HOWELL CORP /DE/
8-K, 1995-04-17
PETROLEUM & PETROLEUM PRODUCTS (NO BULK STATIONS)
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                        
                               ___________________


                                    Form 8-K

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


                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
                                        
                                 March 31, 1995
                                        
                               ___________________
                                        

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

                                        
                                    Delaware
                         (State or other jurisdiction of
                         incorporation or organization)
                                        
                                        

     1-8704                                          74-1223027
     (Commission File Number)           (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)



     1111 Fannin, Suite 1500, Houston, Texas             77002
     (Address of principal executive offices)          (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (713) 658-4000
                                        

<PAGE>
Item 2.  Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

On  March  31,  1995,  Howell Crude Oil Company (including its  recently  formed
subsidiaries,   "HCOC"),  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of   Howell   Corporation
("Howell"), acquired from Exxon Pipeline Company ("Exxon") two interstate  crude
oil  pipeline  systems  and  one  intrastate crude  oil  pipeline  system.   The
interstate  pipeline systems are located in Florida/Alabama ("Jay  System")  and
Mississippi/Louisiana ("Ms System").  The intrastate system is located in  Texas
("Texas  System").   Collectively, the purchase of these pipelines  and  related
assets comprise the "Exxon Transaction".

The  Texas  System  consists  of  a  555-mile  pipeline  system  extending  from
Groesbeck,  Texas, south to Texas City, Texas, and tanks for crude  oil  storage
with  a  total  capacity of approximately 1.9 million barrels.  The  Jay  System
consists of a 90-mile pipeline system that extends west from Santa Rosa  County,
Florida,  to  Mobile County, Alabama, and includes tanks with approximately  0.2
million  barrels  of  storage capacity.  The Ms System consists  of  a  230-mile
pipeline  system  extending  from Jones County,  Mississippi,  to  Baton  Rouge,
Louisiana, and includes storage capacity of approximately 0.2 million barrels.

The  total negotiated purchase price paid to Exxon for the Exxon Transaction was
$63.5 million.  Of this amount, $6.3 million of the purchase price was paid as a
deposit in February 1995 and the remainder at closing of the Exxon Transaction.

Howell  financed  the  deposit made in February 1995 under its  existing  Credit
Facility.  A description of this Credit Facility is located in Note 5  of  Notes
to  Consolidated Financial Statements in Howell's Form 10-K for the  year  ended
December 31, 1994.  The cash requirement at closing of the Exxon Transaction  of
$57.2  million was financed under a new credit facility among HCOC and Bank  One
Texas,  N.A.,  Bank of Montreal, Compass Bank - Houston and Den norske  Bank  AS
(the  "HCOC  Credit Facility").  The HCOC Credit Facility also replaces  the  LC
Facility as described in Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in
Howell's  Form  10-K  for the year ended December 31,  1994.   The  HCOC  Credit
Facility  provides  for  a  term  loan of $57.5  million  payable  in  quarterly
installments over a maximum of seven years.  The term loan provides for interest
at a rate selected by Howell of either:  (1) a Floating Base Rate (as defined in
the HCOC Credit Facility) that is generally the prevailing prime rate, or (2)  a
rate  based on LIBOR.  Additionally, the HCOC Credit Facility provides  for  the
issuance of letters of credit in the aggregate not to exceed the lesser  of  the
commitment  of $15 million or the Borrowing Base, as defined in the HCOC  Credit
Facility.

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

(a)  Financial statements of businesses acquired.

As  allowed in the rules to Form 8-K, the required financial statements  of  the
businesses  acquired  are not included in this filing as it  is  impractical  to
include such financial statements at this time.  The Registrant expects to  file
such financial statements no later than May 26, 1995.

(b)  Pro forma financial information

As  allowed  in  the  rules  to  Form 8-K, the pro forma  financial  information
required to be filed pursuant to Article 11 of Regulation S-X is not included in
this  filing as it is impractical to include such pro forma information at  this
time.   The Registrant expects to file such pro forma information no later  than
May 26, 1995.

(c)  Exhibits

2(a) Purchase and Sale Agreement between Exxon Pipeline Company and Howell Crude
Oil Company dated as of February 22, 1995.

2(b)  First Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement by and among Exxon Pipeline
Company  and  Howell Crude Oil Company, Howell Pipeline USA,  Inc.,  and  Howell
Pipeline Texas, Inc., dated as of March 31, 1995.


                                   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.

                                      HOWELL CORPORATION
                                      (Registrant)




Date:  April 17, 1995                  By     /s/ Paul W. Funkhouser
                                       Paul W. Funkhouser
                                       President and Chief Operating Officer



                                                                  EXHIBIT 2(a)
                                        
                           PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT



                                     between


                 EXXON PIPELINE COMPANY, a Delaware corporation


                                       and


                HOWELL CRUDE OIL COMPANY, a Delaware corporation

<PAGE>
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                Page No.


1.   Purchase and Sale of Assets                                 1

2.   Exclusions                                                  4

3.   Leases Between Buyer and EPC                                6

4.   Purchase Price                                              8

5.   Section Intentionally Deleted                               8

6.   Surveys                                                     8

7.   Hydrostatic Testing                                         8

8.   Surveillance                                                9

9.   Interim Operations                                          10

10.  Facilities Separations                                      10

11.  EPC's Representations and Warranties                        10

12.  Buyer's Representations and Warranties                      12

13.  Buyer's Acknowledgment                                      14

14.  Assessment                                                  14

15.  Right of Entry                                              15

16.  Review of Title                                             15

17.  Confidentiality                                             16

18.  Risk of Loss                                                17

19.  Indemnity and Release                                       17

20.  Closing                                                     19

21.  Purchase Price Allocation                                   20

22.  Property Taxes                                              20

23.  Other Taxes                                                 20

24.  Adjustment for Utility Charges and Credits                  20

25.  Allocation of Carrier Obligations and Proceeds              21

26.  Crude Oil Inventory                                         21

27.  Records                                                     22

28.  Access to Assets After Closing                              22

29.  Permits                                                     23

30.  Notices                                                     23

31.  Buyer's Default                                             23

32.  Guaranty of Buyer's Obligations                             24

33.  Further Assurances                                          24

34.  Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976        24

35.  Governing Law                                               25

36.  Assignment                                                  25

37.  Entire Agreement; Amendments                                25

38.  Publicity                                                   25

39.  No Joint Venture, Partnership and Agency                    25

40.  Counterparts                                                25

41.  Survival                                                    25

42.  Incorporation                                               25

43.  Payments                                                    26

List of Schedules                                                27

List of Exhibits                                                 28

<PAGE>
                           PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT


This  Purchase  and  Sale  Agreement ("Agreement")  is  made  and  entered  into
effective this 22nd day of February, 1995 by and between EXXON PIPELINE COMPANY,
a  Delaware  corporation  ("EPC")  and HOWELL  CRUDE  OIL  COMPANY,  a  Delaware
corporation ("Buyer"):


                               W I T N E S S E T H

      WHEREAS,  EPC desires to sell the  real and personal property and  related
rights  described  in  Section 1 below (collectively the  "Assets"),  and  Buyer
wishes  to  purchase the Assets from EPC, on the terms and conditions set  forth
below,

      NOW, THEREFORE, for the consideration hereinafter specified, EPC and Buyer
agree as follows:

1.    Purchase and Sale of Assets.  Subject to the terms and conditions of  this
Agreement, EPC agrees to sell and Buyer agrees to buy all of EPC's right, title,
and interest in the following:

     A.   The pipes, valves, meters, pumping equipment, some cathodic protection
devices,  and other equipment that are a part of the following pipeline  systems
listed  in  1.A(1)-(3) below, all as depicted in Exhibits "A1", "A2",  and  "A3"
attached hereto, together with all crude oil storage tanks and attached  valves,
meters,  and  pumping  equipment, as well as vehicles, boats  (if  any),  tools,
warehouse  stock, equipment and materials which are useful to and necessary  for
the  current  operation and maintenance of the following  pipeline  systems  and
which   are  not  primarily  used  for  other  EPC  systems,  including  without
limitation, those items identified in Exhibit "B" hereto and those items covered
by  the "Facilities Separation Agreement," as such term is defined in Section 2E
(collectively, the "Facilities"):

           (1)   Jay Pipeline Systems (more particularly listed in Exhibit  "A1"
Parts 1 & 2 hereto) as follows:

                a.    The  Jay  Crude  Oil  and Crude Oil  Condensate  Gathering
Systems,  including  lines  extending from Escambia  County,  Alabama,  Escambia
County,  Florida, and Santa Rosa County, Florida, to EPC's Jay Station in  Santa
Rosa County, Florida, and

                b.    The  Jay-Lott  Road Sixteen-Inch (16")  Trunkline  System,
extending from Santa Rosa County, Florida to Mobile County, Alabama;

          (2)  Mississippi Pipeline Systems (more particularly listed in Exhibit
"A2" Parts 1 & 2 hereto) as follows:

               a.   All of the gathering systems in Mississippi,

                b.    The  Soso-Liberty trunkline system, extending  from  Jones
County to Amite County, Mississippi, and

                c.   The Liberty-Maryland trunkline system, extending from Amite
County, Mississippi to East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana;

          (3)  The following Texas systems  (more particularly listed in Exhibit
"A3" Parts 1 & 2 hereto) :

                a.    The  Neches Jct.-Groesbeck (Todd-Fairfield and  Fairfield-
Groesbeck) trunkline system, extending from Anderson County to Limestone County,
Texas,  (See Exhibit "EE" hereto showing ownership limits)

                b.    The  Mexia-Groesbeck trunkline system, all located  within
Limestone County, Texas,

                c.    The  Groesbeck-Hearne  trunkline  system,  extending  from
Limestone County to Robertson County , Texas,

                 d.    The  Hearne-Navasota  trunkline  system,  extending  from
Robertson County to Grimes County, Texas,

               e.   The Navasota-Satsuma trunkline system, extending from Grimes
County to Harris County, Texas,

                f.    The  Satsuma-Pierce Junction trunkline  system,  including
lines  all located within Harris County, Texas, (See Exhibit "FF" hereto showing
excluded assets)

                g.    The  Pierce  Junction-Webster trunkline system,  including
lines  all located within Harris County, Texas, (See Exhibit "GG" hereto showing
excluded assets)

                h.    The  Webster-Texas City trunkline system,  extending  from
Harris County to Galveston County, Texas,

                i.    The  Raccoon Bend-Satsuma trunkline system extending  from
Austin County to Harris County, Texas,

                j.   The Webster-Houston 8" trunkline system, all located within
Harris County, Texas, (See Exhibit "HH" hereto showing ownership limits)

                k.    The Conroe/Tomball-Satsuma trunkline system, including the
Tomball  gathering system,  extending from Montgomery County to  Harris  County,
Texas,

                l.    Satsuma Crude Station and Tank Farm, excluding the Baytown
to  Irving  refined  products  pump station, and excluding  the  LPG  facilities
located in Harris County, Texas, and

                m.    Pumping  and  metering facilities to be located  at  EPC's
Webster Station, located in Harris County, Texas.

      B.    The  easements, and/or right of way agreements, and  to  the  extent
assignable,   those  land-use  and  water-crossing  licenses  or   permits   and
governmental authorizations relating to the Assets, listed in Exhibit "C" hereto
(collectively the "Easements"), together with any permanent structures and other
improvements  owned  or  leased  by  EPC located  thereon  and  related  to  the
Facilities.   Where  EPC  is retaining a pipeline or  pipelines  covered  by  an
Easement,  only  the  portions  of  the Easements  needed  for  pipelines  being
transferred  will be partially assigned to Buyer.  Therefore, Easements  related
to the following pipeline systems  will be only partially assigned:

          1.   Hearne to Satsuma;
          2.   Conroe to Satsuma;
          3.   Raccoon Bend to Satsuma;
          4.   Pierce Jct. to Webster; and
          5.    Webster to Houston (where it parallels the Webster  to  Baytown
pipelines to Gate Plant "N").

      C.    The fee lands at the locations listed in Exhibit "F1" hereto,  which
are  more particularly described in Exhibit "F2" hereto, (collectively, the "Fee
Lands"),  together with the permanent structures and other improvements  thereto
owned  by EPC related to the Facilities, being all subject to certain exceptions
and exclusions hereafter described.

      D.    The  leases for the stations and other sites listed in  Exhibit  "G"
hereto (collectively, the "Leases").

      E.   EPC will grant Buyer a non-exclusive easement, in the form of Exhibit
"I-1"  hereto  ("Webster  Station Easement"), for (i)  the  pipelines  Buyer  is
purchasing  which  cross  Webster Station;  and (ii) access from  Highway  3  to
Buyer's  station site.  The approximate locations of the easements are shown  in
Exhibit  "E" hereto.  After facilities separation work is completed  at  Webster
Station pursuant to the "Facilities Separation Agreement" (as defined in Section
10 herein), EPC and Buyer will amend the Webster Station Easement (a) to reflect
the location of the relocated replacement lines and to release the easements  as
to  the  replaced  lines, (b) to include a drainage easement from  Buyer's  pump
station  to Highway 3, and (c) to grant powerline or other utility easements  as
necessary  for  Buyer's operations.  EPC will also grant Buyer  a  non-exclusive
easement, in the form of Exhibit "I-2" hereto ("Satsuma Station Easement"),  for
existing  8"  and  10" crude lines and powerlines across the  fee  tract  to  be
reserved  by  EPC pursuant to Section 2.B. below.  The approximate  location  of
such easements is shown in Exhibit "L-1" hereto.

      F.    The  Assets also include EPC's records, files, and other data  which
relate solely to the Assets or necessary for  their operation, subject to  EPC's
right  to  retain portions of said records, files and other data as provided  in
Section 27 hereof.

     G.   Any contracts to the extent assignable related to the Assets listed in
Exhibit "J" hereto ("Contracts").

      H.    EPC shall convey the Fee Lands at Satsuma Station subject to a lease
between EPC, as lessor, and Exxon Corporation, as lessee, covering the microwave
tower and related equipment at the Satsuma Station facility ("Microwave Lease").
EPC  shall  assign  the Microwave Lease by Assignment and  Assumption  of  Lease
(hereby defined), in the form of Exhibit "K" hereto, in which Buyer shall assume
all of EPC's rights, duties, and responsibilities under the Microwave Lease.

2.   Exclusions.

     A.   EPC will reserve the following interests from the Fee Lands at Satsuma
Station for the EPC facilities listed below (which facilities are excluded  from
the Assets):

           (1)   EPC  will reserve title to one tract of land for EPC's  product
station  on its Baytown-Irving Refined Products Line ("BIPL") and for  a  future
station site on EPC's 18"/ 20" Kemper-Baytown Line; and

           (2)  EPC will reserve nonexclusive easements for (i) a roadway access
route  from   Jackrabbit  Road  to the reserved station sites,  (ii)  rights  of
egress  across  the  existing emergency escape route, (iii)  BIPL,  (iv)  future
construction of a manifold bypass for the 18"/20" Kemper-Baytown Line,  and  (v)
EPC's  Conroe  to Satsuma 6" LPG Line.  The easements described in (iii),  (iv),
and (v) shall include future line rights.

           These reservations shall be in the form in Exhibit "M1" hereto.   The
locations  of  the  reserved interests will be approximately  as  shown  in  the
drawing in Exhibit "L-1" hereto.

      B.    EPC  will  reserve  from  the Fee Lands  at  Hearne  Station  (i)  a
nonexclusive  easement for BIPL and for a power substation for power  equipment,
and  (ii)  an  exclusive powerline easement for EPC's powerline.   The  easement
reservation  shall be in the form in Exhibit "M2" hereto.  The location  of  the
reserved easement will be approximately as shown in the drawing in Exhibit  "CC"
hereto.

      C.   The Assets do not include microwave towers or related equipment.  The
microwave  tower and equipment located at Satsuma Station shall  remain  at  the
station under a lease with Exxon Corporation.

      D.    The  Assets do not include vehicles, boats, tools, warehouse  stock,
equipment  and materials temporarily located at or on the Facilities, Easements,
Leases,  or  Fee  Lands  and which are primarily used  for  other  EPC  systems,
including  without limitation, the items listed in Exhibit "N"  hereto,  or  any
inventory,  equipment, pipelines, fixtures or interests in land owned  by  other
parties including EPC's Affiliates (as defined in Section 34 hereof).

      E.    EPC  will  reserve all right, title, and interest to  the  following
cathodic protection devices or systems ("CP Systems"):

          (1)  all rectifiers, ground beds, bond boxes and the cable between the
rectifiers and the bond boxes in the following pipeline systems:

                (A)   the Webster-Houston line between Webster Station and  Gate
Plant "N,"

                (B)   the  Hearne  Station  to  Satsuma  Station  pipeline,  not
including those at the stations, and

                (C)   the Pierce Junction to Webster Station pipeline, including
those at Pierce Junction,

           (2)   Rectifier C-2068 in the Webster Station to Texas City pipeline,
and

           (3)   Rectifier #SW4, Station #235+60, called Brittmore  Sewar  Plant
Rectifier between Satsuma Station and Pierce Junction.

           EPC's  reserved CP Systems will not include, and EPC shall convey  to
Buyer,  the cables that run from the bond boxes to the Facilities, or any  other
item of CP Systems described as "Howell CP Facilities" in Exhibit "O" hereto.

           EPC  will  also reserve all right title and interest to pipe  bridges
related to any of EPC's retained lines.

           EPC  and Buyer will enter into a Facilities Sharing Agreement (hereby
defined)  in  the form of Exhibit "O" hereto, whereby they will agree  to  share
obligations  and  costs  related  to  cathodic protection  facilities  and  pipe
bridges  for  mutual protection of parallel lines and related to  the  equipment
located within the power substation at Hearne Station.

      F.    This Agreement does not license or authorize Buyer to use or display
the  "Exxon"  or  the  "Humble" name or any trademark  owned  by  EPC  or  Exxon
Corporation, and Buyer shall, at its expense, remove or paint over all signs and
markings  at  or  on  the Assets which indicate that they  were  ever  owned  or
operated  by  EPC  or  by  Humble Pipeline Company,  Exxon  Corporation  or  its
affiliates  and  return such signs to EPC or properly dispose  of  them.   Buyer
shall  remove or paint over all signs and markings located at or on the stations
which  are  included in the Assets within fourteen (14) days after  Closing  (as
defined  in  Section  20), and shall remove or paint over  any  remaining  signs
within  (i)  thirty  (30)  days after the expiration of  the  Interim  Operating
Agreement or (ii) one hundred twenty (120) days after Closing, whichever  occurs
first.

      G.    EPC  will need a power line to service the EPC Products  Station  at
Navasota.   If the power company needs to cross the Navasota Crude  Station  and
identifies  the  location prior to Closing, EPC will grant the easement  to  the
power  company and transfer the Navasota Crude Station subject to that easement.
If  the location is identified after Closing, Buyer agrees to grant the easement
to the power company.

3.   Leases and Easements Between Buyer and EPC.

      A.   Buyer shall grant to EPC a Satsuma Facilities Lease (hereby defined),
in  the form of Exhibit "P" hereto, for the portions of the Facilities currently
used  for the 18"/20" (Kemper-Baytown) crude system, as shown in the drawing  in
Exhibit "L-2" hereto.  The Satsuma Facilities Lease shall have an initial  lease
term  from  Closing  through December 31, 1997, with   EPC  having  a  right  to
terminate the lease at any time after the first twelve (12) months of the  lease
term  upon sixty (60) days prior written notice, at a rental of $0.10 per barrel
per   month  (based  on  nominal  capacity  of  the  leased  tanks),  and   with
responsibilities  and  obligations regarding  common  or  shared  facilities  as
described in the Satsuma Facilities Lease.

           The  Satsuma Facilities Lease shall also include an option  to  renew
upon sixty (60) days written notice prior to the expiration of the initial lease
term,  for  a  five  (5)  year  renewal term at a rental  rate  to  be  mutually
determined, but no more than $0.12 per barrel per month adjusted for  inflation,
and  with  maintenance  and  repair obligations  as  described  in  the  Satsuma
Facilities Lease.

           If  EPC  exercised its five (5) year renewal option under the Satsuma
Facilities  Lease,  then  upon  a  one (1) year  written  notice  prior  to  the
expiration  of the renewal term, EPC may request and Buyer will provide  to  EPC
either one (1) of the following at the end of the renewal term, to be determined
in Buyer's sole discretion:

           (a)   Buyer  may  sell a tract of land to EPC, at a  location  to  be
selected at Buyer's sole discretion from Buyer's station site remaining  at  the
end  of  the  renewal term, of sufficient area for EPC to construct a sufficient
number of tanks to provide one million (1,000,000) barrels nominal capacity at a
sales  price  to be determined by the average of two (2) independent  appraisals
(Buyer shall appoint an appraiser and EPC shall appoint the other appraiser); or

           (b)   Buyer may sell to EPC then existing tankage that would  provide
one  million (1,000,000) barrels of nominal capacity, together with related land
or  lease  rights, as applicable, on terms then mutually agreeable to Buyer  and
EPC.

      B.    EPC shall grant to Buyer a Webster  Lease (hereby defined),  in  the
form of Exhibit "Q" hereto, for (i) three tanks, Nos. 103, 105, and 106,  with a
total  nominal  capacity  of one hundred sixty-five thousand  (165,000)  barrels
currently located at EPC's Webster Station, and (ii) roadway access across EPC's
property  to  allow access between Buyer's facility adjacent to Webster  Station
and  the  easement property as shown in the drawing in Exhibit "E" hereto.   The
Webster   Lease shall have a lease term from Closing through December 31,  1999,
at  a  rental  of $0.10 per barrel per month (based on nominal capacity  of  the
leased tanks), with an option to renew upon sixty (60) days written notice prior
to the expiration of the initial lease term, for a five (5) year renewal term at
a  rental rate to be mutually determined, but no more than $0.12 per barrel  per
month  adjusted  for inflation, and with maintenance and repair  obligations  as
described  in  the  Webster   Lease (similar to  the  Satsuma  Facilities  Lease
relative to tankage).

           If Buyer exercises its five (5) year renewal option under the Webster
Lease,  then upon a one (1) year written notice prior to the expiration  of  the
renewal term, Buyer may request and EPC will provide to Buyer either one (1)  of
the  following  at the end of the renewal term, to be determined in  EPC's  sole
discretion:

           (a)   EPC  may  sell a tract of land to Buyer, at a  location  to  be
selected at EPC's sole discretion from EPC's station site remaining at  the  end
of  the  renewal term, of sufficient area for Buyer to construct  a  single  one
hundred fifty thousand (150,000) barrel nominal capacity tank, at a sales  price
to  be  determined by the average of two (2) independent appraisals  (EPC  shall
appoint an appraiser and Buyer shall appoint the other appraiser); or

           (b)   EPC may sell to Buyer then existing tankage that would  provide
one  hundred fifty thousand (150,000) barrels of nominal capacity, together with
related land or lease rights, as applicable, on terms then mutually agreeable to
EPC and Buyer.

     C.   Buyer shall grant to EPC a sublease (the "Navasota Sublease") covering
a  portion of the leased tract shown on Exhibit "D" hereto for use as a products
station.   Buyer will reserve the non-exclusive right to use the roadway  across
the  portion  of  EPC's  product station as shown on Exhibit  "D"  hereto.   The
Navasota  Sublease will be in the form of Exhibit "H" hereto.  Buyer  agrees  to
record the Navasota Sublease immediately after Closing.

      D.   Any lien filed against all or any portion of the Assets which secures
financing  obtained  by  Buyer shall be expressly  subordinate  to  the  Satsuma
Facilities  Lease,  the  Navasota Sublease, the  Microwave  Lease,  and  to  any
easements  or leases relating to any portion of the Assets which are granted  to
EPC at or after the Closing .

      E.   Buyer will grant to EPC (i) a nonexclusive easement for the 18" crude
line to Satsuma; (ii) three (3) nonexclusive easements for gathering lines;  and
(iii) an exclusive easement covering an approximately 15' by 20' tract for EPC's
leased  automatic custody transfer ("LACT") unit.  The easement shall be in  the
form   in  Exhibit  "M3"  hereto.   The  location  of  the  easements  will   be
approximately shown in the drawing in Exhibit "II" hereto.  After Closing, Buyer
agrees  to grant to Exxon Corporation (or any of its divisions) an easement  for
cable lines from Buyer's station building to the Racoon Bend microwave tower.

      F.    Buyer  and EPC acknowledge that EPC and its Affiliates may  have  in
place  pipelines and related equipment on certain Fee Lands and property covered
by  the  Leases  and  Easements which the parties have  not  yet  identified  or
provided  for in this Agreement, including without limitation, at Raccoon  Bend,
Pierce  Junction and Neches Junction (Todd).  Buyer agrees to grant EPC  or  its
Affiliates,  as  applicable,  or to allow EPC to  reserve  in  the  conveyances,
easements  or  partial assignments for such pipelines and related  equipment  in
substantially  the form of the other easements and partial assignments  attached
as Exhibits to this Agreement.

4.    Purchase Price.  The "Purchase Price" (hereby defined) to be paid for  the
Assets  shall  be SIXTY-THREE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND  NO/100  DOLLARS
($63,500,000.00) cash or other immediately available funds in EPC's account.  As
evidence of good faith, Buyer will deposit with EPC the following amounts:   (i)
on February 23, 1995, SIX MILLION THREE HUNDRED FORTY NINE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED
AND  NO/100  DOLLARS ($6,349,500.00) (the "Deposit") and (ii) on  the  effective
date  of  this  Agreement,  FIVE  HUNDRED  AND  NO/100  DOLLARS  ($500.00)  (the
"Independent  Consideration").   The  Independent  Consideration  shall  be   in
addition  to  and  independent of any other consideration  provided  under  this
Agreement,  shall  be  non-refundable and shall be retained  by  EPC  under  all
circumstances.   The  parties  acknowledge the sufficiency  of  the  Independent
Consideration  to support this Agreement.  The Deposit will be  applied  to  the
Purchase Price at Closing, and except as specifically provided otherwise in this
Agreement, shall be non-refundable and non-interest bearing.

5.   Section Intentionally Deleted.

6.    Surveys.  Buyer shall reimburse EPC for the first TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND
NO/100 DOLLARS ($25,000.00) of the costs of surveying the easements, leases, and
any tracts of land as required to carry out the provisions of this Agreement  or
Exhibits  hereto.  Buyer and EPC will share equally any surveying costs incurred
in excess of TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($25,000.00).

7.    Hydrostatic  Testing.   EPC will perform hydrostatic  testing  of  certain
portions of the pipeline sections included in the Hearne-Texas City/Mexia System
in  accordance  with the Hydrostatic Testing Plan (hereby defined)  attached  as
Exhibit  "AA"  hereto  and  Buyer's  representative  shall  be  responsible  for
certifying  the test pressure.  Buyer or its representative may be  present  and
observe  the  hydrostatic testing, if Buyer so elects.  EPC  will  complete  the
testing of the pipeline section from Hearne to Navasota and the pipeline section
from  Groesbeck to Neches Junction prior to Closing.  If the hydrotests  on  the
Hearne  to  Navasota and Groesbeck to Neches Junction segments are not completed
by  Closing, the Closing shall be extended until such tests are completed.   EPC
will  use its best efforts to complete the testing of the pipeline section  from
Pierce  Junction to Webster prior to Closing.  If EPC is unable to complete  the
testing prior to Closing, Buyer will grant EPC access to the Pierce Junction  to
Webster  pipeline section to complete the testing.  EPC will not be  responsible
for  any  interruption of business which may result from  such  testing  of  the
Pierce  Junction  to  Webster pipeline sections.  In  this  section,  the  terms
"testing"  and  "hydrostatic  testing" shall mean  the  work  described  in  the
Hydrostatic  Testing Plan, and "completed" shall have the meaning set  forth  in
the Hydrostatic Testing Plan.

      Buyer  will  reimburse EPC for the first ONE MILLION  AND  NO/100  DOLLARS
($1,000,000.00) of the costs incurred by EPC in connection with the  hydrostatic
testing  of  the three (3) pipeline sections.  If Buyer requires EPC to  perform
hydrostatic testing between Pierce Junction and Webster as provided  in  Exhibit
"AA"  hereto, Buyer's obligation to pay the costs associated with the additional
testing   shall  be  in  addition  to  and  not  included  as  part  of  Buyer's
reimbursement obligation under this Section 7.  EPC will be responsible for  the
second ONE MILLION AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00) of such costs.  Buyer  and
EPC  will  share equally any costs incurred in excess of TWO MILLION AND  NO/100
DOLLARS  ($2,000,000.00).  If the costs incurred by EPC in connection  with  the
hydrostatic   testing   are   less  than  ONE   MILLION   AND   NO/100   DOLLARS
($1,000,000.00), then the amount of any such difference (the "Unincurred Testing
Costs") shall be added to the maximum amounts to be reimbursed by Buyer pursuant
to  Section 10.  EPC may deliver invoices to Buyer from time to time but no more
frequently than monthly and Buyer will reimburse EPC within thirty (30) days  of
receipt of such invoice.  Buyer will have the right to audit EPC records of  the
costs reimbursed, for a period of one (1) year after the reimbursement request.

      In Sections 7 (including cost reimbursement under Exhibit "AA" hereto), 9,
and  10  of  this Agreement, the costs to be reimbursed shall include costs  for
equipment,   materials,  contract  services,  and  other   direct   expenditures
(vehicle/gasoline, travel expenses, etc.) and wages and salaries for appropriate
EPC company personnel plus benefits and payroll burden at the rates specified in
the  Burden List (hereby defined) set forth in Exhibit "DD" hereto.  Any  change
in  the  rates  specified in the Burden List will be agreed to by  both  parties
prior to implementation.

8.    Surveillance.  At Closing, EPC and Buyer will enter into a Monitoring  and
Operations  Control  Agreement (hereby defined) in  the  form  of  Exhibit  "BB"
hereto.   In  that agreement, EPC will agree to continue to operate  its  remote
control  center  for monitoring and operations control for the Facilities  until
the  earlier  to occur of (i) one (1) year after Closing, or (ii)  the  facility
separation  work  detailed in Section 10 below is completed and  Buyer's  remote
control  center is constructed and operational.  Buyer will use best efforts  to
complete  construction of and commence operating its remote  control  center  as
soon  as  possible  after  Closing.  In the Monitoring  and  Operations  Control
Agreement, Buyer shall agree to pay for third party costs incurred by EPC,  such
as  leased circuit costs, costs of maintenance of the leased circuits, and costs
of  maintenance  of the field SCADA (as defined in Exhibit "BB")  equipment  and
other costs incurred by EPC directly related to the Facilities.  Buyer will have
the  right to audit EPC records of the costs reimbursed, for a period of one (1)
year after the reimbursement request.

9.    Interim Operations.  At Closing, EPC and Buyer will enter into an  Interim
Operating Agreement (hereby defined) in the form of Exhibit "W" hereto.  In  the
Interim  Operating Agreement, EPC will agree to serve as operator  for Buyer  of
the  portions of the Assets specified in the Interim Operating Agreement for  up
to  a three (3) month period.  If Buyer's pump station at Webster Station is not
completed  at  the  expiration of the term of the Interim  Operating  Agreement,
Buyer will have the right to extend the Interim Operating Agreement for the sole
purpose  of  EPC's providing Manifold Operation Services (as defined in  Exhibit
"W")  until the pump station is completed.  In that agreement, Buyer shall agree
to  pay  third  party  and  direct costs incurred  by  EPC,  including  employee
benefits.   Buyer  will  have  the  right to audit  EPC  records  of  the  costs
reimbursed, for a period of one (1) year after the reimbursement request.

10.   Facilities  Separations.   Buyer and EPC shall  enter  into  a  Facilities
Separation Agreement (hereby defined) in the form of Exhibit "Z" hereto, wherein
EPC  agrees  to  perform  work to separate the Assets  from  certain  facilities
retained  by  EPC, as more particularly described therein (the  "Work").   Buyer
shall  reimburse EPC for costs incurred by EPC, up to a maximum of EIGHT HUNDRED
THOUSAND  AND  NO/100 DOLLARS ($800,000.00), plus the amount of  any  Unincurred
Testing  Costs  pursuant  to Section 7,  for the Work  at  Satsuma  and  Webster
Stations.  Buyer shall reimburse all separation costs for the Work  at  Navasota
Station.  EPC may bill Buyer for such reimbursements from time to time,  but  no
more  frequently than monthly.  Buyer shall pay reimbursables within thirty (30)
days  after receipt of an invoice from EPC.  Buyer will have the right to  audit
EPC's  records  of the costs reimbursed, for a period of one (1) year after  the
reimbursement  request.   Buyer  shall be responsible  for  any  separation  and
construction of new facilities needed by Buyer for operation of the Assets which
are  not  included  in the Work.  In the Interim Operating Agreement,  EPC  also
agrees  to  provide to Buyer at Webster Station the Manifold Operation  Services
necessary between Closing and the date Buyer's pump station is completed as part
of the Work.  Buyer shall reimburse EPC's costs of providing such services.

11.  EPC's Representations and Warranties.

      A.    EPC WILL SELL THE ASSETS TO BUYER ON AN AS-IS, WHERE-IS AND WITH ALL
FAULTS  BASIS.   EPC  MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR EXPRESS OR IMPLIED  WARRANTIES
WITH RESPECT TO THE ASSETS.  EPC MAKES NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED,  AS  TO  THE  ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF  ANY  DATA,  INFORMATION,  OR
MATERIALS HERETOFORE OR HEREAFTER FURNISHED BUYER IN CONNECTION WITH THE  ASSETS
AND  ANY  RELIANCE ON OR USE OF THE SAME SHALL BE AT BUYER'S SOLE  RISK.   BUYER
EXPRESSLY  WAIVES  THE  PROVISIONS OF (I) CHAPTER XVII, SUBCHAPTER  E,  SECTIONS
17.41 THROUGH 17.63, INCLUSIVE (OTHER THAN SECTION 17.555, WHICH IS NOT WAIVED),
VERNON'S TEXAS CODE ANNOTATED, BUSINESS AND COMMERCE CODE (THE "DECEPTIVE  TRADE
PRACTICES - CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT");(II) CHAPTER 19, SECTIONS 8-19-1 THROUGH
8-19-15,  INCLUSIVE, CODE OF ALABAMA, COMMERCIAL LAW AND CONSUMER PROTECTION
CODE (THE "DECEPTIVE  TRADE PRACTICES ACT"); (III) CHAPTER 501, PART II,
SECTIONS 501.201 THROUGH 501.213, INCLUSIVE, FLORIDA STATUTES ANNOTATED,
CONSUMER PROTECTION  (THE  "FLORIDA  DECEPTIVE AND UNFAIR  TRADE  PRACTICES
ACT");  (IV) CHAPTER  13, SECTIONS 1401 THROUGH 1418, INCLUSIVE, LOUISIANA
REVISED STATUTES, TRADE AND COMMERCE (THE "UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES AND
CONSUMER PROTECTION  LAW"); AND  (V)  CHAPTER 24, SECTIONS 75-24-1 THROUGH
75-24-131, INCLUSIVE, MISSISSIPPI CODE  ANNOTATED,  REGULATION OF TRADE,
COMMERCE AND INVESTMENTS ("REGULATION  OF BUSINESS FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION")
AS SUCH PROVISIONS RELATE TO THE PORTIONS  OF THE ASSETS LOCATED WITHIN EACH
JURISDICTION.

      B.    EPC  is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and  in  good
standing  under  the laws of the State of Delaware and in each state  where  the
Assets  are  located  and  has  the corporate power and  necessary  governmental
authorizations to own, lease and operate the Assets.

      C.   EPC has the corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement  and  each agreement and instrument to be delivered  by  EPC  pursuant
hereto, and to carry out its obligations hereunder.  The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and each agreement and instrument to be  delivered
pursuant  hereto by EPC, and the consummation of the transactions  provided  for
hereby  have been duly authorized and approved by all requisite corporate action
of  EPC  and  no  other corporate act or proceeding on the part of  EPC  or  its
shareholders is necessary to authorize the execution, delivery or performance of
this  Agreement  and this Agreement is a legal, valid, binding  and  enforceable
obligation of EPC, except as may be limited by bankruptcy or other laws of  such
general application affecting creditors' rights generally.

     D.   No consent, approval, or notices of or to any other person ("Consent")
is  required  with respect to EPC in connection with the execution, delivery  or
enforceability  of  this  Agreement  or the  consummation  of  the  transactions
provided  for  hereby  other than (i) those for which any  adverse  consequences
arising  out  of the failure to obtain such Consent or to make such  filing  are
immaterial,  individually  and  in the aggregate,  to  the  Assets;  (ii)  those
required for transfer of the Easements, if any, and (iii) filings made under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.

     E.   Except for the transfer of the Easements and Leases or as set forth on
Schedule  11.E.,  the  execution  and  delivery  of  this  Agreement   and   the
consummation  of the transactions provided for hereby does not (i)  violate  any
other agreement, contract, instrument or order to which EPC is subject or  is  a
party,  or (ii) trigger any rights of first refusal, or any buy/sell or  similar
rights.

      F.    Except as set forth on Schedule 11.F, (i) there is no action,  suit,
proceeding  or  formal  claim pending, involving or  affecting  the  Assets  and
seeking  compensation in an amount in excess of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND  NO/100
DOLLARS  ($100,000.00) in each case, or FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS
($500,000.00)  in  the  aggregate, or seeking  compensation  in  an  unspecified
amount;  and  (ii) to the best of EPC's knowledge, there is no claim  threatened
involving  or  affecting the Assets and seeking compensation  in  an  amount  in
excess of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($100,000.00).

      G.    All  negotiations  relating to this Agreement and  the  transactions
contemplated hereby have been carried on without the intervention of any  person
acting on behalf of EPC or its Affiliates in such manner as to give rise to  any
valid  claim  against  Buyer  for  any  broker's  or  finder's  fee  or  similar
compensation  in  connection  with the transactions  contemplated  hereby.   EPC
agrees  to  pay and to indemnify fully, hold harmless and defend Buyer  and  its
Affiliates from and against, and pay, any claims by any person alleging a  right
to a broker's or finder's fee based upon any actions of EPC or its Affiliates.

      H.    The Fee Lands, Easements, and Leases will be conveyed to Buyer  free
and  clear of any monetary liens and monetary encumbrances.  The sole remedy for
breach  of  this provision shall be the cost of removing any monetary  liens  or
monetary encumbrances by EPC.

      I.    To  best of EPC's knowledge, the Assets have been used only for  the
operation of a crude oil pipeline system.

12.  Buyer's Representations and Warranties.

     A.   BUYER REPRESENTS TO EPC THAT BUYER IS ACQUIRING THE ASSETS FOR ITS OWN
BENEFIT AND ACCOUNT.

     B.   BUYER REPRESENTS THAT BY REASON OF BUYER'S KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN
THE  EVALUATION,  ACQUISITION, AND OPERATION OF  OTHER  KINDS  OF  OIL  AND  GAS
PROPERTIES,  BUYER HAS EVALUATED THE MERITS AND RISKS OF PURCHASING  THE  ASSETS
AND HAS FORMED AN OPINION BASED SOLELY UPON BUYER'S KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE AND
NOT UPON ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES BY EPC WITH RESPECT TO THE ASSETS  OR
AS  TO  THE  ACCURACY  OR  COMPLETENESS OF ANY DATA, INFORMATION,  OR  MATERIALS
HERETOFORE  OR HEREAFTER FURNISHED TO BUYER IN CONNECTION WITH THE  ASSETS,  AND
ANY RELIANCE ON OR USE OF THE SAME HAS BEEN AND WILL BE AT BUYER'S SOLE RISK.

      C.    Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in  good
standing  under the laws of the State of Delaware, and in each state  where  the
Assets are located.

      D.    Buyer  has the corporate power and authority to execute and  deliver
this  Agreement  and  each agreement and instrument to  be  delivered  by  Buyer
pursuant  hereto,  and to carry out its obligations hereunder.   The  execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and each agreement and instrument  to
be  delivered  pursuant hereto by Buyer and the consummation of the transactions
provided  for  hereby have been duly authorized and approved  by  all  requisite
corporate action of Buyer and no other corporate act or proceeding on  the  part
of  Buyer  or  its  Affiliates  or shareholders is necessary  to  authorize  the
execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement and Agreement is  a  legal,
valid, binding and enforceable obligation of Buyer, except as may be limited  by
bankruptcy or other laws of such general application affecting creditors' rights
generally.

      E.   No Consent is required with respect to Buyer or any of its Affiliates
in  connection with the execution, delivery or enforceability of this  Agreement
or  the  consummation of the transactions provided for hereby,  other  than  (i)
those  for  which any adverse consequences arising out of the failure to  obtain
such  Consent  or to make such filing are immaterial, individually  and  in  the
aggregate,  to  the  Assets, and (ii) filings made under  the  Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.

      F.   Except as set forth on Schedule 12.F., the execution and delivery  of
this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions provided for hereby does
not  violate  any  other agreement, contract, or instrument to  which  Buyer  is
subject or is a party.

      G.   Except as set forth on Schedule 12.G., no action, suit, proceeding or
claim  is  pending or to Buyer's knowledge threatened against Buyer  seeking  to
restrain or prohibit this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby,  or
to  obtain  damages, a discovery order or other relief in connection  with  this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

      H.    All  negotiations  relating to this Agreement and  the  transactions
contemplated hereby have been carried on without the intervention of any  person
acting  on behalf of Buyer or its Affiliates in such manner as to give  rise  to
any  valid  claim  against  EPC for any broker's  or  finder's  fee  or  similar
compensation  in  connection with the transactions contemplated  hereby.   Buyer
agrees  to  pay  and to indemnify fully, hold harmless and defend  EPC  and  its
Affiliates from and against, and pay, any claims by any person alleging a  right
to a broker's or finder's fee based upon any actions of Buyer or its Affiliates.

13.   Buyer's Acknowledgment.  Buyer acknowledges that the Assets have been used
for  the  operation of a crude oil pipeline system, which operation involves  or
may  have involved the existence, handling, disposal, or spill of wastes,  crude
oil,  condensate, tank bottoms, produced water, asbestos, undisplaced crude oil,
lead-based  paints,  PCB's  in  transformers, mercury  in  electrical  switches,
Naturally  Occurring Radioactive Material, and other materials, substances,   or
contaminants.

14.  Assessment.

     A.   Buyer, at its own risk and expense, may conduct a due diligence review
of  the  Assets  as Buyer considers necessary or advisable.  The  due  diligence
review  must  be completed without delaying the Closing and must be  coordinated
and  scheduled between designated representatives of Buyer and EPC.   Buyer  has
agreed that due diligence will not include intrusive testing.

      B.    If,  as a result of Buyer's due diligence review either a  "Material
Physical Defect" or a "Material Environmental Condition" (each defined below) is
discovered,  Buyer shall immediately notify EPC in writing, but  no  later  than
March  24, 1995, describing such defect or condition and the reasonable estimate
of  the  cost  to repair or remediate.  EPC shall have the right to  repair  the
defect or agree to remediate the environmental condition by giving Buyer written
notice  of  such  election prior to Closing.  If EPC elects  not  to  repair  or
remediate the condition, (i) Buyer or EPC may terminate this Agreement by giving
written  notice to the other party prior to Closing, or (ii) Buyer and EPC  may,
prior  to  Closing,  mutually agree to a Purchase Price adjustment.   If  either
party  terminates this Agreement in accordance with this Section 14B, EPC  shall
return  the  Deposit and both parties shall be relieved of all  liabilities  and
obligations hereunder, except for any indemnity provisions, which shall  survive
such termination.  For the purposes of this paragraph only, a "Material Physical
Defect"  shall  mean physical defects in the Facilities not disclosed  prior  to
January  12,  1995 for which the cost of repair or replacement  would  exceed  a
cumulative  total  of  TWO  MILLION FIVE HUNDRED  THOUSAND  AND  NO/100  DOLLARS
($2,500,000.00).   To be included in the calculation of the  cumulative  amount,
the cost of repair or replacement due to a defect in any individual component of
the  Facilities must exceed ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS
($175,000.00).   For purposes of this Section 14B, in order to be  considered  a
defect in an individual component, a defect must exist over a length of one  (1)
mile  or  less  if found in a pipeline or exist in any individual  component  if
found  at  a  station.   For the purposes of this paragraph  only,  a  "Material
Environmental Condition" shall mean a condition not disclosed prior  to  January
12,  1995 of any of the Fee Lands or a condition not disclosed prior to  January
12,  1995  and  caused by EPC or its operations on the property covered  by  the
Leases or the Easements where a governmental agency would mandate remediation of
such  conditions under applicable Environmental Laws (as defined in Section 19),
for  which  the  cost of remediation would exceed a cumulative  total  of  THREE
MILLION  AND  NO/100 DOLLARS ($3,000,000.00).  To be included in the calculation
of  the  cumulative  amount of Material Environmental Condition,  an  applicable
individual   condition cost must exceed SEVEN HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND AND  NO/100
DOLLARS ($750,000.00).

15.  Right of Entry.  EPC will provide Buyer (or its contractor) with reasonable
access to the Assets to conduct the due diligence review.  If EPC does not  have
legal  right to allow Buyer such access, then EPC and Buyer shall work  together
to  obtain  the access.  Buyer and/or its contractor shall comply  with  prudent
safety  and  industrial hygiene procedures, including without limitation,  EPC's
Safety  Requirements previously delivered to Buyer, and any  amendments  thereto
upon  notice  to  Buyer,  and shall review such procedures  with  EPC  prior  to
commencement of the Assessment.  Buyer, its employees, agents and/or contractors
shall  comply  with  EPC's  Drug  and  Alcohol  Prohibitions  and  Requirements,
previously delivered to Buyer, and any amendments thereto upon notice to  Buyer,
while  present at or on the Assets.  Buyer shall submit schedules to  EPC  which
show  when  Buyer  plans  to  access the Assets.  Said  schedules  shall  be  in
sufficient detail to allow EPC to determine in advance the approximate number of
employees,  contractors, subcontractors and equipment that Buyer  will  have  on
site,  and shall be provided to EPC sufficiently in advance of the date or dates
of access to enable EPC to arrange to have an inspector(s) present.  Buyer shall
not access the Assets without the presence of an EPC employee or EPC contractor.
It  is understood that there are risks associated with accessing the Assets, and
Buyer  assumes responsibility for the safety of personnel and property  of  both
Buyer  and  Buyer's contractors.  Buyer agrees to inspect the Assets for  safety
purposes upon such entry and to exercise precautions and conduct all actions  at
or  on  the Assets in a way that will, in so far as reasonably possible,  assure
the  safety  of  persons  and  property.  IN ADDITION  TO  BUYER'S  RELEASE  AND
INDEMNITY  IN SECTION 19, Buyer shall release, indemnify and hold harmless  EPC,
ITS  OFFICERS,  DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVES, SUCCESSORS,  AND  ASSIGNS
(HEREINAFTER INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY, THE "INDEMNITEE") against any CLAIMS
ASSERTED  AGAINST INDEMNITEE BY ANY PERSON for injury to persons  or  damage  to
property arising out of the due diligence review, except to the extent that  any
such injury or damage arises out of the negligence or willful misconduct of EPC.
If  such  injury  to  persons  or damage to property  is  the  result  of  joint
negligence or willful misconduct of EPC and Buyer (which termS, for purposes  of
this  indemnification  shall  include EPC's and  Buyer's  respective  employees,
contractors and agents), Buyer's duty of indemnification shall be reduced to the
extent  of  EPC's  proportionate  share of  such  joint  negligence  or  willful
misconduct.

16.   Review of Title.  During the due diligence review, Buyer shall be entitled
to review the Easements, Fee Lands, and Leases descriptions to determine whether
EPC  has good title and whether any consents or approvals are required for their
assignment  or  conveyance.  At Buyer's request, EPC  will  provide  Buyer  with
access  with  copying privileges, at Buyer's sole cost, to EPC's  right  of  way
files  covering  the  Easements, Fee Lands, and Leases.  If  Buyer  discovers  a
"Material  Title  Defect" (as defined below) during its  due  diligence  review,
Buyer  shall immediately notify EPC in writing of the defect, but no later  than
March  24,  1995.  EPC shall have the right to cure such defect by giving  Buyer
written  notice of such election prior to Closing.  If EPC elects  not  to  cure
such  defect,  (i) Buyer or EPC may terminate this Agreement by  giving  written
notice to the other party prior to Closing, or (ii) Buyer and EPC may, prior  to
Closing,  mutually agree to a Purchase Price adjustment.  For  the  purposes  of
this  paragraph,  a "Material Title Defect" shall mean a defect  or  encumbrance
(other than a Material Consent, as defined below) to title for which the cost of
curing would exceed ONE MILLION AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00).  During  the
due  diligence  review,  Buyer  will identify in writing  to  EPC  all  Material
Consents  required for assignment of any of the Easements or  the  Leases.   EPC
will use reasonable efforts to obtain all Material Consents so identified.   For
purposes  of this paragraph, a "Material Consent" shall mean a consent which  is
required  on the face of the Easement or the Lease and which is required  to  be
obtained from an individual or entity other than a public or quasi-public entity
or a business entity which grants consents in the normal course of business.  If
EPC  determines that obtaining a Material Consent could require the  expenditure
of  TEN THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($10,000.00) or more, and if EPC elects  not
to expend such amount to obtain the consent, (i) Buyer or EPC may terminate this
Agreement  by  giving written notice to the other party, or (ii) Buyer  and  EPC
may,  prior  to the Closing negotiate a reduction of the amount of the  Purchase
Price  to  fairly reflect the cost of obtaining such consent.   If  consents  or
approvals  (other  than  any  consents or approvals  which  constitute  Material
Consents)  are  required,  EPC  shall endeavor to obtain  such  consents  and/or
approvals,  provided  that (i) EPC shall not be required to  incur  any  expense
beyond EPC's usual overhead expense, (ii) Buyer shall cooperate in obtaining any
such  consents  and or approvals, and (iii) Buyer and/or EPC shall  execute  any
reasonable documentation requested by the parties whose consent or approval  may
be  required.   Buyer agrees that any circumstance in which EPC  has  reasonable
claims  to prescriptive rights shall not be considered a Material Title  Defect.
If  either  party terminates this Agreement in accordance with this Section  16,
EPC  shall  return  the  Deposit  and both parties  shall  be  relieved  of  all
liabilities  and  obligations hereunder, except for  any  indemnity  provisions,
which shall survive such termination.

17.   Confidentiality.   Buyer  shall maintain  in  confidence  any  information
obtained  in  the  due diligence review, in the review of  title  or  any  other
information obtained from EPC, and shall not use such information in any  manner
that  is  adverse  or  detrimental to the interests  of EPC.   Buyer  shall  not
disclose such information to any other party without prior written consent  from
EPC,  unless required by law to do so, in which case Buyer shall provide written
notice to EPC prior to the disclosure.  Buyer shall take all reasonable measures
to protect the confidentiality of the information, including but not limited to,
(1)  disclosing  the information only to those employees who  have  a  "need  to
know";  and  (2)  ensuring that each such employee to whom  the  information  is
disclosed  is first advised of Buyer's obligations hereunder.  Either before  or
after    Closing, Buyer shall not provide  such information  to any third  party
that  would  aid or assist others in any claims or proceedings adverse  to  EPC,
except to the extent required by legal process.  Where such information must  be
furnished  by  requirements  of  legal  process,  Buyer  shall  provide  written
notification to EPC prior to providing such information.

18.   Risk  of  Loss.   If prior to the Closing either (i) "Material  Damage  or
Destruction"  occurs  by fire or other casualty to all or  any  portion  of  the
Assets,  or  (ii)  a  taking of a "Material Portion" of  the  Assets  occurs  by
condemnation  or  eminent  domain or by agreement in  lieu  thereof,  EPC  shall
immediately  notify Buyer thereof.  EPC shall have the right to rebuild,  repair
or replace such lost, damaged, or governmentally taken portion of the Assets, by
giving  Buyer  written notice of such election within ten (10)  days  after  the
damage or destruction or governmental taking or give notice at any time prior to
Closing,  if the damage or destruction or governmental taking occurs  less  than
ten  (10) days prior to Closing.  If EPC elects not  to cure such loss or damage
prior  to  the Closing despite reasonable efforts to cure, (i) EPC or Buyer  may
terminate  this  Agreement,  or  (ii) Buyer and EPC  may,  before  the  Closing,
negotiate a reduction of the amount of the Purchase Price to fairly reflect  the
value  represented  by  the  lost  or damaged Assets  or  the  Assets  taken  by
condemnation.  If either party terminates this Agreement in accordance with this
Section  18, EPC shall return the Deposit and both parties shall be relieved  of
all  liabilities and obligations hereunder, except for any indemnity provisions,
which  shall survive such termination.  For the purposes of this paragraph only,
a  loss by fire or other casualty shall be deemed Material Damage or Destruction
if  the  cost  of repairing the damage done to any individual component  of  the
Assets  exceeds   ONE  MILLION  AND  NO/100 DOLLARS  ($1,000,000.00).   For  the
purposes  of  this  paragraph only, a taking by condemnation,  or  as  otherwise
provided  herein, shall be deemed a taking of a "Material Portion" if more  than
10  percent of the Assets is so taken, or if operations of the Assets  would  be
significantly  curtailed for a period exceeding three (3)  months  as  a  result
thereof.

19.   INDEMNITY  AND RELEASE:  iN ADDITION TO buyer's RELEASE AND  INDEMNITY  IN
SECTION 15 OF THIS AGREEMENT and in addition to any release or indemnity in  any
other agreement executed pursuant to this agreement, THE FOLLOWING SHALL APPLY:

      A.    EFFECTIVE AS OF THE DATE OF closing, and Except as expressly limited
in   section   19d   below,   Buyer,   its   officers,   directors,   employees,
representatives,   successors   and  assigns   (hereinafter   individually   and
collectively,  the "indemnitor") agrees to release, indemnify and hold  harmless
EPC,  its  officers,  directors,  employees,  representatives,  successors,  and
assigns  (hereinafter individually and collectively, the "indemnitee") from  all
Claims  asserted  against  indemnitee by any person or  entity  arising  (1)  in
connection with the environmental condition of the Assets, to the extent ARISING
OUT  OF, related to or caused by the ownership, operation, use, repair, removal,
or control of ANY OF the crude oil pipeline systemS by indemnitee or indemnitor;
(2)  from  incidents occurring after Closing relating to the  condition  of  the
assets;  and/OR  (3) in connection with indemnitor's ownership, operation,  use,
repair, removal, or control of the assets after Closing.

      B.    effective as of the date of closing, AND EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY LIMITED
IN  SECTION  19D BELOW, indemnitor agrees to release indemnitee from all  Claims
not covered by section 19A above arising in connection with the condition of the
Assets,  their  ownership,  operation,  use,  repair,  removal,  or  control  by
indemnitee.

      c.    it  is  the  express intention of the parties that the  release  and
indemnity in this section 19 shall apply to claims that may arise in whole or in
part  from  the  negligence,  gross negligence, willful  misconduct,  or  strict
liability of indemnitee, whether active, passive, joint, concurrent, or sole.

      d.    indemnitor's  indemnity set forth in Section  19a  AND  INDEMNITOR'S
RELEASE SET FORTH IN SECTION 19B shall not include any liability resulting  from
claims  by  EPC employees for personal injury or death, to the extent  that  the
personal  injury or DEATH results from exposure prior to closing and would  have
given  rise  to  a  legally  enforceable  cause  of  action  prior  to  closing.
INDEMNITOR'S RELEASE SET FORTH IN SECTION 19B SHALL NOT APPLY TO (1) THE  BREACH
BY  INDEMNITEE OF ANY OF THE REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES IN SECTION 11 OF THIS
AGREEMENT;  (2) ANY CLAIMS RELATING TO THE LAWSUITS SET FORTH IN SCHEDULE  11.F,
FOR WHICH INDEMNITEE SHALL RETAIN RESPONSIBILITY; OR (3) THE RIGHT OF INDEMNITOR
TO  SEEK  CONTRIBUTION  FROM INDEMNITEE FOR CLAIMS ASSERTED  AGAINST  INDEMNITOR
ARISING  IN  CONNECTION WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION OF THE ASSETS,  TO  THE
EXTENT  ARISING  OUT OF, RELATED TO OR CAUSED BY THE OWNERSHIP, OPERATION,  USE,
REPAIR,  REMOVAL,  OR  CONTROL  BY INDEMNITEE OF ANY  PRODUCT  PIPELINE  SYSTEMS
LOCATED ON OR ADJACENT TO THE ASSETS.

      e.    IF  ANY  PROVISION OR PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION,  OR  ANY  PORTIONS
THEREOF,  SHOULD  BE  DEEMED  INVALID  OR  UNENFORCEABLE  PURSUANT  TO  A  FINAL
DETERMINATION  OF ANY COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION OR AS A RESULT  OF  FUTURE
LAWS,  SUCH  DETERMINATION OR ACTIoN SHALL BE CONSTRUED SO AS NOT TO AFFECT  THE
VALIDITY OR EFFECT OF ANY OTHER PORTION OR PORTIONs OF THIS SECTION NOT HELD  TO
BE INVALID OR UNENFORCEABLE.

     DEFINITIONS:

      The  term  "Claims"  as used in this Section means all  liability,  costs,
expenses,  claims,  demands, fines, penalties, or causes of action  of  whatever
nature,  whether at common law or under any applicable law, rule or  regulation,
including  without  limitation  applicable "Environmental  Laws",  as  hereafter
defined.

      The  term "Environmental Laws", as used in this  Agreement means  federal,
state,  and  local  laws,  including without limitation, statutes,  regulations,
orders,  ordinances, and common law, relating to protection of public health  or
the  environment, including without limitation, the Comprehensive  Environmental
Response,  Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (942  U.S.C.  Sec.
9601  et.  seq.),  The Safe Drinking Water Act (14 U.S.C. Sec.  1401-1450),  The
Hazardous  Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. Sec. 1801 et. seq.)  and  The
Toxic  Substance Control Act (15 U.S.C. Sec 2601-2629) as each  may  be  amended
from time to time.

20.   Closing.  The "Closing" (hereby defined) of this sale shall occur on March
31,  1995, at the offices of EPC at 800 Bell Street, Houston, Texas, unless  the
parties  mutually agree to another location.  Buyer and EPC shall also use  best
efforts  to  close before March 31, 1995.  At the Closing, EPC and  Buyer  shall
execute and/or deliver one or more of each of the following documents:

      A.    a  Bill of Sale in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "R", covering
the Facilities;

      B.    an  Assignment in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "S", for  each
county and parish where  Easements  are being fully assigned to Buyer;

      C.    a Partial Assignment in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "T"  for
each county and parish where  Easements are being partially assigned to Buyer;

      D.   an Assignment and Assumption of Contracts in the form attached hereto
as Exhibit "U", covering the Contracts;

      E.    a Special Warranty Deed in the form attached hereto as Exhibit  "V",
for each county and parish in which  Fee Lands are being conveyed to Buyer;

     F.   the Satsuma Facilities Lease;

     G.   the Webster Lease;

     H.   a certificate of non-foreign status provided to Buyer by EPC;

     I.   The Interim Operating Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit "W";

     J.   Incumbency certificates for all signatory officers of Buyer, Guarantor
and EPC;

      K.    Certified Articles of Incorporation & Bylaws of Buyer, Guarantor and
EPC;

       L.     Certified  Corporate  Resolutions  of  Buyer,  EPC  and  Guarantor
authorizing all aspects of transactions contemplated herein;

     M.   the Facilities Sharing Agreement;

     N.   a Guaranty in the form attached in Exhibit "X";

     O.   the Assignment and Assumption of Lease; and

      P.    any  other  documents, instruments, and/or  certificates  reasonably
requested by EPC or Buyer or otherwise contemplated by this Agreement.

      The  above  listed  closing documents shall be executed  on  Closing  made
effective as of 12:01 a. m. on the day after Closing, April 1, 1995, ("Effective
Date") unless EPC and Buyer mutually agree to the contrary.  Buyer shall deliver
the  balance  of  the  Purchase  Price to EPC's  account  by  wire  transfer  of
immediately available funds at Closing.

21.  Purchase Price Allocation.  EPC and Buyer shall attempt to allocate in good
faith  the Purchase Price paid for the Assets in accordance with paragraph  1060
of  the  Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, among  the  various  Assets
conveyed to Buyer hereunder, and the parties agree to cooperate in good faith in
the  completion  and filing of United States Federal income  tax  Form  8594  in
accordance with the price allocation.  The parties further agree that they  will
report  the  tax  consequences of the purchase and sale hereunder  in  a  manner
consistent with the price allocation, if one has been agreed upon, and that they
will  not take any position inconsistent therewith in connection with the filing
of any Return.

22.   Property  Taxes.   All ad valorem taxes and special  assessments  for  the
current year ("Property Taxes") applicable to the Facilities, Fee Lands,  Leases
and  Easements shall be apportioned between EPC and Buyer through  the  Closing,
based  on EPC's best estimate of the current year's assessment.  EPC's allocated
share  of the Property Taxes for the current year shall be credited to Buyer  at
the Closing and Buyer shall assume the responsibility to pay the Property Taxes,
unless EPC has already paid the current year's Property Taxes, in which case EPC
shall be credited with Buyer's allocated share of the Property Taxes.

23.   Other Taxes.  As may be required by relevant taxing agencies with  respect
to  the  transaction covered herein, EPC shall collect and Buyer  shall  pay  at
Closing  all applicable state and local sales tax, use tax, gross receipts  tax,
business  license tax, other taxes except taxes imposed by reason of  income  to
EPC, and fees.  Any state or local tax specified above, inclusive of any penalty
and  interest,  assessed  at  a future date against  EPC  with  respect  to  the
transaction  covered herein shall be paid by Buyer or, if  paid  by  EPC,  Buyer
shall  promptly reimburse EPC therefor.  Any documentary stamp tax which may  be
due shall be paid by Buyer.

24.   Adjustment for Utility Charges and Credits.  To the extent utilities  have
not  been  placed in Buyer's name as of Closing, charges and credits for  water,
electricity,  sewage,  gas,  and  all other  utilities  shall  be  adjusted  and
apportioned between EPC and Buyer through the Closing.

25.  Allocation of Carrier Obligations and Proceeds.

      A.   To the extent that crude oil, condensates, natural gasoline, or basic
sediment  and water (which terms, for the purposes of Sections 25 and  26  shall
mean,  collectively, "Crude Oil") has been offered for shipment  in  the  Assets
under  a  published tariff or pursuant to rights under a private  transportation
agreement, but not yet delivered to EPC, the Buyer shall receive Crude  Oil  for
transportation in the normal course of business.  Tariff revenues  with  respect
to  Crude  Oil  delivered from the Assets prior to the Effective Date  shall  be
credited  to  EPC, and tariff revenues with respect to Crude Oil delivered  from
the  Assets  after  the Effective Date shall be credited  to  Buyer,  except  as
specified to the contrary in Exhibit Y1.  Deficiency obligations or rentals  due
to  EPC  under  private  transportation agreements or pipeline  lease  to  third
parties  with respect to the Assets shall be allocated between EPC and Buyer  as
of  the  Effective Date.  Buyer shall exert reasonable efforts  to  continue  to
provide  substantially equivalent transportation service between current  origin
and destination points on the Assets for shippers for ninety (90) days following
the Effective Date.

      B.    EPC  shall  provide a notice to existing shippers on the  Assets  in
mutually  agreeable form not later than March 15, 1995, concerning the  proposed
sale  of  the Assets.  Immediately after Closing, EPC and Buyer shall coordinate
the  delivery of notices to all shippers on the Assets of the (i) conveyance  of
the  Assets,  (ii)  formal  adoption  of Federal  Energy  Regulatory  Commission
("FERC") tariffs, where appropriate, and (iii) intention to honor existing Texas
Railroad  Commission  ("TRC")  tariffs, where appropriate,  until  existing  TRC
tariffs  are canceled by EPC and new TRC tariffs are posted by Buyer.   EPC  and
Buyer  shall  coordinate the filing and posting of appropriate adoption  notices
and  supplements in accordance with the FERC Adoption Rule (18 CFR Sec.  341.6),
with  respect to EPC's existing FERC tariffs on the Assets.  EPC and Buyer shall
coordinate  the  filing by EPC of appropriate TRC tariff cancellations  and  the
filing  by  Buyer  of  new TRC tariffs, as appropriate, with  respect  to  those
portions  of  the Assets where TRC tariffs are in place, as soon as  practicable
after  Closing,  but not later than the next tender of shipment date  after  the
Closing.

26.   Crude Oil Inventory.  The Assets may contain materials which are  held for
the  account of shipper(s).  It is understood that title to the contents of  the
Assets will remain with the shipper(s) and that Buyer assumes the obligation  to
deliver  such contents in accordance with EPC's existing arrangements  with  the
shipper(s),  whether  under  a published tariff or a private  transportation  or
storage  agreement.  Tariff charges for transportation of "Physical  Inventory",
as  determined under procedures defined in Exhibit "Y2," representing Crude  Oil
contained in the Assets as of the Effective Date will be shared equally  by  EPC
and Buyer, as specified in Exhibit "Y1."  The system will be gauged on or before
7:00  a.m. Central Time on the Effective Date, at which time the custody of  all
Crude  Oil  will be transferred to Buyer, and Buyer shall become responsible  to
each  shipper  for  Crude Oil in Buyer's custody.  Crude Oil inventory  will  be
handled in the manner designated by Exhibit "Y2".

27.  Records.  Notwithstanding the inclusion of certain records, files and other
data  in  the  Assets under Section 1, EPC shall have the right  to  remove  and
retain  any  records, files and other data relating to the Assets for  which  it
has,  or may have, any business, technical or legal need, provided that EPC will
provide,  or  allow Buyer to make, copies of any such records, files  and  other
data  which  Buyer reasonably needs for the continuing operation of the  Assets.
To  the extent that those records, files and other data or any other information
made available to Buyer before or after the Closing contain proprietary business
or  technical  information of EPC or its Affiliates, Buyer agrees to  hold  such
records, files and other data in confidence and limit their use to the Assets.

      Buyer  shall  not destroy or otherwise dispose of any records,  files  and
other  data  acquired  hereunder for a period of three (3) years  following  the
Closing  (except as to tax records, for which the period shall be the applicable
statute  of  limitations) except upon thirty (30) days prior written  notice  to
EPC.   During such periods, Buyer shall make such records, files and other  data
available  to EPC or its authorized representatives for any business,  legal  or
technical  need in a manner which does not unreasonably interfere  with  Buyer's
business operations.

28.   Access  to  Assets  After  Closing.  Buyer shall  afford  duly  authorized
representatives  of  EPC reasonable access to the Assets  with  respect  to  any
legal, technical or operational matter relating to EPC's obligations under  this
Agreement  (other  than EPC's obligations to operate the Facilities  or  provide
other  services in connection with the Facilities, which access is  specifically
addressed  elsewhere  in  this  Agreement or in an  Exhibit  hereto),  or  EPC's
operation of the Assets before the Closing, including without limitation removal
of  any  Exclusions  from the Assets, provided that EPC gives  Buyer  reasonable
prior  notice,  and  provided further that EPC's access  does  not  unreasonably
interfere  with  Buyer's normal operations.  If Buyer does not  have  the  legal
right to allow EPC access, then Buyer and EPC shall work together to obtain  the
access.   EPC  and/or  its  contractor shall  comply  with  prudent  safety  and
industrial  hygiene  procedures, including without  limitation,  Buyer's  Safety
Requirements,  if delivered to EPC, and any amendments thereto  upon  notice  to
EPC,  and shall review such procedures with Buyer prior to commencement  of  any
work  involving the Assets.  EPC, its employees, agents and/or contractors shall
comply  with EPC's Drug and Alcohol Prohibitions and Requirements, while present
at or on the Assets.  EPC shall not access the Assets without the presence of  a
Buyer  employee  or  Buyer contractor.  It is understood that  there  are  risks
associated  with  accessing the Assets, and EPC assumes responsibility  for  the
safety  of personnel and property of both EPC and EPC's contractors.  EPC agrees
to  inspect  the  Assets  for safety purposes upon such entry  and  to  exercise
precautions and conduct all actions at or on the Assets in a way that  will,  in
so  far  as  reasonably  possible, assure the safety of  persons  and  property.
EXCEPT  AS  PROVIDED  IN SECTION 19 OF THIS AGREEMENT OR  AS  PROVIDED  IN  THIS
SECTION  28, EPC shall release, indemnify and hold harmless Buyer ITS  OFFICERS,
DIRECTORS,  EMPLOYEES,  REPRESENTATIVES, SUCCESSORS,  AND  ASSIGNS  (HEREINAFTER
INDIVIDUALLY  AND  COLLECTIVELY, THE "iNDEMNITEE") against any  CLAIMS  ASSERTED
AGAINST  INDEMNITEE BY ANY PERSON  for injury to persons or damage  to  property
arising out of such access, except to the extent that any such injury or  damage
arises  out  of  the  negligence or willful misconduct of INDEMNITEE.   If  such
injury  to  persons or damage to property is the result of joint  negligence  or
willful  misconduct  of INDEMNITEE and EPC (which term,  for  purposes  of  this
indemnification  shall  include INDEMNITEE'S  and  EPC's  respective  employees,
contractors and agents), EPC's duty of indemnification shall be reduced  to  the
extent  of INDEMNITEE'S proportionate share of such joint negligence or  willful
misconduct.   THE INDEMNITY IN THIS SECTION 28 SHALL NOT APPLY  TO  THE  INTERIM
OPERATING   AGREEMENT,  FACILITIES  SEPARATION  AGREEMENT,  FACILITIES   SHARING
AGREEMENT,  SATSUMA FACILITIES LEASE OR WEBSTER LEASE, EACH OF WHICH  AGREEMENTS
CONTAIN SPECIFIC INDEMNITY PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO THE PARTICULAR AGREEMENT.

29.  Permits.  It shall be Purchaser's responsibility to obtain the issuance  or
transfer  of all environmental and other operational permits; provided  however,
that  EPC  shall  cooperate with any effort of Buyer  to  complete  the  actions
required  in  connection with transferring or obtaining  the  issuance  of  such
permits.

30.    Notices.   All  notices,  requests,  demands,  instructions   and   other
communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be  in  writing
and  shall  be  delivered personally or mailed by registered or certified  mail,
postage prepaid, as follows:

     If to Buyer, addressed to:

          Howell Crude Oil Company
          Attention: President
          1111 Fannin, Suite 1500
          Houston, Texas 77002

     If to Seller, addressed to:

          Exxon Pipeline Company
          Attention:  President
          800 Bell Street, Suite 751
          Houston, Texas  77002

      or  to  such  other place as either party may designate as  to  itself  by
written  notice to the other.  All notices will be deemed given on the  date  of
receipt at the appropriate address.

31.   Default.   If Buyer defaults on or prior to Closing in a material  way  on
Buyer's  obligations,  including  but not limited  to  Buyer's  absence  at  the
designated  time  and place for Closing, EPC  shall be entitled  to  retain  the
Deposit  in addition to all of its other rights or remedies at law or in equity.
Further,  EPC  shall be free immediately to sell the Assets to any  third  party
without  any restriction under or by reason of this Agreement.  If EPC  defaults
on or prior to Closing in a material way on EPC's obligations, including but not
limited  to  EPC's  absence at the designated time and place for  Closing,  then
Buyer  may  terminate this Agreement, and receive a refund  of  the  Deposit  in
addition  to retaining all of its other rights or remedies at law or in  equity.
The  exercise  of either party's right to terminate this Agreement  pursuant  to
Sections 14B, 16, or 18 shall not constitute a default under this Section 31.

32.   Guaranty of Buyer's Obligations.  As an inducement for EPC to  enter  into
this Agreement with Buyer, Howell Corporation unconditionally guarantees to  EPC
the  full  and prompt payment and performance by Buyer or any permitted assignee
of  all  their respective obligations under this Agreement and any documents  or
instruments delivered pursuant hereto including, but not limited to, Buyer's, or
any  permitted  assignee's, obligations to indemnify  EPC.   Howell  Corporation
shall  execute  and deliver at the Closing a Guaranty Agreement in substantially
the form of Exhibit "X" hereto.

33.   Further Assurances.  EPC and Buyer shall take such additional action,  and
shall  cooperate with one another, as may be reasonably necessary to  effectuate
the  terms of this Agreement and any agreement or instrument delivered  pursuant
hereto, including effecting the working transfer of the Assets to Buyer.

34.   Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.  Prior  to  February
28, 1995, EPC and Buyer will file pre-merger notifications pursuant to the Hart-
Scott-Rodino  Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 ("Act") with the Federal  Trade
Commission  and  the Department of Justice.  The respective obligations  of  the
parties   to   consummate  this  transaction  are  expressly  made  subject   to
satisfactory  compliance  with  the  Act,  including  the  expiration  or  early
termination of any waiting period(s) required thereunder.  If the Federal  Trade
Commission  or the Department of Justice oppose the transaction, EPC  and  Buyer
(and their respective Affiliates, if required) shall make all reasonable efforts
to  promptly resolve the objection.  Neither EPC nor Buyer (nor their respective
Affiliates)  shall be required to accept any material adverse  conditions  which
might  be  required by either of these agencies as a condition for discontinuing
opposition to this transaction.  The Closing shall be postponed if necessary  to
comply with this section, but if any such postponement continues past April  30,
1995, EPC may terminate this Agreement upon notice with no further obligation by
either  EPC  or  Buyer,  other  than refunding the Deposit,  and  any  indemnity
provisions which shall survive termination.

      For  purposes of this Agreement, (i) "Affiliate" shall include  a  party's
"Parent  Company"  and "Affiliated Companies"; (ii) A party's  "Parent  Company"
shall mean a company or companies having a "Controlling Interest" in such party;
(iii) A party's "Affiliated Companies" shall mean any and all companies in which
the  party,  or  the  Parent Company of such party, has  a  direct  or  indirect
Controlling  Interest; and (iv) "Controlling Interest" shall  mean  a  legal  or
beneficial ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock  in  a
company.

35.   Governing  Law.   The  provisions of  this  Agreement  and  the  documents
delivered pursuant hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance  with
the  laws  of the State of Texas, without giving effect to its conflicts-of-laws
principles; provided, however, provisions of those documents conveying interests
in  real property shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the  law
of the state in which the real property is located.

36.   Assignment.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure  to  the
benefit  of  the  parties hereto and their respective permitted  successors  and
permitted  assigns.  EPC acknowledges that Buyer intends to assign  portions  of
this  Assets after Closing to one or more of Buyer's Affiliates that  is  wholly
owned  by  Howell  Corporation.  Provided, however, this Agreement  may  not  be
assigned,  in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of  the  other
party hereto, and any such assignment that is made without such consent shall be
void and of no force and effect.

37.   Entire  Agreement;  Amendments.  This  Agreement  constitutes  the  entire
agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter  hereof,
superseding  any  and  all  prior  negotiations,  discussions,  agreements   and
understandings, whether oral or written, relating to such subject matter.   This
Agreement may not be amended and no rights hereunder may be waived except  by  a
written  document  signed  by the party to be charged  with  such  amendment  or
waiver.

38.  Publicity.  All notices to third parties and other publicity concerning the
transactions  contemplated  by  this Agreement  shall  be  jointly  planned  and
coordinated  by Buyer and EPC.  No party shall act unilaterally in  this  regard
without the prior written approval of the other, unless required by law.

39.   No  Joint  Venture,  Partnership and Agency.  Nothing  contained  in  this
Agreement  shall  be  deemed  to  create  a  joint  venture,  partnership,   tax
partnership or agency relationship between the parties.

40.    Counterparts.   This  Agreement  may  be  executed  in  any   number   of
counterparts,  all  of  which  together  shall  constitute  one  and  the   same
instrument, but in making proof of this Agreement, it shall not be necessary  to
produce or account for more than one such counterpart.

41.  Survival.  The following provisions of this Agreement shall not survive the
Closing:  3, 8, 9, 10, 14B, 16, 18, 20, and 31.  Such provisions will be  merged
with   and   will   be  superseded  by  the  documents  executed   at   Closing.
Notwithstanding  the fact that the other provisions of this  Agreement  are  not
expressly  included  in the conveyance documents, all other provisions  of  this
Agreement shall survive Closing and shall not be deemed merged therewith.

42.   Incorporation.  The Exhibits and Schedules attached to this Agreement  are
incorporated herein by this reference.

43.   Payments.   Unless  otherwise specified herein, any  payment  to  be  made
hereunder  shall  be  made  in  U.S. dollars by  wire  transfer  of  immediately
available  funds, without discount or deduction, or by such other means  as  the
parties may agree.

Executed  on  behalf  of the parties hereto on the dates  set  forth  below  the
respective  signature  lines  but effective as  of  the  date  first  set  forth
hereinabove.

                              EPC:
                              EXXON PIPELINE COMPANY


                              By:  /s/ Otto R. Harrison
                                   --------------------------------
                              Name:     Otto R. Harrison
                              Title:         President

                              Date:  February 22, 1995


                              BUYER:
                              HOWELL CRUDE OIL COMPANY


                              By:  /s/ Mark J. Gorman
                                   ------------------------------
                              Name:     Mark J. Gorman
                              Title:         President

                              Date:       February 22, 1995


                              (AS TO SECTION 32)
                              GUARANTOR:
                              HOWELL CORPORATION


                              By:  /s/ Robert T. Moffett
                                   --------------------------------
                              Name:  Robert T. Moffett
                              Title:        Vice President & General Counsel

                              Date:       February 22, 1995

<PAGE>

                                LIST OF SCHEDULES




     11.E.  Conflict, Breaches, Violations, Rights of First Refusal, if
            any - EPC

     11.F.  Actions, Suits, Proceedings and Claims - EPC

     12.F.  Conflict, Breaches, Violations, Rights of First Refusal, if
            any - Buyer

     12.G.          Actions, Suits, Proceedings and Claims - Buyer


<PAGE>
                                LIST OF EXHIBITS


CONTRACT
REFERENCE   EXHIBIT           TITLE

     1A        A1 Part 1      Jay Pipeline Systems List

     1A        A1 Part 2      Jay Pipeline Systems Map

     1A        A2 Part 1      Mississippi Pipeline System List

     1A        A2 Part 2      Mississippi Pipeline System Map

     1A        A3 Part 1      Hearne-Texas City/Mexia System List

     1A        A3 Part 2      Hearne-Texas City/Mexia System Map

     1A        B              Tanks and other equipment list

     1B        C              Easements - [with partial assignments noted]

     1E        D              Navasota Station Drawing

     1F        E              Webster Station Drawing

     1C        F1             Fee Lands Locations List

     1C        F2             Fee Lands Description

     1D        G              Leases List

     1E        H              Navasota Sublease

     1F        I-1            Webster Station Easement

     1F        I-2            Satsuma Station Easement

     1H        J              Contracts List

     1I        K              Assignment and Assumption of Lease (Microwave
                              Lease)

     2a        L-1            Satsuma Site Drawing

     2A        L-2            Satsuma Lease Drawing

     2A        M1             Easement Reservations at Satsuma Station

     2A        M2             Easement Reservation at Hearne Station

     2H        M3             Easement  at Raccoon Bend Station

     2C        N              Excluded Assets

     2E        O              Facilities Sharing Agreement

     3A        P              Satsuma Facilities Lease (from Buyer to EPC)

     3B        Q              Webster Lease (from EPC to Buyer)

     20A       R              Bill of Sale

     20B       S              Assignment

     20C       T              Partial Assignment

     20D       U              Assignment and Assumption of Contracts

     20E       V              Special Warranty Deed

     20I       W              Interim Operating Agreement

     20N       X              Guaranty

     25        Y1             Allocation of Revenues

     26        Y2             Crude Oil Inventory Measurement Procedures

     10        Z              Facilities Separation Agreement

     7         AA             Hydrostatic Testing Plan

     8         BB             Monitoring and Operations Control Agreement

     2B        CC             Hearne Station Drawing (showing BIPL Easement
                              location)

     7         DD             EPC Burden List

     1A        EE             Groesbeck to Neches Jct - Ownership Limits

     1A        FF             Satsuma to Pierce Jct - Included Lines

     1A        GG             Pierce Jct to Webster - Included Lines

     1A        HH             Webster to Houston - Ownership Limits

     3E        II             Racoon Bend Station Drawing



                                                                 EXHIBIT 2(b)

                               FIRST AMENDMENT TO
                           PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

This First Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement ("Amendment") is entered
into this 31st day of March, 1995, by and among EXXON PIPELINE COMPANY, a
Delaware Corporation, ("Seller") HOWELL CRUDE OIL COMPANY ("HCO"), HOWELL
PIPELINE USA, INC.("HUSA"), AND HOWELL PIPELINE TEXAS, INC. ("HTEX"), each being
a Delaware corporation (HCO, HUSA, and HTEX collectively and individually
referred to herein as "Buyer").

                              W I T NE S S E T H :

     Whereas, Seller and HCO entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement ("PSA")
dated February 22, 1995, for Seller to sell and HCO to buy certain pipeline
"Assets" described in the PSA, on the terms and conditions stated in the PSA;
and

     Whereas, HCO desires to assign part of its interests in the PSA to HUSA and
HTEX and Seller agrees to such assignment on certain terms and conditions stated
in this Amendment; and

     WHEREAS, Seller and Buyer also desire to amend the PSA as provided in this
Amendment.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set
forth herein and other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which each party hereby acknowledges, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1.   HCO does hereby grant, sell, convey, and assign unto HUSA, all of HCO's
rights, title and interest in and to the PSA insofar as they relate to the
pipelines that are located in the States of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and
Louisiana, and any other Assets related to such pipelines.  HCO does hereby
grant, sell, convey, and assign insofar as it is legally able to so do, unto
HTEX, all of HCO's rights, title and interest in and to the PSA insofar as they
relate to the pipelines that are located in the State of Texas, and any other
Assets related to such pipelines, save and except the Groesbeck Station and the
idle Groesbeck to Neches Junction pipeline system that runs north from said
Groesbeck Station, both of which shall remain with HCO.  Provided, however, HCO
shall not be relieved of its rights and obligations by these assignments.  HUSA
and HTEX each hereby assumes and agrees to be bound jointly and severally with
HCO by all of the terms, covenants and conditions of and to pay, perform, comply
with and discharge all of the obligations of HCO under the PSA as of March 31,
1995.  Further provided, HCO shall remain the party to the Facilities Sharing
Agreement executed by and between HCO and Seller on February 22, 1995, as agent
for HUSA and HTEX.  Seller does hereby agree to these assignments on the terms
and conditions stated above.

2.   The PSA is hereby amended by adding a new Exhibit "JJ," which is attached
hereto, and Section 1.A(3)b of the PSA is hereby amended by inserting the
following parenthetical phrase at the end thereof:

(See Exhibit "JJ" herebto showing ownership limits)

3.   Section 2.E of the PSA is hereby amended by adding a comma and the word
"and" at the end of subsection (3) and by adding the following subsection (4):

(4)  The two rectifiers located at Neches Station.

4.   The first sentence of Section 3.B of the PSA is hereby amended to read it
its entirety, as follows:

          EPC shall grant to Buyer a Webster Lease (hereby defined), in the form
of Exhibit "Q" hereto, for (i) storage tanks currently located at EPC's Webster
Station, and (ii) roadway access across EPC's property to allow access to the
leased premises, approximately as shown in the drawing in Exhibit "E" hereto.

5.   Section 3.D of the PSA is hereby amended by adding the following at the end
thereof:

     At Closing, Buyer is delivering to EPC a letter from the lender providing
financing to Buyer ("Lender") by which Lender is agreeing, under certain
conditions, to subordinate the lien securing Buyer's financing for certain
easements, subleases, or leases granted to EPC after the Closing.  To the extent
that the letter or Lender's actions pursuant thereto fail to grant EPC the full
rights and benefits EPC would have received had the Lender subordinated its
lien, Buyer agrees to be responsible for all costs and expenses incurred by EPC
as a result of such failure, including without limitation, the cost and expense
of acquiring a partial release from lender's lien, of acquiring any easement,
sublease, or lease required for the operation of EPC's retained operations, and
loss of business, if any.

6.   Section 7 of the PSA is hereby amended by changing Buyer's reimbursement
obligation thereunder from ONE MILLION AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00) to
EIGHT HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($875,000.00).

7.   Section 10 of the PSA is hereby amended by changing Buyer's reimbursement
obligation thereunder from EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($800,000)
to SEVEN HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($725,000).  In
addition, Buyer hereby agrees to to be responsible for all tank repairs on the
Gwinville Tank to be conveyed to Buyer.  In addition, Section 4A of that certain
Facilities Separation Agreement entered into by and between Howell Crude Oil
Company and Seller, dated February  22, 1995, is hereby amended in the same
manner.

8.   Section 11.I of the PSA is hereby amended to read in its entirety, as
follows:

To the best of EPC's knowledge, the Assets have been used at their present
locations only for the operation of a crude pipeline system, except for (i) the
approximately fifteen (15) miles of pipeline on the Hearne to Navasota system
from Station No. 831 + 68 to Station No. 1616 + 50, which pipeline segment has
also been used in the operation of a refined products pipeline system and (ii)
segments of the Hearne to Satsuma system may have also been used in the
operation of a liquified petroleum gas (LPG) system.

9.   Section 19.D of the PSA is hereby amended so that Subsection19.D.(2) shall
read in its entirety, as follows:

          (2)  ANY CLAIMS RELATING TO THE ITEMS LISTED IN SCHEDULE 11.F, FOR
WHICH INDEMNITEE SHALL RETAIN RESPONSIBILITY;

10.  Section 20 of the PSA is hereby amended by amending the second to last
sentence to read in its entirety, as follows:

The above listed closing documents shall be executed on Closing made effective
as of 11:59 p.m. on the day of Closing ("Effective Date").

11.  A new Section 44 is hereby inserted to the PSA, as follows:

          44.  Any franchise charge, fee, tax, duty or levy for the current year
that may be lawfully imposed for authority to do business on or for use of city
or municipal property shall be allocated between EPC and Buyer as of Closing.

12.  A new Section 45 is hereby inserted to the PSA, as follows:

     45.  EPC agrees to continue, or cause its contractor to continue, the
current groundwater monitoring in the vicinity of 1561 Bracher Lane, Houston,
Texas in accordance with that certain Groundwater Investigation Report prepared
for EPC by KEI Consultants, dated November 29, 1994 , and be responsible for any
groundwater remediation related thereto, until the Texas Railroad Commission
agrees that the groundwater monitoring, and any potential related groundwater
remediation, is no longer needed.  Provided, however, EPC shall only be
responsible under this paragraph for groundwater monitoring and related
groundwater remediation arising out of EPC's 1978 pipeline spill at that
location or arising out of EPC's ownership, operation, use, repair, removal or
control of the pipeline prior to Closing; and, Buyer shall be responsible for
any contamination caused by Buyer's ownership, operation, use, repair, removal
or control of the pipeline.

13.  The following Exhibits and Schedule to the PSA are hereby amended, as set
forth below:

     (a)  Exhibit A2 Part 1 is amended by replacing it with Exhibit A2 Part 1
attached hereto;

     (b)  Exhibit A3 Parts 1 and 2 are amended by replacing them with Exhibit A3
Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4, attached hereto;

     (c)  Exhibit B is amended by replacing  it with Exhibit B, attached hereto;

     (d)  Exhibit F1 is amended by replacing it with Exhibit F1, attached
hereto;

     (e)  Exhibit G is amended by replacing it with Exhibit G, attached hereto;

     (f)  Exhibit J is amended by adding to it Exhibit J, attached hereto;

     (g)  Exhibit N is amended by replacing it with Exhibit N, attached hereto;

     (h)  Exhibit Y1 is amended by replacing it with Exhibit Y1, attached
hereto;

     (i)  Exhibit AA is amended by replacing it with Exhibit AA, attached
hereto;

     (j)  Exhibit HH is amended by adding to it Exhibit HH page 2, attached
hereto;

     (k)  Schedule 11.F is hereby amended by replacing it with Schedule 11.F,
attached hereto.

14.  To the extent that any document executed at Closing differs from the form
of such document that was attached to the PSA, the form executed at Closing
shall supercede and control over the form attached to the PSA.

     Except as specifically set forth in this Amendment, the Agreement shall
remain in full force and effect upon the same terms and conditions as set forth
therein.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Amendment as of the
date first written above.


     EXXON PIPELINE COMPANY


     By:    /s/ Otto R. Harrison
            --------------------
     Name:  Otto R. Harrison
     Title: President
     Date:  --------------------


     HOWELL CRUDE OIL COMPANY


     By:    /s/ Mark J. Gorman
            ------------------
     Name:  Mark J. Gorman
     Title: President
     Date:  __________________


     HOWELL PIPELINE TEXAS, INC.


     By:    /s/ Allen R. Stanley
            -------------------
     Name:  Allen R. Stanley
     Title: President
     Date:____________________


     HOWELL PIPELINE USA, INC.


     By:    /s/ Allen R. Stanley
            --------------------
     Name:  Allen R. Stanley
     Title: President
     Date:  ____________________





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