BLACK WARRIOR WIRELINE CORP
8-K, 1998-03-31
OIL & GAS FIELD SERVICES, NEC
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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 16, 1998

                          BLACK WARRIOR WIRELINE CORP.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE                              0-18754                     11-2904094
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction      (Commission File Number)      (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                                            Identification No.)

               3748 HIGHWAY 45 NORTH, COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI 39701
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (601) 329-1047


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


<PAGE>



ITEM 2.  ACQUISITIONS OR DISPOSITIONS OF ASSETS

     Phoenix  Acquisition  - On  March  16,  1998,  the  Company  completed  the
acquisition from Phoenix Drilling Services, Inc. ("Phoenix") of the domestic oil
and gas well survey  business  and  domestic  directional  drilling  business of
Phoenix.  The  purchase  price for the assets  acquired was $19.0  million.  The
operations  of the business  are  conducted  throughout  the primary oil and gas
producing areas of the United States.

     Financing for the  transaction was obtained  through secured  borrowings of
$9.0 million from Fleet Capital Corporation,  described below (see Item 5. Other
Events),  and the sale of  convertible  notes and warrants to St. James  Capital
Partners,  L.P.  ("St.  James")  for $10.0  million.  For a  description  of the
securities  issued  and the  terms of the  borrowings  from St.  James,  see the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K for January 23, 1998.

ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.

     On March 16, 1998, the Company  entered into a Loan and Security  Agreement
(the "Credit  Facility") with Fleet Capital  Corporation  ("Fleet")  pursuant to
which  the  Company  is able to  borrow,  subject  to  meeting  certain  lending
conditions,  a total of $19.0 million.  Of such amount, $9.0 is a term loan (the
"Term  Loan"),  substantially  all of which was borrowed to pay a portion of the
purchase price for the Phoenix  acquisition,  up to $2.0 million (the "Equipment
Line") is available to be borrowed to acquire  additional  equipment,  and up to
$8.0  million  (the  "Revolving  Line") is  available to be borrowed for general
operating capital purposes. The Equipment Line is available,  subject to certain
limitations,  in amounts up to 80% the purchase price or appraised  value of new
equipment and is repayable in equal monthly  installments  over five years.  The
Revolving  Line is  available  to be borrowed  from time to time,  subject to no
default  under  the  Credit  Facility,  in  amounts  up to 85% of the  Company's
eligible accounts receivable subject to the $8.0 million limitation. Interest on
the Credit  Facility  is equal to Fleet's  base rate plus 0.5% on the  Revolving
Line and Fleet's base rate plus 0.75% on the other  borrowings  under the Credit
Facility.  Amounts  repaid under the Term Loan and the Equipment  Line cannot be
reborrowed.  The Credit  Facility  terminates  and,  subject  to all  prepayment
obligations,  the outstanding  balance is due and payable on March 15, 2001. The
Credit  Facility can be terminated  by the Company  prior  thereto  subject to a
prepayment penalty,  under certain  circumstances,  declining from 3% during the
first year after March 16,  1998 to 1% during the last year the Credit  Facility
is


                                       2

<PAGE>



outstanding.  The Credit  Facility is secured by a senior and prior lien against
substantially all the Company's real and personal property, including the assets
acquired in the Phoenix Acquisition,  subject to certain exceptions.  The Credit
Facility  includes a number of  affirmative  and  negative  covenants  including
requirements  as to  providing  Fleet with access to the  Company's  facilities,
financial and other  information,  a requirement that St. James convert not less
than $4.9 million of indebtedness  owed by the Company to St. James into capital
stock of the  Company  no later  than May 31,  1998,  restrictions  on  mergers,
consolidations, acquisitions, limitations on total indebtedness, restrictions on
liens,  subject to certain exceptions,  on its properties,  prohibitions against
the payments of dividends and other distributions to stockholders,  restrictions
on capital  expenditures,  dispositions of assets and sales of subsidiary stock,
among other  covenants.  Such  covenants  also  prohibit the Company from making
payments  on the  promissory  note owing to  Diamondback  Drilling,  Inc. in the
amount of $3.0 million except on terms approved by Fleet or (i) out of a minimum
borrowing  availability  of $2.0  million,  or (ii) a secondary  offering of the
Company's  capital stock.  The Credit Facility  contains a number of affirmative
covenants  requiring the Company to maintain  compliance with various  financial
ratios relating to fixed charges,  interest coverage ratios, tangible net worth,
total indebtedness to tangible net worth, among other things.  Events of default
under the Credit  Facility  include,  among  other  things,  the  failure to pay
principal and interest when due, making any  misrepresentations  to Fleet in any
of the loan documents,  breach of the covenants contained in the Credit Facility
or defaults under the security documents under the Credit Facility,  defaults on
other  indebtedness,  adverse  changes in the Company's  financial  condition or
prospects, insolvency and other bankruptcy proceedings, the failure of St. James
to own at 55% of the  Company's  issued  and  outstanding  capital  stock of the
Company  (on a  fully  diluted  basis)  prior  to a  secondary  offering  of the
Company's  securities,  or,  pursuant to a secondary  public offering of capital
stock of the  Company,  at least 30% of the  Company's  issued  and  outstanding
capital  stock,  on a fully diluted  basis.  In the event of a default under the
Credit  Facility,  at  the  option  of  Fleet,  all  amounts  thereunder  become
immediately  due and payable and Fleet would have the right as a secured  lender
to foreclose against substantially all of the Company's assets.

     Reference  is made to the Loan and Security  Agreement  filed as an Exhibit
hereto for a complete statement of its terms and conditions.


                                       3

<PAGE>



ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

     (a) Financial statements of business acquired.

          It is impracticable for the Company to provide the required  financial
statements  for  Phoenix at the time this  Current  Report on Form 8-K is filed.
Such financial  statements will be filed as soon as  practicable,  but not later
than 60 days after the date this  Current  Report on Form 8-K is  required to be
filed.

     (b) Pro forma financial information.

          It is impracticable  for the Company to provide the required pro forma
financial information for Phoenix at the time this Current Report on Form 8-K is
filed. Such pro forma information will be filed as soon as practicable,  but not
later than 60 days after the date this Current Report on Form 8-K is required to
be filed.

     (c) Exhibits

          10.1 Loan and Security  Agreement  dated March 16, 1998 between  Fleet
Capital Corporation, Black Warrior Wireline Corp. and Boone Wireline Co., Inc.

          10.2 Equipment Promissory Note in the principal amount of $2.0 million
dated March 16, 1998.

          10.3 Secured  Promissory Note in the principal  amount of $9.0 million
dated March 16, 1998.


                                       4

<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

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


                                                    BLACK WARRIOR WIRELINE CORP.

Dated:  March 16, 1998                          By: /s/ William L. Jenkins
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                   William L. Jenkins, President





                                       5





                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1


                           LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

                                 by and between

                            FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION

                                       and

                          BLACK WARRIOR WIRELINE CORP.

                                       and

                            BOONE WIRELINE CO., INC.

                              Dated: March 16, 1998

                                   $19,000,000


<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page

SECTION 1.        CREDIT FACILITY.............................................
         1.1      Revolving Credit Loans......................................
         1.2      Term Loan and Equipment Loans...............................
         1.3      Joint and Several Liability; Rights of Contribution.........
         1.4      Structure of Credit Facility................................

SECTION 2.        INTEREST, FEES AND CHARGES..................................
         2.1      Interest....................................................
         2.2      Computation of Interest and Fees............................
         2.3      Closing Fee.................................................
         2.4      Commitment Fee..............................................
         2.5      Collateral Administration Fee...............................
         2.6      Audit and Appraisal Fees....................................
         2.7      Reimbursement of Expenses...................................
         2.8      Bank Charges................................................

SECTION 3.        LOAN ADMINISTRATION.........................................
         3.1      Manner of Borrowing Revolving Credit Loans..................
         3.2      Payments....................................................

         3.3      Mandatory Prepayments; Proceeds of Sale, Loss,

                  Destruction or Condemnation of Collateral...................
         3.4      Application of Payments and Collections.....................
         3.5      All Loans to Constitute One Obligation......................
         3.6      Loan Account................................................
         3.7      Statements of Account.......................................

SECTION 4.        TERM AND TERMINATION........................................
         4.1      Term of Agreement...........................................
         4.2      Termination.................................................

SECTION 5.        SECURITY INTERESTS..........................................
         5.1      Security Interest in Collateral.............................
         5.2      Lien Perfection; Further Assurances.........................
         5.3      Lien on Realty..............................................
         5.4      Partial Release of Collateral...............................

SECTION 6.        COLLATERAL ADMINISTRATION...................................
         6.1      General ....................................................
         6.2      Administration of Accounts..................................
         6.3      Administration of Inventory.................................
         6.4      Administration of Equipment.................................



<PAGE>



         6.5      Payment of Charges..........................................

SECTION 7.        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES..............................
         7.1      General Representations and Warranties......................
         7.2      Continuous Nature of Representations and Warranties.........
         7.3      Survival of Representations and Warranties..................

SECTION 8.        COVENANTS AND CONTINUING AGREEMENTS.........................
         8.1      Affirmative Covenants.......................................
         8.2      Negative Covenants..........................................
         8.3      Specific Financial Covenants................................

SECTION 9.        CONDITIONS PRECEDENT........................................
         9.1      Documentation...............................................
         9.2      No Default..................................................
         9.3      Other Loan Documents........................................
         9.4      Equity......................................................
         9.5      Availability................................................
         9.6      Articles of Incorporation...................................
         9.7      Good Standing Certificates..................................
         9.8      Opinion Letters.............................................
         9.9      Insurance...................................................
         9.10     Disbursement Letter.........................................
         9.11     Dominion Account............................................
         9.12     Landlord Agreements.........................................
         9.13     No Litigation...............................................
         9.14     Customer Reference Checks...................................
         9.15     Evidence of Perfection and Priority of Liens in Collateral..
         9.16     Title Insurance Policies....................................
         9.17     Environmental Site Assessments..............................
         9.18     Acquisition.................................................
         9.19     Pro-Forma Balance Sheet.....................................
         9.20     Subordinated Debt...........................................
         9.21     GECC Agreements.............................................
         9.22     Collateral Assignment of Purchase Documents.................

SECTION 10.       EVENTS OF DEFAULT; RIGHTS AND

                  REMEDIES ON DEFAULT.........................................
         10.1     Events of Default...........................................
         10.2     Acceleration of the Obligations.............................
         10.3     Other Remedies..............................................
         10.4     Remedies Cumulative; No Waiver..............................

SECTION 11.       MISCELLANEOUS...............................................
         11.1     Power of Attorney...........................................



<PAGE>



         11.2     Indemnity...................................................
         11.3     Modification of Agreement; Sale of Interest.................
         11.4     Severability................................................
         11.5     Successors and Assigns......................................
         11.6     Cumulative Effect; Conflict of Terms........................
         11.7     Execution in Counterparts...................................
         11.8     Notice......................................................
         11.9     Lender's Consent............................................
         11.10    Credit Inquiries............................................
         11.11    Time of Essence.............................................
         11.12    Entire Agreement; Appendix A and Exhibits and Schedules.....
         11.13    Interpretation..............................................
         11.14    GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO FORUM.............................
         11.15    WAIVERS BY BORROWER.........................................
         11.16    Waiver of Consumer Rights...................................
         11.17    Oral Agreements Ineffective.................................
         11.18    Nonapplicability of Chapter 346.............................
         11.19    Certain Matters of Construction.............................


<PAGE>




                           LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

     THIS LOAN AND SECURITY  AGREEMENT is made this 16th day of March,  1998, by
and between FLEET CAPITAL  CORPORATION  ("Lender"),  a Rhode Island  corporation
with an office at 2711 North Haskell  Avenue,  Suite 2100, LB 21, Dallas,  Texas
75204;  and  BLACK  WARRIOR  WIRELINE  CORP.,  a  Delaware  corporation  ("Black
Warrior"), and BOONE WIRELINE CO., INC., an Alabama corporation ("Boone") (Black
Warrior  and  Boone are  hereinafter  sometimes  referred  to  individually  and
collectively  as the  "Borrower"),  each with its  chief  executive  office  and
principal  place of business  at 3748  Highway 45 North,  Columbus,  Mississippi
39701.  Capitalized  terms used in this Agreement have the meanings  assigned to
them  in  Appendix  A,  General  Definitions.  Accounting  terms  not  otherwise
specifically   defined  herein  shall  be  construed  in  accordance  with  GAAP
consistently applied.

SECTION 1. CREDIT FACILITY

     Subject  to  the  terms  and  conditions  of,  and  in  reliance  upon  the
representations  and  warranties  made in,  this  Agreement  and the other  Loan
Documents,  Lender  agrees to make a total  credit  facility  of up to  Nineteen
Million Dollars  ($19,000,000)  available upon Borrower's  request therefor,  as
follows:

     1.1 Revolving Credit Loans.

          1.1.1  Loans and  Reserves.  Lender  agrees,  during  the term of this
Agreement  and for so long as no  Default or Event of  Default  exists,  to make
Revolving  Credit Loans to Borrower  from time to time, as requested by Borrower
in the manner  set forth in  Section  3.1.1  hereof,  up to a maximum  principal
amount at any time  outstanding  equal to the Borrowing  Base at such time minus
reserves,  if any.  Lender  shall have the right to  establish  reserves in such
amounts,  and with respect to such  matters,  as Lender shall deem  necessary or
appropriate,  against the amount of Revolving  Credit  Loans which  Borrower may
otherwise request under this Section 1.1.1, including,  without limitation, with
respect to (i) price adjustments, damages, unearned discounts, returned products
or other matters for which credit memoranda are issued in the ordinary course of
Borrower's business;  (ii) other sums chargeable against Borrower's Loan Account
as Revolving  Credit Loans under any section of this  Agreement;  (iii)  amounts
owing by  Borrower  to any Person to the  extent  secured by a Lien other than a
Permitted Lien on, or trust over, any Property of Borrower;  (iv) all amounts of
past due rent or other charges owing at such time by Borrower to any landlord of
any premises where any of the Collateral is located; and (v) such other matters,
events,  conditions  or  contingencies  as to which  Lender,  in its sole credit
judgment, determines reserves should be established from time to time hereunder.

          1.1.2 Use of Proceeds. The Revolving Credit Loans shall be used solely
for the  acquisition by Black Warrior of all of Phoenix's  domestic  directional
drilling  business and

                                       1

<PAGE>



survey  business and certain other drilling and related  assets of Phoenix,  and
for Borrower's  general  operating capital needs in a manner consistent with the
provisions of this Agreement and Applicable  Law. In no event shall any proceeds
of any Revolving Credit Loans be used to purchase or to carry, reduce, retire or
refinance  any  Indebtedness  incurred  to  purchase  or carry any margin  stock
(within the meaning of Regulations G or U of the Federal Reserve Board).

     1.2 Term Loan and Equipment Loans.

          1.2.1 Term Loan.  Lender agrees to make a term loan to Borrower on the
Closing Date in the principal amount of Nine Million Dollars ($9,000,000), which
shall be  repayable in  accordance  with the terms of the Term Note and shall be
secured by all of the  Collateral.  The  proceeds of the Term Loan shall be used
solely for  purposes for which the  proceeds of the  Revolving  Credit Loans are
authorized to be used.  Borrower may not reborrow any amount repaid with respect
to the Term Loan.

          1.2.2  Equipment  Loans.  Lender  agrees,  during  the  term  of  this
Agreement  and for so long as no  Default or Event of  Default  exists,  to make
Loans  ("Equipment  Loans") to Borrower from time to time to finance  Borrower's
purchases of Equipment for use in its business.  Each Equipment Loan shall be in
the  aggregate  principal  amount of not less than Two  Hundred  Fifty  Thousand
Dollars ($250,000),  and shall not exceed (i) with respect to Equipment acquired
by Borrower,  eighty  percent (80%) of the invoiced  purchase  price  (excluding
taxes, title,  freight,  and installation costs) of the Equipment being acquired
with the  proceeds of such  Equipment  Loan,  or (ii) with  respect to Equipment
manufactured  or  remanufactured  by  Borrower,  eighty  percent  (80%)  of  the
appraised value of the Equipment being  manufactured or remanufactured  with the
proceeds of such Equipment  Loan. Each Equipment Loan shall be secured by all of
the Collateral  and shall be evidenced by the Equipment  Note,  which  Equipment
Note shall  specify the rate of interest and the repayment  terms  applicable to
each such Equipment Loan. The principal  amount of all Equipment Loans hereunder
shall not exceed, in the aggregate,  Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000).  Borrower
may not reborrow any amount repaid with respect to any Equipment Loan.

     1.3 Joint and Several Liability; Rights of Contribution.

          (A) Each Borrower states and  acknowledges  that: (i) pursuant to this
Agreement,   Borrowers  desire  to  utilize  their  borrowing   potential  on  a
consolidated basis to the same extent possible if they were merged into a single
corporate  entity and that this Agreement  reflects the  establishment of credit
facilities  which would not  otherwise  be  available  to such  Borrower if each
Borrower  were not  jointly  and  severally  liable  for  payment  of all of the
Obligations;  (ii)  it has  determined  that it will  benefit  specifically  and
materially from the advances of credit contemplated by this Agreement;  (iii) it
is both a condition  precedent  to the  obligations  of Lender  hereunder  and a
desire of the Borrowers  that each  Borrower  execute and deliver to Lender this
Agreement; and (iv) Borrowers have requested and bargained for the structure and
terms of and security for the advances contemplated by this Agreement.

                                       2

<PAGE>



          (B) Each Borrower hereby irrevocably and  unconditionally:  (i) agrees
that it is  jointly  and  severally  liable  to Lender  for the full and  prompt
payment  of  the  Obligations  and  the  performance  by  each  Borrower  of its
obligations  hereunder in accordance with the terms hereof; (ii) agrees to fully
and  promptly  perform all of its  obligations  hereunder  with  respect to each
advance of credit hereunder as if such advance had been made directly to it; and
(iii)  agrees as a primary  obligation  to  indemnify  Lender on demand  for and
against any loss incurred by Lender as a result of any of the obligations of any
one or more of the Borrowers being or becoming void, voidable,  unenforceable or
ineffective  for any  reason  whatsoever,  whether or not known to Lender or any
Person,  the amount of such loss being the amount which  Lender would  otherwise
have been entitled to recover from any one or more of the Borrowers.

          (C)  It  is  the  intent  of  each  Borrower  that  the  indebtedness,
obligations and liability hereunder of no one of them be subject to challenge on
any basis, including, without limitation,  pursuant to any applicable fraudulent
conveyance or fraudulent transfer laws. Accordingly,  as of the date hereof, the
liability of each  Borrower  under this Section  1.3,  together  with all of its
other  liabilities to all Persons as of the date hereof and as of any other date
on  which a  transfer  or  conveyance  is  deemed  to occur  by  virtue  of this
Agreement,  calculated in amount  sufficient to pay its probable net liabilities
on its existing  Indebtedness  as the same become  absolute and matured  ("Dated
Liabilities")  is, and is to be, less than the amount of the aggregate of a fair
valuation of its property as of such  corresponding  date ("Dated  Assets").  To
this end, each Borrower  under this Section 1.3, (i) grants to and recognizes in
each other  Borrower,  ratably,  rights of subrogation  and  contribution in the
amount,  if any,  by  which  the  Dated  Assets  of such  Borrower,  but for the
aggregate of subrogation and contribution in its favor recognized herein,  would
exceed  the Dated  Liabilities  of such  Borrower  or, as the case may be,  (ii)
acknowledges receipt of and recognizes its right to subrogation and contribution
ratably  from each of the other  Borrowers  in the amount,  if any, by which the
Dated  Liabilities  of such Borrower,  but for the aggregate of subrogation  and
contribution in its favor  recognized  herein,  would exceed the Dated Assets of
such  Borrower  under this  Section 1.3. In  recognizing  the value of the Dated
Assets  and  the  Dated  Liabilities,  it  is  understood  that  Borrowers  will
recognize,  to at  least  the same  extent  of their  aggregate  recognition  of
liabilities hereunder,  their rights to subrogation and contribution  hereunder.
It is a material  objective  of this Section 1.3 that each  Borrower  recognizes
rights to subrogation and contribution rather than be deemed to be insolvent (or
in contemplation thereof) by reason of an arbitrary  interpretation of its joint
and several obligations  hereunder.  In addition to and not in limitation of the
foregoing  provisions of this Section 1.3, the Borrowers and Lender hereby agree
and  acknowledge  that it is the intent of each  Borrower and of Lender that the
obligations  of each Borrower  hereunder be in all respects in compliance  with,
and not be voidable pursuant to, applicable fraudulent conveyance and fraudulent
transfer laws.

     1.4 Structure of Credit  Facility.  Each Borrower  agrees and  acknowledges
that the present structure of the credit  facilities  detailed in this Agreement
is based in part upon the financial  and other  information  presently  known to
Lender regarding each Borrower,  the corporate  structure of Borrowers,  and the
present financial  condition of each Borrower.  Each Borrower hereby agrees that
Lender shall have the right, in its sole credit judgment, to require that any or
all of the following  changes be made to these credit  facilities:  (i) restrict
loans and


                                       3

<PAGE>



advances  between  Borrowers,  (ii)  establish  separate  lockbox  and  dominion
accounts for each  Borrower,  (iii)  separate the Term Loan and/or the Equipment
Loans into  separate  loans to such of the  Borrowers as shall be  determined by
Lender,  and (iv) establish such other procedures as shall be reasonably  deemed
by Lender to be useful in tracking where Loans are made under this Agreement and
the source of payments received by Lender on such Loans.

SECTION 2. INTEREST, FEES AND CHARGES

     2.1 Interest.

          2.1.1 Rates of Interest. The outstanding principal amount of the Loans
shall bear interest at the following rates per annum  (individually  called,  as
applicable,  an "Applicable  Annual Rate"): (i) for Revolving Credit Loans, at a
fluctuating  rate per annum equal to  one-half  percent  (0.50%)  above the Base
Rate, and (ii) for the Term Loan and the Equipment  Loans, at a fluctuating rate
per annum equal to  three-fourths  percent (0.75%) above the Base Rate. The rate
of  interest  applicable  to all Loans  shall  increase or decrease by an amount
equal to any increase or decrease in the Base Rate,  effective as of the opening
of business on the day that any such change in the Base Rate occurs.

          2.1.2  Default Rate of Interest.  Upon and after the  occurrence of an
Event of Default,  and during the continuation  thereof, the principal amount of
all Loans shall bear  interest at a rate per annum equal to two percent  (2.00%)
above the  Applicable  Annual  Rate or at such  other  rate per annum  above the
Applicable Rate (not to exceed two percent (2.00%)) as Lender shall, in its sole
discretion, elect (the "Default Rate").

          2.1.3 Maximum Interest.  (A) Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary
in this  Agreement  or  otherwise,  (i) if at any time the  amount  of  interest
computed  on the basis of an  Applicable  Annual  Rate or a Default  Rate  would
exceed the amount of such  interest  computed upon the basis of the maximum rate
of interest  permitted by applicable state or federal law in effect from time to
time  hereafter  (the  "Maximum  Legal Rate"),  the interest  payable under this
Agreement  shall be computed upon the basis of the Maximum  Legal Rate,  but any
subsequent  reduction  in such  Applicable  Annual  Rate  or  Default  Rate,  as
applicable,  shall not reduce such interest  thereafter  payable hereunder below
the amount  computed on the basis of the Maximum  Legal Rate until the aggregate
amount of such  interest  accrued and payable  under this  Agreement  equals the
total amount of interest  which would have accrued if such  interest had been at
all times computed  solely on the basis of an Applicable  Annual Rate or Default
Rate,  as  applicable;  and (ii) unless  preempted by federal law, an Applicable
Annual  Rate or  Default  Rate,  as  applicable,  from  time  to time in  effect
hereunder may not exceed the "weekly  ceiling" from time to time in effect under
Chapter  303 of the Texas  Finance  Code  (Vernon's  Texas Code  Annotated),  as
amended  from  time to time (as  amended,  the  "Texas  Finance  Code").  If the
applicable state or federal law is amended in the future to allow a greater rate
of interest to be charged  under this  Agreement  than is  presently  allowed by
applicable state or federal law, then the limitation of interest hereunder shall
be  increased  to the maximum rate of interest  allowed by  applicable  state or
federal law as amended,  which  increase  shall be  effective  hereunder  on the


                                       4

<PAGE>



effective date of such  amendment,  and all interest  charges owing to Lender by
reason thereof shall be payable in accordance with Section 3.2.2 hereof.

          (B)  Excess  Interest.  No  agreements,   conditions,   provisions  or
stipulations  contained in this Agreement or any other  instrument,  document or
agreement between Borrower and Lender or default of Borrower, or the exercise by
Lender of the right to  accelerate  the payment of the maturity of principal and
interest,  or to exercise any option  whatsoever  contained in this Agreement or
any other Loan Document,  or the arising of any  contingency  whatsoever,  shall
entitle  Lender to contract  for,  charge,  or receive,  in any event,  interest
exceeding the Maximum Legal Rate. In no event shall Borrower be obligated to pay
interest  exceeding  such Maximum Legal Rate and all  agreements,  conditions or
stipulations,  if any, which may in any event or contingency  whatsoever operate
to bind,  obligate or compel  Borrower to pay a rate of interest  exceeding  the
Maximum  Legal  Rate,  shall be without  binding  force or effect,  at law or in
equity,  to the extent only of the excess of interest  over such  Maximum  Legal
Rate. In the event any interest is contracted for, charged or received in excess
of the  Maximum  Legal  Rate  ("Excess  Interest"),  Borrower  acknowledges  and
stipulates that any such contract,  charge, or receipt shall be the result of an
accident  and bona fide error,  and that any Excess  received by Lender shall be
applied, first, to reduce the principal then unpaid hereunder; second, to reduce
the other Obligations;  and third,  returned to Borrower, it being the intention
of the  parties  hereto  not to enter at any time into a usurious  or  otherwise
illegal  relationship.  Borrower  recognizes that, with fluctuations in the Base
Rate and the Maximum Legal Rate, such a result could inadvertently occur. By the
execution of this Agreement, Borrower covenants that (i) the credit or return of
any Excess  Interest shall  constitute the acceptance by Borrower of such Excess
Interest,  and (ii) Borrower shall not seek or pursue any other remedy, legal or
equitable,  against  Lender,  based in whole or in part  upon  contracting  for,
charging or  receiving of any  interest in excess of the maximum  authorized  by
applicable  law.  For the  purpose  of  determining  whether  or not any  Excess
Interest has been contracted for, charged or received by Lender, all interest at
any time contracted  for,  charged or received by Lender in connection with this
Agreement  shall be  amortized,  prorated,  allocated  and spread in equal parts
during the entire term of this Agreement.

          (C)  Incorporation  by  this  Reference.  The  provisions  of  Section
2.1.3(B) shall be deemed to be incorporated into every document or communication
relating to the Obligations which sets forth or prescribes any account, right or
claim or alleged account,  right or claim of Lender with respect to Borrower (or
any other  obligor in respect of  Obligations),  whether or not any provision of
Section 2.1.3(B) is referred to therein.  All such documents and  communications
and all figures set forth therein  shall,  for the sole purpose of computing the
extent of the Obligations of Borrower (or any other obligor)  asserted by Lender
thereunder, be automatically re-computed by Borrower or any such obligor, and by
any court  considering  the same, to give effect to the  adjustments  or credits
required by Section 2.1.3(B).

     2.2  Computation  of  Interest  and  Fees.  Interest  and  commitment  fees
hereunder  shall be calculated  daily and shall be computed on the actual number
of days elapsed over a year of 360 days.  For the purpose of computing  interest
hereunder,  all items of payment  received by Lender shall be deemed  applied by
Lender on account of the  Obligations  (subject to final


                                       5

<PAGE>



payment of such  items)  one (1)  Business  Day after  receipt by Lender of such
items in Lender's account located in Providence,  Rhode Island, and Lender shall
be deemed to have  received  such  items of  payment  on the date  specified  in
Section 3.4 hereof.

     2.3 Closing Fee.  Borrower shall pay to Lender a closing fee of One Hundred
Thirty-Five Thousand Dollars ($135,000), which shall be fully earned and (except
to the extent otherwise required by Applicable Law) nonrefundable on the Closing
Date, and shall be paid concurrently with the initial Loan hereunder.

     2.4 Commitment Fee.  Borrower shall pay to Lender a commitment fee equal to
one-half  percent  (0.50%) per annum of the amount by which the Average  Monthly
Revolving  Credit Loan Balance is less than the Total Revolving  Credit Facility
and the amount of any unused portion of the Equipment  Loans. The commitment fee
shall be payable  monthly,  in arrears,  on the last day of each calendar  month
hereafter.

     2.5 Collateral Administration Fee. Borrower shall pay to Lender a quarterly
collateral administration fee of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000), which fee shall
be paid to Lender on the Closing  Date and on each July 1, October 1, January 1,
and April 1 thereafter during the term hereof.

     2.6 Audit and  Appraisal  Fees.  Borrower  shall  reimburse  Lender for all
reasonable  out-of-pocket  costs and expenses  incurred by Lender in  connection
with  audits and  appraisals  of  Borrower's  books and  records  and such other
matters as Lender shall deem appropriate.  All such out-of-pocket expenses shall
be payable on demand.

     2.7  Reimbursement  of  Expenses.  If, at any time or times  regardless  of
whether or not an Event of Default then exists, Lender or any Participant incurs
legal or  accounting  expenses or any other costs or  out-of-pocket  expenses in
connection  with (i) the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement or any of
the other Loan Documents,  any amendment of or modification of this Agreement or
any of the other Loan  Documents,  or any sale or attempted sale of any interest
herein to any other Person;  (ii) the administration of this Agreement or any of
the other Loan Documents and the transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby;
(iii) any  litigation,  contest,  dispute,  suit,  proceeding or action (whether
instituted  by Lender,  Borrower or any other Person) in any way relating to the
Collateral,  this  Agreement or any of the other Loan  Documents  or  Borrower's
affairs;  (iv) any  attempt to enforce  any rights of Lender or any  Participant
against  Borrower or any other Person which may be obligated to Lender by virtue
of this  Agreement  or any of the other Loan  Documents,  including  the Account
Debtors;  or (v) any attempt to inspect,  verify,  protect,  preserve,  restore,
collect, sell, liquidate or otherwise dispose of or realize upon the Collateral;
then all such  legal  and  accounting  expenses,  other  costs and out of pocket
expenses  of Lender  shall be charged to  Borrower.  All amounts  chargeable  to
Borrower  under  this  Section  2.7 shall be  Obligations  secured by all of the
Collateral,  shall be payable on demand to Lender or to such Participant, as the
case may be, and shall  bear  interest  from the date such  demand is made until
paid in full at the rate applicable to Revolving Credit Loans from time to time.
Borrower  shall also  reimburse  Lender for  expenses  incurred by Lender in its
administration  of the  Collateral  to the extent and in the manner  provided in
Section 6 hereof.


                                       6

<PAGE>



     2.8 Bank  Charges.  Borrower  shall pay to Lender,  on demand,  any and all
normal and customary  fees,  costs or expenses  which Lender or any  Participant
pays to a bank or other similar  institution  (including any fees paid by Lender
to any  Participant)  arising out of or in connection with (i) the forwarding to
Borrower  or  any  other  Person  on  behalf  of  Borrower,  by  Lender  or  any
Participant,  of proceeds  of loans made by Lender to Borrower  pursuant to this
Agreement and (ii) the depositing for collection,  by Lender or any Participant,
of any  check  or item  of  payment  received  or  delivered  to  Lender  or any
Participant on account of the Obligations.

SECTION 3. LOAN ADMINISTRATION

     3.1 Manner of Borrowing Revolving Credit Loans. Borrowings under the credit
facility established pursuant to Section 1 hereof shall be as follows:

          3.1.1 Loan  Requests.  A request for a Revolving  Credit Loan shall be
made, or shall be deemed to be made, in the following manner: (i) Borrower shall
give Lender notice of its intention to borrow,  in which notice  Borrower  shall
specify the amount of the proposed borrowing and the proposed borrowing date, no
later  than 11:00  a.m.  Dallas,  Texas  time on the  proposed  borrowing  date;
provided,  however,  Lender  shall  have the right to  refuse  to accept  such a
request or refuse to make a Revolving Credit Loan if at such time there exists a
Default or an Event of Default; and (ii) the becoming due of any amount required
to be paid under this  Agreement,  under the Term Note or under any of the other
Loan Documents,  whether as principal,  accrued interest, fees or other charges,
shall be deemed  irrevocably  to be a request  by  Borrower  from  Lender  for a
Revolving Credit Loan on the due date of, and in an aggregate amount required to
pay, such principal,  accrued interest,  fees or other charges, and the proceeds
of any such  Revolving  Credit Loan may be  disbursed by Lender by way of direct
payment of the relevant Obligation (whether or not any Default, Event of Default
or  Out-of-Formula  Condition  exists at the time of or would  result  from such
Revolving  Credit  Loan)  and  shall  bear  interest  at the  rate  of  interest
applicable to Revolving Credit Loans. As an  accommodation  to Borrower,  Lender
may  permit  telephonic  requests  for  loans  and  electronic   transmittal  of
instructions,  authorizations,  agreements  or  reports  to Lender by  Borrower.
Unless Borrower specifically directs Lender in writing not to accept or act upon
telephonic  or electronic  communications  from  Borrower,  Lender shall have no
liability to Borrower for any loss or damage suffered by Borrower as a result of
Lender's honoring of any requests, execution of any instructions, authorizations
or agreements or reliance on any reports  communicated to Lender  telephonically
or  electronically  and purporting to have been sent to Lender by any individual
from time to time  designated  by Borrower as an  authorized  officer and Lender
shall  have  no  duty  to  verify  the  origin  or   authenticity  of  any  such
communication.

          3.1.2 Disbursement.  Borrower hereby irrevocably  authorizes Lender to
disburse the proceeds of each Revolving  Credit Loan requested,  or deemed to be
requested,  pursuant to this Section 3.1.2 as follows:  (i) the proceeds of each
Revolving  Credit Loan  requested  under Section  3.1.1(i) shall be disbursed by
Lender in lawful money of the United States of America in immediately  available
funds, in the case of the initial borrowing, in accordance with the terms of the
written  disbursement  letter from Borrower,  and in the case of each subsequent
borrowing,  by


                                       7

<PAGE>



wire  transfer to such bank account as may be agreed upon by Borrower and Lender
from time to time or elsewhere if pursuant to a written direction from Borrower;
and (ii) the proceeds of each  Revolving  Credit Loan  requested  under  Section
3.1.1(ii)  shall be disbursed by Lender by way of direct payment of the relevant
interest or other Obligation.

          3.1.3 Authorization. Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes Lender, in
Lender's sole  discretion,  to advance to Borrower,  and to charge to Borrower's
Loan Account  hereunder as a Revolving  Credit Loan, a sum sufficient to pay all
interest accrued on the Obligations  during the immediately  preceding month and
to pay all  costs,  fees and  expenses  at any time owed by  Borrower  to Lender
hereunder.

     3.2 Payments.  All payments with respect to any of the Obligations shall be
made to Lender on the date when due,  in Dollars  and in  immediately  available
funds,  without any offset or  counterclaim.  Except where evidenced by notes or
other instruments issued or made by Borrower to Lender  specifically  containing
payment  provisions  which are in conflict with this Section 3.2 (in which event
the conflicting  provisions of said notes or other  instruments shall govern and
control), the Obligations shall be payable as follows:

          3.2.1  Principal.  Principal  payable on account of  Revolving  Credit
Loans shall be payable by Borrower to Lender  immediately  upon the  earliest of
(i) except as otherwise provided in Section 3.3 hereof, the receipt by Lender or
Borrower  of any  proceeds  of any of the  Collateral,  to the  extent  of  said
proceeds,  (ii) the  occurrence of an Event of Default in  consequence  of which
Lender  elects to  accelerate  the maturity and payment of the  Obligations,  or
(iii)  termination  of this  Agreement  pursuant to Section 4 hereof;  provided,
however,  that if an Out-of-Formula  Condition shall exist at any time, Borrower
shall, on demand, repay the Obligations to the extent necessary to eliminate the
Out-of-Formula Condition.

          3.2.2 Interest.  Interest  accrued on the Revolving Credit Loans shall
be due on the  earliest  of (i) the first  calendar  day of each  month (for the
immediately  preceding  month),  computed  through the last  calendar day of the
preceding  month,  (ii) the  occurrence of an Event of Default in consequence of
which Lender elects to accelerate the maturity and payment of the Obligations or
(iii) termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 4 hereof.

          3.2.3  Costs,  Fees  and  Charges.  Costs,  fees and  charges  payable
pursuant to this Agreement  shall be payable by Borrower as and when provided in
Section 2 hereof,  to Lender  or to any  other  Person  designated  by Lender in
writing.

          3.2.4 Other Obligations.  The balance of the Obligations requiring the
payment of money,  if any,  shall be payable by  Borrower  to Lender as and when
provided in this Agreement,  the Other Agreements or the Security Documents, or,
if no date of payment is otherwise specified in the Loan Documents, on demand.

     3.3  Mandatory   Prepayments;   Proceeds  of  Sale,  Loss,  Destruction  or
Condemnation  of  Collateral.  If Borrower  sells any of the  Equipment  or real
Property,  or if any of  the  Collateral  is  lost  or  destroyed  or  taken  by
condemnation,  Borrower shall pay to Lender,  unless otherwise


                                       8

<PAGE>



agreed by Lender, as and when received by Borrower and as a mandatory prepayment
of the Term Loan (or,  at  Lender's  option,  such of the other  Obligations  as
Lender  may  elect),  a sum  equal  to the  net  proceeds  (including  insurance
payments) received by Borrower from such sale, loss, destruction or condemnation
(other than proceeds of the disposition of Equipment  otherwise  permitted under
Section 6.4.2 hereof which is replaced in accordance with Section 6.4.2 hereof).
Nothing  in this  Section  3.3  shall  authorize  Borrower  to  sell  any of the
Collateral without Lender's prior written consent except as otherwise  expressly
provided elsewhere in this Agreement.

     3.4 Application of Payments and Collections.  All items of payment received
by Lender by 1:00 p.m., Providence, Rhode Island time, on any Business Day shall
be deemed  received on that  Business Day. All items of payment  received  after
1:00 p.m.,  Providence,  Rhode Island time,  on any Business Day shall be deemed
received on the following Business Day. Borrower irrevocably waives the right to
direct the  application  of any and all payments and  collections at any time or
times hereafter  received by Lender from or on behalf of Borrower,  and Borrower
does hereby  irrevocably  agree that Lender shall have the continuing  exclusive
right to apply and reapply any and all such payments and collections received at
any time or times hereafter by Lender or its agent against the  Obligations,  in
such manner as Lender may deem  advisable,  notwithstanding  any entry by Lender
upon any of its books and records.  If as the result of  collections of Accounts
as  authorized  by  Section  6.2.6  hereof a credit  balance  exists in the Loan
Account, such credit balance shall not accrue interest in favor of Borrower, but
shall be available to Borrower at any time or times for so long as no Default or
Event of Default  exists.  Such credit balance shall not be applied or be deemed
to have been applied as a prepayment  of the Term Loan,  except that Lender may,
at its option,  offset such credit balance against any of the  Obligations  upon
and after the occurrence of an Event of Default.

     3.5 All Loans to Constitute One Obligation.  All Loans shall constitute one
general  Obligation  of  Borrower,  and shall be  secured by  Lender's  security
interest  and  Lien  upon  all of the  Collateral,  and  by all  other  security
interests and Liens heretofore, now or at any time or times hereafter granted by
Borrower to Lender.

     3.6 Loan Account Lender shall  establish an account on its books (the "Loan
Account") and shall enter all Loans as debits to the Loan Account and shall also
record in the Loan Account all payments made by Borrower on any  Obligations and
all  proceeds of  Collateral  which are finally  paid to Lender,  and may record
therein,  in accordance  with customary  accounting  practice,  other debits and
credits,  including interest and all charges and expenses properly chargeable to
Borrower.

     3.7 Statements of Account.  Lender will account to Borrower  monthly with a
statement of Loans,  charges and payments made pursuant to this  Agreement,  and
such account  rendered by Lender shall be deemed final,  binding and  conclusive
upon  Borrower  unless Lender is notified by Borrower in writing to the contrary
within  thirty (30) days after the date each  accounting  is deemed to have been
sent  pursuant  to Section  11.8  hereof.  Such  notice  shall only be deemed an
objection to those items specifically objected to therein.


                                       9

<PAGE>


SECTION 4. TERM AND TERMINATION

     4.1 Term of Agreement.  Subject to Section 4.2 hereof and Lender's right to
cease making Loans to Borrower  upon or after the  occurrence  of any Default or
Event of Default,  this  Agreement  shall be in effect for a period of three (3)
years from the date hereof,  through and including March 15, 2001 (the "Original
Term").

     4.2 Termination.

          4.2.1  Termination  by Lender.  Lender may  terminate  this  Agreement
without  notice as of the last day of the Original  Term and at any time without
notice upon or after the occurrence of an Event of Default.

          4.2.2  Termination  by Borrower.  Upon (i) at least  fifteen (15) days
prior written  notice to Lender in the event of a termination  resulting  from a
secondary public offering  permitted  hereunder or (ii) at least sixty (60) days
prior written notice to Lender in all other circumstances,  Borrower may, at its
option, terminate this Agreement;  provided,  however, no such termination shall
be effective  until  Borrower  has paid all of the  Obligations  in  immediately
available  funds.  Any  notice  of  termination   given  by  Borrower  shall  be
irrevocable unless Lender otherwise agrees in writing,  and Lender shall have no
obligation  to make any Loans on or after the  termination  date  stated in such
notice.  Borrower may elect to terminate this Agreement in its entirety only. No
section of this Agreement or type of Loan available  hereunder may be terminated
singly.

          4.2.3  Termination  Charges.  On the effective  date of termination of
this Agreement for any reason,  Borrower shall pay to Lender (in addition to the
then outstanding  principal,  accrued interest and other charges owing under the
terms of this  Agreement  and any of the other  Loan  Documents)  as  liquidated
damages  for the loss of the bargain  and not as a penalty,  an amount  equal to
three percent (3.0%) of the Total Credit  Facility if termination  occurs during
the first  twelve-month  period of the Original  Term (March 16,  1998,  through
March 15, 1999);  two percent (2.0%) of the Total Credit Facility if termination
occurs  during the second  twelve-month  period of the Original  Term (March 16,
1999  through  March 15,  2000);  and one  percent  (1.0%)  of the Total  Credit
Facility  if  termination  occurs  during the third  twelve-month  period of the
Original Term (March 16, 2000 through March 15, 2001);  provided,  however, that
in the event the Total Credit  Facility is prepaid solely from the proceeds of a
secondary  public offering of capital stock (or other  securities  acceptable to
Lender) of Black  Warrior,  Borrower  shall pay to Lender an amount equal to one
percent  (1.0%) of the then  outstanding  principal  balance of the Total Credit
Facility  if  such   secondary   public   offering   closes   during  the  first
eighteen-month  period of the Original Term (March 16, 1998,  through  September
15, 1999),  and no termination  charge shall be payable if such secondary public
offering closes after the first  eighteen-month  period of the Original Term. If
termination  occurs on the last day of the Original Term, no termination  charge
shall be payable.


                                       10

<PAGE>



          4.2.4  Effect  of  Termination.   All  of  the  Obligations  shall  be
immediately  due and payable upon the  termination  date stated in any notice of
termination  of  this  Agreement.  All  undertakings,   agreements,   covenants,
warranties and representations of Borrower contained in the Loan Documents shall
survive any such termination and Lender shall retain its Liens in the Collateral
and all of its rights and remedies under the Loan Documents notwithstanding such
termination  until  Borrower has paid the  Obligations  to Lender,  in full,  in
immediately available funds, together with the applicable termination charge, if
any. Notwithstanding the payment in full of the Obligations, Lender shall not be
required to terminate  its security  interests in the  Collateral  unless,  with
respect to any loss or damage Lender may incur as a result of dishonored  checks
or other items of payment received by Lender from Borrower or any Account Debtor
and applied to the Obligations, Lender shall, at its option, (i) have received a
written  agreement,  executed by Borrower and by any Person whose loans or other
advances  to Borrower  are used in whole or in part to satisfy  the  Obligations
(provided,  however,  that such  agreement  shall not be  required by any Person
other than Borrower in the event of a secondary public offering of capital stock
of  Borrower),  indemnifying  Lender from any such loss or damage;  or (ii) have
retained such monetary  reserves and Liens on the  Collateral for such period of
time as Lender, in its discretion, may deem necessary to protect Lender from any
such loss or damage.

SECTION 5. SECURITY INTERESTS

     5.1  Security  Interest  in  Collateral.  To secure the prompt  payment and
performance  to  Lender of all of the  Obligations,  Borrower  hereby  grants to
Lender a continuing  security  interest and Lien upon all of Borrower's  assets,
including all of the  following  Property and interests in Property of Borrower,
whether  now owned or  existing or  hereafter  created,  acquired or arising and
wheresoever located:

          (i)  All Accounts;

          (ii) All Inventory;

          (iii) All Equipment, with the sole exception of the GECC Equipment;

          (iv) All General Intangibles;

          (v)  All  investment  property  (as  defined in  Section  9.115 of the
Code);

          (vi) All  real  Property,  with  the  sole  exception  of  the  Conroe
Property;

          (vii)All  monies and other  Property of any kind now or at any time or
times  hereafter in the possession or under the control of Lender or a bailee or
Affiliate of Lender;

          (viii) All  accessions  to,  substitutions  for and all  replacements,
products and cash and non-cash  proceeds of (i) through (vii) above,  including,
without limitation,  proceeds of and unearned premiums with respect to insurance
policies insuring any of the Collateral; and


                                       11

<PAGE>



          (ix) All books and records (including,  without  limitation,  customer
lists, credit files, computer programs, print-outs, and other computer materials
and records) of Borrower pertaining to any of (i) through (viii) above.

     5.2 Lien Perfection; Further Assurances.  Borrower shall execute such UCC-1
financing  statements  as are  required by the Code and such other  instruments,
assignments  or documents as are necessary to perfect  Lender's Lien upon any of
the Collateral and shall take such other action as may be required to perfect or
to  continue  the  perfection  of  Lender's  Lien  upon the  Collateral.  Unless
prohibited by Applicable Law,  Borrower hereby  authorizes Lender to execute and
file any such financing statement on Borrower's behalf. The parties agree that a
carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement shall be sufficient
as a  financing  statement  and may be filed in any  appropriate  office in lieu
thereof.  At Lender's request,  Borrower shall also promptly execute or cause to
be executed and shall deliver to Lender any and all documents,  instruments  and
agreements  deemed  necessary by Lender to give effect to or carry out the terms
or intent of the Loan Documents.

     5.3 Lien on Realty.  The due and punctual  payment and  performance  of the
Obligations  shall also be secured by the Lien created by each Mortgage upon all
real Property of Borrower described therein.  Each Mortgage shall be executed by
Borrower in favor of Lender and shall be duly recorded,  at Borrower's  expense,
in each office where such recording is required to constitute a fully  perfected
Lien on the real Property covered thereby.  Borrower shall deliver to Lender, at
Borrower's  expense,  mortgagee  title  insurance  policies  issued  by a  title
insurance  company  satisfactory to Lender,  which policies shall be in form and
substance satisfactory to Lender and shall insure a valid first Lien in favor of
Lender  on the  Property  covered  thereby,  subject  only to  those  exceptions
reasonably  acceptable  to Lender and its  counsel.  Borrower  shall  deliver to
Lender such other  documents,  including,  without  limitation,  as-built survey
prints of the real Property,  as Lender and its counsel may request  relating to
the real Property subject to each Mortgage.

     5.4  Partial  Release of  Collateral.  In the event  Borrower is meeting at
least six (6) months of initial  projections  of EBITDA of Borrower  agreed upon
between  Borrower  and  Lender  and  attached  hereto as  Exhibit Q  (considered
cumulatively  over the number of months  reviewed)  and Lender is  unwilling  to
provide funding in excess of the Total Credit Facility to Borrower (if requested
by Borrower and if the amount of such funding is reasonable),  then Lender will,
upon forty-five (45) days' prior written request from Borrower, release its Lien
on certain Equipment and/or Inventory of Borrower selected by Lender, subject to
the  following  conditions:  (i) at least six (6) months have  elapsed  from the
Closing  Date to the date of such  request;  (ii) no Default or Event of Default
exists  at the time of such  request  or at the time of such  proposed  release;
(iii) Lender shall have received,  at least ten (10) days prior to such proposed
release,  an  appraisal,  conducted by an appraiser  acceptable to Lender and in
form and  substance  satisfactory  to Lender  and dated not more than  three (3)
months prior to the proposed release, that demonstrates to Lender's satisfaction
that, after giving effect to such release,  the appraised value of the remaining
Equipment  shall be equal to at least one hundred  fifty  percent  (150%) of the
outstanding  principal  balance of the Term Loan as of the date of such release;
and (iv) all costs and expenses  related to such  appraisal and release shall be
paid by Borrower.


                                       12

<PAGE>



SECTION 6. COLLATERAL ADMINISTRATION

     6.1 General

          6.1.1 Location of Collateral. All tangible items of Collateral,  other
than  Inventory  in  transit,  such  Equipment  in transit as may be  reasonably
necessary  to perform work at locations  other than the business  locations  set
forth on Exhibit B hereto,  and only for long as may be reasonably  necessary to
complete such work,  motor vehicles and  investment  property held in an account
with a securities  intermediary,  shall at all times be kept by Borrower and its
Subsidiaries  at one or more of the  business  locations  set forth on Exhibit B
hereto and shall not,  without the prior  written  approval of Lender,  be moved
therefrom except, prior to an Event of Default and Lender's  acceleration of the
maturity of the Obligations in consequence  thereof,  for (i) sales of Inventory
in the  ordinary  course of  business;  and (ii)  removals  in  connection  with
dispositions of Equipment that are authorized by Section 6.4.2 hereof.

          6.1.2  Insurance of  Collateral.  Borrower  shall maintain and pay for
insurance  upon all Collateral  wherever  located and with respect to Borrower's
business,  covering casualty,  hazard,  public liability and such other risks in
such amounts and with such insurance companies as are reasonably satisfactory to
Lender.  Borrower  shall  deliver  the  originals  or  certified  copies of such
policies to Lender with satisfactory lender's loss payable  endorsements,  which
policies shall name Lender as sole loss payee,  assignee or additional  insured,
as appropriate.  Each policy of insurance or endorsement  shall contain a clause
requiring  the  insurer to give not less than  thirty  (30) days  prior  written
notice to  Lender in the event of  cancellation  of the  policy  for any  reason
whatsoever  and a clause  specifying  that the  interest of Lender  shall not be
impaired  or  invalidated  by any act or neglect of Borrower or the owner of the
Property or by the  occupation of the premises for purposes more  hazardous than
are  permitted  by said  policy.  If Borrower  fails to provide and pay for such
insurance,  Lender may, at its option, but shall not be required to, procure the
same and  charge  Borrower  therefor.  Borrower  agrees to  deliver  to  Lender,
promptly as rendered,  true copies of all reports made in any reporting forms to
insurance companies.

          6.1.3 Protection of Collateral.  All expenses of protecting,  storing,
warehousing,  insuring,  handling,  maintaining and shipping the Collateral, any
and all excise, property,  sales, and use taxes imposed by any Applicable Law on
any of the Collateral or in respect of the sale thereof,  and all other payments
required to be made by Lender to any Person to realize upon any Collateral shall
be borne and paid by  Borrower.  If Borrower  fails to promptly  pay any portion
thereof when due,  Lender may, at its option,  but shall not be required to, pay
the same and charge Borrower therefor. Lender shall not be liable or responsible
in any way for  the  safekeeping  of any of the  Collateral  or for any  loss or
damage  thereto  (except for  reasonable  care in the custody  thereof while any
Collateral is in Lender's actual  possession) or for any diminution in the value
thereof,  or for any act or default  of any  warehouseman,  carrier,  forwarding
agency,  or other Person  whomsoever,  but the same shall be at Borrower's  sole
risk.

     6.2 Administration of Accounts.


                                       13

<PAGE>



          6.2.1 Records,  Schedules and Assignments of Accounts.  Borrower shall
keep  accurate  and  complete  records  of its  Accounts  and all  payments  and
collections  thereon and shall submit to Lender on such periodic basis as Lender
shall request a sales and collections  report for the preceding  period, in form
satisfactory to Lender. On or before the twentieth (20th) day of each month from
and after the date hereof,  Borrower shall deliver to Lender, in form acceptable
to Lender, a detailed aged trial balance of all Accounts existing as of the last
day of the preceding month, specifying the names,  addresses,  face value, dates
of invoices  and due dates for each  Account  Debtor  obligated on an Account so
listed ("Schedule of Accounts"),  and, upon Lender's request therefor, copies of
proof of delivery and the original  copy of all  documents,  including,  without
limitation,  repayment  histories  and present  status  reports  relating to the
Accounts so scheduled  and such other  matters and  information  relating to the
status  of then  existing  Accounts  as  Lender  shall  reasonably  request.  In
addition,  if Accounts  in an  aggregate  face  amount in excess of  Twenty-Five
Thousand Dollars ($25,000) become ineligible because they fall within one of the
specified  categories of  ineligibility  set forth in the definition of Eligible
Accounts or otherwise  established  by Lender,  Borrower  shall notify Lender of
such  occurrence on the first  Business Day  following  the day such  occurrence
becomes known to Borrower and the Borrowing Base shall  thereupon be adjusted to
reflect such  occurrence.  If requested by Lender,  Borrower  shall  execute and
deliver to Lender agings and formal  written  assignments of all of its Accounts
weekly or daily,  which shall  include all Accounts that have been created since
the date of the last  assignment,  together  with  copies of invoices or invoice
registers related thereto.

          6.2.2  Discounts,   Allowances,   Disputes.  If  Borrower  grants  any
discounts,  allowances  or credits that are not shown on the face of the invoice
for the Account  involved,  Borrower shall report such discounts,  allowances or
credits,  as the case may be, to Lender as part of the next required Schedule of
Accounts. If any amounts due and owing in excess of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars
($25,000) are in dispute between Borrower and any Account Debtor, Borrower shall
provide Lender with written notice thereof at the time of submission of the next
Schedule  of  Accounts,  explaining  in detail the reason for the  dispute,  all
claims  related  thereto  and the  amount  in  controversy.  Upon and  after the
occurrence  of an Event of  Default,  Lender  shall  have the right to settle or
adjust  all  disputes  and  claims  directly  with  the  Account  Debtor  and to
compromise  the amount or extend the time for payment of the Accounts  upon such
terms  and  conditions  as  Lender  may  deem  advisable,   and  to  charge  the
deficiencies,   costs  and  expenses  thereof,  including  attorney's  fees,  to
Borrower.

          6.2.3  Taxes.  If an Account  includes a charge for any tax payable to
any governmental taxing authority, Lender is authorized, in its sole discretion,
to pay the amount  thereof to the proper  taxing  authority  for the  account of
Borrower and to charge Borrower therefor;  provided,  however, that Lender shall
not be liable for any such taxes to any  governmental  taxing authority that may
be due by Borrower.

          6.2.4  Account  Verification.  Whether or not a Default or an Event of
Default has occurred,  any of Lender's officers,  employees or agents shall have
the right, at any time or times hereafter,  in the name of Lender,  any designee
of Lender  or  Borrower,  to verify  the  validity,


                                       14

<PAGE>



amount  or any  other  matter  relating  to any  Accounts  by  mail,  telephone,
facsimile transmission or otherwise.  Borrower shall cooperate fully with Lender
in an effort to facilitate and promptly conclude any such verification process.

          6.2.5  Maintenance  of Dominion  Account.  Borrower  shall  maintain a
Dominion  Account  pursuant to a lockbox  arrangement  acceptable to Lender with
such banks as may be selected by Borrower and be acceptable to Lender.  Borrower
shall issue to any such banks an  irrevocable  letter of  instruction  directing
such banks to deposit all payments or other remittances  received in the lockbox
to the Dominion Account for application on account of the Obligations. All funds
deposited  in the  Dominion  Account  shall  immediately  become the property of
Lender and Borrower  shall obtain the agreement by such banks in favor of Lender
to waive any offset rights against the funds so deposited.

          6.2.6  Collection  of Accounts,  Proceeds of  Collateral.  To expedite
collection,  Borrower shall endeavor in the first instance to make collection of
its  Accounts  for Lender.  All  remittances  received by Borrower in respect of
Accounts,  together with the proceeds of any other Collateral,  shall be held as
Lender's  property  by  Borrower  as trustee of an  express  trust for  Lender's
benefit and  Borrower  shall  immediately  deposit  same in kind in the Dominion
Account. Lender retains the right at all times after the occurrence of a Default
or an Event of  Default  to  notify  Account  Debtors  that  Accounts  have been
assigned  to Lender  and to  collect  Accounts  directly  in its own name and to
charge the collection costs and expenses,  including reasonable  attorneys' fees
to Borrower.

     6.3 Administration of Inventory. Except in the ordinary course of business,
Borrower  shall keep accurate and complete  records of its  Inventory.  Borrower
shall not return any of its Inventory to a supplier or vendor thereof, or to any
other Person, whether for cash, credit against future purchases or then existing
payables, or otherwise.

     6.4 Administration of Equipment.

          6.4.1 Records and Schedules of Equipment. Borrower shall keep accurate
records itemizing and describing the kind, type, quality,  quantity and value of
its Equipment and all dispositions made in accordance with Section 6.4.2 hereof,
and shall  furnish  Lender  with a current  schedule  containing  the  foregoing
information  on at least an annual  basis and more often if requested by Lender.
Immediately on request therefor by Lender,  Borrower shall deliver to Lender any
and all evidence of ownership, if any, of any of the Equipment.

          6.4.2  Dispositions  of Equipment.  Borrower  will not sell,  lease or
otherwise  dispose of or transfer  any of the  Equipment  on which  Lender has a
first Lien or any part  thereof  without  the prior  written  consent of Lender;
provided,  however,  that the foregoing restriction shall not apply, for so long
as no Default or Event of  Default  exists,  to (i)  dispositions  of  Equipment
which, in the aggregate during any consecutive  twelve-month  period, has a fair
market value or book value,  whichever is less,  of Two Hundred  Fifty  Thousand
Dollars  ($250,000) or less,  provided that all proceeds thereof are remitted to
Lender for application to the Loans,  or (ii)  replacements of Equipment that is
substantially  worn,  damaged or obsolete with


                                       15

<PAGE>



Equipment  of like kind,  function  and  value,  provided  that the  replacement
Equipment shall be acquired prior to or concurrently with any disposition of the
Equipment that is to be replaced,  the  replacement  Equipment shall be free and
clear of Liens other than Permitted Liens that are not Purchase Money Liens, and
Borrower shall have given Lender at least five (5) days' prior written notice of
such disposition.

          6.4.3  Condition of  Equipment.  Borrower  represents  and warrants to
Lender that the Equipment is in good  operating  condition  and repair,  and all
necessary  replacements  of and repairs  thereto shall be made so that the value
and operating  efficiency of the Equipment  shall be maintained  and  preserved,
reasonable wear and tear excepted. Borrower will not permit any of the Equipment
to become  affixed to any real  Property  leased to Borrower so that an interest
arises therein under the real estate laws of the applicable  jurisdiction unless
the landlord of such real  Property has executed a landlord  waiver or leasehold
mortgage  in  favor  of and in  form  acceptable  to  Lender,  or,  at  Lender's
discretion, a reserve for rent, acceptable to Lender, has been established,  and
Borrower  will not permit any of the  Equipment  to become an  accession  to any
personal Property that is subject to a Lien unless the Lien is a Permitted Lien.

     6.5 Payment of Charges.  All amounts chargeable to Borrower under Section 6
hereof shall be Obligations  secured by all of the Collateral,  shall be payable
on demand and shall bear interest from the date such advance was made until paid
in full at the rate applicable to Revolving Credit Loans from time to time.

SECTION 7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     7.1 General Representations and Warranties.  To induce Lender to enter into
this Agreement and to make advances hereunder,  Borrower warrants and represents
to Lender and covenants with Lender that:

          7.1.1  Organization  and  Qualification.  Each  of  Borrower  and  its
Subsidiaries  is a  corporation  duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good
standing  under  the  laws of the  jurisdiction  of its  incorporation.  Each of
Borrower and its Subsidiaries is duly qualified and is authorized to do business
and is in good standing as a foreign  corporation in each state or  jurisdiction
listed on Exhibit C hereto and in all other states and  jurisdictions  where the
character  of  its  Properties  or  the  nature  of  its  activities  make  such
qualification  necessary,  except where the failure to be so qualified would not
have a Material Adverse Effect.

          7.1.2  Corporate  Power  and  Authority.  Each  of  Borrower  and  its
Subsidiaries  is duly authorized and empowered to enter into,  execute,  deliver
and perform this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents to which it is a
party. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each of the
other Loan Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action
and do not and will not (i) require any consent or approval of the  shareholders
of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) contravene Borrower's or any of its
Subsidiaries'  charter,  articles or  certificate of  incorporation  or by-laws;
(iii)  violate,  or cause Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  to be in default
under,  any  provision of any law,  rule,  regulation,  order,  writ,  judgment,
injunction,  decree,  determination  or award in effect having


                                       16

<PAGE>



applicability to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; (iv) result in a breach of
or constitute a default  under any indenture or loan or credit  agreement or any
other  agreement,   lease  or  instrument  to  which  Borrower  or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries  is a party  or by  which  it or its  Properties  may be  bound  or
affected;  or (v) result in, or require,  the creation or imposition of any Lien
(other than  Permitted  Liens) upon or with respect to any of the Properties now
owned or hereafter acquired by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

          7.1.3 Legally  Enforceable  Agreement.  This Agreement is, and each of
the other Loan Documents  when delivered  under this Agreement will be, a legal,
valid  and  binding   obligation  of  each  of  Borrower  and  its  Subsidiaries
enforceable  against them in accordance with its respective terms, except to the
extent that such enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency
or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally or by principles of equity
pertaining to the availability of equitable remedies.

          7.1.4 Capital Structure.  Exhibit D hereto states (i) the correct name
of each of the Subsidiaries of Borrower,  its jurisdiction of incorporation  and
the  percentage of its Voting Stock owned by Borrower,  (ii) the name of each of
Borrower's  corporate  or  joint  venture  Affiliates  and  the  nature  of  the
affiliation,  (iii) the  number  and  nature of all  outstanding  Securities  of
Borrower  and each  Subsidiary  of Borrower  and (iv) the number of  authorized,
issued and treasury shares of Borrower and each Subsidiary of Borrower. Borrower
has good title to all of the shares it  purports  to own of the stock of each of
its  Subsidiaries,  free and clear in each case of any Lien other than Permitted
Liens.   All  such  shares  have  been  duly  issued  and  are  fully  paid  and
non-assessable.  Except  as set forth on  Exhibit  D,  there are no  outstanding
options  to  purchase,  or any  rights or  warrants  to  subscribe  for,  or any
commitments  or agreements to issue or sell,  or any  Securities or  obligations
convertible  into, or any powers of attorney  relating to, shares of the capital
stock of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

          7.1.5 Corporate  Names.  Neither  Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries
has been known as or used any corporate,  fictitious or trade names except those
listed on Exhibit E hereto.  Except as set forth on Exhibit E, neither  Borrower
nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has been the surviving  corporation of a merger or
consolidation or acquired all or substantially all of the assets of any Person.

          7.1.6 Business  Locations;  Agent for Process.  Each of Borrower's and
its  Subsidiaries'  chief  executive  office and other places of business are as
listed on  Exhibit B hereto.  During the  preceding  five-year  period,  neither
Borrower  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has had an office,  place of business or
agent for service of process  other than as listed on Exhibit B. Except as shown
on Exhibit B, no Inventory of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is stored with
a bailee,  warehouseman or similar Person, nor is any Inventory  consigned to or
from any Person.

          7.1.7 Title to Properties; Priority of Liens. Each of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries has good and indefeasible  title to and fee simple ownership of, or
valid and subsisting leasehold interests in, all of its real Property,  and good
title to all of the Collateral and all of its other Property, in each case, free
and clear of all Liens except Permitted  Liens.  Neither Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries  has acquired any of the Collateral from any Person (other


                                       17

<PAGE>



than (i) purchases of Inventory and Equipment in the ordinary course of business
of the seller thereof,  or through  Borrower's  acquisitions  of Dynajet,  Inc.,
Petrolog, Inc., Production Well Services,  Inc., Diamondback Directional,  Inc.,
and Cam Wireline,  Inc. or (ii) Property purchased by Black Warrior from Phoenix
pursuant to the Purchase  Documents)  within the  five-year  period  immediately
preceding  the Closing Date.  Borrower has paid or discharged  all lawful claims
which, if unpaid, might become a Lien against any of Borrower's  Properties that
is not a Permitted  Lien. The Liens granted to Lender under Section 5 hereof are
first priority Liens, subject only to Permitted Liens.

          7.1.8  Accounts.  Lender may rely, in  determining  which  Accounts of
Borrower are Eligible Accounts,  on all statements and  representations  made by
Borrower with respect to any Account or Accounts.  Unless otherwise indicated in
writing to Lender, with respect to each Account:

               (i) It is genuine and in all respects what it purports to be, and
it is not evidenced by a judgment;

               (ii) It arises out of a completed, bona fide sale and delivery of
goods or  rendition  of  services  by  Borrower  in the  ordinary  course of its
business and in accordance with the terms and conditions of all purchase orders,
contracts or other documents relating thereto and forming a part of the contract
between Borrower and the Account Debtor;

               (iii) It is for a  liquidated  amount  maturing  as stated in the
duplicate  invoice covering such sale or rendition of services,  a copy of which
has been furnished or is available to Lender;

               (iv) Such Account, and Lender's security interest therein, is not
subject to any offset, Lien, deduction,  defense,  dispute,  counterclaim or any
other adverse  condition,  except for disputes resulting in returned goods where
the amount in controversy  is deemed by Lender to be  immaterial,  and each such
Account is absolutely  owing to Borrower and is not contingent in any respect or
for any reason;

               (v)  Borrower  has  made no  agreement  with any  Account  Debtor
thereunder for any extension, compromise, settlement or modification of any such
Account or any deduction  therefrom,  except  discounts or allowances  which are
granted by Borrower in the ordinary  course of its  business for prompt  payment
and which are reflected in the  calculation of the net amount of each respective
invoice related thereto and are reflected in the Schedules of Accounts submitted
to Lender pursuant to Section 6.2.1 hereof;

               (vi) There are no facts,  events or occurrences  which in any way
impair the  validity  or  enforceability  of any  Accounts or tend to reduce the
amount  payable  thereunder  from the face amount of the invoice and  statements
delivered to Lender with respect thereto;


                                       18

<PAGE>



               (vii) To the best of  Borrower's  knowledge,  the Account  Debtor
thereunder  (a) had the  capacity to contract at the time any  contract or other
document  giving rise to the Account was executed and (b) such Account Debtor is
Solvent; and

               (viii)  To  the  best  of  Borrower's  knowledge,  there  are  no
proceedings  or actions  which are  threatened  or pending  against  any Account
Debtor  thereunder  which might  result in any material  adverse  change in such
Account Debtor's financial condition or the collectibility of such Account.

          7.1.9  Financial   Statements;   Fiscal  Year.  The  Consolidated  and
consolidating balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of September 30,
1997, and the related statements of income, changes in stockholder's equity, and
changes in  financial  position for the periods  ended on such dates,  have been
prepared in  accordance  with GAAP,  and  present  fairly the  Consolidated  and
consolidating  financial  position of Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date
and the results of Borrower's and its Subsidiaries' operations for such periods.
Since  September 30, 1997,  there has been no material  change in the condition,
financial or otherwise,  of Borrower and its Subsidiaries (except for changes to
account for the acquisition of Diamondback  Directional,  Inc. and CAM Wireline,
Inc.) and since  such date  there has been no change in the  aggregate  value of
Equipment  and real  Property  owned by Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries,  except
changes in the ordinary course of business, none of which individually or in the
aggregate has been materially  adverse.  The fiscal year of Borrower and each of
its Subsidiaries ends on December 31 of each year.

          7.1.10  Full  Disclosure.  The  financial  statements  referred  to in
Section  7.1.9  hereof do not,  nor does  this  Agreement  or any other  written
statement of Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries to Lender,  contain any untrue
statement  of a material  fact or omit a  material  fact  necessary  to make the
statements  contained  therein  or herein  not  misleading.  There is no fact or
circumstance  which  Borrower has failed to disclose to Lender in writing  which
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          7.1.11  Solvent  Financial   Condition.   Each  of  Borrower  and  its
Subsidiaries  is now  and,  after  giving  effect  to the  Loans  to be made and
hereunder, at all times will be, Solvent.

          7.1.12   Surety   Obligations.   Neither   Borrower  nor  any  of  its
Subsidiaries  is obligated as surety or  indemnitor  under any surety or similar
bond or other contract  issued or entered into any agreement to assure  payment,
performance or completion of performance of any undertaking or obligation of any
Person.

          7.1.13 Taxes. The federal tax  identification  number of each Borrower
and each of Borrower's  Subsidiaries is shown on Exhibit F hereto.  Borrower and
their respective Subsidiaries has filed all federal, state and local tax returns
and other reports it is required by law to file and has paid, or made  provision
for the  payment  of, all Taxes upon it, its income and  Properties  as and when
such  Taxes are due and  payable,  except to the extent any such Taxes are being
Properly  Contested.  The  provision  for Taxes on the books of Borrower and its


                                       19

<PAGE>



Subsidiaries are adequate for all years not closed by applicable  statutes,  and
for its current fiscal year.

          7.1.14 Brokers.  Except as set forth on Exhibit R, there are no claims
for  brokerage  commissions,   finder's  fees  or  investment  banking  fees  in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          7.1.15 Patents, Trademarks,  Copyrights and Licenses. Each of Borrower
and its  Subsidiaries  owns or possesses  all the patents,  trademarks,  service
marks,  trade  names,  copyrights  and  licenses  necessary  for the present and
planned  future  conduct of its  business  without any known  conflict  with the
rights of others.  All such patents,  trademarks,  service  marks,  trade names,
copyrights, licenses and other similar rights are listed on Exhibit G hereto.

          7.1.16  Governmental  Consents.  Each of Borrower and its Subsidiaries
has,  and is in good  standing  with  respect  to,  all  governmental  consents,
approvals,  licenses,  authorizations,  permits,  certificates,  inspections and
franchises  necessary  to  continue to conduct its  business  as  heretofore  or
proposed to be conducted by it and to own or lease and operate its Properties as
now owned or leased by it.

          7.1.17 Compliance with Laws. Each of Borrower and its Subsidiaries has
duly complied with, and its Properties,  business  operations and leaseholds are
in compliance in all material  respects  with,  the provisions of all Applicable
Laws and there have been no citations, notices or orders of noncompliance issued
to Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  under any such law, rule or regulation.
Each of Borrower and its  Subsidiaries has established and maintains an adequate
monitoring  system to insure  that it remains in  compliance  with all  federal,
state and local laws,  rules and regulations  applicable to it. No Inventory has
been produced in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (29 U.S.C. ss. 201 et
seq.), as amended.

          7.1.18 Restrictions. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a
party or  subject to any  contract,  agreement,  or  charter or other  corporate
restriction,  which has, or could  reasonably  be  expected to have,  a Material
Adverse  Effect.  Neither  Borrower  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is a party or
subject to any contract or  agreement  which  restricts  its right or ability to
incur  Indebtedness,  other than as set forth on Exhibit H hereto, none of which
prohibit the  execution of or compliance  with this  Agreement or the other Loan
Documents by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable.

          7.1.19 Litigation.  Except as set forth on Exhibit I hereto, there are
no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending, or to the knowledge of
Borrower,  threatened, against or affecting Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,
or the  business,  operations,  Properties,  prospects,  profits or condition of
Borrower  or  any  of  its  Subsidiaries.   Neither  Borrower  nor  any  of  its
Subsidiaries  is in  default  with  respect  to  any  order,  writ,  injunction,
judgment,  decree or rule of any court,  governmental  authority or  arbitration
board or tribunal.

          7.1.20 No Defaults.  No event has  occurred  and no  condition  exists
which  would,  upon or after the  execution  and  delivery of this  Agreement or
Borrower's performance


                                       20

<PAGE>



hereunder, constitute a Default or an Event of Default. Neither Borrower nor any
of its  Subsidiaries  is in default,  and no event has occurred and no condition
exists  which  constitutes,  or which with the  passage of time or the giving of
notice or both would constitute, a default in the payment of any Indebtedness to
any Person for Money Borrowed.

          7.1.21 Leases.  Exhibit J hereto sets forth a complete  listing of all
capitalized  leases of Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  and Exhibit K hereto sets
forth  a  complete   listing  of  all  operating  leases  of  Borrower  and  its
Subsidiaries.  Each of Borrower and its  Subsidiaries is in full compliance with
all of the terms of each of its respective capitalized and operating leases.

          7.1.22 Pension Plans. Except as disclosed on Exhibit L hereto, neither
Borrower  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has any Plan.  Borrower  and each of its
Subsidiaries  is in full  compliance  with the  requirements  of  ERISA  and the
regulations  promulgated  thereunder  with  respect  to  each  Plan.  No fact or
situation  that  could  result in a  material  adverse  change in the  financial
condition of Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  exists in connection with any
Plan. Neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has any withdrawal  liability
in connection with a Multiemployer Plan.

          7.1.23  Trade   Relations.   There  exists  no  actual  or  threatened
termination,  cancellation  or limitation of, or any  modification or change in,
the business  relationship  between  Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and any
customer  or any  group of  customers  whose  purchases  individually  or in the
aggregate  are material to the business of Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries,
or with any material supplier, and there exists no present condition or state of
facts or circumstances  which would materially affect adversely  Borrower or any
of its  Subsidiaries  or  prevent  Borrower  or any  of  its  Subsidiaries  from
conducting such business after the consummation of the transaction  contemplated
by this  Agreement in  substantially  the same manner in which it has heretofore
been conducted.

          7.1.24  Labor  Relations.  Except as  described  on  Exhibit M hereto,
neither  Borrower  nor  any of its  Subsidiaries  is a party  to any  collective
bargaining   agreement.   There  are  no   material   grievances,   disputes  or
controversies  with any union or any other  organization of Borrower's or any of
its  Subsidiaries'  employees,  or threats of  strikes,  work  stoppages  or any
asserted pending demands for collective bargaining by any union or organization.

          7.1.25 Acquisition.  No default has occurred under any of the Purchase
Documents.

     7.2   Continuous   Nature   of   Representations   and   Warranties.   Each
representation  and  warranty  contained  in this  Agreement  and the other Loan
Documents shall be continuous in nature and shall remain accurate,  complete and
not  misleading  at all times  during  the term of this  Agreement,  except  for
changes in the nature of Borrower's or its Subsidiaries'  business or operations
that  would  render  the  information  in any  exhibit  attached  hereto  either
inaccurate,  incomplete or  misleading,  so long as Lender has consented to such
changes or such changes are expressly  permitted by this  Agreement,  and except
for such representations and warranties that by their nature are limited only to
a specific date in time.


                                       21

<PAGE>



     7.3 Survival of Representations  and Warranties.  All  representations  and
warranties  of Borrower  contained  in this  Agreement  or any of the other Loan
Documents shall survive the execution, delivery and acceptance thereof by Lender
and the parties thereto and the closing of the transactions described therein or
related thereto.

SECTION 8. COVENANTS AND CONTINUING AGREEMENTS

     8.1  Affirmative  Covenants.   During  the  term  of  this  Agreement,  and
thereafter  for so long  as  there  are  any  Obligations  to  Lender,  Borrower
covenants that, unless otherwise consented to by Lender in writing, it shall:

          8.1.1 Visits and Inspections.  Permit  representatives of Lender, from
time to time,  as often as may be reasonably  requested,  but only during normal
business  hours,  to (i) visit and inspect its  Properties and the Properties of
each of its  Subsidiaries,  and (ii)  inspect,  audit and make extracts from its
books  and  records,  and  discuss  with its  officers,  its  employees  and its
independent  accountants,  Borrower's  and each of its  Subsidiaries'  business,
assets,  liabilities,  financial  condition,  business  prospects and results of
operations.

          8.1.2  Notices.  Notify Lender in writing (i) of the occurrence of any
event or the existence of any fact which renders any  representation or warranty
in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents  inaccurate,  incomplete or
misleading; (ii) promptly after Borrower's learning thereof, of the commencement
of any litigation affecting Borrower, any Subsidiary of Borrower or any of their
respective Properties,  whether or not the claim is considered by Borrower to be
covered by insurance,  and of the institution of any  administrative  proceeding
which if determined adversely to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, would have
a Material  Adverse Effect;  (iii) at least fifteen (15) days prior thereto,  of
Borrower's  opening of any new office or place of business or Borrower's closing
of any existing  office or place of business;  (iv)  promptly  after  Borrower's
learning  thereof,  of  any  labor  dispute  to  which  Borrower  or  any of its
Subsidiaries  may become a party,  any  strikes or  walkouts  relating to any of
their  respective  plants or other  facilities,  and the expiration of any labor
contract  to which any of them is a party or by which any of them is bound;  (v)
promptly after Borrower's  learning thereof, of any material default by any Loan
Party under any note, indenture, loan agreement, mortgage, lease, deed, guaranty
or other similar  agreement  relating to any Indebtedness  exceeding One Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($100,000);  (vi) promptly after the occurrence thereof, of any
Default or Event of Default; (vii) promptly after the occurrence thereof, of any
default by any obligor under any note or other evidence of Indebtedness  payable
to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;  and (viii) promptly after the rendition
thereof,  of any judgment rendered against any Loan Party in an amount exceeding
Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000).

          8.1.3 Financial  Statements.  Keep, and cause each Subsidiary to keep,
adequate records and books of account with respect to its business activities in
which  proper  entries  are made in  accordance  with  GAAP  reflecting  all its
financial  transactions;  and cause to be prepared  and  furnished to Lender the
following  (all to be prepared in  accordance  with GAAP applied on a


                                       22

<PAGE>



consistent basis,  unless Borrower's  certified public accountants concur in any
change  therein and such change is  disclosed to Lender and is  consistent  with
GAAP):

               (i) not  later  than  ninety  (90)  days  after the close of each
fiscal year of Borrower,  unqualified  audited financial  statements of Borrower
and  its  Subsidiaries  as of the  end  of  such  year,  on a  Consolidated  and
consolidating  basis,  certified  by a  firm  of  independent  certified  public
accountants of recognized standing selected by Borrower but acceptable to Lender
(except for a qualification for a change in accounting principles with which the
accountant concurs);

               (ii) not later than  thirty (30) days after the end of each month
hereafter, including the last month of Borrower's fiscal year, unaudited interim
financial  statements  of Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  as of the end of such
month  and of the  portion  of  Borrower's  financial  year then  elapsed,  on a
Consolidated  and  consolidating  basis,  certified by the  principal  financial
officer of Borrower as prepared in  accordance  with GAAP and fairly  presenting
the  Consolidated  financial  position and results of operations of Borrower and
its  Subsidiaries  for such month and period  subject only to changes from audit
and year-end adjustments and except that such statements need not contain notes;

               (iii) promptly after the sending or filing  thereof,  as the case
may be, copies of any proxy  statements,  financial  statements or reports which
Borrower  and/or its  Subsidiaries  has made available to its  shareholders  and
copies of any regular,  periodic and special reports or registration  statements
which Borrower  and/or its  Subsidiaries  files with the Securities and Exchange
Commission or any governmental  authority which may be substituted  therefor, or
any national securities exchange;

               (iv)  promptly  after the  filing  thereof,  copies of any annual
report to be filed with ERISA in connection with each Plan; and

               (v) such other data and information  (financial and otherwise) as
Lender,  from time to time, may reasonably  request,  bearing upon or related to
the Collateral or Borrower's and each of its Subsidiaries'  financial  condition
or results of operations.

          Concurrently with the delivery of the financial  statements  described
in clause (i) of this Section 8.1.3,  Borrower shall forward to Lender a copy of
the accountants' letter to Borrower's  management that is prepared in connection
with such audited  financial  statements and also shall cause to be prepared and
shall  furnish  to  Lender  a  certificate  of the  aforesaid  certified  public
accountants  certifying  to Lender  that,  based upon their  examination  of the
financial  statements of Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  performed in connection
with their examination of said financial  statements,  they are not aware of any
Default or Event of Default,  or, if they are aware of such  Default or Event of
Default,  specifying  the  nature  thereof,  and  acknowledging,   in  a  manner
satisfactory  to  Lender,  that they are aware  that  Lender is  relying on such
financial  statements  in  making  its  decisions  with  respect  to the  Loans.
Concurrently with the delivery of the financial  statements described in clauses
(i) and (ii) of this Section 8.1.3,  or more  frequently if requested by Lender,
Borrower  shall  cause to be  prepared  and  furnished  to


                                       23

<PAGE>



Lender a Compliance  Certificate in the form of Exhibit N hereto executed by the
chief financial officer of Borrower.

          8.1.4 Landlord and Storage  Agreements.  Provide Lender with copies of
all agreements  between  Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and any landlord or
warehouseman  which owns any premises at which any  Inventory  may, from time to
time, be kept.

          8.1.5  Guarantor  Financial  Statements.  In addition to the financial
statements of Borrower to be supplied pursuant to Section 8.1.3 hereof,  deliver
or cause to be  delivered  to Lender  financial  statements  for each  Guarantor
(other than Borrower's Subsidiaries,  if any) in form and substance satisfactory
to  Lender,  at such  intervals  and  covering  such time  periods as Lender may
request.

          8.1.6 Projections.  No later than thirty (30) days prior to the end of
each  fiscal  year of  Borrower,  deliver  to  Lender  projections  of  Borrower
(consisting of Consolidated and consolidating  balance sheets, income statements
and cash flow  statements,  together  with  appropriate  supporting  details and
underlying  assumptions) for the forthcoming  three (3) years, year by year, and
for the forthcoming fiscal year, month by month.

          8.1.7 Taxes.  Pay and discharge,  and cause each Subsidiary to pay and
discharge,  all Taxes prior to the date on which such Taxes become delinquent or
penalties  attach  thereto,  except and only to the  extent  that such Taxes are
being Properly Contested.

          8.1.8  Compliance  with  Laws.  Comply and cause  each  Subsidiary  to
comply, with all Applicable Laws, including all laws, statutes,  regulations and
ordinances  regarding the collection,  payment and deposit of all Taxes, and all
ERISA and Environmental Laws, and obtain and keep in force any and all licenses,
permits,  franchises,  or other  governmental  authorizations  necessary  to the
ownership of its Properties or to the conduct of its business,  which  violation
or failure to obtain  could  reasonably  be expected to have a Material  Adverse
Effect.

          8.1.9  Insurance.  In addition to the insurance  required  herein with
respect to the Collateral, Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries shall maintain,
with  financially  sound and reputable  insurers,  insurance with respect to its
Properties and business  against such casualties and  contingencies of such type
(including product liability, business interruption,  larceny,  embezzlement, or
other criminal  misappropriation  insurance) as is customary in its business and
in such amounts as is acceptable to Lender.

          8.1.10  Equity   Conversion.   Borrower  shall  cause  not  less  than
$4,900,000  of  Indebtedness  owed by Black Warrior to St. James to be converted
into equity  capital of Black  Warrior no later than May 31, 1998,  on terms and
conditions  satisfactory to Lender,  and shall deliver written  evidence thereof
satisfactory to Lender no later than June 5, 1998.

     8.2 Negative Covenants.  During the term of this Agreement,  and thereafter
for so long as there are any  Obligations to Lender,  Borrower  covenants  that,
unless Lender has first consented thereto in writing, it will not:


                                       24

<PAGE>



          8.2.1 Mergers; Consolidations;  Acquisitions. Merge or consolidate, or
permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to merge or consolidate,  with any Person;  nor
acquire,  nor permit any of its Subsidiaries to acquire,  all or any substantial
part of the Properties of any Person; provided, however, that Borrower may merge
Boone into Black  Warrior,  so long as Black Warrior is the surviving  entity of
such merger.

          8.2.2 Loans.  Make,  or permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to make,  any
loans or other  advances  of money to any  Person,  except for travel  advances,
advances  against  commissions and other similar advances in the ordinary course
of business.

          8.2.3 Total Indebtedness.  Create,  incur, assume, or suffer to exist,
or permit  any of its  Subsidiaries  to  create,  incur or suffer to exist,  any
Indebtedness, except:

               (i) Obligations owing to Lender;

               (ii) Subordinated Debt existing on the date of this Agreement;

               (iii) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary of Borrower to Borrower;

               (iv) accounts  payable to trade  creditors and current  operating
expenses  (other  than for Money  Borrowed)  which are not aged more than thirty
(30) days from the due date,  in each case  incurred in the  ordinary  course of
business  and paid within such time period,  unless the same are being  Properly
Contested;

               (v) Obligations to pay Rentals permitted by Section 8.2.13;

               (vi) Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness;

               (vii)  contingent  liabilities  arising  out of  endorsements  of
checks  and other  negotiable  instruments  for  deposit  or  collection  in the
ordinary course of business;

               (viii) Indebtedness  existing on the date hereof and described on
Exhibit O hereto; and

               (ix)  Indebtedness  not included in paragraphs (i) through (viii)
above  which does not  exceed at any time,  in the  aggregate,  the sum of Fifty
Thousand Dollars ($50,000).

          8.2.4 Affiliate  Transactions.  Enter into or be a party to, or permit
any of its Subsidiaries to enter into or be a party to, any transaction with any
Affiliate or  stockholder,  except in the ordinary course of and pursuant to the
reasonable  requirements  of Borrower's or such  Subsidiary's  business and upon
fair and  reasonable  terms which are fully  disclosed to Lender and are no less
favorable than would be obtained in a comparable arm's length transaction with a
Person not an Affiliate or stockholder of Borrower or such Subsidiary.


                                       25

<PAGE>



          8.2.5  Limitation on Liens.  Create or suffer to exist,  or permit any
its  Subsidiaries  to  create  or  suffer  to  exist,  any Lien  upon any of its
Property, income or profits, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:

               (i) Liens at any time granted in favor of Lender;

               (ii) Liens for taxes  (excluding any Lien imposed pursuant to any
of the provisions of ERISA) not yet due or being Properly Contested;

               (iii) Liens  arising in the  ordinary  course of its  business by
operation of law or regulation  in favor of  materialmen,  mechanics,  carriers,
warehousemen,  landlords and similar Persons, but only if (a) payment in respect
of any such Lien is not at the time required or (b) the Indebtedness  secured by
such Lien is being Properly  Contested and such Lien does not materially detract
from the value of the  Property  or  materially  impair  the use  thereof in the
operation of its business;

               (iv)  Purchase  Money Liens  securing  Permitted  Purchase  Money
Indebtedness;

               (v) Liens securing Indebtedness of one of Borrower's Subsidiaries
to Borrower or another such Subsidiary;

               (vi) such other Liens as appear on Exhibit P hereto; and

               (vii)  such  other  Liens as  Lender  may  hereafter  approve  in
writing.

          8.2.6  Subordinated  Debt.  Make, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to
make, any payment of all or any part of any Subordinated  Debt or take any other
action or omit to take any other  action in  respect  of any  Subordinated  Debt
(including,  but not limited to, any amendment,  supplement,  or modification of
any agreement,  instrument or document  evidencing any such Subordinated  Debt),
except in accordance with the subordination agreement relative thereto.

          8.2.7   Distributions.   Declare  or  make,   or  permit  any  of  its
Subsidiaries to declare or make, any Distributions.

          8.2.8 Capital  Expenditures.  Make Capital Expenditures  (including by
way of  capitalized  leases)  which,  in the  aggregate,  as to Borrower and its
Subsidiaries,  exceed: (i) Seven Million Dollars  ($7,000,000)  during the first
fiscal year of  Borrower  immediately  following  the  Closing  Date,  provided,
however,   that  not  more  than  One  Million  Five  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars
($1,500,000),  in the aggregate,  may be paid for in cash or the proceeds of any
Revolving Credit Loans, except that if, at the time of such Capital Expenditure,
(a) the total outstanding balance on the Revolving Credit Loans is zero, and (b)
after giving effect to the Capital  Expenditure,  the  Availability  is not less
than $2,500,000,  then the Borrower may pay for the Capital  Expenditure in cash
without the  foregoing  limitation ; or (ii) One Million  Five Hundred 


                                       26

<PAGE>



Thousand  Dollars  ($1,500,000)  during any fiscal year of Borrower  thereafter;
provided,  however,  that the foregoing  limitations  shall not apply to Capital
Expenditures  made by Borrower  solely with funds  generated  exclusively  by an
issuance of capital stock of Borrower.

          8.2.9  Disposition of Assets.  Sell, lease or otherwise dispose of, or
permit any of its  Subsidiaries to sell,  lease or otherwise  dispose of, any of
its  Properties,  including  any  disposition  of Property as part of a sale and
leaseback  transaction,  to or in  favor  of any  Person,  except  (i)  sales of
Inventory in the ordinary  course of business for so long as no Event of Default
exists  hereunder,  (ii) a transfer of Property to Borrower by a  Subsidiary  of
Borrower or (iii) dispositions expressly authorized by this Agreement.

          8.2.10 Stock of Subsidiaries.  Permit any of its Subsidiaries to issue
any additional shares of its capital stock, except director's qualifying shares.

          8.2.11  Bill-and-Hold  Sales,  Etc.  Make a sale to any  customer on a
bill-and-hold, guaranteed sale, sale and return, sale on approval or consignment
basis, or any sale on a repurchase or return basis.

          8.2.12  Restricted  Investment.  Make or have,  or  permit  any of its
Subsidiaries to make or have, any Restricted Investment.

          8.2.13 Operating Leases.  Become, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to
become,  a lessee  under any  operating  lease  (other  than a lease under which
Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  is lessor) of  Property  if the  aggregate
Rentals  payable during any current or future period of twelve (12)  consecutive
months under the lease in question and all other leases under which  Borrower or
any of its  Subsidiaries  is  then  lessee  would  exceed  One  Million  Dollars
($1,000,000).  The term "Rentals"  means, as of the date of  determination,  all
payments which the lessee is required to make by the terms of any lease.

          8.2.14  Tax  Consolidation.  File  or  consent  to the  filing  of any
consolidated  income tax return with any Person other than its  Subsidiaries  or
another Borrower.

          8.2.15   Diamondback   Seller  Note.   Make,  or  permit  any  of  its
Subsidiaries to make, any payment to the holder of the Diamondback  Seller Note,
except  pursuant to the terms and conditions of the  Diamondback  Seller Note as
approved by Lender and  Borrower,  and  provided  that,  at the time of any such
payment, and after giving effect to any such payment, (i) no Default or Event of
Default  exists,  and either (ii) (a) Borrower shall have minimum  Availability,
after  giving  effect  to such  payment,  of Two  Million  Dollars  ($2,000,000)
(determined  on a monthly  average for the three  (3)-month  period  immediately
preceding such payment) or (b) if Borrower shall not have minimum  Availability,
after  giving  effect  to such  payment,  of Two  Million  Dollars  ($2,000,000)
(determined  on a monthly  average for the three  (3)-month  period  immediately
preceding  such  payment) then  Borrower  must pay the  Diamondback  Seller Note
solely  from the  proceeds of a  secondary  offering of capital  stock (or other
securities  acceptable to Lender) of Borrower,  or take any other action or omit
to take any


                                       27

<PAGE>



other action with respect to the  Diamondback  Seller Note  (including,  but not
limited  to, any  amendment,  supplement,  replacement  or  modification  of the
Diamondback Seller Note).

          8.2.16  St.  James  Subordinated  Debt.  Make,  or  permit  any of its
Subsidiaries  to  make,  any  payment  of all  or any  part  of  any  St.  James
Subordinated  Debt or take any other  action or omit to take any other action in
respect of the St. James  Subordinated Debt (including,  but not limited to, any
amendment,  supplement  or  modification  of any  St.  James  Subordinated  Debt
Documents) except in accordance with the St. James Subordination Agreement.

     8.3 Specific Financial  Covenants.  During the term of this Agreement,  and
thereafter  for so long  as  there  are  any  Obligations  to  Lender,  Borrower
covenants that unless otherwise consented to by Lender in writing, it shall:

          8.3.1 Fixed Charge Ratio. Maintain, on a Consolidated basis, as of the
end of each fiscal quarter set forth below, for the cumulative  period ending on
such date,  a Fixed  Charge Ratio of not less than the ratio set forth below for
each period indicated below:

                            Period                                Ratio
                            ------                                -----
             (i)    Three calendar month period          (i)    1.60 to 1.0
                    ending on
                    June 30, 1998

             (ii)   Six calendar month period            (ii)   1.60 to 1.0
                    ending on
                    September 30, 1998

             (iii)  Nine calendar month period           (iii)  1.65 to 1.0
                    ending on
                    December 31, 1998

             (iv)   Twelve calendar month period         (iv)   1.65 to 1.0
                    ending on
                    March 31, 1998

             (v)    Twelve calendar month period         (v)    2.00 to 1.0
                    ending on
                    June 30, 1999

             (vi)   Twelve calendar month period         (vi)   2.40 to 1.0
                    ending on September 30, 1999


                                       28

<PAGE>



             (vii)  Twelve calendar month period         (vii)  2.70 to 1.0
                    ending respectively on the
                    last day of each thereafter
                    occurring fiscal quarter

          8.3.2 Senior  Interest  Coverage  Ratio.  Achieve,  at the end of each
fiscal quarter set forth below, for the cumulative period ending on such date, a
Senior  Interest  Coverage  Ratio  equal to or greater  than the ratio set forth
below for the period corresponding thereto:

                            Period                                Ratio
                            ------                                -----
             (i)    Three calendar month period          (i)    2.50 to 1.0
                    ending on
                    June 30, 1998

             (ii)   Six calendar month period            (ii)   2.70 to 1.0
                    ending on
                    September 30, 1998

             (iii)  Nine calendar month period           (iii)  2.80 to 1.0
                    ending on
                    December 31, 1998

             (iv)   Twelve calendar month period         (iv)   2.90 to 1.0
                    ending on
                    March 31, 1999

             (v)    Twelve calendar month period         (v)    3.40 to 1.0
                    ending on
                    June 30, 1999

             (vi)   Twelve calendar month period         (vi)   3.90 to 1.0
                    ending respectively on the
                    last day of each thereafter
                    occurring fiscal quarter



                                       29

<PAGE>



          8.3.3  Adjusted  Tangible Net Worth.  Maintain,  as of the last day of
each fiscal quarter indicated below, Consolidated Adjusted Tangible Net Worth of
not less than the amount shown below as of the date shown below:

                          Date                                Amount
                          ----                                ------
             (i)    June 30, 1998                        (i)    $15,600,000

             (ii)   September 30, 1998                   (ii)   $16,400,000

             (iii)  December 31, 1998                    (iii)  $17,200,000

             (iv)   March 31, 1999                       (iv)   $18,100,000

             (v)    June 30, 1999                        (v)    $19,600,000

             (vi)   September 30, 1999                   (vi)   $21,100,000

             (vii)  December 31, 1999                    (vii)  $22,600,000

             (viii) March 31, 2000 and quarterly         (viii) $24,100,000
                    thereafter

          8.3.4  Total  Indebtedness  to  Tangible  Net  Worth.  Maintain  on  a
Consolidated  basis,  as of the last day of each period set forth below, a ratio
of (i)  Borrower's  total  Indebtedness  for Money  Borrowed for the  cumulative
period  ending  on such  date,  to (ii)  Borrower's  Tangible  Net Worth for the
cumulative  period  ending on such date, of not greater than the ratio set forth
below for the period corresponding thereto.

                            Period                                Ratio
                            ------                                -----
             (i)    Three calendar month period          (i)    2.60 to 1.0
                    ending on
                    June 30, 1998

             (ii)   Six calendar month period            (ii)   2.45 to 1.0
                    ending on
                    September 30, 1998

             (iii)  Nine calendar month period           (iii)  2.35 to 1.0
                    ending on
                    December 31, 1998


                                       30

<PAGE>



             (iv)   Twelve calendar month period         (iv)   2.25 to 1.0
                    ending on March 31, 1998
             (v)    Twelve calendar month period         (v)    2.00 to 1.0
                    ending on
                    June 30, 1999

             (vi)   Twelve calendar month period         (vi)   1.90 to 1.0
                    ending on
                    September 30, 1999

             (vii)  Twelve calendar month period         (vii)  1.80 to 1.0
                    ending

             (viii) Twelve calendar month period         (viii) 1.70 to 1.0
                    ending respectively on the
                    last day of each thereafter
                    occurring fiscal quarter

SECTION 9. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     Notwithstanding  any other  provision of this Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents,  and without  affecting in any manner the rights of Lender under
the other sections of this  Agreement,  Lender shall not be required to make any
Loan under this Agreement unless and until each of the following  conditions has
been and continues to be satisfied:

     9.1  Documentation.  Lender  shall  have  received,  in form and  substance
satisfactory  to Lender and its counsel,  a duly executed copy of this Agreement
and  the  other  Loan  Documents,   together  with  such  additional  documents,
instruments  and  certificates  as  Lender  and its  counsel  shall  require  in
connection  therewith from time to time, all in form and substance  satisfactory
to Lender and its counsel.

     9.2 No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall exist.

     9.3 Other Loan Documents. Each of the conditions precedent set forth in the
other Loan Documents shall have been satisfied.

     9.4 Equity.  Lender shall have received  evidence  satisfactory to it that:
(i) St. James has agreed that not less than $4,900,000 of  Indebtedness  owed by
Black  Warrior  to St.  James will be  converted  into  equity  capital of Black
Warrior not later than May 31, 1998,  on terms and  conditions  satisfactory  to
Lender,  and (ii) not less than $3,000,000 in cash has been contributed to Black
Warrior as equity capital, on terms and conditions satisfactory to Lender.


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<PAGE>



     9.5  Availability.  Lender shall have  determined  that  immediately  after
Lender  has  made  the  initial  Loans  contemplated  hereby,  and paid (or made
provisions  for payment of) all closing costs  incurred in  connection  with the
transactions  contemplated  hereby,  Availability  shall  not be less  than  Two
Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000).

     9.6 Articles of  Incorporation.  Lender  shall have  received a copy of the
Articles  or  Certificate  of   Incorporation   of  Borrower  and  each  of  its
Subsidiaries, and all amendments thereto, certified by the Secretary of State or
other   appropriate   official  of  the  jurisdiction  of  Borrower's  and  each
Subsidiary's incorporation.

     9.7 Good  Standing  Certificates.  Lender shall have received good standing
certificates for Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries,  issued by the Secretary
of State or other  appropriate  official  of  Borrower's  and each  Subsidiary's
jurisdiction  of  incorporation  and each  jurisdiction  where  the  conduct  of
Borrower's or any of its  Subsidiary's  business  activities or ownership of its
Property necessitates qualification.

     9.8  Opinion  Letters.  Lender  shall have  received a  favorable,  written
opinion of counsel to  Borrower,  as to the  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement,  to be in form and  substance  satisfactory  to Lender  and  Lender's
counsel, in their sole discretion.

     9.9 Insurance.  Lender shall have received copies of the casualty insurance
policies of Borrower and each of its  Subsidiaries,  together  with loss payable
endorsements on Lender's standard form of loss payee  endorsement  naming Lender
as loss  payee and copies of  Borrower's  and each such  Subsidiary's  liability
insurance policies, together with endorsements naming Lender as a co-insured.

     9.10 Disbursement  Letter.  Lender shall have received written instructions
from  Borrower  directing  application  of proceeds  of the  initial  Loans made
pursuant to this  Agreement,  and an initial  Borrowing  Base  Certificate  from
Borrower, in form satisfactory to Lender.

     9.11  Dominion  Account.  Lender  shall  have  received  the duly  executed
agreement  establishing  the  Dominion  Account  with  a  financial  institution
acceptable to Lender for the collection or servicing of the Accounts.

     9.12  Landlord  Agreements.  Lender  shall have  received  all  landlord or
warehouseman  agreements with respect to all premises leased by Borrower and its
Subsidiaries and which are disclosed on Exhibit K hereto, except for such leased
premises as may be noted on Exhibit K, at Lender's  discretion,  with respect to
which Borrower and Lender have agreed on reserves in lieu thereof.

     9.13 No Litigation.  No action,  proceeding,  investigation,  regulation or
legislation shall have been instituted, threatened or proposed before any court,
governmental agency or legislative body to enjoin,  restrain or prohibit,  or to
obtain  damages  in  respect  of, or which is  related  to or arises out of this
Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.


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<PAGE>



     9.14 Customer  Reference Checks.  Lender shall have received a satisfactory
reference check from such customers of Borrower as shall be required by Lender.

     9.15 Evidence of  Perfection  and Priority of Liens in  Collateral.  Lender
shall have received copies of all filing receipts or  acknowledgments  issued by
any  governmental  authority to evidence any filing or recordation  necessary to
perfect the Liens of Lender in the Collateral and evidence in form  satisfactory
to Lender that such Liens constitute valid and perfected  security interests and
Liens,  and  that  there  are no other  Liens  upon any  Collateral  except  for
Permitted Liens.

     9.16  Title  Insurance  Policies.  Lender  shall have  received  fully paid
mortgagee  title  insurance  policies  (or  binding  commitments  to issue title
insurance policies, marked to Lender's satisfaction to evidence the form of such
policies to be delivered  after the Closing Date),  in standard ALTA form issued
by a title insurance company  satisfactory to Lender, each in an amount equal to
not less  than the fair  market  value  of the  real  Property  subject  to each
relevant  Mortgage,  insuring  such  Mortgage to create a valid Lien on all real
Property  described  therein,  with no  exceptions  which  Lender shall not have
approved in writing.

     9.17 Environmental  Site Assessments.  Lender shall have received a Phase I
environmental site assessment report, upon which Lender is expressly entitled to
rely, from environmental consulting firm(s) satisfactory to Lender, stating such
firms' (i) opinion as to Borrower's  compliance with all Environmental Laws with
respect to all of the real  Property  acquired  by Black  Warrior  from  Phoenix
pursuant to the Acquisition and the Snyder, Texas,  Midland,  Texas, and Wyoming
properties,  and  (ii)  estimation  of  costs  required  to  place  Borrower  in
compliance with all Environmental Laws with respect to such real Property.

     9.18 Acquisition. The Acquisition shall have been consummated substantially
in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Documents.

     9.19  Pro-Forma  Balance  Sheet.  Lender  shall have  received a  pro-forma
balance  sheet  of  Borrower  as of the  Closing  Date  in  form  and  substance
satisfactory to Lender.

     9.20 Subordinated  Debt. Lender shall have received,  in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender evidence of the investment by St. James or its Affiliates
in Black Warrior of Ten Million Dollars  ($10,000,000) in Subordinated Debt, and
Lender shall have received a fully executed  counterpart,  in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender, of the St. James Subordination Agreement.

     9.21 GECC  Agreements.  Lender  shall have  received in form and  substance
satisfactory  to Lender,  fully executed  counterparts of the GECC Amendment and
the GECC Partial Releases.


                                       33

<PAGE>



     9.22  Collateral  Assignment  of  Purchase  Documents.  Lender  shall  have
received,  in form  and  substance  satisfactory  to  Lender,  a fully  executed
counterpart of the Collateral Assignment of Purchase Documents.

SECTION 10. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; RIGHTS AND REMEDIES ON DEFAULT

     10.1  Events of Default.  The  occurrence  of one or more of the  following
events shall constitute an "Event of Default":

          10.1.1 Payment of Note.  Borrower shall fail to pay any installment of
principal,  interest or premium, if any, owing on the Term Note or the Equipment
Note on the due date of such installment.

          10.1.2 Payment of Other Obligations. Borrower shall fail to pay any of
the Obligations that are not evidenced by the Term Note or the Equipment Note on
the  due  date  thereof  (whether  due  at  stated  maturity,  on  demand,  upon
acceleration or otherwise).

          10.1.3  Misrepresentations.  Any  representation,  warranty  or  other
statement  made  or  furnished  to  Lender  by or on  behalf  of  Borrower,  any
Subsidiary  of  Borrower or any other Loan Party in this  Agreement,  any of the
other Loan  Documents or any  instrument,  certificate  or  financial  statement
furnished in compliance  with or in reference  thereto proves to have been false
or misleading in any material  respect when made or furnished or when reaffirmed
pursuant to Section 7.2 hereof.

          10.1.4 Breach of Specific Covenants. Borrower shall fail or neglect to
perform,  keep or observe any covenant  contained in Sections 5.2,  5.3,  6.1.1,
6.1.2,  6.2,  8.1.1,  8.1.3,  8.2 or 8.3  hereof  on the date that  Borrower  is
required to perform, keep or observe such covenant.

          10.1.5 Breach of Other  Covenants.  Borrower  shall fail or neglect to
perform,  keep or observe any covenant contained in this Agreement (other than a
covenant which is dealt with specifically  elsewhere in Section 10.1 hereof) and
the breach of such other covenant is not cured to Lender's  satisfaction  within
fifteen (15) days after the sooner to occur of  Borrower's  receipt of notice of
such  breach  from  Lender or the date on which such  failure  or neglect  first
becomes known to any officer of Borrower.

          10.1.6  Default  Under  Security  Documents/Other  Agreements/Purchase
Documents.  Any event of default  shall  occur  under,  or any Loan Party  shall
default in the  performance  or observance of any term,  covenant,  condition or
agreement contained in, any of the Security  Documents,  the Other Agreements or
the Purchase  Documents and such default shall  continue  beyond any  applicable
grace period.

          10.1.7  Other  Defaults.  There  shall  occur any  default or event of
default on the part of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries  under any agreement,
document or instrument to which Borrower or any such Subsidiary is a party or by
which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Property is
bound,  creating or relating to any Indebtedness


                                       34

<PAGE>



(other than the Obligations) if the payment or maturity of such  Indebtedness is
or may be  accelerated  in  consequence  of such  event of default or demand for
payment of such Indebtedness is made.

          10.1.8  Uninsured  Losses.   Any  material  loss,  theft,   damage  or
destruction  of any  of the  Collateral  not  fully  covered  (subject  to  such
deductibles as Lender shall have permitted) by insurance.

          10.1.9 Adverse Changes.  There shall occur any material adverse change
in the financial condition or business prospects of Borrower or any Loan Party.

          10.1.10 Insolvency and Related Proceedings. Any Loan Party shall cease
to be Solvent or shall suffer the appointment of a receiver,  trustee, custodian
or similar fiduciary,  or shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors,
or any  petition  for an order for  relief  shall be filed by or  against a Loan
Party under the  Bankruptcy  Code (and if, with  respect to any  petition  filed
against any Loan Party, such proceeding shall continue for more than thirty (30)
days),  or any Loan  Party  shall  make any offer of  settlement,  extension  or
compromise to such Loan Party's unsecured creditors generally.

          10.1.11  Business  Disruption;   Condemnation.  There  shall  occur  a
cessation of a substantial  part of the business of Borrower,  any Subsidiary of
Borrower or any Guarantor for a period which  significantly  affects Borrower's,
such  Subsidiary's or such Guarantor's  capacity to continue its business,  on a
profitable basis; or Borrower, any Subsidiary of Borrower or any Guarantor shall
suffer the loss or  revocation  of any  license or permit now held or  hereafter
acquired by Borrower,  such  Subsidiary or such Guarantor  which is necessary to
the continued or lawful operation of its business;  or Borrower,  any Subsidiary
of  Borrower  or any  Guarantor  shall  be  enjoined,  restrained  or in any way
prevented by court,  governmental or administrative order from conducting all or
any material part of its business  affairs;  or any material  lease or agreement
pursuant to which Borrower,  any Subsidiary of Borrower or any Guarantor leases,
uses or occupies  any  Property  shall be canceled  or  terminated  prior to the
expiration  of its stated  term;  or any part of the  Collateral  shall be taken
through  condemnation  or the value of such Property  shall be impaired  through
condemnation.

          10.1.12  Change of  Ownership.  (i) St.  James  shall cease to own and
control,  beneficially and of record, (a) at least fifty-five percent (55.0%) of
each class of the issued and  outstanding  capital  stock of Black Warrior (on a
fully diluted basis),  prior to a secondary public offering of capital stock (or
other securities  acceptable to Lender) of Black Warrior,  or, (b) pursuant to a
secondary  public offering of capital stock (or other  securities  acceptable to
Lender) of Black Warrior,  at least thirty percent  (30.0%) of each class of the
issued  and  outstanding  capital  stock of Black  Warrior  (on a fully  diluted
basis);  or (ii) Black Warrior shall cease to own and control,  beneficially and
of  record,  all of the  issued  and  outstanding  capital  stock of each of its
Subsidiaries, including without limitation, Boone.

          10.1.13  ERISA.  A Reportable  Event shall occur which Lender,  in its
sole  discretion,  shall  determine  in good faith  constitutes  grounds for the
termination by the Pension


                                       35

<PAGE>



Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation  of  any  Plan  or  for  the  appointment  by the
appropriate  United States  district  court of a trustee for any Plan, or if any
Plan shall be terminated or any such trustee shall be requested or appointed, or
if Borrower,  any  Subsidiary  of Borrower or any  Guarantor is in "default" (as
defined  in  Section  4219(c)(5)  of  ERISA)  with  respect  to  payments  to  a
Multiemployer  Plan  resulting  from  Borrower's,   such  Subsidiary's  or  such
Guarantor's complete or partial withdrawal from such Plan.

          10.1.14 Challenge to Agreement.  Borrower,  any Subsidiary of Borrower
or any other Loan Party,  or any  Affiliate of any of them,  shall  challenge or
contest in any action, suit or proceeding the validity or enforceability of this
Agreement, or any of the other Loan Documents, the legality or enforceability of
any of the  Obligations  or the  perfection  or priority of any Lien  granted to
Lender.

          10.1.15  Repudiation  of or  Default  Under  Guaranty  Agreement.  Any
Guarantor  shall  revoke or attempt to revoke the Guaranty  Agreement  signed by
such Guarantor,  or shall  repudiate such  Guarantor's  liability  thereunder or
shall be in default under the terms thereof.

          10.1.16 Criminal Forfeiture.  Borrower,  any Subsidiary of Borrower or
any Guarantor shall be criminally indicted or convicted under any law that could
lead to a forfeiture of any Property of Borrower,  any Subsidiary of Borrower or
any Guarantor.

          10.1.17  Judgments.  Any (i) money judgment is filed against Borrower,
any Subsidiary of Borrower or any Guarantor or any of their respective Property,
and such judgment  shall remain unpaid,  unsatisfied by insurance,  and unstayed
for more than  thirty  (30)  days,  whether  or not  consecutive,  (except  that
Borrower shall pay in full the Atlas  Judgment  within thirty (30) days from the
Closing  Date) or (ii) writ of  attachment  or similar  process is filed against
Borrower,  any  Subsidiary  of  Borrower  or any  Guarantor,  or  any  of  their
respective  Property,  and such writ of  attachment  or  similar  process is not
bonded or secured in an amount and manner reasonably satisfactory to lender.

     10.2 Acceleration of the Obligations. Without in any way limiting the right
of Lender to demand payment of any portion of the Obligations  payable on demand
in accordance with Section 3.2 hereof,  upon or at any time after the occurrence
of an Event of Default,  all or any  portion of the  Obligations  shall,  at the
option of Lender and without presentment,  demand,  protest, notice of intent to
accelerate,  notice of  acceleration,  or any other  further  notice by  Lender,
become at once due and payable and Borrower shall  forthwith pay to Lender,  the
full amount of such Obligations;  provided, however, that upon the occurrence of
an Event of Default specified in Section 10.1.10 hereof,  all of the Obligations
shall become automatically due and payable without declaration, notice or demand
by Lender.

     10.3 Other Remedies.  Upon and after the occurrence of an Event of Default,
Lender shall have and may exercise  from time to time the  following  rights and
remedies:

          10.3.1 All of the rights and  remedies  of a secured  party  under the
Code or under other  Applicable Law, and all other legal and equitable rights to
which  Lender  may be  entitled,


                                       36

<PAGE>



all of which rights and remedies shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to
any other  rights or remedies  contained  in this  Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents, and none of which shall be exclusive.

          10.3.2 The right to take immediate  possession of the Collateral,  and
to (i) require Borrower to assemble the Collateral,  at Borrower's expense,  and
make it available to Lender at a place  designated by Lender which is reasonably
convenient  to both  parties,  and (ii)  enter  any  premises  where  any of the
Collateral  shall  be  located  and to keep and  store  the  Collateral  on said
premises until sold (and if said premises be the Property of Borrower,  Borrower
agrees not to charge Lender for storage thereof).

          10.3.3 The right to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any Collateral
in its then condition, or after any further manufacturing or processing thereof,
at public or private sale or sales,  with such notice as may be required by law,
in  lots  or in  bulk,  for  cash  or on  credit,  all as  Lender,  in its  sole
discretion,  may deem advisable.  Borrower agrees that any requirement of notice
to Borrower  of any  proposed  public or private  sale or other  disposition  of
Collateral by Lender shall be deemed reasonable notice thereof if given at least
ten (10) days prior thereto,  and any such sale may be held at such locations as
Lender may designate in said notice. Lender shall have the right to conduct such
sales on Borrower's  premises,  without charge  therefor,  and such sales may be
adjourned from time to time in accordance with Applicable Law. Lender shall have
the right to sell,  lease or otherwise  dispose of the  Collateral,  or any part
thereof,  for cash, credit or any combination  thereof,  and Lender may purchase
all or any part of the  Collateral  at public or, if permitted  by law,  private
sale and,  in lieu of actual  payment of such  purchase  price,  may set off the
amount of such price  against the  Obligations.  The proceeds  realized from the
sale of any Collateral may be applied,  after allowing two (2) Business Days for
collection,  first to the costs, expenses and attorneys' fees incurred by Lender
in collecting the Obligations,  in enforcing the rights of Lender under the Loan
Documents  and  in  collecting,  retaking,  completing,   protecting,  removing,
storing, advertising for sale, selling and delivering any Collateral;  second to
the interest due upon any of the Obligations; and third, to the principal of the
Obligations.  If any deficiency  shall arise,  Borrower and each Guarantor shall
remain jointly and severally liable to Lender therefor.

          10.3.4 The right to exercise all of Lender's rights and remedies under
any  mortgage/deed  of trust with respect to any real Property forming a part of
the Collateral.

          10.3.5  Lender is hereby  granted  a  license  or other  right to use,
without charge,  Borrower's labels,  patents,  copyrights,  rights of use of any
name,  trade secrets,  trade names,  trademarks and advertising  matter,  or any
Property of a similar nature,  as it pertains to the Collateral,  in advertising
for sale and selling any Collateral and Borrower's rights under all licenses and
all franchise agreements shall inure to Lender's benefit.

     10.4 Remedies Cumulative; No Waiver. All covenants, conditions, provisions,
warranties,   guaranties,   indemnities,  and  other  undertakings  of  Borrower
contained in this  Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents,  or in any document
referred to herein or contained in any agreement  supplementary hereto or in any
schedule or in any Guaranty  Agreement given to


                                       37

<PAGE>



Lender  or  contained  in any  other  agreement  between  Lender  and  Borrower,
heretofore,  concurrently, or hereafter entered into, shall be deemed cumulative
to and  not in  derogation  or  substitution  of  any of the  terms,  covenants,
conditions,  or agreements of Borrower herein contained. The failure or delay of
Lender to require  strict  performance  by  Borrower  of any  provision  of this
Agreement  or to  exercise or enforce any  rights,  Liens,  powers,  or remedies
hereunder  or  under  any of the  aforesaid  agreements  or other  documents  or
security or Collateral shall not operate as a waiver of such performance, Liens,
rights, powers and remedies,  but all such requirements,  Liens, rights, powers,
and  remedies  shall  continue in full force and effect  until all Loans and all
other  Obligations  owing or to become owing from  Borrower to Lender shall have
been  fully  satisfied.  None  of  the  undertakings,   agreements,  warranties,
covenants and  representations of Borrower contained in this Agreement or any of
the  other  Loan  Documents  and no Event of  Default  by  Borrower  under  this
Agreement or any other Loan Documents  shall be deemed to have been suspended or
waived by  Lender,  unless  such  suspension  or waiver is by an  instrument  in
writing  specifying such suspension or waiver and is signed by a duly authorized
representative of Lender and directed to Borrower.

SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS

     11.1 Power of Attorney.  Borrower  hereby  irrevocably  designates,  makes,
constitutes  and  appoints  Lender  (and all  Persons  designated  by Lender) as
Borrower's true and lawful attorney (and  agent-in-fact) and Lender, or Lender's
agent,  may,  without  notice to Borrower and in either  Borrower's  or Lender's
name, but at the cost and expense of Borrower:

          11.1.1  At such time or times as  Lender  or said  agent,  in its sole
discretion,  may  determine,  endorse  Borrower's  name  on any  checks,  notes,
acceptances,  drafts,  money orders or any other evidence of payment or proceeds
of the  Collateral  which come into the  possession of Lender or under  Lender's
control.

          11.1.2 At such time or times upon or after the  occurrence of an Event
of  Default as Lender or its agent in its sole  discretion  may  determine:  (i)
demand payment of the Accounts from the Account Debtors,  enforce payment of the
Accounts by legal  proceedings  or  otherwise,  and  generally  exercise  all of
Borrower's  rights and remedies with respect to the  collection of the Accounts;
(ii)  settle,  adjust,  compromise,  discharge or release any of the Accounts or
other Collateral or any legal proceedings brought to collect any of the Accounts
or  other  Collateral;  (iii)  sell or  assign  any of the  Accounts  and  other
Collateral upon such terms, for such amounts and at such time or times as Lender
deems  advisable;  (iv) take control,  in any manner,  of any item of payment or
proceeds relating to any Collateral;  (v) prepare, file and sign Borrower's name
to a proof of claim in bankruptcy or similar document against any Account Debtor
or to any notice of lien, assignment or satisfaction of lien or similar document
in connection with any of the Collateral;  (vi) receive, open and dispose of all
mail  addressed  to  Borrower  and to notify  postal  authorities  to change the
address for  delivery  thereof to such  address as Lender may  designate;  (vii)
endorse  the name of  Borrower  upon any of the  items of  payment  or  proceeds
relating  to any  Collateral  and  deposit  the same to the account of Lender on
account of the Obligations; (viii) endorse the name of Borrower upon any chattel
paper, document,  instrument,  invoice,  freight bill, bill of lading or similar
document  or  agreement  relating  to the  Accounts,


                                       38

<PAGE>



Inventory and any other Collateral;  (ix) use Borrower's stationery and sign the
name of Borrower to verifications of the Accounts and notices thereof to Account
Debtors; (x) use the information recorded on or contained in any data processing
equipment  and  computer   hardware  and  software  relating  to  the  Accounts,
Inventory, Equipment and any other Collateral; (xi) make and adjust claims under
policies  of  insurance;  and (xii) do all other acts and things  necessary,  in
Lender's determination, to fulfill Borrower's obligations under this Agreement.

     11.2 Indemnity.  BORROWER  HEREBY  INDEMNIFIES,  HOLDS HARMLESS,  AND SHALL
DEFEND  LENDER  AND ITS  DIRECTORS,  OFFICERS,  AGENTS,  COUNSEL  AND  EMPLOYEES
("INDEMNIFIED  PERSONS")  FROM  AND  AGAINST  ANY AND ALL  LOSSES,  LIABILITIES,
DAMAGES,  COSTS,  EXPENSES,  SUITS,  ACTIONS  AND  PROCEEDINGS  ("LOSSES")  EVER
SUFFERED  OR INCURRED BY ANY  INDEMNIFIED  PERSON  ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO
THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, INCLUDING,  WITHOUT
LIMITATION,  ANY LOSSES CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF ANY SUCH INDEMNIFIED PERSON,
BUT  NOT  INCLUDING  ANY  LOSSES  CAUSED  BY THE  GROSS  NEGLIGENCE  OR  WILLFUL
MISCONDUCT OF ANY SUCH INDEMNIFIED  PERSON,  AND BORROWER SHALL REIMBURSE LENDER
AND EACH OTHER INDEMNIFIED PERSON FOR ANY EXPENSES (INCLUDING IN CONNECTION WITH
THE  INVESTIGATION  OF,  PREPARATION  FOR OR DEFENSE OF ANY ACTUAL OR THREATENED
CLAIM,  ACTION OR  PROCEEDING  ARISING  THEREFROM,  INCLUDING  ANY SUCH COSTS OF
RESPONDING TO DISCOVERY  REQUESTS OR SUBPOENAS,  REGARDLESS OF WHETHER LENDER OR
SUCH  OTHER  INDEMNIFIED  PERSON  IS A  PARTY  THERETO).  WITHOUT  LIMITING  THE
GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING,  THIS INDEMNITY SHALL EXTEND TO ANY CLAIMS ASSERTED
AGAINST  LENDER  OR ANY  OTHER  INDEMNIFIED  PERSON  BY  ANY  PERSON  UNDER  ANY
ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS OR SIMILAR LAWS BY REASON OF BORROWER'S OR ANY OTHER PERSON'S
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH LAWS  APPLICABLE TO SOLID OR HAZARDOUS WASTE MATERIALS OR
OTHER TOXIC SUBSTANCES.  BORROWER MAY SELECT COUNSEL WITH RESPECT TO ANY LOSSES;
PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  EACH INDEMNIFIED PERSON SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO MONITOR THE
PROGRESS  OF ANY  CLAIMS,  SUITS  AND  ADMINISTRATIVE  PROCEEDINGS  DEFENDED  BY
BORROWER HEREUNDER WITH COUNSEL OF SUCH INDEMNIFIED  PERSON'S CHOICE, OR CONDUCT
ITS DEFENSE THROUGH COUNSEL OF SUCH INDEMNIFIED  PERSON'S  CHOICE,  IN THE EVENT
THAT (I) SUCH  INDEMNIFIED  PERSON  DETERMINES IN GOOD FAITH THAT THE CONDUCT OF
ITS DEFENSE BY BORROWER  COULD BE  MATERIALLY  PREJUDICIAL  TO SUCH  INDEMNIFIED
PERSON'S  INTERESTS OR THAT OTHER REASONABLE  GROUNDS EXIST WHICH  DEMONSTRATE A
LACK OF EFFECTIVENESS OR HIGH LEVEL OF QUALITY IN THE CONDUCT OF SUCH DEFENSE BY
BORROWER,  AND (II) PRIOR TO  RETAINING  SUCH  COUNSEL  FOR SUCH  PURPOSE,  SUCH
INDEMNIFIED  PERSON SHALL  CONSULT WITH BORROWER AND SHALL ATTEMPT IN GOOD FAITH
TO AGREE UPON  COUNSEL TO CONDUCT  THE  DEFENSE ON BEHALF OF  BORROWER  AND SUCH
INDEMNIFIED  PERSON, AND IN EACH CASE THE FEES AND DISBURSEMENTS OF SUCH COUNSEL
SHALL BE PAID BY BORROWER;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, THAT


                                       39

<PAGE>



IF SUCH MUTUAL  AGREEMENT IS NOT REACHED  WITHIN A REASONABLE  TIME ON SELECTING
COUNSEL,  THEN SUCH INDEMNIFIED  PERSON MAY RETAIN ITS OWN COUNSEL AT BORROWER'S
EXPENSE.   NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  CONTRARY  PROVISION  OF  THIS  AGREEMENT,   THE
OBLIGATION OF BORROWER UNDER THIS SECTION 11.2 SHALL SURVIVE THE PAYMENT IN FULL
OF THE OBLIGATIONS AND THE TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT.

     11.3 Modification of Agreement; Sale of Interest. This Agreement may not be
modified,  altered or  amended,  except by an  agreement  in  writing  signed by
Borrower and Lender.  Borrower may not sell,  assign or transfer any interest in
this Agreement,  any of the other Loan Documents, or any of the Obligations,  or
any portion thereof,  including Borrower's rights, title,  interests,  remedies,
powers, and duties hereunder or thereunder. Borrower hereby consents to Lender's
participation,  sale, assignment,  transfer or other disposition, at any time or
times  hereafter,  of this Agreement and any of the other Loan Documents,  or of
any portion hereof or thereof,  including  Lender's  rights,  title,  interests,
remedies,  powers,  and  duties  hereunder  or  thereunder.  In the  event  of a
participation,  Lender will continue to administer this Agreement and any of the
other Loan Documents as the representative of such participants.  In the case of
an assignment,  the assignee shall have, to the extent of such  assignment,  the
same rights,  benefits and obligations as it would if it were "Lender" hereunder
and  Lender  shall  be  relieved  of all  obligations  hereunder  upon  any such
assignment.  Borrower  agrees  that it will use its best  efforts  to assist and
cooperate with Lender in any manner reasonably requested by Lender to effect the
sale of  participations  in or  assignments  of any of the Loan Documents or any
portion thereof or interest therein,  including  assisting in the preparation of
appropriate  disclosure  documents.  Borrower  further  agrees  that  Lender may
disclose  credit  information  regarding  Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  to any
potential Participant or assignee.

     11.4  Severability.  Wherever  possible,  each  provision of this Agreement
shall  be  interpreted  in  such  manner  as to be  effective  and  valid  under
Applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or
invalid under  Applicable Law, such provision  shall be ineffective  only to the
extent of such prohibition or invalidity,  without invalidating the remainder of
such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.

     11.5 Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement,  the Other Agreements and the
Security  Documents  shall be  binding  upon and  inure  to the  benefit  of the
successors  and assigns of Borrower  and Lender  permitted  under  Section  11.3
hereof.

     11.6  Cumulative  Effect;  Conflict of Terms.  The  provisions of the Other
Agreements  and the  Security  Documents  are hereby  made  cumulative  with the
provisions of this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.2 hereof
and except as otherwise  provided in any of the other Loan Documents by specific
reference  to the  applicable  provision  of this  Agreement,  if any  provision
contained in this Agreement is in direct  conflict with, or  inconsistent  with,
any provision in any of the other Loan  Documents,  the  provision  contained in
this Agreement shall govern and control.


                                       40

<PAGE>



     11.7  Execution  in  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be executed in any
number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts,
each of which when so executed and  delivered  shall be deemed to be an original
and all of which  counterparts  taken together shall  constitute but one and the
same instrument.

     11.8 Notice.  All  notices,  requests and demands to or upon a party hereto
shall be in writing and shall be sent by certified or  registered  mail,  return
receipt requested, by personal delivery against receipt, by overnight courier or
by  facsimile  transmissions  and shall be deemed to have been  validly  served,
given or  delivered  immediately  when  delivered  against  receipt or three (3)
Business Days after deposit in the mail,  postage prepaid,  or with an overnight
courier  or,  in the  case of  facsimile  transmission,  when  sent,  answerback
received, in each case addressed as follows:

         If to Lender:         Fleet Capital Corporation
                               2711 North Haskell Avenue
                               Suite 2100, LB 21
                               Dallas, Texas 75204
                               Attention: Loan Administration Manager
                               Facsimile No.:  (214) 828-6530

         With a copy to:       Patton Boggs, L.L.P.
                               2200 Ross Avenue, Suite 900
                               Dallas, Texas 75201
                               Attention: Larry A. Makel, Esq.
                               Facsimile No.: (214) 871-2688

         If to Borrower:       Black Warrior Wireline Corp.
                               3748 Highway 45 North
                               Columbus, Mississippi 39701
                               Attention:  Mr. William L. Jenkins
                               Facsimile No.: (601) 329-1089

         With a copy to:       Rosen, Cook, Sledge, Davis, Carroll & Jones, P.A.
                               217 Rivers Road
                               P.O. Box 2727
                               Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35403-2727
                               Attention:  James J. Sledge, Esq.
                               Facsimile No.: (205) 758-8358

or to such other  address as each party may designate for itself by notice given
in  accordance  with this  Section  11.8;  provided,  however,  that any notice,
request or demand to or upon Lender  pursuant to Section  3.1.1 or 4.2.2  hereof
shall not be effective  until  received by Lender.  Any written notice or demand
that is not sent in conformity with the provisions hereof shall  nevertheless be
effective  on the date that such  notice is  actually  received  by the  noticed
party.


                                       41

<PAGE>



     11.9 Lender's Consent. Whenever Lender's consent is required to be obtained
under  this  Agreement,  any  of the  Other  Agreements  or any of the  Security
Documents as a condition  to any action,  inaction,  condition or event,  Lender
shall be  authorized  to give or withhold  such consent in its sole and absolute
discretion.

     11.10 Credit Inquiries.  Borrower hereby authorizes and permits Lender (but
Lender  shall  have no  obligation)  to respond  to usual and  customary  credit
inquiries from third parties concerning Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

     11.11 Time of Essence. Time is of the essence of this Agreement,  the Other
Agreements and the Security Documents.

     11.12  Entire  Agreement;  Appendix  A and  Exhibits  and  Schedules.  This
Agreement and the other Loan  Documents,  together  with all other  instruments,
agreements and certificates  executed by the parties in connection  therewith or
with reference  thereto,  embody the entire  understanding and agreement between
the parties  hereto and thereto  with respect to the subject  matter  hereof and
thereof and  supersede all prior  agreements,  understandings  and  inducements,
whether express or implied, oral or written. Appendix A and each of the Exhibits
and Schedules  attached hereto are incorporated  into this Agreement and by this
reference made a part hereof.

     11.13  Interpretation.  No provision of this  Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents shall be construed  against or interpreted to the disadvantage of
any party  hereto by any court or other  governmental  or judicial  authority by
reason of such party having or being deemed to have  structured or dictated such
provision.

     11.14 GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO FORUM.  THIS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED,
EXECUTED  AND  DELIVERED  AT AND SHALL BE  DEEMED  TO HAVE BEEN MADE IN  DALLAS,
DALLAS  COUNTY,  TEXAS.  THIS  AGREEMENT  SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND  CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, THAT IF ANY
OF THE COLLATERAL  SHALL BE LOCATED IN ANY  JURISDICTION  OTHER THAN TEXAS,  THE
LAWS OF SUCH  JURISDICTION  SHALL GOVERN THE METHOD,  MANNER AND  PROCEDURE  FOR
FORECLOSURE  OF  LENDER'S  LIEN  UPON SUCH  COLLATERAL  AND THE  ENFORCEMENT  OF
LENDER'S  OTHER  REMEDIES IN RESPECT OF SUCH  COLLATERAL  TO THE EXTENT THAT THE
LAWS OF SUCH  JURISDICTION  ARE DIFFERENT FROM OR INCONSISTENT  WITH THE LAWS OF
TEXAS. AS PART OF THE  CONSIDERATION  FOR NEW VALUE RECEIVED,  AND REGARDLESS OF
ANY  PRESENT OR FUTURE  DOMICILE OR  PRINCIPAL  PLACE OF BUSINESS OF BORROWER OR
LENDER,  BORROWER  HEREBY  CONSENTS AND AGREES THAT THE DISTRICT COURT OF DALLAS
COUNTY,  TEXAS, OR, AT LENDER'S OPTION, THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, DALLAS DIVISION, SHALL HAVE JURISDICTION TO HEAR AND
DETERMINE ANY CLAIMS OR DISPUTES BETWEEN BORROWER AND LENDER  PERTAINING TO


                                       42

<PAGE>



THIS  AGREEMENT  OR TO ANY MATTER  ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS  AGREEMENT.
BORROWER  EXPRESSLY  SUBMITS AND CONSENTS IN ADVANCE TO SUCH JURISDICTION IN ANY
ACTION OR SUIT  COMMENCED  IN ANY SUCH COURT,  AND  BORROWER  HEREBY  WAIVES ANY
OBJECTION  WHICH  BORROWER  MAY HAVE BASED UPON LACK OF  PERSONAL  JURISDICTION,
IMPROPER VENUE OR FORUM NON  CONVENIENS  AND HEREBY  CONSENTS TO THE GRANTING OF
SUCH LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RELIEF AS IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY SUCH COURT.  BORROWER
HEREBY  WAIVES  PERSONAL  SERVICE OF THE SUMMONS,  COMPLAINT  AND OTHER  PROCESS
ISSUED IN ANY SUCH  ACTION OR SUIT AND  AGREES  THAT  SERVICE  OF SUCH  SUMMONS,
COMPLAINT  AND  OTHER  PROCESS  MAY BE  MADE BY  REGISTERED  OR  CERTIFIED  MAIL
ADDRESSED  TO  BORROWER  AT THE  ADDRESS  SET FORTH IN THIS  AGREEMENT  AND THAT
SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED COMPLETED UPON THE EARLIER OF BORROWER'S  ACTUAL
RECEIPT  THEREOF  OR THREE (3) DAYS  AFTER  DEPOSIT  IN THE U.S.  MAILS,  PROPER
POSTAGE PREPAID.  NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED OR OPERATE TO AFFECT
THE RIGHT OF LENDER TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW,
OR TO PRECLUDE THE  ENFORCEMENT  BY LENDER OF ANY JUDGMENT OR ORDER  OBTAINED IN
SUCH FORUM OR THE TAKING OF ANY ACTION  UNDER THIS  AGREEMENT TO ENFORCE SAME IN
ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE FORUM OR JURISDICTION.

     11.15 WAIVERS BY BORROWER.  BORROWER  WAIVES (I) THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY
(WHICH  LENDER  HEREBY  ALSO  WAIVES)  IN  ANY  ACTION,   SUIT,   PROCEEDING  OR
COUNTERCLAIM OF ANY KIND ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS,
THE  OBLIGATIONS OR THE  COLLATERAL;  (II)  PRESENTMENT,  DEMAND AND PROTEST AND
NOTICE OF  PRESENTMENT,  PROTEST,  DEFAULT,  NON-PAYMENT,  INTENT TO ACCELERATE,
ACCELERATION, MATURITY, RELEASE, COMPROMISE, SETTLEMENT, EXTENSION OR RENEWAL OF
ANY OR ALL COMMERCIAL PAPER, ACCOUNTS, CONTRACT RIGHTS, DOCUMENTS,  INSTRUMENTS,
CHATTEL PAPER AND GUARANTIES AT ANY TIME HELD BY LENDER ON WHICH BORROWER MAY IN
ANY WAY BE LIABLE AND HEREBY  RATIFIES  AND CONFIRMS  WHATEVER  LENDER MAY DO IN
THIS  REGARD;  (III)  NOTICE  PRIOR  TO  TAKING  POSSESSION  OR  CONTROL  OF THE
COLLATERAL OR ANY BOND OR SECURITY WHICH MIGHT BE REQUIRED BY ANY COURT PRIOR TO
ALLOWING  LENDER TO EXERCISE ANY OF LENDER'S  REMEDIES;  (IV) THE BENEFIT OF ALL
VALUATION, APPRAISEMENT AND EXEMPTION LAWS; AND (V) NOTICE OF ACCEPTANCE HEREOF.
BORROWER  ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE FOREGOING  WAIVERS ARE A MATERIAL  INDUCEMENT TO
LENDER'S  ENTERING  INTO THIS  AGREEMENT  AND THAT  LENDER IS  RELYING  UPON THE
FOREGOING  WAIVERS IN ITS FUTURE DEALINGS WITH BORROWER.  BORROWER  WARRANTS AND
REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THE FOREGOING WAIVERS WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL AND
HAS  KNOWINGLY


                                       43

<PAGE>



AND VOLUNTARILY  WAIVED ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING  CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL
COUNSEL.  IN THE EVENT OF  LITIGATION,  THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN
CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

     11.16 WAIVER OF CONSUMER  RIGHTS.  BORROWER  HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHTS UNDER
THE DECEPTIVE TRADE  PRACTICES - CONSUMER  PROTECTION ACT SECTION 17.41 ET. SEQ.
BUSINESS  &  COMMERCE  CODE,  A LAW THAT  GIVES  CONSUMERS  SPECIAL  RIGHTS  AND
PROTECTIONS.  AFTER  CONSULTATION  WITH AN ATTORNEY OF BORROWER'S OWN SELECTION,
BORROWER  VOLUNTARILY  CONSENTS TO THIS WAIVER.  BORROWER EXPRESSLY WARRANTS AND
REPRESENTS  THAT  BORROWER (I) IS NOT IN A  SIGNIFICANTLY  DISPARATE  BARGAINING
POSITION  RELATIVE TO LENDER,  AND (II) HAS BEEN REPRESENTED BY LEGAL COUNSEL IN
CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT.

     11.17  ORAL  AGREEMENTS  INEFFECTIVE.  THIS  AGREEMENT  AND THE OTHER  LOAN
DOCUMENTS  REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT  BETWEEN THE PARTIES,  AND THE SAME MAY
NOT BE  CONTRADICTED  BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR,  CONTEMPORANEOUS  OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL
AGREEMENTS  BETWEEN THE PARTIES.  THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN
THE PARTIES.

     11.18  Nonapplicability  of Chapter 346.  Borrower and Lender  hereby agree
that,  except for Section 346.004 thereof,  the provisions of Chapter 346 of the
Texas  Finance Code  (regulating  certain  revolving  credit loans and revolving
tri-party  accounts)  shall not apply to this Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents.

     11.19  Certain  Matters of  Construction.  All  references  to statutes and
related  regulations in this  Agreement,  the Other  Agreements and the Security
Documents  shall include any  amendments of same and any successor  statutes and
regulations.  All  references in this  Agreement,  the Other  Agreements and the
Security  Documents  to any of the  Loan  Documents  shall  include  any and all
modifications thereto and any and all extensions or renewals thereof.

                [REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


                                       44

<PAGE>



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed in Dallas, Texas,
on the day and year specified at the beginning of this Agreement.

                                       BORROWER:

                                       BLACK WARRIOR WIRELINE CORP.

                                       By:   ___________________________________
                                       Name:____________________________________
                                       Title: __________________________________

                                       BOONE WIRELINE CO., INC.

                                       By:   ___________________________________
                                       Name:____________________________________
                                       Title: __________________________________

                                       Accepted in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas:

                                       LENDER:

                                       FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION

                                       By:   ___________________________________
                                               Larry W. Ellis, Vice President


                                       45

<PAGE>



                                   APPENDIX A

                               GENERAL DEFINITIONS

     When used in the Loan and Security  Agreement  dated March 16, 1998, by and
between Fleet Capital  Corporation,  and Black Warrior  Wireline Corp. and Boone
Wireline Co., Inc., the following terms shall have the following meanings (terms
defined in the  singular  to have the same  meaning  when used in the plural and
vice versa):

          Account Debtor - any Person who is or may become obligated under or on
     account of an Account.

          Accounts - all accounts,  contract rights, chattel paper,  instruments
     and  documents,  whether  now owned or  hereafter  created or  acquired  by
     Borrower or in which Borrower now has or hereafter acquires any interest.

          Acquisition  - the purchase by Borrower of all of  Phoenix's  domestic
     directional  drilling  business  and  survey  business  and  certain  other
     drilling and related assets of Phoenix pursuant to the Purchase Documents.

          Adjusted  Net  Earnings  From  Operations - with respect to any fiscal
     period,  means the net earnings (or loss) after  provision for income taxes
     for such fiscal period of Borrower, as reflected on the financial statement
     of Borrower  supplied to Lender pursuant to Section 8.1.3 of the Agreement,
     but excluding:

               (i) any gain or loss arising from the sale of capital assets;

               (ii) any gain arising from any write-up of assets;

               (iii) earnings of any  Subsidiary of a Borrower  accrued prior to
          the date it becomes a Subsidiary;

               (iv) earnings of any corporation, substantially all the assets of
          which have been acquired in any manner by a Borrower, realized by such
          corporation prior to the date of such acquisition;

               (v) net earnings of any business  entity (other than a Subsidiary
          of a  Borrower)  in which such  Borrower  has an  ownership  interest,
          unless such net earnings shall have actually been received by Borrower
          in the form of cash distributions;

               (vi) any  portion  of the net  earnings  of any  Subsidiary  of a
          Borrower which for any reason is unavailable  for payment of dividends
          to such Borrower;


                                     A-1-1

<PAGE>



               (vii)  the  earnings  of any  Person  to which  any  assets  of a
          Borrower  shall have been sold,  transferred  or disposed  of, or into
          which  such  Borrower  shall  have  merged,  or  been a  party  to any
          consolidation  or other form of  reorganization,  prior to the date of
          such transactions;

               (viii) any gain arising from the acquisition of any Securities of
          a Borrower; and

               (ix) any gain arising from extraordinary or non-recurring items.

          Adjusted  Tangible  Assets  -  all  assets  except:  (i)  any  surplus
     resulting  from any write-up of assets  subsequent  to September  30, 1997;
     (ii) deferred assets, other than prepaid insurance and prepaid taxes; (iii)
     patents,  copyrights,  trademarks,  trade  names,  non-compete  agreements,
     franchises  and other similar  intangibles;  (iv)  goodwill,  including any
     amounts,  however designated on a Consolidated balance sheet of a Person or
     its  Subsidiaries,  representing  the excess of the purchase price paid for
     assets  or stock  over the  value  assigned  thereto  on the  books of such
     Person;  (v) Restricted  Investments;  (vi)  unamortized  debt discount and
     expense;  (vii) assets located and notes and  receivables due from obligors
     outside of the United  States of America;  and (viii)  Accounts,  notes and
     other receivables due from Affiliates or employees.

          Adjusted Tangible Net Worth - at any date means a sum equal to:

               (i) the net book value  (after  deducting  related  depreciation,
          obsolescence,  amortization,  valuation, and other proper reserves) at
          which the  Adjusted  Tangible  Assets of a Person  would be shown on a
          balance sheet at such date in accordance with GAAP, minus

               (ii) the amount at which such  Person's  liabilities  (other than
          capital  stock and surplus)  would be shown on such  balance  sheet in
          accordance  with GAAP, and including as  liabilities  all reserves for
          contingencies and other potential liabilities.

          Affiliate - a Person (other than a Subsidiary):  (i) which directly or
     indirectly through one or more  intermediaries  controls,  or is controlled
     by, or is under common control with, a Person; (ii) which beneficially owns
     or holds 5% or more of any class of the Voting Stock of a Person;  or (iii)
     5% or more of the Voting  Stock (or in the case of a Person  which is not a
     corporation,  5% or more of the equity  interest) of which is  beneficially
     owned or held by a Person or a Subsidiary of a Person.

          Agreement - the Loan and Security  Agreement  referred to in the first
     sentence of this  Appendix A, all Exhibits and  Schedules  thereto and this
     Appendix A, as amended, renewed, extended and restated from time to time.

          Applicable Annual Rate - as defined in Section 2.1.1 of the Agreement.


                                     A-1-2

<PAGE>



          Applicable  Law - all laws,  rules and  regulations  applicable to the
     Person,  conduct,  transaction,  covenant or Loan  Documents  in  question,
     including  all  applicable  common  law  and  equitable   principles;   all
     provisions of all  applicable  state and federal  constitutions,  statutes,
     rules, regulations and orders of governmental bodies; and orders, judgments
     and decrees of all courts and arbitrators.

          Atlas  Judgment - the judgment  with  respect to the Atlas  litigation
     described on Exhibit I.

          Availability  - the amount of money  which  Borrower  is  entitled  to
     borrow from time to time as Revolving  Credit Loans,  such amount being the
     difference derived when the sum of the principal amount of Revolving Credit
     Loans then  outstanding  (including  any amounts which Lender may have paid
     for the account of Borrower pursuant to any of the Loan Documents and which
     have not been  reimbursed  by Borrower) is  subtracted  from the  Borrowing
     Base. If the amount  outstanding  is equal to or greater than the Borrowing
     Base, Availability is zero (0).

          Average Monthly Revolving Credit Loan Balance - the amount obtained by
     adding the aggregate  unpaid  principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans at
     the end of each day during the month in question  and by dividing  such sum
     by the number of days in such month.

          Bank - Fleet National Bank, and its successors or assigns.

          Base Rate - the rate of interest announced or quoted by Bank from time
     to time as its prime rate for commercial loans, whether or not such rate is
     the lowest rate charged by Bank to its most  preferred  borrowers;  and, if
     such prime rate for commercial loans is discontinued by Bank as a standard,
     a comparable  reference  rate  designated by Bank as a substitute  therefor
     shall be the Base Rate.

          Borrowing Base - as at any date of  determination  thereof,  an amount
     equal to the lesser of:

          (a) Total Revolving Credit Facility; or

          (b) an  amount  equal to up to  eighty-five  percent  (85%) of the net
          amount of Eligible Accounts outstanding at such date;

                                         MINUS (subtract from each of
                                          clauses (a) and (b) above)

          (c) the  amount of any  reserves  established  by Lender  pursuant  to
          Section 1.1.1 at such date.


                                     A-1-3

<PAGE>



          For purposes of clause (b) hereof, the net amount of Eligible Accounts
     at any time shall be the face amount of such Eligible Accounts less any and
     all  returns,  rebates,  discounts  (which  may,  at  Lender's  option,  be
     calculated on shortest  terms),  credits,  allowances  or sales,  excise or
     withholding  taxes of any  nature at any time  issued,  owing,  claimed  by
     Account  Debtors,  granted,  outstanding or payable in connection with such
     Accounts at such time.

          Business Day - any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day which is
     a legal  holiday  under the laws of the State of Texas or is a day on which
     banking institutions located in such state are closed.

          Capital  Expenditures - expenditures made or liabilities  incurred for
     the  acquisition  of  any  fixed  assets  or  improvements,   replacements,
     substitutions  or additions  thereto  which have a useful life of more than
     one year,  including  the total  principal  portion  of  Capitalized  Lease
     Obligations.

          Capitalized  Lease  Obligation  -  any  Indebtedness   represented  by
     obligations  under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial
     reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.

          Closing  Date - the date on which all of the  conditions  precedent in
     Section 9 of the Agreement are satisfied and the initial Loan is made under
     the Agreement.

          Code - the  Uniform  Commercial  Code as  adopted  and in force in the
     state of Texas, as from time to time in effect.

          Collateral - all of the Property and  interests in Property  described
     in Section 5 of the  Agreement,  and all other  Property  and  interests in
     Property that now or hereafter secure the payment and performance of any of
     the  Obligations,  with the sole  exceptions of the Conroe Property and the
     GECC Equipment.

          Collateral   Assignment  of  Purchase   Documents  -  the   Collateral
     Assignment  of  the  Asset  Purchase  Agreement  (and  any  other  Purchase
     Documents)  dated as of the Closing  Date  executed  by and among  Phoenix,
     Black Warrior and Lender.

          Conroe Property - that certain tract of land containing  approximately
     13.4 acres located in Conroe,  Texas that Black Warrior intends to purchase
     in order to construct and operate an office/shop facility thereon.

          Consolidated  - the  consolidation  in  accordance  with  GAAP  of the
     accounts or other items as to which such term applies.

          Current  Assets - at any date  means  the  amount  at which all of the
     current  assets of a Person would be properly  classified as current assets
     shown on a balance sheet at such


                                     A-1-4

<PAGE>



     date in accordance  with GAAP except that amounts due from  Affiliates  and
     investments in Affiliates shall be excluded therefrom.

          Default - an event or condition the  occurrence  of which would,  with
     the lapse of time or the  giving  of  notice,  or both,  become an Event of
     Default.

          Default Rate - as defined in Section 2.1.2 of the Agreement.

          Diamondback Seller Note - that certain promissory note dated September
     1, 1997,  executed by Black Warrior,  as Maker,  and payable to Diamondback
     Directional, Inc., in the original principal amount of $3,000,000.

          Distribution - in respect of any corporation  means and includes:  (i)
     the payment of any dividends or other distributions on capital stock of the
     corporation (except distributions in such stock) and (ii) the redemption or
     acquisition  of  Securities  unless  made  contemporaneously  from  the net
     proceeds of the sale of Securities.

          Dollars  and the sign  "$" - lawful  money  of the  United  States  of
     America.

          Dominion Account - a special account of Lender established by Borrower
     pursuant to the Agreement at a bank selected by Borrower, but acceptable to
     Lender in its reasonable discretion,  and over which Lender shall have sole
     and exclusive access and control for withdrawal purposes.

          EBIT - Adjusted Net Earnings from  Operations  plus  Interest  Expense
     plus Taxes.

          EBITDA - for any  fiscal  period  of  Borrower,  means  the sum of (i)
     Adjusted Net Earnings from Operations for such period,  plus (ii) Taxes for
     such  period,  plus  (iii)  Interest  Expense  for such  period,  plus (iv)
     depreciation and amortization for such period.

          Eligible  Account  - an  Account  arising  in the  ordinary  course of
     Borrower's  business from the sale of goods or rendition of services  which
     is payable in Dollars and which Lender, in its sole discretion, deems to be
     an Eligible Account.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,  no
     Account  shall be an Eligible  Account if: (i) it arises out of a sale made
     by  Borrower to a  Subsidiary  or an  Affiliate  of Borrower or to a Person
     controlled by an Affiliate of Borrower;  (ii) it is due or unpaid more than
     ninety (90) days after the original  invoice  date;  (iii)  twenty  percent
     (20%)  or more of the  Accounts  from the  Account  Debtor  are not  deemed
     Eligible Accounts hereunder;  (iv) the total unpaid Accounts of the Account
     Debtor  exceed  twenty  percent  (20%) of the net  amount  of all  Eligible
     Accounts, to the extent of such excess; (v) any covenant, representation or
     warranty  contained in the Agreement  with respect to such Account has been
     breached;  (vi) the Account Debtor is also Borrower's creditor or supplier,
     or the Account Debtor has disputed  liability with respect to such Account,
     or the Account  Debtor has made any claim with respect to any other Account
     due from such Account  Debtor to Borrower,  or the Account  otherwise is or
     may  become  subject  to any  right of  setoff,  counterclaim,


                                     A-1-5

<PAGE>



     reserve or chargeback,  provided  that, in any event,  the Accounts of such
     Account  Debtor shall be ineligible  only to the extent of the amount owing
     by Borrower to such  creditor or supplier or to the extent of such  offset,
     counterclaim,  disputed  amount,  reserve or chargeback;  (vii) the Account
     Debtor has commenced a voluntary case under the federal  bankruptcy laws or
     made an assignment  for the benefit of creditors,  or a decree or order for
     relief has been entered by a court having  jurisdiction  in the proceedings
     in respect of the Account Debtor in an  involuntary  case under the federal
     bankruptcy laws or any other petition or other application for relief under
     the federal  bankruptcy laws has been filed against the Account Debtor,  or
     if the Account Debtor has failed, suspended business, ceased to be Solvent,
     or consented to or suffered a receiver, trustee, liquidator or custodian to
     be appointed  for it or for all or a  significant  portion of its assets or
     affairs;  (viii)  it  arises  from a sale to an  Account  Debtor  with  its
     principal  office,  assets or place of business  outside the United States,
     unless the sale is backed by an  irrevocable  letters  of credit  issued or
     confirmed  by Bank  and is in form  and  substance  acceptable  to  Lender,
     payable in the full amount of the Account in freely convertible  Dollars at
     a place of payment within the United States;  (ix) it arises from a sale to
     the Account Debtor on a  bill-and-hold,  guaranteed  sale,  sale-or-return,
     sale-on-approval,  consignment or any other repurchase or return basis; (x)
     (a) the Account  Debtor is the United States of America or any  department,
     agency or  instrumentality  thereof,  unless Borrower  assigns its right to
     payment of such Account to Lender,  in a manner  satisfactory to Lender, so
     as to comply with the Assignment of Claims Act of 1940 (31 U.S.C. ss.203 et
     seq.) or (b) the Account Debtor is a state,  county or  municipality,  or a
     political subdivision or agency thereof, which is subject to any Applicable
     Law that  would  disallow  an  assignment  of  Accounts  on which it is the
     Account  Debtor;  (xi)  the  Account  Debtor  is  located  in  New  Jersey,
     Minnesota,  Indiana,  West  Virginia  or any other state  imposing  similar
     conditions on the right of a creditor to collect accounts receivable unless
     Borrower  has either  qualified  to  transact  business  in such state as a
     foreign  corporation  or filed a Notice of  Business  Activities  Report or
     other required  report with the  appropriate  officials in those states for
     the then current year;  (xii) the Account is subject to a Lien other than a
     Permitted Lien;  (xiii) the goods giving rise to such Account have not been
     delivered to and accepted by the Account Debtor or the services giving rise
     to such  Account  have not been  performed  by Borrower and accepted by the
     Account  Debtor or the Account  otherwise  does not represent a final sale;
     (xiv) the Account is evidenced  by chattel  paper or an  instrument  of any
     kind, or has been reduced to judgment; (xv) Borrower has made any agreement
     with the Account Debtor for any deduction  therefrom,  except for discounts
     or allowances  which are made in the ordinary course of business for prompt
     payment and which  discounts or allowances are reflected in the calculation
     of the  face  value  of each  invoice  related  to such  Account;  or (xvi)
     Borrower has made an agreement  with the Account  Debtor to extend the time
     of payment thereof.

          Environmental  Laws  - all  federal,  state  and  local  laws,  rules,
     regulations,  ordinances,  programs, permits, guidances, orders and consent
     decrees relating to health, safety or environmental matters.


                                     A-1-6

<PAGE>



          Equipment - all machinery,  apparatus, equipment, fittings, furniture,
     fixtures,  motor vehicles and other tangible  personal Property (other than
     Inventory) of every kind and description  used in Borrower's  operations or
     owned by Borrower or in which  Borrower has an interest,  whether now owned
     or  hereafter  acquired by Borrower and  wherever  located,  and all parts,
     accessories and special tools and all increases and accessions  thereto and
     substitutions  and  replacements  therefor,  with the sole exception of the
     GECC Equipment.

          Equipment  Loans  - the  Loans  described  in  Section  1.2.2  of  the
     Agreement.

          Equipment  Note - the  Equipment  Promissory  Note to be  executed  by
     Borrower  on or about the Closing  Date in favor of Lender to evidence  the
     Equipment  Loans,  which  shall  be in  the  form  of  Exhibit  A-2  to the
     Agreement.

          ERISA - the  Employee  Retirement  Income  Security  Act of  1974,  as
     amended,  and all  rules  and  regulations  from  time to time  promulgated
     thereunder.

          Event of Default - as defined in Section 10.1 of the Agreement.

          Excess Interest - as defined in Section 2.1.3(B) of the Agreement.

          Fixed Charge Ratio - for any fiscal period means,  the ratio of (i) an
     amount equal to (a) the sum of (1) Adjusted  Net Earnings  from  Operations
     for such period and (2)  depreciation  for such  period,  minus (b) Capital
     Expenditures  not financed by Equipment Loans hereunder or borrowings under
     any other financing  arrangement  otherwise permitted hereunder during such
     period, to (ii) Fixed Charges of Borrower for such period.

          Fixed  Charges - for any  fiscal  period  means  the sum of  scheduled
     principal  payments  required  to be made  during such period in respect to
     Indebtedness.

          GAAP - generally  accepted account  principles in the United States of
     America in effect from time to time.

          GECC - General Electric Capital  Corporation,  a New York corporation,
     its successors and assigns.

          GECC  Amendment  - the  Amendment  dated prior to or as of the Closing
     Date  executed  by and  among  GECC and  Borrower  pursuant  to which  GECC
     modifies the terms of that certain Master  Security  Agreement  dated as of
     November 19, 1997, by and among GECC, as Secured  Party,  and Borrower,  as
     Debtor, so as to release certain collateral designated by Lender.


                                     A-1-7

<PAGE>



          GECC Equipment - the equipment described in Exhibit S attached hereto,
     which is the same  equipment  covered  by the GECC  Security  Agreement  as
     amended by the GECC Amendment.

          GECC  Partial  Releases  -  the  partial  releases  of  the  financing
     statements recorded to the security interests of GECC evidenced by the GECC
     Security  Agreement,  which partial releases shall be executed by GECC with
     respect to the collateral released pursuant to the GECC Amendment and shall
     be filed of record in the appropriate recording offices.

          GECC Security Agreement - that certain Master Security Agreement dated
     as of November 19, 1997, by and among GECC, as Secured Party, and Borrower,
     as Debtor.

          General Intangibles - all general intangibles of Borrower, whether now
     owned or hereafter  created or acquired by Borrower,  including all choices
     in action, causes of action,  corporate or other business records,  deposit
     accounts,  inventions,  blueprints,  designs, patents, patent applications,
     trademarks,  trademark  applications,  trade names, trade secrets,  service
     marks,  goodwill,   brand  names,  copyrights,   registrations,   licenses,
     franchises,   customer  lists,  tax  refund  claims,   computer   programs,
     operational  manuals,  all claims under guaranties,  security  interests or
     other  security held by or granted to Borrower to secure  payment of any of
     the Accounts by an Account Debtor,  all rights to  indemnification  and all
     other intangible property of every kind and nature (other than Accounts).

          Guarantor  -  Any  Person  who  may  hereafter  guarantee  payment  or
     performance of the whole or any part of the Obligations.

          Guaranty  Agreements - collectively,  any and all continuing  guaranty
     agreements  which  are  executed  by a  Guarantor  in  form  and  substance
     satisfactory to Lender.

          Indebtedness - as applied to a Person means, without duplication:  (i)
     all items which in  accordance  with GAAP would be included in  determining
     total liabilities as shown on the liability side of a balance sheet of such
     Person  as at  the  date  as of  which  Indebtedness  is to be  determined,
     including  Capitalized  Lease  Obligations;  (ii) all  obligations of other
     Persons which such Person has guaranteed; and (iii) in the case of Borrower
     (without duplication), the Obligations.

          Indemnified Persons - as defined in Section 11.2 of the Agreement.

          Interest  Expense - with  respect to any fiscal  period,  the interest
     expense incurred for such period as determined in accordance with GAAP.

          Inventory  -  all  of  Borrower's  inventory,  whether  now  owned  or
     hereafter acquired,  including,  but not limited to, all goods intended for
     sale or lease by  Borrower,  or for display or  demonstration;  all work in
     process; all raw materials and other materials and supplies of every nature
     and  description  used  or  which  might  be used in  connection


                                      A-1-8

<PAGE>



     with the manufacture,  printing, packing, shipping,  advertising,  selling,
     leasing  or  furnishing  of such goods or  otherwise  used or  consumed  in
     Borrower's  business;  and all documents evidencing and General Intangibles
     relating to any of the foregoing,  whether now owned or hereafter  acquired
     by Borrower.

          Lien - any interest in Property  securing an obligation  owed to, or a
     claim by, a Person  other  than the  owner of the  Property,  whether  such
     interest is based on common law, statute or contract. The term "Lien" shall
     also   include   reservations,   exceptions,   encroachments,    easements,
     rights-of-way,  covenants, conditions, restrictions, leases and other title
     exceptions  and  encumbrances  affecting  Property.  For the purpose of the
     Agreement,  Borrower  shall be deemed to be the owner of any Property which
     it has acquired or holds subject to a conditional  sale  agreement or other
     arrangement pursuant to which title to the Property has been retained by or
     vested in some other Person for security purposes.

          Loan  Account - the loan  account  established  on the books of Lender
     pursuant to Section 3.6 of the Agreement.

          Loan Documents - the Agreement,  the Other Agreements and the Security
     Documents.

          Loan Party - Borrower,  each  Guarantor  and each other Person  (other
     than Lender) who is at any time a party to any Loan Document.

          Loans - all loans and advances of any kind made by Lender  pursuant to
     the Agreement.

          Losses - as defined in Section 11.2 of the Agreement.

          Material  Adverse Effect - the effect of any event or condition which,
     alone or when taken  together with other events or conditions  occurring or
     existing concurrently therewith, (a) has a material adverse effect upon the
     business,  operations,  Properties,  condition  (financial or otherwise) or
     business  prospects of Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower;  (b) has any
     material adverse effect  whatsoever upon the validity or  enforceability of
     the  Agreement  or any of  the  other  Loan  Documents;  (c)  has or may be
     reasonably  expected to have any material  adverse effect upon the value of
     the whole or any material part of the Collateral,  the Liens of Lender with
     respect to the  Collateral  or any material part thereof or the priority of
     such  Liens;  (d)  materially  impairs the ability of Borrower or any other
     Loan Party to perform its  obligations  under this  Agreement or any of the
     other Loan Documents,  including  repayment of the Obligations when due; or
     (e)  materially  impairs  the  ability of Lender to enforce or collect  the
     Obligations  or realize upon any of the  Collateral in accordance  with the
     Loan Documents and Applicable Law.

          Maximum Legal Rate - as defined in Section 2.1.3(A) of the Agreement.


                                      A-1-9

<PAGE>



          Money  Borrowed - means (i)  Indebtedness  arising from the lending of
     money by any Person to Borrower;  (ii) Indebtedness,  whether or not in any
     such case arising from the lending by any Person of money to Borrower,  (A)
     which is  represented  by notes  payable or drafts  accepted  that evidence
     extensions of credit, (B) which constitutes obligations evidenced by bonds,
     debentures,  notes  or  similar  instruments,  or (C) upon  which  interest
     charges are  customarily  paid (other  than  accounts  payable) or that was
     issued  or  assumed  as  full  or  partial  payment  for  Property;   (iii)
     Indebtedness  that  constitutes a Capitalized  Lease  Obligation;  and (iv)
     Indebtedness  of  Borrower  under any  guaranty of  obligations  that would
     constitute  Indebtedness for Money Borrowed under clauses (i) through (iii)
     hereof, if owed directly by Borrower.

          Mortgages - each  respective  mortgage or deed of trust to be executed
     by  Borrower  in favor of Lender,  and by which  Borrower  shall  grant and
     convey to Lender,  as security  for the  Obligations,  a Lien upon all real
     Property owned in fee by Borrower,  including, without limitation, the real
     Property  owned in fee by  Borrower  and located at  Broussard  (LaFayette)
     Louisiana, and Corpus Christi and Odessa, Texas.

          Multiemployer  Plan - has the meaning set forth in Section  4001(a)(3)
     of ERISA.

          Obligations - all Loans, and all other advances,  debts,  liabilities,
     obligations,  covenants and duties,  together  with all interest,  fees and
     other  charges  thereon,  owing,  arising,  due or payable from Borrower to
     Lender of any kind or nature,  present or future,  whether or not evidenced
     by any  note,  guaranty  or other  instrument,  whether  arising  under the
     Agreement  or any of the other Loan  Documents  or  otherwise,  and whether
     direct or indirect  (including  those acquired by assignment),  absolute or
     contingent,  primary or  secondary,  due or to become due,  now existing or
     hereafter arising and however acquired.

          Original Term - as defined in Section 4.1 of the Agreement.

          Other  Agreements - any and all agreements,  instruments and documents
     (other than the Agreement and the Security Documents),  heretofore,  now or
     hereafter  executed by Borrower,  any  Subsidiary  of Borrower or any other
     third  party  and  delivered  to  Lender  in  respect  of the  transactions
     contemplated by the Agreement.

          Out-of-Formula  Condition - at any date of  determination  thereof,  a
     condition such that the outstanding  principal  amount of Revolving  Credit
     Loans on such date exceeds the Borrowing Base on such date.

          Participant  - each Person who shall be granted the right by Lender to
     participate  in any of the Loans  described in the  Agreement and who shall
     have  entered  into  a  participation   agreement  in  form  and  substance
     satisfactory to Lender.

          Permitted  Lien - a Lien of a kind  specified in Section  8.2.5 of the
     Agreement.


                                     A-1-10

<PAGE>



          Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness - Purchase Money Indebtedness of
     Borrower  incurred  after the date  hereof  which is  secured by a Purchase
     Money Lien and which,  when  aggregated  with the  principal  amount of all
     other such  Indebtedness and Capitalized  Lease  Obligations of Borrower at
     the time outstanding, does not exceed Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) in
     1998 and Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) thereafter.  For the purposes of
     this definition,  the principal  amount of any Purchase Money  Indebtedness
     consisting of capitalized  leases shall be computed as a Capitalized  Lease
     Obligation.

          Person - an individual,  partnership,  corporation,  limited liability
     company, joint stock company, land trust, business trust, or unincorporated
     organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

          Phoenix - Phoenix Drilling Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

          Plan - an  employee  benefit  plan  now or  hereafter  maintained  for
     employees of Borrower that is covered by Title IV of ERISA.

          Properly  Contested - in the case of any  Indebtedness of a Loan Party
     (including any Taxes) that is not paid as and when due or payable by reason
     of such Loan Party's bona fide dispute concerning its liability to pay same
     or concerning the amount thereof,  that (i) such Indebtedness and any Liens
     securing  same are being  properly  contested in good faith by  appropriate
     proceedings  promptly instituted and diligently  conducted,  (ii) such Loan
     Party  has  established  appropriate  reserves  as  shall  be  required  in
     conformity with GAAP, (iii) the non-payment of such  Indebtedness  will not
     have a Material  Adverse  Effect and will not result in a forfeiture of any
     assets of such Loan  Party;  (iv) no Lien is imposed  upon any of such Loan
     Party's assets with respect to such Indebtedness unless such Lien is at all
     times  junior and  subordinate  in priority to the Liens in favor of Lender
     (except only with respect to property  taxes that have priority as a matter
     of applicable state law); (v) if the  Indebtedness  results from the entry,
     rendition  or  issuance  against  a Loan  Party or any of its  assets  of a
     judgment,  writ, order or decree,  such judgment,  writ, order or decree is
     stayed or bonded pending a timely appeal or other judicial review; and (vi)
     if such contest is abandoned,  settled or determined adversely to such Loan
     Party,  such Loan Party forthwith pays such  Indebtedness and all penalties
     and interest in connection therewith.

          Property - any  interest  in any kind of  property  or asset,  whether
     real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.

          Purchase  Documents - the Asset  Purchase  Agreement and all documents
     and instruments executed or delivered in connection therewith.

          Purchase  Money  Indebtedness  - means and includes  (i)  Indebtedness
     (other  than the  Obligations)  for the  payment  of all or any part of the
     purchase price of any fixed assets,  (ii) any Indebtedness  (other than the
     Obligations)  incurred  at the time of or within


                                     A-1-11

<PAGE>



     ten (10) days prior to or after the acquisition of any fixed assets for the
     purpose of financing  all or any part of the purchase  price  thereof,  and
     (iii)  any  renewals,  extensions  or  refinancings  thereof,  but  not any
     increases in the principal amounts thereof outstanding at the time.

          Purchase Money Lien - a Lien upon fixed assets which secures  Purchase
     Money  Indebtedness,  but only if such Lien shall at all times be  confined
     solely to the fixed assets the purchase price of which was financed through
     the incurrence of the Purchase Money Indebtedness secured by such Lien.

          Rentals - as defined in Section 8.2.13 of the Agreement.

          Reportable  Event - any of the events set forth in Section  4043(b) of
     ERISA.

          Restricted  Investment - any investment made in cash or by delivery of
     Property to any Person,  whether by acquisition of stock,  Indebtedness  or
     other obligation or Security,  or by loan, advance or capital contribution,
     or otherwise, or in any Property except the following:

          (i) investments in one or more  Subsidiaries of Borrower to the extent
          existing on the Closing Date;

          (ii) Property to be used in the ordinary course of business;

          (iii)  Current  Assets  arising from the sale of goods and services in
          the ordinary course of business of Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

          (iv)  investments  in  direct  obligations  of the  United  States  of
          America, or any agency thereof or obligations guaranteed by the United
          States of America,  provided that such  obligations  mature within one
          year from the date of acquisition thereof;

          (v) investments in regular checking,  "money-market" or like accounts,
          certificates  of  deposit  maturing  within  one year from the date of
          acquisition issued by a bank or trust company organized under the laws
          of the United States or any state thereof having  capital  surplus and
          undivided profits aggregating at least $100,000,000; and

          (vi)  investments  in commercial  paper given the highest  rating by a
          national credit rating agency and maturing not more than 270 days from
          the date of creation thereof.

          Revolving  Credit  Loan - a Loan made by Lender as provided in Section
     1.1 of the Agreement.


                                     A-1-12

<PAGE>



          Schedule of Accounts - as defined in Section 6.2.1 of the Agreement.

          Security  - shall  have the same  meaning  as in  Section  2(1) of the
     Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

          Security Documents - the Guaranty Agreements and all other instruments
     and agreements now or at any time hereafter  securing the whole or any part
     of the Obligations.

          Senior Debt - means all Money Borrowed, excluding Subordinated Debt.

          Senior  Interest  Coverage  Ratio  - with  respect  to any  period  of
     determination,  the ratio of (i) an amount equal to the sum of (a) Adjusted
     Net Earnings From  Operations  for such period,  (b) accrued taxes for such
     period,  and (3) Interest Expense for such period, to (ii) Interest Expense
     for such  period in  respect  of all  Indebtedness,  all as  determined  in
     accordance with GAAP.

          Solvent - as to any Person,  such Person (i) owns Property  whose fair
     salable  value is  greater  than  the  amount  required  to pay all of such
     Person's Indebtedness (including contingent debts), (ii) is able to pay all
     of its  Indebtedness  as such  Indebtedness  matures  and (iii) has capital
     sufficient to carry on its business and  transactions  and all business and
     transactions in which it is about to engage.

          St.  James - St. James  Capital  Partners,  L.P.,  a Delaware  limited
     partnership, its successors and assigns.

          St.  James  Subordinated  Debt - the  Indebtedness  in  the  aggregate
     principal amount of $10,000,000 owing to St. James and evidenced by the St.
     James Subordinated Debt Documents.

          St. James Subordinated Debt Documents - the Agreement for Purchase and
     Sale dated January 23, 1998 between  Borrower and St. James,  and all other
     agreements, instruments and documents evidencing the St. James Subordinated
     Debt.

          St. James Subordination  Agreement - the Subordination Agreement dated
     as of the  Closing  Date  executed  by and  between  Lender and St.  James,
     together  with  any and all  amendments,  substitutions  and  modifications
     thereto.

          Subordinated  Debt - Indebtedness  of Borrower that is subordinated to
     the Obligations in a manner satisfactory to Lender.

          Subsidiary  - any  corporation  of which a Person  owns,  directly  or
     indirectly through one or more intermediaries,  more than 50% of the Voting
     Stock at the time of determination.


                                     A-1-13

<PAGE>



          Tangible  Net Worth - Adjusted  Tangible  Net Worth plus  Subordinated
     Debt.

          Taxes - any present or future taxes,  levies,  imposts,  duties, fees,
     assessments,  deductions, withholdings or other charges of whatever nature,
     including,  without limitation,  income, receipts, excise, property, sales,
     transfer,  license,  payroll,  withholding,  social  security and franchise
     taxes now or  hereafter  imposed  or levied by the  United  States,  or any
     state,  local or foreign  government or by any department,  agency or other
     political  subdivision  or taxing  authority  thereof  or  therein  and all
     interest, penalties,  additions to tax and similar liabilities with respect
     thereto.

          Term Loan - the Loan described in Section 1.2.1 of the Agreement.

          Term Note - the Secured  Promissory Note to be executed by Borrower on
     or about the  Closing  Date in favor of Lender to  evidence  the Term Loan,
     which shall be in the form of Exhibit A-1 to the Agreement.

          Texas Finance Code - as defined in Section 2.1.3(A) of the Agreement.

          Total Credit Facility - Nineteen Million Dollars ($19,000,000.00).

          Total Liabilities - at any date means all amounts properly  classified
     as  liabilities  on a balance sheet at such date in  accordance  with GAAP,
     plus all reserves for contingencies and all other potential liabilities for
     which no reserves have previously  been  established on such balance sheet,
     to the extent such amounts are not already  classified  as  liabilities  in
     accordance with GAAP.

          Total   Revolving    Credit   Facility   -   Eight   Million   Dollars
     ($8,000,000.00).

          Voting Stock - Securities of any class or classes of a corporation the
     holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies,  entitled
     to elect a majority  of the  corporate  directors  (or  Persons  performing
     similar functions).

     OTHER TERMS.  All other terms  contained in the Agreement  shall have, when
the context so  indicates,  the meanings  provided for by the Code to the extent
the same are used or defined therein.

     CERTAIN  MATTERS  OF  CONSTRUCTION.   The  terms  "herein",   "hereof"  and
"hereunder"  and other words of similar import refer to the Agreement as a whole
and not to any particular  section,  paragraph or subdivision.  Any pronoun used
shall be deemed to cover all genders. In the computation of periods of time from
a specified  date to a later  specified  date,  the word "from"  means "from and
including"  and the words "to" and "until"  each means "to but  excluding."  The
section  titles,  table of contents  and list of exhibits  appear as a matter of
convenience only and shall not affect the  interpretation of the Agreement.  All
references to statutes and related  regulations  shall include any amendments of
same and any successor  statutes and  regulations.  All references to any of the
Loan Documents shall include any and all  modifications  thereto and


                                     A-1-14

<PAGE>



any and all  extensions  or renewals  thereof.  Wherever the phrase  "including"
shall appear in the Agreement, such word shall be understood to mean "including,
without limitation."




                [REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]



                                     A-1-15

<PAGE>



                                LIST OF EXHIBITS
                                ----------------

Exhibit A-1       Term Note
Exhibit A-2       Equipment Note
Exhibit B         Borrower's and each Subsidiary's Business Locations
Exhibit C         Jurisdictions   in  which  Borrower  and  each  Subsidiary  is
                  Authorized to do Business
Exhibit D         Capital Structure of Borrower
Exhibit E         Corporate Names
Exhibit F         Tax Identification Numbers of Borrower and Subsidiaries
Exhibit G         Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Licenses
Exhibit H         Contracts Restricting Borrower's Right to Incur Debts
Exhibit I         Litigation
Exhibit J         Capitalized Leases
Exhibit K         Operating Leases
Exhibit L         Pension Plans
Exhibit M         Labor Contracts
Exhibit N         Compliance Certificate
Exhibit O         Permitted Indebtedness
Exhibit P         Permitted Liens
Exhibit Q         Initial Projections
Exhibit R         Brokers
Exhibit S         GECC Equipment


                                     A-1-16

<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT A-1
                                   -----------

                                    TERM NOTE

                                 (See attached)



                                       1

<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT A-2
                                   -----------

                                 EQUIPMENT NOTE

                                 (See attached)




                                       1






                            EQUIPMENT PROMISSORY NOTE

$2,000,000                                                        March 16, 1998

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  the undersigned  (herein  collectively  referred to as
"Borrower"),  hereby jointly and severally  promise to pay to the order of FLEET
CAPITAL  CORPORATION,  a Rhode  Island  corporation  ("Lender"),  at its  office
located at 2711 North  Haskell,  Suite 2100, LB 21, Dallas,  Texas 75204,  or at
such other  location  as Lender may  request,  in such coin or  currency  of the
United  States  which  shall be legal  tender in  payment of all debts and dues,
public and private, at the time of payment, the principal sum of TWO MILLION AND
NO/100  DOLLARS  ($2,000,000),  or as  much  as may  be  advanced  hereunder  as
Equipment Loans pursuant to the provisions of the Loan Agreement (as hereinafter
defined), together with interest on the then funded but unpaid principal portion
of the Equipment  Loan, as same may exist from time to time,  from and after the
date of funding of the initial  Equipment  Loan hereunder at the annual rate set
forth below (hereinafter, the "Applicable Annual Rate").

     Subject  to  Section  2.1.3 of the Loan  Agreement,  the  unpaid  principal
balance of this Equipment  Promissory Note shall accrue interest at the rate per
annum for  Equipment  Loans  stated in Section  2.1.1 of that  certain  Loan and
Security  Agreement  among Borrower and Lender,  dated as of the date hereof (as
amended,  renewed and restated from time to time, the "Loan Agreement"),  except
that upon the  occurrence of and during the  continuance of an Event of Default,
the unpaid  principal  balance  of this Note and,  to the  extent  permitted  by
applicable  law,  past due interest  shall  accrue  interest at the Default Rate
specified in Section 2.1.2 of the Loan Agreement. Interest on this Note shall be
calculated in the manner provided in the Loan Agreement.

     This Equipment Promissory Note (this "Note") is the Equipment Note referred
to in, and is issued  pursuant to, the Loan  Agreement and is entitled to all of
the benefits and security of the Loan Agreement. All of the terms, covenants and
conditions  of the  Loan  Agreement  and all  other  instruments  evidencing  or
securing  the  indebtedness  hereunder  (including,   without  limitation,   the
"Security Documents" as defined in the Loan Agreement) (hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Loan Documents") are hereby made a part of this Note and are
deemed  incorporated  herein in full. All capitalized terms used herein,  unless
otherwise specifically defined in this Note, shall have the meanings ascribed to
them in the Loan Agreement.

     The principal amount of the funded but unpaid portion of the Equipment Loan
and  accrued  and unpaid  interest  of this Note shall be due and payable on the
dates and in the manner hereinafter set forth:

          (a)  interest  shall be due and payable  monthly,  in arrears,  on the
     first day of the  month,  commencing  on the  first day of the first  month
     after the funding of the initial


                                       1

<PAGE>



     Equipment Loan advanced  hereunder,  and continuing  until such time as the
     full principal  balance,  together with all other amounts owing  hereunder,
     shall have been paid in full;

          (b) principal shall be due and payable as follows:

               (i) with  respect  to each  Equipment  Loan  advanced  hereunder,
          principal  installments equal to 1/60 of the original principal amount
          of such Equipment Loan shall be due and payable monthly, commencing on
          the first day of the first month  after the funding of such  Equipment
          Loan and  continuing  regularly  thereafter  on the  first day of each
          succeeding month thereafter during the term of this Note; and

               (ii) with all remaining unpaid  principal,  together with any and
          all other amounts due hereunder,  being due and payable in full on the
          last day of the Original  Term, or on any earlier  termination  of the
          Loan Agreement pursuant to Section 4 thereof.

     Borrower  (i) shall prepay this Note as provided in Section 3.3 and Section
4.2.1  of the  Loan  Agreement  and (ii) may  terminate  the Loan  Agreement  in
accordance  with the  provisions  of Section 4.2 of the Loan  Agreement,  and in
connecton with such  termination,  shall prepay this Note in the manner provided
in Section 4.2 of the Loan Agreement.

     Upon the  occurrence  and  during the  continuation  of an Event of Default
under the Loan  Agreement,  Lender shall have all of the rights and remedies set
forth in Section 10 of the Loan  Agreement,  including  the right to declare the
then outstanding unpaid principal balance and accrued and unpaid interest hereof
to be and the same shall thereupon be immediately due and payable without notice
to or demand upon Borrower, all of which Borrower hereby expressly waives.

     Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary in this Note or otherwise, (i) if
at any time the  amount of  interest  computed  on the  basis of the  Applicable
Annual Rate or a Default Rate would exceed the amount of such interest  computed
upon the basis of the maximum rate of interest  permitted by applicable state or
federal law in effect from time to time  hereafter  (the "Maximum  Legal Rate"),
the  interest  payable  under this Note shall be computed  upon the basis of the
Maximum Legal Rate, but any subsequent  reduction in such Applicable Annual Rate
or Default  Rate,  as  applicable,  shall not reduce  such  interest  thereafter
payable  hereunder  below the amount  computed on the basis of the Maximum Legal
Rate until the aggregate  amount of such interest accrued and payable under this
Note  equals the total  amount of  interest  which  would  have  accrued if such
interest had been at all times  computed  solely on the basis of the  Applicable
Annual Rate or Default Rate, as applicable; and (ii) unless preempted by federal
law, the  Applicable  Annual Rate or Default Rate, as  applicable,  from time to
time in effect  hereunder may not exceed the "indicated  ceiling rate" from time
to time in effect under  Chapter 303 of the Texas Finance Code  (Vernon's  Texas
Code  Annotated),  as amended from time to time (as amended,  the "Texas Finance
Code"). If the applicable state or federal law is amended in the future to allow
a greater  rate of  interest  to be charged  under  this Note than is  presently
allowed by  applicable  state



                                       2

<PAGE>



or federal law, then the limitation of interest  hereunder shall be increased to
the  maximum  rate of  interest  allowed by  applicable  state or federal law as
amended,  which increase  shall be effective  hereunder on the effective date of
such amendment, and all interest charges owing to Lender by reason thereof shall
be payable at the same date and in the same  manner as accrued  interest on this
Note is generally payable pursuant to the provisions of this Note.

     No agreements,  conditions,  provisions or  stipulations  contained in this
Note, the Loan Agreement or any other instrument,  document or agreement between
Borrower  and Lender or default of  Borrower,  or the  exercise by Lender of the
right to accelerate the payment of the maturity of principal and interest, or to
exercise  any  option  whatsoever  contained  in  this  Note or any  other  Loan
Document, or the arising of any contingency whatsoever,  shall entitle Lender to
contract for, charge, or receive,  in any event,  interest exceeding the Maximum
Legal Rate.  In no event shall  Borrower be obligated to pay interest  exceeding
such Maximum Legal Rate and all agreements,  conditions or stipulations, if any,
which may in any event or contingency  whatsoever  operate to bind,  obligate or
compel  Borrower to pay a rate of  interest  exceeding  the Maximum  Legal Rate,
shall be without  binding  force or effect,  at law or in equity,  to the extent
only of the excess of interest  over such Maximum  Legal Rate.  In the event any
interest is contracted  for,  charged or received in excess of the Maximum Legal
Rate ("Excess  Interest"),  Borrower  acknowledges  and stipulates that any such
contract,  charge,  or receipt  shall be the result of an accident and bona fide
error, and that any Excess Interest received by Lender shall be applied,  first,
to reduce the  principal  then  unpaid  hereunder;  second,  to reduce the other
Obligations;  and third,  returned to  Borrower,  it being the  intention of the
parties  hereto not to enter at any time into a usurious  or  otherwise  illegal
relationship.  Borrower  recognizes  that,  with  fluctuations in the Applicable
Annual Rate and the Maximum Legal Rate, such a result could inadvertently occur.
By the execution of this Note,  Borrower covenants that (i) the credit or return
of any Excess  Interest  shall  constitute  the  acceptance  by Borrower of such
Excess  Interest,  and (ii) Borrower  shall not seek or pursue any other remedy,
legal or equitable,  against Lender,  based in whole or in part upon contracting
for,  charging or receiving of any interest in excess of the maximum  authorized
by  applicable  law.  For the purpose of  determining  whether or not any Excess
Interest has been contracted for, charged or received by Lender, all interest at
any time contracted  for,  charged or received by Lender in connection with this
Note shall be  amortized,  prorated,  allocated and spread in equal parts during
the entire term of this Note.

     Time is of the essence for this Note. Unless otherwise provided in the Loan
Agreement,  each Borrower, for itself and its legal representatives,  successors
and assigns,  expressly  waives,  to the fullest extent  permitted by Applicable
Law, presentment,  demand, protest,  notice of dishonor,  notice of non-payment,
notice  of  maturity,  notice  of  protest,   presentment  for  the  purpose  of
accelerating maturity, diligence in collection, and the benefit of any exemption
or insolvency laws.

     If this Note is collected by or through an attorney at law,  then  Borrower
shall be  obligated to pay, in addition  the then unpaid  principal  balance and
accrued and unpaid interest hereof,  reasonable attorney's fees and court costs,
in addition to any other  charges for which  Borrower is  responsible  under the
Loan Agreement and other Loan Documents.



                                       3

<PAGE>



     Wherever  possible each provision of this Note shall be interpreted in such
a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision
of this Note shall be prohibited or invalid under applicable law, such provision
shall be  ineffective to the extent of such  prohibition  or invalidity  without
invalidating  the  remainder of such  provision or remaining  provisions of this
Note.  No delay or failure on the part of Lender in the exercise of any right or
remedy  hereunder shall operate as a waiver  thereof,  nor as an acquiescence in
any default,  nor shall any single or partial exercise by Lender of any right or
remedy preclude any other right or remedy.  Lender,  at its option,  may enforce
its rights  against any  collateral  securing  this Note without  enforcing  its
rights against Borrower,  any guarantor of the indebtedness  evidenced hereby or
any other property or  indebtedness  due or to become due to Borrower.  Borrower
agrees  that,  without  releasing or impairing  Borrower'  liability  hereunder,
Lender may at any time release, surrender, substitute or exchange any collateral
securing  this  Note  and  may  at any  time  release  any  party  primarily  or
secondarily liable for the indebtedness evidenced by this Note.

     This Note shall be governed by, and  construed  and enforced in  accordance
with, the internal laws of the State of Texas.



                [REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


                                       4

<PAGE>



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  Borrower have caused this Note to be duly executed and
delivered in Dallas, Texas on the date first above written.

                                                BORROWER:

                                                BLACK WARRIOR WIRELINE CORP.,

                                                a Delaware corporation

                                                By:_____________________________
                                                Name:___________________________
                                                Title:  Chief Executive Officer

                                                BOONE WIRELINE CO., INC.,

                                                an Alabama corporation

                                                By:   __________________________
                                                Name:___________________________
                                                Title:   Chief Executive Officer


                                       5





                             SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE

                                   (TERM LOAN)

$9,000,000                                                        March 16, 1998

     FOR   VALUE   RECEIVED,   the   undersigned   (hereinafter,   collectively,
"Borrower"),  hereby jointly and severally  promise to pay to the order of FLEET
CAPITAL CORPORATION,  a Rhode Island corporation  (hereinafter "Lender"), at its
office located at 2711 North Haskell, Suite 2100, LB 21, Dallas, Texas 75204, or
at such other  location as Lender may  request,  in such coin or currency of the
United  States  which  shall be legal  tender in  payment of all debts and dues,
public and private,  at the time of payment,  the  principal sum of NINE MILLION
AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($9,000,000),  together with interest from and after the date
hereof at the per annum rate set forth below.

     Subject to Section  2.1.3 of the Loan  Agreement  (as defined  below),  the
unpaid principal balance outstanding  hereunder shall accrue interest at the per
annum rate (hereinafter  referred to as the "Applicable  Annual Rate") specified
in Section 2.1.1 of that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated of even date
herewith, by and among Lender and Borrower (as amended, restated or renewed from
time to time, the "Loan Agreement"), except that (a) such Applicable Annual Rate
may be subject to reduction pursuant to Section 2.1.4 of the Loan Agreement, and
(b) upon and after the  occurrence  and  during the  continuance  of an Event of
Default, the unpaid principal balance outstanding hereunder,  and, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, past due interest hereunder,  shall accrue interest
at the Default Rate specified in Section 2.1.2 of the Loan Agreement.

     This Secured Promissory Note (this "Note") is the Term Note referred to in,
and is issued  pursuant  to, the Loan  Agreement,  and is entitled to all of the
benefits and security of the Loan  Agreement.  All of the terms,  covenants  and
conditions  of the  Loan  Agreement  and all  other  instruments  evidencing  or
securing the indebtedness hereunder (hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Loan  Documents")  are  hereby  made  a  part  of  this  Note  and  are  deemed
incorporated herein in full. All capitalized terms used herein, unless otherwise
specifically  defined in this Note, shall have the meanings  ascribed to them in
the Loan Agreement.

     The principal  amount of and all accrued interest on this Note shall be due
and payable on the dates and in the manner hereinafter set forth:

          (a)  Interest  shall be due and payable  monthly,  in arrears,  on the
     first day of each month, commencing on April 1, 1998, and continuing on the
     first day of each month  thereafter  until such time as the full  principal
     balance,  together with all other amounts owing hereunder,  shall have been
     paid in full;

          (b) Principal  shall be due and payable in equal monthly  installments
     on the first day of each month commencing on April 1, 1998, as follows:

                 Period                             Monthly Installment Amount
    ------------------------------------            --------------------------
    April 1, 1998 through March 31, 2001                    $107,142.86



<PAGE>



     Borrower  (i) shall prepay this Note as provided in Section 3.3 and Section
4.2.1  of the  Loan  Agreement  and (ii) may  terminate  the Loan  Agreement  in
accordance  with the  provisions  of Section 4.2 of the Loan  Agreement,  and in
connection with such termination,  shall prepay this Note in the manner provided
in Section 4.2 of the Loan Agreement.

     Upon or after the occurrence of an Event of Default,  Lender shall have all
of the  rights  and  remedies  set forth in  Section  10 of the Loan  Agreement,
including  the right to  declare  the then  outstanding  principal  balance  and
accrued interest hereof to be and the same shall thereupon  become,  immediately
due and payable without notice to or demand upon Borrower, all of which Borrower
hereby expressly waives.

     Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary in this Note or otherwise, (i) if
at any time the  amount of  interest  computed  on the  basis of the  Applicable
Annual Rate or a Default Rate would exceed the amount of such interest  computed
upon the basis of the maximum rate of interest  permitted by applicable state or
federal law in effect from time to time  hereafter  (the "Maximum  Legal Rate"),
the  interest  payable  under this Note shall be computed  upon the basis of the
Maximum Legal Rate, but any subsequent  reduction in such Applicable Annual Rate
or Default  Rate,  as  applicable,  shall not reduce  such  interest  thereafter
payable  hereunder  below the amount  computed on the basis of the Maximum Legal
Rate until the aggregate  amount of such interest accrued and payable under this
Note  equals the total  amount of  interest  which  would  have  accrued if such
interest had been at all times  computed  solely on the basis of the  Applicable
Annual Rate or Default Rate, as applicable; and (ii) unless preempted by federal
law, the  Applicable  Annual Rate or Default Rate, as  applicable,  from time to
time in effect  hereunder may not exceed the "weekly  ceiling" from time to time
in effect  under  Chapter 303 of the Texas  Finance  Code  (Vernon's  Texas Code
Annotated), as amended from time to time (as amended, the "Texas Finance Code").
If the  applicable  state or  federal  law is  amended  in the future to allow a
greater rate of interest to be charged under this Note than is presently allowed
by applicable  state or federal law, then the  limitation of interest  hereunder
shall be increased to the maximum rate of interest  allowed by applicable  state
or federal law as amended,  which increase  shall be effective  hereunder on the
effective date of such  amendment,  and all interest  charges owing to Lender by
reason  thereof  shall be  payable  at the same  date and in the same  manner as
accrued interest on this Note is generally payable pursuant to the provisions of
this Note.

     No  agreements,  conditions,  provisions or  stipulation  contained in this
Note, the Loan Agreement or any other instrument,  document or agreement between
Borrower  and Lender or default of  Borrower,  or the  exercise by Lender of the
right to accelerate the payment of the maturity of principal and interest, or to
exercise  any  option  whatsoever  contained  in  this  Note or any  other  Loan
Document, or the arising of any contingency whatsoever,  shall entitle Lender to
contract for, charge, or receive,  in any event,  interest exceeding the Maximum
Legal Rate.  In no event shall  Borrower be obligated to pay interest  exceeding
such Maximum Legal Rate and all agreements,  conditions or stipulations, if any,
which may in any event or contingency  whatsoever  operate to bind,  obligate or
compel  Borrower to pay a rate of  interest  exceeding  the Maximum  Legal Rate,
shall be without  binding  force or effect,  at law or in equity,  to the extent
only of the excess of interest  over such Maximum  Legal Rate.  In the event any
interest is contracted  for,  charged or received in excess of the Maximum Legal
Rate ("Excess  Interest"),  Borrower

                                       2

<PAGE>



acknowledges and stipulate that any such contract,  charge,  or receipt shall be
the result of an  accident  and bona fide  error,  and that any Excess  Interest
received by Lender shall be applied,  first, to reduce the principal then unpaid
hereunder;  second,  to reduce the other  Obligations;  and third,  returned  to
Borrower,  it being the intention of the parties hereto not to enter at any time
into a usurious or otherwise  illegal  relationship.  Borrower  recognizes that,
with fluctuations in the Applicable Annual Rate and the Maximum Legal Rate, such
a result could  inadvertently  occur.  By the  execution of this Note,  Borrower
covenants that (i) the credit or return of any Excess Interest shall  constitute
the acceptance by Borrower of such Excess Interest,  and (ii) Borrower shall not
seek or pursue any other remedy,  legal or equitable,  against Lender,  based in
whole or in part upon contracting for,  charging or receiving of any interest in
excess of the maximum  rate  authorized  by  applicable  law. For the purpose of
determining  whether or not any Excess Interest has been contracted for, charged
or  received by Lender,  all  interest at any time  contracted  for,  charged or
received by Lender in connection  with this Note shall be  amortized,  prorated,
allocated and spread in equal parts during the entire term of this Note.

     Time is of the essence of this Note. Unless otherwise  provided in the Loan
Agreement,  Borrower, for itself and its legal  representatives,  successors and
assigns,  expressly  waives,  to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law,
presentment,  demand, protest, notice of dishonor, notice of non-payment, notice
of intent to accelerate,  notice of acceleration,  notice of maturity, notice of
protest,  presentment  for the purpose of  accelerating  maturity,  diligence in
collection, and the benefit of any exemption or insolvency laws.

     If this Note is collected by or through an attorney at law,  Borrower shall
be obligated to pay, in addition to the principal  balance and accrued  interest
hereof,  reasonable  attorney's fees and court costs,  and any other charges for
which Borrower is responsible under the Loan Agreement and other Loan Documents.

     Wherever possible, each provision of this Note shall be interpreted in such
manner as to be effective and valid under  Applicable  Law, but if any provision
of this Note shall be prohibited or invalid under Applicable Law, such provision
shall be  ineffective to the extent of such  prohibition  or invalidity  without
invalidating  the  remainder of such  provision or remaining  provisions of this
Note.  No delay or failure on the part of Lender in the exercise of any right or
remedy  hereunder shall operate as a waiver  thereof,  nor as an acquiescence in
any default,  nor shall any single or partial exercise by Lender of any right or
remedy preclude any other right or remedy.  Lender,  at its option,  may enforce
its rights  against any  collateral  securing  this Note without  enforcing  its
rights against Borrower,  any guarantor of the indebtedness  evidenced hereby or
any other property or  indebtedness  due or to become due to Borrower.  Borrower
agrees that,  without  releasing or impairing  Borrower's  liability  hereunder,
Lender may at any time release, surrender, substitute or exchange any collateral
securing  this  Note  and  may  at any  time  release  any  party  primarily  or
secondarily liable for the indebtedness evidenced by this Note.

     This Note shall be governed by, and  construed  and enforced in  accordance
with, the laws of the State of Texas.


                [REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


                                       3

<PAGE>



     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  Borrower has caused this Note to be duly executed and
delivered in Dallas, Texas, on the date first above written.

                                                BORROWER:

                                                BLACK WARRIOR WIRELINE CORP.,

                                                a Delaware corporation

                                                By:_____________________________
                                                Name:___________________________
                                                Title:  Chief Executive Officer

                                                BOONE WIRELINE CO., INC.,

                                                an Alabama corporation

                                                By:   __________________________
                                                Name:___________________________
                                                Title:   Chief Executive Officer




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