APACHE CORP
424B2, 1996-11-01
CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
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<PAGE>   1
                                                 File pursuant to Rule424(b)(2)
                                                     Registration No. 333-12669

           PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO PROSPECTUS DATED OCTOBER 31, 1996
 
                                  $150,000,000
 
                           [APACHE CORPORATION LOGO]
 
                           7.625% DEBENTURES DUE 2096
                             ---------------------
     Interest on the Debentures is payable on May 1 and November 1 of each year,
commencing May 1, 1997, and the Debentures will mature on November 1, 2096. The
Debentures represent senior unsecured obligations of Apache Corporation
("Apache" or the "Company"). The Debentures are not redeemable prior to maturity
and will not be subject to any sinking fund. Upon the occurrence of a Tax Event
(as defined herein), the Company will have the right to advance the maturity
date of the Debentures to the extent required so that interest paid on the
Debentures will be deductible for Federal income tax purposes. See "Description
of Debentures." The Debentures will be represented by a global security
registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or its nominee.
Beneficial interests in the global security will be shown on, and transfers
thereof will be effected through, records maintained by DTC or its participants.
Except as provided herein and in the accompanying Prospectus, Debentures in
definitive form will not be issued. See "DTC Book-Entry-Only System" in the
accompanying Prospectus.
 
     SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE S-2 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN RISKS THAT
SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN CONNECTION WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES OFFERED
HEREBY.
                             ---------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
       COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
        PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS TO WHICH IT RELATES.
          ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                             ---------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 INITIAL PUBLIC          UNDERWRITING          PROCEEDS TO THE
                                OFFERING PRICE(1)         DISCOUNT(2)           COMPANY(1)(3)
                              ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
<S>                           <C>                    <C>                    <C>
Per Debenture...............         99.45%                 1.125%                 98.325%
Total.......................      $149,175,000            $1,687,500            $147,487,500
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Plus accrued interest from November 1, 1996.
 
(2) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
    liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
    amended.
 
(3) Before deducting estimated expenses of $287,500 payable by the Company.
 
                             ---------------------
     The Debentures offered hereby are offered by the Underwriters severally, as
specified herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them and subject to their
right to reject any order in whole or in part. It is expected that the
Debentures will be ready for delivery through the facilities of DTC in New York,
New York, on or about November 5, 1996 against payment therefor in immediately
available funds.
 
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
                 CITICORP SECURITIES, INC.
                                  J.P. MORGAN & CO.
                                               SALOMON BROTHERS INC
                             ---------------------
 
          The date of this Prospectus Supplement is October 31, 1996.
<PAGE>   2
 
                     INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
     In addition to the information specifically incorporated by reference in
the accompanying Prospectus, the Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 31,
1996 previously filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (SEC File
No. 1-4300), is specifically incorporated in and made a part of this Prospectus
Supplement.
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     Prospective investors should carefully review the following factors
together with the other information contained in this Prospectus Supplement and
the accompanying Prospectus prior to making an investment decision.
 
RESERVES; RATES OF PRODUCTION; DEVELOPMENT EXPENDITURES; CASH FLOW
 
     Generally. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating
quantities of oil and natural gas reserves of any category and in projecting
future rates of production and timing of development expenditures which underlie
such reserve estimates, including many factors beyond the control of the
Company. Reserve data represents only estimates. In addition, the estimates of
future net cash flows from proved reserves of the Company and the present value
thereof are based upon various assumptions about future production levels,
prices and costs that may prove to be incorrect over time (see below). Any
significant variance from the assumptions could result in the actual quantity of
the Company's reserves and future net cash flows therefrom being materially
different from the estimates. In addition, the Company's estimated reserves may
be subject to downward or upward revision based upon production history, results
of future exploration and development, prevailing oil and gas prices, operating
and development costs and other factors. The rate of production from oil and gas
properties declines as reserves are depleted. Except to the extent that the
Company acquires additional properties containing proved reserves, conducts
successful exploration and development activities or, through engineering
studies, identifies additional behind-pipe zones or secondary recovery reserves,
the proved reserves of the Company will decline materially as reserves are
produced. Future oil and gas production is, therefore, highly dependent upon the
Company's level of success in acquiring or finding additional reserves.
 
     Proved Reserves; Ceiling Test. The Company's proved reserve estimates are
based upon the Company's analysis of oil and gas reserves which meet the
definition of "proved" under SEC rules. The Company periodically reviews the
carrying value of its oil and gas properties under the full cost accounting
rules of the SEC. Under such rules, capitalized costs of oil and gas properties
on a country-by-country basis may not exceed the present value of estimated
future net cash flows from proved reserves, discounted at 10%, plus the lower of
cost or fair market value of unproved properties as adjusted for related tax
effects. At the end of each fiscal quarter, the test is applied using
unescalated prices in effect at the applicable time and may result in a
write-down if the "ceiling" is exceeded, even if prices decline for only a short
period of time. A deterioration of oil or gas prices could result in the Company
recording a noncash charge to earnings related to its oil and gas properties at
the end of a fiscal quarter or year. If a write-down is required, it would
result in a one-time charge to earnings but would not impact net cash flow from
operating activities.
 
EFFECT OF VOLATILE PRICES
 
     The Company continually analyzes, forecasts and updates its estimates of
energy prices for its internal use in planning, budgeting, and valuation and
reserve estimates. The Company's future financial condition and results of
operations will depend upon the prices received for the Company's oil and
natural gas production and the costs of acquiring, finding, developing and
producing reserves. Prices for oil and natural gas are subject to fluctuations
in response to relatively minor changes in supply, market uncertainty and a
variety of additional factors that are beyond the control of the Company. These
factors include worldwide political instability (especially in the Middle East
and other oil-producing regions), the
 
                                       S-2
<PAGE>   3
 
foreign supply of oil and gas, the price of foreign imports, the level of
consumer product demand, government regulations and taxes, the price and
availability of alternative fuels and the overall economic environment. A
substantial or extended decline in oil and gas prices would have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations,
quantities of oil and gas that may be economically produced and access to
capital. In addition, the sale of the Company's oil and gas production depends
upon a number of factors beyond the Company's control, including the
availability and capacity of transportation and processing facilities. Oil and
natural gas prices have historically been and are likely to continue to be
volatile. Such volatility makes it difficult to estimate the value of producing
properties in acquisitions and to budget and project the return on exploration
and development projects involving the Company's oil and gas properties. In
addition, unusually volatile prices often disrupt the market for oil and gas
properties, as buyers and sellers have more difficulty agreeing on the purchase
price of properties.
 
HEDGING
 
     The Company engages in hedging activities with respect to some of its
projected oil and gas production through a variety of financial arrangements
designed to protect against price declines, including swaps, collars and futures
agreements. To the extent that the Company engages in such activities, it may be
prevented from realizing the benefits of price increases above the levels of the
hedges. In addition, the Company is subject to basis risk when it engages in
hedging transactions, particularly where transportation constraints restrict the
Company's ability to deliver oil and gas volumes to the delivery point to which
the hedging transaction is indexed.
 
ACQUISITION RISKS
 
     The Company from time to time acquires oil and gas properties. Although the
Company performs a review of the acquired properties that it believes is
consistent with industry practices, such reviews are inherently incomplete. It
generally is not feasible to review in depth every individual property involved
in each acquisition. Ordinarily, the Company will focus its review efforts on
the higher-value properties and will sample the remainder. However, even a
detailed review of records and properties may not necessarily reveal existing or
potential problems, nor will it permit a buyer to become sufficiently familiar
with the properties to assess fully their deficiencies and potential.
Inspections may not always be performed on every well, and environmental
problems, such as ground water contamination, are not necessarily observable
even when an inspection is undertaken. Even when problems are identified, the
Company often assumes certain environmental and other risks and liabilities in
connection with acquired properties. There are numerous uncertainties inherent
in estimating quantities of proved oil and gas reserves and actual future
production rates and associated costs with respect to acquired properties, and
actual results may vary substantially from those assumed in the estimates (see
above). In addition, there can be no assurance that acquisitions will not have
an adverse effect upon the Company's operating results, particularly during the
periods in which the operations of acquired businesses are being integrated into
the Company's ongoing operations.
 
OPERATING RISKS; AVAILABILITY OF INSURANCE
 
     Exploration for and production of oil and natural gas can be hazardous,
involving unforeseen occurrences such as blowouts, cratering, fires and loss of
well control, which can result in damage to or destruction of wells or
production facilities, injury to persons, loss of life or damage to property or
the environment. The Company maintains insurance against certain losses or
liabilities arising from its operations in accordance with customary industry
practices and in amounts that management believes to be prudent. However,
insurance is not available to the Company against all operational risks, and the
occurrence of a significant event that is not fully insured could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's financial position and results of
operations.
 
                                       S-3
<PAGE>   4
 
COMPETITION
 
     The oil and gas industry is highly competitive. As an independent oil and
gas company, the Company frequently competes for reserve acquisitions,
exploration leases, licenses, concessions and marketing agreements against
companies having substantially larger financial and other resources than the
Company possesses. To the extent the Company's capital budget is lower than that
of certain of its competitors, the Company may be disadvantaged in effectively
competing for certain reserves, leases, licenses and concessions.
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
 
     Generally. The Company's oil and gas exploration, development, production
and marketing operations are regulated extensively at U.S. federal, state and
local levels, as well as by other countries in which the Company does business.
Such laws and regulations govern a wide variety of matters. For example, most
states in which the Company operates regulate the quantities of natural gas that
may be produced from wells within their borders to prevent waste in the
production of natural gas and to protect the correlative rights of competing
interest owners. It is impossible at this time to determine what changes may
occur with respect to such regulations and what effect, if any, such changes may
have on the Company and the natural gas industry as a whole.
 
     Environmental. As an owner and operator of oil and gas properties, the
Company is also subject to various federal, state, local and foreign country
environmental regulations, including air and water quality control laws. These
laws and regulations may, among other things, impose liability on the lessee
under an oil and gas lease for the cost of pollution cleanup resulting from
operations, subject the lessee to liability for pollution damages, require
suspension or cessation of operations in affected areas and impose restrictions
on the injection of liquids into subsurface aquifers that may contaminate
groundwater. Although the Company believes that it is in substantial compliance
with existing applicable environmental laws and regulations, there can be no
assurance that substantial costs for compliance will not be incurred in the
future. Moreover, it is possible that other developments, such as stricter
environmental laws, regulations and enforcement policies thereunder, could
result in additional, presently unquantifiable, costs or liabilities to the
Company.
 
TITLE TO INTERESTS
 
     The Company believes that its title to various oil and gas interests is
satisfactory and consistent with standards generally accepted in the oil and gas
industry, subject only to exceptions which do not detract substantially from the
value of the interests or materially interfere with their use in the Company's
operations. The interests owned by the Company may be subject to one or more
royalty, overriding royalty and other outstanding interests customary in the
industry. The interests may additionally be subject to obligations or duties
under applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and orders of arbitral or
governmental authorities. In addition, the interests may be subject to burdens
such as net profits interests, liens incident to operating agreements and
current taxes, development obligations under oil and gas leases and other
encumbrances, easements and restrictions, none of which currently detract
substantially from the value of the interests or materially interfere with their
use in the Company's operations.
 
GENERAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
 
     Virtually all of the Company's operations are subject to the risks and
uncertainties of general economic conditions (domestically, in specific regions
of the United States and Canada, and internationally), the outcome of pending
and/or potential legal or regulatory proceedings, changes in environmental, tax,
labor and other laws and regulations to which the Company is subject, and the
condition of the capital markets utilized by the Company to finance its
operations.
 
                                       S-4
<PAGE>   5
 
RISKS OF NON-U.S. OPERATIONS
 
     The Company's non-U.S. oil and natural gas exploration, development and
production activities are subject to political and economic uncertainties
(including but not limited to changes, sometimes frequent or marked, in
governmental energy policies or the personnel administering them), expropriation
of property, cancellation or modification of contract rights, foreign exchange
restrictions, currency fluctuations, royalty and tax increases and other risks
arising out of foreign governmental sovereignty over the areas in which the
Company's operations are conducted, as well as risks of loss due to civil
strife, acts of war, guerrilla activities and insurrection. These risks may be
higher in the developing countries in which the Company conducts such
activities. Consequently, the Company's non-U.S. exploration, development and
production activities may be substantially affected by factors beyond the
Company's control, any of which could materially adversely affect the Company's
performance. Furthermore, in the event of a dispute arising from non-U.S.
operations, the Company may be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts
outside the U.S. or may not be successful in subjecting non-U.S. persons to the
jurisdiction of courts in the U.S., which could adversely affect the outcome of
such dispute.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Apache, a Delaware corporation formed in 1954, is an independent energy
company that primarily explores for, develops and produces natural gas and crude
oil. In North America, Apache's exploration and production interests are focused
on the Gulf Coast, the Gulf of Mexico, the Anadarko Basin, the Permian Basin,
East Texas and the Western Sedimentary Basin of Canada. Outside of North
America, Apache has exploration and production interests offshore Western
Australia and in Egypt, and exploration interests in, among other areas,
Indonesia and offshore the Ivory Coast. Apache Common Stock has been listed on
the New York Stock Exchange since 1969 and on the Chicago Stock Exchange since
1960. The Company's principal executive offices are located at One Post Oak
Central, 2000 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77056-4400. The
Company's telephone number is (713) 296-6000.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds to be received by the Company from the sale of the
Debentures offered hereby are estimated to be $147,200,000. The Company intends
to use substantially all of the net proceeds from the offering to reduce
existing debt under its bank credit facility, with any remaining balance to be
used for general corporate purposes. On October 31, 1996, the amount outstanding
under the global credit facility was $497 million. Based upon the Company's
public senior debt rating and its ratio of debt to total capital, the facility
bears interest at the First National Bank of Chicago's prime rate of interest or
at the London Interbank Offered Rate plus .25%, at the Company's option. See
"Recent Developments." Amounts repaid under the facility may be reborrowed by
the Company to finance acquisitions of oil and gas properties or for other
corporate purposes.
 
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
GLOBAL CREDIT FACILITY
 
     On October 31, 1996, Apache's main revolving bank credit facility was
amended and restated. The result was a global credit facility with aggregate
commitments of $1 billion remaining unchanged, subject to borrowing base
availability. The amended and restated facility consists of $125 million of
credit commitments in each of Australia and Canada, and a $750 million credit
commitment in the United States. As amended, the credit facility adds Apache's
oil and gas reserve values in Australia and Canada to those in the United States
in determining the Company's global borrowing base. In addition, certain
long-term indebtedness no longer serves to reduce the amounts available for
borrowing under the facility, certain covenants and restrictions contained in
the previous credit agreement have been eliminated, and certain interest rates
have been reduced. As of October 31, 1996, Apache's global borrowing base under
the new facility was $947 million, of which borrowing base debt was
approximately $745 million
 
                                       S-5
<PAGE>   6
 
(including $497 million outstanding under the global credit facility), leaving
approximately $202 million available for additional borrowings.
 
     The global credit facility terminates on October 31, 2001, and may be
extended in one-year increments with the lenders' consent. Financial covenants
of the amended facility are similar to those existing at December 31, 1995.
 
THIRD QUARTER OPERATING RESULTS
 
     On October 24, 1996, the Company announced results for the quarter ended
September 30, 1996. A summary of the information released appears in the table
and discussion below. Such information set forth below should be read in
conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements and the notes
thereto incorporated by reference in the accompanying Prospectus. In addition,
the information set forth below will be superseded in its entirety by the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996
to be filed on or before November 14, 1996. See "Available Information" and
"Information Incorporated by Reference" in the accompanying Prospectus. The
financial and operating data presented below are not audited and are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for future periods.
See "Risk Factors -- Effect of Volatile Prices."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  FOR THE                     FOR THE
                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED          NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                SEPTEMBER 30                SEPTEMBER 30
                                          ------------------------    ------------------------
                                             1996          1995          1996          1995
                                          ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
                                                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS
 
<CAPTION>
                                                          AND OPERATIONS DATA)
<S>                                       <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
FINANCIAL DATA:
  Consolidated revenues.................. $  242,384    $  181,247    $  672,510    $  555,017
  Net income............................. $   30,137    $    7,042    $   70,229    $   11,662
  Net income per common share............ $      .34    $      .10    $      .83    $      .17
  Weighted average common shares
     outstanding.........................     89,860        70,728        84,360        70,074
OPERATIONS DATA:
  Average Daily Production:
     Oil (bbls)..........................     55,246        51,822        51,267        50,988
     Natural gas (Mcf)...................    560,698       568,206       553,460       573,020
  Average Sales Price:
     Oil (per bbl)....................... $    21.25    $    16.72    $    19.86    $    17.04
     Natural gas (per Mcf)............... $     1.95    $     1.49    $     1.90    $     1.49
BALANCE SHEET DATA (PERIOD END):
<CAPTION>
                                             SEPTEMBER 30, 1996          DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                          ------------------------    ------------------------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Total Debt...............................        $1,242,794                  $1,075,076
Shareholders' Equity.....................        $1,474,833                  $1,091,805
</TABLE>
 
     Higher prices for natural gas and crude oil and increased crude oil
production were the primary factors resulting in increases to revenues, net
income and net income per common share for the three month and nine month
periods ended September 30, 1996 when compared to the corresponding periods in
1995. Results for the nine month period ended September 30, 1995 included
non-recurring after-tax charges totaling $8.7 million, or $.12 per share,
associated with merger fees. Third quarter 1995 production included
approximately 27,000 Mcf and 8,700 barrels of daily production from properties
that were subsequently sold. Results through September 30, 1996 include the
impact of five months of operations from the acquisition of The Phoenix Resource
Companies, Inc. ("Phoenix"), an independent oil and gas company operating
primarily in the Arab Republic of Egypt, on May 20, 1996. Phoenix's business is
now conducted through a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
 
                                       S-6
<PAGE>   7
 
                           DESCRIPTION OF DEBENTURES
 
     The 7.625% Debentures due 2096 (the "Debentures") offered hereby are a
series of "Debt Securities," as defined and described in the accompanying
Prospectus, and the following description of the terms of the Debentures
supplements, and to the extent inconsistent therewith replaces, the description
of the general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities set forth in the
accompanying Prospectus.
 
     The Debentures will be senior unsecured obligations of the Company. The
Debentures will be issued pursuant to the provisions of an Indenture, as
supplemented (the "Indenture"), entered into between the Company and The Chase
Manhattan Bank (formerly known as Chemical Bank), as trustee (the "Trustee"),
and will be limited to $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount. The Chase
Manhattan Bank is a co-agent and Chase Securities, Inc. and Chase Securities
Australia Limited, affiliates of The Chase Manhattan Bank, are an arranger and
Australian administrative agent, respectively, of certain portions of the
Company's amended and restated main revolving bank credit facility. The Chase
Manhattan Bank and The Chase Manhattan Bank of Canada, an affiliate of The Chase
Manhattan Bank, are also lenders under such facility.
 
     The Company may, from time to time, without the consent of the holders of
the Debentures, provide for the issuance of additional Debentures or other Debt
Securities under the Indenture in addition to the Debentures offered hereby. The
Indenture will not limit the amount of other indebtedness that may be issued by
the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The Debentures are not redeemable prior
to maturity and will not be subject to any sinking fund. As described below
under "Conditional Right to Advance Maturity," upon the occurrence of a Tax
Event, the Company will have the right to advance the maturity date of the
Debentures to the extent required so that interest paid on the Debentures will
be deductible for Federal income tax purposes.
 
     The Debentures will be issued only in book-entry form through the
facilities of DTC and will be represented by a global security registered in the
name of DTC or its nominee and will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and
integral multiples thereof. Payments on Debentures issued in book-entry form
will be made through DTC. Debentures represented by a global security will be
exchangeable with Debentures in definitive form only if (i) DTC notifies the
Company that it is unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository for
such global security and is not replaced by a successor depository, (ii) the
Company in its sole discretion at any time determines not to have all of the
Debentures represented by the global security and notifies the Trustee thereof
or (iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default (as
defined in the Indenture) with respect to the Debentures represented by such
global security. See "DTC Book-Entry-Only System" in the accompanying
Prospectus.
 
     The Debentures will mature on November 1, 2096. The Debentures will bear
interest from November 1, 1996 (at the rate of interest referred to above)
payable on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing on May 1, 1997. Subject
to certain exceptions therein set forth, the Indenture provides for the payment
of interest on any interest payment date only to persons in whose names the
Debentures are registered on the regular record date, which is the April 15 or
October 15, as the case may be (whether or not a business day), next preceding
such interest payment date.
 
CONDITIONAL RIGHT TO ADVANCE MATURITY
 
     In accordance with U.S. income tax practices, the Company intends to deduct
interest paid on the Debentures for Federal income tax purposes. The Clinton
Administration's budget proposal for Fiscal Year 1997, released on March 19,
1996, however, contained a series of proposed tax law changes that, among other
things, would prohibit an issuer from deducting interest payments on debt
instruments with a weighted average maturity of more than 40 years. On March 29,
1996, the Chairmen of the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means
Committee issued a statement (the "Joint Statement") to the effect that this
proposal, if enacted, would not be effective prior to the date of "appropriate
congressional action." In addition, subsequent to the publication of the Joint
Statement,
 
                                       S-7
<PAGE>   8
 
Senator Patrick Moynihan and Representatives Sam M. Gibbons and Charles B.
Rangel wrote letters to Treasury officials concurring with the views expressed
in the Joint Statement. There can be no assurance, however, that this proposal,
similar legislation, or administrative or judicial interpretations affecting the
Company's ability to deduct interest paid on the Debentures will not be enacted
in the future or that any such legislation or administrative or judicial
interpretations would not have a retroactive effective date.
 
     Upon the occurrence of a Tax Event, as defined below, the Company will have
the right, without the consent of the holders of the Debentures, to advance the
maturity date of the Debentures to the extent required, in the written opinion
of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters,
such that, after advancing the maturity date, interest paid on the Debentures
will be deductible for Federal income tax purposes. There can be no assurance
that the Company would not exercise its right to advance the stated maturity
date of the Debentures upon the occurrence of such a Tax Event.
 
     In the event that the Company elects to exercise its right to advance the
maturity date of the Debentures on the occurrence of a Tax Event, the Company
will mail a notice of the advanced maturity date to each holder of record of the
Debentures by first-class mail not more than 60 days after the occurrence of
such Tax Event, stating the new maturity date of the Debentures, and will cause
the Debentures to be amended accordingly. Such notice shall be effective
immediately upon mailing.
 
     Woodard Hall & Primm, P.C., counsel to the Company, has advised the Company
that the Debentures will constitute indebtedness for Federal income tax purposes
under current law. The Company's exercise of its right to advance the maturity
date of the Debentures would not be a taxable event to holders if the Debentures
are characterized as indebtedness for Federal income tax purposes as of the
advanced maturity date, except upon "retirement" as discussed in the
accompanying Prospectus under "Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Considerations -- U.S. Holders -- Disposition of a Debt Security." Prospective
investors should be aware, however, that the Company's exercise of its right to
advance the maturity date of the Debentures will be a taxable event to holders
if the Debentures are characterized as equity on or before the advanced maturity
date. If the Debentures are ever reclassified as instruments not constituting
indebtedness of the Company for Federal income tax purposes, the discussions of
United States Federal income tax treatment set forth in the accompanying
Prospectus under "Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations" will
not apply and, in such event, holders should consult their own tax advisors
concerning the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of
the Debentures.
 
     "Tax Event" means that the Company shall have received the written opinion
of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters,
to the effect that, on or after the date of the Debentures' issuance, as a
result of (a) any amendment to, clarification of, or change (including any
announced prospective change) in laws, or any proposed, temporary or final
regulations thereunder, of the United States, (b) any judicial decision,
official administrative pronouncement, authorization, ruling, regulatory
procedure, notice or announcement, including any notice or announcement of
proposal to adopt such procedures or regulations (an "Administrative Action"),
or (c) any amendment to, clarification of, or change in the official position or
the interpretation of such Administrative Action or judicial decision that
differs from the theretofore generally accepted position, in each case on or
after the date of the issuance of the Debentures, such change in tax laws or
regulations creates a more than insubstantial risk that interest paid by the
Company on the Debentures is not, or will not be, deductible, in whole or in
part, by the Company for Federal income tax purposes.
 
                                       S-8
<PAGE>   9
 
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement
and the Terms Agreement, the Company has agreed to sell to each of the
Underwriters named below, and each of such Underwriters has severally agreed to
purchase, the principal amount of Debentures set forth opposite its name below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
                                 UNDERWRITER                            OF DEBENTURES
        -------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------
        <S>                                                            <C>
        Goldman, Sachs & Co. .........................................   $ 37,500,000
        Citicorp Securities, Inc. ....................................     37,500,000
        J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. ..................................     37,500,000
        Salomon Brothers Inc .........................................     37,500,000
                                                                       ----------------
                  Total...............................................   $150,000,000
                                                                        =============
</TABLE>
 
     Under the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement and the Terms
Agreement, the several Underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the
Debentures, if any are taken.
 
     The Underwriters propose to offer the Debentures in part directly to the
public at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus
Supplement and in part to certain securities dealers at such price less a
concession of 0.675% of the principal amount of the Debentures. The Underwriters
may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not to exceed 0.250% of
the principal amount of the Debentures to certain brokers and dealers. After the
Debentures are released for sale to the public, the offering price and other
selling terms may from time to time be varied by the Underwriters.
 
     The Debentures are a new issue of securities with no established trading
market. The Company has been advised by the Underwriters that the Underwriters
intend to make a market in the Debentures but are not obligated to do so and may
discontinue market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given
as to the liquidity of the trading market for the Debentures.
 
     The Underwriters and/or certain of their affiliates have engaged and may in
the future engage in investment banking and/or commercial banking transactions
with the Company and certain of its affiliates in the ordinary course of
business.
 
     The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     Certain legal matters regarding the Debentures offered hereby under laws
other than federal or state securities laws have been passed upon for the
Company by its Vice President and General Counsel, Z. S. Kobiashvili. As of the
date of this Prospectus Supplement, Mr. Kobiashvili owns 962 shares of Apache
common stock through the Company's retirement/401(k) savings plan and holds
employee stock options to purchase 24,900 shares of Apache common stock, of
which 7,000 options are currently exercisable. Certain legal matters will also
be passed upon for the Company by Woodard, Hall & Primm, P.C., Houston, Texas,
and for the Underwriters by Brown & Wood LLP, New York, New York.
 
                                       S-9
<PAGE>   10
 
   
PROSPECTUS
    
 
                                  $300,000,000
 
                           [APACHE CORPORATION LOGO]
 
                                DEBT SECURITIES
 
Apache Corporation (the "Company" or "Apache") intends from time to time to
issue senior unsecured debt securities ("Debt Securities") in one or more
series, at an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $300,000,000, at
prices and on terms to be determined at or prior to the time of sale. The
specific designation, aggregate principal amount, maturity, interest rate,
method of distribution, and any prepayment or other variable terms with regard
to the Debt Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered will be,
to the extent not set forth herein, set forth in an accompanying Prospectus
Supplement.
 
Unless otherwise specified herein or in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
the Debt Securities will be issued in fully registered book-entry form and will
be registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, as depository
("DTC"), or its nominee. Interests in the Debt Securities will be shown on, and
transfers thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC and
its participants. Debt Securities issued in book-entry form will not be issuable
as certificated securities except as specified herein or in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. See "DTC Book-Entry-Only System." Payment of the
principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities will be
made to DTC if and so long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of the
Debt Securities. The disbursement of such payments to beneficial owners of the
Debt Securities ("Beneficial Owners") will be the responsibility of the DTC
Participants and the Indirect Participants, all as defined and more fully
described in this Prospectus under the caption "DTC Book-Entry-Only System."
 
The applicable Prospectus Supplement will contain information, where applicable
and to the extent not set forth herein, concerning certain United States federal
income tax considerations relating to the Debt Securities covered by such
Prospectus Supplement.
 
                             ---------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
      PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
        REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                             ---------------------
 
The Debt Securities may be sold directly by the Company to one or more
institutional purchasers, through agents designated from time to time, through
dealers or underwriters, or through any combination of the above. If any agents
of the Company or any underwriters are involved in the sale of the Debt
Securities, the names of such agents or underwriters and any applicable
commissions or discounts will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement. See
"Plan of Distribution" for indemnification arrangements which the Company is
prepared to make available to underwriters and agents for the sale of the Debt
Securities.
 
                             ---------------------
 
   
                The date of this Prospectus is October 31, 1996.
    
<PAGE>   11
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
OFFERED HEREBY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED IN THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR
OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.

                             ---------------------
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     Apache is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith, files reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC"). Reports, proxy statements and other information filed by
Apache can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained
by the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the SEC's
Regional Offices at Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York
10048 and CitiCorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661. Copies of such material can be obtained by mail from the Public
Reference Section of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549,
at prescribed rates. In addition, reports, proxy statements and other
information concerning Apache may be inspected at the offices of The New York
Stock Exchange, Inc. ("NYSE"), 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, and
also at the offices of the Chicago Stock Exchange ("CSE"), One Financial Place,
440 S. LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60605-1070. The address of the
Company's principal executive offices and its telephone number are 2000 Post Oak
Boulevard, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77056-4400 and (713) 296-6000.
 
     The Company has filed with the SEC a Registration Statement under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the
securities offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all the information
set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto,
certain portions of which have been omitted pursuant to the rules and
regulations of the SEC. The information so omitted may be obtained from the
SEC's principal office in Washington, D.C. upon payment of the fees prescribed
by the SEC. For further information, reference is hereby made to the
Registration Statement. Any statements contained herein concerning the
provisions of any document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or
otherwise filed with the SEC are not necessarily complete, and in each instance
reference is made to the copy of such document so filed, each such statement
being qualified in its entirety by such reference.

                             ---------------------
 
                     INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents previously filed by the Company with the SEC
pursuant to the Exchange Act (SEC File No. 1-4300) are incorporated in and made
a part of this Prospectus:
 
   
<TABLE>
    <S>      <C>
    (i)      Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.
    (ii)     Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1996,
             amended by Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-Q/A, filed May 29, 1996.
    (iii)    Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 1996.
    (iv)     Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 3, 1996.
    (v)      Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 31, 1996.
    (vi)     Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 22, 1996.
    (vii)    Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 7, 1996.
    (viii)   Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 27, 1996, amended by Amendment No. 1 on
             Form 8-K/A, filed April 5, 1996.
    (ix)     Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 16, 1996.
    (x)      Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 22, 1996.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   12
 
   
<TABLE>
    <S>      <C>
    (xi)     Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 20, 1996, amended by Amendment No. 1 on
             Form 8-K/A, filed July 19, 1996.
    (xii)    Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 24, 1996.
</TABLE>
    
 
     All documents which the Company files pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior
to the termination of the offering described herein shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of filing
of such reports and documents. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated by reference, or deemed to be incorporated by reference, shall be
deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the
extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
document or in any accompanying Prospectus Supplement modifies or supersedes
such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be
deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus.
 
     The Company undertakes to provide without charge, upon the written or oral
request of any person to whom a copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, a
copy of any or all of the documents referred to above which are incorporated in
this Prospectus by reference, other than exhibits to such documents. Requests
should be directed to Cheri L. Peper, Corporate Secretary, Apache Corporation,
2000 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77056-4400; (713) 296-6000.

                             ---------------------
 
     All defined terms under Rule 4-10(a) of Regulation S-X promulgated under
the Securities Act shall have their statutorily-prescribed meanings when used in
this Prospectus. Quantities of natural gas are expressed in this Prospectus in
terms of thousand cubic feet ("Mcf"), million cubic feet ("MMcf") or billion
cubic feet ("Bcf"). Oil (which includes condensate) is quantified in terms of
barrels ("bbls"), thousands of barrels ("Mbbls") and millions of barrels
("MMbbls"). One barrel of oil is the energy equivalent of six Mcf of natural
gas, expressed as a barrel of oil equivalent. Natural gas is compared to oil in
terms of thousand barrels of oil equivalent ("Mboe") and in million barrels of
oil equivalents ("MMboe"). Oil and natural gas liquids are compared with natural
gas in terms of million cubic feet equivalent ("MMcfe") and billion cubic feet
equivalent ("Bcfe"). Daily oil and gas production is expressed in terms of
barrels of oil per day ("bopd") and thousands of cubic feet of gas per day
("Mcfd"), respectively. The Company's "net" working interest in wells or acreage
is determined by multiplying gross wells or acreage by the Company's working
interest therein. Unless otherwise specified, all references to wells and acres
are gross.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   13
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Apache Corporation, a Delaware corporation formed in 1954, is an
independent energy company that explores for, develops and produces crude oil
and natural gas. In North America, the Company's exploration and production
interests are focused on the Gulf of Mexico, the Anadarko Basin, the Permian
Basin, the Gulf Coast and the Western Sedimentary Basin of Canada. Outside of
North America, the Company has exploration and production interests offshore
Western Australia and in Egypt, and exploration interests in, among other areas,
Indonesia and offshore the Ivory Coast. The Company's common stock, par value
$1.25 per share ("Apache Common Stock"), has been listed on the NYSE since 1969,
and on the CSE since 1960.
 
     The Company holds interests in many of its North American and international
properties through operating subsidiaries, such as Apache Canada Ltd., MW
Petroleum Corporation, Apache Energy Limited, Apache International, Inc., Apache
Overseas, Inc., and The Phoenix Resource Companies, Inc. The Company treats all
operations as one segment of business.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the net
proceeds from the sale of the Debt Securities will be used to refinance
outstanding indebtedness and for other general corporate purposes. To the extent
proceeds are used to refinance outstanding indebtedness, certain terms of the
indebtedness being refinanced will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
 
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
     The Company's ratios of earnings to fixed charges were as follows for the
respective periods indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 SIX MONTHS
   ENDED     
  JUNE 30,                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
- -------------     ----------------------------------------
1996     1995     1995     1994     1993     1992     1991
- ----     ----     ----     ----     ----     ----     ----
<S>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
2.14     1.05     1.15     2.34     2.37     0.72      --
</TABLE>
 
     The Company's ratios of earnings to fixed charges were computed based on:
(A) income or losses from continuing operations before income taxes and fixed
charges (excluding interest capitalized); and (B) fixed charges, which consist
of interest on indebtedness (including amounts capitalized), amortization of
debt discount and expense and the estimated portion of rental expense
attributable to interest. Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges by
$68.1 million for 1991, and by $14.8 million for 1992, due to write downs of the
carrying value of the U.S. and Canadian oil and gas properties of DEK Energy
Company ("DEKALB"), formerly known as DEKALB Energy Company, and losses incurred
on the divestiture of certain of DEKALB's U.S. assets.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   14
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Debt Securities will be issued under an indenture (the "Indenture") entered into
between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee and successor to
Chemical Bank (the "Trustee"). The Debt Securities to be offered by this
Prospectus are limited to an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed
$300,000,000. However, the Indenture does not limit the amount of Debt
Securities which can be issued thereunder and provides that additional Debt
Securities of any series may be issued thereunder up to the aggregate principal
amount which may be authorized from time to time by the Company. The payment of
principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities will rank
pari passu with all other unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company.
Unless otherwise indicated herein or in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
the Debt Securities will be issued in denominations of $100,000 and integral
multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
 
     The maturity date, interest payment dates, and rate of interest of the Debt
Securities will be as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement applicable thereto.
Subject to certain exceptions therein set forth, the Indenture provides for the
payment of interest on any interest payment date only to persons in whose names
the Debt Securities are registered on the regular record date, which is the last
day of the respective calendar months preceding the month in which an interest
payment is due (whether or not a business day).
 
     A copy of the Indenture is an exhibit to the Registration Statement of
which this Prospectus is a part. The information herein includes a summary of
certain provisions of the Indenture and does not purport to be complete and is
subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all provisions of
the Indenture including the definition therein of certain terms. The following
summaries set forth certain general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities
to which any Prospectus Supplement may relate. The particular terms of the Debt
Securities offered by any Prospectus Supplement and the extent, if any, to which
such general provisions may apply to the Debt Securities so offered will, to the
extent not described herein, be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating
to such Debt Securities.
 
PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL DEBT SECURITIES
 
  General
 
     Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement that accompanies this
Prospectus for the following terms, to the extent permitted by the Indenture,
and other information with respect to the Debt Securities being offered thereby,
to the extent not described herein: (i) the designation, aggregate principal
amount and authorized denominations of such Debt Securities; (ii) the percentage
of the principal amount at which such Debt Securities will be issued; (iii) the
date (or the manner of determining or extending the date or dates) on which the
principal of such Debt Securities will be payable; (iv) whether such Debt
Securities will be issued in fully registered form or in bearer form or any
combination thereof; (v) whether such Debt Securities will be issued in the form
of one or more global securities and whether such global securities are to be
issuable in a temporary global form or permanent global form; (vi) if other than
U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies or currency unit or units in which Debt
Securities may be denominated and purchased and the currency or currencies or
currency units in which principal, premium (if any) and any interest may be
payable; (vii) if the currency for which Debt Securities may be purchased or in
which principal, premium (if any) and any interest may be payable is at the
election of the Company or the purchaser, the manner in which such an election
may be made and the terms of such election; (viii) the rate or rates per annum
at which such Debt Securities will bear interest, if any, or the method or
methods of determination of such rate or rates and the basis upon which interest
will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year consisting of twelve
30-day months; (ix) the date or dates from which such interest, if any, on such
Debt Securities will accrue or the method or methods, if any, by which such date
or dates are to be determined, the date or dates on which such interest, if any,
will be payable, the date on which payment of such interest, if any, will
commence and the Regular Record Dates for such Interest Payment Dates, if any;
(x) the date or dates, if any, on or after which, or the
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   15
 
period or periods, if any, within which, and the price or prices at which the
Debt Securities may, pursuant to any optional redemption provisions, be redeemed
at the option of the Company or of the holder thereof and the other terms and
provisions of such optional redemption; (xi) information with respect to book-
entry procedures relating to global Debt Securities; (xii) whether and under
what circumstances the Company will pay Additional Amounts as contemplated by
Section 1004 of the Indenture (the term "interest," as used in this Prospectus,
shall include such Additional Amounts) on such Debt Securities to any holder who
is a United States Alien (as defined in the Indenture) (including any
modification to the definition of such terms contained in the Indenture as
originally executed) in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge
and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Debt
Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such
option); (xiii) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events
of Default or covenants of the Company with respect to any of such Debt
Securities; (xiv) if either or both of Section 402(2) relating to defeasance or
Section 402(3) relating to covenant defeasance shall not be applicable to the
Debt Securities of such series, or any covenants in addition to those specified
in Section 402(3) relating to the Debt Securities of such series shall be
subject to covenant defeasance, and any deletions from, or modifications or
additions to, the provisions of Article Four of the Indenture relating to
satisfaction and discharge in respect of the Debt Securities of such series;
(xv) any index or other method used to determine the amount of payments of
principal, premium (if any) and interest, if any, on such Debt Securities; (xvi)
if a trustee other than Chemical Bank is named for such Debt Securities, the
name of such trustee; and (xvii) any other specific terms of the Debt
Securities. All Debt Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same
time and all the Debt Securities of any one series need not bear interest at the
same rate or mature on the same date.
 
     If any of the Debt Securities are sold for foreign currencies or foreign
currency units or if the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any,
on any series of Debt Securities is payable in foreign currencies or foreign
currency units, the restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms
and other information with respect to such Debt Securities and such foreign
currencies or foreign currency units will be set forth in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Other than as described below under "Limitation on Liens" and "Company's
Obligation to Purchase Debt Securities on Change in Control," the Indenture does
not contain any provision that would limit the ability of the Company to incur
indebtedness or that would afford holders of Debt Securities protection in the
event of a decline in the credit quality of the Company or a takeover,
recapitalization or highly leveraged or similar transaction involving the
Company. Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the
particular series of Debt Securities offered thereby, to the extent not
otherwise described herein, for any information with respect to any deletions
from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default described below or
covenants of the Company contained in the Indenture, including any addition of a
covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.
 
  Interest Rates
 
     The Debt Securities will earn interest at the fixed or floating rate for
the period of time specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     If the Debt Securities earn interest at a floating rate, the applicable
Prospectus Supplement shall state the Interest Rate Basis or Bases (including
(a) the applicable Spread, if any, and/or (b) multiplied by the applicable
Spread Multiplier, if any), the Interest Payment Period and Dates, the Index
Maturity and the Maximum Interest Rate and/or Minimum Interest Rate, if any, as
such terms are defined below. If one or more of the applicable Interest Rate
Bases is LIBOR, the Prospectus Supplement must also specify the Index Currency
and Designated LIBOR Page, as such terms are defined below. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities shall
bear interest on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
 
     The "Spread" is the number of basis points to be added to or subtracted
from the related Interest Rate Basis or Bases applicable to each respective Debt
Security. The "Spread Multiplier" is the
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   16
 
percentage of the related Interest Rate Basis or Bases by which such Interest
Rate Basis or Bases will be multiplied to determine the applicable interest
rate. The "Index Maturity" is the period to maturity of the instrument or
obligation with respect to which the related Interest Rate Basis or Bases will
be calculated.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement, the Interest Rate
Basis may, as described below, include (i) the Commercial Paper Rate, (ii)
LIBOR, (iii) the Treasury Rate, or (iv) such other Interest Rate Basis or
interest rate formula as may be specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement will specify whether the floating rate
of interest will be reset daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semiannually or
annually or on such other specified basis (each, an "Interest Reset Period") and
the dates on which such rate of interest will be reset (each, an "Interest Reset
Date"). Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Interest Reset Dates will be, in the case of a floating interest rate which
resets: (i) daily, each Business Day; (ii) weekly, the Wednesday of each week
(unless the Treasury Rate is an applicable Interest Rate Basis, in which case
the Tuesday of each week except as described below); (iii) monthly, the third
Wednesday of each month; (iv) quarterly, the third Wednesday of March, June,
September and December of each year, (v) semiannually, the third Wednesday of
the two months specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement; and (vi)
annually, the third Wednesday of the month specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. If any Interest Reset Date would otherwise be a day that
is not a Business Day, such Interest Reset Date will be postponed to the next
succeeding Business Day, unless LIBOR is an applicable Interest Rate Basis and
such Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, in which case
such Interest Reset Date will be the immediately preceding Business Day. In
addition, if the Treasury Rate is an applicable Interest Rate Basis and the
Interest Determination Date would otherwise fall on an Interest Reset Date, then
such Interest Reset Date will be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day.
 
     The interest rate applicable to each Interest Reset Period commencing on
the related Interest Reset Date will be the rate determined as of the applicable
Interest Determination Date on or prior to the Calculation Date (as hereinafter
defined). The "Interest Determination Date" (i) with respect to the Commercial
Paper Rate will be the second Business Day immediately preceding the applicable
Interest Reset Date; (ii) with respect to LIBOR will be the second London
Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date, unless
the Index Currency is British pounds sterling, in which case the "Interest
Determination Date" will be the applicable Interest Reset Date; and (iii) with
respect to the Treasury Rate will be the day that Treasury Bills (as hereinafter
defined) are auctioned during or for the week in which the applicable Interest
Reset Date falls (Treasury Bills being normally sold at an auction held on
Monday of each week, unless that day is a legal holiday, in which case the
auction is normally held on the following Tuesday, except that such auction may
be held on the preceding Friday); provided, however, that if an auction is held
on the Friday of the week preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date, the
Interest Determination Date will be such preceding Friday. The "Interest
Determination Date" pertaining to a floating interest rate which is determined
by reference to two or more Interest Rate Bases will be the most recent Business
Day which is at least two Business Days prior to the applicable Interest Reset
Date on which each Interest Rate Basis is determinable. Each Interest Rate Basis
will be determined as of such date, and the applicable interest rate will take
effect on the applicable Interest Reset Date.
 
     Either or both of the following may also apply to the floating interest
rate on Debt Securities: (i) a Maximum Interest Rate, or ceiling, that may
accrue during any Interest Reset Period, and (ii) a Minimum Interest Rate, or
floor, that may accrue during any Interest Reset Period. In addition to any
Maximum Interest Rate that may apply, the interest rate on any Debt Securities
will in no event be higher than the maximum rate permitted by New York law, as
the same may be modified by United States laws of general application.
 
     Except as provided below or in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
interest will be payable, in the case of floating interest rates which reset:
(i) daily, weekly or monthly, on the third Wednesday of each month or on the
third Wednesday of March, June, September and December of each year, as
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   17
 
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement; (ii) quarterly, on the third
Wednesday of March, June, September and December of each year, (iii)
semiannually, on the third Wednesday of the two months of each year specified in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement; and (iv) annually, on the third Wednesday
of the month of each year specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. If
any Interest Payment Date for the payment of interest at a floating rate would
otherwise be a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date will
be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day, except that if LIBOR is an
applicable Interest Rate Basis and such Business Day falls in the next
succeeding calendar month, such Interest Payment Date will be the immediately
preceding Business Day.
 
     All percentages resulting from any calculation of floating interest rates
will be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point,
with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards (e.g., 9.876545%
(or .09876545) would be rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655)), and all amounts used
in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded, in the case of United
States dollars, to the nearest cent or, in the case of a foreign currency or
composite currency, to the nearest unit (with one-half cent or unit being
rounded upwards).
 
     Accrued floating rate interest will be calculated by multiplying the
principal amount of the Debt Securities to which it relates by an accrued
interest factor. Such accrued interest factor will be computed by adding the
interest factor calculated for each day in the applicable Interest Reset Period.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the interest
factor for each such day will be computed by dividing the interest rate
applicable to such day by 360, if an applicable Interest Rate Basis is the
Commercial Paper Rate or LIBOR, or by the actual number of days in the year if
an applicable Interest Rate Basis is the Treasury Rate. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, if the floating interest rate
is calculated with reference to two or more Interest Rate Bases, the interest
factor will be calculated in each period in the same manner as if only one of
the applicable Interest Rate Bases applied as specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, The
Chase Manhattan Bank will be the "Calculation Agent." Upon request of the
Beneficial Owner of any Debt Securities, the Calculation Agent will disclose the
interest rate then in effect and, if determined, the interest rate that will
become effective as a result of a determination made for the next succeeding
Interest Reset Date with respect to such Debt Securities. Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the "Calculation Date," if
applicable, pertaining to any Interest Determination Date will be the earlier of
(i) the tenth calendar day after such Interest Determination Date or, if such
day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day or (ii) the Business
Day immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date or the Maturity
Date, as the case may be.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Calculation Agent shall determine each Interest Rate Basis in accordance with
the following provisions.
 
     Commercial Paper Rate. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, "Commercial Paper Rate" means, with respect to any
Interest Determination Date for which the interest rate is determined with
reference to the Commercial Paper Rate (a "Commercial Paper Rate Interest
Determination Date"), the Money Market Yield (as hereinafter defined) on such
date of the rate for commercial paper having the Index Maturity specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement as published in H.15(519) under the heading
"Commercial Paper." In the event that such rate is not published by 3:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the Commercial Paper
Rate on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Money
Market Yield of the rate for commercial paper having the Index Maturity
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement as published in Composite
Quotations under the heading "Commercial Paper" (with an Index Maturity of one
month or three months being deemed to be equivalent to an Index Maturity of 30
days or 90 days, respectively). If such rate is not yet published in either
H.15(519) or Composite Quotations by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
related Calculation Date, then the Commercial Paper Rate on such Commercial
Paper Rate Interest Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation
Agent and will
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   18
 
be the Money Market Yield of the arithmetic mean of the offered rates at
approximately 11:00, New York City time, on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest
Determination Date of three leading dealers of commercial paper in New York, New
York selected by the Calculation Agent, after consultation with the Company, for
commercial paper having the Index Maturity specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement placed for an industrial issuer whose bond rating is "AA,"
or the equivalent, from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization;
provided, however, that if the dealers so selected by the Calculation Agent are
not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the Commercial Paper Rate determined
as of such Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date will be the
Commercial Paper Rate in effect on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest
Determination Date.
 
     "Money Market Yield" means a yield (expressed as a percentage) calculated
in accordance with the following formula:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                   <C>            <C>
                         D X 360
Money Market Yield =  -------------- X 100
                      360 - (D X M)
</TABLE>
 
where "D" refers to the applicable per annum rate for commercial paper quoted on
a bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal, and "M" refers to the actual
number of days in the Interest Period for which interest is being calculated.
 
     LIBOR. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
"LIBOR" means the rate determined in accordance with the following provisions:
 
          (i) With respect to any Interest Determination Date for which the
     interest rate is determined with reference to LIBOR (a "LIBOR Interest
     Determination Date"), LIBOR will be either: (a) if "LIBOR Reuters" is
     specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the arithmetic mean of
     the offered rates (unless the Designated LIBOR Page by its terms provides
     only for a single rate, in which case such single rate shall be used) for
     deposits in the Index Currency having the Index Maturity specified in such
     Prospectus Supplement, commencing on the applicable Interest Reset Date,
     that appear (or, if only a single rate is required as aforesaid, appears)
     on the Designated LIBOR Page as of 11:00 a.m., London time, on such LIBOR
     Interest Determination Date, or (b) if "LIBOR Telerate" is specified in the
     applicable Prospectus Supplement or if neither "LIBOR Reuters" nor "LIBOR
     Telerate" is specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement as the
     method for calculating LIBOR, the rate for deposits in the Index Currency
     having the Index Maturity specified in such Prospectus Supplement,
     commencing on such Interest Reset Date, that appears on the Designated
     LIBOR Page as of 11:00 a.m., London time, on such LIBOR Interest
     Determination Date. If fewer than two such offered rates appear, or if no
     such rate appears, as applicable, LIBOR on such LIBOR Interest
     Determination Date will be determined in accordance with the provisions
     described in clause (ii) below.
 
          (ii) With respect to a LIBOR Interest Determination Date on which
     fewer than two offered rates appear, or no rate appears, as the case may
     be, on the Designated LIBOR Page as specified in clause (i) above, the
     Calculation Agent will request the principal London offices of each of four
     major reference banks in the London interbank market, as selected by the
     Calculation Agent, after consultation with the Company, to provide the
     Calculation Agent with its offered quotation for deposits in the Index
     Currency for the period of the Index Maturity specified in the applicable
     Prospectus Supplement, commencing on the applicable Interest Reset Date, to
     prime banks in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m.,
     London time, on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date and in a principal
     amount that is representative for a single transaction in such Index
     Currency in such market at such time. If at least two such quotations are
     so provided, then LIBOR on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be
     the arithmetic mean of such quotations. If fewer than two such quotations
     are so provided, then LIBOR on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will
     be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted at approximately 11:00 a.m., in
     the applicable Principal Financial Center, on such LIBOR Interest
     Determination Date by three major banks in such Principal Financial Center
     selected by the Calculation Agent, after consultation with the Company, for
     loans in the Index Currency to leading European banks, having the Index
     Maturity specified in the
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   19
 
     applicable Prospectus Supplement and in a principal amount that is
     representative for a single transaction in such Index Currency in such
     market at such time; provided, however, that if the banks so selected by
     the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, LIBOR
     determined as of such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be LIBOR in
     effect on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date.
 
     "Index Currency" means the currency or composite currency specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement as to which LIBOR shall be calculated. If no
such currency or composite currency is specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, the Index Currency shall be United States dollars.
 
     "Principal Financial Center" means the capital city of the country issuing
the Index Currency, except that with respect to United States dollars,
Australian dollars, Deutsche marks, Dutch guilders, Italian lire, Swiss francs
and ECUs, the Principal Financial Center shall be New York City, Sydney,
Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Milan, Zurich and Luxembourg, respectively.
 
     "Designated LIBOR Page" means (a) if "LIBOR Reuters" is specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, the display on the Reuters Monitor Money Rates
Service (or any successor service) for the purpose of displaying the London
interbank rates of major banks for the applicable Index Currency, or (b) if
"LIBOR Telerate" is specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement or neither
"LIBOR Reuters" nor "LIBOR Telerate" is specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement as the method for calculating LIBOR, the display on the Dow Jones
Telerate Service (or any successor service) for the purpose of displaying the
London interbank rates of major banks for the applicable Index Currency.
 
     Treasury Rate. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, "Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Determination
Date for which the interest rate is determined by reference to the Treasury Rate
(a "Treasury Rate Interest Determination Date"), the rate from the auction held
on such Treasury Rate Interest Determination Date (the "Auction") of direct
obligations of the United States ("Treasury Bills") having the Index Maturity
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, as such rate is published in
H.15(519) under the heading "Treasury Bills -- auction average (investment)" or,
if not published by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the related Calculation
Date, the auction average rate of such Treasury Bills (expressed as a bond
equivalent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied
on a daily basis) as otherwise announced by the United States Department of the
Treasury. In the event that the results of the Auction of Treasury Bills having
the Index Maturity specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement are not
reported as provided by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the related
Calculation Date, or if no such Auction is held, then the Treasury Rate will be
calculated by the Calculation Agent, after consultation with the Company, and
will be a yield to maturity (expressed as a bond equivalent on the basis of a
year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied on a daily basis) of the
arithmetic mean of the secondary market bid rates, as of approximately 3:30
p.m., New York City time, on such Treasury Rate Interest Determination Date, of
three leading primary United States government securities dealers selected by
the Calculation Agent, after consultation with the Company, for the issue of
Treasury Bills with a remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity specified
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement; provided, however, that if the dealers
so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this
sentence, the Treasury Rate determined as of such Treasury Rate Interest
Determination Date will be the Treasury Rate in effect on such Treasury Rate
Interest Determination Date.
 
  Discount, Series, Maturities, Registration, and Payment
 
     The Debt Securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their
stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the
time of issuance is below market rates. See "Certain United States Federal
Income Tax Considerations" herein. Federal income tax consequences and special
considerations applicable to any such series may also be described in the
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   20
 
     The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series with the same or
various maturities. (Section 301) Debt Securities may be issued solely in fully
registered form without coupons ("Registered Securities"), solely in bearer form
with or without coupons ("Bearer Securities"), or as both Registered Securities
and Bearer Securities. (Section 301) Registered Securities may be exchangeable
for other Debt Securities of the same series, registered in the same name, for a
like aggregate principal amount in authorized denominations and will be
transferable at any time or from time to time at the aforementioned office. No
service charge will be made to the holder for any such exchange or transfer,
except for any tax or governmental charge incidental thereto. If Debt Securities
of any series are issued as Bearer Securities, the applicable Prospectus
Supplement will contain any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or
delivery of Bearer Securities and the terms upon which Bearer Securities of the
series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of the series and, if
permitted by applicable laws and regulations, the terms upon which Registered
Securities of the series may be exchanged for Bearer Securities of the series,
whether such Debt Securities are to be issuable in permanent global form with or
without coupons and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such
permanent global security may exchange such interests for Debt Securities of
such series and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
principal and interest, if any, on the Debt Securities offered thereby are to be
payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purposes in
the city where the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee is located,
and will initially be the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee,
provided that payment of interest, if any, may be made (subject to collection)
at the option of the Company by check mailed to the persons in whose names the
Debt Securities are registered at the close of business on the day specified in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
  Form, Exchange, Registration and Transfer
 
     Debt Securities will be exchangeable for other Debt Securities of the same
series and of like tenor, of any authorized denominations and of a like
aggregate principal amount and Stated Maturity (as defined in the Indenture).
Registered Securities may be presented for registration of transfer (with the
form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed) at the office of the Trustee or
at the office of any transfer agent designated by the Company for such purpose,
without service charge and upon payment of any taxes and other governmental
charges as described in the Indenture. Such transfer or exchange will be
effected upon the books of the Trustee or such transfer agent contingent upon
such Trustee or transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the
documents of title and identity of the person making the request. (Section 305)
 
     In the event of any redemption of Debt Securities, the Company shall not be
required to: (i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange such Debt
Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before
any selection of such Debt Securities to be redeemed and ending at the close of
business on the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption; or (ii)
register the transfer of or exchange any such Debt Security, or portion thereof,
called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any such Debt Security
being redeemed in part. (Section 305)
 
  Limitation on Liens
 
     Nothing in the Indenture or the Debt Securities will in any way limit the
amount of indebtedness or securities (other than the Debt Securities) which may
be incurred or issued by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (as defined in
the Indenture). The Indenture provides that neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary will issue, assume or guarantee any notes, bonds, debentures or other
similar evidences of indebtedness for money borrowed secured by a mortgage,
lien, pledge, security interest or other encumbrance (defined in the Indenture
as "Liens") upon any of its property, subject to certain exceptions set forth in
the Indenture, without making effective provisions whereby any and all Debt
Securities then outstanding shall be secured by a Lien equally and ratably with
any and all other obligations thereby secured. Such restrictions will not,
however, apply to (a) Liens existing on the date of
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   21
 
the Indenture or provided for under the terms of agreements existing on the date
thereof; (b) Liens securing (i) all or part of the cost of exploring, producing,
gathering, processing, marketing, drilling or developing any properties of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or securing indebtedness incurred to provide
funds therefor; or (ii) indebtedness incurred to finance all or part of the cost
of acquiring, constructing, altering, improving or repairing any such property
or assets, or securing indebtedness incurred to provide funds therefor; (c)
Liens which secure only indebtedness owing by a Subsidiary to the Company, or to
one or more Subsidiaries, or the Company and one or more Subsidiaries; (d) Liens
on the property of any corporation or other entity existing at the time such
corporation or entity becomes a Subsidiary; (e) Liens on any property to secure
indebtedness incurred in connection with the construction, installation or
financing of pollution control or abatement facilities or other forms of
industrial revenue bond financing or indebtedness issued or guaranteed by the
United States, any state or any department, agency or instrumentality of either
or indebtedness issued to or guaranteed for the benefit of a foreign government,
any state or any department, agency or instrumentality of either or an
international finance agency or any division or department thereof, including
the World Bank, the International Finance Corp. and the Multilateral Investment
Guarantee Agency; (f) any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive
extensions, renewals or replacements) of any Lien referred to in the foregoing
clauses (a) through (e) existing on the date of the Indenture; (g) certain Liens
incurred in the ordinary course of business or (h) Liens which secure Limited
Recourse Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture). The following types of
transactions, among others, shall not be deemed to create indebtedness secured
by Liens: (i) the sale or other transfer of crude oil, natural gas or other
petroleum hydrocarbons in place for a period of time until, or in an amount such
that, the transferee will realize therefrom a specified amount (however
determined) of money or such crude oil, natural gas or other petroleum
hydrocarbons, or the sale or other transfer of any other interest in property of
the character commonly referred to as a production payment, overriding royalty,
forward sale or similar interest and (ii) Liens required by any contract or
statute in order to permit the Company or a Subsidiary to perform any contract
or subcontract made by it with or at the request of the United States government
or any foreign government or international finance agency, any state or any
department thereof, or any agency or instrumentality of either, or to secure
partial, progress, advance or other payments to the Company or any Subsidiary by
any such entity pursuant to the provisions of any contract or statute. (Section
1005)
 
  Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions
 
     The Indenture provides that neither the Company nor any Subsidiary will
enter into any arrangement with any person (other than the Company or a
Subsidiary) providing for the leasing to the Company or a Subsidiary for a
period of more than three years of any property which has been, or is to be,
sold or transferred by the Company or such Subsidiary to such person or to any
person (other than the Company or a Subsidiary) to which funds have been or are
to be advanced by such person on the security of the leased property unless
either (a) the Company or such Subsidiary would be entitled, pursuant to the
provisions described under "Limitation on Liens" above, to incur indebtedness in
a principal amount equal to or exceeding the value of such sale/leaseback
transaction, secured by a Lien on the property to be leased; (b) since the date
of the Indenture and within a period commencing six months prior to the
consummation of such arrangement and ending six months after the consummation
thereof, the Company or such Subsidiary has expended or will expend for any
property (including amounts expended for the acquisition, exploration, drilling
or development thereof, and for additions, alterations, improvements and repairs
thereto) an amount equal to all or a portion of the net proceeds of such
arrangement and the Company elects to designate such amount as a credit against
such arrangement (with any such amount not being so designated to be applied as
set forth in (c) below); or (c) the Company, during or immediately after the
expiration of the 12 months after the effective date of such transaction,
applies to the voluntary defeasance or retirement of the Debt Securities and its
other Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture) an amount equal to the
greater of the net proceeds of the sale or transfer of the property leased in
such transaction or the fair value, in the opinion of the board of directors of
the Company of such property at the time of entering into such transaction (in
either case adjusted to reflect the remaining term of the lease and any amount
utilized by the Company as set forth in (b) above), less
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   22
 
an amount equal to the principal amount of Senior Indebtedness voluntarily
retired by the Company within such 12-month period. (Section 1006)
 
  Events of Default
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, any one
of the following events will constitute an Event of Default under the Indenture
with respect to the Debt Securities of any series: (a) failure to pay any
interest on any Debt Security of such series when due, continued for 30 days;
(b) failure to pay principal of (or premium, if any) on the Debt Securities of
such series when due and payable, either at maturity or, if applicable, at 12:00
noon on the Business Day following the Change in Control Purchase Date; (c)
failure to perform, or breach of, any other covenant or warranty of the Company
in the Indenture or the Debt Securities (other than a covenant or warranty
included in the Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of securities other
than the Debt Securities), continued for 60 days after written notice as
provided in the Indenture; (d) the acceleration of any Indebtedness (as defined
in the Indenture) of the Company or any Subsidiary in excess of an aggregate of
$25,000,000 in principal amount under any event of default as defined in any
mortgage, indenture or instrument and such acceleration has not been rescinded
or annulled within 30 days after written notice as provided in the Indenture
specifying such Event of Default and requiring the Company to cause such
acceleration to be rescinded or annulled; (e) failure to pay, bond or otherwise
discharge within 60 days of entry, a judgment, court order or uninsured monetary
damage award against the Company or any Subsidiary exceeding an aggregate of
$25,000,000 in principal amount which is not stayed on appeal or otherwise being
appropriately contested in good faith; (f) certain events of bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization involving the Company or any Subsidiary; and (g)
any other Event of Default provided with respect to the Debt Securities of that
series. (Section 501)
 
     If an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of any series
(other than an Event of Default described in (e) or (f) of the preceding
paragraph) occurs and is continuing, either the Trustee or the holders of at
least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of
such series by notice as provided in the Indenture may declare the principal
amount of such Debt Securities to be due and payable immediately. At any time
after a declaration of acceleration has been made, but before a judgment or
decree for payment of money has been obtained by the Trustee, and subject to
applicable law and certain other provisions of the Indenture, the holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series
may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration. An Event
of Default described in (e) or (f) of the preceding paragraph shall cause the
principal amount and accrued interest (or such lesser amount as provided for in
the Debt Securities of such series) to become immediately due and payable
without any declaration or other act by the Trustee or any holder. (Section 502)
 
     The Indenture provides that, within 90 days after the occurrence of any
Event of Default thereunder with respect to the Debt Securities of any series,
the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner set forth in the Indenture, notice of
such Event of Default to the holders of the Debt Securities of such series
unless such Event of Default has been cured or waived; provided, however, that
except in the case of a default in the payment of principal of, or premium, if
any, or interest, if any, or additional amounts, if any, on any Debt Security of
such series, the Trustee may withhold such notice if and so long as the board of
directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or
Responsible Officers of the Trustee has in good faith determined that the
withholding of such notice is in the interest of the holders of Debt Securities
of such series. (Section 602)
 
     If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Debt
Securities of any series, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect
and enforce its rights and the rights of the holders of Debt Securities of such
series by all appropriate judicial proceedings. (Section 504)
 
     The Indenture provides that, subject to the duty of the Trustee during any
default to act with the required standard of care, the Trustee will be under no
obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the
request or direction of any of the holders of Debt Securities, unless such
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   23
 
holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity. (Section 601)
Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the Trustee, and subject
to applicable law and certain other provisions of the Indenture, the holders of
a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of a
series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting
any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust
or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Debt Securities of such
series. (Section 512)
 
  Company's Obligation to Purchase Debt Securities on Change in Control
 
     Upon the occurrence of a "Change in Control" as defined in the Indenture,
the Company shall mail within 15 days of the occurrence of such Change in
Control written notice regarding such Change in Control to the Trustee of the
Debt Securities of each series and to every holder thereof, after which the
Company shall be obligated, at the election of each holder thereof, to purchase
such Debt Securities. Under the Indenture, a "Change in Control" is deemed to
occur upon (a) the occurrence of any event requiring the filing of any report
under or in response to Schedule 13D or 14D-1 pursuant to the Exchange Act
disclosing beneficial ownership of either (i) 50% or more of the Company's
Common Stock then outstanding, or (ii) 50% or more of the voting power of the
voting stock of the Company then outstanding, (b) the consummation of sale,
transfer, lease, or conveyance of the Company's properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any Person or Persons who are not Subsidiaries
of the Company; and (c) the consummation of any consolidation of the Company
with or merger of the Company into any other Person in a transaction in which
either (i) the Company is not the sole surviving corporation or (ii) Common
Stock existing prior to such transaction is converted into cash, securities or
other property and those exchanging the Company's Common Stock do not receive
either (x) 75% or more of the survivor's common stock or (y) 75% or more of the
voting power of the survivor's voting stock, following the consummation of such
transaction. The notice to be sent to every Trustee and holder upon a Change in
Control shall, in addition, be published at least once in an Authorized
Newspaper (as defined in the Indenture) and shall state (a) the event causing
the Change in Control and the date thereof, (b) the date by which notice of such
Change in Control is required by the Indenture to be given, (c) the date (which
date shall be 35 business days after the occurrence of the Change in Control) by
which the Company shall purchase Debt Securities to be purchased pursuant to the
selling holder's exercise of rights on Change in Control (the "Change in Control
Purchase Date"), (d) the price specified in such Debt Securities for their
purchase by the Company (the "Change in Control Purchase Price"), (e) the name
and address of the Trustee, (f) the procedure for surrendering Debt Securities
to the Trustee or other designated office or agent for payment, (g) a statement
of the Company's obligation to make prompt payment on proper surrender of such
Debt Securities, (h) the procedure for holders' exercise of rights of sale of
such Debt Securities by delivery of a "Change in Control Purchase Notice," and
(i) the procedures for withdrawing a Change in Control Purchase Notice. No
purchase of any Debt Securities shall be made if there has occurred and is
continuing an Event of Default under the Indenture (other than default in
payment of the Change in Control Purchase Price). In connection with any
purchase of Debt Securities under this paragraph, the Company will comply with
all Federal and state securities laws, including, specifically, Rule 13E-4, if
applicable, of the Exchange Act, and any related Schedule 13E-4 required to be
submitted under such Rule. (Section 1601)
 
  Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
 
     The Company may discharge certain obligations to holders of any series of
Debt Securities that have not already been delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation and that either have become due and payable or will become due and
payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year) by
depositing with the Trustee, in trust, funds in U.S. dollars or in the Foreign
Currency in which such Debt Securities are payable in an amount sufficient to
pay the entire indebtedness on such Debt Securities with respect to principal
(and premium, if any) and interest to the date of such deposit (if such Debt
Securities have become due and payable) or to the Maturity thereof, as the case
may be. (Section 401)
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   24
 
     The Indenture provides that, unless the provisions of Section 402 thereof
are made inapplicable to the Debt Securities of or within any series pursuant to
Section 301 thereof, the Company may elect either (a) to defease and be
discharged from any and all obligations with respect to such Debt Securities
(except for, among other things, the obligation to pay Additional Amounts, if
any upon the occurrence of certain events of taxation, assessment or
governmental charge with respect to payments on such Debt Securities and other
obligations to register the transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities, to
replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, to
maintain an office or agency with respect to such Debt Securities and to hold
moneys for payment in trust) ("defeasance") (Section 402(2)) or (b) to be
released from its obligations with respect to such Debt Securities under the
covenants described in "Limitation on Liens" and "Limitation on Sale/Leaseback
Transactions" above or, if provided pursuant to Section 301 of the Indenture,
its obligations with respect to any other covenant, and any omission to comply
with such obligations shall not constitute a default or an Event of Default with
respect to such Debt Securities ("covenant defeasance"). (Section 402(3))
Defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, shall be conditioned upon
the irrevocable deposit by the Company with the Trustee, in trust of an amount,
in U.S. dollars or in the Foreign Currency in which such Debt Securities are
payable at Stated Maturity, or Government Obligations (as defined below), or
both, applicable to such Debt Securities which through the scheduled payment of
principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an
amount sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on
such Debt Securities on the scheduled due dates therefor. (Section 402(4))
 
     Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, (i) the
applicable defeasance or covenant defeasance does not result in a breach or
violation of, or constitute a default under, the Indenture or any other material
agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound,
(ii) no default or Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities to be
defeased shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of the establishment
of such a trust and (iii) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of
Counsel (as specified in the Indenture) to the effect that the holders of such
Debt Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income
tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be
subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and
at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant
defeasance had not occurred, and such Opinion of Counsel, in the case of
defeasance, must refer to and be based upon a letter ruling of the Internal
Revenue Service received by the Company, a Revenue Ruling published by the
Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law
occurring after the date of the Indenture. (Section 402(4)(d) and (e))
 
     "Foreign Currency" means any currency, currency unit or composite currency,
including, without limitation, the ECU, issued by the government of one or more
countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized
confederation or association of such governments. (Section 101)
 
     "Government Obligations" means securities which are (i) direct obligations
of the United States of America or the government or the governments in the
confederation which issued the Foreign Currency in which the Debt Securities of
a particular series are payable, for the payment of which its full faith and
credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by
and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or
such government or governments which issued the Foreign Currency in which the
Debt Securities of such series are payable, the timely payment of which is
unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United
States of America or such other government or governments, which, in the case of
clauses (i) and (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer
or issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank
or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or
a specific payment of interest on or principal of or any other amount with
respect to any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account
of the holder of such depository receipt, provided that (except as required by
law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount
payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the
custodian with respect
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   25
 
to the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal
of or any other amount with respect to the Government Obligation evidenced by
such depository receipt. (Section 101)
 
     Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, if after
the Company has deposited funds and/or Government Obligations to effect
defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to Debt Securities of any series,
(a) the holder of a Debt Security of such series is entitled to, and does, elect
pursuant to Section 301 of the Indenture or the terms of such Debt Security to
receive payment in a currency other than that in which such deposit has been
made in respect of such Debt Security, or (b) a Conversion Event (as defined
below) occurs in respect of the Foreign Currency in which such deposit has been
made, the indebtedness represented by such Debt Security shall be deemed to have
been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Debt Security
as such Debt Security becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting the
amount or other properties so deposited in respect of such Debt Security into
the currency in which such Debt Security becomes payable as a result of such
election or such Conversion Event based on (x) in the case of payments made
pursuant to clause (a) above, the applicable market exchange rate for such
currency in effect on the second business day prior to such payment date, or (y)
with respect to a Conversion Event, the applicable market exchange rate for such
Foreign Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion
Event. (Section 402(5))
 
     "Conversion Event" means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency
other than the ECU both by the government of the country or the confederation
which issued such Foreign Currency and for the settlement of transactions by a
central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking
community, (ii) the ECU both within the European Monetary System and for the
settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the European
Community or (iii) any currency unit or composite currency other than the ECU
for the purposes for which it was established. Unless otherwise provided in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, all payments of principal of (and premium, if
any) and interest on any Debt Security that are payable in a Foreign Currency
that ceases to be used by the government or confederation of issuance shall be
made in U.S. dollars.
 
     In the event the Company effects covenant defeasance with respect to any
Debt Securities and such Debt Securities are declared due and payable because of
the occurrence of any Event of Default other than an Event of Default with
respect to Sections 1005 and 1006 of the Indenture (which Sections would no
longer be applicable to such Debt Securities after such covenant defeasance) or
with respect to any other covenant as to which there has been covenant
defeasance, the amount in such Foreign Currency in which such Debt Securities
are payable, and Government Obligations on deposit with the Trustee, will be
sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities at the time of the Stated
Maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities at
the time of the acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. However, the
Company would remain liable to make payment of such amounts due at the time of
acceleration.
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions,
if any, permitting defeasance or covenant defeasance, including any
modifications to the provisions described above, with respect to the Debt
Securities of or within a particular series.
 
     Under the Indenture, the Company is required to furnish to the Trustee
annually a statement as to performance by the Company of certain of its
obligations under the Indenture and as to any default in such performance. The
Company is also required to deliver to the Trustee, within five days after
occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which after notice or lapse of
time or both would constitute an Event of Default. (Section 1009)
 
  Modification and Waiver
 
     Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company
and the Trustee with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of each series affected
thereby; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without
the consent of the holder of each Debt Security affected thereby, (a) change the
Stated Maturity of the
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   26
 
principal of, or premium, if any, on, or any installment of principal, if any,
of or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Debt Security,
(b) reduce the principal amount of, or premium or interest on, or any Additional
Amounts with respect to any Debt Security, (c) change the coin or currency in
which any Debt Security or any premium or any interest thereon or any Additional
Amounts with respect thereto is payable, (d) impair the right to institute suit
for the enforcement of any payment on or after the Stated Maturity of any Debt
Securities (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date or,
in the case of repayment at the option of any holder, on or after the date for
repayment or in the case of a change in control, after the change in control
purchase date), (e) reduce the percentage and principal amount of the
outstanding Debt Securities, the consent of whose holders is required in order
to take certain actions, (f) change any obligation of the Company to maintain an
office or agency in the places and for the purposes required by the Indenture,
or (g) modify any of the above provisions. (Section 902)
 
     The holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of Debt
Securities of any series may, on behalf of the holders of all Debt Securities of
such series, waive compliance by the Company with certain restrictive provisions
of the Indenture. (Section 1008) The holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of any series may, on behalf of
all holders of Debt Securities of such series, waive any past default and its
consequences under the Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such
series, except a default (a) in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any)
or any interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Debt Securities of
such series or (b) in respect of a covenant or provision of the Indenture that
cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each Debt
Security of any series. (Section 513)
 
  Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
 
     The Company may, without the consent of the holders of the Debt Securities,
consolidate or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease its properties
and assets substantially as an entirety to, any Person that is a corporation,
limited liability company, partnership or trust organized and validly existing
under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction, or may permit any such Person to
consolidate with or merge into the Company or convey, transfer or lease its
properties and assets substantially as an entirety to the Company, provided that
any successor Person assumes the Company's obligations on the Debt Securities
and under the Indenture, that after giving effect to the transaction no Event of
Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become
an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing, and that certain
other conditions are met. (Section 801)
 
  Concerning the Trustee
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, The
Chase Manhattan Bank, New York, New York, successor to Chemical Bank, will be
the Trustee under the Indenture.
 
                           DTC BOOK-ENTRY-ONLY SYSTEM
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Debt Securities will be registered under a book-entry-only system maintained by
The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York ("DTC"). The book-entry-only
system will evidence ownership interests in the Debt Securities in
book-entry-only form. Purchasers of ownership interests in the Debt Securities
will not receive certificates representing their interests in the Debt
Securities purchased. Transfers of ownership interests will be effected on the
records of DTC and its participating organizations (the "DTC Participants")
pursuant to rules and procedures established by DTC.
 
     Certain of the following information concerning the procedures and record
keeping with respect to ownership interests in the Debt Securities, payment of
interest and other payments on the Debt Securities to DTC Participants or
Beneficial Owners (as hereafter defined), confirmation and transfer of ownership
interests in the Debt Securities and other related transactions by and between
DTC, the DTC Participants and Beneficial Owners is based solely on information
contained in a published report of DTC.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   27
 
     DTC, an automated clearinghouse for securities transactions, will act as
securities depository for the Debt Securities. DTC is a limited-purpose trust
company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the
Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New
York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the
provisions of Section 17A of the 1934 Act. DTC was created to hold securities of
the DTC Participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of
securities transactions among DTC Participants in such securities through
electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby
eliminating the need for physical movement of security certificates. DTC
Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies,
clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of which (and/or
their representatives) own DTC. Access to the DTC system is also available to
others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or
maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or
indirectly (the "Indirect Participants").
 
     The ownership of the fully-registered Debt Securities will be registered in
the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC. Ownership interests in the Debt
Securities may be purchased by or through DTC Participants and will be recorded
on the records of the DTC Participants, whose interests in turn will be recorded
on a computerized book-entry-only system operated by DTC. Such DTC Participants
and the person for whom they acquire interests in the Debt Securities as
nominees ("Beneficial Owner") will not receive Debt Security certificates, but
each such DTC Participant will receive a credit balance in the records of DTC in
the amount of such DTC Participant's interest in the Debt Securities, which will
be confirmed in accordance with DTC's standard procedures. Each such Beneficial
Owner for whom a DTC Participant acquires an interest in the Debt Securities, as
nominee, may desire to make arrangements with such DTC Participant to have all
communications of the Company and the Trustee to DTC which may affect such
Beneficial Owner forwarded in writing by such DTC Participant and to have
notifications made of all payments of principal and interest with respect to his
beneficial interest. The Company and the Trustee will treat DTC (or its nominee)
as the sole and exclusive owner of the Debt Securities registered in its name
for the purposes of payment of the principal and interest on the Debt
Securities, giving any notice permitted or required to be given to holders under
the Indenture, registering the transfer of Debt Securities, and for all other
purposes whatsoever, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
The Company and the Trustee shall not have any responsibility or obligation to
any DTC Participant, any person claiming a beneficial ownership interest in the
Debt Securities under or through DTC or any DTC Participant, or any other person
which is not shown on the registration books of the Trustee as being a holder,
with respect to: (i) the accuracy of any records maintained by DTC or any DTC
Participant; (ii) the payment by DTC or any DTC Participant of any amount in
respect of the principal or interest on the Debt Securities; (iii) any notice
which is permitted or required to be given to holders thereunder or under the
conditions to transfers or exchanges adopted by the Company; or (iv) any other
action taken by DTC as a holder. Principal and interest on the Debt Securities
will be paid by the Trustee. Disbursement of such payments to the DTC
Participants is the responsibility of DTC and disbursement of such payments to
the Beneficial Owners is the responsibility of the DTC Participants or the
Indirect Participants. NEITHER THE COMPANY NOR THE TRUSTEE WILL HAVE ANY
RESPONSIBILITY OR OBLIGATIONS TO SUCH DTC PARTICIPANTS OR THE PERSONS FOR WHOM
THEY ACT AS NOMINEES WITH RESPECT TO THE PAYMENTS TO OR THE PROVIDING OF NOTICE
FOR THE DTC PARTICIPANTS, OR THE INDIRECT PARTICIPANTS, OR THE BENEFICIAL
OWNERS.
 
     SO LONG AS CEDE & CO., AS NOMINEE OF DTC, IS THE REGISTERED OWNER OF THE
DEBT SECURITIES, REFERENCES HEREIN TO THE SECURITY HOLDERS OR REGISTERED OWNERS
OF THE DEBT SECURITIES SHALL MEAN CEDE & CO., AND SHALL NOT MEAN THE BENEFICIAL
OWNERS.
 
     For every transfer and exchange of beneficial ownership of Debt Securities,
a Beneficial Owner may be charged a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee or
other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto.
 
     When reference is made to any action which is required or permitted to be
taken by the Beneficial Owners, such reference shall only relate to action by
such Beneficial Owner, or others permitted to act (by statute, regulation or
otherwise) on behalf of such Beneficial Owners for such purposes. When
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   28
 
notices are given, they shall be sent by the Trustee to DTC only. Conveyance of
notices and other communications by DTC to DTC Participants and Indirect
Participants and in turn by DTC Participants and Indirect Participants to
Beneficial Owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any
statutory and regulatory requirements then in effect.
 
     Principal and interest payments on the Debt Securities will be made to DTC
or its nominee, Cede & Co., as registered owner of the Debt Securities. Upon
receipt of any such payments, DTC's current practice is to immediately credit
the accounts of the DTC Participants in accordance with their respective
holdings shown on the records of DTC. Payments by DTC Participants and Indirect
Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing instructions and
customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of
customers in bearer form or registered in "street name," and will be the
responsibility of such DTC Participant or Indirect Participant.
 
     DTC may determine to discontinue providing its services with respect to the
Debt Securities at any time by giving notice to the Company and discharging its
responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. In addition, the
Company may determine that continuation of the system of book-entry-only
transfers through DTC (or a successor securities depository) is not in the best
interests of the Beneficial Owners or is burdensome to the Company. If for
either reason the book-entry-only system is discontinued, certificates for the
Debt Securities will be delivered to the Beneficial Owners thereof.
 
     Certain of the information contained in this sub-section has been extracted
from a report from DTC. No representation is made by the Company as to the
completeness or the accuracy of such information or as to the absence of
material adverse changes in such information subsequent to the date hereof.
 
  Same-Day Settlement and Payment
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
settlement for the Debt Securities will be made by a purchaser in immediately
available funds. While the Debt Securities are in the book-entry-only system
described above, all payments of principal and interest will be made by the
Trustee on behalf of the Company to DTC in immediately available funds.
 
     Secondary trading in long-term debt securities is generally settled in
clearing-house or next-day funds. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, while the Debt Securities are in the book-entry-only
system described above, they will trade in DTC's Same-Day Fund Settlement System
until maturity. During such period, secondary market trading activity in the
Debt Securities will settle in immediately available funds. No assurance can be
given as to the effect, if any, of settlement in immediately available funds on
the trading activity in the Debt Securities.
 
            CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
     The following summary, which is based upon the advice of Woodard, Hall &
Primm, P.C., Houston, Texas, special tax counsel to the Company whose opinion is
set forth herein, of certain United States Federal income tax consequences of
the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Debt Securities is based upon
laws, regulations, rulings and decisions now in effect, all of which are subject
to change or possible differing interpretations. It deals only with Debt
Securities held as capital assets and does not purport to deal with persons in
special tax situations, such as financial institutions, insurance companies,
regulated investment companies, dealers in securities or currencies, persons
holding Debt Securities as a hedge against currency risks or as a position in a
"straddle" for tax purposes, or persons whose functional currency is not the
United States dollar. It also does not deal with holders other than original
purchasers (except where otherwise specifically noted). Persons considering the
purchase of the Debt Securities should consult their own tax advisors concerning
the application of United States Federal income tax laws to their particular
situations as well as any consequences of the purchase, ownership and
disposition of the Debt Securities arising under the laws of any other taxing
jurisdiction.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   29
 
     As used herein, the term "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of a Debt
Security that is for United States Federal income tax purposes (i) a citizen or
resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation, partnership or other entity
created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any
political subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate or trust the income of which is
subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source or
(iv) any other person whose income or gain in respect of a Debt Security is
effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business. As
used herein, the term "non-U.S. Holder" means a holder of a Debt Security that
is not a U.S. Holder.
 
  U.S. Holders
 
     Payments of Interest. Payments of interest on a Debt Security generally
will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary interest income at the time such
payments are accrued or are received (in accordance with the U.S. Holder's
regular method of tax accounting).
 
     Original Issue Discount. The following summary is a general discussion of
the United States Federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders of the
purchase, ownership and disposition of Debt Securities issued with original
issue discount ("Discount Debt Securities"). The following summary is based upon
final Treasury regulations (the "1994 Regulations"), which were released by the
Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") on January 27, 1994 under the original issue
discount provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), and amended by final Treasury regulations released by the IRS on June
11, 1996 (the "Final 1996 Regulations"). The 1994 Regulations, as amended by the
Final 1996 Regulations, are referred to for purposes of this summary as the "OID
Regulations." The OID Regulations generally apply to variable rate debt
instruments issued on or after April 4, 1994, and the Final 1996 Regulations
apply to contingent payment debt instruments issued on or after August 13, 1996.
 
     For United States Federal income tax purposes, original issue discount is
the excess of the stated redemption price at maturity of a Debt Security over
its issue price, if such excess equals or exceeds a de minimis amount (generally
 1/4 of 1% of the Debt Security's stated redemption price at maturity multiplied
by the number of complete years to its maturity from its issue date or, in the
case of a Debt Security providing for the payment of any amount other than
qualified stated interest, as defined below, prior to maturity, multiplied by
the weighted average maturity of such Debt Security). The issue price of an
issue of Debt Securities equals the first price at which a substantial amount of
such Debt Securities has been sold (ignoring sales to bond houses, brokers, or
similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters,
placement agents or wholesalers). The stated redemption price at maturity of a
Debt Security is the sum of all payments provided by the Debt Security other
than "qualified stated interest" payments. The term "qualified stated interest"
generally means stated interest that is unconditionally payable in cash or
property (other than debt instruments of the issuer) at least annually at a
single fixed rate. In addition, under the OID Regulations, if a Debt Security
bears interest for one or more accrual periods at a rate below the rate
applicable for the remaining term of such Debt Security (e.g., Debt Securities
with teaser rates or interest holidays), and if the greater of either the
resulting foregone interest on such Debt Security or any "true" discount on such
Debt Security (i.e., the excess of the Debt Security's stated principal amount
over its issue price) equals or exceeds a specified de minimis amount, then the
stated interest on the Debt Security would be treated as original issue discount
rather than qualified stated interest.
 
     Payments of qualified stated interest on a Debt Security are taxable to a
U.S. Holder as ordinary interest income at the time such payments are accrued or
are received (in accordance with the U.S. Holder's regular method of tax
accounting). A U.S. Holder of a Discount Debt Security must include original
issue discount in income as ordinary interest for United States Federal income
tax purposes as it accrues over the entire term of the Discount Debt Security
under a constant yield method in advance of receipt of the cash payments
attributable to such income, regardless of such U.S. Holder's regular method of
tax accounting. In general, the amount of original issue discount includible in
income by the initial U.S. Holder of a Discount Debt Security is the sum of the
daily portions of original issue discount with respect to such Discount Debt
Security for each day during the taxable year (or portion of the
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   30
 
taxable year) on which such U.S. Holder held such Discount Debt Security. The
"daily portion" of original issue discount on any Discount Debt Security is
determined by allocating to each day in any accrual period a ratable portion of
the original issue discount allocable to that accrual period. An "accrual
period" may be of any length and the accrual period may vary in length over the
term of the Discount Debt Security, provided that each accrual period is no
longer than one year and each scheduled payment of principal or interest occurs
either on the final day of an accrual period or on the first day of an accrual
period. The amount of original issue discount allocable to each accrual period
is generally equal to the difference between (i) the product of the Discount
Debt Security's adjusted issue price at the beginning of such accrual period and
its yield to maturity (determined on the basis of compounding at the close of
each accrual period and appropriately adjusted to take into account the length
of the particular accrual period) and (ii) the amount of any qualified stated
interest payments, allocable to such accrual period. The "adjusted issue price"
of a Discount Debt Security at the beginning of any accrual period is the sum of
the issue price of the Discount Debt Security plus the amount of original issue
discount allocable to all prior accrual periods minus the amount of any prior
payments on the Discount Debt Security that were not qualified stated interest
payments. Under these rules, U.S. Holders generally will have to include in
income increasingly greater amounts of original issue discount in successive
accrual periods.
 
     A U.S. Holder who purchases a Discount Debt Security for an amount that is
greater than its adjusted issue price as of the purchase date and less than or
equal to the sum of all amounts payable on the Discount Debt Security after the
purchase date, other than payments of qualified stated interest, will be
considered to have purchased the Discount Debt Security at an "acquisition
premium." Under the acquisition premium rules, the amount of original issue
discount which such U.S. Holder must include in its gross income with respect to
such Discount Debt Security for any taxable year (or portion thereof in which
the U.S. Holder holds the Discount Debt Security) will be reduced (but not below
zero) by the portion of the acquisition premium properly allocable to the
period.
 
     Under the OID Regulations, Debt Securities that provide for stated interest
at one or more variable interest rates ("Floating Rate Debt Securities") are
subject to special rules whereby a Floating Rate Debt Security will qualify as a
"variable rate debt instrument" if (a) its issue price does not exceed the total
noncontingent principal payments due under the Floating Rate Debt Security by
more than a specified de minimis amount; (b) it provides for stated interest,
paid or compounded at least annually, at current values of (i) one or more
qualified floating rates, (ii) a single fixed rate and one or more qualified
floating rates, (iii) a single objective rate, or (iv) a single fixed rate and a
single objective rate that is a qualified inverse floating rate; (c) it provides
that the qualified floating rate or single objective rate in effect at any time
equals a current value of that rate; and (d) it does not provide for any
payments of principal that are contingent.
 
     A "qualified floating rate" is any variable rate where variations in the
value of such rate can reasonably be expected to measure contemporaneous
variations in the cost of newly borrowed funds in the currency in which the
Floating Rate Debt Security is denominated. Although a multiple of a qualified
floating rate will generally not itself constitute a qualified floating rate, a
variable rate equal to the product of a qualified floating rate and a fixed
multiple that is greater than 0.65 but not more than 1.35 will constitute a
qualified floating rate. A variable rate equal to the product of a qualified
floating rate and a fixed multiple that is greater than 0.65 but not more than
1.35, increased or decreased by a fixed rate, will also constitute a qualified
floating rate. In addition, under the OID Regulations, two or more qualified
floating rates that can reasonably be expected to have approximately the same
values throughout the term of the Floating Rate Debt Security (e.g., two or more
qualified floating rates with values within 25 basis points of each other as
determined on the Floating Rate Debt Security's issue date) will be treated as a
single qualified floating rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a variable rate
that would otherwise constitute a qualified floating rate but which is subject
to one or more restrictions such as a maximum numerical limitation (i.e., a cap)
or a minimum numerical limitation (i.e., a floor) may under certain
circumstances, fail to be treated as a qualified floating rate under the OID
Regulations. An "objective rate" is a rate that is not itself a qualified
floating rate but which is determined using a single fixed formula and which is
based upon objective financial or economic information. A rate unique to the
circumstances
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   31
 
of the issuer or a related party, or based on information within the control of
the issuer or related party, would not qualify as an objective rate, but a rate
based on the credit quality of the issuer would not, solely on that basis, be
disqualified as an objective rate. The OID Regulations also provide that other
variable interest rates may be treated as objective rates if so designated by
the IRS in the future. Despite the foregoing, a variable rate of interest on a
Floating Rate Debt Security will not constitute an objective rate if it is
reasonably expected that the average value of such rate during the first half of
the Floating Rate Debt Security's term will be either significantly less than or
significantly greater than the average value of the rate during the final half
of the Floating Rate Debt Security term.
 
     A "qualified inverse floating rate" is any objective rate where such rate
is equal to a fixed rate minus a qualified floating rate, as long as variations
in the rate can reasonably be expected to inversely reflect contemporaneous
variations in the cost of newly borrowed funds. The OID Regulations also provide
that if a Floating Rate Debt Security provides for stated interest at a fixed
rate for an initial period of less than one year followed by a variable rate
that is either a qualified floating rate or an objective rate and if the
variable rate on the Floating Rate Debt Security's issue date is intended to
approximate the fixed rate (e.g., the value of the variable rate on the issue
date does not differ from the value of the fixed rate by more than 25 basis
points), then the fixed rate and the variable rate together will constitute
either a single qualified floating rate or objective rate, as the case may be.
 
     If a Floating Rate Debt Security that provides for stated interest at
either a single qualified floating rate or a single objective rate throughout
the term thereof qualifies as a "variable rate debt instrument" under the OID
Regulations, then any stated interest on such Debt Security which is
unconditionally payable in cash or property (other than debt instruments of the
issuer) at least annually will constitute qualified stated interest and will be
taxed accordingly. Thus, a Floating Rate Debt Security that provides for stated
interest at either a single qualified floating rate or a single objective rate
throughout the term thereof and that qualifies as a "variable rate debt
instrument" under the OID Regulations will generally not be treated as having
been issued with original issue discount unless the Floating Rate Debt Security
is issued at a "true" discount (i.e., at a price below the Debt Security's
stated principal amount) in excess of a specified de minimis amount. Original
issue discount on such a Floating Rate Debt Security arising from "true"
discount is allocated to an accrual period using the constant yield method
described above by assuming that the variable rate is a fixed rate equal to (i)
in the case of a qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate, the
value, as of the issue date, of the qualified floating rate or qualified inverse
floating rate, or (ii) in the case of an objective rate (other than a qualified
floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate), a fixed rate that reflects
the yield that is reasonably expected for the Floating Rate Debt Security.
Qualified stated interest allocable to an accrual period will be increased (or
decreased) if the interest actually paid during the accrual period exceeds (or
is less than) the interest assumed to be paid during the accrual period,
according to the formula set forth in the preceding sentence.
 
     In general, any other Floating Rate Debt Security that qualifies as a
"variable rate debt instrument" will be converted into an "equivalent" fixed
rate debt instrument for purposes of determining the amount and accrual of
original issue discount and qualified stated interest on the Floating Rate Debt
Security. The OID Regulations generally require that such a Floating Rate Debt
Security be converted into an "equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument by
substituting any qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate
provided for under the terms of the Floating Rate Debt Security with a fixed
rate equal to the value of the qualified floating rate or qualified inverse
floating rate, as the case may be, as of the Floating Rate Debt Security's issue
date. Any objective rate (other than a qualified inverse floating rate) provided
for under the terms of the Floating Rate Debt Security is converted into a fixed
rate that reflects the yield that is reasonably expected for the Floating Rate
Debt Security. In the case of a Floating Rate Debt Security that qualifies as a
"variable rate debt instrument" and provides for stated interest at a fixed rate
in addition to either one or more qualified floating rates or a qualified
inverse floating rate, the fixed rate is initially converted into a qualified
floating rate (or a qualified inverse floating rate, if the Floating Rate Debt
Security provides for a qualified inverse floating rate). Under such
circumstances, the qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate
that replaces the fixed rate must be such that the fair market value of the
Floating Rate Debt Security as of the Floating Rate Debt Security's issue date
is approximately the
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   32
 
same as the fair market value of an otherwise identical debt instrument that
provides for either the qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating
rate rather than the fixed rate. Subsequent to converting the fixed rate into
either a qualified floating rate or a qualified inverse floating rate, the
Floating Rate Debt Security is then converted into an "equivalent" fixed rate
debt instrument in the manner described above.
 
     Once the Floating Rate Debt Security is converted into an "equivalent"
fixed rate debt instrument pursuant to the foregoing rules, the amount of
original issue discount and qualified stated interest, if any, are determined
for the "equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument by applying the general original
issue discount rules to the "equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument and a U.S.
Holder of the Floating Rate Debt Security will account for such original issue
discount and qualified stated interest as if the U.S. Holder held the
"equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument. Each accrual period appropriate
adjustments will be made to the amount of qualified stated interest or original
issue discount assumed to have been accrued or paid with respect to the
"equivalent" fixed rate debt instrument in the event that such amounts differ
from the actual amount of interest accrued or paid on the Floating Rate Debt
Security during the accrual period.
 
     If a Floating Rate Debt Security does not qualify as a "variable rate debt
instrument" under the OID Regulations, the Floating Rate Debt Security would be
treated as a contingent payment debt obligation. The Final 1996 Regulations
generally apply to contingent payment debt obligations issued on or after August
13, 1996. The proper United States Federal income tax treatment of Floating Rate
Debt Securities that are treated as contingent payment debt obligations will be
more fully described in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Furthermore, any
other special United States Federal income tax considerations not otherwise
discussed herein, which are applicable to any particular issue of Floating Rate
Debt Securities, will be discussed in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Certain of the Debt Securities (i) may be redeemable at the option of the
Company prior to their stated maturity (a "call option") and/or (ii) may be
repayable at the option of the holder prior to their stated maturity (a "put
option"). Debt Securities containing such features may be subject to rules that
differ from the general rules discussed above. Investors intending to purchase
Debt Securities with such features should consult their own tax advisors, since
the original issue discount consequences will depend, in part, on the particular
terms and features of the purchased Debt Securities. Additionally, upon the
occurrence of a "Change in Control" as defined in the Indenture, each Holder of
Debt Securities of any series then outstanding may elect, by proper execution
and delivery of a Change in Control Purchase Notice, to require the Company to
purchase such Debt Securities prior to their stated maturity. The original issue
discount consequences of such an election and purchase will depend on the
particular terms and features of the Debt Securities, and Holders should consult
their own tax advisors prior to making such an election.
 
     U.S. Holders may generally, upon election, include in income all interest
(including stated interest, acquisition discount, original issue discount, de
minimis original issue discount, market discount, de minimis market discount,
and unstated interest, as adjusted by any amortizable bond premium or
acquisition premium) that accrues on a debt instrument by using the constant
yield method applicable to original issue discount, subject to certain
limitations and exceptions. This election is only available for debt instruments
acquired on or after April 4, 1994.
 
     Market Discount. If a U.S. Holder purchases a Debt Security, other than a
Discount Debt Security, for an amount that is less than its issue price (or, in
the case of a subsequent purchaser, its stated redemption price at maturity) or,
in the case of a Discount Debt Security, for an amount that is less than its
adjusted issue price as of the purchase date, such U.S. Holder will be treated
as having purchased such Debt Security "market discount," unless such market
discount is less than a specified de minimis amount.
 
     Under the market discount rules a U.S. Holder will be required to treat any
partial principal payment (or, in the case of a Discount Debt Security, any
payment that does not constitute qualified stated interest) on, or any gain
realized on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of, a Debt
Security
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   33
 
as ordinary income to the extent of the lesser of (i) the amount of such payment
or realized gain or (ii) the market discount which has not previously been
included in income and is treated as having accrued on such Debt Security at the
time of such payment or disposition. Market discount will be considered to
accrue ratably during the period from the date of acquisition to the maturity
date of the Debt Security, unless the U.S. Holder elects to accrue market
discount on the basis of semiannual compounding.
 
     A U.S. Holder may be required to defer the deduction of all or a portion of
the interest paid or accrued on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to
purchase or carry a Debt Security with market discount until the maturity of the
Debt Security or its earlier disposition in a taxable transaction, because a
current deduction is only allowed to the extent the interest expense exceeds an
allocable portion of market discount. A U.S. Holder may elect to include market
discount in income currently as it accrues (on either a ratable or semiannual
compounding basis), in which case the rules described above regarding the
treatment as ordinary income of gain upon the disposition of the Debt Security
and upon the receipt of certain cash payments and regarding the deferral of
interest deductions will not apply. Generally, such currently included market
discount is treated as ordinary interest for United States Federal income tax
purposes.
 
     Premium. If a U.S. Holder purchases a Debt Security for an amount that is
greater than the sum of all amounts payable on the Debt Security after the
purchase date other than payments of qualified stated interest, such U.S. Holder
will be considered to have purchased the Debt Security with "amortizable bond
premium" equal in amount to such excess. A U.S. Holder may elect to amortize
such premium using a constant yield method over the remaining term of the Debt
Security and may offset interest otherwise required to be included in respect of
the Debt Security during any taxable year by the amortized amount of such excess
for the taxable year. However, if the Debt Security may be optionally redeemed
after the U.S. Holder acquires it at a price in excess of its stated redemption
price at maturity, special rules would apply which could result in a deferral of
the amortization of some bond premium until later in the term of the Debt
Security.
 
     Disposition of a Debt Security. Except as discussed above, upon the sale,
exchange or retirement of a Debt Security, a U.S. Holder generally will
recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount
realized on the sale, exchange or retirement and such U.S. Holder's adjusted tax
basis in the Debt Security. A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in a Debt
Security generally will equal such U.S. Holder's initial investment in the Debt
Security increased by any original issue discount included in income (and
accrued market discount, if any, if the U.S. Holder has included such market
discount in income) and decreased by the amount of any payments, other than
qualified stated interest payments, received and amortizable bond premium taken
with respect to such Debt Security. Such gain or loss generally will be
long-term capital gain or loss if the Debt Security were held for more than one
year.
 
     Foreign Currency Debt Securities. Any special United States Federal income
tax considerations applicable to Debt Securities that provide for the payment of
principal, premium (if any) or interest in a currency other than U.S. dollars
will be discussed in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
  Non-U.S. Holders
 
     A non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to United States Federal income taxes
on payments of principal, premium (if any) or interest (including original issue
discount, if any) on a Debt Security, unless such non-U.S. Holder is a direct or
indirect 10% or greater shareholder of the Company, a controlled foreign
corporation related to the Company or a bank receiving interest described in
section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code. To qualify for the exemption from taxation,
the last United States payor in the chain of payment prior to payment to a
non-U.S. Holder (the "Withholding Agent") must have received in the year in
which a payment of interest or principal occurs, or in either of the two
preceding calendar years, a statement that (i) is signed by the beneficial owner
of the Debt Security under penalties of perjury, (ii) certifies that such owner
is not a U.S. Holder and (iii) provides the name and address of the beneficial
owner. The statement may be made on an IRS Form W-8 or a substantially
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   34
 
similar form, and the beneficial owner must inform the Withholding Agent of any
change in the information on the statement within 30 days of such change. If a
Debt Security is held through a securities clearing organization or certain
other financial institutions, the organization or institution may provide a
signed statement to the Withholding Agent. However, in such case, the signed
statement must be accompanied by a copy of the IRS Form W-8 or the substitute
form provided by the beneficial owner to the organization or institution. The
Treasury Department is considering implementation of further certification
requirements aimed at determining whether the issuer of a debt obligation is
related to holders thereof.
 
     Generally, a non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to Federal income taxes on
any amount which constitutes capital gain upon retirement or disposition of a
Debt Security, provided the gain is not effectively connected with the conduct
of a trade or business in the United States by the non-U.S. Holder. Certain
other exceptions may be applicable, and a non-U.S. Holder should consult its tax
advisor in this regard.
 
     The Debt Securities will not be includible in the estate of a non-U.S.
Holder unless the individual is a direct or indirect 10% or greater shareholder
of the Company or, at the time of such individual's death, payments in respect
of the Debt Securities would have been effectively connected with the conduct by
such individual of a trade or business in the United States.
 
  Backup Withholding
 
     Backup withholding of United States Federal income tax at a rate of 31% may
apply to payments made in respect of the Debt Securities to registered owners
who are not "exempt recipients" and who fail to provide certain identifying
information (such as the registered owner's taxpayer identification number) in
the required manner. Generally, individuals are not exempt recipients, whereas
corporations and certain other entities generally are exempt recipients.
Payments made in respect of the Debt Securities to a U.S. Holder must be
reported to the IRS, unless the U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient or
establishes an exemption. Compliance with the identification procedures
described in the preceding section would establish an exemption from backup
withholding for those non-U.S. Holders who are not exempt recipients.
 
     In addition, upon the sale of a Debt Security to (or through) a broker, the
broker must withhold 31% of the entire purchase price, unless either (i) the
broker determines that the seller is a corporation or other exempt recipient or
(ii) the seller provides, in the required manner, certain identifying
information and, in the case of a non-U.S. Holder, certifies that such seller is
a non-U.S. Holder (and certain other conditions are met). Such a sale must also
be reported by the broker to the IRS, unless either (i) the broker determines
that the seller is an exempt recipient or (ii) the seller certifies its non-U.S.
status (and certain other conditions are met). Certification of the registered
owner's non-U.S. status would be made normally on an IRS Form W-8 under
penalties of perjury, although in certain cases it may be possible to submit
other documentary evidence.
 
     Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a
beneficial owner would be allowed as a refund or a credit against such
beneficial owner's United States Federal income tax provided the required
information is furnished to the IRS.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Company may sell the Debt Securities (i) through underwriters or
dealers, (ii) directly to a limited number of institutional purchasers or to a
single purchaser, (iii) through agents, or (iv) through any combination of the
above. An accompanying Prospectus Supplement will set forth the terms of the
offering of the Debt Securities offered thereby, including the name or names of
any underwriters, the purchase price of the Debt Securities and the net proceeds
to the Company from such sale, any underwriting discounts and other items
constituting underwriters' compensation, any initial public offering price and
any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   35
 
     If underwriters are used in the sale of Debt Securities, such Debt
Securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be
resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated
transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined
at the time of sale. Unless otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement,
the several obligations of the underwriters to purchase any Debt Securities
offered thereby will be subject to certain conditions precedent and the
underwriters will be obligated to take and pay for all of such Debt Securities,
if any are taken.
 
     The Debt Securities may be sold directly by the Company or through
underwriters or agents designated by the Company from time to time. Any agent
involved in the offer or sale of the Debt Securities will be named, and any
commissions payable by the Company to such agents will be set forth, in an
accompanying Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in such
Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a reasonable efforts
basis for the period of its appointment.
 
     If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company will authorize
underwriters or other persons acting as the Company's agents to solicit offers
by certain institutions to purchase Debt Securities from the Company pursuant to
contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with
which such contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance
companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable
institutions and others, but in all cases such institutions must be approved by
the Company. The obligations of any purchaser under such contract will be
subject to the condition that the purchase of the offered Debt Securities shall
not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to
which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such other agents will not
have any responsibility in respect to the validity of performance of such
contracts.
 
     Certain of the underwriters or agents and their associates may be customers
of, engage in transactions with and perform services for the Company in the
ordinary course of business.
 
     Agents and underwriters may be entitled under agreements entered into with
the Company to indemnification by the Company against certain civil liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
     The place and time of delivery for the Debt Securities in respect of which
this Prospectus is delivered are set forth in the accompanying Prospectus
Supplement.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     Certain legal matters regarding the Debt Securities offered hereby under
laws other than federal or state securities laws have been passed upon for the
Company by its Vice President and General Counsel, Z. S. Kobiashvili. As of the
date of this Prospectus, Mr. Kobiashvili owns 960 shares of Apache Common Stock
through the Company's retirement/401(k) savings plan and holds employee stock
options to purchase 24,900 shares of Apache Common Stock, of which options to
purchase 7,000 shares are currently exercisable. Certain legal matters will also
be passed upon for the Company by Woodard, Hall & Primm, P.C., Houston, Texas,
and for any of the underwriters or agents by counsel to be named by such
underwriters or agents.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and the
audited consolidated financial statements of The Phoenix Resource Companies,
Inc., each incorporated by reference into this Prospectus, have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants ("Arthur Andersen"), as
indicated in their reports with respect thereto. In Arthur Andersen's report on
the consolidated financial statements of the Company, that firm states that with
respect to DEKALB, as of and for the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994, its
opinion is based on the report of other independent public accountants, namely
Coopers & Lybrand, Chartered Accountants. The financial
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   36
 
statements referred to above have been incorporated by reference herein in
reliance upon the authority of those firms as experts in accounting and auditing
in giving said reports.
 
     The audited consolidated financial statements of DEKALB incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus have been audited by Coopers & Lybrand, Chartered
Accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and have been
incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the authority of that firm as
experts in accounting and auditing in giving said report.
 
     The information incorporated by reference herein regarding the total proved
reserves of the Company was prepared by the Company and reviewed by Ryder Scott
Company Petroleum Engineers ("Ryder Scott"), as stated in their letter reports
with respect thereto, and is so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the
authority of said firm as experts in such matters. The information incorporated
by reference herein regarding the total estimated proved reserves acquired from
Texaco Exploration and Production Inc. was prepared by the Company and reviewed
by Ryder Scott, as stated in their letter reports with respect thereto, and is
so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the authority of said firm as
experts in such matters. The information incorporated by reference herein
regarding the total proved reserves of DEKALB was prepared by DEKALB and for the
four years ended December 31, 1994 was reviewed by Ryder Scott, as stated in
their letter reports with respect thereto, and is so incorporated by reference
in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in such matters.
 
     A portion of the information incorporated by reference herein regarding the
total proved reserves of Aquila Energy Resources Corporation ("Aquila") acquired
by the Company was prepared by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
("Netherland, Sewell") as of December 31, 1994, as stated in their letter report
with respect thereto, and is so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the
authority of said firm as experts in such matters. Netherland, Sewell did not
review any of the reserves of Aquila acquired during 1995.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   37
 
================================================================================
 
     NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE
PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT
BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE
PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO
BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS
UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS
NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,
CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE
COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR
THEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE OF SUCH INFORMATION.
                            ------------------------
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         PAGE
<S>                                      <C>
           PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Information Incorporated by
  Reference............................  S-2
Risk Factors...........................  S-2
The Company............................  S-5
Use of Proceeds........................  S-5
Recent Developments....................  S-5
Description of Debentures..............  S-7
Underwriting...........................  S-9
Legal Matters..........................  S-9
                 PROSPECTUS
Available Information..................    2
Information Incorporated by
  Reference............................    2
The Company............................    4
Use of Proceeds........................    4
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.....    4
Description of Debt Securities.........    5
DTC Book-Entry-Only System.............   17
Certain United States Federal Income
  Tax Considerations...................   19
Plan of Distribution...................   25
Legal Matters..........................   26
Experts................................   26
</TABLE>
    
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===============================================================================
 
 
   
                                  $150,000,000
    
 
                           [APACHE CORPORATION LOGO]
 
   
                               7.625% DEBENTURES
    
                                    DUE 2096
 
                            ------------------------
 
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 
                            ------------------------
   
                              GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
    
                           CITICORP SECURITIES, INC.
 
                               J.P. MORGAN & CO.
 
                              SALOMON BROTHERS INC

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