ARMCO INC
8-K, 1996-01-31
STEEL WORKS, BLAST FURNACES & ROLLING MILLS (COKE OVENS)
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                        SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


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


                                    FORM 8-K



                                  CURRENT REPORT



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



    Date of Report (date of earliest event reported):      January 16, 1996
                                                           ----------------



                                     Armco Inc.
                 -------------------------------------------------
                 (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)



             Ohio                    1-873-2             31-0200500
- --------------------------------    -----------         -------------
(State or other jurisdiction        (Commission         (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)   File Number)        Identification No.)



One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania   15219-1415
- -------------------------------------------------------------  -----------
         (Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip Code)



     Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  412/255-9800
                                                          ------------



- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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<PAGE>

ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.

On January 16, 1996, Armco Inc. ("Armco") sold its partnership interest in 
National-Oilwell, a joint venture engaged in the oil and gas service business 
that was equally owned by subsidiaries of Armco and USX Corporation ("USX"), 
to an entity (the "Acquirer") formed by Duff & Phelps/Inverness and First 
Reserve Funds along with certain members of National-Oilwell management.  The 
sale was effected pursuant to a Purchase Agreement by and among Armco, USX, 
their respective subsidiary partners in National-Oilwell and NOW Holdings, 
Inc.  USX also simultaneously sold its partnership interests in National-
Oilwell to the Acquirer.  At the closing, Armco received $77 million in cash 
and a $10 million subordinated promissory note of the Acquirer due and payable 
in equal payments on the eighth and ninth anniversary dates of the closing.  
Armco also received a $3 million contingent payment obligation of USX payable 
on payment of the subordinated promissory note.  The terms of the transaction 
were the result of arms'-length negotiation among the parties. 


ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

b.    Pro Forma Financial Information

Armco's investment in National-Oilwell, which has been carried as a 
discontinued operation since September 30, 1995, was $85.5 million.  Upon the 
closing, Armco recognized the receipt of $77 million in cash, recorded $10.6 
million in Other investments on the Consolidated Statement of Financial 
Position for the discounted value of the notes and recognized deferred foreign 
translation losses and miscellaneous expenses totaling $2.1 million.  No gain 
or loss was recorded on the transaction.  The transaction will have no 
material effect on Income (loss) from continuing operations.

c.    Exhibits

2.    Purchase Agreement, as amended, among Oilwell, Inc., National Supply 
Company, Inc., USX Corporation, Armco Inc. and NOW Holdings, Inc.

                                      2

<PAGE>
                                  SIGNATURES




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


                                     ARMCO INC.



Date:  January 31, 1996             By: /s/ Gary R. Hildreth
                                       -----------------------------------
                                          Gary R. Hildreth
                                          Vice President

                                   3

<PAGE>


                                                                  Exhibit 2

                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT


                                  BY AND AMONG


                                  OILWELL, INC.
                  (a wholly owned subsidiary of USX Corporation)


                         NATIONAL SUPPLY COMPANY, INC.
                  (a wholly owned subsidiary of Armco Inc.)


                               USX CORPORATION


                                  ARMCO INC.

                                      AND

                               NOW HOLDINGS, INC.



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

                       Dated as of September 22, 1995

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

<PAGE>
                           TABLE OF CONTENTS



                              ARTICLE I
         PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE INTERESTS AND THE SHARES

     1.1   Purchase and Sale of the Interests and the Shares.................1
     1.2   Consideration.....................................................1
     1.3   Closing...........................................................2
     1.4   Deliveries by Seller..............................................2
     1.5   Deliveries by Buyer...............................................2

                                   ARTICLE II
                                 RELATED MATTERS

     2.1   Ancillary Agreement..............................................3

                                 ARTICLE III
               REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIESOF PARENTS AND SELLERS

     3.1   Organization of Sellers; Authority...............................3
     3.2   Title to the Interests and the Shares............................3
     3.3   Organization and Qualification of the Company....................4
     3.4   Partnership Interests and Shares.................................4
     3.5   Equity Interests.................................................4
     3.6   No Violation; Consents and Approvals.............................5
     3.7   Financial Statements.............................................6
     3.8   Absence of Certain Changes or Events.............................6
     3.9    Title to Assets.................................................7
     3.10   Patents, Trademarks, Trade Names, etc...........................8
     3.11   Litigation......................................................9
     3.13   Taxes..........................................................12
     3.14   Certain Contracts and Arrangements.............................13
     3.15   Compliance with Laws, Licenses etc.............................14
     3.16   Insurance......................................................15
     3.17   Brokers........................................................15
     3.18   Customer Accounts Receivable; Inventories......................15
     3.19   Labor Matters..................................................15
     3.20   Environmental...............................                   15
     3.21   No Illegal or Improper Transactions............................17
     3.22   Product Liability..............................................17
     3.23   Miscellaneous Other Information................................18
                                        -i-

                                ARTICLE IV
                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

     4.1   Organization; Authority.........................................18
     4.2   No Violation: Consents and Approvals............................18
     4.3   Litigation......................................................19
     4.4   Acquisition of the Interests and Shares for Investment; 
           Securities Act..................................................19
     4.5   Financing.......................................................19
     4.6   Brokers.........................................................20

                                 ARTICLE V
                        COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES

     5.1   Conduct of the Company's Business................................20
     5.2   Access to Information; Confidentiality...........................21
     5.3   Efforts..........................................................21
     5.4   Consents.........................................................22
     5.5   Government Notification..........................................22
     5.6   Public Announcements.............................................22
     5.7   Supplemental Disclosure..........................................22
     5.8   Access to Books and Records Following the Closing................22
     5.9   No Other Bids....................................................23
     5.10  No Competition...................................................23
     5.11  Agreement Concerning Employees...................................24
     5.12  Potential Acquisition............................................24
     5.13  No Recording.....................................................25
     5.14  Financing........................................................25
     5.15  Environmental Study..............................................25
     5.16  Facility Questionnaire...........................................25

                                    ARTICLE VI
                                ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

     6.1   Tax Matters......................................................25

                                    ARTICLE VII
                     CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONSOF SELLERS AND PARENTS

     7.1   Conditions.......................................................29

                                     ARTICLE VIII
                          CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF BUYER

     8.1   Conditions.......................................................30
                                         -ii-
<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE IX
                          TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

     9.1     Termination...................................................32
     9.2     Procedure and Effect of Termination...........................32
     9.3     Amendment, Modification and Waiver............................33

                                  ARTICLE X
           FEES AND EXPENSES; SURVIVAL OFREPRESENTATIONS; INDEMNIFICATION 

     10.1    Fees and Expenses.............................................33
     10.2    Survival of Representations...................................33
     10.3    National Supply Agreement to Indemnify........................33
     10.5    Sellers' and Parents' Limitation of Liability.................36
     10.6    Buyer's Agreement to Indemnify................................37
     10.7    Conditions of Indemnification.................................38
     10.8    Parent Guarantee..............................................39
     10.9    Matters Disclosed in Disclosure Schedule......................39

ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS

     11.1    Further Assurances............................................40
     11.2    Notices.......................................................40
     11.3    Entire Agreement..............................................41
     11.4    Severability..................................................41
     11.5    Binding Effect: Assignment....................................41
     11.6    Third-Party Beneficiaries.....................................42
     11.7    Counterparts..................................................42
     11.8    Interpretation................................................42
     11.9    Governing Law.................................................42
     11.10   Certain Waivers...............................................42

Exhibits:
A    Ancillary Agreement Matters
B    Form of Assignment of Interests
C    Allocation of Purchase Price
D    Form of Buyer's Officer's Certificate
E    Matters to be Covered by Opinion of Buyer's Legal Counsel
F    Form of Compliance Certificate of Sellers and Parents
G    Matters to be Covered by Opinions to be Furnished to Buyer
H    Real Properties Owned or Leased Originally Contributed Upon Formation of
     National-Oilwell and Currently Held by the Partnership
I    Properties for which Title Representation Survives Closing
J    Names of Management Equity Investors
K    Form of Management Investor Certificate  
L    Form of Subordinated Promissory Note

No Exhibits listed are filed herewith.  The Registrant hereby undertakes 
to furnish supplementally to the Commission upon its request therefor 
any Exhibits not so filed.

                                             -iii-

                                 PURCHASE AGREEMENT


     This PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of 
September 22, 1995, by and among OILWELL, INC., a Delaware corporation 
("Oilwell") and a wholly owned subsidiary of USX CORPORATION, a Delaware 
corporation ("USX"), USX, NATIONAL SUPPLY COMPANY, INC., a Delaware 
corporation ("National Supply") and a wholly owned subsidiary of ARMCO INC., a 
Ohio corporation ("Armco"), Armco (Oilwell and National Supply are 
individually and collectively referred to herein as "Seller" and "Sellers" and 
USX and Armco are individually and collectively referred to herein as "Parent" 
and "Parents"), and NOW HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Buyer").

                                W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, Buyer desires to purchase from Sellers, and Parents and Sellers 
desire to sell to Buyer, all of the partnership interests (the "Interests"), 
in National-Oilwell, a Delaware general partnership (the "Company"), and all 
of the issued and outstanding capital stock (the "Shares") of National-Oilwell 
Pte. Ltd, a Singapore corporation ("NOW Singapore") and National-Oilwell Pty. 
Ltd., an Australia corporation ("NOW Australia"), which shares are 
beneficially owned by the Company but legally held by Seller, upon the terms 
and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth.
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the 
representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and conditions contained 
herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as 
follows:

                                   ARTICLE I
             PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE INTERESTS AND THE SHARES

     1.1     Purchase and Sale of the Interests and the Shares.  Upon the 
terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, at the closing provided 
for in Section 1.3 hereof (the "Closing"), Sellers shall sell, assign, 
transfer and deliver to Buyer and Buyer shall purchase, acquire and accept 
from Seller all of the Interests and the Shares.

     1.2     Consideration.  At the Closing, upon the terms and subject to the 
conditions of this Agreement, in consideration of the aforesaid sale, 
assignment, transfer and delivery of the Interests and the Shares, Buyer shall 
pay and/or deliver to Sellers aggregate consideration (the "Purchase Price") 
consisting of $160,000,000 in cash, $83,000,000 of which shall be paid to 
Oilwell and $77,000,000 of 

<PAGE>
which shall be paid to National Supply, and $20,000,000 in aggregate original 
principal amount of subordinated notes issued by Buyer in the form attached 
hereto as Exhibit L, to be split equally into two separate notes in the 
original principal amount of $10,000,000 per note, one of which will be issued 
to each Seller (such notes being herein collectively referred to as the "Buyer 
Notes" and singularly as a "Buyer Note").  The Purchase Price shall be 
allocated in accordance with Section 6.1(i) and Exhibit C. 
                                                -------
     1.3     Closing. Subject to the termination provision of Article IX, the 
Closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall take place at 
the offices of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., 1001 Fannin, Houston, Texas, or at such 
other location as Buyer shall determine and notify Sellers,  at 10 a.m. local 
time on the date that is five business days after the date of the fulfillment 
of all of the conditions to Closing set forth in Article VII and Article VIII 
hereof, or such other date and time as shall be agreed upon in writing by the 
parties hereto.  The date on which the Closing actually occurs is referred to 
herein as the "Closing Date."

     1.4     Deliveries by Seller.  At the Closing, Seller shall deliver or 
cause to be delivered to Buyer (unless delivered previously) the following:

     (a)     an assignment of the Interests, duly executed by each of the 
Sellers and in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto, and any other 
                                         -------
documents that are necessary to transfer title to the Interests to Buyer;

     (b)     stock certificates representing the Shares, duly endorsed or 
accompanied by stock powers duly executed in blank or duly executed 
instruments of transfer, and any other documents that are necessary to 
transfer title to the Shares to Buyer;

     (c)     the compliance certificate referred to in Subsection 8.1(c) 
hereof;

     (d)    the opinions of counsel to Sellers referred to in 
Subsection 8.1(d) hereof; and

     (e)     all other documents, certificates, instruments or writings 
required to be delivered by Sellers at or prior to the Closing pursuant to 
this Agreement or otherwise reasonably requested by Buyer  in connection 
herewith.

1.5	DELIVERIES BY BUYER.  At the Closing, Buyer shall deliver or cause to be 
delivered to Sellers (unless delivered previously) the following:

     (a)     the cash portion of the Purchase Price payable to the Sellers as 
provided in Section 1.2, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in 
United States dollars, to respective bank accounts designated by each Seller 
not less than two days prior to the Closing;

     (b)     the Buyer Notes;

     (c)    the officer's certificate referred to in Subsection 7.1(c) hereof;

     (d)     the opinion of counsel to Buyer referred to in Subsection 7.1(d) 
hereof;
                                        -2-

<PAGE>

     (e)     Releases of Sellers from any obligations under that certain 
Credit Agreement dated February 28, 1995, among the Company, Citibank USA, 
Inc. and BA Business Credit, Inc. (the "Existing Credit Agreement"); and

     (f)     all other documents, certificates, instruments or writings 
required to be delivered by Buyer at or prior to the Closing pursuant to this 
Agreement or otherwise reasonably requested by Sellers in connection herewith.

                                  ARTICLE II
                               RELATED MATTERS

     2.1     Ancillary Agreement.  At the Closing, Sellers and Buyer shall 
enter into an agreement concerning the matters set forth in Exhibit A as the 
                                                            -------
Sellers and Buyer shall mutually agree.

                                  ARTICLE III
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                           OF PARENTS AND SELLERS

     Parents and Sellers, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to 
Buyer as set forth in this Article III; provided, however, that with respect 
to any representations and warranties contained in this Article III that refer 
to matters relating to an individual Parent or Seller (i.e., by use of the 
singular term "Parent" or "Seller"), each individual Parent or Seller, as the 
case may be, shall be deemed to have made the portion of such representation 
and warranty that covers matters relating to it on a several (and not joint 
and several) basis and shall have no liability with respect to the portion of 
such representation and warranty that covers matters relating to any other 
Parent or Seller, as the case may be.

     3.1     Organization of Sellers; Authority.  USX and each Seller is a 
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the 
laws of the State of Delaware.  Armco is a corporation duly organized, validly 
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Ohio.  Each 
Parent and Seller has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter 
into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  
The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation 
of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all 
necessary corporate action on the part of each Parent and Seller.  This 
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Parent and Seller and 
constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each Parent and Seller, 
enforceable against each Parent and Seller in accordance with its terms.

     3.2     Title to the Interests and the Shares.  Except as set forth in 
Section 3.2 of the disclosure schedule being delivered by Sellers to Buyer 
concurrently herewith (the "Disclosure Schedule"), each 
                            --------------------

                                          -3-

<PAGE>
Seller represents that (i) it has good and valid title to the portion of the 
Interests and the Shares reflected as being owned by such Seller in 
Section 3.2 of the Disclosure Schedule free and clear of all liens, 
                   -------------------
encumbrances, options, claims, security interests, charges, voting trusts or 
partners' agreements, equities, conditional sale or title retention 
agreements, restrictions or other burdens and (ii) at Closing, valid title to 
such portion of the Interests and the Shares, free and clear of all such 
liens, encumbrances, options, claims, security interests, voting trusts or 
partners' agreements, equities, conditional sale or title retention 
agreements, restrictions or other burdens (including those set forth in 
Section 3.2 of the Disclosure Schedule), shall pass to Buyer.
                   -------------------

     3.3     Organization and Qualification of the Company.  The Company is a 
general partnership duly formed and validly existing under the laws of the 
State of Delaware and has all requisite power and authority to own, lease and 
operate its properties and to conduct its business as it is now being 
conducted.  The Company is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in 
good standing in each jurisdiction in which the property owned, leased or 
operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such 
qualification necessary.

     The Company has heretofore delivered to Buyer complete and correct copies 
of the partnership agreement of the Company, as currently in effect.

     3.4     Partnership Interests and Shares.  Sellers are the holders of all 
of the partnership interests  in the Company and all of the issued and 
outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests of NOW Singapore 
and NOW Australia.  Other than the partnership interests owned by the Sellers, 
there are no other interests in the Company granting the holder thereof the 
right to receive distributions of cash or property, or allocations of income, 
gain, loss or deduction.  Such Interests and Shares have not been issued in 
violation of, and except for statutory preemption rights are not subject to, 
any preemptive or subscription rights.  Except for the matters that are the 
subject of the waivers referenced in Section 11.10 hereof, there are no 
outstanding warrants, options, agreements, convertible or exchangeable 
securities or other commitments pursuant to which the Company or a Parent or 
Seller is or may become obligated to issue, sell, purchase, return or redeem 
any partnership interests in the Company or any shares of capital stock of NOW 
Singapore or NOW Australia.

     3.5     Equity Interests.  (a) Except as set forth in Section 3.5 of the 
Disclosure Schedule and except for immaterial investments in less than five
- -------------------
percent (5%) of the outstanding stock or other equity interests of other 
entities, the Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock 
or other equity interests of any corporation, partnership, joint venture or 
other entity.  None of such capital stock and equity interests has been issued 
in violation of, and except for statutory preemption rights is not subject to, 
any preemptive or subscription rights.  There are no outstanding warrants, 
options, 

                                       -4-
<PAGE>
agreements, convertible or exchangeable securities or other commitments to 
which any of such entities is or may become obligated to issue, sell, 
purchase, return or redeem any of such capital stock or equity interests.  
Except as set forth in Section 3.5 of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company is
                                          -------------------
the owner of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock or other equity 
interests of each of the Subsidiaries.

     (b)     Each of the Subsidiaries (as such term is defined below) is duly 
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the 
jurisdiction of its organization or incorporation, has all requisite power and 
authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business 
as it is now being conducted, and is duly qualified or licensed to do business 
and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the property owned, 
leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes 
such qualification necessary.  The Company has heretofore delivered to Buyer 
complete and correct copies of the constituent organizational documents, as 
currently in effect, for each of the entities described in Section 3.5 of the 
Disclosure Schedule (excluding those entities listed in Section 3.5 of the
- -------------------
Disclosure Schedule that have an asterisk (*) adjacent to their names), and
- -------------------
such entities, together with NOW Australia and NOW Singapore, but excluding 
such entities marked with an asterisk (*) in Section 3.5 of the Disclosure 
                                                                -----------

Schedule, are referred to herein individually and collectively as "Subsidiary" 
- --------
or "Subsidiaries."

     3.6     No Violation; Consents and Approvals.  Except as set forth in 
Section 3.6 of the Disclosure Schedule, to the knowledge of the Sellers, the
                   -------------------
Parents, the Company or any Subsidiary, the execution and delivery of this 
Agreement does not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated 
hereby and compliance with the terms hereof will not, conflict with, result in 
any violation of or default of, or require any consent or approval of, or 
notice to, any private nongovernmental party under, (a) any provision of the 
charter or bylaws, or other constituent organizational documents, of any 
Seller or the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, (b) any judgment, order or 
decree, or statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to any 
Parent, Seller, the Company, or any Subsidiary or the property or assets of 
any Parent, Seller, the Company, or any Subsidiary or (c) any Material 
Contracts (as such term is defined in Section 3.14).  No consent, approval, 
order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any 
court, administrative agency or commission or other governmental entity, 
authority or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, is required to be obtained 
or made by or with respect to any Parent, Seller, the Company, or any 
Subsidiary or their affiliates in connection with the execution and delivery 
of this Agreement or the consummation by either Seller of the transactions 
contemplated hereby, other than (i) compliance with and filings under the 
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR 
Act"), if applicable, (ii) compliance with and filings under Section 13(a) of 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), 
(iii) com-
                                        -5-

<PAGE>
pliance with and filings under federal or state environmental, tax, employment 
or workers compensation statutes, if applicable, (iv) those which may be 
required solely by reason of the participation of Buyer or any party other 
than Parents, Sellers, the Company or the Subsidiaries in the transactions 
contemplated hereby, and (v) foreign ownership, competition or title 
registration statutes of Australia, Canada, Singapore, United Kingdom, 
Venezuela, Malaysia, Brazil and Thailand, if applicable.

     3.7     Financial Statements.  Section 3.7 of the Disclosure Schedule 
                                                       -------------------
sets forth the unaudited balance sheet of the Company as of June 30, 1995 (the 
"Balance Sheet"),  and the unaudited consolidated operating statements of the 
Company and the Subsidiaries for the six-month period ended June 30, 1995, and 
the audited consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of 
operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of, and for the three fiscal 
years ended, December 31, 1994, December 31, 1993 and December 31, 1992 
reported on by Ernst & Young LLP (together, the "Financial Statements").  The 
Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted 
accounting principles ("GAAP") consistently applied and fairly present the 
financial condition and the results of operations of the Company and the 
Subsidiaries as at the dates and for the periods indicated.  During the period 
covered by the Financial Statements, there have been no changes in the 
accounting methods, principles or practices followed by the Company or the 
Subsidiaries or the depreciation or amortization policies or rates of the 
Company or the Subsidiaries, except as disclosed in the notes to the Financial 
Statements.

     3.8     Absence of Certain Changes or Events.  Except as set forth in 
Section 3.8 of the Disclosure Schedule and as otherwise contemplated by this
                   -------------------
Agreement, during the period from July 1, 1995 to the date hereof, there has 
not been:

     (a)     to the knowledge of Sellers, Parents, the Company or any 
Subsidiary, any adverse changes or, any threatened adverse changes in the 
consolidated financial condition of the Company and the Subsidiaries, or in 
the properties, assets, liabilities, business or prospects of the Company and 
the Subsidiaries, which exceed, or which reasonably could be expected to 
exceed, in the aggregate $1,000,000, except normal and usual changes in the 
ordinary course of business of the Company and the Subsidiaries consistent 
with past practices;

     (b)     any amendment or waiver of the terms of the Partnership Agreement 
of the Company;

     (c)     any approval by the Management Committee of the Company of any of 
the actions specified by Section 4.4 of the Partnership Agreement of the 
Company;

     (d)     any action by either or both Partners as opposed to actions by 
the Company through its officers, employees and agents on behalf of the 
Company;
                                         -6-

<PAGE>

     (e)     any amendment of the constituent organizational documents of NOW 
Australia or NOW Singapore;

     (f)     any (i) incurrence or commitment to any capital expenditures, 
obligations or liabilities in connection therewith other than capital 
expenditures, obligations or liabilities that were included in the annual 
capital budget approved by the Management Committee of the Company or if not 
so included that do not exceed in the aggregate $200,000; or (ii) acquisitions 
by merger, consolidation or purchase of assets of any person;

     (g)     to the knowledge of Sellers, Parents, the Company or any 
Subsidiary, any physical damage as a result of fire, flood, explosion or other 
casualty, destruction or loss (whether or not covered by insurance) which 
adversely affects properties or assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries 
having an aggregate book value or market value in excess of $500,000; or
(h)	any declaration or payment of any dividends or other distributions with 
respect to the partnership interests in the Company or the Shares.

     3.9     Title to Assets.  (a)  Except with respect to the Real Property 
Interests (title to which is covered by subparagraph (b) immediately below), 
the Company and the Subsidiaries have good and valid title to all assets 
reflected on the Balance Sheet or thereafter acquired (except those since sold 
or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and accounts, 
bills and notes receivable subsequently collected), and all of their other 
assets, tangible and intangible, in each case free and clear of all mortgages, 
liens, security interests or encumbrances, other than (i) mechanics', 
carriers', workmen's, repairmen's or other like liens arising or incurred in 
the ordinary course of business, (ii) liens for taxes, assessments and other 
governmental charges which are not due and payable or which may hereafter be 
paid without penalty or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate 
proceedings and (iii) other imperfections of title or encumbrances, if any, 
that do not materially impair the use of the assets to which they relate in 
the businesses of the Company and the Subsidiaries as presently conducted (the 
mortgages, liens, security interests and encumbrances described in clauses 
(i), (ii) and (iii) above are hereinafter referred to collectively as 
"Permitted Liens"). 

     (b)     Section 3.9(b) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete
                                   -------------------
list of all real property owned in fee by the Company or a Subsidiary and all 
real property leasehold interests owned by the Company or a Subsidiary 
(collectively, the "Real Property Interests").  Except as set forth in 
Section 3.9(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company and the Subsidiaries
                      -------------------
have (i) good and indefeasible title to and the unrestricted right to sell, 
the Real Property Interests, in each case free and clear of all mortgages, 
liens, security interests, charges, easements, covenants, rights-of-way and 
other 

                                         -7-
<PAGE>

encumbrances or restrictions of any nature whatsoever ("Encumbrances"), except 
(A) Permitted Liens, (B) all conditions that a physical inspection or survey 
would show, (C) all Encumbrances of record, (D) all Encumbrances for public 
utilities to provide service to facilities located on such property or to 
provide service to adjacent property, whether or not of record, (E) all 
farming or grazing agreements, whether or not of record, (F) all zoning or 
other governmentally-imposed Encumbrances and (G) unrecorded easements, 
covenants, rights of way or other restrictions, none of which unrecorded items 
materially impair the use of the property to which they relate in the 
businesses of the Company and the Subsidiaries as presently conducted.

     (c)     Except as set forth in Section 3.9(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, 
                                                          ------------------
to the knowledge of the Sellers, the Parents, the Company and the 
Subsidiaries,  the material buildings, facilities, machinery, equipment and 
tools currently used in the ordinary course of business of the Company and the 
Subsidiaries have been maintained in accordance with the Company's and the 
Subsidiaries' customary maintenance practices and are in a state of repair 
(normal wear and tear excepted) which the Company believes to be adequate for 
the normal use of such facilities in the ordinary course of their businesses.  
The Company and the Subsidiaries have all of the machinery, equipment and 
tools which are necessary for the conduct of their businesses as they are now 
being conducted.

     (d)     The property and assets owned and leased by the Company and the 
Subsidiaries constitute all of the tangible and intangible property and assets 
used in the business operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries as 
conducted as of the date of this Agreement.  The Company and the Subsidiaries 
do not own or lease any property or asset (i) which is not used or held for 
use in their businesses and/or is used by any other person or (ii) which is 
used in their businesses but use of which is made available to other persons 
for matters unrelated to the businesses of the Company and the Subsidiaries.

     3.10     Patents, Trademarks, Trade Names, etc.  (a)  Section 3.10(a) of 
the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete list of all patents, registered
    -------------------
trademarks, trade names, service marks, assumed names, copyrights and all 
applications therefor and all invention disclosures, title and goodwill of 
"National-Oilwell" (collectively, the "Intellectual Property") owned, filed or 
licensed by the Company and the Subsidiaries and used in or held for use in 
the conduct of the businesses of the Company and the Subsidiaries and, with 
respect to patents and registered trademarks, all jurisdictions in which such 
trademarks are registered.  To the knowledge of the Sellers, the Parents, the 
Company or any Subsidiary, the Company and the Subsidiaries are not infringing 
and have not infringed on any patent, trademark, service mark, trade name or 
copyright and have not misappropriated or improperly disclosed any trade 
secret or confidential information.
                                         -8-
<PAGE>

     (b)     Except as set forth in Section 3.10(b) of the Disclosure
                                                           ----------
Schedule, the Company and the Subsidiaries have the full right to use the
- --------
Intellectual Property, and all trade secrets and confidential information used 
by the Company and the Subsidiaries, in the conduct of their businesses, as 
currently conducted, and no claims have been asserted of which the Company or 
the Subsidiaries have been given notice by any person with respect to the use 
by the Company or the Subsidiaries of the Intellectual Property or any trade 
secrets or confidential information used by the Company or any Subsidiary.

     3.11     Litigation.  Except as set forth in Section 3.11 of the 
Disclosure Schedule, there is no claim, action, suit, investigation or
- -------------------
proceeding pending or to the knowledge of the Company, the Subsidiaries, 
Sellers or Parents threatened against or affecting the Company or the 
Subsidiaries before any court, administrative body, tribunal, administrative 
board or panel, federal, state, foreign or local.  Neither the Company nor any 
Subsidiary is aware of any default with respect to any judgment, order, writ, 
injunction, decree, award, rule or regulation of any court, arbitrator or 
governmental agency or instrumentality applicable to them, or any event that 
has occurred which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute such 
a default.

     3.12     Employee Benefit Matters.  (a)  Section 3.12(a) of the 
Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete list of each of the following which
- -------------------
is sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the Company, the Subsidiaries, 
or any Seller for the benefit of the employees of the Company and the 
Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date:

          (i)     each "employee benefit plan," as such term is defined in 
Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974, as amended 
("ERISA"), including, but not limited to, employee benefit plans, such as 
foreign plans, which are not subject to the provisions of ERISA ("Plan"); and

          (ii)     each personnel policy, stock option plan, collective 
bargaining agreement, bonus plan or arrangement, incentive award plan or 
arrangement, vacation policy, severance pay plan, policy or agreement, 
deferred compensation agreement or arrangement, executive compensation or 
supplemental income arrangement, executive perquisite arrangement, consulting 
agreement, employment agreement and each other employee benefit plan, 
agreement, arrangement, program, practice or understanding which is not 
described in Section 3.12(a)(i) ("Benefit Program or Agreement").

     (b)     True, correct and complete copies of each of the Plans, and 
related trusts, if applicable, including all amendments thereto, have been 
furnished to Buyer.  There has also been furnished to Buyer, with respect to 
each Plan required to file such report and description, the most recent report 
on 
                                        -9-
<PAGE>
Form 5500 and the summary plan description.  True, correct and complete copies 
or descriptions of all Benefit Programs and Agreements have also been 
furnished to Buyer.

     (c)     Except as otherwise set forth in Section 3.12(c) of the 
Disclosure Schedule, 
- -------------------

          (i)     neither the Company nor the Subsidiaries contribute to or 
have an obligation to contribute to, and have not at any time within six years 
prior to the Closing Date contributed to or had an obligation to contribute 
to, a multi-employer plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA;

          (ii)     the Company, the Subsidiaries and each Seller have 
substantially performed all obligations, whether arising by operation of law 
or by contract, required to be performed by them in connection with the Plans 
and the Benefit Programs and Agreements, and, to the knowledge of the Company, 
the Subsidiaries, each Seller and each Parent, there have been no defaults or 
violations by any other party to the Plans or Benefit Programs and Agreements;

          (iii)     all reports and disclosures relating to the Plans required 
to be filed with or furnished to governmental agencies, Plan participants or 
Plan beneficiaries have been filed or furnished in accordance with applicable 
law in a timely  manner, and each Plan and each Benefit Program or Agreement 
has been administered in substantial compliance with all laws applicable 
thereto and its governing documents;

          (iv)     each of the Plans intended to be qualified under 
Section 401 of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the 
IRS regarding such qualified status and has not, since receipt of the most 
recent favorable determination letter, been amended or, to the knowledge of 
the Company, each Seller and each Parent, operated in a way which would 
adversely affect such qualified status;

          (v)     there are no actions, suits or claims pending (other than 
routine claims for benefits) or, to the knowledge of the Company, the 
Subsidiaries, each Seller and each Parent, threatened against, or with respect 
to, any of the Plans or Benefit Programs and Agreements or their assets;

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

          (vii)     as to any Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, there has 
been no event or condition which presents the risk of Plan termination, no 
accumulated funding deficiency, whether or not waived, within the meaning of 
Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code has been incurred, no 
reportable event within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA (for which the 
disclosure requirements or the penalties under applicable regulatory authority 
promulgated by 

                                           -10-
<PAGE>

the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") have not been waived) has 
occurred, no notice of intent to terminate the Plan has been given under 
Section 4041 of ERISA, no proceeding has been instituted under Section 4042 of 
ERISA to terminate the Plan, there has been no termination or partial 
termination of the Plan within the meaning of Section 411(d)(3) of the Code, 
no liability to the PBGC has been incurred, and the assets of the Plan equal 
or exceed the actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities, within the 
meaning of Section 4041 of ERISA, under the Plan, based upon reasonable 
actuarial assumptions and the asset valuation principles established by the 
PBGC;

          (viii)     none of the Plans, nor any trust created thereunder or 
with respect thereto, has engaged in any "prohibited transaction" or "party-
in-interest transaction" as such terms are defined in section 4975 of the Code 
and Section 406 of ERISA which would subject the Company or any Subsidiary to 
a tax or penalty on prohibited transactions or party-in-interest transactions 
pursuant to section 4975 of the Code or Section 502(i) of ERISA and no act, 
omission or transaction has occurred which would result in imposition on the 
Company or any Subsidiary of breach of fiduciary duty liability damages under 
Section 409 of ERISA or a civil penalty assessed pursuant to Section 502(c) or 
(l) of ERISA;

          (ix)     to the knowledge of the Company, the Subsidiaries, each 
Seller and each Parent, there is no matter pending (other than routine 
qualification determination filings) with respect to any of the Plans before 
the IRS, the Department of Labor or the PBGC;

          (x)     each trust funding a Plan, which trust is intended to be 
exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to section 501(c)(9) of the Code, 
has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS regarding such 
exempt status and has not, since receipt of the most recent favorable 
determination letter, been amended or, to the knowledge of the Company, the 
Subsidiaries,  each Seller and each Parent, operated in a way which would 
adversely affect such exempt status;

          (xi)     with respect to any employee benefit plan, within the 
meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, which is not set forth in Section 3.12(a) of 
the Disclosure Schedule but which is sponsored, maintained or contributed to,
    -------------------
or has been sponsored, maintained or contributed to within six years prior to 
the Closing Date, by the Company or by any corporation, trade business or 
entity under common control with the Company, within the meaning of 
section 415(b), (c) or (m) of the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA, (A) no 
withdrawal liability, within the meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA, has been 
incurred, which withdrawal liability has not been satisfied, (B) no liability 
to the PBGC has been incurred which liability has not been satisfied, (C) no 

                                         -11-
<PAGE>

accumulated funding deficiency, whether or not waived, within the meaning of 
Section 302 of ERISA or section 412 of the Code has been incurred, and (D) all 
contributions (including installments) to such plan required by Section 302 of 
ERISA and section 412 of the Code have been timely made;

          (xii)     the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the 
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (A) require the 
Company or any Subsidiary to make a larger contribution to, or pay greater 
benefits under, any Plan, Benefit Program or Agreement than it otherwise would 
or (B) create or give rise to any additional vested rights or service credits 
under any Plan, Benefit Program or Agreement, except as otherwise specifically 
provided herein;

          (xiii)     each nongovernmental Plan outside of the United States 
("Foreign Plan") has no unfunded liabilities, and each Foreign Plan covers 
only employees or former employees of the Subsidiaries; and

     (d)     Section 3.12(d) of the Disclosure Schedule. sets forth a complete
                                    -------------------
list of employee benefit plans, arrangements or programs sponsored, maintained 
or contributed to by any Parent for the benefit of the employees of the 
Company or the Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date.

     (e)     In connection with the consummation of the transactions 
contemplated by this Agreement, no payments have been or will be made under 
the Plans, Benefit Programs and Agreements which, in the aggregate, would 
result in imposition of the sanctions imposed under sections 280G and 4999 of 
the Code.

     (f)     Except as otherwise set forth in Section 3.12(f) of the 
Disclosure Schedule, each Plan which is an "employee welfare benefit plan," as
- -------------------
such term is defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA, reserves the right to be 
unilaterally amended or terminated in its entirety respecting  benefits 
accrued thereunder on or after such amendment or termination.

     3.13     Taxes.  (a)  The Company is a partnership for federal income tax 
purposes within the meaning of section 7701(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and applicable Treasury Regulations and is 
not an association taxable as a corporation within the meaning of 
section 7701(a)(3) of the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations.

     (b)     All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit or any 
other item of the Company or any Subsidiary ("Tax Items") required by law to 
be included in any return and report of or with respect to any Tax ("Tax 
Return") of the Sellers or Parents that is required to be filed on or before 
the Closing Date have been or will be included in such Tax Returns and all 
Taxes payable thereunder have been or will be paid by the Sellers or Parents.

                                        -12-
<PAGE>

     (c)     Except as set forth in Section 3.13(c) of the Disclosure
                                                           ----------
Schedule, all Tax sharing agreements or similar arrangements with respect to
- --------
or involving the Company or any Subsidiary have been or will be terminated 
prior to the Closing Date, and after the Closing Date the Company and the 
Subsidiaries shall not have any obligation under any such agreement for any 
past, current or future period;

     (d)     Except as set forth in Section 3.13(d) of the Disclosure
                                                           ----------
Schedule, there is no claim against the Company or any Subsidiary for any
- --------
Taxes, and no assessment, deficiency or adjustment has been asserted or 
proposed with respect to any Tax Return of the Company or any Subsidiary. None 
of the property of the Company or any Subsidiary is subject to any lien for 
any Tax.

     (e)     Except as set forth in Section 3.13(e) of the Disclosure
                                                           ----------
Schedule, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is obligated to take any 
- --------
action or refrain from taking any action in connection with any agreement with 
any Taxing Authority involving an abatement of any Tax.

     (f)     Except as set forth in Section 3.13(f) of the Disclosure 
                                                           ----------
Schedule, there is not in force any extension of time with respect to the due 
- --------
date for the filing of any Tax Return of the Company or any Subsidiary or any 
waiver or agreement for any extension of time for the assessment or payment of 
any Tax of, or with respect to, the Company or any Subsidiary or any Tax 
Items.

     (g)     For purposes of this Agreement, "Tax" or "Taxes" shall mean any 
tax of any kind, including, without limitation, all income, property, sales, 
use, occupation, franchise, excise, value added, employees' income withholding 
and social security taxes, and related to such taxes, charges, fees, levies, 
penalties or other assessments, imposed by the United States or by any foreign 
country or by any state, municipality, subdivision or instrumentality of the 
United States or of any foreign country, or by any other taxing authority.

     3.14     Certain Contracts and Arrangements.  Except as set forth in 
Section 3.14 of the Disclosure Schedule and except for purchase contracts and
                    -------------------
orders for inventory in the ordinary course of business, neither the Company 
nor any Subsidiary is, as of the date of this Agreement, a party to or bound 
by any of the following (collectively, the "Material Contracts"):

          (a)     employment agreement or severance agreement that is not 
terminable at will by the Company or any Subsidiary;

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

          (c)     covenant not to compete (other than pursuant to any lease, 
reciprocal easement agreement, development agreement, operating agreement or 
construction agreement);

          (d)     agreement or contract with any Seller or Parent or any of 
their respective affiliates (other than the Company NOW Singapore or NOW 
Australia) or any officer, director or employee of the Company, any 
Subsidiary, any Seller or any Parent or any of such affiliates (other than 
employment and severance agreements covered by clause (a) above);

          (e)     agreement or contract under which the Company or any 
Subsidiary has borrowed or loaned money, or any note, bond, indenture or other 
evidence of indebtedness or any guarantee of indebtedness, in each case 
relating to amounts in excess of $100,000 (other than endorsements for the 
purpose of collection in the ordinary course of business);

          (f)     agreements or contracts under which the Company and the 
Subsidiaries have, in the aggregate, sold or agreed to sell properties and 
assets having an aggregate net book value of more than $250,000; or

          (g)     other agreement, contract, lease, license, commitment or 
instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party which 
(i) involves sales of products of the Company and its Subsidiaries, or 
purchases by the Company and the Subsidiaries of products and services, in 
excess of $100,000, (ii) involves future expenditures in excess of $200,000, 
and is not terminable by the Company or the Subsidiary on 30 days' or fewer 
notice without penalty, or (iii) is otherwise material to the business, 
assets, earnings, properties, operations or condition, financial or otherwise, 
of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

     Except as set forth in Section 3.14 of the Disclosure Schedule, to the
                                                -------------------
 knowledge of Sellers, Parents, the Company or any Subsidiary, neither the 
Company nor any Subsidiary is in breach of or in default under any Material 
Contract.  To the knowledge of the Sellers, Parents, the Company or any  
Subsidiary, the other parties to each Material Contract have performed in all 
material respects all obligations required to be performed by them to date and 
are not in default under or in violation of, and no event has occurred which 
with notice, lapse of time or both, would constitute a default thereunder.

     3.15     Compliance with Laws, Licenses.  To the knowledge of Sellers, 
Parents, the Company or any Subsidiary, the businesses of the Company and the 
Subsidiaries are being operated in compliance in all material respects with 
all applicable laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations and orders 
(collectively, "laws") of all governmental entities, authorities and 
instrumentalities, except for (a) ERISA and other laws applicable to the 
Plans, which are addressed in Section 3.12 hereof; (b) laws regarding the 
payment of Taxes, which are addressed in Section 3.13 hereof; (c) laws 
regarding employment and employment practices, which are addressed in 
Section 3.19 hereof; and (d) Environmental Laws, which are addressed in 
Section 3.20 hereof.  To the knowledge of Sellers, Parents, the Company or any 
Subsidiary, the Company and the Subsidiaries have all material permits, 
certificates, licenses, approvals and other authorizations ("Permits") 
required in connection with the 

                                          -14-
<PAGE>

current operation of their businesses under applicable laws (other than those 
referred to in clauses (a)-(d) above).

     3.16     Insurance.  The Company and the Subsidiaries maintain policies 
of fire and casualty, liability and other forms of insurance in such amounts, 
with such deductibles and against such risks and losses as are listed in 
Section 3.16 of the Disclosure Schedule.
                    -------------------

     3.17     Brokers.  Neither the Company, nor any Subsidiary, Seller or 
Parent, has retained any broker, finder or financial advisor or other person 
who is or will be entitled to any brokerage fees, commissions, finders' fees 
or financial advisory fees in connection with the transactions contemplated 
hereby for which Buyer, the Company or any Subsidiary is or will be liable.

     3.18     Customer Accounts Receivable; Inventories.  Section 3.18 of the 
Disclosure Schedule sets forth certain information with respect to the
- -------------------
 accounts receivable and inventories of the Company and the Subsidiaries.

     3.19     Labor Matters.  Section 3.19 of the Disclosure Schedule sets
                                                  -------------------
forth by number and employment classification the approximate number of 
employees employed by the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the date of this 
Agreement, and, except as set forth therein, none of said employees are 
subject to union or collective bargaining agreements with the Company or any 
Subsidiary.  Except as set forth in Section 3.19 of the Disclosure Schedule,
                                                        -------------------
(a) to the knowledge of Sellers, Parents, the Company or any Subsidiary, the 
Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable laws 
respecting employment and employment practices, (b) there is no unfair labor 
practice charge or complaint against the Company or any Subsidiary pending or, 
to the knowledge of the Company, the Subsidiaries, Sellers or Parents, 
threatened, before the National Labor Relations Board or other governmental 
agency nor is there any grievance nor any arbitration proceeding arising out 
of or under collective bargaining agreements pending or, to the knowledge of 
the Company, the Subsidiaries, Sellers or Parents,  threatened, with respect 
to the businesses of the Company and the Subsidiaries, (c) there is no labor 
strike, slowdown or work stoppage pending or threatened against the Company or 
any Subsidiary and (d) there is no charge or complaint pending or threatened 
against the Company or any Subsidiary before the Equal Employment Opportunity 
Commission or any state, local or foreign agency responsible for the 
prevention of unlawful employment practices.  Neither the Company nor any 
Subsidiary has received notice of the intent of any foreign, federal, state or 
local agency responsible for the enforcement of labor or employment laws to 
conduct an investigation of or relating to the Company or any Subsidiary, and 
no such investigation is in progress.  No union is known to the Company to be 
organizing or attempting to organize any employees of the Company or any 
Subsidiary.

     3.20     Environmental.  Except as set forth in Section 3.20 of the 
Disclosure Schedule:
- -------------------
                                        -15-
<PAGE>

     (a)     Schedule 3.20 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of all
                                  -------------------
assessments, studies, reports or appraisals ("Environmental Reports") 
possessed by the Company, any Subsidiary, Seller or Parent relating to the 
environmental condition of any real property currently or formerly owned or 
leased by the Company or any Subsidiary (the "Company Property") or relating 
to the compliance by the Company or any Subsidiary with any Environmental 
Laws.

     (b)     To the knowledge of Sellers, Parents, the Company or any 
Subsidiary, the Company Property and the operations conducted thereon do not 
violate in any material respect any Environmental Laws and there are no 
conditions existing on or resulting from the operation of any Company Property 
that could give rise to any on-site or off-site remedial obligations under any 
Environmental Laws.

     (c)     The Company Property and the operations conducted thereon by the 
Company and the Subsidiaries or the operations by any prior owner or operator 
of the Company Property, are not subject to any existing, pending or, to the 
knowledge of any Seller or Parent,  threatened action, suit, investigation, 
inquiry or proceeding by or before any Governmental Authority.

     (d)     All notices, permits, licenses or similar authorizations, if any, 
required to be obtained or filed in connection with the current operation or 
use of the Company Property, including without limitation treatment, storage, 
disposal or release of a hazardous substance or solid waste into the 
environment, if any, have been duly obtained or filed, and the Company and the 
Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such 
notices, permits, licenses and similar authorizations.

     (e)     To the knowledge of Sellers, Parents, the Company or any 
Subsidiary, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is subject to any 
contingent liability in connection with any exposure of any person or property 
to or any release or threatened release of any hazardous substance or solid 
waste into the environment on or at the Company Property or from the 
operations conducted thereon.

     (f)     For purposes of this Agreement, "Environmental Laws" shall mean 
any and all laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, orders, or 
determinations of any Governmental Authority pertaining to health or the 
environment in effect on the date of this Agreement in any and all 
jurisdictions in which the Company Property is located, including without 
limitation, the Clean Air Act, as amended, the Comprehensive Environmental, 
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1989 ("CERCLA"), as amended, the 
Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, the Resource Conservation and 
Recovery Act of 1976 ("RCRA"), as amended, the 

                                        -16-
<PAGE>

Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, the Toxic Substances Control Act, as 
amended, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, as amended, 
the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, as amended, and other 
environmental conservation or protection laws.  The terms "hazardous 
substance" and "release" (or "threatened release") have the meanings specified 
in CERCLA, and the terms "solid waste" and "disposal" (or "disposed") have the 
meanings specified in RCRA; provided, however, that (i) to the extent the laws 
of the state in which the Company Property is located are applicable and 
establish a meaning for "hazardous substance," "release," "solid waste" or 
"disposal" which is broader than that specified in either CERCLA or RCRA, such 
broader meaning shall apply in such state, and (ii) the terms "hazardous 
substance" and "solid waste" shall include all oil and gas exploration and 
production wastes that may present an endangerment to public health or welfare 
or the environment, even if such wastes are specifically exempt from 
classification as hazardous substances or solid wastes pursuant to CERCLA or 
RCRA or the state analogues to those statutes.  As used herein, "Environmental 
Laws" shall not include the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as 
amended (together with any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, 
"OSHA"), it being the intent of the parties that OSHA shall constitute a "law" 
within the meaning of the definition of such term set forth in Section 3.15.

     (g)     For purposes of this Section 3.20, "Governmental Authority" shall 
mean any foreign countries, the United States, the state, county, city and 
political subdivisions in which the Company Property is located or which 
exercises jurisdiction over any such Company Property and any court, agency, 
department, commission, board, bureau or instrumentality or any of them which 
exercises jurisdiction over any such Company Property.

     3.21     No Illegal or Improper Transactions.  Neither the Company nor 
any Subsidiary has, nor has any director, officer or employee of the Company 
or any Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, used funds or other assets of the 
Company or any Subsidiary, or made any promise or undertaking in such regards, 
for (a) illegal contributions, gifts, entertainment or other expenses relating 
to political activity; (b) illegal payments to or for the benefit of 
governmental officials or employees, whether domestic or foreign, (c) illegal 
payments to or for the benefit of any person, firm, corporation or other 
entity, or any director, officer, employee, agency or representative thereof; 
or (d) the establishment or maintenance of a secret or unrecorded fund; and 
there have been no knowingly false or fictitious entries made in the books or 
records of the Company or any Subsidiary.

     3.22     Product Liability.  Section 3.22 of the Disclosure Schedule sets
                                                      -------------------
forth a description of the policy of the Company and its Subsidiaries with 
respect to the giving of warranties to third parties 

                                          -17-

<PAGE>
with respect to any products rented or sold by them, excluding any warranties 
imposed by the provisions of applicable law.

     3.23     Miscellaneous Other Information.  Section 3.23 of the Disclosure
                                                                    ----------
Schedule sets forth the following information:
- --------

     (a)     the name and current annual compensation of each officer, 
employee and agent of the Company or any Subsidiary to whom the Company or any 
Subsidiary has agreed to pay annual compensation for the current year of at 
least $100,000 and showing separately for each such person the amounts paid or 
payable as salary, bonus payments and any indirect compensation, and any 
employment agreement with respect to each such person, and the name and 
compensation of each person to whom the Company or any Subsidiary paid 
consulting fees as reflected in the Company's Financial Statements;

     (b)     the name of each bank in which the Company or any Subsidiary has 
an account or safe deposit box, the number of any such accounts, the name in 
which the account or box is held and the names of all persons authorized to 
draw thereon or to have access thereof; and 

     (c)     the names of all persons, if any, holding tax or other powers of 
attorney from the Company, any Subsidiary, Seller, or Parent that relate to 
the Company or any Subsidiary.

                                     ARTICLE IV
                      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

     Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Sellers and Parents as follows:

     4.1     Organization; Authority.  Buyer is a Corporation duly organized, 
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, 
and has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this 
Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  The 
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of 
the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all 
necessary corporate action on the part of Buyer.  This Agreement has been duly 
executed and delivered by Buyer and constitutes a valid and binding obligation 
of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms.

     4.2     No Violation: Consents and Approvals.  The execution and delivery 
of this Agreement does not, and the consummation of the transactions 
contemplated hereby and compliance with the terms hereof will not, conflict 
with, result in any violation of or default of, or require any consent or 
approval of, or notice to, any private nongovernmental party under, (a) any 
provision of the charter or by-laws of Buyer, (b) any judgment, order or 
decree, or material statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to 
Buyer or the property or assets of Buyer or (c) any note, bond, mortgage, 
indenture, 

                                          -18-
<PAGE>

license, permit, agreement, lease or other instrument or obligation to which 
Buyer is a party or by which Buyer may be bound or affected or to which any of 
its assets may be subject.  No consent, approval, order or authorization of, 
or registration, declaration or filing with, any court, administrative agency 
or commission or other governmental entity, authority or instrumentality, 
domestic or foreign, is required to be obtained or made by or with respect to 
Buyer or its affiliates in connection with the execution and delivery of this 
Agreement or the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated 
hereby, other than (i) compliance with and filings under the HSR Act, if 
applicable, (ii) compliance with and filings under state environmental 
statutes, if applicable, and (iii)  foreign ownership, competition or title 
registration statutes of Australia, Canada, Singapore, United Kingdom, 
Venezuela, Malaysia, Brazil and Thailand, if applicable. consents or approvals 
the failure of which to obtain would not materially impair Buyer's ability to 
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

     4.3     Litigation.  There is no claim, action, suit or proceeding 
pending of which Buyer has received notice by or before any governmental or 
regulatory authority, or by or on behalf of any third party, which challenges 
the validity of this Agreement or which, if adversely determined, would 
adversely affect the ability of Buyer to consummate the transactions 
contemplated by this Agreement.

     4.4     Acquisition of the Interests and Shares for Investment; 
Securities Act.  Buyer is acquiring the Interests and the Shares for 
investment purposes only and not with a view toward, or for sale in connection 
with, any distribution thereof, nor with any present intention of distributing 
or selling the Interests or the Shares.  Buyer agrees that it will not sell, 
transfer, offer for sale, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of the 
Interests or the Shares in violation of any federal, state or other securities 
law.

     4.5     Financing.  Section 4.5 of the Disclosure Schedule lists the
                                            -------------------
names and dollar amounts of each corporation, partnership, individual or other 
entity that has agreed, committed or given a written expression of interest to 
loan money to Buyer to consummate the transaction contemplated herein and to 
operate Buyer after the Closing (the "Financing Commitments").  True, complete 
and correct copies of the Financing Commitments have been delivered to Seller.  
Bain Capital, Inc., Duff & Phelps/ Inverness LLC and Harvard Private Capital 
Group, Inc. (the "Investors"), together with their affiliates, have generally 
agreed orally to provide $51.5 million (to be allocated between subordinated 
debt and equity), and the officers and employees listed in Exhibit J (the 
                                                           -------
"Management Investors") have orally agreed to be equity investors, in each 
case subject to completion of due diligence and evaluation of what has been 
learned in due diligence conducted to date or as may be disclosed herein, 
including, without limitation, insofar as it relates to the pricing and 
structure of the proposed transactions, and satisfactory documentation.  All 
investments of Bain Capital Inc., Duff & Phelps/Inverness LLC and the 
Management Investors in Buyer as of the Closing will be in the form of equity 
investments.
                                        -19-
<PAGE>

     4.6     Brokers.  Neither Buyer nor any of its affiliates has retained a 
broker, finder or financial advisor or other person who is or will be entitled 
to any brokerage fees, commissions, finders' fees or financial advisory fees 
in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby for which any Seller 
or Parent is or will be liable.

                                       ARTICLE V
                               COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES

     5.1     Conduct of the Company's Business.  Except as contemplated by 
this Agreement, during the period from the date of this Agreement to the 
Closing Date, Sellers shall cause the Company and the Subsidiaries to conduct 
their businesses and operations in the ordinary course. Without limiting the 
generality of the foregoing, and, except as contemplated by this Agreement, 
during the period from the date of this Agreement to the Closing Date, without 
the prior written consent of Buyer (which consent shall not be unreasonably 
withheld or delayed), Sellers and Parents will not permit the Company or any 
Subsidiary to:

     (a)     create, incur, assume or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed 
money (including, without limitation, obligations in respect of capital 
leases), other than borrowings under the Existing Credit Agreement;

     (b)     declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution in 
respect of the Interests or the Shares, or redeem, purchase or otherwise 
acquire for value any of the Company's partnership interests or the Shares;

     (c)     issue, sell or deliver any Interests or Shares, any other equity 
interest in the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, or any securities 
convertible into or exchangeable for Interests or Shares, or grant or enter 
into any options, warrants, rights, agreements or commitments with respect to 
the issuance of Interests or Shares, or amend any terms of any such securities 
or agreements;

     (d)     incur or commit to any capital expenditures, obligations or 
liabilities in connection therewith, other than those that were included in 
the annual capital budget approved by the Management Committee of the Company 
and that do not exceed $200,000 in the aggregate;

     (e)     enter into any lease or other agreement that provides for an 
annual payment by the Company in excess of $250,000;

     (f)     amend, agree to amend or waive the terms of the Partnership 
Agreement of the Company;
                                          -20-
<PAGE>

     (g)     amend or agree to amend the constituent organizational documents 
of NOW Australia or NOW Singapore;

     (h)     grant Management Committee approval of any of the actions 
specified by Section 4.4 of the Partnership Agreement of the Company;

     (i)     take any action by either or both Partners as opposed to any 
actions by the Company through its officers, employees and agents on behalf of 
the Company;

     (j)     merge or agree to merge or consolidate the Company, NOW Australia 
or NOW Singapore with any corporation, partnership or other entity;

     (k)     enter into any new contract or agreement between the Company and 
the Subsidiaries with any Seller, Parent or affiliate of either Parent; or

     (l)     agree, whether in writing or otherwise, to do any of the 
foregoing.

     5.2     Access to Information; Confidentiality.  (a)  During the period 
from the date of this Agreement through the Closing Date, Sellers shall cause 
the Company and the Subsidiaries to give Buyer and its authorized 
representatives (which shall include representatives of those entities 
providing financing for the transaction) reasonable access during regular 
business hours to all plants, offices, warehouses, facilities, books and 
records of the Company and the Subsidiaries as they may reasonably request; 
provided, however, (i) that Buyer and its representatives shall take such
- --------  -------
action as is deemed necessary in the reasonable judgment of Sellers to 
schedule their access and visits through a designated officer of the Company 
or Sellers and in such a way as to avoid disrupting the normal business of the 
Company and the Subsidiaries, (ii) the Company and the Subsidiaries shall not 
be required to take any action which would constitute a waiver of the 
attorney-client privilege, (iii) the Company and the Subsidiaries need not 
supply Buyer with any information which, in the reasonable judgment of 
Sellers, the Company and the Subsidiaries are under legal obligation not to 
supply and (iv) Buyer shall not be permitted to perform environmental sampling 
or testing except pursuant to the prior written consent of Sellers.

     (b)     Buyer shall hold and shall cause its affiliates, consultants and 
advisors to hold any information that they receive in connection with the 
transactions contemplated by this Agreement in strict confidence in accordance 
with and subject to the terms of the Non-Disclosure Agreement dated as of 
February 15, 1995 by Duff & Phelps/Inverness L.L.C., in favor of the Company, 
Sellers and Parents (the "Confidentiality Agreement").

     5.3     Efforts.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, 
each of the parties hereto shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take, 
or cause to be taken, all action, and to do, or cause to 

                                          -21-
<PAGE>
be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and 
regulations to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement at 
the earliest practicable date.

     5.4     Consents.  Without limiting the generality of Section 5.3 hereof, 
each of the parties hereto shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain 
all licenses, permits, authorizations, consents and approvals of all third 
parties and governmental authorities necessary in connection with the 
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement prior to the 
Closing.  Sellers shall not, however, have any obligation to pay any fee to 
any third party for the purpose of obtaining any consent or approval or any 
costs and expenses of any third party resulting from the process of obtaining 
such consent or approval.  Each of the parties hereto shall make or cause to 
be made all filings and submissions under laws and regulations applicable to 
it as may be required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by 
this Agreement.  Buyer and Sellers shall coordinate and cooperate with each 
other in exchanging such information and assistance as any of the parties 
hereto may reasonably request in connection with the foregoing.

     5.5     Government Notification.  Buyer and Sellers shall use 
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all authorizations or waivers 
required under the HSR Act, and under any foreign ownership, competition or 
title registration statutes of Australia, Canada, Singapore, United Kingdom, 
Venezuela, Malaysia, Brazil and Thailand, to consummate the transactions 
contemplated hereby, including without limitation, making all filings required 
in connection therewith.

     5.6     Public Announcements.  Sellers and Buyer shall not, and Sellers 
shall cause the Company and the Subsidiaries and Parents not to, issue any 
written report, statement or press release to the public or otherwise make any 
public statement with respect to this Agreement and the transactions 
contemplated hereby without prior consultation with and approval of the other 
party, except as may be required by law or may be necessary in order to 
discharge its disclosure obligations, in which case such party nevertheless 
shall advise the other party and discuss the contents of the disclosure before 
issuing any such report, statement or press release.

     5.7     Supplemental Disclosure.   Sellers shall from time to time prior 
to the Closing supplement or amend the Disclosure Schedule with respect to
                                       -------------------
(a) any matter that existed as of the date of this Agreement and should have 
been set forth or described in the Disclosure Schedule but was not and (b) any
                                   -------------------
matter hereafter arising which, if existing as of the date of this Agreement, 
would have been required to be set forth or described in the Disclosure 
                                                             ----------
Schedule.
- -------

     5.8     Access to Books and Records Following the Closing Following the 
Closing.  Buyer shall, and shall cause the Company and the Subsidiaries to, 
permit Sellers and their authorized representatives, during normal business 
hours and upon reasonable notice, to have reasonable access to, 

                                       -22-
<PAGE>

and examine and make copies of, all books and records of the Company and the 
Subsidiaries which relate to transactions or events occurring prior to the 
Closing or transactions or events occurring subsequent to the Closing which 
are related to or arise out of transactions or events occurring prior to the 
Closing.  Buyer agrees that it shall retain all such books and records for a 
period of seven years, or for a longer period if required by law, following 
the Closing.

     5.9     No Other Bids.  Until the first to occur of the Closing or the 
termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section IX hereof, the Sellers, the 
Parents and the Company shall not, and Sellers, Parents and the Company shall 
not authorize or permit any affiliate, officer, director or employee of, or 
any investment banker, attorney, accountant or other representative retained 
by, Sellers and Parents or the Company to, (a) entertain, encourage, solicit 
or initiate any inquiries or the making of any proposal that may reasonably be 
expected to lead to any proposal to purchase any of the Interests, and of the 
Shares or the Company or (b) participate in any discussions or negotiations, 
or provide third parties with any information relating to any such inquiry or 
proposal.  The Company, Sellers and Parents shall reasonably promptly advise 
Buyer of any such inquiries or proposals received by them.

     5.10     No Competition.  In consideration of the purchase of the 
Interests, and all of the other promises and covenants contained herein, each 
of Sellers and Parents agree that for a period commencing upon the Closing and 
ending upon the fifth anniversary thereof they shall not directly or 
indirectly, alone or with others, engage in any business conducted by the 
Company and the Subsidiaries at the Closing, except for (i) those businesses 
(other than the Company and the Subsidiaries) owned by Sellers at Closing in 
any geographic area in which the Company and the Subsidiaries do business at 
Closing in competition with Buyer, the Company or the Subsidiaries, (ii) any 
activities by either Parent or its affiliates in the manufacture, distribution 
and sale of carbon steel, stainless steel, specialty steel or other products 
manufactured by either Parent or its affiliates, including, but not limited 
to, the manufacture, sale and distribution of oil country tubular goods, 
standard and line pipe or drill pipe, and (iii) any joint venture, partnership 
or other contract, agreement or arrangement by Marathon Oil Company, Delhi Gas 
Pipeline Corporation or other affiliate of USX for the purchase or use (but 
not for resale) of any product or service manufactured, distributed, sole or 
provided by Buyer, the Company or any Subsidiary.  Further, Sellers and 
Parents shall not, unless required by subpoena or other process by any 
Government Authority, during such period and in such geographic locations, 
divulge, communicate, use to the detriment of Buyer, the Company or the 
Subsidiaries or for the benefit of any person or organization, any 
confidential information or trade secrets of the Company's and the 
Subsidiaries' businesses.  Nothing herein shall commit Buyer, the Company or 
the Subsidiaries, on the one hand, or any Parent, Seller or affiliate thereof, 
on the other hand, to engage in any transaction or enter into any 
                                        -23-
<PAGE>

agreement or contract other than as contained in or contemplated by any 
contract or agreement existing between them as of the Closing Date.  The 
parties believe this is a reasonable and necessary restriction for purposes of 
protecting the goodwill and other business interest purchased by Buyer, which 
includes Buyer's expectation of expanding its business throughout the world 
without competition from Sellers and Parents for such period; and provided 
further, that the parties agree that the world is a reasonable competitive 
restriction.  Sellers or Parents agree that a breach or violation of this 
covenant not to compete by such Seller or Parent shall entitle Buyer, as a 
matter of right, to an injunction, without necessity of posting bond, issued 
by any court of competent jurisdiction, restraining any further or continued 
breach or violation of this covenant.  Such right to an injunction shall be 
cumulative and in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other remedies to which 
Buyer may show itself justly entitled.  In the event that a Court should 
determine that any restriction herein is unenforceable, the parties, agree 
that this Agreement shall nevertheless be enforceable for the maximum term and 
maximum geographical area allowable by law.  Without limiting the foregoing, 
this covenant shall be enforceable by the remedy of specific performance, 
injunction, and/or damages.  The parties specifically agree that the remedy of 
damages alone is inadequate.

     5.11     Agreement Concerning Employees.  Sellers and Parents agree that 
they shall not directly, or indirectly through a future subsidiary, affiliate 
or otherwise, hire, retain, employ or otherwise provide compensation for or to 
(a) through the first anniversary of the Closing Date, any employee of the 
Company or any Subsidiary who was employed by the Company or any Subsidiary on 
the date hereof or the Closing Date or (b) through the third anniversary of 
the Closing Date, any officer of the Company or any Subsidiary who was 
employed by the Company or such subsidiary or the date hereof or the Closing 
Date, in either such case without the prior written consent of Buyer and 
excluding benefits due any such person under any pension or employee benefit 
plan of either Parent.  Buyer agrees that any remedy at law for any actual or 
threatened breach of the provisions of this Section 5.11 would be inadequate 
and that Buyer shall be entitled to specific performance thereof of injunctive 
relief, or both, by temporary or permanent injunction or such other 
appropriate judicial remedy, writ or order as may be entered by a court of 
competent jurisdiction.  Any such remedy shall be in addition to any damages 
that Buyer may be legally entitled to recover as a result of any breach by 
Sellers or Parents of any provisions of this Section 5.11.

     5.12     Potential Acquisition.  Buyer shall be permitted to pursue, at 
Buyer's cost, the acquisition of Continental Emsco Company utilizing the 
management of the Company (without reimbursing the Company for services of 
such management personnel).  Buyer shall be permitted to disclose to The LTV 
Corporation, Continental Emsco Company, SCF Partners of Houston, their 

                                       -24-
<PAGE>
representatives and such other parties as Sellers may reasonably approve, that 
Buyer and Sellers have entered into this Agreement for the acquisition of the 
Company.

     5.13     No Recording.  Prior to the Closing, Buyer shall not record this 
Agreement or any memorandum hereof in any real property, intellectual property 
or other title registration records.

     5.14     Financing.  Buyer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to 
consummate the Financing Commitments.  Buyer shall deliver to Sellers copies 
of all agreements and commitment letters entered into by Buyer pursuant to the 
Financing Commitments and shall keep Sellers informed of material developments 
concerning the Financing Commitments.  Buyer shall use commercially reasonable 
efforts to arrange for Sellers to speak with the other parties to the 
Financing Commitments.  Parents and Sellers shall use commercially reasonable 
efforts to cooperate with Buyer in obtaining the Financing Commitments and 
consummating the financings contemplated thereunder.

     5.15     Environmental Study.  The Company, at its own cost and expense, 
shall commission an environmental study of the Company and the Subsidiaries by 
IT Corporation (the "Environmental Consultant") as set forth in an  
Environmental Consultant's proposal to be reasonably agreed upon by Sellers 
and Buyer..  Parents and Sellers shall cooperate and shall cause the Company 
and the Subsidiaries to cooperate with Buyer and the Environmental Consultant 
in preparation of the environmental study.  The Company and the Environmental 
Consultant shall provide Sellers and Buyer with copies of all preliminary and 
draft reports, an opportunity to comment on preliminary and draft reports 
before they become final, and an opportunity to observe the Environmental 
Consultant's work.  The Environmental Consultant's final written report shall 
be deemed to constitute a supplement to Section 3.20 of the Disclosure
                                                            ----------
Schedule made by Sellers and Parents pursuant to Section 5.7 and shall be 
- --------
treated as confidential in accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement.

     5.16     Facility Questionnaire.  Following the execution of this 
Agreement, Sellers may cause the Company and the Subsidiaries to obtain 
facility questionnaires as to violations of Environmental Law at any material 
facilities of the Company or any Subsidiary, provided that the form of such 
questionnaires shall be mutually agreed upon by Sellers and Buyer. 


                                        ARTICLE VI
                                 ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
     6.1     Tax Matters.     (a)  Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns.
          (i)     With respect to each Tax Return of the Company or any 
Subsidiary including a taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date 
that is required to be filed after the Closing Date, the Company shall cause 
such Tax Return to be prepared, shall cause to be 

                                     -25-
<PAGE>
included in such Tax Return all Tax Items required to be included therein, 
shall cause such Tax Return to be timely filed with the appropriate taxing 
authority, and shall pay or cause to be paid the amount of Taxes shown to be 
due on such Tax Return.

          (ii)     With respect to each Tax Return of the Sellers or Parents 
including a taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date that is 
required to be filed after the Closing Date, Sellers or Parents shall 
(A) cause to be included in such Tax Returns all Tax Items required to be 
included in such Tax Returns, (B) file timely all such Tax Returns with the 
appropriate taxing authorities, and (C) pay timely all Taxes due with respect 
to the periods included in such Tax Returns.

          (iii)     Any Tax Return to be prepared pursuant to the provisions 
of this Section 6.1 shall be prepared in a manner consistent with practices 
followed in prior years with respect to similar Tax Returns, except for 
changes required by changes in law.  

     (b)     Refunds.  If after the Closing Date Sellers or Parents receives 
or is credited with a refund of any Tax attributable to the utilization or 
carryback of any Tax Item arising after the Closing Date, Sellers or Parents 
shall pay to Buyer an amount equal to the amount of such refund together with 
any interest received from or credit thereon by the applicable taxing 
authority.

     (c)     Access to Information.

          (i)     Sellers and Parents shall grant or cause the Company or any 
Subsidiary to grant to Buyer (or its designees) access at all reasonable times 
to all of the information, books and records relating to the Company and each 
Subsidiary within the possession of Sellers, Parents, the Company or any 
Subsidiary (including workpapers and correspondence with taxing authorities), 
and shall afford Buyer (or its designees) the right (at Buyer's expense) to 
take extracts therefrom and to make copies thereof, to the extent reasonably 
necessary to permit Buyer (or its designees) to prepare Tax Returns, to 
conduct negotiations with Tax authorities, and to implement the provisions of, 
or to investigate or defend any claims between the parties arising under, this 
Agreement. 

          (ii)     Buyer shall cause the Company to provide on a timely basis 
all state apportionment data reasonably required by Sellers to prepare 
Sellers' tax returns.  Further, Buyer shall grant or cause the Company or any 
Subsidiary to grant to Sellers (or their designees) access at all reasonable 
times to all of the information, books and records relating to the Company or 
any Subsidiary within the possession of Buyer, the Company or any Subsidiary 
(including workpapers and correspondence with taxing authorities), and shall 
afford Seller (or its designees) the right (at Seller's expense) to take 
extracts therefrom and to make copies thereof, to the extent 
                                   -26-
<PAGE>

reasonably necessary to permit Sellers (or their designees) to prepare Tax 
Returns, to conduct negotiations with Tax authorities, and to implement the 
provisions of, or to investigate or defend any claims between the parties 
arising under, this Agreement. 

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

     (d)     Sellers' and Parents' Indemnifications.  Sellers and Parents 
hereby agree to protect, defend, indemnify and hold harmless Buyer, the 
Company and any Subsidiary from and against, and agrees to pay, all Taxes 
imposed and all costs and expenses (including, without limitation, litigation 
costs and reasonable attorneys' and accountants' fees and disbursements) 
incurred (all herein referred to as "Tax Losses") as a result of a claim, 
notice of deficiency, or assessment by, or any obligation owing to, any taxing 
authority for any Taxes of any corporation (other than the Company or any 
Subsidiary) that is or was a member of any affiliated group of corporations of 
which the Company or any Subsidiary was a member at any time on or prior to 
the Closing Date.

     (e)     Buyer Indemnifications.  Buyer agrees to protect, defend, 
indemnify and hold harmless Sellers from and against, and agrees to pay, all 
Tax Losses incurred as a result of a claim, notice of deficiency, or 
assessment by, or any obligation owing to, any taxing authority for any Taxes 
of the Company or any Subsidiary attributable to any taxable period after the 
Closing Date ("Post-Closing Taxable Period"); and

     (f)     Indemnification Procedures.

          (i)     If a claim shall be made by any taxing authority that, if 
successful, would result in the indemnification of a party under this 
Agreement (referred to herein as the "Tax Indemnified Party"), the Tax 
Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the party obligated under this 
Agreement to so indemnify (referred to herein as the "Tax Indemnifying Party") 
in writing of such fact.

          (ii)     The Tax Indemnified Party shall take such action in 
connection with contesting such claim as the Tax Indemnifying Party shall 
reasonably request in writing from time to time, including the selection of 
counsel and experts and the execution of powers of attorney, provided that 
(A) within 30 days after the notice described in Section 6.1(f)(i) has been 
delivered (or such 
                                   -27-
<PAGE>

earlier date that any payment of Taxes is due by the Tax Indemnified Party but 
in no event sooner than five days after the Tax Indemnifying Party's receipt 
of such notice), the Tax Indemnifying Party requests that such claim be 
contested, (B) the Tax Indemnifying Party shall have agreed to pay to the Tax 
Indemnified Party all costs and expenses that the Tax Indemnified Party incurs 
in connection with contesting such claim, including, without limitation, 
reasonable attorneys' and accountants' fees and disbursements, and (C) if the 
Tax Indemnified Party is requested by the Tax Indemnifying Party to pay the 
Tax claimed and sue for a refund, the Tax Indemnifying Party shall have 
advanced to the Tax Indemnified Party, on an interest-free basis, the amount 
of such claim.  The Tax Indemnified Party shall not make any payment of such 
claim for at least 30 days (or such shorter period as may be required by 
applicable law) after the giving of the notice required by Section 6.1(f)(i), 
shall give to the Tax Indemnifying Party any information reasonably requested 
relating to such claim, and otherwise shall cooperate with the Tax 
Indemnifying Party in good faith in order to contest effectively any such 
claim.

          (iii)     Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1(f)(ii), the Tax 
Indemnified Party shall enter into a settlement of such contest with the 
applicable taxing authority or prosecute such contest to a determination in a 
court or other tribunal of initial or appellate jurisdiction, all as the Tax 
Indemnifying Party may request.

          (iv)     If, after actual receipt by the Tax Indemnified Party of an 
amount advanced by the Tax Indemnifying Party pursuant to 
Section 6.1(f)(ii)(C), the extent of the liability of the Tax Indemnified 
Party with respect to the claim shall be established by the final judgment or 
decree of a court or other tribunal or a final and binding settlement with an 
administrative agency having jurisdiction thereof, the Tax Indemnified Party 
shall promptly repay to the Tax Indemnifying Party the amount advanced to the 
extent of any refund received by the Tax Indemnified Party with respect to the 
claim together with any interest received thereon from the applicable taxing 
authority and any recovery of legal fees from such taxing authority, net of 
any Taxes as are required to be paid by the Tax Indemnified Party with respect 
to such refund, interest or legal fees (calculated at the maximum applicable 
statutory rate of Tax without regard to any other Tax Items).  Notwithstanding 
the foregoing, the Tax Indemnified Party shall not be required to make any 
payment hereunder before such time as the Tax Indemnifying Party shall have 
made all payments or indemnities then due with respect to the Tax Indemnified 
Party pursuant to this Agreement.

          (v)     Promptly after a final determination the Tax Indemnifying 
Party shall pay to the Tax Indemnified Party the amount of any Tax Losses to 
which the Tax Indemnified Party may become entitled by reason of the 
provisions of this Section 6.1.

     (g)     Survival.  Anything to the contrary in this Agreement not     
withstanding, the agreements set forth in this Article VI, shall survive the 
Closing and shall not terminate until one day after the expiration of the 
statute of limitations (including extensions) applicable to any Tax covered by 
this Article VI.

     (h)     Nature of Payments.  Any payment from Buyer to Seller pursuant to 
this Article VI shall be treated for Tax purposes as an increase in the 
purchase price and any payment from Seller to Buyer pursuant to this 
Section 6.1 shall be treated for Tax purposes as a reduction in the purchase 
price.

     (i)     Allocation.  The Purchase Price shall be allocated among the 
assets of the Company as set forth in Exhibit C.  Buyer and Sellers shall not
                                      -------
take any position on any Tax Return that is inconsistent with the allocation 
of the Purchase Price as set forth in Exhibit C, and Buyer and Sellers shall
                                      -------
duly prepare and timely file such reports and information returns as may be 
required under the Code and any Treasury Regulations thereunder and any 
corresponding provisions of applicable state income tax laws to report the 
allocation of the Purchase Price among the Shares and the assets of the 
Company as set forth in Exhibit C. 
                        -------

                                ARTICLE VII
                           CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS
                           OF SELLERS AND PARENTS

     7.1     Conditions.  The obligations of Sellers and Parents to consummate 
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment 
at or prior to the Closing of each of the following conditions (any or all of 
which may be waived in whole or in part by Sellers and Parents):

     (a)     Representations and Warranties.  The representations and 
warranties made by Buyer in this Agreement shall be true, complete and 
accurate in all material respects as of the date when made and at and as of 
the Closing Date, as though such representations and warranties were made at 
and as of the Closing Date, except for changes permitted by the terms of this 
Agreement.

     (b)     Performance.  Buyer shall have performed and complied, in all 
material respects, with all agreements, obligations, covenants and conditions 
required by this Agreement to be so performed or complied with by Buyer at or 
prior to the Closing.

     (c)     Officer's Certificate.  Buyer shall have delivered to Sellers a 
certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, substantially in the form of 
Exhibit D hereto, executed by the President
- ------
                                       -29-
<PAGE>
 of Buyer, certifying the fulfillment of the conditions specified in 
Subsections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b) hereof.

     (d)     Opinion of Counsel.  Buyer shall have delivered to Sellers and 
Parents an opinion of legal counsel to Buyer, dated the Closing Date, 
substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto.
                             -------

     (e)     No Injunction.  On the Closing Date, there shall not be in effect 
any judgment, order, injunction or decree issued by a court of competent 
jurisdiction restraining or prohibiting consummation of the transactions 
contemplated by this Agreement.

     (f)     Expiration or Termination of HSR Periods.  Any waiting periods 
applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under the HSR 
Act shall have expired or been terminated.

     (g)     Approvals and Consents.  On the Closing Date all of the approvals 
and consents set forth in Section 3.6 of the Disclosure Schedule as being 
                                             -------------------
required to be obtained prior to Closing, shall have been obtained.

     (h)     Environmental Consultant's Report.  Sellers shall have received 
final copies of the Environmental Consultant's report as contemplated by 
Section 5.15 hereof.

     (i)     Management Investor Certificates.  Sellers shall have received a 
certificate in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit K from each 
                                                         -------
of the persons listed on Exhibit J. 
                         -------


                                     ARTICLE VIII
                          CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF BUYER

     8.1     Conditions.  The obligations of Buyer to consummate the 
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment at 
or prior to the Closing of each of the following conditions (any or all of 
which may be waived in whole or in part by Buyer):

(a)	Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties made 
by Sellers and Parents in this Agreement shall be true, complete and accurate 
in all material respects, as of the date when made and at and as of the 
Closing Date as though such representations and warranties were made at and as 
of the Closing Date, except for changes permitted by the terms of this 
Agreement (provided, however, that for purposes of determining whether this 
condition has been satisfied, any supplements or amendments to the Disclosure 
                                                                   ----------
Schedule pursuant to Section 5.7 shall be disregarded).
- --------
                                     -30-
<PAGE>

     (b)     Performance.  Sellers and Parents shall have performed and 
complied, in all material respects, with all agreements, obligations, 
covenants and conditions required by this Agreement to be so performed or 
complied with by Sellers and Parents at or prior to the Closing.

     (c)     Compliance Certificate.  Sellers and Parents shall have delivered 
to Buyer a certificate, dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of 
Exhibit F hereto, executed by  representatives of Sellers and of Parents
- ------
certifying the fulfillment of the conditions specified in Subsections 8.1(a) 
and 8.1(b) hereof.

     (d)     Opinions of Counsel.  Sellers and Parents shall have delivered to 
Buyer opinions of legal counsel to Seller and Parent, dated the Closing Date, 
substantially in the form of Exhibit G hereto.
                                   ------

     (e)     No Injunction.  On the Closing Date, there shall not be in effect 
any judgment, order, injunction or decree issued by a court of competent 
jurisdiction restraining or prohibiting consummation of the transactions 
contemplated by this Agreement.

     (f)     Expiration or Termination of HSR Periods.  Any waiting periods 
applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under the HSR 
Act shall have expired or been terminated.

     (g)     Financing.  Buyer shall have completed financing for the 
transactions contemplated by this Agreement substantially on the terms 
contemplated by the Financing Commitments or on other terms reasonably 
acceptable to Buyer.

     (h)     Approvals and Consents. On the Closing Date all of the approvals 
and consents set forth in Section 3.6 of the Disclosure Schedule as being
                                             -------------------
required to be obtained prior to Closing, shall have been obtained.

     (i)     Title.  Buyer and its counsel shall be reasonably satisfied with 
the status of title of the Company and the Subsidiaries to their respective 
assets, and Buyer shall be able to obtain, at the Company's expense one or 
more ALTA form of Owner's Policy of Title Insurance in form, substance and 
amount satisfactory to Buyer and its counsel, ensuring that as of the Closing 
Buyer, the Company or the Subsidiaries, as the case may be, have good and 
marketable title to the Real Property Interests, subject only to those 
exceptions reasonably acceptable to Buyer and its counsel, identified in 
Section 3.9(b) of the Disclosure Schedule. as requiring title policies as a 
                      -------------------
condition to closing.

     (j)     Material Adverse Changes.  Except as set forth in Section 3.8 of 
the Disclosure Schedule, Buyer shall be satisfied in its sole discretion that 
    -------------------
since January 1, 1995, there has been no material adverse change in the status 
of the properties, assets, liabilities, financial condition, 

                                        -31-
<PAGE>


results of operation, cash flow and prospects of the Company and the 
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and Buyer shall not have discovered any 
other fact or circumstance relating to the business of the Company and the 
Subsidiaries that materially adversely affects the properties, assets, 
liabilities, financial condition, results of operation, cash flow or prospects 
of the Company and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

                                     ARTICLE IX
                          TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

     9.1     Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated and the 
transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned:

     (a)     at any time, by mutual written agreement of Sellers and Buyer; or

     (b)     at any time after December 29, 1995, by either Sellers or Buyer, 
if the Closing shall not have occurred for any reason, other than a breach of 
this Agreement by the terminating party, which shall extend the termination 
date until such breach is cured.

     9.2     Procedure and Effect of Termination.  In the event of the 
termination of this Agreement and the abandonment of the transactions 
contemplated hereby pursuant to Section 9.1(b) hereof, written notice thereof 
shall forthwith be given by the party so terminating to the other parties, and 
this Agreement shall terminate, and the transactions contemplated hereby shall 
be abandoned, without further action by Sellers, Parents or Buyer.  If this 
Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9.1(a) or (b) hereof:

     (a)     Buyer shall return all documents, work papers and other materials 
(and all copies thereof) received from Sellers, Parents or the Company 
relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, whether so obtained before 
or after the execution hereof, to the party furnishing the same, and all 
confidential information received by Buyer with respect to the Company and the 
Subsidiaries shall be treated in accordance with Section 5.2 hereof and the 
Confidentiality Agreement referred to in said Section;

     (b)     At the option of Sellers, all filings, applications and other 
submissions made pursuant to Sections 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5 hereof shall to the 
extent practicable, be withdrawn from the agency or other person to which 
made; and

     (c)     The obligations provided for in this Section 9.2 and Section 10.1 
hereof, the confidentiality provision contained in Section 5.2 hereof, the 
Confidentiality Agreement referred to in said Section and the Company's 
obligation to pay for the Environmental Consultant 
                                          -32-
<PAGE>

pursuant to Section 5.15 and title insurance pursuant to Section 8.1 shall 
survive any termination of this Agreement.

     9.3     Amendment, Modification and Waiver.  This Agreement may be 
amended, modified or supplemented at any time by written agreement of the 
parties hereto.  Any failure of Seller or Buyer to comply with any term or 
provision of this Agreement may be waived by the other party at any time by an 
instrument in writing signed by or on behalf of such other party, but such 
waiver or failure to insist upon strict compliance with such term or provision 
shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent 
or other failure to comply.

                                    ARTICLE X
                          FEES AND EXPENSES; SURVIVAL OF
                         REPRESENTATIONS; INDEMNIFICATION 

     10.1     Fees and Expenses.  Whether or not the transactions contemplated 
hereby are consummated pursuant hereto, each of the Sellers, Parents and Buyer 
shall pay all fees and expenses incurred by it or on its behalf in connection 
with or in anticipation of this Agreement and the consummation of the 
transactions contemplated hereby.

     10.2     Survival of Representations.  The representations and warranties 
in this Agreement and in any other document delivered in connection herewith, 
other than the representations and warranties contained in Sections 3.1, 3.2, 
3.4, 3.5(a), 3.9(a) and (b) (solely with respect to title to the properties 
specifically identified in Exhibit I), 3.13(a) and (b), 3.17, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4
                           -------
and 4.6, as same are made on the date hereof and at Closing pursuant to the 
certificates required by Sections 7.1(c) and 8.1(c),  (collectively, the 
"Surviving Representations"), shall not survive the Closing and shall 
terminate on the Closing Date.  The Surviving Representations shall survive 
Closing and any party claiming a breach thereof shall have the right to assert 
such claim at any time following Closing.  Accordingly, the parties 
acknowledge and agree that, except for the Surviving Representations and 
without affecting the liability of any party under the indemnification 
provisions hereunder, following Closing no party hereto shall have any 
liability to any other party hereto for or on account of the breach by any 
party of its representations and warranties hereunder and that prior to 
Closing, the sole remedy any party shall have for breach of any representation 
or warranty of another party shall be to elect to terminate this Agreement to 
the extent permitted under Article IX.

     10.3     National Supply Agreement to Indemnify.  Upon the terms and 
conditions hereof, National Supply agrees to indemnify, defend and hold 
harmless Buyer and Buyer's shareholders, directors, officers, employees and 
agents and, if the Closing occurs, the Company and the Subsidiaries 

                                     -33-

<PAGE>

and the shareholders, directors, employees and agents of the Company and the 
Subsidiaries (collectively, the "Buyer Indemnified Parties"), as follows:

     (a)     from and against all demands, claims, actions, causes of action, 
assessments, losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (but excluding 
any consequential damages or lost profits with respect to any claims, other 
than claims by third parties, by and among Buyer Indemnified Parties and 
Seller Indemnified Parties), including, without limitation, interest, 
penalties and reasonable attorneys' fees (collectively, "Damages") that are 
attributable to or result from the breach of any of the Surviving 
Representations made by such Seller or its Parent (as provided in the lead-in 
paragraph to Article III);

     (b)     Damages attributable to or resulting from the breach by (i) such 
Seller of any covenant or other agreement of Sellers contained in this 
Agreement or (ii) the Parent of such Seller of any covenant or other agreement 
of such Parent contained in this Agreement;

     (c)     fifty percent (50%) of any Damages attributable to or resulting 
from any death, personal injury or property damage suffered by the Company, 
any Subsidiary, any Seller, either Parent or their directors, officers, 
employees or agents that results from or is attributable to the conduct by 
Buyer or its representatives or agents of Buyer's due diligence investigation 
of the Company and its Subsidiaries, INCLUDING ANY CLAIMS BASED UPON THE 
NEGLIGENCE OR ALLEGED NEGLIGENCE OF ANY OF THE BUYER INDEMNIFIED PARTIES;

     (d)     subject to the cost sharing set forth in Section 10.5 hereof, 
fifty percent (50%) of all Damages (which shall include, without limitation, 
all costs or expenses incurred in connection with any necessary studies, 
reports, sampling, disposal, removal, treatment or remediation of 
contamination, mitigation or compensation for damages to natural resources, 
site-monitoring and post-closure care related to a release of hazardous 
substances or solid waste into the environment or the violation of any 
Environmental Laws (such costs and expenses being "Environmental Costs")) 
attributable to or resulting from any acts, omissions or operations of the 
Company or any Subsidiary, or their predecessors in interest, and any 
conditions existing on any assets or properties of the Company or any 
Subsidiary, or their predecessors in interest, in each case prior to April 1, 
1987; provided, however, that (i) with respect to the properties listed on 
Exhibit H where National Supply is identified as the "Contributing Party" (and
- -------
with respect to any activities conducted thereon), National Supply shall be 
responsible for one hundred percent  (100%) of such Damages, (ii) such 
indemnity shall only cover Environmental Costs if (A) the Environmental Costs 
are attributable to or arise out of the violation of an 

                                       -34-
<PAGE>

Environmental Law with respect to a Company Property or any operations 
conducted thereon or any on-site or off-site remedial obligations under 
Environmental Laws that result from conditions existing or operations 
conducted on any Company Property and (B) such Environmental Costs do not 
result from any Governmental Authority action voluntarily initiated by Buyer 
or Buyer's successors, except where Buyer or such successor is obligated to 
initiate such action under applicable Environmental Laws, and (iii) such 
indemnity shall not cover Environmental Costs that are attributable to 
environmental conditions that are disclosed in Section 3.20 of the Disclosure 
                                                                   ----------
Schedule;
- --------

     (e)     subject to the cost sharing set forth in Section 10.5 hereof, 
fifty percent (50%)  of any Damages incurred by any Buyer Indemnified Party 
arising out of the assets, businesses or properties owned, leased or operated 
after April 1, 1987, by the Company or any Subsidiary, which businesses or 
properties were disposed of or discontinued prior to the Closing other than 
for matters contained in the Disclosure Schedule; and
                             -------------------
     (f)     any Damages incurred by any Buyer Indemnified Party arising out 
of or relating to any pension or employee benefit plan sponsored by Armco or 
any affiliate of Armco.

It is agreed that the indemnities set forth in clauses (a)-(f) above 
constitute an agreed allocation of liability to National Supply and shall 
apply WITHOUT REGARD TO THE NEGLIGENCE OR ALLEGED NEGLIGENCE OF ANY OF THE 
BUYER INDEMNIFIED PARTIES.

     10.4     Oilwell Agreement to Indemnify.  Upon the terms and conditions 
hereof, Oilwell agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Buyer and 
Buyer's shareholders, directors, officers, employees and agents and, if the 
Closing occurs, the Company, the Subsidiaries and the shareholders, directors, 
employees and agents of the Buyer Indemnified Parties as follows:

     (a)     from and against Damages that are attributable to or result from 
the breach of any of the Surviving Representations made by such Seller or its 
Parent (as provided in the lead-in paragraph to Article III);

     (b)     Damages attributable to or resulting from the breach by (i) such 
Seller of any covenant or other agreement of Sellers contained in this 
Agreement or (ii) the Parent of such Seller of any covenant or other agreement 
of such Parent contained in this Agreement;

     (c)     fifty percent (50%) of any Damages attributable to or resulting 
from any death, personal injury or property damage suffered by the Company, 
any Subsidiary, any Seller, either Parent or their directors, officers, 
employees or agents that results from or is attributable to the conduct by 
Buyer or its representatives or agents of Buyer's due diligence investigation 
of the Company and its Subsidiaries, INCLUDING ANY CLAIMS BASED UPON THE 
NEGLIGENCE OR ALLEGED NEGLI-

                                           -35-
<PAGE>

GENCE OF ANY OF THE BUYER INDEMNIFIED PARTIES;

     (d)     subject to the cost sharing set forth in Section 10.5 hereof, 
fifty percent (50%)  of all Damages (which shall include, without limitation, 
all Environmental Costs) attributable to or resulting from any acts, omissions 
or operations of the Company or any Subsidiary, or their predecessors in 
interest, and any conditions existing on any assets or properties of the 
Company or any Subsidiary, or their predecessors in interest, in each case 
prior to April 1, 1987; provided, however, that (i) with respect to the 
properties listed on Exhibit H where Oilwell is identified as the
                     -------
"Contributing Party" (and with respect to any activities conducted thereon), 
Oilwell shall be responsible for one hundred percent (100%) of such Damages, 
(ii) such indemnity shall only cover Environmental Costs if (A) the 
Environmental Costs are attributable to or arise out of the violation of an 
Environmental Law with respect to a Company Property or any operations 
conducted thereon or any on-site or off-site remedial obligations under 
Environmental Laws that result from conditions existing or operations 
conducted on any Company Property and (B) such Environmental Costs do not 
result from any Governmental Authority action voluntarily initiated by Buyer 
or Buyer's successors, except where Buyer or such successor is obligated to 
initiate such action under applicable Environmental Laws, and (iii) such 
indemnity shall not cover Environmental Costs that are attributable to 
environmental conditions that are disclosed in Section 3.20 of the Disclosure 
                                                                   ----------
Schedule.
- --------

     (e)     subject to the cost sharing set forth in Section 10.5, fifty 
percent (50%) of any Damages incurred by any Buyer Indemnified Party arising 
out of the assets, businesses or properties  owned, leased or operated after 
April 1, 1987, by the Company or any Subsidiary, which businesses or 
properties were disposed of or discontinued prior to the Closing other than 
for matters contained in the Disclosure Schedule; and
                             -------------------

     (f)     any Damages incurred by any Buyer Indemnified Party arising out 
of or relating to any pension or employee benefit plan sponsored by USX or any 
affiliate of USX.

It is agreed that the indemnities set forth in clauses (a)-(f) above 
constitute an agreed allocation of liability to Oilwell and shall apply 
WITHOUT REGARD TO THE NEGLIGENCE OR ALLEGED NEGLIGENCE OF ANY OF THE BUYER 
INDEMNIFIED PARTIES.

     10.5     Sellers' and Parents' Limitation of Liability.  Anything in this 
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the liability of Sellers to 
indemnify the Buyer Indemnified Parties pursuant to Sections 10.3(d) and 
10.4(d), to the extent such indemnities cover Environmental Costs that are 
attributable to environmental conditions that are not disclosed in Section 
3.20 of the Disclosure 
            ----------
                                       -36-
<PAGE>

Schedule, and Sections 10.3(e) and 10.4(e) hereof shall not apply to one-half 
- -------
of any Damages up to $8 million aggregate amount of such Damages that would, 
but for this Section 10.5, be covered by such indemnification provisions.

     10.6     Buyer's Agreement to Indemnify.  Upon the terms and subject to 
conditions of this Article X, Buyer agrees to indemnify, defend and hold 
harmless the Company (only if the Closing does not occur), its Subsidiaries 
(only if the Closing does not occur), Sellers, Parents and their respective 
officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the 
"Seller Indemnified Parties"), at any time after the date of this Agreement, 
from and against all Damages suffered or incurred by the Seller Indemnified 
Parties that are attributable to or result from:

     (a)     the breach by Buyer of any Surviving Representations;

     (b)     the breach of any covenant or agreement of Buyer contained in 
this Agreement;

     (c)     any death, personal injury or property damage suffered by Buyer 
or Buyer's officers, directors, employees or agents that results from or is 
attributable to the conduct by Buyer or its representatives or agents of 
Buyer's due diligence investigation of the Company and its Subsidiaries, 
INCLUDING ANY CLAIMS BASED UPON THE NEGLIGENCE OR ALLEGED NEGLIGENCE OF ANY 
SELLERS INDEMNIFIED PARTIES;

     (d)     if the Closing occurs, any act, omission or condition created 
after April 1, 1987, arising out of or attributable to the ownership or 
operation of the businesses, assets and properties that are owned by Buyer, 
the Company or the Subsidiaries on the Closing Date (the "Continuing 
Operations"), including, but not limited to the following matters, in each 
case solely to the extent same relate to the Continuing Operations, (i) any 
product liability or breach of warranty claim arising out of products 
manufactured or services sold, delivered or performed after April 1, 1987, 
(ii) any new environmental facilities required to be installed after the 
Closing, (iii) all costs of dismantling, cleaning out and disposing of 
buildings, machinery and equipment upon complete or partial discontinuance of 
operations and (iv) all matters disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule, 
                                                 -------------------
including environmental conditions;

     (e)     to the extent and only to the extent attributable to matters 
contained in the Disclosure Schedule, any Damages (which shall include, 
                 -------------------
without limitation, Environmental Costs) incurred by any Seller Indemnified 
Party arising out of businesses, assets or properties owned, leased or 
operated after April 1, 1987, by the Company or any Subsidiary, which 
businesses or properties were disposed of or discontinued prior to the 
Closing; and

     (f)     to the extent and only to the extent attributable to the 
environmental conditions that are disclosed in Section 3.20 of the Disclosure
                                                                   ----------
Schedule, any Environmental Costs incurred 
- --------
                                       -37-
<PAGE>

by any Seller Indemnified Party that are attributable to or result from any 
conditions existing as of April 1, 1987, on any assets or properties 
contributed to the Company or any Subsidiary by Sellers;

provided, however, that Buyer's indemnity obligation under this Section 10.6 
shall not extend to any Tax Losses or Damages for which Sellers have agreed to 
indemnify the Buyer Indemnified Parties pursuant to Sections 6.1(d), 10.3 and 
10.4 above.

     10.7     Conditions of Indemnification.  The obligations and liabilities 
of Sellers, Parents and Buyer with respect to demands, claims, actions, causes 
of action or assessments made by third parties ("Claims") that are covered by 
the indemnification provisions of this Agreement shall be subject to the 
following terms and conditions:

     (a)     The indemnified party shall give the indemnifying party prompt 
notice of any such Claim, and if the indemnifying party does not dispute its 
obligation to indemnify the indemnified party hereunder and confirms same in 
writing, the indemnifying party shall have the right to undertake the defense 
thereof by representatives chosen by it;

     (b)     Unless and until the indemnifying party assumes the defense of a 
Claim as provided in subparagraph (a) above, the indemnified party shall have 
the right to undertake the defense, compromise or settlement of such Claim on 
behalf of and for the account and risk of the indemnifying party, subject to 
the right of the indemnifying party (provided that it does not dispute its 
liability to the indemnified party hereunder for such Claim) to assume the 
defense of such Claim at any time prior to settlement, compromise or final 
determination thereof; and

     (c)     Anything in this Article X to the contrary notwithstanding, 
(i) if there is a reasonable probability that a Claim may materially and 
adversely affect the indemnified party other than as a result of money damages 
or other money payments, the indemnified party shall have the right, at its 
own cost and expense, to participate in the defense of such Claim, and 
(ii) the indemnifying party shall not, without the written consent of the 
indemnified party, settle or compromise any Claim or consent to the entry of 
any judgment which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the 
giving by the claimant or the plaintiff to the indemnified party of an 
unconditional release from all liability in respect to such Claim.

     (d)     Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, failure of 
the indemnified party to give notice required by this Section 10.7 shall not 
constitute a waiver of the indemnified party's right to indemnification or a 
defense to any indemnification claim by such indemnified party, except to the 
extent such failure prejudices the ability of the indemnifying party to defend 
against such Claim.
                                       -38-
<PAGE>

     (e)     The indemnified party shall reasonably cooperate with the 
indemnifying party, including making available to the indemnifying party all 
records, documents, and other things, making available all employees 
reasonably necessary to investigate, defend and settle such matter, access to 
the Company's or the Subsidiary's properties without cost to the indemnifying 
party other than reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred.

     10.8     Parent Guarantee.  Armco hereby agrees to unconditionally and 
absolutely guarantee the due and punctual performance by National Supply of 
all of National Supply's obligations hereunder subject to a maximum amount 
equal to the total consideration paid by Buyer to National Supply hereunder; 
provided, however that such limitation shall not apply to the obligations of 
National Supply under Section 6.1(d).  USX hereby agrees to unconditionally 
and absolutely guarantee the due and punctual performance by Oilwell of all of 
Oilwell's obligations hereunder subject to a maximum amount equal to the total 
consideration paid by Buyer to Oilwell hereunder; provided, however, that such 
limitation shall not apply to the obligations of Oilwell under Section 6.1(d).  
Armco and USX agree that this guarantee shall survive and be enforceable 
notwithstanding any merger, dissolution, bankruptcy or insolvency of National 
Supply or Oilwell, as the case may be.

     10.9     Matters Disclosed in Disclosure Schedule.  For purposes of 
allocating responsibility under the various indemnities contained in this 
Article X and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (a) the 
disclosure in the Disclosure Schedule of a contract or agreement for the sale
                  -------------------
of a business or facility shall only constitute disclosure of matters that are 
the subject of a specific lawsuit, claim or demand that is disclosed in the 
Disclosure Schedule and of matters specifically reserved in the Company's
- -------------------
financial statements and shall not constitute disclosure of any other 
lawsuits, claims or demands that are or have been made pursuant to such 
contract or agreement; (b) the sale of products or services arising out of the 
conduct by the Company or any Subsidiary of the distribution, tubular, pump, 
drilling business and other activities conducted by such entities on the date 
hereof shall constitute ongoing activities of the Company and the Subsidiaries 
(and not businesses or properties that were "disposed of or discontinued" for 
purposes of Sections 10.3(e) and 10.4(e)), even if the Company or a Subsidiary 
owns but does not currently operate the facility that manufactured, sold or 
distributed the product or service involved ; (c) the manufacture of wellhead 
products, sucker rods, hydraulic equipment and pumps, down-hole sucker rod 
pumps, ball valves for fluid control and centrifugal pumps, and the threading 
of pipe by Total Pipe, shall constitute businesses or properties that were 
"disposed of or discontinued" within the meaning of Sections 10.3(e) and 
10.4(e), provided that the sale by the Company or any Subsidiary of such items 
manufactured by third parties shall, to the extent conducted by the Company or 
any Subsidiary on the date hereof, constitute ongoing activities of the 
Company and the Subsidiaries.
                                      -39-
<PAGE>

                                      ARTICLE XI
                                    MISCELLANEOUS

     11.1     Further Assurances.  From time to time after the Closing Date, 
at the request of the other party hereto and at the expense of the party so 
requesting, Sellers, Parents and Buyer shall execute and deliver to such 
requesting party such documents and take such other action as such requesting 
party may reasonably request in order to consummate more effectively the 
transactions contemplated hereby.

     11.2     Notices.  All notices, requests, demands, waivers and other 
communications required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be 
in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered 
personally, by mail (certified or registered mail, return receipt requested) 
or by facsimile transmission (receipt of which is confirmed):

(a)   If to Buyer, to:

                    Now Holdings, Inc.
                    5555 San Felipe
                    Houston, TX 77056
                    Attention: Joel V. Staff
                         Chief Executive Officer

            with a copy to:
                    Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
                    1001 Fannin, Suite 2500
                    Houston, TX 77002-6760
                    Attention: John S. Watson

       (b)   If to Armco or National Supply, to:
                    Armco Inc.
                    One Oxford Centre
                    301 Grant Street
                    Pittsburgh, PA 15219
                    Attention:  David Harmer
                          Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

             with a copy to:
                    Gary R. Hildreth, Esquire
                    General Counsel
                    One Oxford Centre
                    301 Grant Street
                    Pittsburgh, PA 15219

                                      -40-
<PAGE>
     (c)     If to USX or Oilwell, to:
                    USX Corporation
                    600 Grant Street
                    Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2749
                    Attention:  C. C. Gedeon
                         Executive Vice President
                         Raw Materials and Diversified Businesses

             with a copy to:
                    Robert M. Stanton, Esquire
                    General Attorney
                    USX Corporation
                    600 Grant Street
                    
or to such other person or address as any party shall specify by notice in 
writing to the other party.  All such notices, requests, demands, waivers and 
communications shall be deemed to have been received on the date on which so 
hand-delivered, on the third business day following the date on which so 
mailed and on the date on which faxed and confirmed, except for a notice of 
change of address, which shall be effective only upon receipt thereof.

     11.3     Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, the Disclosure Schedule and
                                                     -------------------
the exhibits, schedules and other documents referred to herein which form a 
part hereof (including, without limitation, the Confidentiality Agreement 
referred to in Section 5.2 hereof) contain the entire understanding of the 
parties hereto with respect to their subject matter.  This Agreement 
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral and written, with 
respect to its subject matter, including, without limitation the letter dated 
May 17, 1995.

     11.4     Severability.  Should any provision of this Agreement for any 
reason be declared invalid or unenforceable, such decision shall not affect 
the validity or enforceability of any of the other provisions of this 
Agreement, which other provisions shall remain in full force and effect and 
the application of such invalid or unenforceable provision to persons or 
circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable 
shall be valid and be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.

     11.5     Binding Effect: Assignment.  This Agreement and all of the 
provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the 
parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, successors and assigns; 
provided, however, that prior to Closing, no party hereto may assign its 
rights or obligations hereunder to any other person or entity, except that 
Buyer may (a) assign its rights and obligations hereunder to an affiliate of 
Buyer and (b) grant such security interests and/or effect such collateral 
assignments as may be necessary to obtain financing for the transactions 
contemplated hereunder..

                                         -41-
<PAGE>

     11.6     Third-Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement is not intended and 
shall not be deemed to confer upon or give any person except the parties 
hereto and their respective successors and assigns any remedy, claim, 
liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right under or by reason of 
this Agreement.

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

     11.8     Interpretation.  The article and section headings contained in 
this Agreement are solely for the purpose of reference, are not part of the 
agreement of the parties and shall not in any way affect the meaning or 
interpretation of this Agreement.  As used in this Agreement, the term 
"person" shall mean and include an individual, a partnership, a joint venture, 
a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization and a government or any 
department or agency thereof.  As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliate" 
shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and 
Regulations under the Exchange Act.

     11.9     Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by the internal 
laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts 
of law thereof that would require the application of the laws of any 
jurisdiction other than Delaware.

     11.10     Certain Waivers.  Each Seller hereby waives its right of first 
refusal granted by Section 13.2 of the Partnership Agreement of the Company 
and the corresponding right found in the articles of incorporation of the 
other partner.
                                       -42-
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of 
the day and year first above written.

                                   BUYER:

                                       NOW HOLDINGS, INC.


                                       By: /s/ W. McComb Dunwoody
                                          -----------------------------
                                       Name:  W. McComb Dunwoody
                                       Title: President

                                   SELLER:

                                       OILWELL INC.


                                       By: /s/ C. C. Gedeon
                                          -----------------------------
                                       Name:  C. C. Gedeon
                                       Title:  President

                                       NATIONAL SUPPLY COMPANY, INC.


                                       By:    /s/ Gary R. Hildreth
                                             -----------------------------
                                       Name: Gary R. Hildreth
                                             -----------------------------

                                       Title: Vice President
                                             -----------------------------


                                   PARENT:

                                       USX CORPORATION


                                       By: /s/ C. C. Gedeon
                                          -----------------------------
                                       Name:  C. C. Gedeon
                                       Title:  Executive Vice President
                                               Raw Materials and Diversified
                                               Business


                                       ARMCO INC.


                                       By: /s/ David G. Harmer
                                          -----------------------------
                                       Name:   David G. Harmer
                                              -----------------------------
                                        Title: Corporate Vice President
                                               -----------------------------

                                      NOW HOLDINGS, INC.
                                      666 Steamboat Road
                                      Greenwich, CT 06830


                                               September 22, 1995



USX Corporation
Oilwell, Inc.
600 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219

Attn:  Mr. Robert M. Stanton


Armco Inc.
National Supply Company, Inc.
301 Grant Street, 15th Floor
One Oxford Centre
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1415

Attn:  Mr. Gary R. Hildreth

Gentlemen:

     Reference is hereby made to that certain Purchase Agreement (the 
"Purchase Agreement") of even date herewith among Oilwell, Inc., USX 
Corporation, National Supply Company, Inc., Armco Inc. and NOW Holdings, Inc., 
all Delaware corporations.  Any capitalized term used herein but not defined 
shall have the meanings given such term in the Purchase Agreement.

     The purpose of this letter is to set forth the following agreements among 
Sellers, Parents and Buyer:

     1.  Sellers, Parents and Buyer (i) acknowledge that the Disclosure 
Schedule contemplated by Section 3.2 of the Purchase Agreement has not been 
delivered by Sellers to Buyer concurrently with the execution of the Purchase 
Agreement and (ii) agree that the Disclosure Schedule shall instead be 
delivered as provided in this letter.

     2.  Sellers Parents and Buyer shall use their best efforts to finalize 
and agree upon the Disclosure Schedule on or before October 6, 1995; and

     3.  Upon the completion of the Disclosure Schedule to the mutual 
satisfaction of Sellers, Parents and Buyer, each Seller, each Parent and Buyer 
shall acknowledge such agreement in writing and the Disclosure Schedule shall 
thereupon be deemed to be

<PAGE>

USX Corporation and Armco, Inc.
September 22, 1995
Page 2

 a part of the Purchase Agreement as fully as if same had been delivered by 
Sellers to Buyer on the date hereof.

     If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please indicate such 
agreement by executing each of the enclosed counterparts of this letter in the 
space provided below.  This letter may be executed simultaneously in 
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which 
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                                                BUYER:

                                                NOW HOLDINGS, INC.


                                                By:  /s/ W. McComb Dunwoody
                                                 -----------------------------
                                                     W. McComb Dunwoody
                                                     President

ACCEPTED and AGREED on this
         day of           , 1995 by:
- --------        ----------

SELLERS:                                         PARENTS:

OILWELL, INC.                                   USX CORPORATION


By: /s/ C. C. Gedeon                             By: /s/ C. C. Gedeon
    ------------------------                     -----------------------------
      President                                  Executive Vice President
                                                 Raw Materials and Business
                                                 Development


NATIONAL SUPPLY COMPANY, INC.                    ARMCO INC.


By: /s/ Gary R. Hildreth                         By: /s/ David G. Harmer
      ----------------------                     -----------------------------
Name:  Gary R. Hildreth                          Name:  David G. Harmer
      ----------------------                           -----------------------
Title:    Vice President                         Title:  Vice President
        -------------------                              ---------------------




<PAGE>
                                        December 4, 1995


W. McComb Dunwoody
President
NOW Holdings, Inc.
666 Steamboat Road
Greenwich, CT  06830

     Re:     Amendment No. 1 to Purchase Agreement by and among
             Oilwell, Inc., National Supply Company, Inc., USX Corporation,
             Armco Inc. and NOW Holdings, Inc., dated as of September 22, 1995
             -----------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Mr. Dunwoody:

     This letter will confirm prior discussion and agreement with you and your 
representatives and when fully signed and acknowledged by the parties, will 
constitute Amendment No. 1 to the subject Purchase Agreement.

     Accordingly, the subject Purchase Agreement shall be amended in the 
following particulars:

     A.     Section 9.1(b) of Article IX, Termination, Amendment and Waiver, 
shall be revised as follows:

          (b)     at any time after January 17, 1996 by either Sellers or 
Buyer, if the Closing shall not have occurred for any reason, other than a 
breach of this Agreement by the terminating party, which shall extend the 
termination date until such breach is cured.

     Even though the termination date has been extended by this Amendment No. 
1 to January 17, 1996, we currently intend for the Closing to take place on 
January 4, 1996, to be effective as of January 1, 1996.

     If you concur with the above amendment, please so indicate by signing in 
the space provided below and return one executed copy to Armco Inc./National 
Supply Company, Inc. and one executed copy to USX Corporation/Oilwell, Inc.; 
the original is for your file.

                                   Very truly yours,

Armco Inc.                                      USX Corporation

By  /s/ David G. Harmer                         By /s/ C. C. Gedeon
    ---------------------------                 ------------------------------

National Supply Company, Inc.                   Oilwell, Inc.

By /s/ Gary R. Hildreth                         By /s/ C. C. Gedeon
    ---------------------------                 ------------------------------


ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED:
NOW Holdings, Inc.

By /s/ W. McComb Dunwoody
  ---------------------------  


<PAGE>
                                NOW HOLDINGS, INC.
                                666 Steamboat Road
                                Greenwich, CT 06830


                                           January 15, 1996



Mr. C.C. Gedeon
Executive Vice President
Raw Materials and Diversified Businesses
USX Corporation
600 Grant Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-2749


Mr. David G. Harmer
Corporate Vice President and
   Chief Financial Officer
Armco, Inc.
301 Grant Street, 15th Floor
One Oxford Centre
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1415

     Re:  Purchase Agreement ("Purchase Agreement") dated September 22, 1995 
for the Acquisition of National-Oilwell

Gentlemen:

     This letter sets forth agreements that we have reached with respect to 
certain matters contained in the Purchase Agreement as follows:

     1.     The Purchase Agreement reflects that NOW, Holdings, Inc., a 
Delaware corporation ("Holdings"), is the Buyer.  As permitted by Section 11.5 
of the Purchase Agreement, Holdings has assigned its rights as Buyer under the 
Purchase Agreement to National-Oilwell, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("GP"), 
NATOIL, a Delaware corporation ("LP"), and NOW International, Inc., a Delaware 
corporation ("International"), and GP, LP and International shall be entitled 
to all of the rights of Buyer under the Purchase Agreement and shall assume 
and perform all of Buyer's obligations under the Purchase Agreement.  In 
addition, from and after the closing, the term Buyer shall mean collectively, 
Holdings, GP, International and the Company and each of Holdings, GP, 
International, the Company shall be entitled to all of the rights of Buyer 
under the Purchase Agreement and shall perform all of Buyer's obligations 
under the Purchase Agreement.

     2.     The Purchase Agreement also reflects that Buyer will purchase from 
Sellers and Sellers shall assign and transfer to Buyer all of the general 
partnership interest in National-Oilwell, a Delaware general partnership.  At 
the request of Buyer, Sellers have converted National-Oilwell into a Delaware 
limited partnership under the name of National-Oilwell, L.P. by executing an 
amendment to the Partnership Agreement of National-Oilwell in the form of 
Exhibit A attached hereto and by executing and filing with the Delaware 
Secretary of State of Certificate of Limited Partnership of National-Oilwell, 
L.P. in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto.  At closing, Sellers shall 
assign and transfer to LP all of their interest as a limited partner in 
National-Oilwell, L.P. and 

<PAGE>

Messrs. Gedeon and Harmer
Page 2
January 15, 1996


admit LP as a limited partner of National-Oilwell, L.P., and shall then assign 
and transfer all of their interest as a general partner in National-Oilwell, 
L.P. to GP and withdraw as partners from National-Oilwell, L.P.  All costs of 
filing the Certificate of Limited Partnership shall be borne by Buyer.  Buyer 
may, at its sole cost, cause the limited partnership to be qualified to do 
business in such jurisdictions as the Buyer desires.  In the event that the 
Closing does not occur, for whatever reason, Buyer shall reimburse Sellers all 
costs reasonably incurred in re-establishing the Company as a Delaware general 
partnership.  The assignments referred to in this paragraph 2 shall be in the 
form of Exhibits C-2 through C-4 attached hereto.

     3.     The Purchase Agreement also reflects that Buyer will purchase from 
Sellers and Sellers will assign and transfer to Buyer all of the issued and 
outstanding capital stock of National-Oilwell Pty, Ltd., an Australian 
corporation ("NOW Australia"), and National-Oilwell, Pte. Ltd., a Singapore 
corporation ("NOW Singapore").  At closing, Sellers shall assign and transfer 
to International all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of NOW 
Australia and NOW Singapore.

     4.     The form of Subordinated Note attached as Exhibit L to the 
Purchase Agreement shall be amended to reflect the new structure set forth in 
this Letter Agreement and the fact that National-Oilwell, L.P. will be the 
Borrower under the debt financing documents.  The form of the new Subordinated 
Note is attached hereto as Exhibit D.

     5.     Section 3.3 of the Purchase Agreement is amended and restated to 
read in its entirety as set forth below:

                    "3.3 ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION OF THE COMPANY.  Until 
the conversion of the Company into a limited partnership, the Company was (a) 
a general partnership duly formed and validly existing under the laws of the 
State of Delaware and had all requisite power and authority to own, lease and 
operate its properties and to conduct its business as it was being conducted, 
and (b) duly qualified or licensed to do business and was in good standing in 
each jurisdiction in which the property owned, leased or operated by it or the 
nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary.  No 
representation is made concerning the conversion of the Company into a limited 
partnership

                    The Company has heretofore delivered to Buyer complete and 
correct copies of the partnership agreement of the Company, as currently in 
effect."

     6.     Section 3.6 of the Purchase Agreement shall be amended by adding 
the following at the end of the current section:

                    "For purposes of this Section 3.6, the parties have 
assumed that, immediately after the Closing, National-Oilwell, L.P. shall be 
the same legal entity as the Company on the date hereof."

     7.     Section 3.14(g)(i) and (ii) of the Purchase Agreement are hereby 
amended and restated in their entirety as follows:


<PAGE>


Messrs. Gedeon and Harmer
Page 3
January 15, 1996


                    "(i) involves sales of products of the Company and its 
Subsidiaries, or purchases by the Company and the Subsidiaries of products and 
services, in excess of $500,000, (ii) involves future expenditures in excess 
of $200,000 in any one calendar year, and is not terminable by the Company or 
the Subsidiary of 30 days' or fewer notice without penalty, or"

     8.     The term "Material Contracts" as defined in the Purchase Agreement 
shall not include maintenance and repair operating supply contracts that are 
cancellable by the Company on less than 90 days notice.

     9.     Exhibit C to the Purchase Agreement, labelled "Allocation of 
Purchase Price", shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced by a new 
Exhibit C to the Purchase Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E.

     10.     The closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase 
Agreement shall be effective as of January 1, 1996.

     11.     Effective as of the Closing, the Asset Transfer Agreement dated 
March 31, 1987 between National Supply Company, Inc. and the Company and the 
Asset Transfer Agreement dated March 31, 1987 between Oilwell, Inc. And the 
Company shall terminate.  All representations, warranties, covenants, 
indemnifications and other provisions of the Purchase Agreement shall remain 
in effect and govern the relationship between the parties.

     If this letter correctly sets forth our agreement on the matters set 
forth herein, please execute three copies of this letter in the spaces 
provided below.  One copy should be returned to each of the other two parties; 
the third copy is for your files.

                                      Very truly yours,

                                      NOW HOLDINGS, INC.



                                       By: /s/ W. McComb Dunwoody
                                       ---------------------------------


<PAGE>
Messrs. Gedeon and Harmer
Page 4
January 15, 1996


ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:

USX CORPORATION                            OILWELL, INC.


By: /s/ C. C. Gedeon                        By: /s/ G. F. Hurley
     ------------                             --------------------------
    C.C. Gedeon                             Name:   G. F. Hurley        
    Executive Vice President                   --------------------------
    Raw Materials and Diversified Business  Title:  Vice President &
                                                     Comptroller  
                                               ----------------------------

ARMCO INC.                                  NATIONAL SUPPLY COMPANY, INC.


By: /s/David G. Harmer                       By: /s/ Gary R. Hildreth
      ---------------------------                -----------------------
Name:   David G. Harmer                      Name:  Gary R. Hildreth
        ------------------------                  ----------------------
Title:  Corporate Vice President and         Title: Vice President
           Chief Financial Officer                 ---------------------




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