than a party to
         this Agreement or any affiliate thereof) which would reasonably be
         expected to result in a permanent injunction, judgment, order, decree
         or  ruling that would (A) prevent consummation of any of the
         transactions contemplated by this





                                      -26-
<PAGE>   27
         Agreement, or (B) cause any of the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement to be rescinded following consummation (and no such
         injunction, judgment, order, decree or ruling shall be in effect);

                 (5)      there shall not have occurred any events or
         developments, individually or in the aggregate, resulting in a
         Material Adverse Effect with respect to Parker and its subsidiaries;

                 (6)      Parker shall have delivered to Mallard and its
         subsidiaries a certificate to the effect that each of the conditions
         specified above in Section 6(b)(1)-(5) is satisfied in all respects;

                 (7)      all applicable waiting periods (and any extensions
         hereof) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act shall have expired or
         otherwise been terminated; and

                 (8)      EVI shall have received the opinion of Vinson &
         Elkins L.L.P., dated as of the Closing Date, in substantially the form
         attached hereto as EXHIBIT F.

At or prior to the Closing, EVI may waive in writing any condition specified in
this Section 6(b), to the extent permitted by law.

         7.      REMEDIES FOR BREACHES OF THIS AGREEMENT.

         (a)     SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  None of the
representations and  warranties herein shall survive the Closing, except (i)
the representations and warranties in Section 2(s)  shall survive for one year
after the Closing Date, (ii) the representations and warranties in Sections
2(d), 2(u), 3(d) and 3(i) shall survive without limitation of time, and (iii)
the representations and warranties in Sections 2(n), 2(o), 2(p) and 3(h) shall
survive until 10 days after the end of the applicable statute of limitations
period with respect to the matters addressed therein.  The survival periods
specified in the foregoing sentence are referred to herein as the "Survival
Periods."

         (b)     INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS FOR BENEFIT OF PARKER.  EVI shall
defend, indemnify and hold Parker harmless from and against any and all Adverse
Consequences resulting from or arising out of (i) any breach or nonperformance,
either partial or total, of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement
of EVI in this Agreement (provided, however, that EVI shall have no obligation
to indemnify, defend or hold Parker harmless with respect to any Adverse
Consequence resulting from or arising out of a breach of any representation or
warranty of EVI in this Agreement unless EVI receives notice of such Adverse
Consequence within the applicable Survival Period), (ii) violations or alleged
violations by EVI, Mallard or their respective subsidiaries of the Export
Administration Act, the International Economic Emergency Powers Act or other
applicable U.S. export control or economic sanction laws, orders or
regulations, and (iii) the matters described on Schedule 7(b).

         (c)     INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF EVI.  Parker
shall defend, indemnify and hold EVI harmless from and against any and all
Adverse Consequences resulting





                                      -27-
<PAGE>   28
from or arising out of (i) the breach or non-performance, either partial or
total, of any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement of Parker in
this Agreement, or (ii) any cost, expense, obligation or liability relating to
guarantees of debt of Mallard or any of its subsidiaries by EVI or performance
bonds or performance guarantees issued by EVI and relating to the Contract
Drilling Business, in each case as described on Schedule 6(b) or otherwise
identified to Parker five Business Days prior to the Closing Date; provided,
however, that Parker shall have no obligation to indemnify, defend or hold EVI
harmless with respect to any Adverse Consequences resulting from or arising out
of a breach of any representation or warranty of Parker in this Agreement
unless Parker receives notice of such Adverse Consequence within the applicable
Survival Period.

         (d)     MATTERS INVOLVING THIRD PARTIES.

         (1)     If any third party shall notify any Party (the "Indemnified
Party") with respect to any matter (a "Third Party Claim") that may give rise
to a claim for indemnification against any other Party (the "Indemnifying
Party") under this Section 7, then the Indemnified Party shall promptly notify
the Indemnifying Party thereof in writing; provided, however, that no delay on
the part of the Indemnified Party in notifying the Indemnifying Party shall
relieve the Indemnifying Party from any obligation hereunder unless (and then
solely to the extent) the Indemnifying Party is prejudiced thereby.  For
purposes of this Section 7(d), matters relating to Taxes that are addressed in
Section 8 shall not be deemed to be a Third Party Claim.

         (2)     The Indemnifying Party will have the right to defend the
Indemnified Party against the Third Party Claim with counsel of its choice
reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party so long as (A) the
Indemnifying Party notifies the Indemnified Party in writing within 30 days
after the Indemnified Party has given notice of the Third Party Claim that the
Indemnifying Party will indemnify the Indemnified Party from and against the
entirety of any Adverse Consequences the Indemnified Party may suffer resulting
from, arising out of, relating to, in the nature of, or caused by the Third
Party Claim; and (B) the Indemnifying Party conducts the defense of the Third
Party Claim actively and diligently.

         (3)     So long as the Indemnifying Party is conducting the defense of
the Third Party Claim in accordance with Section 7(d)(2), (A) the Indemnified
Party may retain separate co-counsel at its sole cost and expense and
participate in the defense of the Third Party Claim, (B) the Indemnified Party
will not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with
respect to the Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of the
Indemnifying Party; and (C) the Indemnifying Party will not consent to the
entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with respect to the Third
Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (which
consent will not be withheld unreasonably).

         (4)     In the event any of the conditions in Section 7(d)(2) is or
becomes unsatisfied, however, (A) the Indemnified Party may defend against the
Third Party Claim in any manner it reasonably may deem appropriate; provided,
however, that the Indemnified Party shall not consent to the entry of any
judgment or enter into any settlement or agreement to settle a Third Party
Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party which consent
shall not be





                                      -28-
<PAGE>   29
unreasonably withheld; (B) the Indemnifying Party will reimburse the
Indemnified Party promptly and periodically for the costs of defending against
the Third Party Claim (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses); and
(C) the Indemnifying Party will remain responsible for any Adverse Consequences
the Indemnified Party actually suffers resulting from, arising out of, relating
to, in the nature of, or caused by the Third Party Claim to the fullest extent
provided in this Section 7.

         (e)     EXPRESS NEGLIGENCE.  THE INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENTS OF THE
PARTIES HEREIN SHALL APPLY NOTWITHSTANDING THE CIRCUMSTANCES RELATING TO SUCH
INDEMNITY MAY RELATE TO THE ORDINARY, SOLE OR CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE, GROSS
NEGLIGENCE, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OR VIOLATION OF LAW BY ANY INDEMNIFIED PARTY,
ITS SUBSIDIARIES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS.

         8.      TAX MATTERS.  The Parties agree as follows with respect to the
period following the Closing:

         (a)     SECTION 338(H)(10) ELECTIONS.  EVI agrees that, if requested
by Parker prior to the Closing, EVI, as the common parent of the affiliated
group of corporations filing a consolidated federal income Tax Return which
includes Mallard and its subsidiaries (the "EVI Group"), shall join Parker in
making an election under section 338(h)(10) of the Code and a similar election
under any applicable state income Tax law (collectively, the "Section
338(h)(10) elections") with respect to Parker's purchase of the Mallard Common
Stock.  If Parker determines prior to the Closing to make the Section
338(h)(10) elections with respect to its purchase of the Mallard Common Stock,
on or before the Closing Date Parker and EVI shall cause Internal Revenue
Service Form 8023A and any similar forms under applicable state income Tax law
(the "Forms") with respect to Parker's purchase of the Mallard Common Stock to
be duly executed by an authorized person for Parker and EVI, respectively.
Parker and EVI shall cooperate in good faith with each other in completing the
Forms and schedules required to be attached thereto, and Parker shall provide a
copy of the executed Forms and schedules to EVI and Parker shall duly and
timely file the Forms as prescribed by Treasury Regulation Section
1.338(h)(10)-1 or the corresponding provision of applicable state income Tax
law as soon as practicable after the Closing and shall promptly thereafter
provide EVI with evidence of each such filing.

         (b)     PREPARATION AND FILING OF TAX RETURNS.  (1) With respect to
each Tax Return covering a taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date
that is required to be filed after the Closing Date for, by or with respect to
Mallard or any subsidiary of Mallard (other than the Tax Returns described in
Section 8(a)(3)), EVI shall cause such Tax Return to be prepared, shall cause
to be included in such Tax Return all items of income, gain, loss, deduction
and credit or other items (collectively "Tax Items") required to be included
therein, and shall deliver the original of such Tax Return to Parker at least
30 days prior to the due date (including extensions) of such Tax Return.  If
the amount of the Tax shown to be due on such Tax Return exceeds the amount
reflected as a current liability for such Tax on the Closing Balance Sheet, EVI
shall pay to Parker the amount of such excess not less than 5 days prior to the
due date of such Tax Return.  Parker shall cause Mallard or the respective
subsidiary of Mallard to file timely such Tax Return with the appropriate
taxing authority and to pay the amount of Taxes shown to be due on such Tax
Return.





                                      -29-
<PAGE>   30
         (2)     With respect to each Tax Return covering (i) a taxable period
beginning on or before the Closing Date and ending after the Closing Date or,
(ii) a taxable period beginning after the Closing Date, that is required to be
filed after the Closing Date for, by or with respect to Mallard or any
subsidiary of Mallard (other than the Tax Returns described in Section
8(b)(3)), Parker shall cause such Tax Return to be prepared and shall cause to
be included in such Tax Return all Tax Items required to be included therein.
Parker shall determine (by an interim closing of the books as of the Closing
Date except for ad valorem Taxes and franchise Taxes based on capital which
shall be prorated on a daily basis) the portion, if any, of the Tax due with
respect to the period covered by such Tax Return which is attributable to
Mallard or the respective subsidiary of Mallard for a Pre-Closing Taxable
Period.  At least 30 days prior to the due date (including extensions) of such
Tax Return, Parker shall deliver to EVI a copy of such Tax Return and of its
determinations.  If the amount of Tax so determined to be attributable to the
Pre-Closing Taxable Period exceeds the amount reflected as a current liability
for such Tax on the Closing Balance Sheet, EVI shall pay to Parker the amount
of such excess Tax not less than 5 days prior to the due date of such Tax
Return.  Parker shall cause Mallard or the respective subsidiary of Mallard to
file timely such Tax Return with the appropriate taxing authority and to pay
timely the amount of Taxes shown to be due on such Tax Return.

         (3)     EVI shall cause to be included in the consolidated federal
income Tax Returns (and the state income Tax Returns of any state that permits
consolidated, combined or unitary income Tax Returns, if any) of any group of
corporations that includes EVI and Mallard or any subsidiary of Mallard (the
"EVI Group") for all periods ending on or before or which include the Closing
Date, all Tax Items of Mallard and the subsidiaries of Mallard which are
required to be included therein, shall file timely all such Tax Returns with
the appropriate taxing authorities and shall pay timely all Taxes due with
respect to the periods covered by such Tax Returns.

         (4)     Any Tax Return to be prepared pursuant to the provisions of
this Section 8 shall be prepared in a manner consistent with practices followed
in prior years with respect to similar Tax Returns, except for changes required
by changes in law.

         (c)     ACCESS TO INFORMATION.  (1) EVI and each member of the EVI
Group shall grant to Parker (or its designees) access at all reasonable times
to all of the information, books and records relating to Mallard and the
subsidiaries within the possession of EVI or any member of the EVI Group
(including workpapers and correspondence with taxing authorities), and shall
afford Parker (or its designees) the right (at Parker's expense) to take
extracts therefrom and to make copies thereof, to the extent reasonably
necessary to permit Parker (or its designees) to prepare Tax Returns, to
conduct negotiations with Tax authorities, and to implement the provisions of,
or to investigate or defend any claims between the parties arising under, this
Agreement.

         (2)     Parker shall grant or cause Mallard and its subsidiaries to
grant to EVI (or its designees) access at all reasonable times to all of the
information, books and records relating to Mallard and its subsidiaries within
the possession of Parker, Mallard or the subsidiaries of Mallard (including
workpapers and correspondence with taxing authorities), and shall afford EVI
(or its designees) the right (at EVI's expense) to take extracts therefrom and
to make copies thereof, to





                                      -30-
<PAGE>   31
the extent reasonably necessary to permit EVI (or its designees) to prepare Tax
Returns, to conduct negotiations with Tax authorities, and to implement the
provisions of, or to investigate or defend any claims between the parties
arising under, this Agreement.

         (3)     Each of the parties hereto will preserve and retain all
schedules, workpapers and other documents relating to any Tax Returns of or
with respect to Mallard or any subsidiary of Mallard or to any claims, audits
or other proceedings affecting Mallard or any subsidiary of Mallard until the
expiration of the statute of limitations (including extensions) applicable to
the taxable period to which such documents relate or until the final
determination of any controversy with respect to such taxable period, and until
the final determination of any payments that may be required with respect to
such taxable period under this Agreement.

         (d)     INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF PARKER.  EVI
hereby agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Parker, Mallard and the
subsidiaries of Mallard from and against, and agrees to pay, all Taxes imposed
and all costs and expenses (including, without limitation, litigation costs and
reasonable attorneys' and accountants' fees and disbursements) incurred (all
herein referred to as "Tax Losses") as a result of:

         (1)     a claim, notice of deficiency, or assessment by, or any
obligation owing to, any taxing authority for:

                 (A)      any Taxes of Mallard or any subsidiary of Mallard
         attributable to any Pre-Closing Taxable Period in excess of Taxes
         reflected as current liabilities on the Closing Balance Sheet;

                 (B)      any Taxes of any corporation (other than Mallard and
         any subsidiaries of Mallard) that is or was a member of a Seller
         Affiliated Group prior to Closing; and

                 (C)      any Taxes resulting from the Section 338(h)(10)
         elections;

                 (D)      any Taxes of EVI, Mallard or their subsidiaries
         attributable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and

         (2)     any breach of any representation, warranty or obligation of
EVI under Section 2(o) or Section 8 of this Agreement.

         (e)     INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF EVI.  Parker
agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless EVI from and against, and agrees
to pay, all Tax Losses incurred as a result of:

                 (1)      a claim, notice of deficiency, or assessment by, or
         any obligation owing to, any taxing authority for any Taxes of Mallard
         or any subsidiary of Mallard attributable to any Post-Closing Taxable
         Period; and





                                      -31-
<PAGE>   32
                 (2)      any breach of any representation, warranty or
         obligation of Parker under Section 8 of this Agreement.

         (f)     INDEMNIFICATION PROCEDURES.  (1) If a claim shall be made by
any taxing authority that, if successful, would result in the indemnification
of a party under this Agreement (referred to herein as the "Tax Indemnified
Party"), the Tax Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the party obligated
under this Agreement to so indemnify (referred to herein as the "Tax
Indemnifying Party") in writing; provided, however, that no delay on the part
of the Tax Indemnified Party in notifying the Tax Indemnifying Party shall
relieve the Tax Indemnifying Party from any obligation hereunder unless (and
then solely to the extent ) the Tax Indemnifying Party is prejudiced thereby.

         (2)     The Tax Indemnified Party shall take such action in connection
with contesting such claim as the Tax Indemnifying Party shall reasonably
request in writing from time to time, including the selection of counsel and
experts and the execution of powers of attorney, provided that (A) within 30
days after the notice described in Section 8(f)(1) has been delivered (or such
earlier date that any payment of Taxes is due by the Tax Indemnified Party but
in no event sooner than 5 days after the Tax Indemnifying Party's receipt of
such notice), the Tax Indemnifying Party requests that such claim be contested,
(B) the Tax Indemnifying Party shall have agreed to pay to the Tax Indemnified
Party all costs and expenses that the Tax Indemnified Party incurs in
connection with contesting such claim, including, without limitation,
reasonable attorneys' and accountants' fees and disbursements, and (C) if the
Tax Indemnified Party is requested by the Tax Indemnifying Party to pay the Tax
claimed and sue for a refund, the Tax Indemnifying Party shall have advanced to
the Tax Indemnified Party, on an interest-free basis, the amount of such claim.
The Tax Indemnified Party shall not make any payment of such claim for at least
30 days (or such shorter period as may be required by applicable law) after the
giving of the notice required by Section 8(f)(1), shall give to the Tax
Indemnifying Party any information reasonably requested relating to such claim,
and otherwise shall cooperate with the Tax Indemnifying Party in good faith in
order to contest effectively any such claim.

         (3)     Subject to the provisions of Section 8(f)(2), the Tax
Indemnified Party shall enter into a settlement of such contest with the
applicable taxing authority or prosecute such contest to a determination in a
court or other tribunal of initial or appellate jurisdiction, all as the Tax
Indemnifying Party may request.

         (4)     If, after actual receipt by the Tax Indemnified Party of an
amount advanced by the Tax Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 8(f)(2)(C),
the extent of the liability of the Tax Indemnified Party with respect to the
claim shall be established by the final judgment or decree of a court or other
tribunal or a final and binding settlement with an administrative agency having
jurisdiction thereof, the Tax Indemnified Party shall promptly repay to the Tax
Indemnifying Party the amount advanced to the extent of any refund received by
the Tax Indemnified Party with respect to the claim together with any interest
received thereon from the applicable taxing authority and any recovery of legal
fees from such taxing authority, net of any Taxes as are required to be paid by
the Tax Indemnified Party with respect to such refund, interest or legal fees
(calculated at the maximum applicable statutory rate of Tax without regard to
any other Tax Items).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Tax Indemnified Party
shall not be required to make any





                                      -32-
<PAGE>   33
payment hereunder before such time as the Tax Indemnifying Party shall have
made all payments or indemnities then due with respect to the Tax Indemnified
Party pursuant to this Agreement.

         (5)     Promptly after a final determination the Tax Indemnifying
Party shall pay to the Tax Indemnified Party the amount of any Tax Losses to
which the Tax Indemnified Party may become entitled by reason of the provisions
of this Section 8.

         (g)     REFUNDS.  (1) Any refund (whether by payment, credit, offset
or otherwise) of Taxes described in or covered by Section 8(d) (inclusive of
any interest thereon), regardless of whether such Taxes were paid before, on or
after the Closing Date, shall be the property of EVI and shall be retained by
EVI (or, if applicable, paid or caused to be paid by Parker to EVI, within 15
calendar days after receipt, if any such refund (or interest thereon) is
received by Parker, Mallard or any of the subsidiaries of Mallard, whether by
payment, credit, offset or otherwise).  If there is an adjustment to any such
refund (or interest thereon), any payment or payments theretofore made between
the parties hereto with respect to such refund (or interest thereon) pursuant
to this Section 8(g)(1) shall be appropriately adjusted by means of a payment
from EVI to Parker or Parker to EVI, as the case may be, within 15 calendar
days after such adjustment.

         (2)     Any refund (whether by payment, credit, offset or otherwise)
of Taxes described in or covered by Section 8(e) (inclusive of any interest
thereon), regardless of whether such Taxes were paid before, on or after the
Closing Date, shall be the property of Parker and shall be retained by Parker
(or, if applicable, promptly paid or caused to be paid by EVI to Parker, within
15 calendar days after receipt, if any such refund (or interest thereon) is
received by EVI whether by payment, credit, offset or otherwise).  If there is
an adjustment to any such refund (or interest thereon), any payment or payments
theretofore made between the parties hereto with respect to such refund (or
interest thereon) pursuant to this Section 8(g)(2) shall be appropriately
adjusted by means of a payment from EVI to Parker or Parker to EVI, as the case
may be, within 15 calendar days after such adjustment.

         (h)     NATURE OF PAYMENTS.  Any payment from Parker to EVI pursuant
to this Section 8 shall be treated for Tax purposes as an increase in the
purchase price and any payment from EVI to Parker pursuant to this Section 8
shall be treated for Tax purposes as a reduction in the purchase price.

         9.      TERMINATION.

         (a)     TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT.  The Parties may terminate this
Agreement as provided below:

                 (1)      Parker and EVI may terminate this Agreement by mutual
         written consent at any time prior to the Closing;

                 (2)      EVI may terminate this Agreement at any time after
         January 31, 1997 if (A) Parker has not satisfied the condition
         precedent set forth in Section 6(a)(11), and (B) each





                                      -33-
<PAGE>   34
         other condition precedent set forth in Sections 6(a) (other than
         certificates or opinions to be delivered at Closing) shall have been
         satisfied.

                 (3)      Parker may terminate this Agreement upon a material
         breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the
         part of EVI set forth in this Agreement, or if any representation or
         warranty of EVI shall have become untrue, in either case such that the
         conditions set forth in Sections 6(a)(1) or Section 6(a)(2) herein, as
         the case may be, would be incapable of being satisfied by February 28,
         1997; provided, that in any case, a willful breach shall be deemed to
         cause such conditions to be incapable of being satisfied for purposes
         of this Section 9(a)(3).

                 (4)      EVI may terminate this Agreement, upon a material
         breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the
         part of Parker set forth in this Agreement, or if any representation
         or warranty of Parker shall have become untrue, in either case such
         that the conditions set forth in Section 6(b)(1) or Section 6(b)(2)
         herein, as the case may be, would be incapable of being satisfied by
         February 28, 1997; provided, that in any case, a willful breach shall
         be deemed to cause such conditions to be incapable of being satisfied
         for purposes of this Section 9(a)(4).

                 (5)      Parker or EVI may terminate this Agreement, if there
         shall be any order which is final and nonappealable preventing the
         consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, except if the
         party relying on such order to terminate this Agreement has not
         complied with its obligations under Section 4(b) herein.

                 (6)      Parker or EVI may terminate this Agreement, if the
         Closing shall not have been consummated before February 28, 1997.

         (b)     EFFECT OF TERMINATION.  Except as provided in Section 9(c), if
any Party terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 9(a), all rights and
obligations of the Parties hereunder shall terminate without any liability of
either Party to the other Party, except that nothing herein shall relieve any
party from liability for any breach of this Agreement and any termination shall
not be deemed to be a waiver of any applicable remedy for such breach.

         (c)     TERMINATION FOR FAILURE TO OBTAIN FINANCING.  If EVI
terminates this Agreement in accordance with its rights under Section 9(a)(2),
Parker will pay EVI an amount equal to $6,250,000 in cash, by wire transfer,
within five Business Days of such termination.

         10.     MISCELLANEOUS.

         (a)     PRESS RELEASES AND PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS.  No Party shall issue
any press release or make any public announcement relating to the subject
matter of this Agreement prior to the Closing without the prior written
approval of Parker and EVI; provided, however, that either Party may make any
public disclosure it believes in good faith is required by applicable law or
any listing or trading agreement concerning its publicly traded securities (in
which case the disclosing Party will use all reasonable efforts to advise the
other Party prior to making the disclosure).





                                      -34-
<PAGE>   35
         (b)     NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES.  This Agreement shall not confer
any rights or remedies upon any Person other than the Parties and their
respective successors and permitted assigns.

         (c)     ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement (including the documents
referred to herein) constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties and
supersedes any prior understandings, agreements, or representations between the
Parties, written or oral, to the extent they related in any way to the subject
matter hereof.

         (d)     SUCCESSION AND ASSIGNMENT.  This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties named herein and their respective
heirs, successors and permitted assigns.  No Party may assign either this
Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the
prior written approval of the other Parties hereto; provided, however, that
Parker may assign its rights hereunder to any of its affiliates, but such
assignment shall not relieve Parker of any of its obligations hereunder.

         (e)     COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.

         (f)     NOTICES.  All notices, requests, demands, claims, and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing.  Any notice, request, demand,
claim, or other communication hereunder shall be sent by (i) personal delivery
(including courier service), (ii) telecopier during normal business hours to
the number indicated (followed promptly by mail), or (iii) registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and addressed to the
intended recipient as set forth below (any communication shall be deemed given
upon receipt):

                 IF TO EVI:

                 Energy Ventures, Inc.
                 5 Post Oak Park, Suite 1760
                 Houston, Texas 77027
                 Attention: Bernard J. Duroc-Danner
                 Telecopier No.:  (713) 297-8488

                 WITH A COPY TO:

                 Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
                 1301 McKinney St., Suite 5100
                 Houston, Texas  77010
                 Attention:  Curtis W. Huff
                 Telecopier No.:  (713) 651-5246





                                      -35-
<PAGE>   36
                 IF TO PARKER:

                 Parker Drilling Company
                 Eight East Third Street
                 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103
                 Attention: Robert L. Parker Jr.
                 Telecopier No.: (918) 631-1253

                 WITH A COPY TO:

                 Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
                 1001 Fannin, Suite 2300
                 Houston, Texas 77002
                 Attention:  T. Mark Kelly or Keith R. Fullenweider
                 Telecopier:  (713) 615-5855

Any Party may change its telecopier number or its address to which notices,
requests, demands, claims, and other communications hereunder are to be
delivered by giving the other Party notice in the manner herein set forth.

         (g)     GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Texas without giving
effect to any choice or conflict of Law provision or rule (whether of the State
of Texas or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the
Laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Texas.

         (h)     AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS.  No amendments of any provision of
this Agreement shall be valid unless the same shall be in writing and signed by
each Party hereto.  No waiver by either Party of any default,
misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether
intentional or not, shall be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent
default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or
affect in any way any rights arising by virtue of any prior or subsequent such
occurrence.

         (i)     SEVERABILITY.  Any term or provision of this Agreement that is
invalid or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect
the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or
the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other
situation or in any other jurisdiction.

         (j)     EXPENSES.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 9, each of
the Parties will bear its own costs and expenses (including legal fees and
expenses) incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby.

         (k)     CONSTRUCTION.  The Parties have participated jointly in the
negotiation and drafting of this Agreement.  In the event an ambiguity or
question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed
as if drafted jointly by the Parties, and no presumption or burden of proof
shall arise favoring or disfavoring either Party by virtue of the authorship of
any of the





                                      -36-
<PAGE>   37
provisions of this Agreement.  Any reference to any federal, state, local, or
foreign statute or law shall be deemed also to refer to all rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise.  The
word "including" shall mean including without limitation.

         (l)     INCORPORATION OF EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES.  The Exhibits and
Schedules identified in this Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and
made a part hereof.

         (m)     SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE.  The parties hereto agree that this
Agreement shall be specifically enforceable and the parties hereto hereby waive
any defense to such a proceeding in equity that monetary damages are
sufficient.





                                      -37-
<PAGE>   38
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the date first above written.

                                    PARKER DRILLING COMPANY
                                    
                                    
                                    By:                                       
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                    Name:                                     
                                         -------------------------------------
                                    Title:                                    
                                          ------------------------------------
                                    
                                    
                                    ENERGY VENTURES, INC.
                                    
                                    
                                    By:                                       
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                    Name:                                     
                                         -------------------------------------
                                    Title:                                    
                                          ------------------------------------
                                    
                                    



                                      -38-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 7.2





                            PARKER DRILLING COMPANY
                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT


         This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated as of _______, 1996 (this
"Agreement") is by and between PARKER DRILLING COMPANY, a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and ENERGY VENTURES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Stockholder");

                                    RECITALS

         WHEREAS, the Company and the Stockholder are parties to a Stock
Purchase Agreement dated as of September 14, 1996 (the "Stock Purchase
Agreement") pursuant to which the Company will acquire all of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of Mallard Bay Drilling, Inc., a Louisiana
corporation ("Mallard"), from the Stockholder in exchange for cash and shares
of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the
Company ("Series D Preferred Stock");

         WHEREAS, the shares of Series D Preferred Stock issued to the
stockholder will be convertible into shares of common stock, par value $0.16-
2/3 per share, of the Company ("Common Stock"), subject to certain conditions;
and

         WHEREAS, in order to improve the transferability of the Common Stock
to be received by the Stockholder pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, the
Company, as a condition to the consummation of the transactions contemplated
therein, has agreed to provide to the Stockholder certain registration rights
with respect to the shares of Common Stock into which the shares of  Series D
Preferred Stock are convertible.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements herein set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the
parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                              REGISTRATION RIGHTS

         The Company and the Stockholder covenant and agree as follows:

         1.1     DEFINITIONS.  For purposes of this Agreement:

         (a)     The terms "register," "registered" and "registration" refer to
a registration of securities effected by preparing and filing a registration
statement or similar document in compliance with the Securities Act (as defined
below), and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such registration
statement or document.
<PAGE>   2
         (b)     The term "Registrable Securities" means any shares of Common
Stock received by the Stockholder (i) upon the conversion of shares of Series D
Preferred Stock, or (ii) as a dividend or other distribution with respect to,
or in exchange for or in replacement of, such shares of Common Stock.

         (c)     The term "Restricted Securities" means the Registrable
Securities subject to the provisions of Section 1.2 hereof.

         (d)     The term "Person" means an individual, partnership,
corporation, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, or
other legal entity or government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

         (e)     The term "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

         (f)     The term "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

         (g)     The term "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the term "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended.

         1.2     SECURITIES SUBJECT TO THIS AGREEMENT.  The securities entitled
to the benefits of this Agreement are the Registrable Securities but with
respect to any particular Registrable Security, only so long as such security
continues to be a Restricted Security.  A Registrable Security ceases to be a
Restricted Security when (a) it has been effectively registered under the
Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the registration statement
covering it, (b) it is sold pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 145 (or any similar
provision then in force) under the Securities Act, (c) it may be otherwise
transferred without restriction under Rule 144 (or any similar or successor
rule or provision then in force) in compliance with the provisions thereof, as
long as the volume restrictions thereunder would permit the Stockholder to
transfer all Registrable Securities then held by the Stockholder and the
Company shall have delivered a new certificate or other evidence of ownership
containing no legend restricting transfer other than one requiring any transfer
to be in compliance with the provisions of such rule (other than any volume
restrictions thereof) or (d) it has otherwise been transferred by the
Stockholder to a person other than an affiliate of the Stockholder without the
consent of the Company.

         1.3     DEMAND REGISTRATION.

         (a)     If the Company shall receive, at any time after the issuance
of the Registrable Securities and prior to the third anniversary of the date of
this Agreement, a written request from the Stockholder that the Company file a
registration statement under the Securities Act covering the registration of
Registrable Securities, then the Company shall, in accordance with the terms of
and subject to the limitations of Sections 1.3(c), 1.5 and 1.7 of this
Agreement, effect the registration of all Registrable Securities that the
Stockholder requests to be registered by means of a registration statement on
any appropriate form under the Securities Act and, if so requested by the
Stockholder, shall effect such registration so as to provide for an offering to
be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act.
The Company agrees to use its best efforts to keep




                                     -2-
<PAGE>   3
any such shelf registration statement continuously effective for a period of 90
days following the date on which such shelf registration statement is declared
effective (plus the number of days of any discontinuance described below).

         (b)     If the Stockholder intends to distribute the Registrable
Securities covered by the request by means of an underwriting, it shall so
advise the Company as a part of its request made pursuant to this Section 1.3.

         (c)     The Company is obligated to effect only one registration
pursuant to this Section 1.3.  A registration shall not be deemed to have been
effected (i) unless it has become effective and remained effective for the
period specified in Section 1.3(a) or until the Registrable Securities
registered under such registration statement have been sold, or (ii), if, after
it has become effective, such registration is terminated by a stop order,
injunction or other order of the Commission or other governmental agency or
court.

         (d)     Subject to Section 1.3(e), the Company shall also have the
right to include such shares in any underwritten registration pursuant to this
Section 1.3.

         (e)     If any of the Registrable Securities registered pursuant to
any registration pursuant to this Section 1.3 are to be sold in one or more
underwritten offerings, and the managing underwriter advises the Company and
the Stockholder that the total number of shares of Common Stock which the
Company wishes to include in such offering exceeds the number of shares that
can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the terms or pricing
of the offering by the Stockholder, there shall be included in such
underwritten offering only the number of shares of Common Stock which in the
opinion of such managing underwriter can be sold without adversely affecting
the terms or pricing of the offering by the Stockholder.

         (f)     The Company may delay for a maximum of 90 days the filing of a
registration statement upon request from the Stockholder pursuant to this
Section 1.3 when, in its good faith judgment the Company reasonably believes
that the filing thereof at the time requested, or the offering of securities
pursuant thereto, would materially and adversely affect a pending or proposed
public offering of securities of the Company, an acquisition, merger,
recapitalization, consolidation, reorganization or similar transaction relating
to the Company or negotiations, discussions or pending proposals with respect
thereto or require premature disclosure of information not otherwise required
to be disclosed to the potential detriment of the Company.

         1.4     COMPANY REGISTRATION.  At any time after the issuance of the
Registrable Securities and within three years of the date of this Agreement
that the Company proposes to register (including for this purpose a
registration effected by the Company for stockholders other than the
Stockholder) any shares of its Common Stock under the Securities Act for sale
(other than registration of the Company's Common Stock for issuance or sale (a)
pursuant to Section 1.3 hereof or (b) in connection with (i) employee or
non-employee director compensation or benefit programs, (ii) an exchange offer
or an offering of securities solely to the existing stockholders or employees
of the Company or (iii) an acquisition, merger or other business combination),
the Company will give prompt written notice (which, in any event, shall be
given no less than 10 days prior to the filing of a registration statement with
respect to such offering) to the Stockholder of its intention so to do and,





                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
upon the written request of the Stockholder sent within 10 days after the
effective date of any such notice, the Company will, subject to the provisions
of Sections 1.5 and 1.7 hereof, use its reasonable efforts to cause all
Registrable Securities as to which the Stockholder shall have so requested
registration, to be registered under the Securities Act, all to the extent
necessary to permit the sale in such offering of the Registrable Securities so
registered on behalf of the Stockholder in the same manner as the Company (or
stockholder other than the Stockholder, as the case may be) proposes to offer
its shares of Common Stock.  The Company shall use its reasonable efforts to
cause the managing underwriter of a proposed underwritten offering to permit
the Registrable Securities requested by the Stockholder to be included in the
registration for such offering on the same terms and conditions as the shares
of Common Stock of the Company included therein.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if the managing underwriter of such offering advises the Company
that the total number of shares of Common Stock which the Stockholder and any
other Person, other than the Company, intend to include in such offering will
in the good faith opinion of such managing underwriter adversely affect the
terms or pricing of such offering, then the number of shares of Common Stock to
be offered for the account of the Stockholder and any such other Person shall
be reduced on a pro rata basis based on the number of shares proposed to be
sold by the Stockholder and such other Persons to the extent necessary to
reduce the total number of shares of Common Stock to be included in such
offering for the Stockholder and any other Person other than the Company to the
number of shares recommended by such managing underwriter.

         1.5     OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY.  If and whenever the Company is
required by the provisions of this Agreement to use its reasonable efforts to
effect the registration of any Registrable Securities, the Company shall as
expeditiously as reasonably practicable:

                 (a)      prepare and file with the Commission a registration
         statement on an appropriate form under the Securities Act and use its
         best efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective;

                 (b)      prepare and file with the Commission such amendments
         and post-effective amendments to such registration statement as may be
         necessary to keep such registration statement effective for the
         applicable period; cause the related prospectus to be filed pursuant
         to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act; cause such prospectus to be
         supplemented by any required prospectus supplement and, as so
         supplemented, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities
         Act; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect
         to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration
         statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended
         methods of disposition set forth in such registration statement or
         supplement to such prospectus;

                 (c)      notify the Stockholder and the underwriters, if any,
         promptly, (i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or
         post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to a
         registration statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same
         has become effective, (ii) of any request by the Commission for
         amendments or supplements to a registration statement or related
         prospectus or for additional information, (iii) of the issuance by the
         Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a
         registration statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that
         purpose, (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with
         respect to the suspension of the qualification of any of the





                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
         Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation
         of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the happening of any event
         which requires that making of any changes in a registration statement
         or related prospectus so that such documents will not contain any
         untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
         required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
         therein not misleading and (vi) of the Company's reasonable
         determination that a post-effective amendment to a registration
         statement would be appropriate or that there exist circumstances not
         yet disclosed to the public which make further sales under such
         registration statement inadvisable pending such disclosures and
         post-effective amendment;

                 (d)      use best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any
         order suspending the effectiveness of a registration statement, or the
         lifting of any suspension of the qualification of any of the
         Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction;

                 (e)      if requested by the managing underwriters or the
         Stockholder in connection with an underwritten offering, immediately
         incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment
         such information as the managing underwriters and the Stockholder
         agree should be included therein relating to such sale and
         distribution of Registrable Securities, including information with
         respect to the number of shares of Registrable Securities being sold
         to such underwriters and the purchase price being paid therefor by
         such underwriters and with respect to any other terms of the
         underwritten (or best efforts underwritten) offering of the
         Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering; make all required
         filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as
         soon as notified of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus
         supplement or post-effective amendment;

                 (f)      furnish to the Stockholder and each managing
         underwriter, if any, without charge, at least one signed copy of the
         registration statement and any post-effective amendment thereto;

                 (g)      deliver without charge to the Stockholder and the
         underwriters, if any, as many copies of the prospectus or prospectuses
         (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or
         supplement thereto as such Persons may reasonably request;

                 (h)      prior to any public offering of Registrable
         Securities, register or qualify or cooperate with the Stockholder, the
         underwriters, if any, and respective counsel in connection with the
         registration or qualification of such Registrable Securities for offer
         and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such states as the
         Stockholder or an underwriter reasonably requests in writing; keep
         each such registration or qualification effective during the period
         such registration statement is required to be kept effective and do
         any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the
         disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities
         covered by the applicable registration statement; provided, however,
         that the Company will not be required in connection therewith or as a
         condition thereto to qualify generally to do business or subject
         itself to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it
         is not then so subject; and





                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6
                 (i)      enter into such agreements (including an underwriting
         agreement) and take all such other actions in connection therewith in
         order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable
         Securities and in such connection, whether or not an underwriting
         agreement is entered into and whether or not the Registrable
         Securities to be covered by such registration are to be offered in an
         underwritten offering: (i) make such representations and warranties to
         the Stockholder with respect to the registration statement, prospectus
         and documents incorporated by reference, if any, in form, substance
         and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in
         underwritten offerings and confirm the same if and when requested;
         (ii) obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and updates thereof
         with respect to the registration statement and the prospectus in the
         form, scope and substance which are customarily delivered in
         underwritten offerings; (iii) in the case of an underwritten offering,
         enter into an underwriting agreement in form, scope and substance as
         is customary in underwritten offerings and obtain opinions of counsel
         to the Company and updates thereof addressed to the Stockholder and
         the underwriters, if any, covering the matters customarily covered in
         opinions delivered in underwritten offerings and such other matters as
         may be reasonably requested by the Stockholder and such underwriters;
         (iv) obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates thereof from the
         Company's independent certified public accountants addressed to the
         Stockholder and the underwriters, if any, such letters to be in
         customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in
         "cold comfort" letters by accountants in connection with underwritten
         offerings; (v) if any underwriting agreement is entered into, the same
         shall set forth in full the indemnification provisions and procedures
         customarily included in underwriting agreements in underwritten
         offerings; and (vi) participate on a reasonable basis in a "road show"
         with respect to the offering.

         In connection with any registration of Registrable Securities, the
Company may require the Stockholder to furnish to the Company such information
regarding itself and the distribution of such securities as the Company may
from time to time reasonably request in writing.

         The Stockholder agrees by acquisition of Registrable Securities that,
upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of
the kind described in Section 1.5(c)(ii)-(vi) hereof, the Stockholder will
forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities covered by such
registration statement or prospectus until the Stockholder's receipt of the
copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section
1.5(c)(i) hereof, or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use
of the applicable prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any
additional or supplemental filings which are incorporated by reference in such
prospectus, and, if so directed by the Company, the Stockholder will deliver to
the Company (at the Company's expense) all copies, other than permanent file
copies then in the Stockholder's possession, of the prospectus covering such
Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.  In the
event the Company shall give any such notice, the time period mentioned in
Section 1.3(a) shall be extended by the number of days during the time period
from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section
1.5(c) hereof to and including the date when the Stockholder shall have
received the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by
Section 1.5(c) hereof.

         1.6     EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION.  All expenses incurred in connection
with a registration pursuant to Section 1.3 or 1.4 (including, but not limited
to registration, filing and qualification fees,





                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7
printers' and accounting fees, and the fees and disbursements of counsel for
the Company) shall be borne by the Company, with the exception of fees and
disbursements of the Stockholder's counsel, which shall be borne by the
Stockholder.  In addition, the Stockholder shall bear and pay all underwriting
discounts and selling commissions attributable to sales of Registrable
Securities.

         1.7     UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS.

         (a)     If any of the Registrable Securities covered by any
registration under Section 1.3 are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the
investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers that will
administer the offering will be selected by the Stockholder but must be
acceptable to the Company.

         (b)     The Stockholder may not participate in any underwritten
registration under Section 1.4 hereunder unless it (i) agrees to sell its
securities on the basis provided in the Company's underwriting arrangements,
and (ii) completes and executes any customary questionnaires, powers of
attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required
under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

         1.8     INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION.  In the event any
Registrable Securities are included in a registration statement under this
Agreement:

         (a)     The Company will indemnify and hold harmless the Stockholder,
the officers and directors of the Stockholder, each underwriter of Registrable
Securities and each other Person, if any, who controls the Stockholder or such
underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, against any
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, joint or several, to which
any such Person may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement
under which such Registrable Securities were registered under the Securities
Act pursuant hereto or any prospectus contained therein, or any post-effective
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, including all documents incorporated
by reference therein, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, and will reimburse the Stockholder and each such Person
for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection
with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or
action; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this
Section 1.8(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss,
claim, damage, liability or expense if such settlement is effected without the
consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld); and
provided further that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the
extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense arises out of or
is based upon any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement
or omission which has been made in said registration statement or omitted
therefrom in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in
writing to the Company by the Stockholder or such underwriter specifically for
use in the preparation thereof.

         (b)     The Stockholder will indemnify and hold harmless the Company,
each of its directors, each of its officers who has signed the registration
statement, each Person, if any, who controls the





                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, each
underwriter and each Person who controls any underwriter within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act, against any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses, joint or several, to which the Company or any such
Person, may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, but only
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
omission or alleged untrue statement or omission of a material fact referred to
in Section 1.8(a) hereof, in each case to the extent (and only to the extent)
that such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission
was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in
writing by or on behalf of the Stockholder specifically for use in connection
with such registration; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement
contained in this Section 1.8(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement
of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense if such settlement is
effected without the consent of the Stockholder, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld.

         (c)     Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this
Section 1.8 of notice of the commencement of any action (including any
governmental action), such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect
thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 1.8,
notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof and the
indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent
the indemnifying party so desires, to assume the defense thereof with counsel
mutually satisfactory to the parties, provided, however, that an indemnified
party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, with the fees and
expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if representation of such
indemnified party by the counsel retained by the indemnifying party would be
inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such
indemnified party and any other party represented by such counsel in such
proceeding.  The failure to so notify an indemnifying party within a reasonable
time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such indemnifying
party of any liability to the indemnified party under this Section 1.8, except
to the extent the indemnifying party is actually prejudiced thereby, but the
omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it of any
liability that it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this
Section 1.8.

         (d)     If the indemnification provided for in this Section 1.8 from
the indemnifying party is unavailable to an indemnified party hereunder in
respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to
herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified
party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party
as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying
party and indemnified parties in connection with the actions which resulted in
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other
relevant equitable considerations.  The relative fault of such indemnifying
party and indemnified parties shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a
material fact, has been made by, or relates to information supplied by, such
indemnifying party or indemnified parties, and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
action.  The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to
include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 1.8(c) hereof, any
legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection
with any investigation or proceeding.





                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9
         The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 1.8(d) were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take into
account the equitable considerations referred to in the preceding paragraph.
No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

         1.9     ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.  The right to cause the
Company to register Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement may not
be assigned, in whole or in part, by the Stockholder to any person other than
an affiliate of the Stockholder without the prior written consent of the
Company.

         1.10    HOLD-BACK AGREEMENTS.

         (a)     If a registration statement is filed pursuant to Section 1.3
or 1.4 hereof, the Stockholder agrees not to effect any public sale or
distribution of the issue being registered or similar security of the Company
(except as part of such underwritten registration) during the 15-day period
prior to, and during the 90-day period beginning on, the initial closing date
of each underwritten offering made pursuant to such registration statement.

         (b)     The Company agrees not to effect any public sale or
distribution of any securities similar to those being registered during the
15-day period prior to, and during the 90-day period beginning on, the
effective date of a registration statement filed pursuant to Section 1.3 or 1.4
hereof (except as part of such underwritten registration or in connection with
(i) employee or non-employee director compensation or benefit programs, (ii) an
exchange offer or an offering of securities solely to the existing stockholders
or employees of the Company, or (iii) an acquisition, merger or other business
combination).

                                   ARTICLE II

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

         2.1     SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS; NO THIRD PARTY BENEFIT.  This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and
their respective permitted successors and assigns.  Nothing in this Agreement,
express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties
hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns any rights or
remedies under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in
this Agreement.

         2.2     GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas without giving
effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State
of Texas or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the
laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Texas.

         2.3     COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.





                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10
         2.4     NOTICES.  All notices, requests, demands, claims, and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing.  Any notice, request, demand,
claim, or other communication hereunder shall be sent by (i) personal delivery
(including courier service), (ii) telecopier during normal business hours to
the number indicated (followed promptly by mail), or (iii) registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and addressed to the
intended recipient as set forth below (any communication shall be deemed given
upon receipt):

                 IF TO STOCKHOLDER:

                 Energy Ventures, Inc.
                 5 Post Oak Park, Suite 1760
                 Houston, Texas  77027
                 Attention:  Bernard J. Duroc-Danner
                 Telecopier No.:  (713) 297-8488

                 IF TO THE COMPANY:

                 Parker Drilling Company
                 Eight East Third Street
                 Tulsa, Oklahoma  74103
                 Attention:  Robert L. Parker, Jr.
                 Telecopier No.:  (918)

Any Party may change its telecopier number or its address to which notices,
requests, demands, claims, and other communications hereunder are to be
delivered by giving the other Party notice in the manner herein set forth.

         2.5     AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS.  No amendments of any provision of
this Agreement shall be valid unless the same shall be in writing and signed by
each party hereto.  No waiver by either Party of any default,
misrepresentation, or breach hereunder, whether intentional or not, shall be
deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation, or
breach hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising by virtue of any prior
or subsequent such occurrence.

         2.6     SEVERABILITY.  Any term or provision of this Agreement that is
invalid or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect
the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or
the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other
situation or in any other jurisdiction.

         2.7     ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement (including the documents
referred to herein) constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties and
supersedes any prior understandings, agreements, or representations between the
Parties, written or oral, to the extent they related in any way to the subject
matter hereof.





                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Stockholder have executed this
Agreement as of the date first above written.

                                                   PARKER DRILLING COMPANY


                                                   
                                                   By:
                                                      --------------------------
                                                   Name:
                                                        ------------------------
                                                   Title:
                                                         -----------------------


                                                   ENERGY VENTURES, INC.


                                                   
                                                   By:
                                                      --------------------------
                                                   Name:
                                                        ------------------------
                                                   Title:
                                                         -----------------------




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