HOWELL CORP /DE/
10-Q, 1996-05-06
PETROLEUM & PETROLEUM PRODUCTS (NO BULK STATIONS)
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                UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D. C.  20549




                                    FORM 10-Q


              [X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                  For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1996

                                       OR
                                        
             [ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                                        

                          Commission File Number 1-8704

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


             Delaware                             74-1223027
     (State or other jurisdiction of    (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     incorporation or organization)


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


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


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                                Yes    X      No
                                    -------       -------

Indicate the number of shares outstanding on each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

               Class                    Outstanding at April 29, 1996
     -----------------------------      -----------------------------
     Common Stock, $1.00 par value                4,935,796

                                        
                          This report contains 12 pages

                       HOWELL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                    Form 10-Q
                                        
                                      INDEX

                                                                      Page No.
                                                                      --------
Part  I.  Financial Information

Item 1.   Consolidated Statements of Earnings --
       Three months ended March 31, 1996 and 1995                          3

     Consolidated Balance Sheets --
       March 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995                                4

     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows --
       Three months ended March 31, 1996 and 1995                          5

     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                            6

Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
       and Results of Operations                                           9


Part II.  Other Information

Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                 11

                         PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                    (ITEM 1)


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)
Howell Corporation and Subsidiaries

                                                     Quarter Ended March 31,
                                                         1996      1995
                                                         ----      ----

                                                     (In thousands, except
                                                       per share amounts)

Revenues                                               $166,257  $151,516
                                                       --------  --------
Cost and expenses:
     Products including operating expenses              159,587   146,823
     Selling, general and administrative expenses         2,901     2,856
                                                       --------  --------
                                                        162,488   149,679
                                                       --------  --------
Other income (expense):
     Interest expense                                    (1,946)     (627)
     Interest income                                         14        43
     Other-net                                                4        (4)
                                                       --------  --------
                                                         (1,928)     (588)
                                                       --------  --------

Earnings before income taxes                              1,841     1,249
Provision for income taxes                                  646       417
                                                       --------  --------
Net earnings                                           $  1,195  $    832
                                                       ========  ========

Weighted average common shares outstanding                4,934     4,837
                                                       ========  ========

Net earnings per common share                          $    .12  $    .05
                                                       ========  ========

Cash dividends per common share                        $    .04  $    .04
                                                       ========  ========

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


<TABLE>
                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
                      Howell Corporation and Subsidiaries

<CAPTION>
                                                               March 31,  December 31,
                                                                   1996     1995
                                                                   ----     ----

                                                                   (In thousands)
                              Assets
<S>                                                              <C>       <C>
Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents                                   $  1,945  $  3,742
     Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
         accounts of $229,000 in 1996 and $239,000 in 1995         61,811    65,288
     Inventories                                                    5,321     5,428
     Other current assets                                           1,406     1,712
                                                                 --------  --------
          Total current assets                                     70,483    76,170
                                                                 --------  --------

Property, plant and equipment:
     Oil and gas properties, utilizing the full-cost
         method of accounting                                     261,050   278,505
     Fee mineral properties, unproven                              18,188    18,188
     Other                                                        128,412   107,735
     Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization   (212,991) (209,087)
                                                                 --------  --------
          Net property and equipment                              194,659   195,341
                                                                 --------  --------
Other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $15,000 and
    $51,000 in 1996 and 1995, respectively                          1,995     1,815
                                                                 --------  --------
          Total assets                                           $267,137  $273,326
                                                                 ========  ========

          Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

Current liabilities:
     Current portion of long-term debt                             $8,271    $8,068
     Accounts payable                                              56,519    61,771
     Accrued liabilities                                            6,629     7,141
                                                                 --------  --------
          Total current liabilities                                71,419    76,980
                                                                 --------  --------
Deferred income taxes                                              21,593    20,971
                                                                 --------  --------
Other liabilities                                                     150       150
                                                                 --------  --------
Long-term debt                                                     94,553    96,205
                                                                 --------  --------
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
     Preferred stock, $1 par value; 690,000 shares issued and
       outstanding in 1996 and 1995, liquidation value
       of $34,500,000                                                 690       690
     Common stock, $1 par value; 4,934,121 issued and outstanding
        in 1996; 4,933,446 issued and outstanding in 1995           4,934     4,933
     Additional paid-in capital                                    34,396    34,390
     Retained earnings                                             39,402    39,007
                                                                 --------  --------
          Total shareholders' equity                               79,422    79,020
                                                                 --------  --------
          Total liabilities and shareholders' equity             $267,137  $273,326
                                                                 ========  ========
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
                         Howell Corporation and Subsidiaries

                                                              Quarter Ended March 31,
                                                                    1996     1995
                                                                    ----     ----

                                                                   (In thousands)

<S>                                                               <C>      <C>  
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
     Net earnings                                                 $ 1,195  $    832
     Adjustments for noncash items:
          Depreciation, depletion and amortization                  4,134     3,342
          Deferred income taxes                                       622       324
          (Gain) loss on sales of assets                             (55)         1
     Decrease (increase) in trade accounts receivable               3,477    (9,593)
     Decrease (increase)in inventories                                107      (409)
     Decrease (increase) in other current assets                      306       (85)
     (Decrease) increase in accounts payable                       (5,252)    6,647
     (Decrease) increase in accrued and other liabilities            (512)      183
                                                                  -------  --------
          Cash provided by operating activities                     4,022     1,242
                                                                  -------  --------

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
     Proceeds from the disposition of property                        453         3
     Additions to property, plant and equipment                    (3,826)  (73,356)
     Other, net                                                      (204)     (591)
                                                                  -------  --------
          Cash utilized in investing activities                    (3,577)  (73,944)
                                                                  -------  --------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
     Long-term debt:
          Borrowings under revolving credit agreement                   -    15,300
          (Repayments) borrowing under term loan agreement         (1,437)   57,500
          Other repayments                                            (12)      (10)
     Cash dividends:
          Common shareholders                                        (196)     (193)
          Preferred shareholders                                     (604)     (604)
     Exercise of stock options                                          7         -
                                                                  -------  --------
          Cash (utilized in) provided by financing activities      (2,242)   71,993
                                                                  -------  --------

NET DECREASE IN CASH BALANCE                                      $(1,797) $   (709)
                                                                  =======  ========

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Net cash paid for:

Interest                                                          $ 2,031  $    612
                                                                  =======  ========

Income taxes                                                      $     9  $     62
                                                                  =======  ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Howell Corporation and Subsidiaries
March 31, 1996 and 1995

Note 1 - Basis of Financial Statement Preparation

The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by
Howell Corporation (the Company) without audit, pursuant to the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles.  In the opinion of management, all
adjustments (all of which are normal and recurring) have been made which are
necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations for the three months
ended March 31, 1996 and 1995.  These consolidated financial statements should
be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included
in the Company's latest Form 10-K.

Note 2 - Adoption of New Accounting Standards

  Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
  
    In 1995, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets" ("Statement 121") was issued.  Statement 121 contains
provisions for recording impairment of long-lived assets that are not expected
to produce net cash flows in the future to fully recover the remaining cost of
the related assets.  The Company adopted Statement 121 in the first quarter of
1996.  The Company was not required to record impairment of any of its assets.
    
  Stock-Based Compensation
  
    In October 1995, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123,
"Stock-Based Compensation" ("Statement 123") was issued.  Statement 123 permits,
but does not require, a fair value based method of accounting for employee stock
option plans which results in compensation expense being recognized in the
results of operations when stock options are granted.  Statement 123 is
effective for the Company in the first quarter of 1996.  The Company will
continue the use of its current intrinsic value based method of accounting for
such plans where no compensation expense is recognized.  However, as required by
Statement 123, the Company will provide pro forma disclosure of net income and
earnings per share in the notes to the consolidated financial statements of its
1996 annual report as if the fair value based method of accounting had been
applied.
    
Note 3 - Inventories

The components of inventories at the balance sheet dates are as follows:

                                  March 31, December 31,
                                      1996      1995
                                      ----      ----
                                      (In thousands)

    Refined products                $1,572     $1,494
    Crude oil                        2,803      2,140
    Chemicals                          850      1,695
    Other materials and supplies        96         99
                                    ------     ------
                                    $5,321     $5,428
                                    ======     ======

Note 4 - Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

In order to mitigate the effects of future price fluctuations, the Company uses
a limited program of hedging its crude oil inventories.  Crude oil futures and
options contracts are used as the hedging tools.  Changes in the market value of
the futures transactions are deferred until the gain or loss is recognized on
the hedged transactions.

In 1995, the Company purchased a put option and sold a call option covering
3,300 barrels per day of oil production for an eighteen month period beginning
March 1, 1995.  The option strike prices are based on the average price of crude
oil on the organized exchange, with monthly settlement.  The strike prices are
$17 per barrel for the put option and $20 per barrel for the call option.  The
premiums for the options are being amortized over the option period.

Note 5 - Earnings Per Share

Earnings per common share has been computed by dividing net earnings, after
reduction for preferred stock dividends, by the weighted average number of
common shares outstanding.  Shares issuable in connection with stock options are
not included in the per share computations since their dilutive effect is less
than 3%.  Earnings per share assuming full dilution does not result in a
difference from earnings per share assuming no dilution.  The common shares
issuable upon conversion of the convertible preferred stock are anti-dilutive,
and the common shares issuable in connection with stock options result in a
dilutive effect of less than 3%.

Note 6 - Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 1996 and 1995 was 35% and 33%,
respectively.

Note 7 - Litigation and Contingent Liabilities

Donna Refinery Partners, Ltd. v. Howell Crude Oil Company and Howell
Corporation; Texas District Court; No. 89-033634.  In December 1993, a jury
verdict of $1.9 million was rendered against the Company in this lawsuit
alleging breach of contract.  The trial judge reduced the jury verdict to
approximately $675,000.  The Company believes the judgment is in error.  The
Company filed a motion for a new trial that was denied, so the Company appealed
the decision.  Donna has filed an appeal to increase the recovery by $1.25
million.  Briefs have been filed and arguments heard, and a decision on the
appeal is pending.  The Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of
this matter will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or
results of operations of the Company.

Mobile Mineral Corporation, et al, v. Howell Crude Oil Company, et al; Circuit
Court of Mobile County, Alabama; CV-95-1564.  This lawsuit was filed as a class
action in May 1995 by one working interest owner and two royalty owners in the
North Frisco City Field alleging breach of contracts by not paying the
plaintiffs " . . . the highest available price for oil".  Damages claimed by the
plaintiffs are approximately $3.8 million and are based on numerous damage
theories including, but not limited to, allegations of breach of contract and
fraud.  The complaint also seeks punitive damages.  The Company has filed an
answer denying all charges.

Related to this matter, the Company, on July 11, 1995, received a demand letter
from the working interest owners in the North Frisco City Field and in the North
Rome Field indicating the Company had not paid according to the terms of a "call
on production".

The Company was granted a call on a portion of this production but has never
exercised the call. Accordingly, the Company has filed a petition for a
declaratory judgment to that effect in Texas District Court.  The defendants in
this action have counterclaimed against the Company.  These claims are similar
in nature to the Alabama litigation.  One of the defendants, John Faulkinberry,
has filed a counterclaim against the Company seeking actual damages of $75,000
and punitive damages of $100,000,000.  The Company does not believe that the
ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the
financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

There are various other lawsuits and claims against the Company, none of which,
in the opinion of management, will have a material adverse effect on the
Company.

In January 1995, an Agreed Order with the Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission was signed by the Company with respect to alleged violations of rules
regarding the permitting and storage of hazardous wastes at a facility that was
previously owned by the Company.  Penalties totaling $26,000 were assessed and
paid by the Company.  During 1995 and 1994, the Company incurred costs of
$28,000 and $213,000, respectively, related to remediation and disposal of the
hazardous wastes.  Additional testing and monitoring of the groundwater and
formal approval of the remediation work is still required.  The Company has
completed the remediation work related to hazardous waste storage rule
violations.  The new owner of the facility has accepted responsibility for the
first $100,000 of costs related to additional testing, monitoring and
remediation, if necessary, of the groundwater.  Should the costs for these
activities exceed $100,000, the Company could be responsible for some portion of
the additional costs.  The Company does not believe that this matter will have a
material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of
the Company.

The Channelview facility is discharging wastewater pursuant to a state
wastewater discharge permit.  Industries located in the state of Texas are
required to obtain wastewater discharge permits from the state and from the
Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA").  When the Company purchased the
Channelview facility in 1988, it requested and obtained a transfer of these
permits.  In 1990, the Company applied for a renewal of both the federal and the
state wastewater permits.  The state permit was reissued in 1992.  During 1993,
the Company determined that the federal wastewater discharge permit may have
expired prior to the EPA's transfer of the permit to the Company.  The EPA has
been contacted to resolve this issue, and the Company will be negotiating to
obtain a renewed permit.  Penalties may potentially be imposed upon the Company
as a result of this matter; however, until this matter is resolved, the amount
of such penalties, if any, cannot be quantified.  While penalties may be
material and the actions of regulatory bodies are not subject to accurate
prediction, based on information currently available to the Company and on the
circumstances present at its Channelview facility (including the existence of
the state permit, the Company's compliance with the more stringent state permit
and the ability, if required, to operate the Channelview facility utilizing
holding tanks and offsite third party treatment facilities in the absence of a
permit), the Company does not believe that this matter will have a material
adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the
Company.

                         PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                    (ITEM 2)

           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                            AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company's principal business segments are oil and gas exploration and
production, crude oil marketing, technical fuels and chemical processing, and
transportation.  Results of operations by segment for the three months ended
March 31, 1996 and 1995 are presented below and discussed in the following
sections.  The "Other" segment includes primarily depreciation and amortization
of certain assets not directly related to those segments identified above.
Selling, general and administrative expenses incurred by each business segment
are included in the determination of the operating profit (loss) for that
business segment.  General corporate expenses comprise the balance of selling,
general and administrative expenses.

                                                  Three Months Ended March 31,
                                                          1996      1995
                                                          ----      ----
                                                         (In thousands)
Revenues

Oil and gas exploration and production                 $  8,567  $  7,546
Crude oil marketing                                     151,847   138,880
Technical fuels and chemical processing                   8,468     7,697
Transportation                                            4,259     3,962
Intersegment Sales                                       (6,884)   (6,569)
                                                       --------  --------
                                                       $166,257  $151,516
                                                       ========  ========

Earnings

Oil and gas exploration and production                 $  1,950  $  1,712
Crude oil marketing                                       2,428       513
Technical fuels and chemical processing                     108       262
Transportation                                              165       336
Other                                                       (32)      (65)
                                                       --------  --------
Operating profit                                          4,619     2,758
General corporate expense                                  (850)     (921)
Other income (expense)                                   (1,928)     (588)
                                                       --------  --------
Earnings before income taxes                              1,841     1,249
Provision for income taxes                                  646       417
                                                       --------  --------
Net earnings                                           $  1,195  $    832
                                                       ========  ========

Oil & Gas Exploration and Production

Revenues of the oil and gas exploration and production segment for the three
months ended March 31, 1996 and 1995 were as follows:

                                  Three Months Ended March 31,
                                         1996        1995
                                         ----        ----
                                         (In thousands)

Sales of oil and natural gas           $6,935      $6,503
Sales of LaBarge other products           514         537
Gas marketing                             967         419
Minerals leasing and other                151          87
                                       ------      ------
   Total revenues                      $8,567      $7,546
                                       ======      ======

Production and sales price per unit data for the three months ended March 31,
1996 and 1995 were as follows:

                                  Three Months Ended March 31,
                                         1996        1995
                                         ----        ----
                                         (In thousands)

Production:
  Crude oil (bbls per day)              3,171       3,493
  Natural gas (Mcf per day)             9,483       9,223
  Natural gas liquids (bbls per day)      195         232

Sales prices:
  Crude oil (per bbl)                  $17.16      $15.90
  Natural gas (per Mcf)                $ 2.02      $ 1.47
  Natural gas liquids (per bbl)        $11.71      $ 9.84

Revenues from the sales of crude oil and natural gas increased due primarily to
8% and 37% increases in the average sales prices of the Company's crude oil and
natural gas production, respectively.  The effect of these increases was
partially mitigated by a decrease in the volume of the Company's crude oil
production.  Approximately 125 barrels per day of the reduced crude oil
production for the quarter is attributable to an operational problem at the
Company's North Frisco City Field that forced the shut-in of part of the field
for twelve days.

The Company's average sales price of its crude oil production was reduced by the
effects of the put and call options the Company had in place.  The strike price
of the call option was exceeded for one month of the quarterly period, resulting
in a reduction of revenues of $0.2 million when combined with the amortization
of the option premiums.  Without the effects of the options, the average sales
price of the Company's crude oil production would have been $17.96 for the first
quarter of 1996.  See Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Operating profit of the oil and gas exploration and production segment in the
first quarter of 1996 was $2.0 million, an increase of $0.2 million from the
first quarter of 1995.  This improvement can be attributed primarily to the
improved revenues discussed above.  Increases in lease operating costs per
barrel from $4.40 in the 1995 quarter to $5.49 in the 1996 quarter and
depreciation, depletion and amortization per barrel from $5.25 in the 1995
period to $5.36 in the 1996 period reduced the effect of the increased revenues
on operating profits.

Crude Oil Marketing

Operating profit of the crude oil marketing segment increased $1.9 million when
compared to the prior year period.  This increase in profit can be attributed
primarily to the operating profits generated from the pipeline operations.  On
March 31, 1995, the Company 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 and
Mississippi/Louisiana.  The intrastate system is located in Texas.  During the
first quarter of 1996, an average of 81,419 barrels per day were transported by
the pipelines, generating revenues of $4.1 million.

Also contributing to the increased revenues was an increase in crude oil market
prices.  This increase was partially offset by a small decline in marketing
volumes.

Technical Fuels and Chemical Processing

The technical fuels and chemical processing segment reported an operating profit
of $0.1 million for the first quarter of 1996, a reduction of $0.2 million from
the 1995 quarter.  A decrease in tolling activities in the 1996 quarter from the
1995 period was primarily responsible for the decline in operating profit.

Transportation

Operating profit of the transportation segment decreased $0.2 million when
compared to the 1995 quarter.  The decrease resulted from a decline in
utilization of equipment in the first quarter of 1996, without a corresponding
decline in fixed costs.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest expense increased $1.3 million in the first quarter of 1996 when
compared to the first quarter of 1995.  The majority of this increase is
attributable to the purchase of the pipelines from Exxon on March 31, 1995,
primarily with the proceeds of a term-loan from a group of banks.  See Note 6 of
the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's 1995 Annual
Report on Form 10-K.

Provision for Income Taxes

The effective tax rate was 35% and 33% in the first quarter of 1996 and 1995,
respectively.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company generated cash from operating activities in the first quarter of
1996 of $4.0 million.  During this quarter, the Company utilized the cash flow
generated from operations and $1.8 million of the cash on hand at December 31,
1995 to invest $3.8 million in additions to property, plant and equipment, to
pay $0.8 million of cash dividends to common and preferred shareholders and to
reduce debt by $1.4 million.


                           PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

(a)Exhibits
   10.1 First Amendment to Credit Agreement between Howell Crude Oil Company
        and Bank One, Texas, National Association, as Agent and Lender.
   11   Computation of Earnings per Share

(b)Reports on Form 8-K
   None



                                    SIGNATURE

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 thereunto duly authorized.


     Howell Corporation
     (Registrant)



Date:  May 6, 1996            /s/ Allyn R. Skelton, II
                              ------------------------
                              Allyn R. Skelton, II
                              Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
                              (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)



EXHIBIT 11

<TABLE>
                               HOWELL CORPORATION

                        COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
                                   (Unaudited)

                                                        Three Months Ended
                                                            March 31,
                                                        ------------------
                                                          1996       1995
                                                          ----       ----
                                             (In thousands, except per share amounts)
PRIMARY EARNINGS PER SHARE

Computation for Statement of Earnings

<S>                                                      <C>       <C>
Reconciliation of net income per statement of
  earnings to amount used in calculation of earnings
  per share - assuming no dilution:
     Net earnings                                        $1,195    $  832
     Subtract - Dividend to preferred shareholders          604       604
                                                         ------    ------
     Net earnings, as adjusted                           $  591    $  228
                                                         ======    ======

Weighted average number of common shares
  outstanding                                             4,934     4,837
                                                         ======    ======

Earnings per share - assuming no dilution <F1>           $  .12    $  .05
                                                         ======    ======

Additional Primary Computation

Net earnings, as adjusted per primary
  computation above                                      $  591    $  228
                                                         ======    ======

Adjustment to weighted average number of
  shares outstanding:
     Weighted average number of shares outstanding
       per primary computation above                      4,934     4,837
     Add - Dilutive effect of outstanding options
       (as determined by application of the treasury
       stock method)                                        100        71
                                                         ------    ------
     Weighted average number of shares outstanding,
       as adjusted                                        5,034     4,908
                                                         ======    ======

Primary earnings per share, as adjusted <F2>             $  .12    $  .05
                                                         ======    ======

FULLY DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

Computation for Statement of Earnings

Net earnings, as adjusted per
  primary computation above                              $  591    $  228
                                                         ======    ======
Weighted average number of common shares
  outstanding, per primary computation above              4,934     4,837
                                                         ======    ======
Earnings per share - assuming full
  dilution <F1>                                          $  .12    $  .05
                                                         ======    ======


Additional Fully Diluted Computation

Additional adjustment to net earnings,
  as adjusted per fully diluted computation above:
     Net earnings, as adjusted per fully
       diluted computation above                         $  591    $  228
     Add - Dividend to preferred shareholders               604       604
                                                         ------    ------

     Net earnings, as adjusted                           $1,195    $  832
                                                         ======    ======

Additional adjustment to weighted average number
  of shares outstanding:
     Weighted average number of shares outstanding,
       per fully diluted computation above                4,934     4,837
     Add - Dilutive effect of outstanding options
       (as determined by the application of the treasury
       stock method)                                        100        71
          Shares issuable from assumed exercise of
            convertible preferred stock                   2,090     2,091
                                                         ------    ------
     Weighted average number of common shares,
        as adjusted                                       7,124     6,999
                                                         ======    ======

Fully diluted earnings per share <F3>                    $  .17    $  .12
                                                         ======    ======
<FN>
<F1>
These amounts agree with the reported amounts on the statements of
earnings.
<F2>
This calculation is submitted in accordance with Regulation S-K item
601(b)(11) although not required by footnote 2 to paragraph 14 of APB Opinion
No. 15 because it results in dilution of less than 3%.
<F3>
This calculation is submitted in accordance with Regulation S-K item
601(b)(11) although it is contrary to paragraph 40 of APB Opinion No. 15 because
it produces an anti-dilutive result.
</FN>
</TABLE>




                       FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT


                                     BETWEEN


                            HOWELL CRUDE OIL COMPANY


                                       AND


                     BANK ONE, TEXAS, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                               AS AGENT AND LENDER






                        Effective as of December 1, 1995




                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

     Page

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

     1.1  Terms Defined Above                                           1
     1.2  Terms Defined in Credit Agreement                             1
     1.3  References                                                    1
     1.4  Articles and Sections                                         2
     1.5  Number and Gender                                             2

ARTICLE II     AMENDMENTS TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

ARTICLE III    CONDITIONS

     3.1  Receipt of Loan Documents and Other Items                     2
     3.2  Accuracy of Representations and Warranties; No Default
          or Event of Default                                           3
     3.3  Payment of Other Fees and Expenses                            3
     3.4  Matters Satisfactory to Agent.                                3
     3.5  No Material Adverse Effect                                    3

ARTICLE IV     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     4.1  Due Authorization                                             3
     4.2  Valid and Binding Obligations                                 4
     4.3  Representations and Warranties in Credit Agreement            4
     4.4  No Default or Event of Default                                4

ARTICLE V MISCELLANEOUS

     5.1  Rights of Third Parties                                       4
     5.2  Survival Upon Unenforceability                                4
     5.3  Ratification                                                  4
     5.4  Governing Law                                                 4
     5.5  Jurisdiction and Venue                                        4
     5.6  Entire Agreement; No Oral Agreements                          5
     5.7  Waiver of Rights to Jury Trial                                5
     5.8  Counterparts                                                  5

                              FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT


          THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this "Amendment"), effective
as of December 1, 1995, is entered into by and among HOWELL CRUDE OIL COMPANY, a
Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), each lender that is or becomes a party to
the Credit Agreement (as defined below) as provided in Section 9.1 thereof
(individually, together with its successors and assigns, a "Lender" and,
collectively, together with their respective successors and assigns, the
"Lenders"), and BANK ONE, TEXAS, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking
association, as agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its
successors in such capacity, the "Agent").


                              W I T N E S S E T H:

          WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Agent, and the Lenders are parties to the
Credit Agreement dated as of March 31, 1995, as amended from time to time (the
"Credit Agreement"); and

          WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Agent, and the Lenders desire to amend the
Credit Agreement as provided hereinbelow;

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements, representations and warranties herein set forth and for other good
and valuable consideration, the parties hereby agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I

                         DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

          1.1  Terms Defined Above.  As used in this Amendment, the terms
"Agent," "Amendment," "Borrower," "Credit Agreement," "Lender," and "Lenders"
shall have the meanings assigned to them hereinabove.

          1.2  Terms Defined in Credit Agreement.  Each term defined in the
Credit Agreement and used herein without definition shall have the meaning
assigned to such term in the Credit Agreement, unless expressly provided herein
to the contrary.

          1.3  References.  References in this Amendment to Article or Section
numbers shall be to Articles and Sections of this Amendment, unless expressly
stated herein to the contrary.  References in this Amendment to "hereby,"
"herein," "hereinabove," "hereinafter," "hereinbelow," "hereof," "hereunder" and
words of similar import shall be to this Amendment in its entirety and not only
to the particular Article or Section in which such reference appears.

          1.4  Articles and Sections.  This Amendment, for convenience only, has
been divided into Articles and Sections, and all rights, powers, privileges,
duties, and other legal relations of the parties hereto shall be determined from
this Amendment as an entirety and without regard to such divisions into Articles
and Sections and without regard to headings prefixed to such Articles and
Sections.

          1.5  Number and Gender.  Whenever the context requires, reference
herein made to the single number shall be understood to include the plural, and
likewise, the plural shall be understood to include the singular.  Definitions
of terms defined in the singular or plural shall be equally applicable to the
plural or singular, as the case may be, unless otherwise indicated.  Words
denoting sex shall be construed to include the masculine, feminine, and neuter,
when such construction is appropriate; and specific enumeration shall not
exclude the general but shall be construed as cumulative.


                                   ARTICLE II

                         AMENDMENTS TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

          Amendment of Section 6.14.  Section 6.14 of the Credit Agreement is
hereby amended to read as follows:

          "6.14  Cash Flow Coverage.  Permit, as of the close of any fiscal
quarter other than the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 1995, the ratio of (a)
Cash Flow of the Borrower and the Pipeline Subsidiaries for such quarter to (b)
Debt Service for such quarter to be less than 1.25 to 1.00; or permit for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 1995, the ratio of (a) Cash Flow of the Borrower
and the Pipeline Subsidiaries for such fiscal year to (b) Debt Service for such
fiscal year to be less than 1.25 to 1.00."


                                   ARTICLE III

                                   CONDITIONS

          The obligation of the Agent and the Lenders to amend the Credit
Agreement as provided herein is subject to the fulfillment of the following
conditions precedent:

          3.1  Receipt of Loan Documents and Other Items.  The Agent shall have
received multiple counterparts, as requested by the Agent, of the following
documents and other items, appropriately executed when necessary and in form and
substance satisfactory to the Agent:

          (a)  this Amendment executed by the Borrower;

          (b)  a Notice of Final Agreement; and

          (c)  such other agreements, documents, instruments, opinions,
certificates, waivers, consents, and evidence as the Agent or any Lender may
reasonably request.

          3.2  Accuracy of Representations and Warranties; No Default or Event
of Default.  The representations and warranties contained in Article IV of this
Amendment shall be true and correct in all material respects; and, after giving
effect to this Amendment, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing.

          3.3  Payment of Other Fees and Expenses.  The Agent shall have
received reimbursement from the Borrower, or special legal counsel for the Agent
shall have received payment from the Borrower, for all reasonable fees and
expenses of counsel to the Agent for which the Borrower is responsible pursuant
to applicable provisions of this Amendment and the Credit Agreement for which
invoices have been presented as of or prior to the date hereof.

          3.4  Matters Satisfactory to Agent.  All matters incident to the
consummation of the transactions hereby contemplated shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Agent.

          3.5  No Material Adverse Effect.  No event or circumstance shall have
occurred since October 31, 1995, that could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

          To induce the Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Amendment and
amend the Credit Agreement as provided herein, the Borrower represents and
warrants to the Agent and each Lender that:

          4.1  Due Authorization.  The execution and delivery by the Borrower of
this Amendment and the performance of its obligations hereunder are within the
corporate power of the Borrower, have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action by the Borrower, and do not and will not (a) require the
consent of any Governmental Authority, (b) contravene or conflict with any
Requirement of Law or the articles or certificate of incorporation, or bylaws,
or other organizational or governing documents of the Borrower, (c) contravene
or conflict with any indenture, instrument, or other agreement to which the
Borrower is a party or by which any Property of the Borrower may be presently
bound or encumbered, or (d) result in or require the creation or imposition of
any Lien in or upon any Property of the Borrower under any such indenture,
instrument, or other agreement other than the Loan Documents.

          4.2  Valid and Binding Obligations.  This Amendment, when duly
executed and delivered by the Borrower, will be the legal, valid, and binding
obligation of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with
its terms.

          4.3  Representations and Warranties in Credit Agreement.  As of the
date hereof, all representations and warranties set forth in the Credit
Agreement are true and correct in all material respects.

          4.4  No Default or Event of Default.  After giving effect to this
Amendment, no Default or Event of Default exists.


                                    ARTICLE V

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

          5.1  Rights of Third Parties.  All provisions herein are imposed
solely and exclusively for the benefit of the Agent, the Lenders, and the
Borrower and their successors and permitted assigns.  No other Person shall have
any right, benefit, priority, or interest hereunder or as a result hereof or
have standing to require satisfaction of provisions hereof in accordance with
their terms.

          5.2  Survival Upon Unenforceability.  In the event any one or more of
the provisions contained in this Amendment shall, for any reason, be held to be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality,
or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision hereof.

          5.3  Ratification.  Except as expressly amended by this Amendment, the
Credit Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.  The Credit Agreement,
as hereby amended, and all rights and powers created thereby or thereunder are
in all respects ratified and confirmed.

          5.4  Governing Law.  This Amendment and all issues arising in
connection herewith and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas (without
giving effect to principles thereof relating to conflicts of law).

          5.5  Jurisdiction and Venue.  All actions or proceedings with respect
to, arising directly or indirectly in connection with, out of, related to, or
from this Amendment may be litigated, at the sole discretion and election of the
Agent, in courts having situs in Houston, Harris County, Texas.  The Borrower
hereby submits to the jurisdiction of any local, state, or federal court located
in Houston, Harris County, Texas, and hereby waives any rights it may have to
transfer or change the jurisdiction or venue of any litigation brought against
it by the Agent or any Lender in accordance with this Section.

          5.6  Entire Agreement; No Oral Agreements.  This Amendment constitutes
the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject hereof
and supersedes any prior agreement among the parties hereto, whether written or
oral, relating to the subject hereof.  This written agreement and the other writ
ten Loan Documents represent, collectively, the final agreement among the
parties hereto and thereto and may not be contradicted by evidence of prior,
contemporaneous, or subsequent oral agreements of the parties.  There are no
unwritten oral agreements among the parties.

          5.7  Waiver of Rights to Jury Trial.  The Borrower, the Agent, and
each Lender hereby knowingly, voluntarily, intentionally, irrevocably, and
unconditionally waive all rights to trial by jury in any action, suit,
proceeding, counterclaim, or other litigation that relates to or arises out of
this Amendment or the acts or omissions of the Agent or any Lender in the
enforcement of any of the terms or provisions of this Amendment or otherwise
with respect hereto.  The provisions of this Section are a material inducement
for the Agent and the Lenders entering into this Amendment.

          5.8  Counterparts.  For convenience of the parties, this Amendment may
be executed in multiple counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original,
and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is executed as of the date first
above written.

     BORROWER:

     HOWELL CRUDE OIL COMPANY


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

     (Signatures Continued on Next Page)

     AGENT AND LENDER:

     BANK ONE, TEXAS, NATIONAL
     ASSOCIATION


     By:  /s/ John B. Lane
     Name:  John B. Lane
     Title:  Vice President


                                   LENDER:

                                   BANK OF MONTREAL


                                   By:  /s/ Robert Roberts
                                   Name:  Robert L. Roberts
                                   Title:  Director, U.S. Corporate Banking


                                   LENDER:

                                   COMPASS BANK - HOUSTON


                                   By: /s/ Dorothy M. Wilson
                                   Name:  Dorothy Marchand Wilson
                                   Title:  Vice President


                                   LENDER:

                                   DEN NORSKE BANK AS


                                   By: /s/ William V. Moyer
                                   Name:  William V. Moyer
                                   Title:  Vice President


                                   By: /s/ Charles E. Hall
                                   Name:  Charles E. Hall
                                   Title:  First Vice President

     Joining in the execution hereof to evidence their consent to the terms
hereof:


                              HOWELL CORPORATION


                              By: /s/ Allyn R. Skelton, II
                              Name:  Allyn R. Skelton, II
                              Title:  Sr. Vice President & CFO


                              HOWELL PIPELINE TEXAS, INC.


                              By: /s/ Allen R. Stanley
                              Name:  Allen R. Stanley
                              Title:  President


                              HOWELL PIPELINE USA, INC.


                              By: /s/ Allen R. Stanley
                              Name:  Allen R. Stanley
                              Title:  President



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<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION FROM THE FORM 10-Q OF
HOWELL CORPORATION FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
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