ATWOOD OCEANICS INC
8-K, 1997-07-21
DRILLING OIL & GAS WELLS
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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 EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED: JULY 17, 1997



                              ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



                          COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-6352


     TEXAS                                 74-1611874
(State or other jurisdiction of     (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)


  15835 Park Ten Place Drive                           77084
       Houston, Texas                               (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)



             Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
                                 281-492-2929
                               ---------------



<PAGE>






                                     PAGE 2

ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS

         On July 17, 1997, Atwood Oceanics,  Inc.  announced that it has entered
into a $125 Million  Revolving Credit Facility with a Bank Group. This revolving
line of credit  converts to a reducing  facility  commencing  on March 31, 1999,
with  commitment  reductions of $8.3 million per quarter until final maturity on
March 31, 2002.  The interest paid under this facility will vary  depending upon
the ratio of debt to earnings before interest,  taxes, and depreciation and will
range from  one-half  percent  to one  percent  over the  Eurodollar  rate.  The
proceeds from this facility will be used for repaying  approximately $36 million
of existing debt,  funding of capital  expenditures to upgrade existing offshore
drilling rigs, as well as other general corporate purposes.


                                   SIGNATURES

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

                                           ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.
                                           (Registrant)



                                           James M. Holland
                                           Senior Vice President

                                           Date:  21 July 1997



<PAGE>




EXHIBIT 99.1
                                
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                      AMONG

                              ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.
                                       AND
                             ATWOOD DEEP SEAS, LTD.
                                  AS BORROWERS

                                       AND

                             BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A.,
              CHRISTIANIA BANK OG KREDITKASSE ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH
                   AND THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS NAMED HEREIN
                                    AS BANKS

                             BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A.,
                                AS ADMINISTRATIVE
                             AND DOCUMENTATION AGENT

                      CHRISTIANIA BANK OG KREDITKASSE ASA,
                                 NEW YORK BRANCH
                                   AS CO-AGENT

                     $100,000,000 REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

                                  JULY 17, 1997








<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                        Page No.
1. Definitions..............................................................  1

2. Commitments of the Bank.................................................. 14
   (a)      Terms of Revolving Commitment................................... 14
   (b)      Procedure for Borrowing......................................... 15
   (c)      Letters of Credit............................................... 15
   (d)      Procedure for Obtaining Letters of Credit....................... 16
   (e)      Voluntary Reduction of Revolving Commitment..................... 17
   (f)      Mandatory Reduction of Revolving Commitment..................... 17
   (g)      Status of Obligations........................................... 17

3. Notes Evidencing Loans................................................... 17
   (a)      Form of Notes .................................................. 17
   (b)      Issuance of Additional Notes.................................... 18
   (c)      Interest Rate................................................... 18
   (d)      Payment of Interest............................................. 18
   (e)      Payment of Principal............................................ 18
   (f)      Payment to Banks................................................ 18
   (g)      Sharing of Payments, Etc........................................ 19
   (h)      Non-Receipt of Funds by the Agent............................... 19
   (i)      Capital Adequacy................................................ 19

4. Interest Rates........................................................... 20
   (a)      Options......................................................... 20
   (b)      Interest Rate Determination..................................... 21
   (c)      Conversion Option............................................... 21
   (d)      Recoupment...................................................... 21

5. Special Provisions Relating to Eurodollar Loans.......................... 21
   (a)      Unavailability of Funds or Inadequacy of Pricing................ 21
   (b)      Taxes........................................................... 22
   (c)      Change in Laws.................................................. 22
   (d)      Option to Fund.................................................. 23
   (e)      Indemnity....................................................... 23
   (f)      Payments Not at End of Interest Period.......................... 23

6. Collateral Security...................................................... 24




                        -i-

<PAGE>



7. Fees..................................................................... 24
   (a)      Unused Fee...................................................... 24
   (b)      The Letter of Credit Fee........................................ 25
   (c)      Agency Fees..................................................... 25

8. Prepayments.............................................................. 25
   (a)      Voluntary Prepayments........................................... 25
   (b)      Mandatory Prepayment............................................ 25

9. Representations and Warranties........................................... 25
   (a)      Creation and Existence.......................................... 25
   (b)      Power and Authority............................................. 25
   (c)      Binding Obligations............................................. 26
   (d)      No Legal Bar or Resultant Lien.................................. 26
   (e)      No Consent...................................................... 26
   (f)      Financial Condition............................................. 26
   (g)      Liabilities..................................................... 26
   (h)      Litigation...................................................... 27
   (i)      Taxes; Governmental Charges..................................... 27
   (j)      Titles, Etc..................................................... 27
   (k)      Defaults........................................................ 27
   (l)      Casualties; Taking of Properties................................ 27
   (m)      Use of Proceeds; Margin Stock................................... 27
   (n)      Location of Business and Offices................................ 28
   (o)      Compliance with the Law......................................... 28
   (p)      No Material Misstatements....................................... 28
   (q)      ERISA........................................................... 28
   (r)      Public Utility Holding Company Act.............................. 29
   (s)      Environmental Matters........................................... 29
   (t)      Liens........................................................... 30
   (u)      Material Subsidiaries........................................... 30

10.Conditions of Lending.................................................... 30

11.Affirmative Covenants.................................................... 33
   (a)      Financial Statements and Reports................................ 33
   (b)      Certificates of Compliance...................................... 34
   (c)      Taxes and Other Liens........................................... 34
   (d)      Compliance with Laws............................................ 34
   (e)      Further Assurances.............................................. 35
   (f)      Performance of Obligations...................................... 35
   (g)      Insurance....................................................... 35



                                      -ii-

<PAGE>



    (h)      Accounts and Records........................................... 36
    (i)      Right of Inspection............................................ 36
    (j)      Notice of Certain Events....................................... 36
    (k)      ERISA Information and Compliance............................... 36
    (l)      Environmental Compliance....................................... 36
    (m)      Environmental Notifications.................................... 37
    (n)      Environmental Indemnifications................................. 38
    (o)      Change of Principal Place of Business.......................... 39
    (p)      Payables and Other Indebtedness................................ 39
    (q)      Collateral Maintenance......................................... 39
    (r)      Maintenance of Rigs............................................ 39

12. Negative Covenants...................................................... 39
    (a)      Negative Pledge................................................ 40
    (b)      Current Ratio.................................................. 40
    (c)      Funded Debt to EBITDA.......................................... 40
    (d)      Debt Service Coverage Ratio.................................... 40
    (e)      Funded Debt to Tangible Net Worth.............................. 40
    (f)      Tangible Net Worth............................................. 40
    (g)      Consolidations and Mergers..................................... 40
    (h)      Debts, Guaranties and Other Obligations........................ 41
    (i)      Dividends...................................................... 42
    (j)      Loans and Advances............................................. 42
    (k)      Sale or Discount of Receivables................................ 42
    (l)      Nature of Business............................................. 42
    (m)      Transactions with Affiliates................................... 42
    (n)      Investment..................................................... 42
    (o)      Amendment to Articles of Incorporation or 
                    Partnership Agreements.................................. 43
    (p)      Management of Rigs............................................. 43
    (q)      Charter of Rigs................................................ 43
    (r)      Modification of Rigs........................................... 43
    (s)      Sale of Rigs, etc.............................................. 43
    (t)      Stock of Material Subsidiaries................................. 43

13. Events of Default....................................................... 44

14. The Agent and the Banks................................................. 46
    (a)      Appointment and Authorization.................................. 46
    (b)      Note Holders................................................... 47
    (c)      Consultation with Counsel...................................... 47
    (d)      Documents...................................................... 47
    (e)      Resignation or Removal of Agent................................ 47



                             -iii-

<PAGE>



    (f)      Responsibility of Agent........................................ 48
    (g)      Independent Investigation...................................... 49
    (h)      Indemnification................................................ 49
    (i)      Benefit of Section 14.......................................... 49
    (j)      Pro Rata Treatment............................................. 49
    (k)      Assumption as to Payments...................................... 50
    (l)      Other Financings............................................... 50
    (m)      Interests of Banks............................................. 50
    (n)      Investments.................................................... 51
    (o)      Withholding Tax................................................ 51

15. Exercise of Rights...................................................... 51

16. Notices................................................................. 52

17. Expenses................................................................ 52

18. Indemnity............................................................... 52

19. Governing Law........................................................... 53

20. Invalid Provisions...................................................... 53

21. Maximum Interest Rate................................................... 53

22. Amendments or Waivers................................................... 54

23. Multiple Counterparts................................................... 55

24. Conflict................................................................ 55

25. Survival................................................................ 55

26. Parties Bound........................................................... 55

27. Assignments and Participations.......................................... 55

28. Choice of Forum: Consent to Service of Process and Jurisdiction......... 57

29. Waiver of Jury Trial.................................................... 57

30. Other Agreements........................................................ 57



                                      -iv-

<PAGE>




31. Financial Terms......................................................... 58

Exhibits

Exhibit "A"       -        Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit "B"       -        Note
Exhibit "C"       -        Certificate of Compliance
Exhibit "D"       -        Assignment and Acceptance Agreement

Schedules

Schedule 1        -        Liens
Schedule 2        -        Financial Condition
Schedule 3        -        Liabilities
Schedule 4        -        Litigation
Schedule 5        -        Material Subsidiaries
Schedule 6        -        Environmental Matters
Schedule 7        -        Loans and Advances




                                       -v-

<PAGE>



                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


         THIS CREDIT  AGREEMENT  (hereinafter  referred  to as the  "Agreement")
executed as of the _____ day of July, 1997, by and among ATWOOD OCEANICS,  INC.,
a Texas  corporation  ("Atwood"),  ATWOOD  DEEP  SEAS,  LTD.,  a  Texas  limited
partnership   ("Deep  Seas")   (Atwood  and  Deep  Seas  shall   hereinafter  be
collectively  referred to as "Borrowers",  and individually,  "Borrower"),  BANK
ONE, TEXAS, N.A., a national banking association ("Bank One"),  CHRISTIANIA BANK
OG KREDITKASSE ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH, a banking  association  ("Christiania") and
each of the financial  institutions which is a party hereto (as evidenced by the
signature pages to this Agreement) or which may from time to time become a party
hereto  pursuant  to the  provisions  of Section 27 hereof or any  successor  or
assignee  thereof  (hereinafter   collectively   referred  to  as  "Banks",  and
individually,  "Bank") and Bank One, as Administrative  and Documentation  Agent
("Agent") and Christiania as Co-Agent ("Co-Agent").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, Borrowers have requested that the Banks provide Borrowers with
a revolving  credit  facility  and the Banks are  willing to make such  facility
available to Borrowers.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
herein contained, the parties hereby agree as follows:

          1.  Definitions.  When used  herein  the terms  "Agent",  "Agreement",
     "Atwood",   "Bank",  "Banks",  "Bank  One",   "Borrowers",   "Christiania",
     "Co-Agent" and "Deep Seas" shall have the meanings  indicated  above.  When
     used herein the following terms shall have the following meanings:

                  "Advance or Advances" shall mean a loan or loans hereunder.

                  "Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate" shall mean,  with  respect to any
         Interest  Period,  a rate  per  annum  equal to the  quotient  obtained
         (rounded  upward,  if  necessary,  to the  next  higher  1/16 of 1%) by
         dividing  (i) the  applicable  Eurodollar  Rate by (ii) 1.0  minus  the
         Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

                  "Affiliate"   shall  mean  any  Person   which,   directly  or
         indirectly,  controls, is controlled by or is under common control with
         the relevant  Person.  For the purposes of this  definition,  "control"
         (including,  with correlative  meanings,  the terms "controlled by" and
         "under common control with"), as used with respect to any Person, shall
         mean a member of the board of  directors,  a partner  or an  officer of
         such  Person,  or  any  other  Person  with  possession,   directly  or
         indirectly,  of the  power to  direct  or cause  the  direction  of the
         management  and  policies of such  Person,  through the  ownership  (of
         record,  as  trustee,  or  by  proxy)  of  voting  shares,  partnership
         interests or voting rights, through a management contract or otherwise.
         Any Person owning or controlling  directly or indirectly ten percent or
         more of the voting shares, partnership interests or voting rights,


<PAGE>



         or other  equity  interest of another  Person  shall be deemed to be an
         Affiliate of such Person.

               "Assignment and Acceptance"  shall mean a document  substantially
          in the form of Exhibit "D" hereto.

                  "Assignment of Insurances" shall mean that certain  Assignment
         of  Insurances  dated of even date  herewith from Deep Seas to Agent on
         behalf of the Banks,  assigning to the Banks all policies and contracts
         of  insurance in respect of the Rigs and all other  claims,  rights and
         proceeds  related thereto,  said assignment  secures the obligations of
         the Borrowers under this Agreement.

                  "Assignment of Charter Hire,  Drilling Contract,  Revenues and
         Earnings" shall mean that certain Assignment of Charter Hire,  Drilling
         Contract,  Revenues and Earnings  dated of even date herewith from Deep
         Seas to Agent on behalf  of the  Banks,  assigning  to the Banks all of
         Deep Seas'  interest in day rate payments,  freights,  charter hire and
         other monies earned or to be earned arising out of any charter parties,
         drilling  contracts  or as a result of the  ownership,  chartering  and
         other  operations  of any  kind  whatsoever  relating  to the  Rigs and
         certain  other  rights  and  obligations   arising   pursuant  to  such
         agreements.  Said  assignment  secures the obligations of the Borrowers
         under this Agreement.

                  "Base Rate" shall mean, as of any date, the  fluctuating  rate
         of  interest  per annum  established  from time to time by Agent as its
         Base Rate (which rate of interest  may not be the lowest,  best or most
         favorable  rate of  interest  which  Agent  may  charge on loans to its
         customers). Each change in the Base Rate shall become effective without
         prior notice to Borrowers  automatically  as of the opening of business
         on the date of such change in the Base Rate.

                  "Base Rate Interest  Period"  shall mean,  with respect to any
         Base  Rate  Loan,  the  period  ending  on the last day of each  month,
         provided,  however, that (i) if any Base Rate Interest Period would end
         on a day which is not a Business  Day,  such  Interest  Period shall be
         extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and (ii) if any Base Rate
         Interest  Period  would  otherwise  end  after the  Maturity  Date such
         Interest Period shall end on the Maturity Date.

                  "Base Rate Loans"  shall mean any loan during any period which
         bears  interest  based upon the Base Rate or which would bear  interest
         based upon the Base Rate if the Maximum  Rate ceiling was not in effect
         at that particular time.

                  "Base Rate Margin" shall mean:




                                                      -2-

<PAGE>



                           (i)  one-fourth  of  one  percent  (.25%)  per  annum
                  whenever  Atwood's  ratio  of  Consolidated   Funded  Debt  to
                  Consolidated EBITDA is equal to or greater than 1.25 to 1.0;

                           (ii) zero percent (.0%) per annum  whenever  Atwood's
                  ratio of Consolidated  Funded Debt to  Consolidated  EBITDA is
                  less than 1.25 to 1.0.

         For the  purposes of  calculating  the Base Rate Margin for each new or
         existing Tranche, Atwood's (i) Consolidated Funded Debt shall fluctuate
         from  day to day,  and (ii)  Consolidated  EBITDA  shall be  calculated
         quarterly as of the end of each fiscal quarter and annualized. The Base
         Rate  Margin  shall be  recalculated  by Agent from time to time and be
         effective upon (a) the making of any Advance hereunder, (b) the receipt
         by the Banks of any  payment or  prepayment  or (c) receipt by Agent of
         the  Borrowers'   quarterly   Certificate  of  Compliance  provided  by
         Borrowers pursuant to Section 11(b) hereof.

               "Borrowing  Date" is used  herein  as  defined  in  Section  2(d)
          hereof.

                  "Business  Day" shall mean the normal banking hours during any
         day (other than  Saturdays or Sundays)  that banks are legally open for
         business in Houston, Texas and New York, New York.

                  "Capital  Leases" shall mean any lease in respect of which the
         obligations thereunder constitute Capitalized Lease Obligations.

                  "Capitalized    Lease   Obligations"   shall   mean,   without
         duplication, all obligations of any Person to pay rent or amounts under
         any lease of, or other arrangement  conveying the right to use, real or
         personal property,  or a combination  thereof,  which obligations shall
         have been or should be, in  accordance  with GAAP,  capitalized  on the
         books of such Person.

                  "Cash   Equivalents"  shall  mean  (i)  securities  issued  or
         directly  and fully  guaranteed  or  insured  by the  United  States of
         America or any agency or  instrumentality  thereof  (provided  that the
         full  faith and  credit of the  United  States of America is pledged in
         support thereof) having maturities of not more than six months from the
         date of  acquisition,  (ii)  U.S.  dollar  denominated  time  deposits,
         certificates  of deposit and bankers'  acceptances of (x) any Bank, (y)
         any domestic  commercial bank of recognized standing having capital and
         surplus  in  excess  of  $100,000,000  or (z) any Bank  (or the  parent
         company of such bank) whose  short-term  commercial  paper  rating from
         Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") is at least A-1 or the equivalent
         thereof or from Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") is at least
         P-1 or the equivalent  thereof (any such bank, an "Approved  Bank"), in
         each case with  maturities of not more than six months from the date of
         acquisition, (iii) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than



                                                      -3-

<PAGE>



         seven days for underlying  securities of the types  described in clause
         (i)  above  entered  into  with any  bank  meeting  the  qualifications
         specified  in clause (ii) above,  (iv)  commercial  paper issued by any
         Bank or Approved Bank or by the parent  company of any Bank or Approved
         Bank and  commercial  paper issued by, or guaranteed by, any industrial
         or financial  company with a short-term  commercial  paper rating of at
         least  A-1 or the  equivalent  thereof  by S&P or at  least  P-1 or the
         equivalent   thereof  by  Moody's  (any  such  company,   an  "Approved
         Company"),  or  guaranteed by any  industrial  company with a long term
         unsecured  debt  rating of at least A or A2 or the  equivalent  of each
         thereof,  from S&P or  Moody's,  as the case may be,  and in each  case
         maturing  within  six  months  after  the date of  acquisition  and (v)
         investments in money market funds substantially all of whose assets are
         comprised of  securities  of the type  described in clauses (i) through
         (iv) above.

                  "Change of  Management"  shall occur if both (i) John R. Irwin
         ceases to act as President and Chief Executive Officer,  and (ii) James
         M.  Holland  ceases to act as Senior Vice  President  and  Secretary of
         Atwood,  other  than  as  a  result  of  death,  disability  or  normal
         retirement of either.

                  "Consolidated  Adjusted EBITDA" shall mean Consolidated EBITDA
         less (i) capitalized cash  maintenance  expenditures and (ii) dividends
         (other than dividends from any Subsidiary to a Borrower).

                  "Consolidated  Current  Assets" shall mean, the current assets
         of Atwood and its  Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis  determined in
         accordance  with GAAP and in a manner  consistent  with prior  periods,
         plus, as of any date, the current unused  availability on the Revolving
         Commitment and the Commitment under the Pacific Credit Agreement.

                  "Consolidated  Current  Liabilities"  shall mean,  the current
         liabilities of Atwood and its  Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis as
         determined  in  accordance  with GAAP and in a manner  consistent  with
         prior  periods,  excluding  therefrom  current  maturities  due  on the
         Revolving Loans and on loans made under the Pacific Credit Agreement.

                  "Consolidated  Debt Service" shall mean the sum of (i) 1/12 of
         (a) the  outstanding  principal  balance due on notes  issued under the
         Revolving  Commitment  as of any date of  determination,  minus (b) the
         market value of the Treasury  Bonds pledged as Collateral  plus (c) the
         outstanding  principal  balance due on notes issued under the revolving
         commitment  described in the Pacific Credit Agreement as of any date of
         determination,  plus (ii) interest expense  attributable to $20,000,000
         of the outstanding principal balance of the Notes.

                  "Consolidated EBITDA" shall mean for any period for Atwood and
         its  Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis,  (A) the sum of the amounts
         for such period of (i) Consolidated



                                                      -4-

<PAGE>



         Net Income, (ii) depreciation expense, (iii) provisions for taxes based
         on income,  (iv) Consolidated  Interest  Expense,  (v) amortization and
         write-off  of  deferred  financing  costs  to the  extent  deducted  in
         determining Consolidated Net Income, and (vi) losses on sales of assets
         (excluding  sales  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business)  and  other
         extraordinary losses, less (B) extraordinary gains for such period, all
         determined  in  accordance  with GAAP and in a manner  consistent  with
         prior periods.

                  "Consolidated   Equity"   shall   mean,   at  any  time,   the
         shareholder's  equity of Atwood and its  Subsidiaries on a consolidated
         basis as determined in accordance with GAAP and in a manner  consistent
         with prior periods.

                  "Consolidated Funded Debt" shall mean, the sum of (i) all Debt
         of Atwood and its  Subsidiaries  calculated on a consolidated  basis in
         accordance  with GAAP and in a manner  consistent  with prior  periods,
         less (ii) the market value of the Treasury Bonds.

                  "Consolidated  Interest  Expense"  shall mean, for any period,
         the sum of (i) total interest expense  (including that  attributable to
         Capitalized  Lease  Obligations)  of Atwood and its  Subsidiaries  on a
         consolidated  basis  in  accordance  with  GAAP  with  respect  to  all
         outstanding  Debt of Atwood and its  Subsidiaries,  including,  without
         limitation, all commissions,  discounts and other fees and charges owed
         with  respect to Letters of Credit and bankers'  acceptance  financing,
         less  (ii)  interest   expense   attributable  to  $20,000,000  of  the
         outstanding principal balance of the Notes.

                  "Consolidated Net Income" shall mean, for any period,  the net
         income (or loss) of Atwood and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis
         for such  period  taken as a single  accounting  period  determined  in
         accordance with GAAP and in a manner consistent with prior periods.

                  "Consolidated Tangible Net Worth" shall mean, at any time, the
         Consolidated  Equity of Atwood and its  Subsidiaries  on a consolidated
         basis  determined  in accordance  with GAAP and in a manner  consistent
         with prior  periods,  less all  unamortized  debt discount and expense,
         unamortized deferred charges, goodwill,  patents,  trademarks,  service
         marks, trade names, copyrights and organization expense.

                  "Debt" shall mean as to the Borrowers or any Subsidiary of the
         Borrowers,  all  obligations  and  liabilities of the Borrowers or such
         Subsidiaries to any other person,  including,  without limitation,  all
         debts,  claims and  indebtedness,  heretofore,  now and/or from time to
         time  hereafter  owing,  due or payable,  however  evidenced,  created,
         incurred,  acquired or owing and however arising, whether under written
         or oral  agreement,  operation  of law, or  otherwise.  Debt  includes,
         without  limiting the foregoing,  (i)  indebtedness  for borrowed money
         (including without  duplication  obligations to reimburse the issuer of
         any letter of credit or any guarantor or surety), (ii) indebtedness



                                                      -5-

<PAGE>



         for the  deferred  purchase  price of property or  services,  excluding
         trade  accounts  payable  within  ninety  (90) days and  arising in the
         ordinary  course of  business,  (ii)  indebtedness  evidenced by bonds,
         debentures,  notes or other similar  instruments,  (iv) obligations and
         liabilities  secured  by a Lien on  property  owned  by  either  of the
         Borrowers or any Subsidiary of either of the Borrowers,  whether or not
         such  Borrower  or  Subsidiary   has  assumed  such   obligations   and
         liabilities  and the  amount of which  Debt  shall not  exceed the fair
         market  value of the property  subject to the Lien if such  Borrower or
         Subsidiary  has not  assumed  such  obligations  and  liabilities,  (v)
         obligations  or  liabilities  created or arising under any  Capitalized
         Lease,  (vi) all net  payments  or amounts  owing by  Borrowers  or any
         Subsidiary  of the  Borrowers  in respect of interest  rate  protection
         agreements,  foreign  currency  exchange  agreements,   commodity  swap
         agreements  or other  interests,  exchange  rate or  commodity  hedging
         arrangements  and (vii)  liabilities  in  respect  of  unfunded  vested
         benefits under any Plan. The Debt of the Borrowers or any Subsidiary of
         the  Borrowers  shall  include  the  Debt of any  partnership  or joint
         venture in which the Borrowers or any  Subsidiary of the Borrowers is a
         general or venture partner. The Debt of the Borrowers or any Subsidiary
         of the Borrowers shall not include trade payables and expense  accruals
         incurred or assumed in the ordinary  course of the  Borrowers'  or such
         Subsidiary's business (including trade payables and expense accruals of
         any  partnership  or  joint  venture  in  which  the  Borrowers  or any
         Subsidiary of the Borrowers is a general or venture partner;  provided,
         such payables have not remained unpaid for a period of ninety (90) days
         after the same became due unless the  Borrowers or such  Subsidiary  is
         diligently contesting same in good faith).

                  "Default"  shall mean any Event of Default and the  occurrence
         of an event or condition  which would with the giving of any  requisite
         notice and/or passage of time or both constitute an Event of Default.

                  "Default Rate" shall mean the Base Rate plus 5% per annum.

                    "Defaulting  Bank" is used herein as defined in Section 3(f)
               hereof.

                  "Effective Date" shall  mean the date of this Agreement.

                  "Eligible  Assignee"  shall  mean  any of  (i) a  Bank  or any
         Affiliate of a Bank; (ii) a commercial bank organized under the laws of
         the United States, or any state thereof,  and having a combined capital
         and surplus of at least $100,000,000; (iii) a commercial bank organized
         under  the  laws  of  any  other  country  which  is a  member  of  the
         Organization for Economic  Cooperation and Development,  or a political
         subdivision  of any such  country,  and having a combined  capital  and
         surplus  of at least  $100,000,000,  provided  that such bank is acting
         through a branch or agency  located  in the United  States;  and (iv) a
         Person that is primarily engaged in the business of commercial  banking
         and that (A) is a subsidiary of a Bank, (B) a subsidiary of a Person of
         which a Bank is a subsidiary, or



                                                      -6-

<PAGE>



         (C) a Person of which a Bank is a subsidiary;  provided,  however, that
         as a condition  precedent to any bank  organized  under the laws of any
         other country  other than the United States  qualifying as an "Eligible
         Assignee"  shall be the  providing  by such  bank of the U.S.  Internal
         Revenue Service forms required by Section 14(o) of this Agreement;

                  "Environmental  Laws"  shall mean all laws,  statutes,  codes,
         acts,  ordinances,  orders,  judgments,  decrees,  injunctions,  rules,
         regulations,  order  and  restrictions  of any  Governmental  Authority
         relating to air pollution,  water  pollution,  noise control and/or the
         handling,  discharge,  disposal  or  recovery  of on-site  or  off-site
         Hazardous Substances.

                  "Environmental   Liability"  shall  mean  any  claim,  demand,
         obligation,   cause  of  action,  order,  violation,   damage,  injury,
         judgment, penalty or fine, cost of enforcement, cost of remedial action
         or  any  other  costs  or  expense  whatsoever,   including  reasonable
         attorneys'  fees and  disbursements,  resulting  from the  violation or
         alleged  violation of any  Environmental  Law or the  imposition of any
         Environmental  Lien (as hereinafter  defined) which could reasonably be
         expected to  individually  or in the aggregate have a Material  Adverse
         Effect.

                  "Environmental  Lien"  shall  mean  a  Lien  in  favor  of any
         Governmental  Authority or any other  Person (i) for any  Environmental
         Liability  or (ii) for damages  arising  from or cost  incurred by such
         court or  Governmental  Authority  or other  person  in  response  to a
         release or  threatened  release  of any  hazardous  substance  into the
         environment.

                  "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
         of 1974, as amended.

                  "Eurodollar  Business  Day" shall mean a Business Day on which
         dealings in U.S. Dollar deposits are carried on in the London interbank
         market.

                  "Eurodollar  Interest  Period"  shall mean with respect to any
         Eurodollar Loan (i) initially,  the period  commencing on the date such
         Eurodollar  Loan is made and ending one (1), two (2),  three (3) or six
         (6) months  thereafter  as  selected by  Borrowers  pursuant to Section
         4(a)(ii),  and  (ii)  thereafter,  each  period  commencing  on the day
         following the last day of the next preceding Interest Period applicable
         to such  Eurodollar  Loan and ending one (1), two (2), three (3) or six
         (6) months  thereafter,  as selected by  Borrowers  pursuant to Section
         4(a)(ii); provided, however, that (a) if any Eurodollar Interest Period
         would otherwise expire on a day which is not a Eurodollar Business Day,
         such  Interest  Period shall expire on the next  succeeding  Eurodollar
         Business  Day unless the  result of such  extension  would be to extend
         such Interest  Period into the next calendar  month, in which case such
         Interest  Period  shall  end on the  immediately  preceding  Eurodollar
         Business Day, (b) if any Eurodollar  Interest Period begins on the last
         Eurodollar  Business  Day of a  calendar  month  (or on a day for which
         there is no numerically corresponding



                                                      -7-

<PAGE>



         day in the  calendar  month at the end of such  Interest  Period)  such
         Interest  Period  shall end on the last  Eurodollar  Business  Day of a
         calendar  month,  and (c) any  Eurodollar  Interest  Period which would
         otherwise  expire  after the Maturity  Date shall end on such  Maturity
         Date.

                  "Eurodollar  Loan" shall mean any loan during any period which
         bears interest at the Eurodollar  Rate, or which would bear interest at
         such rate if the Maximum Rate ceiling was not in effect at a particular
         time.

               "Eurodollar  Margin" shall mean,  with respect to each Eurodollar
          Loan:

               (i) one  percent  (1%)  per  annum  whenever  Atwood's  ratio  of
          Consolidated Funded Debt to Consolidated EBITDA is equal to or greater
          than 1.25 to 1.0; or

                           (ii)  three-fourths  of one percent  (.75%) per annum
                  whenever  Atwood's  ratio  of  Consolidated   Funded  Debt  to
                  Consolidated  EBITDA is greater  than 1.0 to 1.0 but less than
                  1.25 to 1.0; or

                           (iii)  one-half  of  one  percent  (.50%)  per  annum
                  whenever  Atwood's  ratio  of  Consolidated   Funded  Debt  to
                  Consolidated EBITDA is less than or equal to 1.0 to 1.0.

         For the purposes of calculating  the Eurodollar  Margin for each new or
         existing Tranche, Atwood's (i) Consolidated Funded Debt shall fluctuate
         from  day to day,  and (ii)  Consolidated  EBITDA  shall be  calculated
         quarterly  as of the end of each  fiscal  quarter and  annualized.  The
         Eurodollar  Margin shall be recalculated by Agent from time to time and
         be  effective  upon (a) the making of any  Advance  hereunder,  (b) the
         receipt by the Banks of any payment or prepayment or (c) the receipt by
         Agent of Borrowers'  quarterly  Certificate  of Compliance  provided by
         Borrowers pursuant to Section 11(b) hereof.

                  "Eurodollar  Rate" shall mean with respect to each  Eurodollar
         Interest  Period,  the offered rate (rounded upward to the nearest 1/16
         of one percent) for deposits of U.S. Dollars for a period equivalent to
         such  period  at or  about  11:00  A.M.  (London  time)  on the  second
         Eurodollar  Business  Day  before  the first  day of such  period as is
         displayed on Telerate page 3750 (British Bankers'  Association Interest
         Settlement  Rates) (or such other page as may replace such page 3750 on
         such system or on any other  system of the  information  vendor for the
         time being designated by the British Bankers'  Association to calculate
         the BBA Interest  Settlement  Rate (as defined in the British  Bankers'
         Association's  Recommended Terms and Conditions  ("BBAIRS" terms) dated
         August  1985),  provided  that  if on  such  date  no  such  rate is so
         displayed, the Eurodollar Rate for such period shall be the rate quoted
         to the Agent as the offered rate for deposits of U.S.



                                                      -8-

<PAGE>



         Dollars in an amount  approximately  equal to the amount in relation to
         which the Eurodollar  Rate is to be determined for a period  equivalent
         to such  period by prime  banks in the  London  interbank  market at or
         about 11:00 A.M.  (London time) on the second  Eurodollar  Business Day
         before the first day of such period.

                  "Eurodollar  Reserve  Percentage"  shall mean for any day that
         percentage  (expressed as a decimal) which is in effect on such day, as
         prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve System (or
         any successor) for determining  the maximum  reserve  requirement for a
         member bank of the  Federal  Reserve  System in respect of  "Eurodollar
         liabilities" (or in respect of any other category of liabilities  which
         includes deposits by reference to which the interest rate on Eurodollar
         Loans is  determined  on any  category of  extension of credit or other
         assets which includes  loans by a non-United  States office of any Bank
         to United  States  residents).  The Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate shall be
         adjusted  automatically on or as of the effective date of any change in
         the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

               "Event of  Default"  is used  herein as  defined  in  Section  13
          hereof.

                  "Financial  Statements"  shall  mean  balance  sheets,  income
         statements,  statements  of cash  flow and  appropriate  footnotes  and
         schedules,  prepared in accordance with GAAP and in a manner consistent
         with prior periods.

                  "First Naval  Mortgage"  shall mean that  certain  First Naval
         Mortgage  dated of even date herewith on the vessels  Atwood Hunter and
         Atwood  Eagle  executed  by Deep  Seas to Agent on  behalf of the Banks
         pursuant to which Deep Seas  mortgages the Atwood Hunter and the Atwood
         Eagle to the Banks to secure the  obligations  of the  Borrowers  under
         this Agreement and the Guaranty.

                  "First  Preferred Ship Mortgage" shall mean that certain First
         Preferred  Ship  Mortgage  dated of even date  herewith  on the  vessel
         Richmond executed by Atwood to Agent on behalf of the Banks pursuant to
         which  Atwood  mortgages  the  Richmond  to the  Banks  to  secure  the
         obligations of the Borrowers under this Agreement and the Guaranty.

                  "GAAP" shall mean generally  accepted  accounting  principles,
         consistently applied in the United States of America.

                  "Governmental  Authority" shall mean any nation or government,
         any federal, state, province, city, town,  municipality,  county, local
         or other political  subdivision  thereof or thereto and any department,
         commission,  board,  bureau,  instrumentality,  agency or other  entity
         exercising   executive,    legislative,    judicial,    regulatory   or
         administrative functions of or pertaining to government.




                                                      -9-

<PAGE>



                  "Guaranty"  shall mean the unlimited  guaranty by Borrowers of
         the  obligations   owed  the  Banks  pursuant  to  the  Pacific  Credit
         Agreement.

                  "Hazardous  Substances"  shall mean petroleum and used oil, or
         any other  pollutant  or  contaminant,  hazardous,  dangerous  or toxic
         waste,   substance   or  material  as  defined  in  the   Comprehensive
         Environmental  Response,  Compensation  and  Liability  Act of 1980, as
         amended,  42 U.S.C. Sec. 9601, et seq.  (hereinafter  called "CERCLA");
         the Resource Conversation and Recovery Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 6901,
         et seq.  (hereinafter called "RCRA"); the Toxic Substances Control Act,
         as amended,  15 U.S.C. Sec. 2601 et seq.  (hereinafter  called "TSCA");
         the Hazardous Materials  Transportation Act, as amended, 49 U.S.C. Sec.
         1801,  et seq  (hereinafter  called  "HMTA");  the Oil Pollution Act of
         1990, Pub. L. No.  101-380,  104 Stat. 484 (1990)  (hereinafter  called
         "OPA"); or any other statute, law, ordinance, code or regulation of any
         Governmental  Agency relating to or imposing  liability or standards of
         conduct concerning the use, production, generation, treatment, storage,
         recycling,  handling,  transportation,  release,  threatened release or
         disposal of any  hazardous,  dangerous  or toxic  waste,  substance  or
         material, currently in effect or at any time hereafter adopted.

                  "Interest Payment Date" shall mean the earlier of (i) the last
         Business  Day of each  Interest  Period  or (ii)  the  last day of each
         calendar quarter.

               "Interest  Period" shall mean any Base Rate Interest  Period,  or
          Eurodollar Interest Period.

               "Letters  of  Credit" is used  herein as defined in Section  2(c)
          hereof.

                  "Lien"  shall  mean  any  mortgage,  deed  of  trust,  pledge,
         security  interest,  assignment,  encumbrance  or  lien  (statutory  or
         otherwise) of every kind and character.

                  "Loan  Documents"  shall mean this Agreement,  the Notes,  the
         Security  Instruments  and all other  documents  executed in connection
         with the transaction described in this Agreement.

                  "Majority  Banks" shall mean Banks holding  66-2/3% or more of
         the Revolving Commitments.

                  "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean any circumstance or event
         which  could  have a  material  adverse  effect  on (i) the  assets  or
         properties,  liabilities, financial condition, business, operations, or
         prospects of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or
         (ii) the ability of the  Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries,  taken as a
         whole, to carry out their respective  businesses as of the date of this
         Agreement or as proposed at the date of this Agreement to be conducted,
         or (iii) the ability of either Borrower, to meet



                                                      -10-

<PAGE>



         their  obligations  under the Note,  this  Agreement  or the other Loan
         Documents on a timely basis, or (iv) the validity or  enforceability of
         any Loan Document against either Borrower.

                  "Material  Subsidiaries"  shall  mean  those  Subsidiaries  of
         Atwood 66% of the voting  stock of which has been  pledged to the Banks
         (i) as listed on Schedule 5, and (ii) thereafter as reasonably required
         by the  Banks,  whether  currently  existing  or  hereafter  created or
         acquired.

                  "Maturity Date" shall mean March 31, 2002.

                  "Maximum Rate" shall mean at any particular  time in question,
         the maximum  non-usurious  rate of interest which under  applicable law
         may then be charged on the Note. If such Maximum Rate changes after the
         date  hereof,  the Maximum  Rate shall be  automatically  increased  or
         decreased, as the case may be, without notice to Borrowers from time to
         time as the effective date of each change in such Maximum Rate.

                  "Notes" shall mean the revolving  notes  substantially  in the
         form of Exhibit  "B" hereto  issued or to be issued  hereunder  to each
         Bank,  respectively,  to evidence the indebtedness to such Bank arising
         by reason of the Advances on the  Revolving  Loans,  together  with all
         modifications, renewals and extensions thereof or any part thereof.

               "Notice of  Borrowing"  is used herein as defined in Section 2(b)
          hereof.

               "Other  Financings"  is used  herein as defined in Section  14(l)
          hereof.

                  "Pacific  Credit  Agreement"  shall mean that  certain  Credit
         Agreement   dated  of  even  date  herewith   among  the  Borrowers  as
         guarantors, Atwood Oceanics Pacific Limited as borrower, the Banks, the
         Agent and the Co-Agent, pursuant to which the Banks have agreed to make
         a revolving  credit  facility of up to $25,000,000  available to Atwood
         Oceanics Pacific Limited.

                  "Payor" is used herein as defined in Section 3(h) hereof.

                  "Permitted Liens" shall mean (i) Liens for taxes, governmental
         charges,  levies or other  assessments  that are not yet delinquent (or
         that, if delinquent,  are being  contested in good faith by appropriate
         proceedings, levy and execution thereon having been stayed and continue
         to be stayed and for which such  Borrowers  have set aside on its books
         adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP);  (ii) maritime  (including,
         without  limitation,  Liens for  insurance  premiums or calls and Liens
         arising  under  charters),   materialmen's,   mechanic's,  repairmen's,
         employee's,   warehousemen's,   landlord's,  carrier's,   contractor's,
         sub-contractor's  and other Liens  (including any financing  statements
         filed  in  respect  thereof)  incidental  to  obligations  incurred  by
         Borrowers in connection with the



                                                      -11-

<PAGE>



         construction, maintenance, transportation, storage or operation of such
         Borrowers' assets,  Rigs or properties to the extent not delinquent (or
         which, if delinquent,  are being contested in good faith by appropriate
         proceedings  and for which such  Borrowers  have set aside on its books
         adequate  reserves  in  accordance  with  GAAP);  (iii) all  contracts,
         agreements  and  instruments,  any  interest  or title  of a lessor  or
         charterer  under any lease  permitted by this Agreement and all defects
         and  irregularities  and other matters affecting such Borrowers' assets
         and  properties  which  were in  existence  or arose  at the time  such
         Borrowers'  assets and  properties  were  originally  acquired  by such
         Borrowers and all routine  operational  agreements  entered into in the
         ordinary course of business, which contracts, agreements,  instruments,
         defects,  irregularities  and other  matters  and  routine  operational
         agreements  are  not  such  as to,  individually  or in the  aggregate,
         interfere  materially  with  the  operation,   value  or  use  of  such
         Borrowers'  assets and  properties,  considered in the aggregate;  (iv)
         liens in connection with workmen's compensation, unemployment insurance
         or  other  social  security,   old  age  pension  or  public  liability
         obligations;  (v) legal or  equitable  encumbrances  deemed to exist by
         reason of the existence of any litigation or other legal  proceeding or
         arising out of a judgment  or award with  respect to which an appeal is
         being prosecuted in good faith and levy and execution thereon have been
         stayed and continue to be stayed;  (vi) Liens incurred  pursuant to the
         Security  Instruments;  and (vii)  Liens  existing  at the date of this
         Agreement  which have been  disclosed to Banks in Borrowers'  March 31,
         1997  Financial  Statements  or  identified  in Schedule "1" hereto and
         which are either  released by the Effective Date or consented to by the
         Banks.

                  "Person"   shall  mean  an  individual,   a   corporation,   a
         partnership,   an   association,   a  trust  or  any  other  entity  or
         organization,  including a government  or political  subdivision  or an
         agency or instrumentality thereof.

                  "Plan"  shall  mean any plan  subject to Title IV of ERISA and
         maintained by  Borrowers,  or their  Subsidiaries,  or any such plan to
         which  Borrowers or their  Subsidiaries  are required to  contribute on
         behalf of its employees.

                  "Pledge  Agreement  For Bonds" shall mean that certain  Pledge
         Agreement For Bonds dated of even date  herewith  executed by Atwood to
         Agent for the benefit of the Banks covering the Treasury Bonds.

                  "Pledge  Agreement For Notes" shall mean those certain  Pledge
         Agreements For Notes dated of even date herewith executed by Atwood and
         Deep Seas to Agent for the benefit of the Banks covering all Subsidiary
         Notes   issued  by   Material   Subsidiaries   of  Atwood  to  evidence
         intercompany advances and other loans.




                                                      -12-

<PAGE>



                  "Pledge  Agreement  For Stock" shall mean that certain  Pledge
         Agreement For Stock dated of even date  herewith  executed by Atwood to
         Agent for the benefit of the Banks  covering 66% of the voting stock of
         the Material Subsidiaries.

                  "Pro Rata or Pro Rata Part" shall mean for each Bank,  (i) for
         all  purposes  where no  Revolving  Loan is  outstanding,  such  Bank's
         Revolving  Commitment  Percentage  and (ii)  otherwise,  the proportion
         which the portion of the outstanding  Revolving Loans owed to such Bank
         bears to the aggregate outstanding Revolving Loans owed to all Banks at
         the time in question.

                  "Reimbursement  Obligations"  shall  mean  at  any  time,  the
         obligations  of  Borrowers  in respect of all Letters of Credit,  which
         have been drawn upon and remain outstanding,  to reimburse amounts paid
         by any Bank in respect of any  drawing  or  drawings  under a Letter of
         Credit.

               "Required  Payment"  is used  herein as defined  in Section  3(h)
          hereof.

                  "Revolving   Commitment"   shall   mean  (A)  for  all  Banks,
         $100,000,000 as reduced from time to time pursuant to Sections 2(e) and
         2(f) hereof and (B) as to any Bank,  its  obligation  to make  Advances
         hereunder on the Revolving Loans and purchase participations in Letters
         of Credit issued  hereunder by the Agent in amounts not  exceeding,  in
         the  aggregate,  the amount set forth opposite the name of such Bank on
         the signature pages hereto under the heading "Revolving  Commitment" or
         in its Assignment and Acceptance.

                  "Revolving Commitment Percentage" shall mean for each Bank the
         percentage derived by dividing its Revolving  Commitment at the time of
         determination  by  Revolving  Commitments  of all  Banks at the time of
         determination.

                  "Revolving  Loans"  shall mean loans made under the  Revolving
         Commitment pursuant to Section 2 hereof.

                  "Rigs" shall mean the ATWOOD HUNTER,  the ATWOOD EAGLE and the
         RICHMOND and any other offshore  drilling rigs  acceptable to the Banks
         which may be mortgaged to the Banks from time to time.

                  "Security  Instruments"  shall mean this Agreement,  the First
         Naval Mortgage,  the First Preferred Ship Mortgage,  the Assignments of
         Insurance,   the  Assignments  of  Charter  Hire,  Drilling  Contracts,
         Revenues  and  Earnings,  the Pledge  Agreement  For Notes,  the Pledge
         Agreement For Stock,  the Pledge  Agreement for Bonds, the Guaranty and
         other  collateral  documents  covering all such documents to be in form
         and substance satisfactory to Agent.



                                                      -13-

<PAGE>




                  "Subsidiary"  shall mean any  corporation  or other  entity of
         which  securities or other ownership  interests  having ordinary voting
         power to elect a majority of the board of  directors  or other  persons
         performing  similar  functions  are at the time  directly or indirectly
         owned by either Borrower or another subsidiary.

                  "Subsidiary  Notes"  shall  mean the  promissory  notes of the
         Material  Subsidiaries  payable to one or more of the Borrowers,  which
         evidence   loans  or  advances  by  the   Borrowers  to  such  Material
         Subsidiaries,  and the repayment  thereof,  which  promissory notes are
         pledged by the Borrowers to the Banks.

                  "Total Outstandings" shall mean as of any date, the sum of (i)
         the total  principal  balance  outstanding on the Notes,  plus (ii) the
         total face amount of all  outstanding  Letters of Credit plus (iii) the
         total amount of all unpaid Reimbursement Obligations.

                  "Tranche" shall mean a Eurodollar Loan or a Base Rate Loan.

               "Treasury  Bonds" shall mean the U.S.  Treasury  Bonds or similar
          U.S. securities pledged by Borrowers to Banks.

               "Unused  Commitment  Fees" is used  herein as  defined in Section
          7(a) hereof.

         2.       Commitments of the Bank.

                  (a) Terms of Revolving Commitment. On the terms and conditions
         hereinafter set forth,  each Bank agrees  severally to make Advances to
         Borrowers  from  time  to  time  during  the  period  beginning  on the
         Effective  Date and  ending on the  Maturity  Date in such  amounts  as
         either  Borrower  may  request up to an amount  not to  exceed,  in the
         aggregate  principal  amount  outstanding  at any time,  the  Revolving
         Commitment.  Subject to the terms  hereof,  the  Borrowers  may borrow,
         repay and reborrow  hereunder.  The  obligation  of Borrowers  shall be
         joint and several  hereunder  shall be evidenced by this  Agreement and
         the Note or Notes issued in connection herewith,  said Note or Notes to
         be  as  described  in  Section  3  hereof.  Notwithstanding  any  other
         provision of this  Agreement,  no Advance  shall be required to be made
         hereunder if any Default or Event of Default (as  hereinafter  defined)
         has  occurred  and is  continuing.  Each  Advance  under the  Revolving
         Commitment  shall be an amount of at least $1,000,000 or a whole number
         multiple thereof. Irrespective of the face amount of the Note or Notes,
         the Banks  shall  never have the  obligation  to Advance  any amount or
         amounts  in excess  of the  Revolving  Commitment  or to  increase  the
         Revolving Commitment.  The total number of Tranches under the Revolving
         Commitment  which may be outstanding at any time hereunder  shall never
         exceed five (5), whether such Tranches are Base Rate Loans,  Eurodollar
         Loans, or a combination thereof.




                                                      -14-

<PAGE>



                  (b) Procedure for Borrowing.  Whenever either Borrower desires
         an Advance hereunder, it shall give Agent telegraphic, telex, facsimile
         or telephonic notice ("Notice of Borrowing") of such requested Advance,
         which in the case of telephonic notice,  shall be promptly confirmed in
         writing.  Each Notice of Borrowing  shall be in the form of Exhibit "A"
         attached  hereto  and shall be  received  by Agent not later than 11:00
         a.m.  Houston,  Texas time, (i) one Business Day prior to the date upon
         which any such Advance is requested to be funded (the "Borrowing Date")
         in the  case of the  Base  Rate  Loan,  or (ii)  three  (3)  Eurodollar
         Business  Days  prior  to any  proposed  Borrowing  Date in the case of
         Eurodollar Loans. Upon receipt of such Notice,  Agent shall immediately
         advise each Bank thereof;  provided, that if the Banks have received at
         least one (1) Business Day's notice of such Advance prior to funding of
         a Base Rate  Loan,  or at least  three (3)  Eurodollar  Business  Days'
         notice of each  Advance  prior to funding  in the case of a  Eurodollar
         Loan,  each Bank  shall  provide  Agent at its  office  at 910  Travis,
         Houston,  Texas 77002-5860,  not later than 1:00 p.m.,  Houston,  Texas
         time, on the Borrowing Date, in immediately  available  funds,  its pro
         rata share of the  requested  Advance,  but the  aggregate  of all such
         fundings  by  each  Bank  shall  never  exceed  such  Bank's  Revolving
         Commitment.  Not later  than 2:00 p.m.,  Houston,  Texas  time,  on the
         Borrowing  Date,  Agent shall make  available  to Borrowers at the same
         office, in like funds, the aggregate amount of such requested  Advance.
         Neither  Agent nor any Bank shall incur any  liability  to Borrowers in
         acting  upon any  Notice  referred  to above  which  Agent or such Bank
         believes in good faith to have been given by a duly authorized  officer
         or other  person  authorized  to borrow on behalf of  Borrowers  or for
         otherwise acting in good faith under this Section 2(b). Upon funding of
         Advances by Banks in accordance  with this  Agreement,  pursuant to any
         such  Notice of  Borrowing,  Borrowers  shall  have  effected  Advances
         hereunder.

                  (c) Letters of Credit. On the terms and conditions hereinafter
         set  forth,  the  Agent  shall  from  time to time  during  the  period
         beginning on the  Effective  Date and ending on the Maturity  Date upon
         request of either Borrower issue standby and/or  commercial  Letters of
         Credit for the account of either  Borrower (the "Letters of Credit") in
         such face amounts as either Borrower may request,  but not to exceed in
         the  aggregate  face amount at any time  outstanding  the sum of Twenty
         Million Dollars ($20,000,000). The face amount of all Letters of Credit
         issued and  outstanding  hereunder  shall be considered as non-interest
         bearing Advances (but not as Tranches) on the Revolving  Commitment and
         all  payments  made by the Agent on such  Letters  of  Credit  shall be
         considered  as Advances  under the Notes.  Each Letter of Credit issued
         for the account of either  Borrower  hereunder shall (i) be in favor of
         such beneficiaries as specifically  requested by either Borrower,  (ii)
         have an  expiration  date not exceeding  the Maturity  Date,  and (iii)
         contain such other  reasonable  terms and provisions as may be required
         by Agent.  Each Bank (other than Agent)  agrees that,  upon issuance of
         any  Letter  of  Credit  hereunder,  it shall  automatically  acquire a
         participation  in the Agent's  liability under such Letter of Credit in
         an amount equal to such Bank's Revolving Commitment Percentage



                                                      -15-

<PAGE>



         of such  liability,  and each Bank  (other than  Agent)  thereby  shall
         absolutely,  unconditionally and irrevocably assume, as primary obligor
         and not as surety, and shall be  unconditionally  obligated to Agent to
         pay and  discharge  when due, its  Revolving  Commitment  Percentage of
         Agent's  liability  under  such  Letter  of  Credit.  Borrowers  hereby
         unconditionally  agree to  immediately  pay and reimburse the Agent for
         the amount of each demand for  payment  under any Letter of Credit that
         is in compliance with the provisions of any such Letter of Credit at or
         prior to the date on which  payment  is to be made by the  Agent to the
         beneficiary thereunder,  without presentment,  demand, protest or other
         formalities  of any kind.  Upon  receipt  from any  beneficiary  of any
         Letter of Credit of any demand for payment under such Letter of Credit,
         the Agent shall  promptly  notify  Borrowers of the demand and the date
         upon which such payment is to be made by the Agent to such  beneficiary
         in respect of such demand.  Forthwith  upon receipt of such notice from
         the Agent,  Borrowers  shall advise the Agent whether or not it intends
         to borrow  hereunder to finance its obligations to reimburse the Agent,
         and if so,  submit a Notice of  Borrowing  as provided in Section  2(b)
         hereof.  If Borrowers  fail to immediately  pay and reimburse  Agent as
         aforesaid,  whether by  borrowing  hereunder  or  otherwise,  Borrowers
         hereby  authorize  Agent to make an  Advance as a Base Rate Loan in the
         amount of any  payment  made by Agent  with  respect  to any  Letter of
         Credit. The failure of the Borrowers to pay such amounts in full to the
         Agent as  required  herein by the date  specified  by the  Agent  shall
         result in the  Borrowers  being liable for interest on such amounts for
         the number of days that elapse from the day Agent  honors such draft to
         the date on which such  amounts are paid to the Agent by the  Borrowers
         at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate.

                  (d) Procedure for Obtaining Letters of Credit.  The amount and
         date of  issuance,  renewal,  extension  or  reissuance  of a Letter of
         Credit pursuant to the Banks' commitment above in Section 2(c) shall be
         designated by Borrowers'  written  request  delivered to Agent at least
         three (3) Business  Days prior to the date of such  issuance,  renewal,
         extension or reissuance.  Concurrently  with or promptly  following the
         delivery of the request for a Letter of Credit, Borrowers shall execute
         and deliver to the Agent an  application  and agreement with respect to
         the Letter of Credit,  said application and agreement to be in the form
         used by the Agent.  If there is any conflict  between the provisions of
         any  such  form  and the  terms of this  Agreement,  the  terms of this
         Agreement  shall  prevail.  The Agent shall not be  obligated to issue,
         renew,  extend or  reissue  such  Letters  of Credit if (A) the  amount
         thereon when added to the amount of the  outstanding  Letters of Credit
         exceeds Twenty Million Dollars  ($20,000,000) or (B) the amount thereof
         when  added  to the  Total  Outstandings  would  exceed  the  Revolving
         Commitment.  Borrowers  agree to pay the Agent for the  benefit  of the
         Banks  commissions  for  issuing  the  Letters  of  Credit  (calculated
         separately for each Letter of Credit) in an amount equal to the greater
         of (i) one percent  (1%) per annum (based on the actual days elapsed in
         a year consisting of 365 or, if  appropriate,  366 days) on the maximum
         face amount of the Letter of Credit or (ii) $400.00.  Borrowers further
         agree to pay Agent (i) an additional



                                                      -16-

<PAGE>



         fee equal to one-eighth of one percent  (.125%) per annum (based on the
         actual days elapsed in a year consisting of 365 or, if appropriate, 366
         days) on the maximum face amount of each Letter of Credit,  and (ii) an
         amendment fee for any amendment to letters of credit issued  hereunder,
         said fee to be in the amount of $50.00 per  amendment  and shall be due
         upon the issuance of such amendment.  Such commissions shall be payable
         prior to the  issuance of each  Letter of Credit,  based on the term of
         the  particular  Letter  of  Credit,  and  thereafter  on  each  annual
         anniversary date of such issuance,  or any date of an extension,  while
         such Letter of Credit is outstanding.

                  (e) Voluntary Reduction of Revolving Commitment. Borrowers may
         at any  time,  or from  time to  time,  upon not less  than  three  (3)
         Business  Days prior written  notice to Agent,  reduce or terminate the
         Revolving Commitment; provided, however, that (i) each reduction in the
         Revolving Commitment must be in the amount of at least $1,000,000 or in
         increments of $1,000,000 and (ii) each reduction must be accompanied by
         a  prepayment  of the  Notes in the  amount  by which  the  outstanding
         principal  balance of the Notes  exceeds the  Revolving  Commitment  as
         reduced pursuant to this Section 2(e).

                  (f) Mandatory Reduction of Revolving Commitment. The Revolving
         Commitment  shall be  automatically  reduced as of the last day of each
         fiscal quarter  beginning on March 31, 1999 by the amount of $6,666,666
         per fiscal quarter (the "Quarterly Commitment Reduction").

                  (g) Status of  Obligations.  The  obligations of the Borrowers
         hereunder are joint and several. The obligations of the Banks under the
         Revolving Commitment are several and not joint. The failure of any Bank
         to make an  Advance  required  to be made by it shall not  relieve  any
         other Bank of its obligation to make its Advance,  and no Bank shall be
         responsible for the failure of any other Bank to make the Advance to be
         made by such other Bank.  No Bank shall be  required to lend  hereunder
         any amount in excess of its legal  lending  limit;  however,  each Bank
         hereunder  covenants that the Revolving  Commitment does not, as of the
         date hereof, exceed its legal lending limit.

               3. Notes Evidencing Loans. The loans described above in Section 2
          shall be evidenced by notes of the Borrowers as follows:

                  (a) Form of Notes - The Revolving  Loans shall be evidenced by
         Notes in the aggregate face amount of $100,000,000, and shall be in the
         form of Exhibit "B" hereto with appropriate insertions. Notwithstanding
         the face  amount of the  Notes,  the actual  principal  amount due from
         Borrowers  to  Banks  on  account  of  the  Notes,  as of any  date  of
         computation,  shall be the sum of Advances then and theretofore made on
         account thereof,  plus outstanding  Reimbursement  Obligations less all
         principal  payments  actually received by Banks in collected funds with
         respect  thereto.  Although the Notes may be dated as of the  Effective
         Date, interest in respect thereof shall be payable only for the



                                                      -17-

<PAGE>



         period during which the loans evidenced  thereby are  outstanding  and,
         although the stated amount of the Notes may be higher,  the Notes shall
         be  enforceable,  with  respect  to  Borrowers'  obligation  to pay the
         principal  amount thereof,  only to the extent of the unpaid  principal
         amount of the loans.

                  (b) Issuance of Additional Notes - At the Effective Date there
         shall be  outstanding  (i) seven (7) Notes in the aggregate face amount
         of $100,000,000  payable to the order of the Banks for each such Bank's
         Pro Rata Part of the Revolving Commitment.  From time to time new Notes
         may be issued  to other  Banks as such  Banks  become  parties  to this
         Agreement. Upon request from Agent, Borrowers shall execute and deliver
         to Agent  any such new or  additional  Notes.  From time to time as new
         Notes are issued the Agent shall require that each Bank exchange  their
         Notes for newly  issued  Notes to  reflect  the  extent of each  Bank's
         Revolving Commitments hereunder.

                  (c)  Interest  Rates - The  unpaid  principal  balance  of all
         outstanding  advances  under the Notes shall bear interest from time to
         time as set forth in Section 4 hereof.

                  (d)  Payment  of  Interest -  Interest  on the Notes  shall be
         payable  to the  Agent  for the  ratable  benefit  of the Banks on each
         Interest Payment Date.

                  (e) Payment of Principal - Principal of the Notes shall be due
         and  payable to the Agent for the  ratable  benefit of the Banks on the
         Maturity Date unless  earlier due in whole or in part as a result of an
         acceleration of the amount due or pursuant to the mandatory  prepayment
         provisions of Sections 8(b) hereof.

                  (f) Payment to Banks - Each Bank's Pro Rata Part of payment or
         prepayment of the Revolving Loans shall be directed by wire transfer to
         such Bank by the Agent at the  address  provided  to the Agent for such
         Bank for payments no later than 2:00 p.m., Houston,  Texas, time on the
         Business Day such payments or prepayments are deemed  hereunder to have
         been received by Agent;  provided,  however, in the event that any Bank
         shall have failed to make an Advance as  contemplated  under  Section 2
         hereof (a  "Defaulting  Bank") and the Agent or  another  Bank or Banks
         shall have made such Advance, payment received by Agent for the account
         of such  Defaulting  Bank or Banks  shall  not be  distributed  to such
         Defaulting Bank or Banks until such Advance or Advances shall have been
         repaid  in full  to the  Bank or  Banks  who  funded  such  Advance  or
         Advances. Any payment or prepayment received by Agent at any time after
         12:00 noon,  Houston,  Texas, time on a Business Day shall be deemed to
         have been received on the next Business  Day.  Interest  shall cease to
         accrue on any principal as of the end of the day preceding the Business
         Day on which any such payment or prepayment is deemed hereunder to have
         been received by Agent. If Agent fails to transfer any principal amount
         to any Bank as provided  above,  then Agent shall promptly  direct such
         principal  amount  by  wire  transfer  to  such  Bank.  Payment  by the
         Borrowers of any principal, interest or



                                                      -18-

<PAGE>



         other fees or expenses due hereunder to the Agent shall  extinguish the
         obligations of Borrowers to each Bank for such  principal,  interest or
         other fees or expenses actually paid.

                  (g) Sharing of  Payments,  Etc. - If any Bank shall obtain any
         payment (whether  voluntary,  involuntary,  or otherwise) on account of
         the Revolving Loans, (including, without limitation, any set-off) which
         is in excess of its Pro Rata Part of  payments on the  Revolving  Loans
         such Bank shall  purchase  from the other Banks such  participation  as
         shall be  necessary to cause such  purchasing  Bank to share the excess
         payment  pro rata  with  each of  them;  provided  that,  if all or any
         portion  of such  excess  payment  is  thereafter  recovered  from such
         purchasing Bank, the purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase price
         restored to the extent of the recovery.  Borrowers  agree that any Bank
         so  purchasing  a  participation  from  another  Bank  pursuant to this
         Section may, to the fullest  extent  permitted by law,  exercise all of
         its rights of payment  (including  the right of offset) with respect to
         such participation as fully as if such Bank were the direct creditor of
         Borrowers in the amount of such participation.

                  (h) Non-Receipt of Funds by the Agent - Unless the Agent shall
         have been notified by a Bank or Borrowers  (the  "Payor")  prior to the
         date on which such Bank is to make payment to the Agent of the proceeds
         of a Revolving Loans to be made by it hereunder or Borrowers is to make
         a payment to the Agent for the account of one or more of the Banks,  as
         the  case  may be (such  payment  being  herein  called  the  "Required
         Payment"), which notice shall be effective upon receipt, that the Payor
         does not intend to make the  Required  Payment to the Agent,  the Agent
         may assume that the Required Payment has been made and may, in reliance
         upon such  assumption  (but shall not be required  to), make the amount
         thereof  available to the  intended  recipient on such date and, if the
         Payor has not in fact  made the  Required  Payment  to the  Agent,  the
         recipient of such payment shall, on demand, pay to the Agent the amount
         made  available to it together with interest  thereon in respect of the
         period  commencing  on the date such amount was made  available  by the
         Agent  until  the date  the  Agent  recovers  such  amount  at the rate
         applicable to such portion of the applicable Revolving Loan.

                  (i)  Capital  Adequacy  - If either  (i) the  introduction  or
         implementation  of or the  compliance  with or any  change in or in the
         interpretation  of any law, rule or regulation or (ii) the introduction
         or  implementation  of or the  compliance  with any mandatory  request,
         directive  or  guideline  from any central  bank or other  governmental
         authority  (whether  or not having  the force of law)  affects or would
         affect the amount of capital  required or expected to be  maintained by
         any  Bank  or any  corporation  controlling  any  Bank as a  result  of
         maintaining  the Revolving  Loans,  then within fifteen (15) days after
         demand by such Bank, Borrowers will pay to such Bank, from time to time
         as specified by such Bank, such additional amount or amounts which such
         Bank shall  reasonably  determine to be appropriate to compensate  such
         Bank or any corporation



                                                      -19-

<PAGE>



         controlling  such Bank in light of such  circumstances,  to the  extent
         that  such  Bank  reasonably  determines  that the  amount  of any such
         capital would be  increased,  or the rate of return on any such capital
         would be reduced  in whole or in part,  based on the  existence  of the
         amount of the Revolving Loans or such Bank's Revolving Commitment under
         this Agreement.

         4.       Interest Rates.

                  (a)      Options.

                            (i) Base Rate Loans.  Borrowers  agree,  jointly and
                  severally,  to pay interest on the Revolving Loans  calculated
                  on the basis of the actual days  elapsed in a year  consisting
                  of 365 or, if appropriate, 366 days with respect to the unpaid
                  principal  amount  of each  Base  Rate  Loan from the date the
                  proceeds   thereof  are  made  available  to  Borrowers  until
                  maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise),  at a varying
                  rate per annum  equal to the  lesser of (i) the  Maximum  Rate
                  (defined  herein),  or (ii) the sum of the Base  Rate plus the
                  Base Rate Margin.  Subject to the provisions of this Agreement
                  as to prepayment, the principal of the Notes representing Base
                  Rate  Loans  shall be  payable as  specified  in Section  3(e)
                  hereof  and the  interest  in  respect  of each Base Rate Loan
                  shall be  payable  on each  Interest  Payment  Date.  Past due
                  principal  and,  to the  extent  permitted  by law,  past  due
                  interest  in  respect  to each  Base  Rate  Loan,  shall  bear
                  interest,  payable on demand, at a rate per annum equal to the
                  Default Rate.

                           (ii)  Eurodollar  Loans.   Borrowers  agree  to  pay,
                  jointly and severally,  interest  calculated on the basis of a
                  year  consisting  of 360  days  with  respect  to  the  unpaid
                  principal  amount  of each  Eurodollar  Loan from the date the
                  proceeds   thereof  are  made  available  to  Borrowers  until
                  maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise),  at a varying
                  rate per annum equal to the lesser of (i) the Maximum Rate, or
                  (ii) the Eurodollar Rate plus the Eurodollar  Margin.  Subject
                  to  the   provisions  of  this   Agreement   with  respect  to
                  prepayment,  the  principal  of the Notes  shall be payable as
                  specified in Section 3(e) hereof and the interest with respect
                  to each  Eurodollar  Loan shall be  payable  on each  Interest
                  Payment Date. Past due principal and, to the extent  permitted
                  by law,  past due  interest  shall bear  interest,  payable on
                  demand,  at a rate per annum equal to the Default  Rate.  Upon
                  three (3)  Eurodollar  Business  Days' written notice prior to
                  the making by the Banks of any Eurodollar Loan (in the case of
                  the initial  Interest Period  therefor) or the expiration date
                  of each succeeding  Interest Period (in the case of subsequent
                  Interest Periods  therefor),  Borrowers shall have the option,
                  subject to compliance by



                                                      -20-

<PAGE>



                  Borrowers  with all of the  provisions of this  Agreement,  as
                  long as no Event of Default  exists,  to specify  whether  the
                  Interest  Period  commencing  on any such date  shall be a one
                  (1),  two (2),  three  (3) or six (6) month  period.  If Agent
                  shall not have received timely notice of a designation of such
                  Interest Period as herein provided,  Borrowers shall be deemed
                  to have  elected to convert all maturing  Eurodollar  Loans to
                  Base Rate Loans.

                  (b) Interest  Rate  Determination.  The Agent shall  determine
         each interest rate applicable to the Revolving Loans hereunder pursuant
         to the terms of this  Agreement.  The Agent shall give prompt notice to
         Borrowers of each rate of interest so determined and its  determination
         thereof shall be conclusive absent error.

                  (c) Conversion  Option.  Borrowers may elect from time to time
         (i) to  convert  all or any part of its  Eurodollar  Loans to Base Rate
         Loans by giving Agent  irrevocable  notice of such  election in writing
         prior to 10:00 a.m.  (Houston,  Texas time) on the conversion  date and
         such  conversion  shall  be  made  on the  requested  conversion  date,
         provided that any such conversion of Eurodollar Loan shall only be made
         on the last day of the Eurodollar Interest Period with respect thereof,
         (ii) to convert  all or any part of its Base Rate  Loans to  Eurodollar
         Loans by giving the Agent  irrevocable  written notice of such election
         three (3) Eurodollar Business Days prior to the proposed conversion and
         such conversion  shall be made on the requested  conversion date or, if
         such requested  conversion  date is not a Eurodollar  Business Day or a
         Business  Day,  as the case may be, on the next  succeeding  Eurodollar
         Business Day or Business  Day, as the case may be. Any such  conversion
         shall not be deemed to be a prepayment of any of the loans for purposes
         of this Agreement on the Notes.

                  (d) Recoupment. If at any time the applicable rate of interest
         selected  pursuant to Sections  4(a)(i) or 4(a)(ii)  above shall exceed
         the  Maximum  Rate,  thereby  causing  the  interest on the Notes to be
         limited to the  Maximum  Rate,  then any  subsequent  reduction  in the
         interest rate so selected or subsequently selected shall not reduce the
         rate of interest  on the Notes  below the Maximum  Rate until the total
         amount of  interest  accrued on the Note  equals the amount of interest
         which  would have  accrued  on the Notes if the rate or rates  selected
         pursuant  to Sections  4(a)(i) or (ii),  as the case may be, had at all
         times been in effect.

         5.       Special Provisions Relating to Eurodollar Loans.

                  (a)  Unavailability of Funds or Inadequacy of Pricing.  In the
         event that, in connection with any proposed  Eurodollar  Loan, any Bank
         (i) shall have  determined  that U.S.  Dollar  deposits of the relevant
         amount and for the relevant  Eurodollar  Interest Period for Eurodollar
         Loans are not available to such Bank in the London interbank market; or
         (ii) in good faith  determines  that the Eurodollar  Interest Rate will
         not adequately reflect



                                                      -21-

<PAGE>



         the cost to the Banks of maintaining  or funding the  Eurodollar  Loans
         for such  Interest  Period,  the  obligations  of the Banks to make the
         Eurodollar  Loans,  as the case may be, shall be  suspended  until such
         time such Bank in its sole discretion  reasonably  exercised determines
         that the event resulting in such suspension has ceased to exist. If any
         Bank shall make such  determination  it shall promptly notify the Agent
         in writing,  and Agent shall promptly notify Borrowers in writing,  and
         Borrowers shall either repay the outstanding  Eurodollar  Loans, as the
         case may be,  owed to Banks,  without  penalty,  on the last day of the
         current  Interest  Period or convert the same to Base Rate Loans in the
         case of Eurodollar  Loans on the last day of the then current  Interest
         Period for such Eurodollar Loan.

                  (b) Taxes. Both principal and interest on the Notes evidencing
         the Eurodollar  Loans are payable without  withholding or deduction for
         or on account  of any  taxes.  If any taxes are levied or imposed on or
         with respect to the Notes  evidencing  the  Eurodollar  Loans or on any
         payment on the Notes  evidencing the Eurodollar Loans made to any Bank,
         then,  and in any such  event,  Borrowers  shall pay to the Banks  upon
         demand of any Bank such additional  amounts as may be necessary so that
         every net payment of principal and interest on the Notes evidencing the
         Eurodollar  Loans,  after withholding or deduction for or on account of
         any such taxes,  will not be less than any amount  provided for herein.
         In addition,  if at any time when the Eurodollar  Loans are outstanding
         any laws enacted or  promulgated,  or any court of law or  governmental
         agency  interprets or  administers  any law,  which,  in any such case,
         materially  changes  the basis of  taxation  of payments to any Bank of
         principal of or interest on the Notes  evidencing the Eurodollar  Loans
         by reason of subjecting  such payments to double  taxation or otherwise
         (except  through  an  increase  in the rate of tax on the  overall  net
         income of such Bank or Banks)  then  Borrowers  will pay the  amount of
         loss to the extent that such loss is caused by such a change. The Banks
         shall give notice to Borrowers upon becoming aware of the amount of any
         loss incurred by any Bank through enactment or promulgation of any such
         law which  materially  changes the basis of taxation of payments to one
         or more of the  Banks.  The Banks  shall also give  notice on  becoming
         aware of any such  enactment or  promulgation  which may result in such
         payments   becoming   subject  to  double  taxation  or  otherwise.   A
         certificate  of any Bank setting forth the basis for the  determination
         of such loss and the  computation of such amounts shall be delivered to
         Borrowers  and  shall  be  conclusive  of such  determination  and such
         amount,  absent error.  The Borrowers  shall not be liable to the Banks
         for, or be required to pay, any taxes that are on the overall income or
         franchise  taxes  imposed  at any time on any Bank by any  governmental
         agency in any jurisdiction where such Bank conducts business.

                  (c)  Change in Laws.  If at any time any new law or any change
         in existing laws or in the  interpretation  of any new or existing laws
         shall make it unlawful for the Banks to maintain or fund its Eurodollar
         Loans  hereunder,  then the Banks shall  promptly  notify  Borrowers in
         writing and Borrowers shall either repay the outstanding Eurodollar



                                                      -22-

<PAGE>



         Loans  owed to the  Banks,  without  penalty,  on the  last  day of the
         current Interest Periods (or, if any Bank may not lawfully  continue to
         maintain and fund such Eurodollar Loans, immediately), or Borrowers may
         convert such  Eurodollar  Loans at such  appropriate  time to Base Rate
         Loans.

                  (d)  Option to Fund.  The Banks  shall each have the option if
         Borrowers elect a Eurodollar  Loan, to purchase one or more deposits in
         order to fund or maintain its funding of the  principal  balance of its
         Note to which such  Eurodollar  Loan is applicable  during the Interest
         Period in question;  it being  understood  that the  provisions of this
         Agreement relating to such funding are included only for the purpose of
         determining  the rate of interest to be paid under such Eurodollar Loan
         and any amounts owing hereunder and under the Notes.  Any Bank shall be
         entitled  to fund and  maintain  its funding of all or any part of that
         portion  of the  principal  balance  of the Notes in any manner it sees
         fit,  but all such  determinations  hereunder  shall be made as if such
         Bank have actually  funded and maintained that portion of the principal
         balance of the Notes to which a Eurodollar  Loan is  applicable  during
         the applicable  Interest  Period through the purchase of deposits in an
         amount  equal to the  principal  balance  of the  Notes  to which  such
         Eurodollar  Loan is applicable and having a maturity  corresponding  to
         such  Interest  Period.  Any Bank may  fund the  outstanding  principal
         balance of the Notes which is to be subject to any Eurodollar Loan from
         any branch or office of such Bank as any Bank may  designate  from time
         to time.

                  (e) Indemnity. Borrowers shall indemnify and hold harmless the
         Banks  against all  reasonable  and necessary  out-of-pocket  costs and
         expenses  which the Banks  shall  sustain (i) as a  consequence  of any
         default by Borrowers under this  Agreement,  or (ii) as a result of the
         making of any loan or loans as a Eurodollar  Loan under this  Agreement
         unless any such costs or expenses are caused by the gross negligence or
         willful  misconduct of any of the Banks, the Agent, the Co-Agent or any
         of their employees or agents.

                  (f) Payments Not at End of Interest Period.  If Borrowers make
         any payment of principal with respect to any Eurodollar Loan on any day
         other  than the  last day of the  Interest  Period  applicable  to such
         Eurodollar Loan, then Borrowers shall reimburse the Banks on demand for
         any  loss,  cost or  expense  incurred  by the Banks as a result of the
         timing  of such  payment  or in  redepositing  such  principal  amount,
         including  the sum of (i) the cost of funds to the Banks in  respect of
         such principal amount so paid, for the remainder of the Interest Period
         applicable to such sum, reduced,  if any Bank is able to redeposit such
         principal amount so paid for the balance of the Interest Period, by the
         interest  earned  by such  Bank as a  result  of so  redepositing  such
         principal amount, plus (ii) any expense or penalty incurred by the Bank
         in  redepositing  such  principal  amount.  A  certificate  of any Bank
         setting forth the basis for the determination of the amount owed



                                                      -23-

<PAGE>



         by  Borrowers  pursuant  to this  Section  5(f) shall be  delivered  to
         Borrowers and shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

         6. Collateral Security. To secure the performance by Borrowers of their
obligations   hereunder,   and  under  the  Notes,  the  Guaranty  and  Security
Instruments,  whether now or hereafter incurred, matured or unmatured, direct or
contingent,  joint or  several,  or joint  and  several,  including  extensions,
modifications,  renewals and increases  thereof,  and  substitutions  therefore,
Borrowers  shall  contemporaneously  with  or  prior  to the  execution  of this
Agreement  and the Notes,  grant and assign to Agent for the ratable  benefit of
the Banks a first and prior Lien on (i) the Rigs, together with an assignment of
the insurance  covering such Rigs, the charter hire,  drilling contract earnings
and revenues of the Rigs,  (ii) at least  $20,000,000  in market value  Treasury
Bonds, (iii) 66% of the voting stock of the Material Subsidiaries,  and (iv) the
Subsidiary Notes. The Rigs, Treasury Bonds, stock and Subsidiary Notes and other
collateral in which Borrowers have herewith granted or hereafter grants to Agent
for the ratable benefit of the Banks a first and prior Lien (to the satisfaction
of the  Agent)  in  accordance  with  this  Section  6, as such  properties  and
interests are from time to time constituted, are hereinafter collectively called
the "Collateral."

         The granting  and  assigning of such  security  interests  and Liens by
Borrowers  shall be  pursuant  to  Security  Instruments  in form and  substance
reasonably  satisfactory  to the Agent.  Borrowers will cause to be executed and
delivered to the Agent, in the future,  additional  Security  Instruments if the
Agent reasonably deems such are necessary to insure perfection or maintenance of
Banks' Liens in the Collateral or any part thereof.

         In  addition to the  granting of the first and prior Liens  referred to
above, Borrowers shall also grant to the Banks a negative pledge on all of their
other assets.

         7.       Fees.

                  (a) Unused Fee.  Borrowers  shall pay to Agent for the ratable
         benefit of the Banks an unused  commitment fee (the "Unused  Commitment
         Fee")  equivalent  to  three-eighths  of one percent  (.375%) per annum
         (based on the actual days  elapsed in a year  consisting  of 365 or, if
         appropriate,  366 days) on the daily average of the unadvanced  portion
         of the  Revolving  Commitment  less  the  outstanding  amount  of  each
         unfunded  Letter of Credit issued by the Agent pursuant to Section 2(c)
         hereof.  The Unused  Commitment  Fee shall be payable in arrears on the
         last Business Day of each calendar quarter beginning September 30, 1997
         with the final fee payment due on the Maturity Date for any period then
         ending  for  which  the  Unused  Commitment  Fee  shall  not have  been
         theretofore paid. In the event the Revolving  Commitment  terminates on
         any date prior to the end of any such monthly  period,  Borrowers shall
         pay to the Agent for the ratable  benefit of the Banks,  on the date of
         such termination, the total Unused Commitment Fee due for the period in
         which such termination occurs.



                                                      -24-

<PAGE>




               (b) The Letter of Credit  Fee.  Borrowers  shall pay to the Agent
          the Letter of Credit fees required above in Section 2(d).

               (c) Agency Fees.  Borrowers  shall pay to the Agent  certain fees
          for acting as Agent hereunder in the amounts previously agreed between
          Borrowers and the Agent.

         8.       Prepayments.

                  (a)  Voluntary  Prepayments.  Subject  to  the  provisions  of
         Sections  2(a)  and 5(f)  hereof  with  respect  to  Eurodollar  Loans,
         Borrowers  may at any time and from time to time,  without  penalty  or
         premium,  prepay the Notes,  in whole or in part.  Each such prepayment
         shall be made on at least one (1)  Business  Day's  notice to Agent and
         shall be in a  minimum  amount of  $1,000,000  or any  larger  multiple
         thereof or the unpaid  balance on the Notes,  whichever  is less,  plus
         accrued interest thereon to the date of prepayment.

                  (b) Mandatory Prepayment.  In the event the Total Outstandings
         ever  exceed  the  Revolving  Commitment,  whether  as  a  result  of a
         Quarterly  Commitment  Reduction  or  otherwise,  the  Borrowers  shall
         immediately  prepay,  without  premium  or  penalty,   subject  to  the
         provisions of Section 5(f) hereof with respect to Eurodollar Loans, the
         principal  amount  of the  Notes in an  amount  at least  equal to such
         excess  plus  accrued but unpaid  interest  thereon to the date of such
         prepayment.

               9.  Representations and Warranties.  In order to induce the Banks
          to enter into this Agreement,  Borrowers  hereby represent and warrant
          to the Banks (which  representations  and warranties  will survive the
          delivery of the Notes) that:

                  (a)  Creation  and  Existence.  Atwood is a  corporation  duly
         organized,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
         jurisdiction  in  which  it was  formed  and is duly  qualified  in all
         jurisdictions  wherein  failure  to  qualify  may  result in a Material
         Adverse Effect. Deep Seas is a limited partnership duly formed, validly
         existing  and in good  standing  under  the  laws of the  state  of its
         formation and is duly qualified in all jurisdictions wherein failure to
         qualify may result in a Material  Adverse  Effect.  Each  Borrower  and
         their respective  Subsidiaries has all power and authority to own their
         respective  properties and assets and to transact the business in which
         it is engaged.

                  (b) Power and Authority.  Each Borrower is duly authorized and
         empowered  to create and issue the  Notes;  and each  Borrower  is duly
         authorized   and   empowered  to  execute,   deliver  and  perform  its
         obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party,  including
         this  Agreement;  and all  corporate  action  on each  Borrower's  part
         requisite  for the due  creation  and issuance of the Notes and on each
         Borrower's part requisite for



                                                      -25-

<PAGE>



         the due  execution,  delivery and  performance  of the Loan  Documents,
         including this Agreement, has been duly and effectively taken.

                  (c) Binding  Obligations.  This Agreement  does, and the Notes
         and other Loan Documents upon their creation,  issuance,  execution and
         delivery  will,  constitute  valid  and  binding  obligations  of  each
         Borrower,  enforceable in accordance with its respective  terms (except
         that   enforcement  may  be  subject  to  any  applicable   bankruptcy,
         insolvency,  or similar  debtor  relief laws now or hereafter in effect
         and  relating to or  affecting  the  enforcement  of  creditors  rights
         generally).

                  (d) No Legal  Bar or  Resultant  Lien.  The Notes and the Loan
         Documents,  including this Agreement,  do not and will not, to the best
         of each  Borrower's  knowledge  violate any  provisions of any material
         contract,  agreement,  law, regulation,  order,  injunction,  judgment,
         decree or writ to which  either  Borrower is subject,  or result in the
         creation or imposition of any lien or other encumbrance upon any assets
         or properties of either Borrower, other than those contemplated by this
         Agreement.

                  (e) No Consent.  The  execution,  delivery and  performance by
         Borrowers of the Notes and the Loan Documents, including this Agreement
         does not require the consent or approval of any other person or entity,
         including without  limitation any regulatory  authority or governmental
         body  of the  United  States  or any  state  thereof  or any  political
         subdivision of the United States or any state  thereof,  except for any
         lenders  with respect to Liens set forth in  subparagraph  (vii) of the
         definition of Permitted Liens in Section 1 hereof,  which consents have
         been obtained by Borrowers.

                  (f) Financial Condition. The unaudited Financial Statements of
         Borrowers dated March 31, 1997,  which have been delivered to the Agent
         are  complete  and  correct in all  material  respects,  and fairly and
         accurately reflect in all material respects the financial condition and
         results of the  operations of Borrowers as of the date or dates and for
         the  period or periods  stated.  No change  has since  occurred  in the
         condition,  financial or  otherwise,  of Borrowers  which is reasonably
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,  except as disclosed to the
         Banks in Schedule "2" attached hereto.

                  (g)  Liabilities.  Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary has any
         material  (individually  or in  the  aggregate)  liability,  direct  or
         contingent,   except  as  disclosed  to  the  Banks  in  the  Financial
         Statements  and on Schedule "3" attached  hereto.  No unusual or unduly
         burdensome  restrictions,  restraint, or hazard exists by contract, law
         or  governmental  regulation  or  otherwise  relative to the  business,
         assets or  properties  of either  Borrower or any  Subsidiary  which is
         reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.




                                                      -26-

<PAGE>



                  (h)   Litigation.   Except  as  described  in  the   Financial
         Statements,  or as  otherwise  disclosed  to the Banks in Schedule  "4"
         attached  hereto,  there  is no  litigation,  legal  or  administrative
         proceeding,  investigation or other action of any nature pending or, to
         the  knowledge  of the  officers of either  Borrower or any  Subsidiary
         threatened against or affecting either Borrower or any Subsidiary which
         involves the possibility of any judgment or liability not fully covered
         by  insurance,  and which is  reasonably  expected  to have a  Material
         Adverse Effect.

                  (i) Taxes;  Governmental  Charges.  Each  Borrower and each of
         their  Subsidiaries  have filed all tax returns and reports required to
         be  filed  and  has  paid  all  taxes,  assessments,   fees  and  other
         governmental charges levied upon it or its assets, properties or income
         which  are due and  payable,  including  interest  and  penalties,  the
         failure of which to pay could reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse  Effect,  except such as are being  contested  in good faith by
         appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves for the payment
         thereof as required by GAAP has been  provided  and levy and  execution
         thereon have been stayed and continue to be stayed.

                  (j) Titles,  Etc. Each Borrower and each of their Subsidiaries
         have  good and  defensible  title to all of  their  respective  assets,
         including without limitation,  the Rigs, free and clear of all liens or
         other encumbrances except Permitted Liens.

                  (k)  Defaults.  Neither  Borrower  nor  any  Subsidiary  is in
         default and no event or circumstance  has occurred  which,  but for the
         passage of time or the giving of notice,  or both,  would  constitute a
         default under any loan or credit agreement,  indenture,  mortgage, deed
         of trust,  security agreement or other agreement or instrument to which
         Borrowers  or any  Subsidiary  are a party in any respect that would be
         reasonably  expected  to have a Material  Adverse  Effect.  No Event of
         Default hereunder has occurred and is continuing.

                  (l) Casualties;  Taking of Properties.  Since the dates of the
         latest Financial  Statements of Borrowers  delivered to Banks,  neither
         the  business  nor  the  assets  or  properties  of  Borrowers  or  any
         Subsidiary have been affected (to the extent it is reasonably likely to
         cause a Material  Adverse  Effect) as a result of any fire,  explosion,
         earthquake, flood, drought, windstorm,  accident, strike or other labor
         disturbance, embargo, requisition or taking of property or cancellation
         of  contracts,  permits  or  concessions  by any  domestic  or  foreign
         government or any agency thereof,  riot,  activities of armed forces or
         acts of God or of any public enemy.

                  (m) Use of Proceeds;  Margin Stock. The availability under the
         Revolving  Commitment will be used by Borrowers for the purposes of (i)
         refinancing existing debt, (ii) for letters of credit, (iii) funding of
         capital expenditures to upgrade and modernize its and its Subsidiaries'
         existing fleet of offshore drilling rigs, (iv) working capital and (v)



                                                      -27-

<PAGE>



         general corporate purposes.  Neither Borrower is engaged principally or
         as one of its important  activities in the business of extending credit
         for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any "margin stock" as defined
         in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
         (12 C.F.R.  Part 221),  or for the purpose of reducing or retiring  any
         indebtedness  which was  originally  incurred  to  purchase  or carry a
         margin  stock or for any other  purpose  which  might  constitute  this
         transaction a "purpose credit" within the meaning of said Regulation U.

                  Neither Borrowers nor any person or entity acting on behalf of
         Borrowers  have taken or will take any  action  which  might  cause the
         loans hereunder or any of the Loan Documents, including this Agreement,
         to  violate  Regulation  U or any  other  regulation  of the  Board  of
         Governors of the Federal  Reserve  System or to violate the  Securities
         Exchange Act of 1934 or any rule or regulation thereunder, in each case
         as now in effect or as the same may hereafter be in effect.

                  (n) Location of Business and Offices.  The principal  place of
         business and chief  executive  offices of both Borrowers are located at
         the address stated in Section 16 hereof.

               (o)  Compliance  with  the Law.  To the  best of each  Borrower's
          knowledge, neither Borrowers nor any Subsidiary:

               (i)  is  in  violation  of  any  law,  judgment,  decree,  order,
          ordinance,  or governmental rule or regulation to which Borrowers,  or
          any of its assets or properties are subject; or

               (ii) has failed to obtain any license, permit, franchise or other
          governmental  authorization  necessary to the  ownership of any of its
          assets or properties or the conduct of its business;

               which  violation  or failure  is  reasonably  expected  to have a
          Material Adverse Effect.

                  (p) No  Material  Misstatements.  No  information,  exhibit or
         report furnished by either Borrower to the Banks in connection with the
         negotiation of this Agreement  contained any material  misstatement  of
         fact or omitted to state a material fact or any fact  necessary to make
         the statement contained therein not materially misleading.

                  (q) ERISA.  Each Borrower and each Subsidiary is in compliance
         in all material  respects with the applicable  provisions of ERISA, and
         no "reportable event", as such term is defined in Section 403 of ERISA,
         has occurred with respect to any Plan of Borrowers.




                                                      -28-

<PAGE>



                  (r) Public Utility Holding Company Act.  Neither Borrower is a
         "holding company",  or "subsidiary company" of a "holding company",  or
         an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a "subsidiary company" of a
         "holding  company",  or a "public  utility"  within the  meaning of the
         Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

                  (s)      Environmental Matters.

                           (i) The Borrowers  have duly complied in all material
                  respects  with,  and the Rigs and their other  properties  and
                  operations  are in compliance in all material  respects  with,
                  the  provisions of all  applicable  environmental,  health and
                  safety  laws,   codes  and   ordinances   and  all  rules  and
                  regulations   promulgated   thereunder  of  all   Governmental
                  Authorities  unless such compliance  would violate the laws or
                  regulations  of  the   jurisdiction  in  which  the  Rigs  are
                  operating.

                           (ii)  As of the  date of this  Agreement,  except  as
                  disclosed to the Agent in writing or Schedule "6" hereto,  the
                  Borrowers  have  received  no  notice  from  any  Governmental
                  Authority,  and  have  no  knowledge,  of  any  fact(s)  which
                  constitute a violation of any applicable environmental, health
                  or  safety  laws,  codes  or  ordinances,  and  any  rules  or
                  regulations   promulgated   thereunder  of  all   Governmental
                  Authorities,  which relate to the use or ownership of the Rigs
                  or other properties owned or operated by the Borrowers.

                           (iii) The  Borrowers  have been  issued all  required
                  permits,   licenses,   certificates   and   approvals  of  all
                  Governmental  Authorities relating to (i) air emissions,  (ii)
                  discharges  to  surface  water or ground  water,  (iii)  noise
                  emissions,  (iv) solid or liquid waste disposal,  (v) the use,
                  operation, storage,  transportation,  treatment,  recycling or
                  disposal of Hazardous  Substances or (vi) other environmental,
                  health  or  safety  matters  necessary  for the  ownership  or
                  operation of the Rigs or other properties owned or operated by
                  the  Borrowers and such permits,  licenses,  certificates  and
                  approvals  are in full  force  and  effect on the date of this
                  Agreement.

                           (iv) Except as  disclosed  to the Agent in writing or
                  Schedule "6" hereto, to the best of the Borrowers'  knowledge,
                  except  in  accordance  with  a  valid  governmental   permit,
                  license,  certificate or approval,  there has been no spill or
                  unauthorized  discharge or release of any Hazardous  Substance
                  to the  environment at, from, or as a result of any operations
                  on the  Rigs or  other  properties  and  operations  owned  or
                  operated  by the  Borrowers  required  to be  reported  to any
                  Governmental Authority.




                                                      -29-

<PAGE>



                           (v)  Except as  disclosed  to the Agent in writing or
                  Schedule  "6" hereto,  there has been no  material  complaint,
                  compliance order,  compliance schedule,  notice letter, notice
                  of citation  or other  similar  notice from any  environmental
                  agency  which  concerns  the  operations  of the Rigs or other
                  properties owned or operated by the Borrowers.

               (t) Liens.  Except (i) as  disclosed  on Schedule  "1" hereto and
          (ii) for Permitted  Liens,  the assets and properties of each Borrower
          are free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.

               (u) Material Subsidiaries.  All of Atwood's Material Subsidiaries
          are listed on Schedule "5" hereto.

         10.      Conditions of Lending.

                  (a) The effectiveness of this Agreement, and the obligation to
         make the  initial  Advance  under  the  Revolving  Commitment  shall be
         subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

                           (i) Execution and Delivery.  Each Borrower shall have
                  executed and delivered  the  Agreement,  the Notes,  the First
                  Naval  Mortgage,   the  First  Preferred  Ship  Mortgage,  the
                  Assignments  of Insurance,  the  Assignments  of Charter Hire,
                  Drilling Contracts and Revenue and Earnings,  Pledge Agreement
                  For Stock,  Pledge Agreement For Subsidiary  Notes, the Pledge
                  Agreement for Bonds and other required documents,  all in form
                  and substance satisfactory to the Agent;

                           (ii)  Delivery.  The Agent shall have  received  from
                  Borrowers (A) executed  Subsidiary Notes endorsed to the order
                  of the Agent as referred to in the Pledge Agreement For Notes,
                  (B) stock  certificates  representing the voting stock of each
                  Material Subsidiary as referred to in the Pledge Agreement For
                  Stock, and (C) the Treasury Bonds as referred to in the Pledge
                  Agreement  for  Bonds or the  consent  to the  pledge  of such
                  Treasury  Bonds  by the  custodian  thereof,  all in form  and
                  substance satisfactory to Agent;

                    (iii)  Legal  Opinion.  The Agent shall have  received  from
               Borrowers'  U.S. and Panamanian  legal counsel a favorable  legal
               opinion in form and substance satisfactory to Agent;

                    (iv)  Corporate  Resolutions.  The Agent shall have received
               appropriate  certified  corporate  resolutions  of Atwood and the
               general partner of Deep Seas and each Material Subsidiary;




                                                      -30-

<PAGE>



                         (v)  Good  Standing.  The  Agent  shall  have  received
                    evidence of existence  and good  standing for each  Borrower
                    and each Material Subsidiary;

                           (vi)  Incumbency.  The Agent  shall  have  received a
                  signed certificate of each Borrower (in the case of Deep Seas,
                  of its general partner),  certifying the names of the officers
                  or other  representatives of each Borrower  authorized to sign
                  loan documents on behalf of such  Borrower,  together with the
                  true   signatures  of  each  such   officer.   The  Agent  may
                  conclusively rely on such certificate until the Agent receives
                  a further certificate of either Borrower canceling or amending
                  the  prior  certificate  and  submitting   signatures  of  the
                  officers  or  other  representatives,  named  in such  further
                  certificate;

                           (vii) Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. The Agent
                  shall have received copies of the Articles of Incorporation of
                  Atwood  and  each  Material   Subsidiary  and  all  amendments
                  thereto,  certified by the  Secretary of State of the State of
                  its incorporation, and a copy of the bylaws, if any, of Atwood
                  and each  Material  Subsidiary  certified  by Atwood  and each
                  Material Subsidiary as being true, correct and complete;

                         (viii)  Partnership  Agreement.  The Agent  shall  have
                    received a copy of the  Partnership  Agreement  of Deep Seas
                    certified  by the  general  partner  of Deep Seas as being a
                    true, correct and complete copy thereof;

                           (ix)  Confirmation  of Class.  The Agent  shall  have
                  received  satisfactory  confirmation of class  certificate for
                  the Rigs from the  American  Bureau of Shipping  dated  within
                  thirty (30) days of the Effective  Date showing the Rigs to be
                  classified  as  Maltese  Cross A1 Column  Stabilized  Drilling
                  Units dated within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date;

                         (x)  Payment of Fees.  The Agent  shall  have  received
                    payment in full of all fees due at the Effective Date;

                         (xi)  Financial   Statements.   The  Agent  shall  have
                    received  a copy  of the  Atwood's  unaudited  consolidating
                    Financial Statements for the period ended March 31, 1997;

                         (xii)  Release of Liens on Rigs.  The Agent  shall have
                    received satisfactory evidence of release of all other Liens
                    (other than Permitted Liens) on the Rigs;

                         (xiii)  Insurance.  Agent shall have received copies of
                    all of Borrowers'  insurance on the Rigs,  including but not
                    limited to hull and machinery insurance,



                                                      -31-

<PAGE>



                         protection   and  indemnity   insurance  and  pollution
                    insurance,  all in form and  substance  satisfactory  to the
                    Agent, the Co-Agent and their insurance consultants;

                           (xiv) Appraisal. The Agent shall have received a desk
                  top appraisal of the Rigs prepared by an independent appraisal
                  firm or offshore drilling rig brokerage firm acceptable to the
                  Agent and Co-Agent,  said appraisal to be  satisfactory to the
                  Agent and Co-Agent,  however,  the Atwood  Hunter,  the Atwood
                  Eagle  and  the  Richmond  shall  have  a  combined  aggregate
                  appraised value of at least $210,000,000;

                         (xv)  First  Naval  Mortgage.   The  Agent  shall  have
                    received  evidence of the filing of the First Naval Mortgage
                    with the  appropriate  authorities  in the necessary  filing
                    jurisdictions in Panama;

                         (xvi) First  Preferred Ship  Mortgage.  The Agent shall
                    have received  evidence of the filing of the First Preferred
                    Ship  Mortgage  with  the  appropriate  authorities  in  the
                    necessary filing jurisdictions in the United States;

                           (xvii)    Representation    and    Warranties.    The
                  representations  and  warranties of each  Borrower  under this
                  Agreement are true and correct in all material  respects as of
                  such date,  as if then made  (except  to the extent  that such
                  representations  and  warranties  related solely to an earlier
                  date);

                         (xviii)  No Event of  Default.  No  Default or Event of
                    Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

                         (xix) Other  Documents.  Agent shall have received such
                    other  instruments and documents  incidental and appropriate
                    to the  transaction  provided  for  herein  as  Bank  or its
                    counsel may reasonably request, and all such documents shall
                    be in form  and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to the
                    Agent; and

                         (xx)  Legal  Matters  Satisfactory.  All legal  matters
                    incident   to   the   consummation   of   the   transactions
                    contemplated  hereby  shall be  reasonably  satisfactory  to
                    special  counsel  for  Agent  retained  at  the  expense  of
                    Borrowers.

                  (b) The  obligation  of the Banks to make any  Advance  on the
         Revolving  Commitment  (including the initial Advance) shall be subject
         to the following  additional  conditions precedent that, at the date of
         making each such Advance and after giving effect thereto:

                         (i) Representation and Warranties.  The representations
                    and  warranties  of each Borrower  under this  Agreement are
                    true and correct in all material respects



                                                      -32-

<PAGE>



                  as of such date,  as if then made  (except to the extent  that
                  such  representations  and  warranties  related  solely  to an
                  earlier date);

                         (ii) No  Event  of  Default.  No  Default  or  Event of
                    Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

                         (iii) Other  Documents.  Agent shall have received such
                    other  instruments and documents  incidental and appropriate
                    to the  transaction  provided  for  herein  as  Agent or its
                    counsel may reasonably request, and all such documents shall
                    be in form  and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to the
                    Agent; and

                         (iv)  Legal  Matters  Satisfactory.  All legal  matters
                    incident   to   the   consummation   of   the   transactions
                    contemplated  hereby  shall be  reasonably  satisfactory  to
                    special  counsel  for  Agent  retained  at  the  expense  of
                    Borrowers.

         11.  Affirmative  Covenants.  The Borrowers covenant and agree with the
Banks,  the Agent and the Co-Agent  that, so long as any  Revolving  Commitment,
Revolving Loan, Letter of Credit,  Reimbursement Obligation or any fee, expense,
or any other amount  payable  under any Loan  Document  shall remain  unpaid and
outstanding:

                  (a) Financial Statements and Reports. Borrowers shall promptly
         furnish to the Banks from time to time upon  request  such  information
         regarding  the  business  and  affairs  and   financial   condition  of
         Borrowers, as the Banks may reasonably request, and will furnish to the
         Banks:

                           (i)   Annual   Financial   Statements.   As  soon  as
                  available,  and in any event within ninety (90) days after the
                  close of each fiscal  year,  the annual  audited  consolidated
                  Financial  Statements  and unaudited  consolidating  Financial
                  Statements of Atwood,  prepared in accordance with GAAP and in
                  a manner consistent with prior years;

                           (ii)  Quarterly  Financial  Statements.  As  soon  as
                  available,  and in any event within forty-five (45) days after
                  the end of each calendar quarter of each year (except the last
                  calendar quarter of any fiscal year), the quarterly  unaudited
                  consolidated and consolidating  Financial Statements of Atwood
                  prepared in  accordance  with GAAP and in a manner  consistent
                  with prior periods;

                         (iii) SEC  Reports.  As soon as  available,  and in any
                    event within five (5) days of filing,  copies of all filings
                    made  by  Atwood  with  the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange
                    Commission;




                                                      -33-

<PAGE>



                           (iv) Annual Appraisals.  As soon as available, and in
                  any event  within  ninety  (90)  days  after the close of each
                  fiscal year of Borrowers,  an annual desk top appraisal on the
                  Rigs  prepared by an  independent  appraisal  firm or offshore
                  drilling  brokerage  firm chosen by the Agent and Co-Agent and
                  reasonably acceptable to Borrowers;

                           (v) Fleet  Employment  Report.  As soon as available,
                  and in any  event  within  sixty  (60) days of the end of each
                  calendar  quarter of each year, the quarterly fleet employment
                  report of Borrowers setting forth the location, charter, term,
                  and rate for all  offshore  drilling  rigs owned or managed by
                  Borrowers or their Subsidiaries as of the date of such report,
                  such reports to be in form and substance satisfactory to Agent
                  and the Co-Agent; and

                         (vi) Additional  Information.  Promptly upon request of
                    the  Agent  from  time  to  time  any  additional  financial
                    information  or  other   information   that  the  Agent  may
                    reasonably request.

         All such reports, information,  balance sheets and Financial Statements
         referred  to in  Subsection  11(a) above shall be in such detail as the
         Agent may reasonably request.

                  (b)   Certificates  of  Compliance.   Concurrently   with  the
         furnishing of the annual  Financial  Statements  pursuant to Subsection
         11(a)(i)  hereof  and  the  quarterly  unaudited  Financial  Statements
         pursuant to  Subsection  11(a)(ii)  hereof,  Borrowers  will furnish or
         cause to be furnished to the Agent a certificate in the form of Exhibit
         "C" attached hereto, signed by the President or Chief Financial Officer
         of each Borrower.

                  (c) Taxes and Other Liens. Each Borrower shall and shall cause
         each  Subsidiary  to pay  and  discharge  promptly  all  lawful  taxes,
         assessments  and  governmental  charges  or  levies  imposed  upon each
         Borrower or any Subsidiary or upon the income or any assets or property
         of either  Borrower or any Subsidiary as well as all claims of any kind
         (including  claims for labor,  materials,  supplies and rent) which, if
         unpaid, might become a Lien or other encumbrance upon any or all of the
         assets or property of either Borrower or any Subsidiary and which could
         reasonably  be  expected  to  result  in  a  Material  Adverse  Effect;
         provided,  however, that the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries shall not
         be required to pay any such tax,  assessment,  charge, levy or claim if
         the  amount,  applicability  or validity  thereof  shall  currently  be
         contested  in  good  faith  by   appropriate   proceedings   diligently
         conducted,  levy and execution thereon have been stayed and continue to
         be stayed and if such Borrower or Subsidiary shall have set up adequate
         reserves therefor, if required, under GAAP.

               (d)  Compliance  with Laws.  Each Borrower  shall and shall cause
          each  Subsidiary  to observe  and  comply  with all  applicable  laws,
          statutes, codes, acts,



                                                      -34-

<PAGE>



         ordinances,    orders,   judgments,   decrees,   injunctions,    rules,
         regulations,   orders  and   restrictions   relating  to  environmental
         standards or controls or to energy  regulations of all federal,  state,
         county,  municipal  and other  governments,  departments,  commissions,
         boards, agencies, courts, authorities, officials and officers, domestic
         or foreign,  where the  failure to so observe and comply is  reasonably
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (e)  Further  Assurances.  Borrowers  will cure  promptly  any
         defects in the creation and issuance of the Note and the  execution and
         delivery of the Notes and the Loan Documents, including this Agreement.
         Each Borrower at their sole expense will  promptly  execute and deliver
         to Agent  upon  its  reasonable  request  all such  other  and  further
         documents,   agreements   and   instruments   in  compliance   with  or
         accomplishment of the covenants and agreements in this Agreement, or to
         correct  any  omissions  in  the  Note  or  more  fully  to  state  the
         obligations set out herein.

               (f) Performance of Obligations.  Borrowers will pay the Notes and
          other obligations  incurred by it hereunder  according to the reading,
          tenor and effect thereof and hereof.

                  (g) Insurance. The Borrowers and each Subsidiary now maintains
         and will  continue to maintain  insurance  with  financially  sound and
         reputable insurers with respect to their respective assets against such
         liabilities,  fires,  casualties,  risks and  contingencies and at such
         types and amounts as is customary in the case of persons engaged in the
         same or similar  businesses or similarly  situated and in amounts which
         are consistent with prudent business practices. Upon the request of the
         Agent, the Borrowers will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Agent
         from time to time a summary of each respective insurance company of the
         Borrowers and their Subsidiaries, will provide the Agent with copies of
         all policies  covering the Rigs,  and, if  requested,  will furnish the
         Agent with  copies of the  applicable  policies  covering  their  other
         material  assets.  In  addition,   the  Borrowers  shall  maintain  the
         following insurance on the Rigs:

                           (i)  The  Borrowers  shall  insure,  or  cause  to be
                  insured,  the Rigs pursuant to the terms of Article I, Section
                  15 of the First Naval  Mortgage.  The Borrowers  will promptly
                  notify the Agent of any material changes in such insurances or
                  any  change  in  the  underwriters  or  clubs  providing  such
                  insurances. The Borrowers shall annually but no later than the
                  anniversary  date of this  Agreement  furnish  the Agent  with
                  evidence of all such insurance policies currently in force.

                           (ii) If no Default or Event of Default  has  occurred
                  and is  continuing,  the  Borrowers  shall be  entitled to the
                  proceeds  of any  hull  or  machinery  insurance  to  restore,
                  rebuild  or  repair a Rig in the  event of less  than a total,
                  constructive



                                                      -35-

<PAGE>



                  total or  compromised  total  loss of a Rig as  determined  by
                  Borrowers'  insurers  to the  reasonable  satisfaction  of the
                  Agent.  If a Default or Event of Default has  occurred  and is
                  continuing  at the date of any  such  loss or if the loss is a
                  total,  constructive total or compromised total loss, then, in
                  such  event,  the  proceeds  shall  be paid to the  Banks  and
                  applied ratably as a prepayment on the principal amount of the
                  Notes.

                  (h) Accounts and Records.  Borrower and each  Subsidiary  will
         keep  books,  records  and  accounts  in which  full,  true and correct
         entries will be made of all dealings or transactions in relation to its
         business and  activities,  prepared in a manner  consistent  with prior
         years,  subject to changes  suggested by Borrowers' or any Subsidiary's
         auditors.

                  (i) Right of Inspection.  Borrowers and each  Subsidiary  will
         permit any officer, employee or agent of the Agent and the Co-Agent, at
         their expense,  to (A) examine Borrowers' and each Subsidiary's  books,
         records and accounts,  and take copies and extracts therefrom,  and (B)
         inspect the Rigs, all at such  reasonable  times during normal business
         hours and as often as the Agent or Co-Agent may reasonably request.

                  (j) Notice of Certain Events.  Borrowers shall promptly notify
         the Agent if either  Borrower learns of the occurrence of (i) any event
         which  constitutes  an  Event  of  Default  together  with  a  detailed
         statement  by  Borrowers  of the steps being taken to cure the Event of
         Default;  or  (ii)  any  legal,  judicial  or  regulatory   proceedings
         affecting Borrowers,  any Subsidiary,  or any of the material assets or
         properties  of  Borrowers  or  any  Subsidiary   which,   if  adversely
         determined,  could  reasonably  be expected to have a Material  Adverse
         Effect;  or (iii) any dispute  between  Borrowers or any Subsidiary and
         any  governmental  or  regulatory  body or any  other  person or entity
         which, if adversely determined, might reasonably be expected to cause a
         Material  Adverse Effect;  or (iv) any other matter which in Borrowers'
         opinion is reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (k) ERISA Information and Compliance.  Each Borrower shall and
         shall  cause  each   Subsidiary  to  promptly   furnish  to  the  Agent
         immediately  upon becoming aware of the  occurrence of any  "reportable
         event",  as such term is defined in  Section  4043 of ERISA,  or of any
         "prohibited  transaction",  as such term is defined in Section  4975 of
         the Internal  Revenue Code of 1954, as amended,  in connection with any
         Plan or any trust created  thereunder,  a written  notice signed by the
         chief financial officer of such Borrowers or such Subsidiary specifying
         the nature thereof,  what action Borrowers or such Subsidiary is taking
         or proposes to take with respect  thereto,  and, when known, any action
         taken by the Internal Revenue Service with respect thereto.

                  (l)      Environmental Compliance.



                                                      -36-

<PAGE>




                           (i) The  Borrowers and the  Subsidiaries  will comply
                  with and will use their best  efforts to cause  their  agents,
                  contractors and sub-contractors (while such Persons are acting
                  within the scope of their  contractual  relationship  with the
                  Borrowers  and the  Subsidiaries)  to so  comply  with (A) all
                  applicable  environmental,  health and safety laws,  codes and
                  ordinances,   and  all  rules  and   regulations   promulgated
                  thereunder of all  Governmental  Authorities and (B) the terms
                  and   conditions   of  all   applicable   permits,   licenses,
                  certificates and approvals of all Governmental Authorities now
                  or hereafter  granted or obtained  with respect to the Rigs or
                  other  properties  owned or operated by the  Borrowers  or the
                  Subsidiaries  unless such compliance would violate the laws or
                  regulations  of  the  jurisdictions  in  which  the  Rigs  are
                  operating.

                           (ii)  The  Borrowers  and the  Subsidiaries  will use
                  their  best  efforts  and  safety  practices  to  prevent  the
                  unauthorized release, discharge,  disposal, escape or spill of
                  Hazardous  Substances on or about the Rigs or other properties
                  owned or operated by the Borrowers or the Subsidiaries.

               (m) Environmental  Notifications.  The Borrowers shall notify the
          Agent,  in  writing,  within  five  (5)  Business  Days  of any of the
          following events occurring after the date of this Agreement:

                           (i) Any written  notification made by either Borrower
                  or any of the  Subsidiaries  to any  federal,  state  or local
                  environmental  agency  required  under any  federal,  state or
                  local environmental statute,  regulation or ordinance relating
                  to a  spill  or  unauthorized  discharge  or  release  of  any
                  Hazardous  Substance  to the  environment  at,  from,  or as a
                  result of any operations on, the Rigs or other  properties and
                  operations   owned  or  operated  by  the   Borrowers  or  any
                  Subsidiary.

                           (ii)  Knowledge by an officer of the Borrowers or any
                  Subsidiary  of receipt of  service by either  Borrower  or any
                  Subsidiary  of any  complaint,  compliance  order,  compliance
                  schedule,  notice  letter,  notice of  violation,  citation or
                  other  similar  notice or any  judicial  demand by any  court,
                  federal, state or local environmental agency, alleging (A) any
                  spill,  unauthorized  discharge  or release  of any  Hazardous
                  Substance  to the  environment  from,  or as a  result  of the
                  operations on, the Rigs or other  properties owned or operated
                  by the  Borrowers  or any  Subsidiary  or  (B)  violations  of
                  applicable   laws,   regulations  or  permits   regarding  the
                  generation,  storage,  handling,  treatment,   transportation,
                  recycling,  release or disposal of Hazardous  Substances on or
                  as a result of operations on the Rigs or other  properties and
                  operations   owned  or  operated  by  the   Borrowers  or  the
                  respective Subsidiary.




                                                      -37-

<PAGE>



                           (iii) It is understood by the parties hereto that the
                  aforementioned notices are solely for the Agent's information,
                  may not  otherwise be required by any federal,  state or local
                  environmental laws,  regulations or ordinances,  and are to be
                  considered  confidential  information  by the  Banks  and  the
                  Agent.

                           (iv) The term  "environmental  agency" as used herein
                  shall  include,  but not be  limited  to,  the  United  States
                  Environmental  Protection  Agency,  the  United  States  Coast
                  Guard,  the United  States  Mineral  Management  Service,  the
                  United   States   Department   of   Transportation   (in   its
                  administration of the Hazardous Materials  Transportation Act,
                  49 U.S.C.  Sec. 1801, et seq.) and other  analogous or similar
                  Governmental Authorities regulating or administering statutes,
                  regulations or ordinances relating to or imposing liability or
                  standards of conduct concerning the generation,  storage, use,
                  production,  transportation,  handling, treatment,  recycling,
                  release or disposal of any Hazardous Substance.

                  (n)      Environmental Indemnifications.

                           (i) The Borrowers  hereby agree to indemnify and hold
                  the Agent,  the Co-Agent and the Banks  jointly and  severally
                  harmless  from  and  against  any  and  all  claims,   losses,
                  liability,   damages  and  injuries  of  any  kind  whatsoever
                  asserted  against the Agent,  the  Co-Agent and the Banks with
                  respect  to or as a direct  result  of the  presence,  escape,
                  seepage,  spillage,  release, leaking,  discharge or migration
                  from any Rig or other  properties  owned  or  operated  by the
                  Borrowers  or  any  Subsidiary  of  any  Hazardous  Substance,
                  including without  limitation,  any claims asserted or arising
                  under any  applicable  environmental,  health and safety laws,
                  codes  and   ordinances,   and  all   rules  and   regulations
                  promulgated   thereunder  of  all  Governmental   Authorities,
                  regardless  of whether or not caused by or within the  control
                  of the Borrowers or any Subsidiary.

                           (ii) It is the parties' understanding that the Agent,
                  the Co-Agent,  and the Banks do not now, have never and do not
                  intend in the future to exercise  any  operational  control or
                  maintenance   over  the  Rigs  or  any  other  properties  and
                  operations   owned  or  operated  by  the   Borrowers  or  any
                  Subsidiary, nor have they in the past, presently, or intend in
                  the future to,  maintain an ownership  interest in the Rigs or
                  any other properties owned or operated by the Borrowers or any
                  Subsidiary except as may arise upon enforcement of the Agent's
                  rights under the First Naval Mortgage.

                           (iii) Should, however, the Agent, the Co-Agent or the
                  Banks  hereafter   exercise  any  ownership   interest  in  or
                  operational  control  over  the Rigs or any  other  properties
                  owned or operated by the  Borrowers or any  Subsidiary,  e.g.,
                  including but not limited to,  through  foreclosure,  then the
                  above stated indemnity and hold



                                                      -38-

<PAGE>



                  harmless  shall be  limited  with  respect  to any  actions or
                  failures  to act by  the  Agent,  the  Co-Agent  or the  Banks
                  subsequent to exercising such interest or operational control,
                  to the  extent  such  action or  inaction  by the  Agent,  the
                  Co-Agent or the Banks is admitted by the Agent,  the  Co-Agent
                  or the Banks is found by a court of competent  jurisdiction to
                  have caused or made worse any condition for which liability is
                  asserted,  including but not limited to, the presence, escape,
                  seepage, spillage,  leaking, discharge or migration on or from
                  the  Rigs  or  other  properties  owned  or  operated  by  the
                  Borrowers or any Subsidiary of any Hazardous Substance.

                  (o) Change of  Principal  Place of Business.  Borrowers  shall
         give  Agent at least  thirty  (30)  days  prior  written  notice of its
         intention to move its principal  place of business from the address set
         forth in Section 16 hereof.

                  (p)  Payables  and  Other  Indebtedness.  Borrowers  and  each
         Subsidiary  shall pay their trade payables and other Debt that arise in
         the ordinary  course of business  promptly as they become due except to
         the extent any such trade payables or Debt are being  contested in good
         faith.

                  (q) Collateral  Maintenance.  The Borrowers  shall maintain as
         Collateral  at all  times (i) U.S.  Treasury  Bonds  with an  aggregate
         market  value  of at  least  $20,000,000  and  (ii)  the  Rigs  with an
         aggregate desk top appraised  value of at least 150% of an amount equal
         to the sum of (i) the  Revolving  Commitment  plus (ii) the  Commitment
         under the Pacific Credit  Agreement and (iii) minus the market value of
         the  U.S.  Treasury  Bonds  pledged  to the  Banks.  In the  event  the
         foregoing  required  Collateral  maintenance  is not met, the Borrowers
         will either reduce the Revolving  Commitment or  obligations  under the
         Pacific  Credit  Agreement  outstanding  to a  level  supported  by the
         Collateral  (as  required  above)  or  pledge   additional   Collateral
         acceptable  to Agent and Co-Agent  within (i) five (5) days in the case
         of the pledge of additional U.S.  Treasury Bonds,  and (ii) thirty (30)
         days in the case of the mortgage of additional offshore drilling rigs.

                  (r) Maintenance of Rigs. The Borrowers will maintain, or cause
         to be  maintained,  the  Rigs in the  highest  classification  for such
         drilling  rigs with the  American  Bureau  of  Shipping  or such  other
         classification society as the Agent and the Co-Agent may approve.

         12.  Negative  Covenants.  The  Borrowers  covenant  and agree with the
Banks,  the Agent and the Co-Agent  that, so long as any  Revolving  Commitment,
Revolving Loan, Letter of Credit,  Reimbursement Obligation or any fee, expense,
or any other amount  payable  under any Loan  Document  shall remain  unpaid and
outstanding:




                                                      -39-

<PAGE>



               (a)  Negative  Pledge.  Neither  the  Borrowers  nor any of their
          Subsidiaries shall without the prior written consent of the Banks:

                           (i)  create,  incur,  assume  or  permit to exist any
                  Lien,  security  interest or other  encumbrance  on any of its
                  assets or properties now owned or hereafter  acquired,  except
                  Permitted Liens; or

                           (ii) sell,  lease,  transfer or otherwise dispose of,
                  in any fiscal year, any of its material  assets or properties,
                  except for (1) sales, leases,  transfers,  charters (including
                  drilling contracts) or other dispositions made in the ordinary
                  course  of the  Borrowers'  business  and (2)  sales,  leases,
                  transfers,  charters  (including  drilling contracts) or other
                  dispositions between either Borrower and a Subsidiary.

               (b)  Current  Ratio.  Borrowers  will  not  allow  the  ratio  of
          Consolidated  Current Assets to Consolidated Current Liabilities to be
          less than 1.25 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter.

                  (c) Funded Debt to EBITDA.  Borrowers will not allow the ratio
         of (i)  Consolidated  Funded Debt to (ii)  Consolidated  EBITDA for the
         most recent fiscal quarter  annualized,  to be greater than 2.5 to 1.0,
         as of the end of any fiscal quarter.

               (d) Debt Service  Coverage  Ratio.  Borrowers  will not allow the
          ratio of Consolidated  Adjusted EBITDA to Consolidated Debt Service to
          be less than 1.25 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter.

               (e) Funded Debt to Tangible Net Worth.  Borrowers  will not allow
          the ratio of  Consolidated  Funded Debt to  Consolidated  Tangible Net
          Worth to be more than .9 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter.

                  (f)  Tangible  Net  Worth.   Borrowers   will  not  allow  the
         Consolidated Tangible Net Worth to be less than $110,000,000 plus fifty
         percent (50%) of Borrowers' Consolidated Net Income, if positive, after
         December 31, 1996, tested at the end of each fiscal quarter.

                  (g) Consolidations and Mergers.  Neither the Borrowers nor any
         Subsidiary  will  consolidate  or merge with or into any other  Person,
         except that the  Borrowers  or any  Subsidiary  may merge with  another
         Person if such Borrower or such  Subsidiary is the surviving  entity in
         such merger,  and any  Subsidiary  may merge with any  Subsidiary,  if,
         after giving effect to any such merger or consolidation,  no Default or
         Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.




                                                      -40-

<PAGE>



                  (h) Debts,  Guaranties and Other  Obligations.  Neither of the
         Borrowers nor any of the Subsidiaries will incur, create,  assume or in
         any manner become or be liable in respect of any Debt,  nor will either
         Borrower or any Subsidiary  guarantee or otherwise in any manner become
         or be liable  in  respect  of any  indebtedness,  liabilities  or other
         obligations  of any other  person or entity,  whether by  agreement  to
         purchase  the  indebtedness  of any other person or entity or agreement
         for the  furnishing of funds to any other person or entity  through the
         purchase or lease of goods,  supplies  or services  (or by way of stock
         purchase,  capital  contribution,  advance or loan) for the  purpose of
         paying or discharging  the  indebtedness of any other person or entity,
         or otherwise,  except that the foregoing  restrictions  shall not apply
         to:

               (i) the Notes and any renewal or increase thereof; or

               (ii) indebtedness  owed, and guaranties to,  Philadelphia  Falcon
          Drilling Corp., or its assignees,  in the principal amount owed at the
          Effective Date; or

                           (iii) indebtedness or other obligation incurred or to
                  be incurred  pursuant to a letter of credit  facility  between
                  the Borrowers and the First National Bank of Chicago; or

                           (iv) taxes,  assessments or other government  charges
                  which are not yet due or are being  contested in good faith by
                  appropriate   action   promptly   initiated   and   diligently
                  conducted,  if such reserve as shall be required by GAAP shall
                  have been made  therefor and levy and  execution  thereon have
                  been stayed and continue to be stayed; or

                    (v) additional indebtedness for borrowed money or letters of
               credit not in excess of $5,000,000  in the aggregate  outstanding
               at any time; or

                    (vi) additional intercompany  indebtedness between Borrowers
               and the Material Subsidiaries  evidenced by the Subsidiary Notes;
               or

                    (vii)  indebtedness for insurance  premiums  incurred in the
               ordinary course of business; or

                    (viii) inter-company indebtedness between Borrowers; or

                    (ix)  guaranties of Borrowers of obligations  owed the Banks
               under the Pacific Credit Agreement; or

                    (x) renewals or extensions  (but not increases in) of any or
               all of the foregoing.



                                                      -41-

<PAGE>




                  (i) Dividends. Borrowers will not declare or pay any dividend,
         purchase,  redeem or otherwise acquire for value any of their stock now
         or hereafter outstanding,  return any capital to their stockholders, or
         make any  distribution  of their assets to their  stockholders as such,
         except the foregoing  shall not apply to dividends  from any Subsidiary
         to the Borrowers or from Deep Seas to Atwood.

                  (j) Loans and  Advances.  Neither  Borrowers  nor any of their
         Subsidiaries  shall make or permit to remain  outstanding  any loans or
         advances  to or in any  person or  entity,  except  that the  foregoing
         restriction shall not apply to:

                           (i) loans or  advances to any  person,  the  material
                  details  of  which  have  been  set  forth  in  the  Financial
                  Statements  of  Borrowers  heretofore  furnished  to  Banks on
                  Schedule "7" hereto; or

                    (ii) inter-company  loans or advances between the Borrowers,
               and between the Borrowers and the Material Subsidiaries which are
               evidenced by Subsidiary Notes; or

                           (iii) loans and advances to  Subsidiaries  other than
                  Material  Subsidiaries in amounts not exceeding  $5,000,000 in
                  the aggregate  outstanding at any time which loans or advances
                  are not evidenced by Subsidiary Notes; or

                           (iv) loans or  advances  to  employees  for  expenses
                  incurred  in the  ordinary  course of  business  not to exceed
                  $250,000 in the aggregate outstanding at any time.

                  (k) Sale or Discount of Receivables. Neither Borrowers nor any
         Material  Subsidiary  will discount or sell with recourse,  or sell for
         less than the greater of the face or market value  thereof,  any of its
         notes receivable or accounts receivable.

                    (l) Nature of Business. Neither Borrowers nor any Subsidiary
               will permit any  material  change to be made in the  character of
               its business as carried on at the date hereof.

                  (m) Transactions  with Affiliates.  Neither  Borrowers nor any
         Subsidiary will enter into any transaction  with any Affiliate,  except
         transactions  upon terms that are no less favorable to it than would be
         obtained in a transaction  negotiated at arm's length with an unrelated
         third party.

                    (n) Investments.  Neither Borrowers nor any Subsidiary shall
               make  any  investment  in  any  person  or  entity,  except  such
               restriction shall not apply to:




                                                      -42-

<PAGE>



                    (i) investments  existing at the Effective Date as disclosed
               in the Financial Statements;

                           (ii)     investments in Subsidiaries; and

                           (iii)    investments consisting of Cash Equivalents.

                    (o) Amendment to Articles of  Incorporation  or  Partnership
               Agreements.  Neither  Borrower nor any Subsidiary will permit any
               amendment to, or any alteration of, its Articles of Incorporation
               or Partnership Agreement.

                  (p)  Management of Rigs.  Neither  Borrower nor any Subsidiary
         will change the flag,  class,  ownership,  management or control of the
         Rigs without the prior written consent of the Agent and the Co-Agent.

                  (q)      Charter of Rigs.

                           (i)  Borrowers  shall  not  cause or allow any of the
                  Rigs  to be  bareboat  chartered  to any  party  other  than a
                  Subsidiary  without  the prior  written  consent of the Agent,
                  which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

                           (ii) In the case of any  bareboat or time  charter of
                  any Rig to any  Subsidiary of the Borrowers,  Borrowers  shall
                  execute  and  deliver to the Agent an  assignment  of drilling
                  contract  revenues and earnings  similar in form and substance
                  to the Assignment of Charter Hire,  Drilling Contract Revenues
                  and Earnings  entered into by the  Borrowers and dated of even
                  date herewith.

                  (r)  Modification  of Rigs.  Neither  Borrower  shall cause or
         allow  any  change  in the  physical  characteristics  of the Rigs that
         would, in the reasonable judgment of the Agent and Co-Agent, materially
         interfere  with  the  suitability  of the Rigs  for  normal  commercial
         offshore drilling operations,  the consent of the Agent and Co-Agent to
         any such modification not to be unreasonably withheld.

                  (s) Sale of Rigs, etc. Neither  Borrower shall sell,  transfer
         or assign any of the Rigs,  any right to receive the  revenue  from the
         Rigs  or  any  property   serving  as  collateral   for  the  Revolving
         Commitment; provided, however, that the Borrowers may sell, transfer or
         assign any surplus or scrap equipment from the Rigs.

                    (t) Stock of Material  Subsidiaries.  Atwood shall not sell,
               transfer or  otherwise  dispose of any of the voting stock of any
               of the Material  Subsidiaries except that the foregoing shall not
               apply to the pledge of such stock to the Banks.




                                                      -43-

<PAGE>



                    13.  Events  of  Default.  Any one or more of the  following
               events shall be  considered an "Event of Default" as that term is
               used herein:

                  (a)  Borrowers  shall fail to pay when due or declared due the
         principal  of, and the interest on, the Notes,  or any fee or any other
         indebtedness  of Borrowers  incurred  pursuant to this Agreement or any
         other Loan Document; or

                  (b) Any  representation or warranty made under this Agreement,
         or in any  certificate  or  statement  furnished  or made to the  Banks
         pursuant hereto, or in connection  herewith,  or in connection with any
         document furnished hereunder,  shall prove to be untrue in any material
         respect as of the date on which such representation or warranty is made
         (or deemed made), or any representation, statement (including financial
         statements),  certificate,  report  or other  data  furnished  or to be
         furnished or made under any Loan Document,  including  this  Agreement,
         proves to have been untrue in any material  respect,  as of the date as
         of which the facts therein set forth were stated or certified; or

                  (c) Default shall be made in the due observance or performance
         of any of the covenants or agreements  contained in the Loan Documents,
         including this Agreement  (excluding  covenants contained in Section 12
         of the Agreement  for which there is no cure period),  and such default
         shall  continue  for more than  thirty  (30) days  after the  giving of
         written notice thereof by the Agent to the Borrowers; or

                    (d)  Default  shall  be  made  in  the  due   observance  or
               performance  of the  covenants  contained  in  Section 12 of this
               Agreement; or

                  (e)  Default  shall be made in respect of any  obligation  for
         borrowed money,  other than the Notes, for which either Borrower or any
         Subsidiary  is  liable  (directly,  by  assumption,   as  guarantor  or
         otherwise), or any obligations secured by any mortgage, pledge or other
         security interest, lien, charge or encumbrance with respect thereto, on
         any  asset or  property  of either  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  or in
         respect  of any  agreement  relating  to any  such  obligations  unless
         neither  Borrower nor any  Subsidiary is liable for same (i.e.,  unless
         remedies or recourse for failure to pay such  obligations is limited to
         foreclosure of the collateral security  therefor),  and if such default
         shall continue beyond the applicable grace period, if any; or

                  (f)  Either  Borrower  or  any  Subsidiary  shall  commence  a
         voluntary case or other proceedings seeking liquidation, reorganization
         or  other  relief  with  respect  to  itself  or its  debts  under  any
         bankruptcy,  insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect
         or seeking an appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian
         or  other  similar  official  of it or  any  substantial  part  of  its
         property,  or shall consent to any such relief or to the appointment of
         or taking  possession  by any such official in an  involuntary  case or
         other  proceeding  commenced  against  it,  or  shall  make  a  general
         assignment for



                                                      -44-

<PAGE>



         the benefit of creditors,  or shall fail  generally to pay its debts as
         they become due, or shall take any  corporate  action  authorizing  the
         foregoing; or

                  (g)  An  involuntary  case  or  other  proceeding,   shall  be
         commenced   against   either   Borrower  or  any   Subsidiary   seeking
         liquidation,  reorganization  or other relief with respect to it or its
         debts under any bankruptcy,  insolvency or similar law now or hereafter
         in  effect  or  seeking  the   appointment  of  a  trustee,   receiver,
         liquidator,   custodian  or  other  similar   official  of  it  or  any
         substantial  part of its property,  and such  involuntary case or other
         proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of thirty
         (30) days;  or an order for  relief  shall be  entered  against  either
         Borrower or any Subsidiary under the federal  bankruptcy laws as now or
         hereinafter in effect; or

                  (h) A final  judgment  or order  for the  payment  of money in
         excess of $1,000,000  (or judgments or orders  aggregating in excess of
         $1,000,000) shall be rendered against either Borrower or any Subsidiary
         and such  judgments or orders shall continue  unsatisfied  and unstayed
         for a period of thirty  (30) days  unless  such  judgment or orders are
         fully covered by insurance or supersedeas bond; or

                  (i) In the event the aggregate  principal  amount  outstanding
         under the  Notes  shall at any time  exceed  the  Revolving  Commitment
         established for the Notes,  and Borrowers shall fail to comply with the
         provisions of Section 8(b) hereof; or

                    (j) A Change of  Management  shall  occur  without the prior
               written  consent  of  the  Banks,  which  consent  shall  not  be
               unreasonably withheld; or

                    (k) Default shall occur under the Pacific Credit Agreement.

         Upon occurrence of any Event of Default  specified in Subsections 13(f)
and (g) hereof, the entire principal amount due under the Notes and all interest
then accrued thereon,  and any other liabilities of Borrowers  hereunder,  shall
become  immediately due and payable all without notice and without  presentment,
demand, protest, notice of protest or dishonor or any other notice of default of
any kind, all of which are hereby  expressly  waived by Borrowers.  In any other
Event of Default,  the Agent, upon request of Majority Banks, shall by notice in
writing to Borrowers declare the principal of, and all interest then accrued on,
the Notes and any other  liabilities  hereunder to be forthwith due and payable,
whereupon the same shall forthwith  become due and payable without  presentment,
demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration or other
notice of any kind, all of which  Borrowers  hereby  expressly  waive,  anything
contained  herein  or in the  Notes  to the  contrary  notwithstanding.  Nothing
contained in this Section 13 shall be construed to limit or amend in any way the
Events of Default  enumerated in the Notes,  or any other  document  executed in
connection with the transaction contemplated herein.




                                                      -45-

<PAGE>



         Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default,
the Banks  are  hereby  authorized  at any time and from time to time and to the
extent permitted by applicable law, without notice to Borrowers (any such notice
being expressly waived by Borrowers),  to set-off and apply any and all deposits
(general or special, time or demand,  provisional or final) at any time held and
other indebtedness at any time owing by any of the Banks to or for the credit or
the account of Borrowers  against any and all of the  indebtedness  of Borrowers
under the Notes and the Loan Documents,  including this Agreement,  irrespective
of whether or not the Banks shall have made any demand under the Loan Documents,
including  this  Agreement or the Notes and although  such  indebtedness  may be
unmatured.  Any amount set-off by any of the Banks shall be applied  against the
indebtedness  owed the Banks by  Borrowers  pursuant to this  Agreement  and the
Notes.  The Banks agree promptly to notify  Borrowers  after any such setoff and
application,  provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the
validity  of such  set-off  and  application.  The rights of the Bank under this
Section  are in  addition  to other  rights  and  remedies  (including,  without
limitation, other rights of set-off) which the Banks may have.

         14.      The Agent and the Banks.

                  (a) Appointment and  Authorization.  Each Bank hereby appoints
         Agent as its nominee and agent,  in its name and on its behalf:  (i) to
         act as  nominee  for and on  behalf  of such Bank in and under all Loan
         Documents;  (ii) to arrange the means whereby the funds of Banks are to
         be made available to Borrowers under the Loan Documents;  (iii) to take
         such action as may be  requested  by any Bank under the Loan  Documents
         (when  such  Bank is  entitled  to make  such  request  under  the Loan
         Documents);  (iv) to receive all documents and items to be furnished to
         Banks under the Loan Documents; (v) to be the secured party, mortgagee,
         beneficiary,  and similar  party in respect of, and to receive,  as the
         case may be, any collateral for the benefit of Banks;  (vi) to promptly
         distribute to each Bank all material information,  requests,  documents
         and items received from Borrowers  under the Loan  Documents;  (vii) to
         promptly  distribute  to each  Bank such  Bank's  Pro Rata Part of each
         payment or  prepayment  (whether  voluntary,  as proceeds of  insurance
         thereon,  or  otherwise)  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of the Loan
         Documents and (viii) to deliver to the  appropriate  Persons  requests,
         demands,  approvals and consents  received from Banks. Each Bank hereby
         authorizes  Agent to take all actions and to exercise such powers under
         the Loan Documents as are  specifically  delegated to such Agent by the
         terms  hereof or thereof,  together  with all other  powers  reasonably
         incidental thereto.  With respect to its commitments  hereunder and the
         Notes issued to it, Agent and any  successor  Agent shall have the same
         rights under the Loan  Documents as any other Bank and may exercise the
         same as though it were not the  Agent;  and the term  "Bank" or "Banks"
         shall,  unless  otherwise  expressly  indicated,  include Agent and any
         successor  Agent in its  capacity  as a Bank.  Agent and any  successor
         Agent and its Affiliates may accept  deposits from,  lend money to, act
         as trustee  under  indentures  of and  generally  engage in any kind of
         business  with  Borrowers,  and any person  which may do business  with
         Borrowers,  all as if Agent  and any  successor  Agent  were not  Agent
         hereunder and



                                                      -46-

<PAGE>



         without any duty to account  therefor to the Banks;  provided  that, if
         any payments in respect of any  property (or the proceeds  thereof) now
         or  hereafter  in the  possession  or control of Agent  which may be or
         become security for the obligations of Borrowers arising under the Loan
         Documents by reason of the general description of indebtedness  secured
         or  of  property  contained  in  any  other  agreements,  documents  or
         instruments  related  to any such  other  business  shall be applied to
         reduction  of the  obligations  of  Borrowers  arising  under  the Loan
         Documents,   then  each  Bank  shall  be  entitled  to  share  in  such
         application  according to its pro rata part  thereof.  Each Bank,  upon
         request  of any other  Bank,  shall  disclose  to all  other  Banks all
         indebtedness  and liabilities,  direct and contingent,  of Borrowers to
         such Bank as of the time of such request.

                  (b) Note  Holders.  From time to time as other Banks  become a
         party to this Agreement,  Agent shall obtain  execution by Borrowers of
         additional  Notes,  in  the  form  of  Exhibit  B  hereto,  in  amounts
         representing  the Revolving  Commitment of each such new Bank, up to an
         aggregate  face  amount of all Notes not  exceeding  $100,000,000.  The
         obligation  of such Bank shall be  governed by the  provisions  of this
         Agreement,  including but not limited to, the obligations  specified in
         Section 2 hereof.  From time to time,  Agent may require that the Banks
         exchange  their  Notes for newly  issued  Notes to better  reflect  the
         Revolving  Commitments  of the Banks.  Agent may treat the payee of any
         Note as the holder  thereof until  written  notice of transfer has been
         filed with it, signed by such payee and in form satisfactory to Agent.

                  (c)  Consultation  with  Counsel.  Banks  agree that Agent may
         consult  with legal  counsel  selected by Agent and shall not be liable
         for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it in accordance with
         the advice of such counsel.

                  (d)  Documents.  Agent shall not be under a duty to examine or
         pass upon the validity, effectiveness,  enforceability,  genuineness or
         value of any of the Loan Documents or any other  instrument or document
         furnished pursuant thereto or in connection therewith,  and Agent shall
         be entitled to assume that the same are valid,  effective,  enforceable
         and genuine and what they purport to be.

                  (e)   Resignation   or  Removal  of  Agent.   Subject  to  the
         appointment  and  acceptance  of a successor  Agent as provided  below,
         Agent may resign at any time by giving  written notice thereof to Banks
         and  Borrowers,  and Agent may be  removed  at any time with or without
         cause by Majority Banks. If no successor Agent has been so appointed by
         Majority  Banks (and  approved  by  Borrowers)  and has  accepted  such
         appointment  within 30 days after the retiring Agent's giving of notice
         of  resignation  or removal of the  retiring  Agent,  then the retiring
         Agent may, on behalf of Banks, appoint a successor Agent. Any successor
         Agent  must be  approved  by  Borrowers,  which  approval  will  not be
         unreasonably withheld.  Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Agent
         hereunder by a successor  Agent,  such successor  Agent shall thereupon
         succeed to and



                                                      -47-

<PAGE>



         become vested with all the rights and duties of the retiring Agent, and
         the retiring Agent shall be discharged  from its duties and obligations
         hereunder.  After any retiring Agent's resignation or removal hereunder
         as Agent,  the  provisions of this Section 14 shall  continue in effect
         for its benefit in respect to any actions  taken or omitted to be taken
         by it while it was acting as Agent.

                  (f)  Responsibility  of Agent. It is expressly  understood and
         agreed that the  obligations of Agent under the Loan Documents are only
         those  expressly set forth in the Loan Documents and that Agent, as the
         case may be,  shall be  entitled  to assume that no Default or Event of
         Default has occurred and is continuing,  unless Agent,  as the case may
         be, has actual  knowledge  of such fact or has  received  notice from a
         Bank or Borrowers  that such Bank or Borrowers  consider that a Default
         or an Event of Default has occurred and is  continuing  and  specifying
         the nature thereof. Neither Agent nor any of their directors, officers,
         attorneys or employees  shall be liable for any action taken or omitted
         to be taken by them  under or in  connection  with the Loan  Documents,
         except for its or their own gross  negligence  or  willful  misconduct.
         Agent shall incur no  liability  under or in respect of any of the Loan
         Documents by acting upon any notice, consent, certificate,  warranty or
         other paper or instrument  believed by it to be genuine or authentic or
         to be  signed  by the  proper  party or  parties,  or with  respect  to
         anything  which  it may do or  refrain  from  doing  in the  reasonable
         exercise of its  judgment,  or which may seem to it to be  necessary or
         desirable.

                  Agent shall not be  responsible to Banks for any of Borrowers'
         recitals, statements, representations or warranties contained in any of
         the Loan Documents, or in any certificate or other document referred to
         or provided for in, or received by any Bank under,  the Loan Documents,
         or for the value, validity, effectiveness,  genuineness, enforceability
         or  sufficiency  of or any of the Loan  Documents or for any failure by
         Borrowers to perform any of their obligations  hereunder or thereunder.
         Agent  may  employ  agents  and  attorneys-in-fact  and  shall  not  be
         answerable,  except  as to money or  securities  received  by it or its
         authorized  agents, for the negligence or misconduct of any such agents
         or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

                  The  relationship  between Agent and each Bank is only that of
         agent and principal and has no fiduciary  aspects.  Nothing in the Loan
         Documents or elsewhere shall be construed to impose on Agent any duties
         or  responsibilities  other than those for which  express  provision is
         therein made. In performing its duties and functions  hereunder,  Agent
         does not  assume  and shall not be deemed to have  assumed,  and hereby
         expressly  disclaims,  any obligation or  responsibility  toward or any
         relationship  of agency or trust  with or for  Borrowers  or any of its
         beneficiaries  or other  creditors.  As to any  matters  not  expressly
         provided  for by the Loan  Documents,  Agent  shall not be  required to
         exercise any  discretion  or take any action,  but shall be required to
         act or to  refrain  from  acting  (and shall be fully  protected  in so
         acting or refraining from acting) upon the instructions



                                                      -48-

<PAGE>



         of all Banks and such instructions  shall be binding upon all Banks and
         all holders of the Notes;  provided,  however,  that Agent shall not be
         required to take any action which is contrary to the Loan  Documents or
         applicable law.

                  (g) Independent Investigation.  Each Bank severally represents
         and   warrants   to  Agent  that  it  has  made  its  own   independent
         investigation and assessment of the financial  condition and affairs of
         Borrowers  in  connection  with  the  making  and  continuation  of its
         participation   hereunder  and  has  not  relied   exclusively  on  any
         information provided to such Bank by Agent in connection herewith,  and
         each Bank  represents,  warrants and  undertakes to Agent that it shall
         continue to make its own independent appraisal of the credit worthiness
         of  Borrowers  while  the  Notes  are  outstanding  or its  commitments
         hereunder  are in force.  Agent  shall not be  required  to keep itself
         informed as to the  performance  or  observance  by  Borrowers  of this
         Agreement or any other  document  referred to or provided for herein or
         to inspect the properties or books of Borrowers. Other than as provided
         in this  Agreement,  Agent shall not have any duty,  responsibility  or
         liability  to  provide  any Bank with any  credit or other  information
         concerning  the affairs,  financial  condition or business of Borrowers
         which may come into the possession of Agent.

                  (h)  Indemnification.  Banks agree to indemnify Agent, ratably
         according  to  their  respective  Revolving  Commitments  on a Pro Rata
         basis, from and against any and all liabilities,  obligations,  losses,
         damages,  penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits,  costs,  expenses or
         disbursements  of any proper and reasonable  kind or nature  whatsoever
         which may be imposed on,  incurred by or asserted  against Agent in any
         way  relating  to or arising  out of the Loan  Documents  or any action
         taken or omitted by Agent under the Loan  Documents,  provided  that no
         Bank shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities,  obligations,
         losses, damages, penalties,  actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses
         or  disbursements  resulting  from Agent's gross  negligence or willful
         misconduct.  Each Bank shall be entitled to be  reimbursed by the Agent
         for any amount such Bank paid to Agent under this Section  14(h) to the
         extent the Agent has been  reimbursed for such payments by Borrowers or
         any other Person. The parties intend for the provisions of this Section
         to  apply  to and  protect  the  Agent  from  the  consequences  of any
         liability  including  strict  liability  imposed  or  threatened  to be
         imposed  on  Agent  as  well  as  from  the  consequences  of  its  own
         negligence, whether or not that negligence is the sole, contributing or
         concurring cause of any such liability.

                  (i) Benefit of Section 14. The  agreements  contained  in this
         Section 14 are  solely  for the  benefit of Agent and the Banks and are
         not for the  benefit  of,  or to be  relied  upon  by,  Borrowers,  any
         affiliate of Borrowers or any other person.

                    (j) Pro Rata  Treatment.  Subject to the  provisions of this
               Agreement,  each payment (including each prepayment) by Borrowers
               and collection by Banks (including



                                                      -49-

<PAGE>



         offsets) on account of the  principal  of and interest on the Notes and
         fees provided for in this Agreement,  shall be made Pro Rata; provided,
         however,  in the event that any  Defaulting  Bank shall have  failed to
         make an Advance  as  contemplated  under  Section 3 hereof and Agent or
         another Bank or Banks shall have made such Advance, payment received by
         Agent for the  account of such  Defaulting  Bank or Banks  shall not be
         distributed  to such  Defaulting  Bank or Banks  until such  Advance or
         Advances shall have been repaid in full to the Bank or Banks who funded
         such Advance or Advances.

                  (k) Assumption as to Payments. Except as specifically provided
         herein, unless Agent shall have received notice from Borrowers prior to
         the date on which any payment is due to Banks  hereunder that Borrowers
         will not make  such  payment  in full,  Agent  may,  but  shall  not be
         required to,  assume that  Borrowers  have made such payment in full to
         Agent on such date and Agent may,  in  reliance  upon such  assumption,
         cause to be  distributed  to each Bank on such due date an amount equal
         to the amount then due such Bank. If and to the extent  Borrowers shall
         not have so made such  payment in full to Agent,  each Bank shall repay
         to Agent  forthwith  on demand  such  amount  distributed  to such Bank
         together with interest thereon,  for each day from the date such amount
         is distributed to such Bank until the date such Bank repays such amount
         to Agent,  at the  interest  rate  applicable  to such  portion  of the
         Revolving Loans.

                  (l) Other Financings. Without limiting the rights to which any
         Bank  otherwise  is or may  become  entitled,  such Bank  shall have no
         interest, by virtue of this Agreement or the Loan Documents, in (a) any
         present or future loans from,  letters of credit  issued by, or leasing
         or other financial transactions by, any other Bank to, on behalf of, or
         with Borrowers  (collectively referred to herein as "Other Financings")
         other  than  the  obligations  hereunder;  (b) any  present  or  future
         guarantees   by  or  for  the  account  of  Borrowers   which  are  not
         contemplated by the Loan Documents;  (c) any present or future property
         taken as security  for any such Other  Financings;  or (d) any property
         now or hereafter in the  possession  or control of any other Bank which
         may be or become  security for the  obligations  of  Borrowers  arising
         under  any loan  document  by  reason  of the  general  description  of
         indebtedness  secured or property  contained  in any other  agreements,
         documents or instruments relating to any such Other Financings.

                  (m)  Interests of Banks.  Nothing in this  Agreement  shall be
         construed to create a partnership  or joint  venture  between Banks for
         any purpose.  Agent, Banks and Borrowers  recognize that the respective
         obligations of Banks under the Revolving  Commitments  shall be several
         and not  joint  and  that  neither  Agent,  nor any of  Banks  shall be
         responsible  or liable to perform any of the  obligations  of the other
         under  this  Agreement.  Each  Bank is  deemed  to be the  owner  of an
         undivided interest in and to all rights, titles, benefits and interests
         belonging  and  accruing  to  Agent  under  the  Security  Instruments,
         including,  without  limitation,  liens and  security  interests in any
         collateral,  fees and payments of  principal  and interest by Borrowers
         under the Revolving



                                                      -50-

<PAGE>



         Commitments on a Pro Rata basis. Each Bank shall perform all duties and
         obligations of Banks under this Agreement in the same proportion as its
         ownership   interest   in  the  Loans   outstanding   at  the  date  of
         determination thereof.

                  (n) Investments.  Whenever Agent in good faith determines that
         it is uncertain about how to distribute to Banks any funds which it has
         received,  or whenever Agent in good faith determines that there is any
         dispute  among the Banks  about how such funds  should be  distributed,
         Agent may  choose  to defer  distribution  of the  funds  which are the
         subject of such uncertainty or dispute. If Agent in good faith believes
         that the  uncertainty or dispute will not be promptly  resolved,  or if
         Agent is otherwise required to invest funds pending distribution to the
         Banks, Agent may invest such funds pending distribution (at the risk of
         Borrowers).  All interest on any such  investment  shall be distributed
         upon the  distribution of such  investment and in the same  proportions
         and to the same  Persons as such  investment.  All monies  received  by
         Agent for  distribution  to the Banks  (other than to the Person who is
         Agent in its  separate  capacity  as a Bank) shall be held by the Agent
         pending  such  distribution  solely as Agent for such Banks,  and Agent
         shall have no equitable title to any portion thereof.

                  (o)  Withholding  Tax.  Each Bank  agrees to furnish (if it is
         organized  under the laws of any  jurisdiction  other  than the  United
         States or any State  thereof) to the Agent and the  Borrowers  prior to
         the time  that the  Borrowers  are  required  to make  any  payment  of
         principal, interest or fees hereunder, to such Bank, duplicate executed
         originals  of either U.S.  Internal  Revenue  Service Form 4224 or U.S.
         Internal   Revenue   Service  Form  1001   (wherein  such  Bank  claims
         entitlement  to  the  benefits  of a tax  treaty  that  provides  for a
         complete  exemption  from U.S.  federal income  withholding  tax on all
         payments hereunder) and a Form W-8 and agrees to provide new Forms 4224
         or 1001 and Form W-8, upon the expiration of any  previously  delivered
         from or comparable  statements in accordance  with  applicable U.S. law
         and regulations and amendments  thereto,  and agrees to comply with all
         applicable  U.S. laws and regulations  with regard to such  withholding
         tax exemption.

         15.  Exercise  of  Rights.  No  failure  to  exercise,  and no delay in
exercising,  on the part of the Agent or the Banks,  any right  hereunder  shall
operate as a waiver thereof,  nor shall any single or partial  exercise  thereof
preclude  any other or further  exercise  thereof or the  exercise  of any other
right.  The rights of the Agent and the Banks  hereunder shall be in addition to
all other rights  provided by law. No modification or waiver of any provision of
the Loan  Documents,  including  this  Agreement,  or the Note  nor  consent  to
departure  therefrom,  shall be effective unless in writing, and no such consent
or waiver shall  extend  beyond the  particular  case and purpose  involved.  No
notice or demand  given in any case  shall  constitute  a waiver of the right to
take other  action in the same,  similar  or other  circumstances  without  such
notice or demand.




                                                      -51-

<PAGE>



         16. Notices. Any notices or other communications  required or permitted
to be given by this Agreement or any other documents and instruments referred to
herein must be given in writing either by facsimile  transmission  or personally
delivered or couriered or mailed by prepaid  certified or registered mail to the
party to whom such  notice or  communication  is directed at the address of such
party as follows: (a) BORROWERS: c/o ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC. and ATWOOD DEEP SEAS,
LTD.,  15835 Park Ten Place Drive,  Houston,  Texas 77084,  Facsimile  No. (281)
492-0345;  Attention: James M. Holland, Senior Vice President and Secretary; (b)
AGENT:  c/o AGENT,  BANK ONE,  TEXAS,  N.A., 910 Travis,  Houston,  Texas 77002,
Facsimile No. (713) 751-3544, Attention:  Christine M. Macan, Vice President and
(c) any Bank at its address  shown on any  addendum  hereto.  Any such notice or
other  communication  shall be  deemed  to have  been  given  (whether  actually
received or not) on the day it is personally delivered or delivered by facsimile
as aforesaid  or, if mailed,  on the third day after it is mailed as  aforesaid.
Any party may change its address for purposes of this Agreement by giving notice
of such change to the other party pursuant to this Section 16.

         17.  Expenses.  Borrowers  shall pay (i) all  reasonable  and necessary
out-of-pocket expenses of the Banks, including reasonable fees and disbursements
of special  counsel for the Agent,  in connection  with the  preparation of this
Agreement,  the other Loan Documents,  title and other due diligence and closing
of the transaction described in this Agreement,  any waiver or consent hereunder
or any amendment hereof or any default or Event of Default or alleged default or
Event of Default  hereunder,  (ii) all  reasonable  and necessary  out-of-pocket
expenses of the Agent,  including  reasonable fees and  disbursements of special
counsel for the Agent in connection  with the  preparation of any  participation
agreement  for a  participant  or  participants  requested  by  Borrowers or any
amendment  thereof  and (iii) if a default  or an Event of Default  occurs,  all
reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Banks, including
fees and disbursements of counsel,  in connection with such default and Event of
Default and collection and other enforcement  proceedings  resulting  therefrom.
Borrowers shall indemnify the Banks against any transfer taxes,  document taxes,
assessments  or  charges  made by any  governmental  authority  by reason of the
execution, delivery and filing of the Loan Documents.

         18. Indemnity. Borrowers agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Banks
and their respective officers,  employees, agents, attorneys and representatives
(singularly,   an  "Indemnified  Party",  and  collectively,   the  "Indemnified
Parties")  from and  against  any  loss,  cost,  liability,  damage  or  expense
(including  the  reasonable  fees and  out-of-pocket  expenses of counsel to the
Banks,  including all local counsel hired by such counsel) ("Claim") incurred by
the Banks in investigating  or preparing for,  defending  against,  or providing
evidence,  producing  documents  or taking  any other  action in  respect of any
commenced or threatened litigation,  administrative  proceeding or investigation
under any federal  securities law,  federal or state  environmental  law, or any
other  statute  of any  jurisdiction,  or any  regulation,  or at common  law or
otherwise, which is alleged to arise out of or is based upon any acts, practices
or  omissions  or alleged  acts,  practices  or  omissions of Borrowers or their
agents or arises in connection  with the duties,  obligations  or performance of
the Indemnified Parties in negotiating, preparing, executing,



                                                      -52-

<PAGE>



accepting,  keeping, completing,  countersigning,  issuing, selling, delivering,
releasing,  assigning, handling,  certifying,  processing or receiving or taking
any other action with respect to the Loan Documents and all documents, items and
materials  contemplated  thereby even if any of the  foregoing  arises out of an
Indemnified Party's ordinary negligence. The indemnity set forth herein shall be
in addition to any other  obligations  or  liabilities of Borrowers to the Banks
hereunder or at common law or otherwise,  and shall survive any  termination  of
this  Agreement,  the  expiration of the Revolving  Loans and the payment of all
indebtedness of Borrowers to the Banks  hereunder and under the Notes,  provided
that  Borrowers  shall have no  obligation  under this  Section to the Bank with
respect to any of the foregoing  arising out of the gross  negligence or willful
misconduct  of any  Indemnified  Party.  If any Claim is  asserted  against  any
Indemnified  Party, the Indemnified  Party shall endeavor to notify Borrowers of
such Claim (but  failure  to do so shall not affect the  indemnification  herein
made  except to the  extent of the  actual  harm  caused by such  failure).  The
Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ, at Borrowers' expense, counsel
of the  Indemnified  Parties'  choosing and to control the defense of the Claim.
Borrowers may at its own expense also  participate  in the defense of any Claim.
Each Indemnified  Party may employ separate counsel in connection with any Claim
to the extent such Indemnified  Party believes it reasonably  prudent to protect
such Indemnified Party. The parties intend for the provisions of this Section to
apply  to and  protect  each  Indemnified  Party  from the  consequences  of any
liability  including  strict  liability  imposed or  threatened to be imposed on
Agent as well as from the consequences of its own ordinary  negligence,  whether
or not that  negligence is the sole,  contributing,  or concurring  cause of any
Claim.

         19. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT IS BEING EXECUTED AND DELIVERED,  AND
IS  INTENDED  TO BE  PERFORMED,  IN  HOUSTON,  HARRIS,  COUNTY,  TEXAS,  AND THE
SUBSTANTIVE LAWS OF TEXAS SHALL GOVERN THE VALIDITY,  CONSTRUCTION,  ENFORCEMENT
AND  INTERPRETATION  OF THIS AGREEMENT AND ALL OTHER  DOCUMENTS AND  INSTRUMENTS
REFERRED TO HEREIN, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED THEREIN.

         20. Invalid  Provisions.  If any provision of this Agreement is held to
be illegal,  invalid,  or  unenforceable  under present or future laws effective
during the term of this Agreement,  such provisions shall be fully severable and
this  Agreement  shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal,  invalid or
unenforceable  provision had never comprised a part of this  Agreement,  and the
remaining  provisions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and
shall not be affected by the illegal,  invalid or unenforceable  provision or by
its severance from this Agreement.

         21. Maximum  Interest Rate.  Regardless of any provisions  contained in
this Agreement or in any other documents and instruments referred to herein, the
Banks  shall never be deemed to have  contracted  for or be entitled to receive,
collect or apply as  interest  on the Notes any amount in excess of the  Maximum
Rate, and in the event any Bank ever  receives,  collects or applies as interest
any such excess, or if an acceleration of the maturities of any Notes



                                                      -53-

<PAGE>



or if any prepayment by Borrowers  result in Borrowers  having paid any interest
in excess of the Maximum  Rate,  such amount which would be  excessive  interest
shall be applied to the reduction of the unpaid  principal  balance of the Notes
for which such excess was received,  collected or applied, and, if the principal
balance of such Note is paid in full,  any remaining  excess shall  forthwith be
paid to Borrowers.  All sums paid or agreed to be paid to the Banks for the use,
forbearance or detention of the indebtedness  evidenced by the Notes and/or this
Agreement  shall,  to the extent  permitted  by  applicable  law, be  amortized,
prorated,  allocated and spread  throughout  the full term of such  indebtedness
until  payment in full so that the rate or amount of interest on account of such
indebtedness does not exceed the Maximum Rate. In determining whether or not the
interest paid or payable under any specific contingency exceeds the Maximum Rate
of interest  permitted by law,  Borrowers  and the Banks  shall,  to the maximum
extent  permitted  under  applicable  law, (i)  characterize  any  non-principal
payment as an expense, fee or premium, rather than as interest; and (ii) exclude
voluntary prepayments and the effect thereof; and (iii) compare the total amount
of  interest  contracted  for,  charged  or  received  with the total  amount of
interest  which could be  contracted  for,  charged or received  throughout  the
entire contemplated term of the Notes at the Maximum Rate.

         22.  Amendments or Waivers.  Neither this  Agreement nor any other Loan
Document nor any terms hereof or thereof may be changed, waived or discharged or
terminated  unless such change,  waiver,  discharge or termination is in writing
signed by the  Borrowers and the Majority  Banks,  provided that no such change,
waiver,  discharge or termination shall, without the consent of each Bank (other
than a Defaulting Bank) affected thereby, (i) extend the Maturity Date (it being
understood that any waiver of the application of any prepayment of the Revolving
Loans or the method of application  of any  prepayment  shall not constitute any
such  extension),  to reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of  interest
(other  than as a  result  of  waiving  the  applicability  of any  post-default
increase in interest  rates) or fees  thereon,  or reduce the  principal  amount
thereof,  (ii)  increase the  Revolving  Commitment  of any Bank over the amount
thereof  then in effect  (it being  understood  that a waiver of any  condition,
covenant, Default or Event of Default shall not constitute a change in the terms
of any Revolving Commitment of any Bank), (iii) release or permit the release of
any Collateral from the Lien of the respective Security Instruments, (iv) amend,
modify or waive any  provision  of this  Section  22, (v) reduce the  percentage
specified in the  definition of Majority  banks (it being  understood and agreed
that,  with the consent of the Majority Banks,  additional  extensions of credit
pursuant to this  Agreement  may be included  in the  determination  of Majority
Banks on substantially the same basis as the Revolving  Commitments (and related
extensions of credit) are included on the Effective  Date),  (vi) consent to the
assignment or transfer by the  Borrowers of any of their rights and  obligations
under this  Agreement or (vii) waive,  change the timing or amount of, or extend
any  mandatory  reduction  in  the  Revolving  Commitment   including,   without
limitation,  a Quarterly Commitment Reduction. No provision of Section 2, or any
other   provisions   relating   to  and  issue  of  Letters  of  Credit  or  the
Administrative  Agent may be modified without the consent of the  Administrative
Agent.




                                                      -54-

<PAGE>



         23. Multiple  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in a number
of  identical  separate  counterparts,  each of which for all  purposes is to be
deemed  an  original,  but all of  which  shall  constitute,  collectively,  one
agreement.  No party to this Agreement shall be bound hereby until a counterpart
of this Agreement has been executed by all parties hereto.

                    24.  Conflict.  In the event any term or provision hereof is
               inconsistent  with or  conflicts  with any  provision of the Loan
               Documents,  the terms or provisions  contained in this  Agreement
               shall be controlling.

                    25.  Survival.  All  covenants,  agreements,   undertakings,
               representations  and  warranties  made  in  the  Loan  Documents,
               including  this  Agreement,  the  Notes  or other  documents  and
               instruments   referred  to  herein  shall  survive  all  closings
               hereunder and shall not be affected by any investigation  made by
               any party.

                    26. Parties Bound.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and
               inure to the benefit of the parties  hereto and their  respective
               successors,  assigns,  heirs, legal  representatives and estates,
               provided,  however,  that  Borrowers  may not,  without the prior
               written consent of the Banks, assign any rights,  powers,  duties
               or obligations hereunder.

         27.      Assignments and Participations.

                  (a) Each Bank shall have the right to sell, assign or transfer
         all or any part of its Note or Notes, its Revolving Commitments and its
         rights and  obligations  hereunder to an Eligible  Assignee;  provided,
         that  with  each  sale,  assignment  or  transfer  (other  than  to  an
         Affiliate, a Bank or a Federal Reserve Bank), shall require the consent
         of  Borrowers  and  Agent,  which  consents  will  not be  unreasonably
         withheld, and the assignee,  transferee or recipient shall have, to the
         extent of such sale, assignment, or transfer, the same rights, benefits
         and  obligations  as it would if it were such Bank and a holder of such
         Note,  Revolving  Commitment  and  rights and  obligations,  including,
         without limitation, the right to vote on decisions requiring consent or
         approval of all Banks or Majority  Banks and the obligation to fund its
         Revolving  Commitment;  provided,  further,  that (1) each  such  sale,
         assignment,  or  transfer  (other  than  to an  Affiliate,  a Bank or a
         Federal  Reserve  Bank) shall be in an aggregate  principal  amount not
         less  than  $5,000,000,  (2) each  remaining  Bank  shall at all  times
         maintain  Revolving   Commitments  then  outstanding  in  an  aggregate
         principal amount at least equal to $1,000,000; (3) no Bank may offer to
         sell its Note or Notes, Revolving Commitment, rights and obligations or
         interests  therein in violation of any securities laws; and (4) no such
         assignments  (other  than  to a  Federal  Reserve  Bank)  shall  become
         effective until the assigning Bank and its assignees  delivers to Agent
         and  Borrowers  an  Assignment  and  Acceptance  and the  Note or Notes
         subject to such  assignment  and other  documents  evidencing  any such
         assignment.  An  assignment  fee in the  amount of $2,500 for each such
         assignment  (other than to an Affiliate,  a Bank or the Federal Reserve
         Bank) will be payable to Agent by assignor or assignee. Within five (5)



                                                      -55-

<PAGE>



         Business  Days  after  its  receipt  of copies  of the  Assignment  and
         Acceptance  and the other  documents  relating  thereto and the Note or
         Notes,  Borrowers  shall  execute and deliver to Agent (for delivery to
         the relevant  assignee) a new Note or Notes  evidencing such assignee's
         assigned  Revolving  Commitment,  and  within a  reasonable  time after
         delivery of such new Note or Notes to Agent, Agent shall return the old
         or replaced  Note or Notes to Borrower,  and if the  assignor  Bank has
         retained a portion of its Revolving  Commitment,  a replacement Note in
         the  principal  amount  of the  Revolving  Commitment  retained  by the
         assignor (except as provided in the last sentence of this paragraph (a)
         such Note or Notes,  to be in exchange  for, but not in payment of, the
         Note or Notes held by such Bank). On and after the effective date of an
         assignment  hereunder,  the assignee  shall for all purposes be a Bank,
         party to this  Agreement  and any other Loan  Document  executed by the
         Banks and shall have all the rights and obligations of a Bank under the
         Loan  Documents,  to the same  extent as if it were an  original  party
         thereto,  and no further  consent or action by Borrowers,  Banks or the
         Agent shall be required to release the transferor  Bank with respect to
         its Revolving  Commitment  assigned to such assignee and the transferor
         Bank shall henceforth be so released.

                  (b) Each Bank shall have the right to grant  participations in
         all or any part of such Bank's Notes and Revolving Commitment hereunder
         to one or more pension plans,  investment funds, financial institutions
         or other Persons, provided, that:

                           (i) each Bank granting a  participation  shall retain
                  the  right  to vote  hereunder,  and no  participant  shall be
                  entitled to vote hereunder on decisions  requiring  consent or
                  approval  of Bank or  Majority  Banks  (except as set forth in
                  (iii) below);

                           (ii) in the  event  any Bank  grants a  participation
                  hereunder,  such Bank's  obligations  under the Loan Documents
                  shall  remain   unchanged,   such  Bank  shall  remain  solely
                  responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of
                  such  obligations,  such Bank  shall  remain the holder of any
                  such Note or Notes for all purposes under the Loan  Documents,
                  and Agent,  each Bank and Borrowers  shall be entitled to deal
                  with the Bank granting a  participation  in the same manner as
                  if no participation had been granted; and

                           (iii) no  participant  shall  ever  have any right by
                  reason of its  participation  to exercise any of the rights of
                  Banks  hereunder,  except  that any Bank  may  agree  with any
                  participant  that such Bank will not,  without  the consent of
                  such  participant  (which  consent  may  not  be  unreasonably
                  withheld)   consent  to  any  amendment  or  waiver  requiring
                  approval of all Banks.




                                                      -56-

<PAGE>



                  (c) It is  understood  and agreed that any Bank may provide to
         assignees and participants  and prospective  assignees and participants
         financial  information  and  reports  and  data  concerning  Borrowers'
         properties and  operations  which was provided to such Bank pursuant to
         this Agreement.

                  (d) Upon the reasonable  request of either Agent or Borrowers,
         each Bank will identify  those to whom it has assigned or  participated
         any part of its Notes and Revolving Commitment, and provide the amounts
         so assigned or participated.

                    28.  Choice of Forum:  Consent to  Service  of  Process  and
               Jurisdiction.   THE  OBLIGATIONS  OF  BORROWERS  UNDER  THE  LOAN
               DOCUMENTS ARE  PERFORMABLE  IN HARRIS  COUNTY,  TEXAS.  ANY SUIT,
               ACTION OR PROCEEDING  AGAINST THE  BORROWERS  WITH RESPECT TO THE
               LOAN  DOCUMENTS OR ANY  JUDGMENT  ENTERED BY ANY COURT IN RESPECT
               THEREOF,  MAY BE  BROUGHT  IN THE  COURTS  OF THE STATE OF TEXAS,
               COUNTY OF  HARRIS,  OR IN THE  UNITED  STATES  COURTS  LOCATED IN
               HARRIS  COUNTY,  TEXAS  AND THE  BORROWERS  HEREBY  SUBMIT TO THE
               NON-EXCLUSIVE  JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY
               SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING. THE BORROWERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
               CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY SUIT,  ACTION OR  PROCEEDING
               IN SAID COURT BY THE  MAILING  THEREOF BY BANK BY  REGISTERED  OR
               CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO THE BORROWERS, AS APPLICABLE,
               AT THE  ADDRESS  FOR  NOTICES  AS  PROVIDED  IN  SECTION  17. THE
               BORROWERS HEREBY  IRREVOCABLY  WAIVE ANY OBJECTION WHICH THEY MAY
               NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUIT,  ACTION
               OR  PROCEEDING  ARISING OUT OF OR  RELATING TO ANY LOAN  DOCUMENT
               BROUGHT  IN THE COURTS  LOCATED IN THE STATE OF TEXAS,  COUNTY OF
               HARRIS,  AND HEREBY FURTHER  IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY CLAIM THAT ANY
               SUCH  SUIT,  ACTION OR  PROCEEDING  BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS
               BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

         29. Waiver of Jury Trial.  THE BORROWERS  HEREBY WAIVE,  TO THE FULLEST
EXTENT  PERMITTED BY  APPLICABLE  LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY
LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

         30.      Other Agreements.  THIS WRITTEN LOAN AGREEMENT REPRESENTS THE
FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY
EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS
OF THE PARTIES.  THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE
PARTIES.




                                                      -57-

<PAGE>



                    31.  Financial  Terms.  All  accounting  terms  used in this
               Agreement  which are not  specifically  defined  herein  shall be
               construed in accordance with GAAP.

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

                                   BORROWERS:

                                           ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.,
                                           a Texas corporation



                                           By:/S/ James M. Holland
                                                    James M. Holland
                                                    Senior Vice President

                                           ATWOOD DEEP SEAS, LTD.,
                                           a Texas limited partnership

                                           By:      Atwood Hunter Co.,
                                                    its general partner


                                                    By:/S/ James M. Holland
                                                             James M. Holland
                                                             Vice President



                                                      -58-

<PAGE>



                                     BANKS:

Revolving Commitment:                  BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A.,
                                       a national banking association
$20,000,000.00


                                       By:/S/ Christine M. Macan
                                                Christine M. Macan
                                                Vice President

                                       Address   for  Notices  for
                                       operational matters:

                                       1717 Main Street BOC 4
                                       Dallas, Texas 75201

                                       Attention:        Debbie Pennington
                                       Telephone No.:    (214) 290-2434
                                       Fax No.:          (214) 290-5226

                                       Address   for  Notices  for
                                       credit matters:

                                        910 Travis
                                        Houston, Texas 77002

                                          Attention:        Christine M. Macan
                                          Telephone No.     (713) 751-3484
                                          Fax No.:          (713) 751-3544




                                                      -59-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:                    CHRISTIANIA BANK OG KREDITKASSE ASA,
                                         NEW YORK BRANCH
$20,000,000.00


                                         By:/S/ Martin Lunder
                                         Name:Martin Lunder
                                         Title:First Vice President



                                         By:/S/ Justin F. McCarty, III
                                         Name:Justin F. McCarty, III
                                         Title:Vice President

                                         Address   for  Notices  for
                                         operational matters:

                                         11 West 42nd Street, 7th Floor
                                         New York, New York 10036

                                         Attention:     Loan Administration
                                         Telephone No.: (212) 827-4800
                                         Fax No.:       (212) 827-4888

                                         Address   for  Notices  for
                                         credit matters:

                                         11 West 42nd Street, 7th Floor
                                         New York, New York 10036

                                         Attention:  Shipping/Offshore Aviation
                                         Telephone No.:  (212) 827-4800
                                         Fax No.:        (212) 827-4888





                                                      -60-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:                THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI, LTD.

$8,000,000.00

                                     By:/S/ John W. McGhee
                                     Name: John W. McGhee
                                     Title:Vice President & Manager

                                     Address   for  Notices  for
                                     operational matters:

                                     Bank of Toyko-Mitsubishi
                                     1100 Louisiana Street, Suite 2800
                                     Houston, Texas  77002-5216

                                     Attention:      Loan Administration
                                     Telephone No.:  (713) 658-1160
                                     Fax No.:        (713) 658-0116

                                     Address   for  Notices  for
                                     credit matters:

                                     Bank of Toyko-Mitsubishi
                                     1100 Louisiana Street, Suite 2800
                                     Houston, Texas  77002-5216

                                     Attention:       Manager-Corporate Finance
                                     Telephone No.    (713) 655-3811
                                     Fax No.:         (713) 655-3855




                                                      -61-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:                  CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ

$16,000,000.00

                                       By:/S/ Pierre B. de Fontenay
                                                Pierre B. de Fontenay
                                                Assistant Vice President

                                       Address   for  Notices  for
                                       operational matters:

                                       Credit Agricole Indosuez
                                       47, Rue de Monceau, 75008 Paris
                                       France

                                    Attention:        Sylvie Godet-Couery
                                    Telephone No.:    33-1-44-20-12-49
                                    Fax No.:          33-1-44-20-19-34

                                    Address   for  Notices  for
                                    credit matters:

                                    Credit Agricole Indosuez
                                    Representative Office Norway
                                    P.O. Box 1675
                                    0120 Oslo Norway

                                      Attention:     Hans-Jorgen Wibstad
                                      Telephone No.     47-22-83-30-50
                                      Fax No.:          47-22-83-30-55




                                                      -62-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:                     CREDIT LYONNAIS, NEW YORK BRANCH

$8,000,000.00

                                          By:/S/ Jacques-Yves Mulliez
                                                   Jacques-Yves Mulliez
                                                   Senior Vice President

                                          Address   for  Notices  for
operational matters:

                                          Credit Lyonnais
                                          1000 Louisiana, Suite 5360
                                          Houston, Texas 77002

                                   Attention:
                                   Telephone No.:             (713)
                                   Fax No.:                   (713) 751-0307

                                    Address   for  Notices  for
                                        credit matters:

                                  Credit Lyonnais
                                  1000 Louisiana, Suite 5360
                                  Houston, Texas 77002

                                  Attention:
                                  Telephone No.     (713)
                                  Fax No.:          (713) 751-0307




                                                      -63-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:                THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED,
                                      HOUSTON AGENCY
$12,000,000.00

                                     By:/S/ Kenichi Tatara
                                     Name: Kenichi Tatara
                                     Title:Vice President & Manager

                                     Address   for  Notices  for
                                     operational matters:

                                     The Fuji Bank, Limited
                                     1221 McKinney Street, Suite 4100
                                     Houston, Texas  77010

                                     Attention:        Jenny Lin
                                     Telephone No.:   (713) 650-7821
                                     Fax No.:         (713) 951-0590

                                     Address   for  Notices  for
                                     credit matters:

                                     The Fuji Bank, Limited
                                     1221 McKinney Street, Suite 4100
                                     Houston, Texas  77010

                                     Attention:        Michele Olivier
                                     Telephone No.     (713) 650-7856
                                     Fax No.:          (713) 759-0048




                                                      -64-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:            MEESPIERSON N.V.

$16,000,000.00
                                 By:/S/ Karel Louman
                                          Karel Louman
                                          Vice President

                                 Address for Operational Notices:
                                 MeesPierson N.V.
                                 Loan Administration
                                 Coolsingel 93
                                 P.O. Box 749
                                 3000 AS Rotterdam
                                 The Netherlands
                                 Primary:  Pim de Heer
                                           MeesPierson-Rotterdam Office
                                 Telephone No.:    (011) 31 10 401 6304
                                 Fax No.:          (011) 31 10 401 6118
                                 with copy to:   MeesPierson N.V.
                                                 300 Crescent Court, Suite 1750
                                                 Dallas, Texas 75201
                                 Secondary:      Yolanda Dittmar
                                                 MeesPierson-Dallas Office
                                 Telephone No.:      (214) 754-0009
                                 Fax No.:          (214) 754-5981

                                 Address for Other Notices:
                                 MeesPierson N.V.
                                 Coolsingel 93
                                 3000 AS Rotterdam
                                 The Netherlands
                                 Attn: Donald van der Klaauw
                                 Telephone:        (011) 31 10 401 6120
                                 Fax No.: (011) 31 10 401 6343
                                 copy to:   MeesPierson N.V.
                                            300 Crescent Court, Suite 1750
                                            Dallas, Texas 75201
                                            Attn: Karel Louman
                                            Telephone:       (214) 754-0009
                                            Fax No.: (214) 754-5981

                                 Payment Instructions:
                                 ABN AMRO NEW YORK
                                 ABA #026009580
                                For credit to: MeesPierson N.V. Amsterdam
                                Acct #: 63 70 70 34 27 40
                                Reference: for further credit to 
                                   Loan Administration
                                   Attention: Pim de Heer-Atwood Oceanics, Inc.



                                                      -65-

<PAGE>



                                     AGENT:

                                       BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A.
                                       a national banking association



                                      By:/S/ Christine M. Macan
                                               Christine M. Macan
                                               Vice President



                                                      -66-

<PAGE>


                                    CO-AGENT:

                                      CHRISTIANIA BANK OG KREDITKASSE ASA,
                                      NEW YORK BRANCH



                                      By:/S/ Martin Lunder
                                      Name: Martin Lunder
                                      Title: First Vice President



                                      By:/S/ Justin F. McCarty, III
                                      Name: Justin F. McCarty, III
                                      Title: Vice President
0226205.09\02



                                                      -67-

<PAGE>




EXHIBIT 99.2


                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                      AMONG

                         ATWOOD OCEANICS PACIFIC LIMITED
                                   AS BORROWER

                                       AND

                             BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A.,
              CHRISTIANIA BANK OG KREDITKASSE ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH
                   AND THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS NAMED HEREIN
                                    AS BANKS

                             BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A.,
                                AS ADMINISTRATIVE
                             AND DOCUMENTATION AGENT

                      CHRISTIANIA BANK OG KREDITKASSE ASA,
                                 NEW YORK BRANCH
                                   AS CO-AGENT

                      $25,000,000 REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

                                  JULY 17, 1997








<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                     Page No.

1. Definitions.............................................................  1

2. Commitments of the Bank................................................. 13
   (a)      Terms of Revolving Commitment.................................. 13
   (b)      Procedure for Borrowing........................................ 13
   (c)      Voluntary Reduction of Revolving Commitment.................... 14
   (d)      Mandatory Reduction............................................ 14
   (e)      Several Obligations............................................ 14

3. Notes Evidencing Loans.................................................. 14
   (a)      Form of Revolving Notes ....................................... 14
   (b)      Issuance of Additional Notes................................... 15
   (c)      Interest Rate.................................................. 15
   (d)      Payment of Interest............................................ 15
   (e)      Payment of Principal........................................... 15
   (f)      Payment to Banks............................................... 15
   (g)      Sharing of Payments, Etc....................................... 15
   (h)      Non-Receipt of Funds by the Agent.............................. 16
   (i)      Capital Adequacy............................................... 16

4. Interest Rates.......................................................... 17
   (a)      Options........................................................ 17
   (b)      Interest Rate Determination.................................... 18
   (c)      Conversion Option.............................................. 18
   (d)      Recoupment..................................................... 18

5. Special Provisions Relating to Loans.................................... 18
   (a)      Unavailability of Funds or Inadequacy of Pricing............... 18
   (b)      Taxes.......................................................... 19
   (c)      Change in Laws................................................. 19
   (d)      Option to Fund................................................. 19
   (e)      Indemnity...................................................... 20
   (f)      Payments Not at End of Interest Period......................... 20

6. Collateral and Guaranties............................................... 20




                        -i-

<PAGE>



         7.       Fees...................................................... 21
                  (a)      Unused Fee....................................... 21
                  (b)      Agency Fees...................................... 21

         8.       Prepayments............................................... 21
                  (a)      Voluntary Prepayments............................ 21
                  (b)      Mandatory Prepayment............................. 21

         9.       Representations and Warranties............................ 21
                  (a)      Creation and Existence........................... 22
                  (b)      Power and Authority.............................. 22
                  (c)      Binding Obligations.............................. 22
                  (d)      No Legal Bar or Resultant Lien................... 22
                  (e)      No Consent....................................... 23
                  (f)      Financial Condition.............................. 23
                  (g)      Liabilities...................................... 23
                  (h)      Litigation....................................... 23
                  (i)      Taxes; Governmental Charges...................... 23
                  (j)      Titles, Etc...................................... 24
                  (k)      Defaults......................................... 24
                  (l)      Casualties; Taking of Properties................. 24
                  (m)      Use of Proceeds; Margin Stock.................... 24
                  (n)      Location of Business and Offices................. 24
                  (o)      Compliance with the Law.......................... 25
                  (p)      No Material Misstatements........................ 25
                  (q)      ERISA............................................ 25
                  (r)      Public Utility Holding Company Act............... 25
                  (s)      Environmental Matters............................ 25
                  (t)      Liens............................................ 26
                  (u)      Subsidiaries..................................... 26

         10.      Conditions of Lending..................................... 26

         11.      Affirmative Covenants..................................... 28
                  (a)      Financial Statements and Reports................. 28
                  (b)      Certificates of Compliance....................... 29
                  (c)      Taxes and Other Liens............................ 29
                  (d)      Compliance with Laws............................. 30
                  (e)      Further Assurances............................... 30
                  (f)      Performance of Obligations....................... 30
                  (g)      Insurance........................................ 30
                  (h)      Accounts and Records............................. 30



                                      -ii-

<PAGE>



                  (i)      Right of Inspection.............................. 30
                  (j)      Notice of Certain Events......................... 31
                  (k)      ERISA Information and Compliance................. 31
                  (l)      Environmental Compliance......................... 31
                  (m)      Environmental Notifications...................... 32
                  (n)      Environmental Indemnifications................... 33
                  (o)      Change of Principal Place of Business............ 33
                  (p)      Payables and Other Indebtedness.................. 33
                  (q)      Maintenance of Rig............................... 33

         12.      Negative Covenants........................................ 33
                  (a)      Negative Pledge.................................. 33
                  (b)      Financial Covenants of Guarantors................ 34
                  (c)      Consolidations and Mergers....................... 34
                  (d)      Debts, Guaranties and Other Obligations.......... 34
                  (e)      Dividends........................................ 35
                  (f)      Loans and Advances............................... 35
                  (g)      Sale or Discount of Receivables.................. 35
                  (h)      Nature of Business............................... 36
                  (i)      Transactions with Affiliates..................... 36
                  (j)      Investment....................................... 36
                  (k)      Amendment to Charter Documents................... 36
                  (l)      Management of Rig................................ 36
                  (m)      Modification of Rig.............................. 36
                  (n)      Sale of Rigs, etc................................ 36

         13.      Events of Default......................................... 36

         14.      The Agent and the Banks................................... 39
                  (a)      Appointment and Authorization.................... 39
                  (b)      Note Holders..................................... 40
                  (c)      Consultation with Counsel........................ 40
                  (d)      Documents........................................ 40
                  (e)      Resignation or Removal of Agent.................. 40
                  (f)      Responsibility of Agent.......................... 41
                  (g)      Independent Investigation........................ 42
                  (h)      Indemnification.................................. 42
                  (i)      Benefit of Section 14............................ 42
                  (j)      Pro Rata Treatment............................... 42
                  (k)      Assumption as to Payments........................ 43
                  (l)      Other Financings................................. 43
                  (m)      Interests of Banks............................... 43



                                      -iii-

<PAGE>



                  (n)      Investments...................................... 44
                  (o)      Withholding Tax.................................. 44

         15.      Exercise of Rights........................................ 44

         16.      Notices................................................... 44

         17.      Expenses.................................................. 45

         18.      Indemnity................................................. 45

         19.      Governing Law............................................. 46

         20.      Invalid Provisions........................................ 46

         21.      Maximum Interest Rate..................................... 46

         22.      Amendments or Waivers..................................... 47

         23.      Multiple Counterparts..................................... 47

         24.      Conflict.................................................. 48

         25.      Survival.................................................. 48

         26.      Parties Bound............................................. 48

         27.      Assignments and Participations............................ 48

         28.      Choice of Forum: Consent to Service of 
                    Process and Jurisdiction................................ 50

         29.      Waiver of Jury Trial...................................... 50

         30.      Other Agreements.......................................... 50

         31.      Financial Terms........................................... 51




                                      -iv-

<PAGE>



Exhibits

Exhibit "A"       -        Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit "B"       -        Note
Exhibit "C"       -        Guaranty
Exhibit "D"       -        Certificate of Compliance
Exhibit "E"       -        Assignment and Acceptance Agreement

Schedules

Schedule 1        -        Liens
Schedule 2        -        Financial Condition
Schedule 3        -        Liabilities
Schedule 4        -        Litigation
Schedule 5        -        Subsidiaries
Schedule 6        -        Environmental Matters
Schedule 7        -        Loans and Advances




                                       -v-

<PAGE>



                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


         THIS CREDIT  AGREEMENT  (hereinafter  referred  to as the  "Agreement")
executed as of the 17th day of July,  1997, by and among ATWOOD OCEANICS PACIFIC
LIMITED, a Cayman Islands company ("Borrower"),  ATWOOD OCEANICS,  INC., a Texas
corporation  ("Atwood"),  ATWOOD DEEP SEAS,  LTD., a Texas  limited  partnership
("Deep Seas") (Atwood and Deep Seas shall  hereinafter be collectively  referred
to as "Guarantors" and, individually, as "Guarantor"),  BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A., a
national banking association ("Bank One"),  CHRISTIANIA BANK OG KREDITKASSE ASA,
NEW YORK BRANCH, a banking association ("Christiania") and each of the financial
institutions  which is a party hereto (as  evidenced by the  signature  pages to
this Agreement) or which may from time to time become a party hereto pursuant to
the  provisions  of  Section  27 hereof or any  successor  or  assignee  thereof
(hereinafter collectively referred to as "Banks", and individually,  "Bank") and
Bank One, as Administrative and Documentation Agent ("Agent") and Christiania as
Co-Agent ("Co-Agent").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS,  Borrower has requested that the Banks provide Borrower with a
revolving  credit  facility  and the Banks  are  willing  to make such  facility
available to Borrower.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
herein contained, the parties hereby agree as follows:

                    1.   Definitions.   When  used  herein  the  terms  "Agent",
               "Agreement",  "Atwood",  "Bank", "Banks", "Bank One", "Borrower",
               "Christiania",   "Co-Agent",   "Deep   Seas",   "Guarantor"   and
               "Guarantors"  shall have the meanings  indicated above. When used
               herein the following terms shall have the following meanings:

                  "Advance or Advances" shall mean a loan or loans hereunder.

                  "Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate" shall mean,  with  respect to any
         Interest  Period,  a rate  per  annum  equal to the  quotient  obtained
         (rounded  upward,  if  necessary,  to the  next  higher  1/16 of 1%) by
         dividing  (i) the  applicable  Eurodollar  Rate by (ii) 1.0  minus  the
         Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

                  "Affiliate"   shall  mean  any  Person   which,   directly  or
         indirectly,  controls, is controlled by or is under common control with
         the relevant  Person.  For the purposes of this  definition,  "control"
         (including,  with correlative  meanings,  the terms "controlled by" and
         "under common control with"), as used with respect to any Person, shall
         mean a member of the board of  directors,  a partner  or an  officer of
         such  Person,  or  any  other  Person  with  possession,   directly  or
         indirectly,  of the  power to  direct  or cause  the  direction  of the
         management  and  policies of such  Person,  through the  ownership  (of
         record,  as  trustee,  or  by  proxy)  of  voting  shares,  partnership
         interests or voting rights, through a management contract or otherwise.
         Any Person owning or controlling  directly or indirectly ten percent or
         more of the voting shares, partnership interests or voting rights,


<PAGE>



         or other  equity  interest of another  Person  shall be deemed to be an
         Affiliate of such Person.

                    "Assignment   and   Acceptance"   shall   mean  a   document
               substantially in the form of Exhibit "D" hereto.

                  "Base Rate" shall mean, as of any date, the  fluctuating  rate
         of  interest  per annum  established  from time to time by Agent as its
         Base Rate (which rate of interest  may not be the lowest,  best or most
         favorable  rate of  interest  which  Agent  may  charge on loans to its
         customers). Each change in the Base Rate shall become effective without
         prior notice to Borrower automatically as of the opening of business on
         the date of such change in the Base Rate.

                  "Base Rate Interest  Period"  shall mean,  with respect to any
         Base  Rate  Loan,  the  period  ending  on the last day of each  month,
         provided,  however, that (i) if any Base Rate Interest Period would end
         on a day which is not a Business  Day,  such  Interest  Period shall be
         extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and (ii) if any Base Rate
         Interest  Period  would  otherwise  end  after the  Maturity  Date such
         Interest Period shall end on the Maturity Date.

                  "Base Rate Loans"  shall mean any loan during any period which
         bears  interest  based upon the Base Rate or which would bear  interest
         based upon the Base Rate if the Maximum  Rate ceiling was not in effect
         at that particular time.

                  "Base Rate Margin" shall mean:

                           (i)  one-fourth  of  one  percent  (.25%)  per  annum
                  whenever  Atwood's  ratio  of  Consolidated   Funded  Debt  to
                  Consolidated EBITDA is equal to or greater than 1.25 to 1.0;

                           (ii) zero percent (.0%) per annum  whenever  Atwood's
                  ratio of Consolidated  Funded Debt to  Consolidated  EBITDA is
                  less than 1.25 to 1.0.

         For the  purposes of  calculating  the Base Rate Margin for each new or
         existing Tranche, Atwood's (i) Consolidated Funded Debt shall fluctuate
         from  day to day,  and (ii)  Consolidated  EBITDA  shall be  calculated
         quarterly as of the end of each fiscal quarter and annualized. The Base
         Rate  Margin  shall be  recalculated  by Agent from time to time and be
         effective upon (a) the making of any Advance hereunder, (b) the receipt
         by the Banks of any  payment or  prepayment  or (c) receipt by Agent of
         the Borrower's quarterly Certificate of Compliance provided by Borrower
         pursuant to Section 11(b) hereof.

                    "Borrowing  Date" is used herein as defined in Section  2(d)
               hereof.



                                                      -2-

<PAGE>




                  "Business  Day" shall mean the normal banking hours during any
         day (other than  Saturdays or Sundays)  that banks are legally open for
         business in Houston, Texas and New York, New York.

                  "Capital  Leases" shall mean any lease in respect of which the
         obligations thereunder constitute Capitalized Lease Obligations.

                  "Capitalized    Lease   Obligations"   shall   mean,   without
         duplication, all obligations of any Person to pay rent or amounts under
         any lease of, or other arrangement  conveying the right to use, real or
         personal property,  or a combination  thereof,  which obligations shall
         have been or should be, in  accordance  with GAAP,  capitalized  on the
         books of such Person.

                  "Cash   Equivalents"  shall  mean  (i)  securities  issued  or
         directly  and fully  guaranteed  or  insured  by the  United  States of
         America or any agency or  instrumentality  thereof  (provided  that the
         full  faith and  credit of the  United  States of America is pledged in
         support thereof) having maturities of not more than six months from the
         date of  acquisition,  (ii)  U.S.  dollar  denominated  time  deposits,
         certificates  of deposit and bankers'  acceptances of (x) any Bank, (y)
         any domestic  commercial bank of recognized standing having capital and
         surplus  in  excess  of  $100,000,000  or (z) any Bank  (or the  parent
         company of such bank) whose  short-term  commercial  paper  rating from
         Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") is at least A-1 or the equivalent
         thereof or from Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") is at least
         P-1 or the equivalent  thereof (any such bank, an "Approved  Bank"), in
         each case with  maturities of not more than six months from the date of
         acquisition,  (iii) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than
         seven days for underlying  securities of the types  described in clause
         (i)  above  entered  into  with any  bank  meeting  the  qualifications
         specified  in clause (ii) above,  (iv)  commercial  paper issued by any
         Bank or Approved Bank or by the parent  company of any Bank or Approved
         Bank and  commercial  paper issued by, or guaranteed by, any industrial
         or financial  company with a short-term  commercial  paper rating of at
         least  A-1 or the  equivalent  thereof  by S&P or at  least  P-1 or the
         equivalent   thereof  by  Moody's  (any  such  company,   an  "Approved
         Company"),  or  guaranteed by any  industrial  company with a long term
         unsecured  debt  rating of at least A or A2 or the  equivalent  of each
         thereof,  from S&P or  Moody's,  as the case may be,  and in each  case
         maturing  within  six  months  after  the date of  acquisition  and (v)
         investments in money market funds substantially all of whose assets are
         comprised of  securities  of the type  described in clauses (i) through
         (iv) above.

                  "Change of  Management"  shall occur if both (i) John R. Irwin
         ceases to act as President and Chief Executive Officer,  and (ii) James
         M.  Holland  ceases to act as Senior Vice  President  and  Secretary of
         Atwood,  other  than  as  a  result  of  death,  disability  or  normal
         retirement of either.



                                                      -3-

<PAGE>




                  "Consolidated  Adjusted EBITDA" shall mean Consolidated EBITDA
         less (i) capitalized cash  maintenance  expenditures and (ii) dividends
         (other than dividends from any Subsidiary to Atwood).

                  "Consolidated  Current  Assets" shall mean, the current assets
         of Atwood and its  Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis  determined in
         accordance  with GAAP and in a manner  consistent  with prior  periods,
         plus, as of any date, the current unused  availability on the Revolving
         Commitment and under the Guarantors' Credit Agreement.

                  "Consolidated  Current  Liabilities"  shall mean,  the current
         liabilities of Atwood and its  Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis as
         determined  in  accordance  with GAAP and in a manner  consistent  with
         prior  periods,  excluding  therefrom  current  maturities  due  on the
         Revolving Loans and under the Guarantors' Credit Agreement.

                  "Consolidated  Debt Service" shall mean the sum of 1/12 of the
         outstanding principal balance of the Guarantors' Obligations.

                  "Consolidated EBITDA" shall mean for any period for Atwood and
         its  Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis,  (A) the sum of the amounts
         for such  period of (i)  Consolidated  Net  Income,  (ii)  depreciation
         expense,  (iii) provisions for taxes based on income, (iv) Consolidated
         Interest Expense,  (v) amortization and write-off of deferred financing
         costs to the extent  deducted in determining  Consolidated  Net Income,
         and (vi)  losses on sales of assets  (excluding  sales in the  ordinary
         course  of  business)  and  other   extraordinary   losses,   less  (B)
         extraordinary  gains for such period, all determined in accordance with
         GAAP and in a manner consistent with prior periods.

                  "Consolidated   Equity"   shall   mean,   at  any  time,   the
         shareholder's  equity of Atwood and its  Subsidiaries on a consolidated
         basis as determined in accordance with GAAP and in a manner  consistent
         with prior periods.

                  "Consolidated Funded Debt" shall mean, the sum of (i) all Debt
         of Atwood and its  Subsidiaries  calculated on a consolidated  basis in
         accordance  with GAAP and in a manner  consistent  with prior  periods,
         less (ii) the market value of the Treasury Bonds.

                  "Consolidated  Interest  Expense"  shall mean, for any period,
         the sum of (i) total interest expense  (including that  attributable to
         Capitalized  Lease  Obligations)  of Atwood and its  Subsidiaries  on a
         consolidated  basis  in  accordance  with  GAAP  with  respect  to  all
         outstanding  Debt of Atwood and its  Subsidiaries,  including,  without
         limitation, all commissions,  discounts and other fees and charges owed
         with  respect to Letters of Credit and bankers'  acceptance  financing,
         less  (ii)  interest   expense   attributable  to  $20,000,000  of  the
         outstanding principal balance of the Notes.




                                                      -4-

<PAGE>



                  "Consolidated Net Income" shall mean, for any period,  the net
         income (or loss) of Atwood and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis
         for such  period  taken as a single  accounting  period  determined  in
         accordance with GAAP and in a manner consistent with prior periods.

                  "Consolidated Tangible Net Worth" shall mean, at any time, the
         Consolidated  Equity of Atwood and its  Subsidiaries  on a consolidated
         basis  determined  in accordance  with GAAP and in a manner  consistent
         with prior  periods,  less all  unamortized  debt discount and expense,
         unamortized deferred charges, goodwill,  patents,  trademarks,  service
         marks, trade names, copyrights and organization expense.

                  "Debt"  shall  mean  as  to  Atwood,  the  Borrower,   or  any
         Subsidiary of Atwood or the Borrower,  all  obligations and liabilities
         of the Borrower or such  Subsidiaries  to any other person,  including,
         without limitation, all debts, claims and indebtedness, heretofore, now
         and/or  from time to time  hereafter  owing,  due or  payable,  however
         evidenced,  created,  incurred,  acquired or owing and however arising,
         whether  under  written  or  oral  agreement,   operation  of  law,  or
         otherwise.   Debt  includes,   without  limiting  the  foregoing,   (i)
         indebtedness   for  borrowed  money  (including   without   duplication
         obligations  to  reimburse  the  issuer of any  letter of credit or any
         guarantor or surety), (ii) indebtedness for the deferred purchase price
         of property or services, excluding trade accounts payable within ninety
         (90)  days  and  arising  in the  ordinary  course  of  business,  (ii)
         indebtedness  evidenced by bonds,  debentures,  notes or other  similar
         instruments,  (iv)  obligations  and  liabilities  secured by a Lien on
         property  owned by the  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  of the  Borrower,
         whether or not Borrower or Subsidiary has assumed such  obligations and
         liabilities  and the  amount of which  Debt  shall not  exceed the fair
         market  value  of the  property  subject  to the  Lien if  Borrower  or
         Subsidiary  has not  assumed  such  obligations  and  liabilities,  (v)
         obligations  or  liabilities  created or arising under any  Capitalized
         Lease,  (vi) all net  payments  or  amounts  owing by  Borrower  or any
         Subsidiary  of the  Borrower  in respect of  interest  rate  protection
         agreements,  foreign  currency  exchange  agreements,   commodity  swap
         agreements  or other  interests,  exchange  rate or  commodity  hedging
         arrangements  and (vii)  liabilities  in  respect  of  unfunded  vested
         benefits  under any Plan. The Debt of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
         the Borrower shall include the Debt of any partnership or joint venture
         in which the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower is a general or
         venture  partner.  The Debt of the  Borrower or any  Subsidiary  of the
         Borrower shall not include trade payables and expense accruals incurred
         or  assumed  in  the  ordinary   course  of  the   Borrower's  or  such
         Subsidiary's business (including trade payables and expense accruals of
         any  partnership  or  joint  venture  in  which  the  Borrower  or  any
         Subsidiary of the Borrower is a general or venture  partner;  provided,
         such payables have not remained unpaid for a period of ninety (90) days
         after the same  became due unless the  Borrower or such  Subsidiary  is
         diligently contesting same in good faith).




                                                      -5-

<PAGE>



                  "Default"  shall mean any Event of Default and the  occurrence
         of an event or condition  which would with the giving of any  requisite
         notice and/or passage of time or both constitute an Event of Default.

                  "Default Rate" shall mean the Base Rate plus 5% per annum.

                    "Defaulting  Bank" is used herein as defined in Section 3(f)
               hereof.

                  "Effective Date" shall  mean the date of this Agreement.

                  "Eligible  Assignee"  shall  mean  any of  (i) a  Bank  or any
         Affiliate of a Bank; (ii) a commercial bank organized under the laws of
         the United States, or any state thereof,  and having a combined capital
         and surplus of at least $100,000,000; (iii) a commercial bank organized
         under  the  laws  of  any  other  country  which  is a  member  of  the
         Organization for Economic  Cooperation and Development,  or a political
         subdivision  of any such  country,  and having a combined  capital  and
         surplus  of at least  $100,000,000,  provided  that such bank is acting
         through a branch or agency  located  in the United  States;  and (iv) a
         Person that is primarily engaged in the business of commercial  banking
         and that (A) is a subsidiary of a Bank, (B) a subsidiary of a Person of
         which a Bank is a  subsidiary,  or (C) a  Person  of  which a Bank is a
         subsidiary;  provided,  however,  that as a condition  precedent to any
         bank  organized  under the laws of any  other  country  other  than the
         United  States  qualifying  as an  "Eligible  Assignee"  shall  be  the
         providing  by such  bank of the U.S.  Internal  Revenue  Service  forms
         required by Section 14(o) of this Agreement;

                  "Environmental  Laws"  shall mean all laws,  statutes,  codes,
         acts,  ordinances,  orders,  judgments,  decrees,  injunctions,  rules,
         regulations,  order  and  restrictions  of any  Governmental  Authority
         relating to air pollution,  water  pollution,  noise control and/or the
         handling,  discharge,  disposal  or  recovery  of on-site  or  off-site
         Hazardous Substances.

                  "Environmental   Liability"  shall  mean  any  claim,  demand,
         obligation,   cause  of  action,  order,  violation,   damage,  injury,
         judgment, penalty or fine, cost of enforcement, cost of remedial action
         or  any  other  costs  or  expense  whatsoever,   including  reasonable
         attorneys'  fees and  disbursements,  resulting  from the  violation or
         alleged  violation of any  Environmental  Law or the  imposition of any
         Environmental  Lien (as hereinafter  defined) which could reasonably be
         expected to  individually  or in the aggregate have a Material  Adverse
         Effect.

                  "Environmental  Lien"  shall  mean  a  Lien  in  favor  of any
         Governmental  Authority or any other  Person (i) for any  Environmental
         Liability  or (ii) for damages  arising  from or cost  incurred by such
         court or  Governmental  Authority  or other  person  in  response  to a
         release or  threatened  release  of any  hazardous  substance  into the
         environment.




                                                      -6-

<PAGE>



                  "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
         of 1974, as amended.

                  "Eurodollar  Business  Day" shall mean a Business Day on which
         dealings in U.S. Dollar deposits are carried on in the London interbank
         market.

                  "Eurodollar  Interest  Period"  shall mean with respect to any
         Eurodollar Loan (i) initially,  the period  commencing on the date such
         Eurodollar  Loan is made and ending one (1), two (2),  three (3) or six
         (6) months  thereafter  as  selected  by  Borrower  pursuant to Section
         4(a)(ii),  and  (ii)  thereafter,  each  period  commencing  on the day
         following the last day of the next preceding Interest Period applicable
         to such  Eurodollar  Loan and ending one (1), two (2), three (3) or six
         (6) months  thereafter,  as selected  by  Borrower  pursuant to Section
         4(a)(ii); provided, however, that (a) if any Eurodollar Interest Period
         would otherwise expire on a day which is not a Eurodollar Business Day,
         such  Interest  Period shall expire on the next  succeeding  Eurodollar
         Business  Day unless the  result of such  extension  would be to extend
         such Interest  Period into the next calendar  month, in which case such
         Interest  Period  shall  end on the  immediately  preceding  Eurodollar
         Business Day, (b) if any Eurodollar  Interest Period begins on the last
         Eurodollar  Business  Day of a  calendar  month  (or on a day for which
         there is no numerically  corresponding day in the calendar month at the
         end of such Interest Period) such Interest Period shall end on the last
         Eurodollar  Business Day of a calendar  month,  and (c) any  Eurodollar
         Interest  Period which would  otherwise  expire after the Maturity Date
         shall end on such Maturity Date.

                  "Eurodollar  Loan" shall mean any loan during any period which
         bears interest at the Eurodollar  Rate, or which would bear interest at
         such rate if the Maximum Rate ceiling was not in effect at a particular
         time.

                    "Eurodollar   Margin"  shall  mean,  with  respect  to  each
               Eurodollar Loan:

                    (i) one percent (1%) per annum  whenever  Atwood's  ratio of
               Consolidated  Funded Debt to  Consolidated  EBITDA is equal to or
               greater than 1.25 to 1.0; or

                           (ii)  three-fourths  of one percent  (.75%) per annum
                  whenever  Atwood's  ratio  of  Consolidated   Funded  Debt  to
                  Consolidated  EBITDA is greater  than 1.0 to 1.0 but less than
                  1.25 to 1.0; or

                           (iii)  one-half  of  one  percent  (.50%)  per  annum
                  whenever  Atwood's  ratio  of  Consolidated   Funded  Debt  to
                  Consolidated EBITDA is less than or equal to 1.0 to 1.0.




                                                      -7-

<PAGE>



         For the purposes of calculating  the Eurodollar  Margin for each new or
         existing Tranche, Atwood's (i) Consolidated Funded Debt shall fluctuate
         from  day to day,  and (ii)  Consolidated  EBITDA  shall be  calculated
         quarterly  as of the end of each  fiscal  quarter and  annualized.  The
         Eurodollar  Margin shall be recalculated by Agent from time to time and
         be  effective  upon (a) the making of any  Advance  hereunder,  (b) the
         receipt by the Banks of any payment or prepayment or (c) the receipt by
         Agent of Borrower's  quarterly  Certificate  of Compliance  provided by
         Borrower pursuant to Section 11(b) hereof.

                  "Eurodollar  Rate" shall mean with respect to each  Eurodollar
         Interest  Period,  the offered rate (rounded upward to the nearest 1/16
         of one percent) for deposits of U.S. Dollars for a period equivalent to
         such  period  at or  about  11:00  A.M.  (London  time)  on the  second
         Eurodollar  Business  Day  before  the first  day of such  period as is
         displayed on Telerate page 3750 (British Bankers'  Association Interest
         Settlement  Rates) (or such other page as may replace such page 3750 on
         such system or on any other  system of the  information  vendor for the
         time being designated by the British Bankers'  Association to calculate
         the BBA Interest  Settlement  Rate (as defined in the British  Bankers'
         Association's  Recommended Terms and Conditions  ("BBAIRS" terms) dated
         August  1985),  provided  that  if on  such  date  no  such  rate is so
         displayed, the Eurodollar Rate for such period shall be the rate quoted
         to the Agent as the offered  rate for  deposits  of U.S.  Dollars in an
         amount  approximately  equal to the  amount  in  relation  to which the
         Eurodollar  Rate is to be  determined  for a period  equivalent to such
         period by prime banks in the London  interbank market at or about 11:00
         A.M.  (London  time) on the second  Eurodollar  Business Day before the
         first day of such period.

                  "Eurodollar  Reserve  Percentage"  shall mean for any day that
         percentage  (expressed as a decimal) which is in effect on such day, as
         prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve System (or
         any successor) for determining  the maximum  reserve  requirement for a
         member bank of the  Federal  Reserve  System in respect of  "Eurodollar
         liabilities" (or in respect of any other category of liabilities  which
         includes deposits by reference to which the interest rate on Eurodollar
         Loans is  determined  on any  category of  extension of credit or other
         assets which includes  loans by a non-United  States office of any Bank
         to United  States  residents).  The Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate shall be
         adjusted  automatically on or as of the effective date of any change in
         the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

                    "Event of  Default"  is used herein as defined in Section 13
               hereof.

                  "Financial  Statements"  shall  mean  balance  sheets,  income
         statements,  statements  of cash  flow and  appropriate  footnotes  and
         schedules,  prepared in accordance with GAAP and in a manner consistent
         with prior periods.




                                                      -8-

<PAGE>



                  "GAAP" shall mean generally  accepted  accounting  principles,
         consistently applied in the United States of America.

                  "Guarantors'  Credit Agreement" shall mean that certain Credit
         Agreement among Guarantors, the Banks, the Agent and the Co-Agent dated
         of even date herewith pursuant to which the Banks made available to the
         Guarantors a $100,000,000 revolving credit facility.

                  "Guarantors'  Obligations"  shall  mean  (i)  the  outstanding
         principal   balance  due  on  the  Notes  issued  under  the  Revolving
         Commitment as of any date of determination plus (ii) the sum of (A) the
         principal  balance due on all  promissory  notes  issued by  Guarantors
         under the Guarantors'  Credit  Agreement,  less (B) the market value of
         all Treasury  Bonds pledged as collateral for  Guarantors'  obligations
         under the  Guarantors'  Credit  Agreement,  plus (C)  interest  expense
         attributable to $20,000,000 of the outstanding principal balance due on
         the notes issued pursuant to the Guarantors' Credit Agreement.

                  "Guaranty" shall mean the  unconditional  guaranties of Atwood
         and Deep Seas of all obligations owed the Banks by Borrower in the form
         of Exhibit "C" hereto.

                  "Governmental  Authority" shall mean any nation or government,
         any federal, state, province, city, town,  municipality,  county, local
         or other political  subdivision  thereof or thereto and any department,
         commission,  board,  bureau,  instrumentality,  agency or other  entity
         exercising   executive,    legislative,    judicial,    regulatory   or
         administrative functions of or pertaining to government.

                  "Hazardous  Substances"  shall mean petroleum and used oil, or
         any other  pollutant  or  contaminant,  hazardous,  dangerous  or toxic
         waste,   substance   or  material  as  defined  in  the   Comprehensive
         Environmental  Response,  Compensation  and  Liability  Act of 1980, as
         amended,  42 U.S.C. Sec. 9601, et seq.  (hereinafter  called "CERCLA");
         the Resource Conversation and Recovery Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 6901,
         et seq.  (hereinafter called "RCRA"); the Toxic Substances Control Act,
         as amended,  15 U.S.C. Sec. 2601 et seq.  (hereinafter  called "TSCA");
         the Hazardous Materials  Transportation Act, as amended, 49 U.S.C. Sec.
         1801,  et seq  (hereinafter  called  "HMTA");  the Oil Pollution Act of
         1990, Pub. L. No.  101-380,  104 Stat. 484 (1990)  (hereinafter  called
         "OPA"); or any other statute, law, ordinance, code or regulation of any
         Governmental  Agency relating to or imposing  liability or standards of
         conduct concerning the use, production, generation, treatment, storage,
         recycling,  handling,  transportation,  release,  threatened release or
         disposal of any  hazardous,  dangerous  or toxic  waste,  substance  or
         material, currently in effect or at any time hereafter adopted.

                  "Interest Payment Date" shall mean the earlier of (i) the last
         Business  Day of each  Interest  Period  or (ii)  the  last day of each
         calendar quarter.



                                                      -9-

<PAGE>




                    "Interest  Period" shall mean any Base Rate Interest Period,
               or Eurodollar Interest Period.

                  "Lien"  shall  mean  any  mortgage,  deed  of  trust,  pledge,
         security  interest,  assignment,  encumbrance  or  lien  (statutory  or
         otherwise) of every kind and character.

                  "Loan  Documents"  shall mean this  Agreement,  the Note,  the
         Security  Instruments  and all other  documents  executed in connection
         with the transaction described in this Agreement.

                  "Loans"  shall mean Advances  under the Revolving  Commitment,
         whether in the form of a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Loan.

                  "Majority  Banks" shall mean Banks holding  66-2/3% or more of
         the Revolving Commitments.

                  "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean any circumstance or event
         which  could  have a  material  adverse  effect  on (i) the  assets  or
         properties,  liabilities, financial condition, business, operations, or
         prospects of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  or
         (ii) the  ability  of the  Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a
         whole, to carry out their respective  businesses as of the date of this
         Agreement or as proposed at the date of this Agreement to be conducted,
         or (iii) the ability of  Borrower,  to meet its  obligations  under the
         Note,  this Agreement or the other Loan Documents on a timely basis, or
         (iv)  the  validity  or  enforceability  of any Loan  Document  against
         Borrower.

                  "Maturity Date" shall mean March 31, 2002.

                  "Maximum Rate" shall mean at any particular  time in question,
         the maximum  non-usurious  rate of interest which under  applicable law
         may then be charged on the Note. If such Maximum Rate changes after the
         date  hereof,  the Maximum  Rate shall be  automatically  increased  or
         decreased,  as the case may be, without notice to Borrower from time to
         time as the effective date of each change in such Maximum Rate.

                  "Notes" shall mean the revolving  notes  substantially  in the
         form of Exhibit  "B" hereto  issued or to be issued  hereunder  to each
         Bank,  respectively,  to evidence the indebtedness to such Bank arising
         by reason of the Advances on the  Revolving  Loans,  together  with all
         modifications, renewals and extensions thereof or any part thereof.

                    "Notice of  Borrowing"  is used herein as defined in Section
               2(b) hereof.

                    "Other  Financings"  is used  herein as  defined  in Section
               14(l) hereof.




                                                      -10-

<PAGE>



                  "Payor" is used herein as defined in Section 3(h) hereof.

                  "Permitted Liens" shall mean (i) Liens for taxes, governmental
         charges,  levies or other  assessments  that are not yet delinquent (or
         that, if delinquent,  are being  contested in good faith by appropriate
         proceedings, levy and execution thereon having been stayed and continue
         to be stayed and for which Borrower has set aside on its books adequate
         reserves in accordance with GAAP);  (ii) maritime  (including,  without
         limitation,  Liens for  insurance  premiums or calls and Liens  arising
         under charters), materialmen's,  mechanic's,  repairmen's,  employee's,
         warehousemen's,  landlord's, carrier's, contractor's,  sub-contractor's
         and other Liens  (including any financing  statements  filed in respect
         thereof)  incidental to obligations  incurred by Borrower in connection
         with  the  construction,   maintenance,   transportation,   storage  or
         operation  of  Borrower's  assets,  or  properties  to the  extent  not
         delinquent (or which, if delinquent,  are being contested in good faith
         by appropriate  proceedings and for which Borrower has set aside on its
         books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP);  (iii) all contracts,
         agreements  and  instruments,  any  interest  or title  of a lessor  or
         charterer  under any lease  permitted by this Agreement and all defects
         and  irregularities  and other matters affecting  Borrower's assets and
         properties  which  were in  existence  or arose at the time  Borrower's
         assets and  properties  were  originally  acquired by Borrower  and all
         routine  operational  agreements entered into in the ordinary course of
         business,   which   contracts,   agreements,    instruments,   defects,
         irregularities and other matters and routine operational agreements are
         not such as to, individually or in the aggregate,  interfere materially
         with the operation,  value or use of Borrower's  assets and properties,
         considered in the  aggregate;  (iv) liens in connection  with workmen's
         compensation,  unemployment insurance or other social security, old age
         pension  or  public  liability  obligations;  (v)  legal  or  equitable
         encumbrances  deemed  to  exist  by  reason  of  the  existence  of any
         litigation  or other legal  proceeding  or arising out of a judgment or
         award with respect to which an appeal is being prosecuted in good faith
         and levy and  execution  thereon  have been  stayed and  continue to be
         stayed; (vi) Liens incurred pursuant to the Security  Instruments;  and
         (vii)  Liens  existing  at the date of this  Agreement  which have been
         disclosed to Banks in Borrower's March 31, 1997 Financial Statements or
         identified in Schedule "1" hereto and which are either  released by the
         Effective Date or consented to by the Banks.

                  "Person"   shall  mean  an  individual,   a   corporation,   a
         partnership,   an   association,   a  trust  or  any  other  entity  or
         organization,  including a government  or political  subdivision  or an
         agency or instrumentality thereof.

                  "Plan"  shall  mean any plan  subject to Title IV of ERISA and
         maintained by Borrower, or its Subsidiaries,  or any such plan to which
         Borrower or its  Subsidiaries  are required to  contribute on behalf of
         its employees.




                                                      -11-

<PAGE>



                  "Pro Rata or Pro Rata Part" shall mean for each Bank,  (i) for
         all  purposes  where no  Revolving  Loan is  outstanding,  such  Bank's
         Revolving  Commitment  Percentage  and (ii)  otherwise,  the proportion
         which the portion of the outstanding  Revolving Loans owed to such Bank
         bears to the aggregate outstanding Revolving Loans owed to all Banks at
         the time in question.

                    "Required Payment" is used herein as defined in Section 3(h)
               hereof.

                  "Revolving   Commitment"   shall   mean  (A)  for  all  Banks,
         $25,000,000  as reduced from time to time pursuant to Sections 2(c) and
         2(d) hereof and (B) as to any Bank,  its  obligation  to make  Advances
         hereunder  on the  Revolving  Loans in amounts  not  exceeding,  in the
         aggregate,  the amount set forth  opposite the name of such Bank on the
         signature pages hereto under the heading  "Revolving  Commitment" or in
         its Assignment and Acceptance.

                  "Revolving Commitment Percentage" shall mean for each Bank the
         percentage derived by dividing its Revolving  Commitment at the time of
         determination  by  Revolving  Commitments  of all  Banks at the time of
         determination.

                  "Revolving  Loans"  shall mean loans made under the  Revolving
         Commitment pursuant to Section 2 hereof.

                  "Rig" is used herein as defined in Section 9(j) hereof.

                    "Secured Obligations" is used herein as defined in Section 6
               hereof.

                  "Security Instruments" shall mean this Agreement, the Guaranty
         and other  documents,  all such  documents to be in form and  substance
         satisfactory to Agent.

                  "Subsidiary"  shall mean any  corporation  or other  entity of
         which  securities or other ownership  interests  having ordinary voting
         power to elect a majority of the board of  directors  or other  persons
         performing  similar  functions  are at the time  directly or indirectly
         owned by Borrower or another subsidiary of Borrower.

                  "Total  Outstandings"  shall  mean as of any  date  the  total
         principal balance outstanding on the Notes.

                  "Tranche" shall mean a Eurodollar Loan or a Base Rate Loan.

                    "Unused  Commitment  Fees"  is used  herein  as  defined  in
               Section 7(a) hereof.




                                                      -12-

<PAGE>



         2.       Commitments of the Bank.

                  (a) Terms of Revolving Commitment. On the terms and conditions
         hereinafter set forth,  each Bank agrees  severally to make Advances to
         Borrower from time to time during the period beginning on the Effective
         Date and ending on the  Maturity  Date in such  amounts as Borrower may
         request  up to an amount  not to  exceed,  in the  aggregate  principal
         amount  outstanding at any time, the Revolving  Commitment.  Subject to
         the  terms  hereof,  the  Borrower  may  borrow,   repay  and  reborrow
         hereunder.  The obligation of Borrower  hereunder shall be evidenced by
         this  Agreement  and the Note or Notes issued in  connection  herewith,
         said  Note  or  Notes  to  be  as   described   in  Section  3  hereof.
         Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no Advance shall
         be required to be made hereunder if any Default or Event of Default (as
         hereinafter defined) has occurred and is continuing. Each Advance under
         the Revolving Commitment shall be an amount of at least $1,000,000 or a
         whole number multiple  thereof.  Irrespective of the face amount of the
         Revolving  Note or Notes,  the Banks shall never have the obligation to
         Advance any amount or amounts in excess of the Revolving  Commitment or
         to increase  the  Revolving  Commitment.  The total  number of Tranches
         under the Revolving  Commitment  which may be  outstanding  at any time
         hereunder  shall never exceed five (5),  whether such Tranches are Base
         Rate Loans, Eurodollar Loans, or a combination thereof.

                  (b)  Procedure for  Borrowing.  Whenever  Borrower  desires an
         Advance hereunder, it shall give Agent telegraphic, telex, facsimile or
         telephonic  notice  ("Notice of Borrowing") of such requested  Advance,
         which in the case of telephonic notice,  shall be promptly confirmed in
         writing.  Each Notice of Borrowing  shall be in the form of Exhibit "A"
         attached  hereto  and shall be  received  by Agent not later than 11:00
         a.m.  Houston,  Texas time, (i) one Business Day prior to the date upon
         which any such Advance is requested to be funded (the "Borrowing Date")
         in the  case of the  Base  Rate  Loan,  or (ii)  three  (3)  Eurodollar
         Business  Days  prior  to any  proposed  Borrowing  Date in the case of
         Eurodollar Loans. Upon receipt of such Notice,  Agent shall immediately
         advise each Bank thereof;  provided, that if the Banks have received at
         least one (1) Business Day's notice of such Advance prior to funding of
         a Base Rate  Loan,  or at least  three (3)  Eurodollar  Business  Days'
         notice of each  Advance  prior to funding  in the case of a  Eurodollar
         Loan,  each Bank  shall  provide  Agent at its  office  at 910  Travis,
         Houston,  Texas 77002-5860,  not later than 1:00 p.m.,  Houston,  Texas
         time, on the Borrowing Date, in immediately  available  funds,  its pro
         rata share of the  requested  Advance,  but the  aggregate  of all such
         fundings  by  each  Bank  shall  never  exceed  such  Bank's  Revolving
         Commitment.  Not later  than 2:00 p.m.,  Houston,  Texas  time,  on the
         Borrowing  Date,  Agent  shall make  available  to Borrower at the same
         office, in like funds, the aggregate amount of such requested  Advance.
         Neither  Agent nor any Bank shall  incur any  liability  to Borrower in
         acting  upon any  Notice  referred  to above  which  Agent or such Bank
         believes in good faith to have been given by a duly authorized  officer
         or other  person  authorized  to borrow on  behalf of  Borrower  or for
         otherwise acting in good faith under



                                                      -13-

<PAGE>



         this Section 2(b). Upon funding of Advances by Banks in accordance with
         this  Agreement,  pursuant  to any such Notice of  Borrowing,  Borrower
         shall have effected Advances hereunder.

                  (c) Voluntary Reduction of Revolving Commitment.  Borrower may
         at any  time,  or from  time to  time,  upon not less  than  three  (3)
         Business  Days prior written  notice to Agent,  reduce or terminate the
         Revolving Commitment; provided, however, that (i) each reduction in the
         Revolving Commitment must be in the amount of at least $1,000,000 or in
         increments of $1,000,000 and (ii) each reduction must be accompanied by
         a  prepayment  of the  Notes in the  amount  by which  the  outstanding
         principal  balance of the Notes  exceeds the  Revolving  Commitment  as
         reduced pursuant to this Section 2(c).

                  (d) Mandatory Reduction of Revolving Commitment. The Revolving
         Commitment  shall be  automatically  reduced as of the last day of each
         fiscal quarter  beginning on March 31, 1999 by the amount of $1,666,667
         per quarter (the "Quarterly Commitment Reduction").

                  (e) Several  Obligations.  The  obligations of the Banks under
         the Revolving  Commitment are several and not joint. The failure of any
         Bank to make an Advance required to be made by it shall not relieve any
         other Bank of its obligation to make its Advance,  and no Bank shall be
         responsible for the failure of any other Bank to make the Advance to be
         made by such other Bank.  No Bank shall be  required to lend  hereunder
         any amount in excess of its legal  lending  limit;  however,  each Bank
         hereunder  covenants that the Revolving  Commitment does not, as of the
         date hereof, exceed its legal lending limit.

                    3. Notes  Evidencing  Loans.  The loans  described  above in
               Section 2 shall be evidenced by notes of the Borrower as follows:

                  (a) Form of  Revolving  Notes - The  Revolving  Loans shall be
         evidenced by Notes in the  aggregate  face amount of  $25,000,000,  and
         shall be in the form of Exhibit "B" hereto with appropriate insertions.
         Notwithstanding  the face  amount of the Notes,  the  actual  principal
         amount due from  Borrower  to Banks on account of the Notes,  as of any
         date of computation,  shall be the sum of Advances then and theretofore
         made on account  thereof,  plus outstanding  Reimbursement  Obligations
         less all  principal  payments  actually  received by Banks in collected
         funds with respect  thereto.  Although the Notes may be dated as of the
         Effective  Date,  interest in respect thereof shall be payable only for
         the period  during which the loans  evidenced  thereby are  outstanding
         and,  although the stated amount of the Notes may be higher,  the Notes
         shall be enforceable,  with respect to Borrower's obligation to pay the
         principal  amount thereof,  only to the extent of the unpaid  principal
         amount of the loans.




                                                      -14-

<PAGE>



                  (b) Issuance of Additional Notes - At the Effective Date there
         shall be  outstanding  (i) seven (7) Notes in the aggregate face amount
         of  $25,000,000  payable to the order of the Banks for each such Bank's
         Pro Rata Part of the Revolving Commitment.  From time to time new Notes
         may be issued  to other  Banks as such  Banks  become  parties  to this
         Agreement.  Upon request from Agent, Borrower shall execute and deliver
         to Agent  any such new or  additional  Notes.  From time to time as new
         Notes are issued the Agent shall require that each Bank exchange  their
         Notes for newly  issued  Notes to  reflect  the  extent of each  Bank's
         Revolving Commitments hereunder.

                  (c)  Interest  Rates - The  unpaid  principal  balance  of all
         outstanding  advances  under the Notes shall bear interest from time to
         time as set forth in Section 4 hereof.

                  (d)  Payment  of  Interest -  Interest  on the Notes  shall be
         payable  to the  Agent  for the  ratable  benefit  of the Banks on each
         Interest Payment Date.

                  (e) Payment of  Principal - Principal of the  Revolving  Notes
         shall be due and  payable to the Agent for the  ratable  benefit of the
         Banks on the Maturity Date unless  earlier due in whole or in part as a
         result  of an  acceleration  of  the  amount  due  or  pursuant  to the
         mandatory prepayment provisions of Sections 8(b) hereof.

                  (f) Payment to Banks - Each Bank's Pro Rata Part of payment or
         prepayment of the Revolving Loans shall be directed by wire transfer to
         such Bank by the Agent at the  address  provided  to the Agent for such
         Bank for payments no later than 2:00 p.m., Houston,  Texas, time on the
         Business Day such payments or prepayments are deemed  hereunder to have
         been received by Agent;  provided,  however, in the event that any Bank
         shall have failed to make an Advance as  contemplated  under  Section 2
         hereof (a  "Defaulting  Bank") and the Agent or  another  Bank or Banks
         shall have made such Advance, payment received by Agent for the account
         of such  Defaulting  Bank or Banks  shall  not be  distributed  to such
         Defaulting Bank or Banks until such Advance or Advances shall have been
         repaid  in full  to the  Bank or  Banks  who  funded  such  Advance  or
         Advances. Any payment or prepayment received by Agent at any time after
         12:00 noon,  Houston,  Texas, time on a Business Day shall be deemed to
         have been received on the next Business  Day.  Interest  shall cease to
         accrue on any principal as of the end of the day preceding the Business
         Day on which any such payment or prepayment is deemed hereunder to have
         been received by Agent. If Agent fails to transfer any principal amount
         to any Bank as provided  above,  then Agent shall promptly  direct such
         principal amount by wire transfer to such Bank. Payment by the Borrower
         of any  principal,  interest or other fees or expenses due hereunder to
         the Agent shall extinguish the obligations of Borrower to each Bank for
         such principal, interest or other fees or expenses actually paid.

                    (g) Sharing of Payments, Etc. - If any Bank shall obtain any
               payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, or otherwise) on account
               of the Revolving Loans, (including,



                                                      -15-

<PAGE>



         without  limitation,  any  set-off)  which is in excess of its Pro Rata
         Part of payments on the Revolving  Loans such Bank shall  purchase from
         the other Banks such  participation as shall be necessary to cause such
         purchasing Bank to share the excess payment pro rata with each of them;
         provided  that,  if  all or any  portion  of  such  excess  payment  is
         thereafter  recovered from such purchasing  Bank, the purchase shall be
         rescinded  and  the  purchase  price  restored  to  the  extent  of the
         recovery.  Borrower  agrees that any Bank so purchasing a participation
         from another Bank  pursuant to this Section may, to the fullest  extent
         permitted by law, exercise all of its rights of payment  (including the
         right of offset) with respect to such participation as fully as if such
         Bank  were the  direct  creditor  of  Borrower  in the  amount  of such
         participation.

                  (h) Non-Receipt of Funds by the Agent - Unless the Agent shall
         have been  notified by a Bank or Borrower  (the  "Payor")  prior to the
         date on which such Bank is to make payment to the Agent of the proceeds
         of a Revolving  Loans to be made by it hereunder or Borrower is to make
         a payment to the Agent for the account of one or more of the Banks,  as
         the  case  may be (such  payment  being  herein  called  the  "Required
         Payment"), which notice shall be effective upon receipt, that the Payor
         does not intend to make the  Required  Payment to the Agent,  the Agent
         may assume that the Required Payment has been made and may, in reliance
         upon such  assumption  (but shall not be required  to), make the amount
         thereof  available to the  intended  recipient on such date and, if the
         Payor has not in fact  made the  Required  Payment  to the  Agent,  the
         recipient of such payment shall, on demand, pay to the Agent the amount
         made  available to it together with interest  thereon in respect of the
         period  commencing  on the date such amount was made  available  by the
         Agent  until  the date  the  Agent  recovers  such  amount  at the rate
         applicable to such portion of the applicable Revolving Loan.

                  (i)  Capital  Adequacy  - If either  (i) the  introduction  or
         implementation  of or the  compliance  with or any  change in or in the
         interpretation  of any law, rule or regulation or (ii) the introduction
         or  implementation  of or the  compliance  with any mandatory  request,
         directive  or  guideline  from any central  bank or other  governmental
         authority  (whether  or not having  the force of law)  affects or would
         affect the amount of capital  required or expected to be  maintained by
         any  Bank  or any  corporation  controlling  any  Bank as a  result  of
         maintaining  the Revolving  Loans,  then within fifteen (15) days after
         demand by such Bank,  Borrower will pay to such Bank, from time to time
         as specified by such Bank, such additional amount or amounts which such
         Bank shall  reasonably  determine to be appropriate to compensate  such
         Bank  or any  corporation  controlling  such  Bank  in  light  of  such
         circumstances,  to the extent that such Bank reasonably determines that
         the  amount  of any such  capital  would be  increased,  or the rate of
         return on any such capital would be reduced in whole or in part,  based
         on the  existence of the amount of the  Revolving  Loans or such Bank's
         Revolving Commitment under this Agreement.



                                                      -16-

<PAGE>




         4.       Interest Rates.

                  (a)      Options.

                            (i) Base Rate Loans. Borrower agrees to pay interest
                  on the Revolving  Loans  calculated on the basis of the actual
                  days elapsed in a year  consisting of 365 or, if  appropriate,
                  366 days with respect to the unpaid  principal  amount of each
                  Base  Rate Loan from the date the  proceeds  thereof  are made
                  available to Borrower until maturity  (whether by acceleration
                  or otherwise), at a varying rate per annum equal to the lesser
                  of (i) the Maximum Rate (defined  herein),  or (ii) the sum of
                  the Base  Rate  plus  the Base  Rate  Margin.  Subject  to the
                  provisions of this Agreement as to  prepayment,  the principal
                  of the Notes  representing Base Rate Loans shall be payable as
                  specified  in Section  3(e) hereof and the interest in respect
                  of each Base  Rate  Loan  shall be  payable  on each  Interest
                  Payment Date. Past due principal and, to the extent  permitted
                  by law,  past due  interest in respect to each Base Rate Loan,
                  shall bear  interest,  payable on demand,  at a rate per annum
                  equal to the Default Rate.

                           (ii)  Eurodollar   Loans.   Borrower  agrees  to  pay
                  interest  calculated on the basis of a year  consisting of 360
                  days  with  respect  to the  unpaid  principal  amount of each
                  Eurodollar  Loan from the date the  proceeds  thereof are made
                  available to Borrower until maturity  (whether by acceleration
                  or otherwise), at a varying rate per annum equal to the lesser
                  of (i) the Maximum Rate, or (ii) the Eurodollar  Rate plus the
                  Eurodollar Margin. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement
                  with respect to  prepayment,  the principal of the Notes shall
                  be  payable  as  specified  in  Section  3(e)  hereof  and the
                  interest with respect to each Eurodollar Loan shall be payable
                  on each Interest  Payment Date. Past due principal and, to the
                  extent   permitted  by  law,  past  due  interest  shall  bear
                  interest,  payable on demand, at a rate per annum equal to the
                  Default Rate. Upon three (3) Eurodollar Business Days' written
                  notice prior to the making by the Banks of any Eurodollar Loan
                  (in the case of the initial  Interest Period  therefor) or the
                  expiration  date of each  succeeding  Interest  Period (in the
                  case of subsequent Interest Periods therefor),  Borrower shall
                  have the option, subject to compliance by Borrower with all of
                  the  provisions  of this  Agreement,  as long as no  Event  of
                  Default  exists,   to  specify  whether  the  Interest  Period
                  commencing on any such date shall be a one (1), two (2), three
                  (3) or six (6) month period.  If Agent shall not have received
                  timely notice of a designation of such Interest Period as



                                                      -17-

<PAGE>



                  herein  provided,  Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to
                  convert all maturing Eurodollar Loans to Base Rate Loans.

                  (b) Interest  Rate  Determination.  The Agent shall  determine
         each interest rate applicable to the Revolving Loans hereunder pursuant
         to the terms of this  Agreement.  The Agent shall give prompt notice to
         Borrower of each rate of interest so determined  and its  determination
         thereof shall be conclusive absent error.

                  (c)  Conversion  Option.  Borrower may elect from time to time
         (i) to  convert  all or any part of its  Eurodollar  Loans to Base Rate
         Loans by giving Agent  irrevocable  notice of such  election in writing
         prior to 10:00 a.m.  (Houston,  Texas time) on the conversion  date and
         such  conversion  shall  be  made  on the  requested  conversion  date,
         provided that any such conversion of Eurodollar Loan shall only be made
         on the last day of the Eurodollar Interest Period with respect thereof,
         (ii) to convert  all or any part of its Base Rate  Loans to  Eurodollar
         Loans by giving the Agent  irrevocable  written notice of such election
         three (3) Eurodollar Business Days prior to the proposed conversion and
         such conversion  shall be made on the requested  conversion date or, if
         such requested  conversion  date is not a Eurodollar  Business Day or a
         Business  Day,  as the case may be, on the next  succeeding  Eurodollar
         Business Day or Business  Day, as the case may be. Any such  conversion
         shall not be deemed to be a prepayment of any of the loans for purposes
         of this Agreement on the Notes.

                  (d) Recoupment. If at any time the applicable rate of interest
         selected  pursuant to Sections  4(a)(i) or 4(a)(ii)  above shall exceed
         the  Maximum  Rate,  thereby  causing  the  interest on the Notes to be
         limited to the  Maximum  Rate,  then any  subsequent  reduction  in the
         interest rate so selected or subsequently selected shall not reduce the
         rate of interest  on the Notes  below the Maximum  Rate until the total
         amount of  interest  accrued on the Note  equals the amount of interest
         which  would have  accrued  on the Notes if the rate or rates  selected
         pursuant  to Sections  4(a)(i) or (ii),  as the case may be, had at all
         times been in effect.

         5.       Special Provisions Relating to Loans.

                  (a)  Unavailability of Funds or Inadequacy of Pricing.  In the
         event that, in connection with any proposed  Eurodollar  Loan, any Bank
         (i) shall have  determined  that U.S.  Dollar  deposits of the relevant
         amount and for the relevant  Eurodollar  Interest Period for Eurodollar
         Loans are not available to such Bank in the London interbank market; or
         (ii) in good faith  determines  that the Eurodollar  Interest Rate will
         not adequately  reflect the cost to the Banks of maintaining or funding
         the Eurodollar Loans for such Interest  Period,  the obligations of the
         Banks  to make the  Eurodollar  Loans,  as the  case  may be,  shall be
         suspended until such time such Bank in its sole  discretion  reasonably
         exercised  determines  that the event  resulting in such suspension has
         ceased to exist. If any Bank



                                                      -18-

<PAGE>



         shall make such  determination  it shall  promptly  notify the Agent in
         writing,  and Agent shall  promptly  notify  Borrower  in writing,  and
         Borrower shall either repay the  outstanding  Eurodollar  Loans, as the
         case may be,  owed to Banks,  without  penalty,  on the last day of the
         current  Interest  Period or convert the same to Base Rate Loans in the
         case of Eurodollar  Loans on the last day of the then current  Interest
         Period for such Eurodollar Loan.

                  (b) Taxes. Both principal and interest on the Notes evidencing
         the Loans and all fees due hereunder are payable without withholding or
         deduction  for or on account  of any taxes.  If any taxes are levied or
         imposed on or with respect to the Notes  evidencing the Loans or on any
         payment on the Notes  evidencing the Loans made to any Bank,  then, and
         in any such event,  Borrower  shall pay to the Banks upon demand of any
         Bank such  additional  amounts  as may be  necessary  so that every net
         payment of principal  and interest on the Notes  evidencing  the Loans,
         after  withholding  or  deduction  for or on account of any such taxes,
         will not be less than any amount provided for herein.  In addition,  if
         at any  time  when the  Loans  are  outstanding  any  laws  enacted  or
         promulgated,  or any court of law or governmental  agency interprets or
         administers any law, which,  in any such case,  materially  changes the
         basis of taxation of payments to any Bank of  principal  of or interest
         on the Notes evidencing the Loans by reason of subjecting such payments
         to double taxation or otherwise (except through an increase in the rate
         of tax on the overall  net income of such Bank or Banks) then  Borrower
         will pay the amount of loss to the  extent  that such loss is caused by
         such a change.  The Banks shall give notice to Borrower  upon  becoming
         aware of the amount of any loss incurred by any Bank through  enactment
         or promulgation of any such law which  materially  changes the basis of
         taxation of payments to one or more of the Banks.  The Banks shall also
         give notice on becoming  aware of any such  enactment  or  promulgation
         which may result in such payments  becoming  subject to double taxation
         or otherwise. A certificate of any Bank setting forth the basis for the
         determination of such loss and the computation of such amounts shall be
         delivered to Borrower and shall be conclusive of such determination and
         such amount,  absent  error.  The  Borrower  shall not be liable to the
         Banks for,  or be  required  to pay,  any taxes that are on the overall
         income  or  franchise  taxes  imposed  at any  time on any  Bank by any
         governmental  agency  in any  jurisdiction  where  such  Bank  conducts
         business.

                  (c)  Change in Laws.  If at any time any new law or any change
         in existing laws or in the  interpretation  of any new or existing laws
         shall make it unlawful for the Banks to maintain or fund its Eurodollar
         Loans  hereunder,  then the Banks  shall  promptly  notify  Borrower in
         writing and  Borrower  shall either  repay the  outstanding  Eurodollar
         Loans  owed to the  Banks,  without  penalty,  on the  last  day of the
         current Interest Periods (or, if any Bank may not lawfully  continue to
         maintain and fund such Eurodollar Loans, immediately),  or Borrower may
         convert such  Eurodollar  Loans at such  appropriate  time to Base Rate
         Loans.



                                                      -19-

<PAGE>




                  (d)  Option to Fund.  The Banks  shall each have the option if
         Borrower elects a Eurodollar  Loan, to purchase one or more deposits in
         order to fund or maintain its funding of the  principal  balance of its
         Note to which such  Eurodollar  Loan is applicable  during the Interest
         Period in question;  it being  understood  that the  provisions of this
         Agreement relating to such funding are included only for the purpose of
         determining  the rate of interest to be paid under such Eurodollar Loan
         and any amounts owing hereunder and under the Notes.  Any Bank shall be
         entitled  to fund and  maintain  its funding of all or any part of that
         portion  of the  principal  balance  of the Notes in any manner it sees
         fit,  but all such  determinations  hereunder  shall be made as if such
         Bank have actually  funded and maintained that portion of the principal
         balance of the Notes to which a Eurodollar  Loan is  applicable  during
         the applicable  Interest  Period through the purchase of deposits in an
         amount  equal to the  principal  balance  of the  Notes  to which  such
         Eurodollar  Loan is applicable and having a maturity  corresponding  to
         such  Interest  Period.  Any Bank may  fund the  outstanding  principal
         balance of the Notes which is to be subject to any Eurodollar Loan from
         any branch or office of such Bank as any Bank may  designate  from time
         to time.

                  (e) Indemnity.  Borrower shall indemnify and hold harmless the
         Banks  against all  reasonable  and necessary  out-of-pocket  costs and
         expenses  which the Banks  shall  sustain (i) as a  consequence  of any
         default by Borrower  under this  Agreement,  or (ii) as a result of the
         making of any loan or loans as a Eurodollar  Loan under this  Agreement
         unless any such costs or expenses are caused by the gross negligence or
         willful  misconduct of any of the Banks, the Agent, the Co-Agent or any
         of their employees or agents.

                  (f) Payments Not at End of Interest Period.  If Borrower makes
         any payment of principal with respect to any Eurodollar Loan on any day
         other  than the  last day of the  Interest  Period  applicable  to such
         Eurodollar  Loan, then Borrower shall reimburse the Banks on demand for
         any  loss,  cost or  expense  incurred  by the Banks as a result of the
         timing  of such  payment  or in  redepositing  such  principal  amount,
         including  the sum of (i) the cost of funds to the Banks in  respect of
         such principal amount so paid, for the remainder of the Interest Period
         applicable to such sum, reduced,  if any Bank is able to redeposit such
         principal amount so paid for the balance of the Interest Period, by the
         interest  earned  by such  Bank as a  result  of so  redepositing  such
         principal amount, plus (ii) any expense or penalty incurred by the Bank
         in  redepositing  such  principal  amount.  A  certificate  of any Bank
         setting  forth the basis for the  determination  of the amount  owed by
         Borrower  pursuant to this  Section 5(f) shall be delivered to Borrower
         and shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

                    6.  Collateral  and  Guaranties.   The  obligations  of  the
               Borrower to repay (i) with  interest all amounts  advanced  under
               the Revolving Commitment as evidenced by the Notes, together with
               all renewals,  extensions,  modifications  and/or restatements of
               the Revolving



                                                      -20-

<PAGE>



Commitment  and/or the Notes that are from time to time in effect,  and (ii) all
fees,  costs and expenses of the Banks,  including  reasonable  attorneys'  fees
incurred  by  the  Banks  under  this  Agreement  (collectively,   the  "Secured
Obligations")  shall be (a) secured by a negative  pledge of the Borrower on all
of its assets  including  without  limitation  the Rig and (b)  guaranteed by an
unconditional  guaranty executed by each of the Guarantors in favor of the Banks
dated of even date  herewith,  said  Guaranty  to be in the form of Exhibit  "C"
hereto.

         7.       Fees.

                  (a) Unused  Fee.  Borrower  shall pay to Agent for the ratable
         benefit of the Banks an unused  commitment fee (the "Unused  Commitment
         Fee")  equivalent  to  three-eighths  of one percent  (.375%) per annum
         (based on the actual days  elapsed in a year  consisting  of 365 or, if
         appropriate,  366 days) on the daily average of the unadvanced  portion
         of the Revolving Commitment. The Unused Commitment Fee shall be payable
         in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter  beginning
         September  30, 1997 with the final fee payment due on the Maturity Date
         for any period  then ending for which the Unused  Commitment  Fee shall
         not have been theretofore  paid. In the event the Revolving  Commitment
         terminates  on any date  prior to the end of any such  monthly  period,
         Borrower  shall pay to the Agent for the ratable  benefit of the Banks,
         on the date of such  termination,  the total Unused  Commitment Fee due
         for the period in which such termination occurs.

                    (b) Agency  Fees.  Borrower  shall pay to the Agent  certain
               fees for  acting as Agent  hereunder  in the  amounts  previously
               agreed between Borrower and the Agent.

         8.       Prepayments.

                  (a)  Voluntary  Prepayments.  Subject  to  the  provisions  of
         Sections  2(a)  and 5(f)  hereof  with  respect  to  Eurodollar  Loans,
         Borrower  may at any time and from  time to time,  without  penalty  or
         premium,  prepay the Notes,  in whole or in part.  Each such prepayment
         shall be made on at least one (1)  Business  Day's  notice to Agent and
         shall be in a  minimum  amount of  $1,000,000  or any  larger  multiple
         thereof or the unpaid  balance on the Notes,  whichever  is less,  plus
         accrued interest thereon to the date of prepayment.

                  (b) Mandatory Prepayment.  In the event the Total Outstandings
         ever  exceed  the  Revolving  Commitment,  whether  as  a  result  of a
         Quarterly  Commitment  Reduction  or  otherwise,   the  Borrower  shall
         immediately  prepay,  without  premium  or  penalty,   subject  to  the
         provisions of Section 5(f) hereof with respect to Eurodollar Loans, the
         principal  amount  of the  Notes in an  amount  at least  equal to such
         excess  plus  accrued but unpaid  interest  thereon to the date of such
         prepayment.




                                                      -21-

<PAGE>



                    9.  Representations  and Warranties.  In order to induce the
               Banks to enter into this Agreement,  Borrower  hereby  represents
               and warrants to the Banks (which  representations  and warranties
               will survive the delivery of the Notes) that:

                  (a)  Creation  and  Existence.  Borrower  is  a  company  duly
         organized,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
         jurisdiction  in  which  it was  formed  and is duly  qualified  in all
         jurisdictions  wherein  failure  to  qualify  may  result in a Material
         Adverse  Effect.  Atwood  is  a  corporation  duly  organized,  validly
         existing and in good  standing  under the laws of the  jurisdiction  in
         which it was formed and is duly qualified in all jurisdictions  wherein
         failure to qualify may result in a Material  Adverse Effect.  Deep Seas
         is a limited  partnership  duly  formed,  validly  existing and in good
         standing  under  the  laws of the  state of its  formation  and is duly
         qualified in all jurisdictions wherein failure to qualify may result in
         a Material  Adverse  Effect.  The Borrower and the Guarantors each have
         all power and authority to own their  respective  properties and assets
         and to transact the business in which it is engaged.

                  (b) Power  and  Authority.  Borrower  is duly  authorized  and
         empowered  to  create  and  issue  the  Notes;  and  Borrower  is  duly
         authorized   and   empowered  to  execute,   deliver  and  perform  its
         obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party,  including
         this Agreement;  and all corporate  action on Borrower's part requisite
         for the due creation and issuance of the Notes and on  Borrower's  part
         requisite for the due execution,  delivery and  performance of the Loan
         Documents,  including  this  Agreement,  has been duly and  effectively
         taken.  Each  Guarantor is duly  authorized  and  empowered to execute,
         deliver and perform its  obligations  under the Loan Documents to which
         it is a party, including this Agreement and its Guaranty; all corporate
         action  on each  Guarantor's  part  requisite  for  the due  execution,
         delivery and  performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party,
         including  this   Agreement  and  the  Guaranty,   has  been  duly  and
         effectively taken.

                  (c) Binding  Obligations.  This Agreement  does, and the Notes
         and other Loan Documents upon their creation,  issuance,  execution and
         delivery will,  constitute  valid and binding  obligations of Borrower,
         enforceable  in  accordance  with its  respective  terms  (except  that
         enforcement may be subject to any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or
         similar  debtor  relief laws now or hereafter in effect and relating to
         or affecting  the  enforcement  of creditors  rights  generally).  This
         Agreement does and the Guaranty upon its creation,  issuance, execution
         and delivery  will,  constitute  valid and binding  obligations of each
         Guarantor  enforceable in accordance with its respective  terms (except
         that   enforcement  may  be  subject  to  any  applicable   bankruptcy,
         insolvency,  or similar  debtor  relief laws now or hereafter in effect
         and  relating to or  affecting  the  enforcement  of  creditors  rights
         generally).




                                                      -22-

<PAGE>



                  (d) No Legal  Bar or  Resultant  Lien.  The Notes and the Loan
         Documents,  including this Agreement and the Guaranty,  do not and will
         not, to the best of Borrower's and each Guarantor's knowledge,  violate
         any provisions of any material contract,  agreement,  law,  regulation,
         order, injunction, judgment, decree or writ to which Borrower or either
         Guarantor is subject,  or result in the creation or  imposition  of any
         lien or other  encumbrance upon any assets or properties of Borrower or
         either Guarantor, other than those contemplated by this Agreement.

                  (e)  No  Consent.   Neither  the   execution,   delivery   and
         performance by Borrower of the Notes and the Loan Documents,  including
         this  Agreement  nor the  execution,  delivery and  performance  by the
         Guarantors of this Agreement and the Guaranty,  requires the consent or
         approval of any other person or entity,  including  without  limitation
         any regulatory  authority or governmental  body of the United States or
         any state thereof or any political  subdivision of the United States or
         any state thereof.

                  (f) Financial Condition. The unaudited Financial Statements of
         Atwood dated March 31, 1997, which have been delivered to the Agent are
         complete  and  correct  in  all  material  respects,   and  fairly  and
         accurately reflect in all material respects the financial condition and
         results of the  operations  of Borrower as of the date or dates and for
         the  period or periods  stated.  No change  has since  occurred  in the
         condition,  financial or  otherwise,  of Borrower  which is  reasonably
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,  except as disclosed to the
         Banks in Schedule "2" attached hereto.

                  (g)  Liabilities.  Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary has any
         material  (individually  or in  the  aggregate)  liability,  direct  or
         contingent,   except  as  disclosed  to  the  Banks  in  the  Financial
         Statements  and on Schedule "3" attached  hereto.  No unusual or unduly
         burdensome  restrictions,  restraint, or hazard exists by contract, law
         or  governmental  regulation  or  otherwise  relative to the  business,
         assets or properties of Borrower or any Subsidiary  which is reasonably
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (h)   Litigation.   Except  as  described  in  the   Financial
         Statements,  or as  otherwise  disclosed  to the Banks in Schedule  "4"
         attached  hereto,  there  is no  litigation,  legal  or  administrative
         proceeding,  investigation or other action of any nature pending or, to
         the knowledge of the officers of Borrower or any Subsidiary  threatened
         against or  affecting  Borrower or any  Subsidiary  which  involves the
         possibility   of  any  judgment  or  liability  not  fully  covered  by
         insurance,  and which is reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse
         Effect.

                    (i) Taxes;  Governmental  Charges.  Borrower and each of its
               Subsidiaries  have filed all tax returns and reports  required to
               be filed  and has paid all  taxes,  assessments,  fees and  other
               governmental charges levied upon it or its assets,  properties or
               income



                                                      -23-

<PAGE>



         which  are due and  payable,  including  interest  and  penalties,  the
         failure of which to pay could reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse  Effect,  except such as are being  contested  in good faith by
         appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves for the payment
         thereof as required by GAAP has been  provided  and levy and  execution
         thereon have been stayed and continue to be stayed.

                  (j) Titles,  Etc.  Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries  have
         good and defensible title to all of their respective assets,  including
         without  limitation,  the  Atwood  Falcon  offshore  drilling  rig (the
         "Rig"),  free and  clear of all  liens  or  other  encumbrances  except
         Permitted Liens.

                  (k)  Defaults.  Neither  Borrower  nor  any  Subsidiary  is in
         default and no event or circumstance  has occurred  which,  but for the
         passage of time or the giving of notice,  or both,  would  constitute a
         default under any loan or credit agreement,  indenture,  mortgage, deed
         of trust,  security agreement or other agreement or instrument to which
         Borrower or any  Subsidiary  are a party in any  respect  that would be
         reasonably  expected  to have a Material  Adverse  Effect.  No Event of
         Default hereunder has occurred and is continuing.

                  (l) Casualties;  Taking of Properties.  Since the dates of the
         latest Consolidated  Financial Statements of Atwood delivered to Banks,
         neither the  business nor the assets or  properties  of Borrower or any
         Subsidiary have been affected (to the extent it is reasonably likely to
         cause a Material  Adverse  Effect) as a result of any fire,  explosion,
         earthquake, flood, drought, windstorm,  accident, strike or other labor
         disturbance, embargo, requisition or taking of property or cancellation
         of  contracts,  permits  or  concessions  by any  domestic  or  foreign
         government or any agency thereof,  riot,  activities of armed forces or
         acts of God or of any public enemy.

                  (m) Use of Proceeds;  Margin Stock. The availability under the
         Revolving  Commitment  will be used by Borrower for the purposes of (i)
         funding of capital expenditures to upgrade and modernize existing fleet
         of offshore  drilling  rigs,  (ii)  working  capital and (iii)  general
         corporate  purposes.  Borrower is not engaged  principally or as one of
         its important  activities  in the business of extending  credit for the
         purpose of  purchasing  or carrying  any  "margin  stock" as defined in
         Regulation U of the Board of Governors  of the Federal  Reserve  System
         (12 C.F.R.  Part 221),  or for the purpose of reducing or retiring  any
         indebtedness  which was  originally  incurred  to  purchase  or carry a
         margin  stock or for any other  purpose  which  might  constitute  this
         transaction a "purpose credit" within the meaning of said Regulation U.

                  Neither  Borrower nor any person or entity acting on behalf of
         Borrower  has taken or will take any action which might cause the loans
         hereunder or any of the Loan Documents,  including this  Agreement,  to
         violate Regulation U or any other regulation of



                                                      -24-

<PAGE>



         the Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve System or to violate the
         Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 or any rule or regulation  thereunder,
         in each  case as now in  effect  or as the  same  may  hereafter  be in
         effect.

                    (n) Location of Business and Offices. The principal place of
               business  and chief  executive  offices of Borrower is located at
               the address stated in Section 16 hereof.

                    (o)  Compliance  with  the Law.  To the  best of  Borrower's
               knowledge, neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary:

                    (i) is in violation  of any law,  judgment,  decree,  order,
               ordinance,  or governmental rule or regulation to which Borrower,
               or any of its assets or properties are subject; or

                    (ii) has failed to obtain any license,  permit, franchise or
               other  governmental  authorization  necessary to the ownership of
               any of its assets or properties or the conduct of its business;

                    which violation or failure is reasonably  expected to have a
               Material Adverse Effect.

                  (p) No  Material  Misstatements.  No  information,  exhibit or
         report  furnished  by  Borrower  to the  Banks in  connection  with the
         negotiation of this Agreement  contained any material  misstatement  of
         fact or omitted to state a material fact or any fact  necessary to make
         the statement contained therein not materially misleading.

                  (q) ERISA.  Borrower and each  Subsidiary  is in compliance in
         all material  respects with the applicable  provisions of ERISA, and no
         "reportable  event",  as such term is defined in Section  403 of ERISA,
         has occurred with respect to any Plan of Borrower.

                  (r) Public  Utility  Holding  Company  Act.  Borrower is not a
         "holding company",  or "subsidiary company" of a "holding company",  or
         an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a "subsidiary company" of a
         "holding  company",  or a "public  utility"  within the  meaning of the
         Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

                  (s)      Environmental Matters.

                           (i) The  Borrower  has duly  complied in all material
                  respects with, and the Rig and other properties and operations
                  are  in  compliance  in  all  material   respects   with,  the
                  provisions of all applicable environmental,  health and safety
                  laws,  codes and  ordinances  and all  rules  and  regulations
                  promulgated thereunder



                                                      -25-

<PAGE>



                  of all Governmental  Authorities  unless such compliance would
                  violate the laws or regulations of the  jurisdiction  in which
                  the Rig is operating.

                           (ii)  As of the  date of this  Agreement,  except  as
                  disclosed to the Agent in writing or Schedule "6" hereto,  the
                  Borrower  has   received  no  notice  from  any   Governmental
                  Authority,  and  have  no  knowledge,  of  any  fact(s)  which
                  constitute a violation of any applicable environmental, health
                  or  safety  laws,  codes  or  ordinances,  and  any  rules  or
                  regulations   promulgated   thereunder  of  all   Governmental
                  Authorities,  which  relate to the use or ownership of the Rig
                  or other properties owned or operated by the Borrower.

                           (iii)  The  Borrower  has been  issued  all  required
                  permits,   licenses,   certificates   and   approvals  of  all
                  Governmental  Authorities relating to (i) air emissions,  (ii)
                  discharges  to  surface  water or ground  water,  (iii)  noise
                  emissions,  (iv) solid or liquid waste disposal,  (v) the use,
                  operation, storage,  transportation,  treatment,  recycling or
                  disposal of Hazardous  Substances or (vi) other environmental,
                  health  or  safety  matters  necessary  for the  ownership  or
                  operation of the Rig or other  properties owned or operated by
                  the  Borrower and such  permits,  licenses,  certificates  and
                  approvals  are in full  force  and  effect on the date of this
                  Agreement.

                           (iv) Except as  disclosed  to the Agent in writing or
                  Schedule "6" hereto, to the best of the Borrower's  knowledge,
                  except  in  accordance  with  a  valid  governmental   permit,
                  license,  certificate or approval,  there has been no spill or
                  unauthorized  discharge or release of any Hazardous  Substance
                  to the  environment at, from, or as a result of any operations
                  on  the  Rig or  other  properties  and  operations  owned  or
                  operated  by  the  Borrower  required  to be  reported  to any
                  Governmental Authority.

                           (v)  Except as  disclosed  to the Agent in writing or
                  Schedule  "6" hereto,  there has been no  material  complaint,
                  compliance order,  compliance schedule,  notice letter, notice
                  of citation  or other  similar  notice from any  environmental
                  agency  which  concerns  the  operations  of the Rig or  other
                  properties owned or operated by the Borrower.

                    (t) Liens.  Except (i) as  disclosed  on Schedule "1" hereto
               and (ii) for  Permitted  Liens,  the  assets  and  properties  of
               Borrower are free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.

                    (u) Subsidiaries.  All of Borrower's Subsidiaries are listed
               on Schedule "5" hereto.




                                                      -26-

<PAGE>



         10.      Conditions of Lending.

                  (a) The effectiveness of this Agreement, and the obligation to
         make the  initial  Advance  under  the  Revolving  Commitment  shall be
         subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

                    (i) Execution and Delivery. Borrower shall have executed and
               delivered the Agreement,  the Notes and other required documents,
               all in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent;

                    (ii)  Guarantors'  Execution  and Delivery.  Each  Guarantor
               shall have  executed and delivered to Agent this  Agreement,  the
               Guaranty and other required documents,  all in form and substance
               satisfactory to Agent;

                    (iii)  Legal  Opinion.  The Agent shall have  received  from
               Borrower's  and  Guarantors'  legal  counsel  a  favorable  legal
               opinion in form and substance satisfactory to Agent;

                    (iv)  Corporate  Resolutions.  The Agent shall have received
               appropriate certified corporate  resolutions of Borrower,  Atwood
               and the general partner of Deep Seas;

                    (v) Good Standing. The Agent shall have received evidence of
               existence and good standing for Borrower and the Guarantors;

                           (vi)  Incumbency.  The Agent  shall  have  received a
                  signed  certificate of Borrower and each Guarantor  certifying
                  the names of the officers of Borrower and the Guarantors  (or,
                  in the case of Deep Seas, its general  partner)  authorized to
                  sign loan documents on behalf of Borrower and the  Guarantors,
                  together with the true  signatures  of each such officer.  The
                  Agent  may  conclusively  rely on such  certificate  until the
                  Agent  receives  a  further  certificate  of  Borrower  or the
                  Guarantors  canceling  or amending the prior  certificate  and
                  submitting  signatures of the officers,  named in such further
                  certificate;

                           (vii)  Memorandum  and Articles of  Association.  The
                  Agent  shall  have  received  copies  of  the  Memorandum  and
                  Articles  of   Association  of  Borrower  and  all  amendments
                  thereto,  certified by the appropriate  Governmental Authority
                  of the  jurisdiction of its  incorporation,  and a copy of the
                  bylaws,  if any,  of Borrower  certified  by Borrower as being
                  true, correct and complete;

                    (viii)  Payment  of Fees.  The  Agent  shall  have  received
               payment in full of all fees due at the Effective Date.



                                                      -27-

<PAGE>




                           (ix)     Representation    and    Warranties.     The
                  representations   and   warranties  of  Borrower   under  this
                  Agreement are true and correct in all material  respects as of
                  such date,  as if then made  (except  to the extent  that such
                  representations  and  warranties  related solely to an earlier
                  date);

                    (x) No Event of  Default.  No  Default  or Event of  Default
               shall have occurred and be continuing;

                    (xi) Other  Documents.  Agent shall have received such other
               instruments  and  documents  incidental  and  appropriate  to the
               transaction  provided  for  herein  as  Bank or its  counsel  may
               reasonably  request,  and all such documents shall be in form and
               substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent; and

                    (xii) Legal Matters Satisfactory. All legal matters incident
               to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall
               be reasonably  satisfactory to special counsel for Agent retained
               at the expense of Borrower.

                  (b) The  obligation  of the Banks to make any  Advance  on the
         Revolving  Commitment  (including the initial Advance) shall be subject
         to the following  additional  conditions precedent that, at the date of
         making each such Advance and after giving effect thereto:

                           (i)     Representation     and    Warranties.     The
                  representations   and   warranties  of  Borrower   under  this
                  Agreement are true and correct in all material  respects as of
                  such date,  as if then made  (except  to the extent  that such
                  representations  and  warranties  related solely to an earlier
                  date);

                    (ii) No Event of  Default.  No  Default  or Event of Default
               shall have occurred and be continuing;

                    (iii) Other Documents.  Agent shall have received such other
               instruments  and  documents  incidental  and  appropriate  to the
               transaction  provided  for  herein  as Agent or its  counsel  may
               reasonably  request,  and all such documents shall be in form and
               substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent; and

                    (iv) Legal Matters Satisfactory.  All legal matters incident
               to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall
               be reasonably  satisfactory to special counsel for Agent retained
               at the expense of Borrower.

                    11. Affirmative Covenants. The Borrower covenants and agrees
               with the Banks,  the Agent and the Co-Agent  that, so long as any
               Revolving Commitment, Revolving Loan or any fee,



                                                      -28-

<PAGE>



expense, or any other amount payable under any Loan Document shall remain unpaid
and outstanding:

                  (a) Financial Statements and Reports.  Borrower shall promptly
         furnish to the Banks from time to time upon  request  such  information
         regarding the business and affairs and financial condition of Borrower,
         as the Banks may reasonably request,  and will furnish, or cause Atwood
         to furnish, to the Banks:

                           (i)   Annual   Financial   Statements.   As  soon  as
                  available,  and in any event within ninety (90) days after the
                  close of each fiscal  year,  the annual  audited  consolidated
                  Financial  Statements  and unaudited  consolidating  Financial
                  Statements of Atwood,  prepared in accordance with GAAP and in
                  a manner consistent with prior years;

                           (ii)  Quarterly  Financial  Statements.  As  soon  as
                  available,  and in any event within forty-five (45) days after
                  the end of each calendar quarter of each year (except the last
                  calendar quarter of any fiscal year), the quarterly  unaudited
                  consolidated and consolidating  Financial Statements of Atwood
                  prepared in  accordance  with GAAP and in a manner  consistent
                  with prior periods;

                           (iii) Rig  Employment  Report.  As soon as available,
                  and in any  event  within  sixty  (60) days of the end of each
                  calendar  quarter of each year,  the quarterly Rig  employment
                  report of Borrower setting forth the location,  charter, term,
                  and  rate  for the Rig as of the  date  of such  report,  such
                  reports to be in form and substance  satisfactory to Agent and
                  the Co-Agent; and

                    (iv)  Additional  Information.  Promptly upon request of the
               Agent from time to time any additional  financial  information or
               other information that the Agent may reasonably request.

         All such reports, information,  balance sheets and Financial Statements
         referred  to in  Subsection  11(a) above shall be in such detail as the
         Agent may reasonably request.

                  (b)   Certificates  of  Compliance.   Concurrently   with  the
         furnishing of the annual  Financial  Statements  pursuant to Subsection
         11(a)(i)  hereof  and  the  quarterly  unaudited  Financial  Statements
         pursuant to Subsection 11(a)(ii) hereof, Borrower will furnish or cause
         to be furnished to the Agent a  certificate  in the form of Exhibit "C"
         attached hereto,  signed by the President or Chief Financial Officer of
         Borrower.

                    (c) Taxes and Other  Liens.  Borrower  shall and shall cause
               each  Subsidiary to pay and discharge  promptly all lawful taxes,
               assessments  and  governmental  charges  or levies  imposed  upon
               Borrower or any Subsidiary or upon the income or any assets or



                                                      -29-

<PAGE>



         property  of Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  as well as all claims of any
         kind (including claims for labor, materials,  supplies and rent) which,
         if unpaid,  might become a Lien or other encumbrance upon any or all of
         the assets or property of  Borrower or any  Subsidiary  and which could
         reasonably  be  expected  to  result  in  a  Material  Adverse  Effect;
         provided,  however, that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall not be
         required to pay any such tax, assessment,  charge, levy or claim if the
         amount,  applicability or validity thereof shall currently be contested
         in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, levy and
         execution  thereon  have been  stayed and  continue to be stayed and if
         Borrower  or  such  Subsidiary  shall  have  set up  adequate  reserves
         therefor, if required, under GAAP.

                  (d) Compliance with Laws.  Borrower shall and shall cause each
         Subsidiary to observe and comply with all  applicable  laws,  statutes,
         codes,  acts,  ordinances,  orders,  judgments,  decrees,  injunctions,
         rules,  regulations,  orders and restrictions relating to environmental
         standards or controls or to energy  regulations of all federal,  state,
         county,  municipal  and other  governments,  departments,  commissions,
         boards, agencies, courts, authorities, officials and officers, domestic
         or foreign,  where the  failure to so observe and comply is  reasonably
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (e)  Further  Assurances.  Borrower  will  cure  promptly  any
         defects in the creation and issuance of the Note and the  execution and
         delivery of the Notes and the Loan Documents, including this Agreement.
         Borrower at its sole expense will promptly execute and deliver to Agent
         upon its  reasonable  request  all such  other and  further  documents,
         agreements and instruments in compliance with or  accomplishment of the
         covenants and agreements in this Agreement, or to correct any omissions
         in the Note or more fully to state the obligations set out herein.

                    (f) Performance of Obligations.  Borrower will pay the Notes
               and other obligations  incurred by it hereunder  according to the
               reading, tenor and effect thereof and hereof.

                  (g) Insurance.  The Borrower and each Subsidiary now maintains
         and will  continue to maintain  insurance  with  financially  sound and
         reputable insurers with respect to their respective assets against such
         liabilities,  fires,  casualties,  risks and  contingencies and at such
         types and amounts as is customary in the case of persons engaged in the
         same or similar  businesses or similarly  situated and in amounts which
         are consistent with prudent business practices. Upon the request of the
         Agent,  the Borrower will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Agent
         from time to time a summary of each respective insurance company of the
         Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries,  will provide the Agent with copies of
         all policies covering Borrower's Rig and its other material assets.

                    (h) Accounts and Records.  Borrower and each Subsidiary will
               keep books,  records and accounts in which full, true and correct
               entries will be made of all dealings



                                                      -30-

<PAGE>



         or transactions in relation to its business and activities, prepared in
         a manner  consistent with prior years,  subject to changes suggested by
         Borrower's or any Subsidiary's auditors.

                  (i) Right of  Inspection.  Borrower and each  Subsidiary  will
         permit any officer, employee or agent of the Agent and the Co-Agent, at
         their expense,  to (A) examine Borrower's and each Subsidiary's  books,
         records and accounts,  and take copies and extracts therefrom,  and (B)
         inspect the Rig, all at such  reasonable  times during normal  business
         hours and as often as the Agent or Co-Agent may reasonably request.

                  (j) Notice of Certain  Events.  Borrower shall promptly notify
         the Agent if Borrower  learns of the  occurrence of (i) any event which
         constitutes an Event of Default  together with a detailed  statement by
         Borrower of the steps being taken to cure the Event of Default; or (ii)
         any legal, judicial or regulatory  proceedings affecting Borrower,  any
         Subsidiary,  or any of the material assets or properties of Borrower or
         any Subsidiary  which,  if adversely  determined,  could  reasonably be
         expected  to have a  Material  Adverse  Effect;  or (iii)  any  dispute
         between  Borrower or any Subsidiary and any  governmental or regulatory
         body or any other  person or entity  which,  if  adversely  determined,
         might  reasonably be expected to cause a Material  Adverse  Effect;  or
         (iv)  any  other  matter  which in  Borrower's  opinion  is  reasonably
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (k) ERISA Information and Compliance. Borrower shall and shall
         cause each Subsidiary to promptly furnish to the Agent immediately upon
         becoming aware of the  occurrence of any  "reportable  event",  as such
         term is  defined  in  Section  4043  of  ERISA,  or of any  "prohibited
         transaction",  as such term is defined in Section  4975 of the Internal
         Revenue Code of 1954, as amended,  in  connection  with any Plan or any
         trust  created  thereunder,  a  written  notice  signed  by  the  chief
         financial officer of Borrower or such Subsidiary  specifying the nature
         thereof,  what action Borrower or such Subsidiary is taking or proposes
         to take with respect thereto,  and, when known, any action taken by the
         Internal Revenue Service with respect thereto.

                  (l)      Environmental Compliance.

                           (i) The  Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  will comply
                  with and will use their best  efforts to cause  their  agents,
                  contractors and sub-contractors (while such Persons are acting
                  within the scope of their  contractual  relationship  with the
                  Borrower  and the  Subsidiaries)  to so  comply  with  (A) all
                  applicable  environmental,  health and safety laws,  codes and
                  ordinances,   and  all  rules  and   regulations   promulgated
                  thereunder of all  Governmental  Authorities and (B) the terms
                  and   conditions   of  all   applicable   permits,   licenses,
                  certificates and approvals of all Governmental Authorities now
                  or  hereafter  granted or obtained  with respect to the Rig or
                  other properties owned or operated by the Borrower or the



                                                      -31-

<PAGE>



                  Subsidiaries  unless such compliance would violate the laws or
                  regulations  of  the   jurisdictions   in  which  the  Rig  is
                  operating.

                           (ii) The Borrower and its Subsidiaries will use their
                  best efforts and safety  practices to prevent the unauthorized
                  release,  discharge,  disposal,  escape or spill of  Hazardous
                  Substances  on or about the Rig or other  properties  owned or
                  operated by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries.

                    (m) Environmental  Notifications.  The Borrower shall notify
               the Agent,  in writing,  within five (5) Business  Days of any of
               the following events occurring after the date of this Agreement:

                           (i) Any written  notification made by Borrower or any
                  of  the   Subsidiaries   to  any   federal,   state  or  local
                  environmental  agency  required  under any  federal,  state or
                  local environmental statute,  regulation or ordinance relating
                  to a  spill  or  unauthorized  discharge  or  release  of  any
                  Hazardous  Substance  to the  environment  at,  from,  or as a
                  result of any operations  on, the Rig or other  properties and
                  operations   owned  or  operated   by  the   Borrower  or  any
                  Subsidiary.

                           (ii)  Knowledge  by an officer of the Borrower or any
                  Subsidiary of receipt of service by Borrower or any Subsidiary
                  of  any  complaint,  compliance  order,  compliance  schedule,
                  notice letter, notice of violation,  citation or other similar
                  notice or any judicial demand by any court, federal,  state or
                  local   environmental   agency,   alleging   (A)  any   spill,
                  unauthorized  discharge or release of any Hazardous  Substance
                  to the environment  from, or as a result of the operations on,
                  the Rig or other  properties owned or operated by the Borrower
                  or  any  Subsidiary  or (B)  violations  of  applicable  laws,
                  regulations  or permits  regarding  the  generation,  storage,
                  handling,  treatment,  transportation,  recycling,  release or
                  disposal  of  Hazardous  Substances  on  or  as  a  result  of
                  operations on the Rig or other properties and operations owned
                  or operated by the Borrower or the respective Subsidiary.

                           (iii) It is understood by the parties hereto that the
                  aforementioned notices are solely for the Agent's information,
                  may not  otherwise be required by any federal,  state or local
                  environmental laws,  regulations or ordinances,  and are to be
                  considered  confidential  information  by the  Banks  and  the
                  Agent.

                    (iv) The term  "environmental  agency" as used herein  shall
               include,  but not be limited to, the United States  Environmental
               Protection  Agency,  the United  States Coast  Guard,  the United
               States Mineral Management  Service,  the United States Department
               of  Transportation   (in  its  administration  of  the  Hazardous
               Materials  Transportation  Act, 49 U.S.C. Sec. 1801, et seq.) and
               other analogous



                                                      -32-

<PAGE>



                  or   similar    Governmental    Authorities    regulating   or
                  administering statutes,  regulations or ordinances relating to
                  or imposing  liability or standards of conduct  concerning the
                  generation,   storage,   use,   production,    transportation,
                  handling,  treatment,  recycling,  release or  disposal of any
                  Hazardous Substance.

                  (n) Environmental Indemnifications. The Borrower hereby agrees
         to indemnify and hold the Agent, the Co-Agent and the Banks jointly and
         severally  harmless  from  and  against  any  and all  claims,  losses,
         liability, damages and injuries of any kind whatsoever asserted against
         the Agent,  the  Co-Agent  and the Banks with respect to or as a direct
         result of the presence,  escape, seepage,  spillage,  release, leaking,
         discharge  or  migration  from  the Rig or  other  properties  owned or
         operated by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Hazardous  Substance,
         including without limitation,  any claims asserted or arising under any
         applicable environmental, health and safety laws, codes and ordinances,
         and  all  rules  and   regulations   promulgated   thereunder   of  all
         Governmental  Authorities,  regardless  of  whether or not caused by or
         within the control of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

                  (o) Change of Principal Place of Business. Borrower shall give
         Agent at least thirty (30) days prior  written  notice of its intention
         to move its  principal  place of business from the address set forth in
         Section 16 hereof.

                  (p)  Payables  and  Other  Indebtedness.   Borrower  and  each
         Subsidiary  shall pay their trade payables and other Debt that arise in
         the ordinary  course of business  promptly as they become due except to
         the extent any such trade payables or Debt are being  contested in good
         faith.

                  (q)  Maintenance of Rig. The Borrower will maintain,  or cause
         to be  maintained,  the  Rig in the  highest  classification  for  such
         drilling  rigs with the  American  Bureau  of  Shipping  or such  other
         classification society as the Agent and the Co-Agent may approve.

         12.  Negative  Covenants.  The Borrower and, with respect to Subsection
12(b) hereof,  the Guarantors  covenant and agree with the Banks,  the Agent and
the Co-Agent  that, so long as any Revolving  Commitment,  Revolving Loan or any
fee,  expense,  or any other amount payable under any Loan Document shall remain
unpaid and outstanding:

                    (a)  Negative  Pledge.  Neither the  Borrower nor any of its
               Subsidiaries  shall  without  the prior  written  consent  of the
               Banks:

                           (i)  create,  incur,  assume  or  permit to exist any
                  Lien,  security  interest or other  encumbrance  on any of its
                  assets or properties now owned or hereafter  acquired,  except
                  Permitted Liens; or




                                                      -33-

<PAGE>



                           (ii) sell,  lease,  transfer or otherwise dispose of,
                  in any fiscal year, any of its material  assets or properties,
                  except for (1) sales, leases,  transfers,  charters (including
                  drilling contracts) or other dispositions made in the ordinary
                  course  of the  Borrower's  business  and (2)  sales,  leases,
                  transfers,  charters  (including  drilling contracts) or other
                  dispositions between Borrower and a Subsidiary.

                  (b)      Financial Covenants of Guarantors:

                    (i) Current  Ratio.  Guarantors  will not allow the ratio of
               Consolidated  Current Assets to Consolidated  Current Liabilities
               to be less than 1.25 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter.

                           (ii) Funded Debt to EBITDA. Guarantors will not allow
                  the ratio of (i) Consolidated Funded Debt to (ii) Consolidated
                  EBITDA for the most recent fiscal  quarter  annualized,  to be
                  greater than 2.5 to 1.0, as of the end of any fiscal quarter.

                    (iii) Debt Service Coverage Ratio. Guarantors will not allow
               the ratio of Consolidated  Adjusted  EBITDA to Consolidated  Debt
               Service  to be less than 1.25 to 1.0 as of the end of any  fiscal
               quarter.

                    (iv) Funded Debt to Tangible Net Worth.  Guarantors will not
               allow  the  ratio of  Consolidated  Funded  Debt to  Consolidated
               Tangible Net Worth to be more than .9 to 1.0 as of the end of any
               fiscal quarter.

                           (v) Tangible Net Worth. Guarantors will not allow the
                  Consolidated  Tangible Net Worth to be less than  $110,000,000
                  plus  fifty  percent  (50%) of  Guarantors'  Consolidated  Net
                  Income,  if positive,  after December 31, 1996,  tested at the
                  end of each fiscal quarter.

                  (c) Consolidations  and Mergers.  Neither the Borrower nor any
         Subsidiary  will  consolidate  or merge with or into any other  Person,
         except  that the  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  may merge with  another
         Person if Borrower or such  Subsidiary is the surviving  entity in such
         merger,  and any  Subsidiary may merge with any  Subsidiary,  if, after
         giving effect to any such merger or consolidation,  no Default or Event
         of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

                  (d) Debts,  Guaranties and Other  Obligations.  Neither of the
         Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries will incur,  create,  assume or in
         any  manner  become  or be  liable in  respect  of any  Debt,  nor will
         Borrower or any Subsidiary  guarantee or otherwise in any manner become
         or be liable  in  respect  of any  indebtedness,  liabilities  or other
         obligations  of any other  person or entity,  whether by  agreement  to
         purchase the indebtedness of any



                                                      -34-

<PAGE>



         other person or entity or agreement for the  furnishing of funds to any
         other person or entity through the purchase or lease of goods, supplies
         or services (or by way of stock purchase, capital contribution, advance
         or loan) for the purpose of paying or discharging  the  indebtedness of
         any other person or entity,  or  otherwise,  except that the  foregoing
         restrictions shall not apply to:

                    (i) the Notes and any renewal or increase thereof; or

                    (ii) indebtedness owed to Philadelphia Falcon Drilling Corp.
               or its  assignees in the  principal  amount owed at the Effective
               Date; or

                    (iii) indebtedness  (other than for borrowed money) incurred
               in connection with the refurbishment and upgrade of the Rig; or

                           (iv) taxes,  assessments or other government  charges
                  which are not yet due or are being  contested in good faith by
                  appropriate   action   promptly   initiated   and   diligently
                  conducted,  if such reserve as shall be required by GAAP shall
                  have been made  therefor and levy and  execution  thereon have
                  been stayed and continue to be stayed; or

                    (v)  indebtedness  for  insurance  premiums  incurred in the
               ordinary course of business; or

                    (vi)   inter-company   indebtedness   between  Borrower  and
               Guarantors permitted by the Guarantors' Credit Agreement; or

                    (vii)  renewals or extensions  (but not increases in) of any
               or all of the foregoing.

                  (e) Dividends.  Borrower will not declare or pay any dividend,
         purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for value any of its stock now or
         hereafter outstanding,  return any capital to its stockholders, or make
         any distribution of its assets to its stockholders as such,  except the
         foregoing shall not apply to dividends from Borrower to Atwood.

                  (f)  Loans  and  Advances.  Neither  Borrower  nor  any of its
         Subsidiaries  shall make or permit to remain  outstanding  any loans or
         advances  to or in any  person or  entity,  except  that the  foregoing
         restriction shall not apply to:

                           (i) loans or  advances to any  person,  the  material
                  details  of  which  have  been  set  forth  in  the  Financial
                  Statements of Atwood  heretofore  furnished to Banks as listed
                  on Schedule "7" hereto; or




                                                      -35-

<PAGE>



                    (ii)  inter-company  loans or advances  between the Borrower
               and the Guarantors permitted by the Guarantors' Credit Agreement.

                  (g) Sale or Discount of Receivables.  Neither Borrower nor any
         Subsidiary  will discount  (other than normal trade  discounts) or sell
         with recourse,  or sell for less than the greater of the face or market
         value thereof, any of its notes receivable or accounts receivable.

                    (h) Nature of Business.  Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary
               will permit any  material  change to be made in the  character of
               its business as carried on at the date hereof.

                  (i)  Transactions  with  Affiliates.  Neither Borrower nor any
         Subsidiary will enter into any transaction  with any Affiliate,  except
         transactions  upon terms that are no less favorable to it than would be
         obtained in a transaction  negotiated at arm's length with an unrelated
         third party.

                    (j)  Investments.  Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary shall
               make  any  investment  in  any  person  or  entity,  except  such
               restriction shall not apply to:

                    (i) investments  existing at the Effective Date as disclosed
               in the Financial Statements;

                           (ii)     investments in Subsidiaries; and

                           (iii)    investments consisting of Cash Equivalents.

                    (k) Amendment to Charter Documents. Neither Borrower nor any
               Subsidiary  will permit any amendment to, or any  alteration  of,
               its Memorandum and Articles of Association.

                  (l)  Management  of Rig.  Borrower  will not  change the flag,
         class,  ownership,  management  or control of the Rig without the prior
         written consent of the Agent and the Co-Agent.

                  (m) Modification of Rig. Borrower shall not cause or allow any
         change in the physical  characteristics  of the Rig that would,  in the
         reasonable  judgment of the Agent and  Co-Agent,  materially  interfere
         with the suitability of the Rig for normal commercial offshore drilling
         operations,  the  consent  of  the  Agent  and  Co-Agent  to  any  such
         modification not to be unreasonably withheld.




                                                      -36-

<PAGE>



                  (n) Sale of Rigs,  etc.  Borrower shall not sell,  transfer or
         assign any of the Rig,  or any right to receive  the  revenue  from the
         Rig; provided,  however, that the Borrower may sell, transfer or assign
         any surplus or scrap equipment from the Rig.

                    13.  Events  of  Default.  Any one or more of the  following
               events shall be  considered an "Event of Default" as that term is
               used herein:

                  (a)  Borrower  shall fail to pay when due or declared  due the
         principal  of, and the interest on, the Notes,  or any fee or any other
         material  indebtedness of Borrower  incurred pursuant to this Agreement
         or any other Loan Document; or

                  (b) Any  representation or warranty made under this Agreement,
         or in any  certificate  or  statement  furnished  or made to the  Banks
         pursuant hereto, or in connection  herewith,  or in connection with any
         document furnished hereunder,  shall prove to be untrue in any material
         respect as of the date on which such representation or warranty is made
         (or deemed made), or any representation, statement (including financial
         statements),  certificate,  report  or other  data  furnished  or to be
         furnished or made under any Loan Document,  including  this  Agreement,
         proves to have been untrue in any material  respect,  as of the date as
         of which the facts therein set forth were stated or certified; or

                  (c) Default shall be made in the due observance or performance
         of any of the covenants or agreements  contained in the Loan Documents,
         including this Agreement  (excluding  covenants contained in Section 12
         of the Agreement  for which there is no cure period),  and such default
         shall  continue  for more than  thirty  (30) days  after the  giving of
         written notice thereof by the Agent to the Borrower; or

                    (d)  Default  shall  be  made  in  the  due   observance  or
               performance  of the  covenants  contained  in  Section 12 of this
               Agreement; or

                  (e)  Default  shall be made in respect of any  obligation  for
         borrowed  money,  other  than the  Notes,  for  which  Borrower  or any
         Subsidiary  is  liable  (directly,  by  assumption,   as  guarantor  or
         otherwise), or any obligations secured by any mortgage, pledge or other
         security interest, lien, charge or encumbrance with respect thereto, on
         any asset or property of  Borrower or any  Subsidiary  or in respect of
         any agreement  relating to any such obligations unless neither Borrower
         nor any  Subsidiary  is  liable  for same  (i.e.,  unless  remedies  or
         recourse for failure to pay such  obligations is limited to foreclosure
         of the  collateral  security  therefor),  and  if  such  default  shall
         continue beyond the applicable grace period, if any; or

                  (f) Borrower or any Subsidiary shall commence a voluntary case
         or  other  proceedings  seeking  liquidation,  reorganization  or other
         relief  with  respect  to  itself or its  debts  under any  bankruptcy,
         insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or



                                                      -37-

<PAGE>



         seeking an appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or
         other similar  official of it or any substantial  part of its property,
         or shall consent to any such relief or to the  appointment of or taking
         possession  by any  such  official  in an  involuntary  case  or  other
         proceeding commenced against it, or shall make a general assignment for
         the benefit of creditors,  or shall fail  generally to pay its debts as
         they become due, or shall take any  corporate  action  authorizing  the
         foregoing; or

                  (g)  An  involuntary  case  or  other  proceeding,   shall  be
         commenced  against  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  seeking  liquidation,
         reorganization  or other  relief with  respect to it or its debts under
         any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect or
         seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver,  liquidator,  custodian
         or  other  similar  official  of it or  any  substantial  part  of  its
         property,  and such  involuntary  case or other proceeding shall remain
         undismissed  and unstayed for a period of thirty (30) days; or an order
         for relief shall be entered  against  Borrower or any Subsidiary  under
         the federal bankruptcy laws as now or hereinafter in effect; or

                  (h) A final  judgment  or order  for the  payment  of money in
         excess of $1,000,000  (or judgments or orders  aggregating in excess of
         $1,000,000)  shall be rendered  against  Borrower or any Subsidiary and
         such judgments or orders shall continue  unsatisfied and unstayed for a
         period of thirty  (30) days  unless  such  judgment or orders are fully
         covered by insurance or supersedeas bond; or

                  (i) In the event the aggregate  principal  amount  outstanding
         under the  Notes  shall at any time  exceed  the  Revolving  Commitment
         established  for the Notes,  and Borrower shall fail to comply with the
         provisions of Section 8(b) hereof; or

                    (j) A Change of  Management  shall  occur  without the prior
               written  consent  of  the  Banks,  which  consent  shall  not  be
               unreasonably withheld; or

                  (k)  Default shall occur under Guarantors' Credit Agreement.

         Upon occurrence of any Event of Default  specified in Subsections 13(f)
and (g) hereof, the entire principal amount due under the Notes and all interest
then accrued thereon,  and any other  liabilities of Borrower  hereunder,  shall
become  immediately due and payable all without notice and without  presentment,
demand, protest, notice of protest or dishonor or any other notice of default of
any kind,  all of which are hereby  expressly  waived by Borrower.  In any other
Event of Default,  the Agent, upon request of Majority Banks, shall by notice in
writing to Borrower  declare the principal of, and all interest then accrued on,
the Notes and any other  liabilities  hereunder to be forthwith due and payable,
whereupon the same shall forthwith  become due and payable without  presentment,
demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration or other
notice of any kind,  all of which Borrower  hereby  expressly  waives,  anything
contained  herein  or in the  Notes  to the  contrary  notwithstanding.  Nothing
contained in this



                                                      -38-

<PAGE>



Section 13 shall be construed to limit or amend in any way the Events of Default
enumerated in the Notes,  or any other document  executed in connection with the
transaction contemplated herein.

         Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default,
the Banks  are  hereby  authorized  at any time and from time to time and to the
extent  permitted by applicable law, without notice to Borrower (any such notice
being expressly  waived by Borrower),  to set-off and apply any and all deposits
(general or special, time or demand,  provisional or final) at any time held and
other indebtedness at any time owing by any of the Banks to or for the credit or
the account of  Borrower  against  any and all of the  indebtedness  of Borrower
under the Notes and the Loan Documents,  including this Agreement,  irrespective
of whether or not the Banks shall have made any demand under the Loan Documents,
including  this  Agreement or the Notes and although  such  indebtedness  may be
unmatured.  Any amount set-off by any of the Banks shall be applied  against the
indebtedness  owed the Banks by  Borrower  pursuant  to this  Agreement  and the
Notes.  The Banks agree  promptly to notify  Borrower  after any such setoff and
application,  provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the
validity  of such  set-off  and  application.  The rights of the Bank under this
Section  are in  addition  to other  rights  and  remedies  (including,  without
limitation, other rights of set-off) which the Banks may have.

         14.      The Agent and the Banks.

                  (a) Appointment and  Authorization.  Each Bank hereby appoints
         Agent as its nominee and agent,  in its name and on its behalf:  (i) to
         act as  nominee  for and on  behalf  of such Bank in and under all Loan
         Documents;  (ii) to arrange the means whereby the funds of Banks are to
         be made available to Borrower under the Loan  Documents;  (iii) to take
         such action as may be  requested  by any Bank under the Loan  Documents
         (when  such  Bank is  entitled  to make  such  request  under  the Loan
         Documents);  (iv) to receive all documents and items to be furnished to
         Banks under the Loan Documents; (v) to be the secured party, mortgagee,
         beneficiary,  and similar  party in respect of, and to receive,  as the
         case may be, any collateral for the benefit of Banks;  (vi) to promptly
         distribute to each Bank all material information,  requests,  documents
         and items  received from Borrower  under the Loan  Documents;  (vii) to
         promptly  distribute  to each  Bank such  Bank's  Pro Rata Part of each
         payment or  prepayment  (whether  voluntary,  as proceeds of  insurance
         thereon,  or  otherwise)  in  accordance  with  the  terms  of the Loan
         Documents and (viii) to deliver to the  appropriate  Persons  requests,
         demands,  approvals and consents  received from Banks. Each Bank hereby
         authorizes  Agent to take all actions and to exercise such powers under
         the Loan Documents as are  specifically  delegated to such Agent by the
         terms  hereof or thereof,  together  with all other  powers  reasonably
         incidental thereto.  With respect to its commitments  hereunder and the
         Notes issued to it, Agent and any  successor  Agent shall have the same
         rights under the Loan  Documents as any other Bank and may exercise the
         same as though it were not the  Agent;  and the term  "Bank" or "Banks"
         shall,  unless  otherwise  expressly  indicated,  include Agent and any
         successor



                                                      -39-

<PAGE>



         Agent in its capacity as a Bank.  Agent and any successor Agent and its
         Affiliates  may  accept  deposits  from,  lend money to, act as trustee
         under  indentures of and generally  engage in any kind of business with
         Borrower, and any person which may do business with Borrower, all as if
         Agent and any successor  Agent were not Agent hereunder and without any
         duty to account  therefor to the Banks;  provided that, if any payments
         in respect of any property  (or the proceeds  thereof) now or hereafter
         in the  possession or control of Agent which may be or become  security
         for the  obligations  of Borrower  arising under the Loan  Documents by
         reason  of  the  general  description  of  indebtedness  secured  or of
         property  contained in any other  agreements,  documents or instruments
         related to any such other business shall be applied to reduction of the
         obligations  of Borrower  arising under the Loan  Documents,  then each
         Bank shall be entitled to share in such  application  according  to its
         pro rata part thereof. Each Bank, upon request of any other Bank, shall
         disclose to all other Banks all indebtedness  and  liabilities,  direct
         and  contingent,  of  Borrower  to  such  Bank  as of the  time of such
         request.

                  (b) Note  Holders.  From time to time as other Banks  become a
         party to this  Agreement,  Agent shall obtain  execution by Borrower of
         additional  Notes,  in  the  form  of  Exhibit  B  hereto,  in  amounts
         representing  the Revolving  Commitment of each such new Bank, up to an
         aggregate  face  amount  of all Notes not  exceeding  $25,000,000.  The
         obligation  of such Bank shall be  governed by the  provisions  of this
         Agreement,  including but not limited to, the obligations  specified in
         Section 2 hereof.  From time to time,  Agent may require that the Banks
         exchange  their  Notes for newly  issued  Notes to better  reflect  the
         Revolving  Commitments  of the Banks.  Agent may treat the payee of any
         Note as the holder  thereof until  written  notice of transfer has been
         filed with it, signed by such payee and in form satisfactory to Agent.

                  (c)  Consultation  with  Counsel.  Banks  agree that Agent may
         consult  with legal  counsel  selected by Agent and shall not be liable
         for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it in accordance with
         the advice of such counsel.

                  (d)  Documents.  Agent shall not be under a duty to examine or
         pass upon the validity, effectiveness,  enforceability,  genuineness or
         value of any of the Loan Documents or any other  instrument or document
         furnished pursuant thereto or in connection therewith,  and Agent shall
         be entitled to assume that the same are valid,  effective,  enforceable
         and genuine and what they purport to be.

                  (e)   Resignation   or  Removal  of  Agent.   Subject  to  the
         appointment  and  acceptance  of a successor  Agent as provided  below,
         Agent may resign at any time by giving  written notice thereof to Banks
         and  Borrower,  and Agent may be  removed  at any time with or  without
         cause by Majority Banks. If no successor Agent has been so appointed by
         Majority  Banks  (and  approved  by  Borrower)  and has  accepted  such
         appointment  within 30 days after the retiring Agent's giving of notice
         of resignation or



                                                      -40-

<PAGE>



         removal of the retiring  Agent,  then the retiring Agent may, on behalf
         of Banks,  appoint a  successor  Agent.  Any  successor  Agent  must be
         approved by Borrower, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld.
         Upon  the  acceptance  of  any  appointment  as  Agent  hereunder  by a
         successor  Agent,  such successor Agent shall thereupon  succeed to and
         become vested with all the rights and duties of the retiring Agent, and
         the retiring Agent shall be discharged  from its duties and obligations
         hereunder.  After any retiring Agent's resignation or removal hereunder
         as Agent,  the  provisions of this Section 14 shall  continue in effect
         for its benefit in respect to any actions  taken or omitted to be taken
         by it while it was acting as Agent.

                  (f)  Responsibility  of Agent. It is expressly  understood and
         agreed that the  obligations of Agent under the Loan Documents are only
         those  expressly set forth in the Loan Documents and that Agent, as the
         case may be,  shall be  entitled  to assume that no Default or Event of
         Default has occurred and is continuing,  unless Agent,  as the case may
         be, has actual  knowledge  of such fact or has  received  notice from a
         Bank or Borrower that such Bank or Borrower  consider that a Default or
         an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing  and  specifying the
         nature  thereof.  Neither Agent nor any of their  directors,  officers,
         attorneys or employees  shall be liable for any action taken or omitted
         to be taken by them  under or in  connection  with the Loan  Documents,
         except for its or their own gross  negligence  or  willful  misconduct.
         Agent shall incur no  liability  under or in respect of any of the Loan
         Documents by acting upon any notice, consent, certificate,  warranty or
         other paper or instrument  believed by it to be genuine or authentic or
         to be  signed  by the  proper  party or  parties,  or with  respect  to
         anything  which  it may do or  refrain  from  doing  in the  reasonable
         exercise of its  judgment,  or which may seem to it to be  necessary or
         desirable.

                  Agent shall not be  responsible to Banks for any of Borrower's
         recitals, statements, representations or warranties contained in any of
         the Loan Documents, or in any certificate or other document referred to
         or provided for in, or received by any Bank under,  the Loan Documents,
         or for the value, validity, effectiveness,  genuineness, enforceability
         or  sufficiency  of or any of the Loan  Documents or for any failure by
         Borrower to perform any of its  obligations  hereunder  or  thereunder.
         Agent  may  employ  agents  and  attorneys-in-fact  and  shall  not  be
         answerable,  except  as to money or  securities  received  by it or its
         authorized  agents, for the negligence or misconduct of any such agents
         or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

                  The  relationship  between Agent and each Bank is only that of
         agent and principal and has no fiduciary  aspects.  Nothing in the Loan
         Documents or elsewhere shall be construed to impose on Agent any duties
         or  responsibilities  other than those for which  express  provision is
         therein made. In performing its duties and functions  hereunder,  Agent
         does not  assume  and shall not be deemed to have  assumed,  and hereby
         expressly  disclaims,  any obligation or  responsibility  toward or any
         relationship of agency or trust



                                                      -41-

<PAGE>



         with or for Borrower or any of its beneficiaries or other creditors. As
         to any matters not expressly provided for by the Loan Documents,  Agent
         shall not be required to exercise  any  discretion  or take any action,
         but shall be  required  to act or to refrain  from acting (and shall be
         fully  protected  in so  acting or  refraining  from  acting)  upon the
         instructions of all Banks and such  instructions  shall be binding upon
         all Banks and all holders of the Notes;  provided,  however, that Agent
         shall not be required to take any action  which is contrary to the Loan
         Documents or applicable law.

                  (g) Independent Investigation.  Each Bank severally represents
         and   warrants   to  Agent  that  it  has  made  its  own   independent
         investigation and assessment of the financial  condition and affairs of
         Borrower  in  connection  with  the  making  and  continuation  of  its
         participation   hereunder  and  has  not  relied   exclusively  on  any
         information provided to such Bank by Agent in connection herewith,  and
         each Bank  represents,  warrants and  undertakes to Agent that it shall
         continue to make its own independent appraisal of the credit worthiness
         of  Borrower  while  the  Notes  are  outstanding  or  its  commitments
         hereunder  are in force.  Agent  shall not be  required  to keep itself
         informed  as to the  performance  or  observance  by  Borrower  of this
         Agreement or any other  document  referred to or provided for herein or
         to inspect the properties or books of Borrower.  Other than as provided
         in this  Agreement,  Agent shall not have any duty,  responsibility  or
         liability  to  provide  any Bank with any  credit or other  information
         concerning  the  affairs,  financial  condition or business of Borrower
         which may come into the possession of Agent.

                  (h)  Indemnification.  Banks agree to indemnify Agent, ratably
         according  to  their  respective  Revolving  Commitments  on a Pro Rata
         basis, from and against any and all liabilities,  obligations,  losses,
         damages,  penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits,  costs,  expenses or
         disbursements  of any proper and reasonable  kind or nature  whatsoever
         which may be imposed on,  incurred by or asserted  against Agent in any
         way  relating  to or arising  out of the Loan  Documents  or any action
         taken or omitted by Agent under the Loan  Documents,  provided  that no
         Bank shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities,  obligations,
         losses, damages, penalties,  actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses
         or  disbursements  resulting  from Agent's gross  negligence or willful
         misconduct.  Each Bank shall be entitled to be  reimbursed by the Agent
         for any amount such Bank paid to Agent under this Section  14(h) to the
         extent the Agent has been  reimbursed  for such payments by Borrower or
         any other Person. The parties intend for the provisions of this Section
         to  apply  to and  protect  the  Agent  from  the  consequences  of any
         liability  including  strict  liability  imposed  or  threatened  to be
         imposed  on  Agent  as  well  as  from  the  consequences  of  its  own
         negligence, whether or not that negligence is the sole, contributing or
         concurring cause of any such liability.




                                                      -42-

<PAGE>



                  (i) Benefit of Section 14. The  agreements  contained  in this
         Section 14 are  solely  for the  benefit of Agent and the Banks and are
         not  for the  benefit  of,  or to be  relied  upon  by,  Borrower,  any
         affiliate of Borrower or any other person.

                  (j) Pro Rata  Treatment.  Subject  to the  provisions  of this
         Agreement,  each payment  (including  each  prepayment) by Borrower and
         collection by Banks (including  offsets) on account of the principal of
         and  interest  on the Notes and fees  provided  for in this  Agreement,
         shall  be made Pro  Rata;  provided,  however,  in the  event  that any
         Defaulting  Bank shall have  failed to make an Advance as  contemplated
         under  Section 3 hereof and Agent or another  Bank or Banks  shall have
         made such  Advance,  payment  received by Agent for the account of such
         Defaulting  Bank or Banks shall not be distributed  to such  Defaulting
         Bank or Banks until such Advance or Advances  shall have been repaid in
         full to the Bank or Banks who funded such Advance or Advances.

                  (k) Assumption as to Payments. Except as specifically provided
         herein,  unless Agent shall have received notice from Borrower prior to
         the date on which any payment is due to Banks  hereunder  that Borrower
         will not make  such  payment  in full,  Agent  may,  but  shall  not be
         required  to,  assume that  Borrower  has made such  payment in full to
         Agent on such date and Agent may,  in  reliance  upon such  assumption,
         cause to be  distributed  to each Bank on such due date an amount equal
         to the amount then due such Bank. If and to the extent  Borrower  shall
         not have so made such  payment in full to Agent,  each Bank shall repay
         to Agent  forthwith  on demand  such  amount  distributed  to such Bank
         together with interest thereon,  for each day from the date such amount
         is distributed to such Bank until the date such Bank repays such amount
         to Agent,  at the  interest  rate  applicable  to such  portion  of the
         Revolving Loans.

                  (l) Other Financings. Without limiting the rights to which any
         Bank  otherwise  is or may  become  entitled,  such Bank  shall have no
         interest, by virtue of this Agreement or the Loan Documents, in (a) any
         present or future loans from,  letters of credit  issued by, or leasing
         or other financial transactions by, any other Bank to, on behalf of, or
         with Borrower  (collectively  referred to herein as "Other Financings")
         other  than  the  obligations  hereunder;  (b) any  present  or  future
         guarantees by or for the account of Borrower which are not contemplated
         by the Loan  Documents;  (c) any  present or future  property  taken as
         security  for any such Other  Financings;  or (d) any  property  now or
         hereafter in the  possession  or control of any other Bank which may be
         or become  security for the  obligations of Borrower  arising under any
         loan  document by reason of the  general  description  of  indebtedness
         secured or property  contained  in any other  agreements,  documents or
         instruments relating to any such Other Financings.

                    (m) Interests of Banks.  Nothing in this Agreement  shall be
               construed to create a partnership or joint venture  between Banks
               for any purpose.  Agent,  Banks and Borrower  recognize  that the
               respective obligations of Banks under the Revolving



                                                      -43-

<PAGE>



         Commitments  shall be several and not joint and that neither Agent, nor
         any of Banks  shall be  responsible  or  liable to  perform  any of the
         obligations of the other under this  Agreement.  Each Bank is deemed to
         be the owner of an  undivided  interest in and to all  rights,  titles,
         benefits  and  interests  belonging  and  accruing  to Agent  under the
         Security Instruments, including, without limitation, liens and security
         interests  in any  collateral,  fees  and  payments  of  principal  and
         interest  by Borrower  under the  Revolving  Commitments  on a Pro Rata
         basis.  Each Bank shall  perform  all duties and  obligations  of Banks
         under this Agreement in the same  proportion as its ownership  interest
         in the Loans outstanding at the date of determination thereof.

                  (n) Investments.  Whenever Agent in good faith determines that
         it is uncertain about how to distribute to Banks any funds which it has
         received,  or whenever Agent in good faith determines that there is any
         dispute  among the Banks  about how such funds  should be  distributed,
         Agent may  choose  to defer  distribution  of the  funds  which are the
         subject of such uncertainty or dispute. If Agent in good faith believes
         that the  uncertainty or dispute will not be promptly  resolved,  or if
         Agent is otherwise required to invest funds pending distribution to the
         Banks, Agent may invest such funds pending distribution (at the risk of
         Borrower).  All interest on any such  investment  shall be  distributed
         upon the  distribution of such  investment and in the same  proportions
         and to the same  Persons as such  investment.  All monies  received  by
         Agent for  distribution  to the Banks  (other than to the Person who is
         Agent in its  separate  capacity  as a Bank) shall be held by the Agent
         pending  such  distribution  solely as Agent for such Banks,  and Agent
         shall have no equitable title to any portion thereof.

                  (o)  Withholding  Tax.  Each Bank  agrees to furnish (if it is
         organized  under the laws of any  jurisdiction  other  than the  United
         States or any State thereof) to the Agent and the Borrower prior to the
         time that the  Borrower is  required to make any payment of  principal,
         interest or fees hereunder,  to such Bank, duplicate executed originals
         of either U.S.  Internal  Revenue  Service  Form 4224 or U.S.  Internal
         Revenue Service Form 1001 (wherein such Bank claims  entitlement to the
         benefits of a tax treaty that  provides for a complete  exemption  from
         U.S.  federal income  withholding tax on all payments  hereunder) and a
         Form W-8 and  agrees to  provide  new Forms  4224 or 1001 and Form W-8,
         upon the  expiration  of any  previously  delivered  from or comparable
         statements in accordance  with  applicable U.S. law and regulations and
         amendments thereto,  and agrees to comply with all applicable U.S. laws
         and regulations with regard to such withholding tax exemption.

         15.  Exercise  of  Rights.  No  failure  to  exercise,  and no delay in
exercising,  on the part of the Agent or the Banks,  any right  hereunder  shall
operate as a waiver thereof,  nor shall any single or partial  exercise  thereof
preclude  any other or further  exercise  thereof or the  exercise  of any other
right.  The rights of the Agent and the Banks  hereunder shall be in addition to
all other rights  provided by law. No modification or waiver of any provision of
the Loan Documents,



                                                      -44-

<PAGE>



including this Agreement, or the Note nor consent to departure therefrom,  shall
be  effective  unless in writing,  and no such  consent or waiver  shall  extend
beyond the particular  case and purpose  involved.  No notice or demand given in
any case  shall  constitute  a waiver of the right to take  other  action in the
same, similar or other circumstances without such notice or demand.

         16. Notices. Any notices or other communications  required or permitted
to be given by this Agreement or any other documents and instruments referred to
herein must be given in writing either by facsimile  transmission  or personally
delivered or couriered or mailed by prepaid  certified or registered mail to the
party to whom such  notice or  communication  is directed at the address of such
party as follows:  (a)  BORROWER:  ATWOOD  OCEANICS  PACIFIC  LIMITED,  Maples &
Calder, P.O. Box 309, Upland House, George Town, Grand Cayman, B.W.I,  Facsimile
No. (809) 949-8080;  Attention:  Simon Palmer;  copy to: ATWOOD OCEANICS,  INC.,
15835 Park Ten Place Drive, Houston,  Texas 77084, Facsimile No. (281) 492-0345,
Attention: Mr. James M. Holland, Senior Vice President and Secretary; (b) AGENT:
c/o AGENT, BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A., 910 Travis,  Houston,  Texas 77002,  Facsimile
No. (713) 751-3544,  Attention:  Christine M. Macan,  Vice President and (c) any
Bank at its  address  shown on any  addendum  hereto.  Any such  notice or other
communication  shall be deemed to have been given (whether  actually received or
not)  on the  day it is  personally  delivered  or  delivered  by  facsimile  as
aforesaid or, if mailed,  on the third day after it is mailed as aforesaid.  Any
party may change its address for purposes of this  Agreement by giving notice of
such change to the other party pursuant to this Section 16.

         17.  Expenses.  Borrower  shall pay (i) all  reasonable  and  necessary
out-of-pocket expenses of the Banks, including reasonable fees and disbursements
of special  counsel for the Agent,  in connection  with the  preparation of this
Agreement,  the other Loan Documents,  title and other due diligence and closing
of the transaction described in this Agreement,  any waiver or consent hereunder
or any amendment hereof or any default or Event of Default or alleged default or
Event of Default  hereunder,  (ii) all  reasonable  and necessary  out-of-pocket
expenses of the Agent,  including  reasonable fees and  disbursements of special
counsel for the Agent in connection  with the  preparation of any  participation
agreement  for a  participant  or  participants  requested  by  Borrower  or any
amendment  thereof  and (iii) if a default  or an Event of Default  occurs,  all
reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Banks, including
fees and disbursements of counsel,  in connection with such default and Event of
Default and collection and other enforcement  proceedings  resulting  therefrom.
Borrower shall indemnify the Banks against any transfer  taxes,  document taxes,
assessments  or  charges  made by any  governmental  authority  by reason of the
execution, delivery and filing of the Loan Documents.

         18. Indemnity. Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Banks
and their respective officers,  employees, agents, attorneys and representatives
(singularly,   an  "Indemnified  Party",  and  collectively,   the  "Indemnified
Parties")  from and  against  any  loss,  cost,  liability,  damage  or  expense
(including  the  reasonable  fees and  out-of-pocket  expenses of counsel to the
Banks,  including all local counsel hired by such counsel) ("Claim") incurred by
the Banks in



                                                      -45-

<PAGE>



investigating  or preparing  for,  defending  against,  or  providing  evidence,
producing  documents or taking any other  action in respect of any  commenced or
threatened  litigation,  administrative  proceeding or  investigation  under any
federal securities law, federal or state environmental law, or any other statute
of any jurisdiction,  or any regulation, or at common law or otherwise, which is
alleged to arise out of or is based upon any acts,  practices  or  omissions  or
alleged  acts,  practices  or  omissions  of Borrower or its agents or arises in
connection  with the  duties,  obligations  or  performance  of the  Indemnified
Parties in negotiating,  preparing,  executing,  accepting, keeping, completing,
countersigning,  issuing, selling, delivering,  releasing,  assigning, handling,
certifying,  processing  or receiving or taking any other action with respect to
the Loan Documents and all documents,  items and materials  contemplated thereby
even if any of the  foregoing  arises  out of an  Indemnified  Party's  ordinary
negligence.  The  indemnity  set forth  herein shall be in addition to any other
obligations or  liabilities of Borrower to the Banks  hereunder or at common law
or  otherwise,  and  shall  survive  any  termination  of  this  Agreement,  the
expiration  of the  Revolving  Loans  and the  payment  of all  indebtedness  of
Borrower to the Banks  hereunder  and under the Notes,  provided  that  Borrower
shall have no  obligation  under this Section to the Bank with respect to any of
the foregoing  arising out of the gross negligence or willful  misconduct of any
Indemnified  Party. If any Claim is asserted against any Indemnified  Party, the
Indemnified  Party shall endeavor to notify  Borrower of such Claim (but failure
to do so shall not affect the  indemnification  herein made except to the extent
of the actual harm caused by such failure). The Indemnified Party shall have the
right to employ,  at Borrower's  expense,  counsel of the  Indemnified  Parties'
choosing  and to  control  the  defense of the  Claim.  Borrower  may at its own
expense also participate in the defense of any Claim. Each Indemnified Party may
employ  separate  counsel  in  connection  with  any  Claim to the  extent  such
Indemnified  Party  believes it reasonably  prudent to protect such  Indemnified
Party.  The parties  intend for the  provisions  of this Section to apply to and
protect each Indemnified Party from the consequences of any liability  including
strict  liability  imposed or  threatened to be imposed on Agent as well as from
the consequences of its own ordinary negligence,  whether or not that negligence
is the sole, contributing, or concurring cause of any Claim.

         19. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT IS BEING EXECUTED AND DELIVERED,  AND
IS  INTENDED  TO BE  PERFORMED,  IN  HOUSTON,  HARRIS,  COUNTY,  TEXAS,  AND THE
SUBSTANTIVE LAWS OF TEXAS SHALL GOVERN THE VALIDITY,  CONSTRUCTION,  ENFORCEMENT
AND  INTERPRETATION  OF THIS AGREEMENT AND ALL OTHER  DOCUMENTS AND  INSTRUMENTS
REFERRED TO HEREIN, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED THEREIN.

         20. Invalid  Provisions.  If any provision of this Agreement is held to
be illegal,  invalid,  or  unenforceable  under present or future laws effective
during the term of this Agreement,  such provisions shall be fully severable and
this  Agreement  shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal,  invalid or
unenforceable  provision had never comprised a part of this  Agreement,  and the
remaining provisions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect



                                                      -46-

<PAGE>



and shall not be affected by the illegal,  invalid or unenforceable provision or
by its severance from this Agreement.

         21. Maximum  Interest Rate.  Regardless of any provisions  contained in
this Agreement or in any other documents and instruments referred to herein, the
Banks  shall never be deemed to have  contracted  for or be entitled to receive,
collect or apply as  interest  on the Notes any amount in excess of the  Maximum
Rate, and in the event any Bank ever  receives,  collects or applies as interest
any such excess,  or if an acceleration of the maturities of any Notes or if any
prepayment by Borrower  result in Borrower having paid any interest in excess of
the Maximum Rate, such amount which would be excessive interest shall be applied
to the  reduction  of the unpaid  principal  balance of the Notes for which such
excess was received, collected or applied, and, if the principal balance of such
Note is paid in full, any remaining  excess shall forthwith be paid to Borrower.
All sums paid or agreed  to be paid to the  Banks  for the use,  forbearance  or
detention  of the  indebtedness  evidenced  by the Notes  and/or this  Agreement
shall,  to the extent  permitted  by  applicable  law, be  amortized,  prorated,
allocated and spread throughout the full term of such indebtedness until payment
in full so that the rate or amount of interest  on account of such  indebtedness
does not exceed the Maximum  Rate.  In  determining  whether or not the interest
paid or payable  under any  specific  contingency  exceeds the  Maximum  Rate of
interest  permitted by law,  Borrower and the Banks shall, to the maximum extent
permitted under applicable law, (i) characterize any non-principal payment as an
expense,  fee or premium,  rather than as interest;  and (ii) exclude  voluntary
prepayments  and the  effect  thereof;  and (iii)  compare  the total  amount of
interest  contracted for,  charged or received with the total amount of interest
which  could be  contracted  for,  charged  or  received  throughout  the entire
contemplated term of the Notes at the Maximum Rate.

         22.  Amendments or Waivers.  Neither this  Agreement nor any other Loan
Document nor any terms hereof or thereof may be changed, waived or discharged or
terminated  unless such change,  waiver,  discharge or termination is in writing
signed by the  Borrower and the Majority  Banks,  provided  that no such change,
waiver,  discharge or termination shall, without the consent of each Bank (other
than a Defaulting Bank) affected thereby, (i) extend the Maturity Date (it being
understood that any waiver of the application of any prepayment of the Revolving
Loans or the method of application  of any  prepayment  shall not constitute any
such  extension),  to reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of  interest
(other  than as a  result  of  waiving  the  applicability  of any  post-default
increase in interest  rates) or fees  thereon,  or reduce the  principal  amount
thereof,  (ii)  increase the  Revolving  Commitment  of any Bank over the amount
thereof  then in effect  (it being  understood  that a waiver of any  condition,
covenant, Default or Event of Default shall not constitute a change in the terms
of any Revolving Commitment of any Bank), (iii) release or permit the release of
any Collateral from the Lien of the respective Security Instruments, (iv) amend,
modify or waive any  provision  of this  Section  22, (v) reduce the  percentage
specified in the  definition of Majority  banks (it being  understood and agreed
that,  with the consent of the Majority Banks,  additional  extensions of credit
pursuant to this  Agreement  may be included  in the  determination  of Majority
Banks on substantially the same basis as the



                                                      -47-

<PAGE>



Revolving  Commitments  (and related  extensions  of credit) are included on the
Effective  Date),  (vi) consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of
any of its rights and  obligations  under this Agreement or (vii) waive,  change
the timing or amount  of, or extend any  mandatory  reduction  in the  Revolving
Commitment including,  without limitation,  a Quarterly Commitment Reduction. No
provision of Section 2, or any other provisions relating to and issue of Letters
of Credit or the Administrative Agent may be modified without the consent of the
Administrative Agent.

         23. Multiple  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in a number
of  identical  separate  counterparts,  each of which for all  purposes is to be
deemed  an  original,  but all of  which  shall  constitute,  collectively,  one
agreement.  No party to this Agreement shall be bound hereby until a counterpart
of this Agreement has been executed by all parties hereto.

                    24.  Conflict.  In the event any term or provision hereof is
               inconsistent  with or  conflicts  with any  provision of the Loan
               Documents,  the terms or provisions  contained in this  Agreement
               shall be controlling.

                    25.  Survival.  All  covenants,  agreements,   undertakings,
               representations  and  warranties  made  in  the  Loan  Documents,
               including  this  Agreement,  the  Notes  or other  documents  and
               instruments   referred  to  herein  shall  survive  all  closings
               hereunder and shall not be affected by any investigation  made by
               any party.

         26.  Parties Bound.  This Agreement  shall be binding upon and inure to
the  benefit of the parties  hereto and their  respective  successors,  assigns,
heirs, legal representatives and estates,  provided,  however, that Borrower may
not, without the prior written consent of the Banks, assign any rights,  powers,
duties or obligations hereunder.

         27.      Assignments and Participations.

                  (a) Each Bank shall have the right to sell, assign or transfer
         all or any part of its Note or Notes, its Revolving Commitments and its
         rights and  obligations  hereunder to an Eligible  Assignee;  provided,
         that  with  each  sale,  assignment  or  transfer  (other  than  to  an
         Affiliate, a Bank or a Federal Reserve Bank), shall require the consent
         of  Borrower  and  Agent,  which  consents  will  not  be  unreasonably
         withheld, and the assignee,  transferee or recipient shall have, to the
         extent of such sale, assignment, or transfer, the same rights, benefits
         and  obligations  as it would if it were such Bank and a holder of such
         Note,  Revolving  Commitment  and  rights and  obligations,  including,
         without limitation, the right to vote on decisions requiring consent or
         approval of all Banks or Majority  Banks and the obligation to fund its
         Revolving  Commitment;  provided,  further,  that (1) each  such  sale,
         assignment,  or  transfer  (other  than  to an  Affiliate,  a Bank or a
         Federal  Reserve  Bank) shall be in an aggregate  principal  amount not
         less  than  $5,000,000,  (2) each  remaining  Bank  shall at all  times
         maintain Revolving Commitments then outstanding in an aggregate



                                                      -48-

<PAGE>



         principal amount at least equal to $1,000,000; (3) no Bank may offer to
         sell its Note or Notes, Revolving Commitment, rights and obligations or
         interests  therein in violation of any securities laws; and (4) no such
         assignments  (other  than  to a  Federal  Reserve  Bank)  shall  become
         effective until the assigning Bank and its assignees  delivers to Agent
         and Borrower an Assignment and Acceptance and the Note or Notes subject
         to such assignment and other documents  evidencing any such assignment.
         An  assignment  fee in the  amount of $2,500  for each such  assignment
         (other than to an Affiliate,  a Bank or the Federal  Reserve Bank) will
         be payable to Agent by assignor or  assignee.  Within five (5) Business
         Days after its receipt of copies of the  Assignment  and Acceptance and
         the other documents  relating  thereto and the Note or Notes,  Borrower
         shall  execute  and  deliver to Agent  (for  delivery  to the  relevant
         assignee)  a new  Note or Notes  evidencing  such  assignee's  assigned
         Revolving  Commitment,  and within a reasonable  time after delivery of
         such new Note or Notes to Agent, Agent shall return the old or replaced
         Note or Notes to  Borrower,  and if the  assignor  Bank has  retained a
         portion  of  its  Revolving  Commitment,  a  replacement  Note  in  the
         principal amount of the Revolving  Commitment  retained by the assignor
         (except as provided in the last  sentence  of this  paragraph  (a) such
         Note or Notes,  to be in exchange  for, but not in payment of, the Note
         or Notes  held by such  Bank).  On and after the  effective  date of an
         assignment  hereunder,  the assignee  shall for all purposes be a Bank,
         party to this  Agreement  and any other Loan  Document  executed by the
         Banks and shall have all the rights and obligations of a Bank under the
         Loan  Documents,  to the same  extent as if it were an  original  party
         thereto,  and no further  consent or action by  Borrower,  Banks or the
         Agent shall be required to release the transferor  Bank with respect to
         its Revolving  Commitment  assigned to such assignee and the transferor
         Bank shall henceforth be so released.

                  (b) Each Bank shall have the right to grant  participations in
         all or any part of such Bank's Notes and Revolving Commitment hereunder
         to one or more pension plans,  investment funds, financial institutions
         or other Persons, provided, that:

                           (i) each Bank granting a  participation  shall retain
                  the  right  to vote  hereunder,  and no  participant  shall be
                  entitled to vote hereunder on decisions  requiring  consent or
                  approval  of Bank or  Majority  Banks  (except as set forth in
                  (iii) below);

                           (ii) in the  event  any Bank  grants a  participation
                  hereunder,  such Bank's  obligations  under the Loan Documents
                  shall  remain   unchanged,   such  Bank  shall  remain  solely
                  responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of
                  such  obligations,  such Bank  shall  remain the holder of any
                  such Note or Notes for all purposes under the Loan  Documents,
                  and Agent,  each Bank and  Borrower  shall be entitled to deal
                  with the Bank granting a  participation  in the same manner as
                  if no participation had been granted; and



                                                      -49-

<PAGE>




                           (iii) no  participant  shall  ever  have any right by
                  reason of its  participation  to exercise any of the rights of
                  Banks  hereunder,  except  that any Bank  may  agree  with any
                  participant  that such Bank will not,  without  the consent of
                  such  participant  (which  consent  may  not  be  unreasonably
                  withheld)   consent  to  any  amendment  or  waiver  requiring
                  approval of all Banks.

                  (c) It is  understood  and agreed that any Bank may provide to
         assignees and participants  and prospective  assignees and participants
         financial  information  and  reports  and  data  concerning  Borrower's
         properties and  operations  which was provided to such Bank pursuant to
         this Agreement.

                  (d) Upon the  reasonable  request of either Agent or Borrower,
         each Bank will identify  those to whom it has assigned or  participated
         any part of its Notes and Revolving Commitment, and provide the amounts
         so assigned or participated.

                    28.  Choice of Forum:  Consent to  Service  of  Process  and
               Jurisdiction.   THE   OBLIGATIONS  OF  BORROWER  UNDER  THE  LOAN
               DOCUMENTS ARE  PERFORMABLE  IN HARRIS  COUNTY,  TEXAS.  ANY SUIT,
               ACTION OR  PROCEEDING  AGAINST THE  BORROWER  WITH RESPECT TO THE
               LOAN  DOCUMENTS OR ANY  JUDGMENT  ENTERED BY ANY COURT IN RESPECT
               THEREOF,  MAY BE  BROUGHT  IN THE  COURTS  OF THE STATE OF TEXAS,
               COUNTY OF  HARRIS,  OR IN THE  UNITED  STATES  COURTS  LOCATED IN
               HARRIS  COUNTY,  TEXAS AND THE  BORROWER  HEREBY  SUBMITS  TO THE
               NON-EXCLUSIVE  JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY
               SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING.  THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
               CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY SUIT,  ACTION OR PROCEEDING
               IN SAID COURT BY THE  MAILING  THEREOF BY BANK BY  REGISTERED  OR
               CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO THE Borrower,  AS APPLICABLE,
               AT THE  ADDRESS  FOR  NOTICES  AS  PROVIDED  IN  SECTION  17. THE
               BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW
               OR HEREAFTER  HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUIT,  ACTION OR
               PROCEEDING  ARISING  OUT  OF OR  RELATING  TO ANY  LOAN  DOCUMENT
               BROUGHT  IN THE COURTS  LOCATED IN THE STATE OF TEXAS,  COUNTY OF
               HARRIS, AND HEREBY FURTHER  IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY CLAIM THAT ANY
               SUCH  SUIT,  ACTION OR  PROCEEDING  BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS
               BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

         29. Waiver of Jury Trial.  THE BORROWER  HEREBY WAIVES,  TO THE FULLEST
EXTENT  PERMITTED BY  APPLICABLE  LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY
LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.




                                                      -50-

<PAGE>



         30.      Other Agreements.  THIS WRITTEN LOAN AGREEMENT REPRESENTS THE
FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY
EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS
OF THE PARTIES.  THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE
PARTIES.

                    31.  Financial  Terms.  All  accounting  terms  used in this
               Agreement  which are not  specifically  defined  herein  shall be
               construed in accordance with GAAP.

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

                                    BORROWER:

                                    ATWOOD OCEANICS PACIFIC LIMITED
                                    a Cayman Islands company


                                    By:/S/ James M. Holland
                                             James M. Holland
                                             Director

                                   GUARANTORS:

                                     ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.,
                                     a Texas corporation


                                     By: /S/ James M. Holland
                                              James M. Holland
                                              Senior Vice President


                                     ATWOOD DEEP SEAS, LTD.,
                                     a Texas limited partnership

                                     By:      Atwood Hunter Co.,
                                              its general partner


                                              By: /S/ James M. Holland
                                                       James M. Holland
                                                       Vice President
                       
     
<PAGE>
                                  -51-


                                     BANKS:

Revolving Commitment:                BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A.,
                                     a national banking association
$5,000,000.00


                                     By: /S/ Christine M. Macan
                                              Christine M. Macan
                                              Vice President

                                     Address   for  Notices  for
                                     operational matters:

                                     1717 Main Street BOC 4
                                     Dallas, Texas 75201

                                     Attention:      Debbie Pennington
                                     Telephone No.:  (214) 290-2434
                                     Fax No.:        (214) 290-5226

                                     Address   for  Notices  for
                                     credit matters:

                                   910 Travis
                                   Houston, Texas 77002

                                   Attention:     Christine M. Macan
                                   Telephone No.     (713) 751-3484
                                   Fax No.:        (713) 751-3544




                                                      -52-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:               CHRISTIANIA BANK OG KREDITKASSE ASA,
                                    NEW YORK BRANCH
$5,000,000.00


                                    By: /S/ Martin Lunder
                                    Name: Martin Lunder
                                    Title: First Vice President



                                    By: /S/ Justin F. McCarty, III
                                    Name: Justin F. McCarty, III
                                    Title: Vice President

                                    Address   for  Notices  for
                                    operational matters:

                                    11 West 42nd Street, 7th Floor
                                    New York, New York 10036

                                    Attention:      Loan Administration
                                    Telephone No.:  (212) 827-4800
                                    Fax No.:        (212) 827-4888

                                    Address   for  Notices  for
                                    credit matters:

                                    11 West 42nd Street, 7th Floor
                                    New York, New York 10036

                                    Attention:     Shipping/Offshore/Aviation
                                    Telephone No.: (212) 827-4800
                                    Fax No.:       (212) 827-4888






                                                      -53-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:           THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI, LTD.

$2,000,000.00

                                By: /S/ John W. McGhee
                                Name: John W. McGhee
                                Title: Vice President & Manager

                                Address   for  Notices  for
                                operational matters:

                                Bank of Toyko-Mitsubishi
                                1100 Louisiana Street, Suite 2800
                                Houston, Texas  77002-5216

                                Attention:      Loan Administration
                                Telephone No.:  (713) 658-1160
                                Fax No.:        (713) 658-0116

                                Address   for  Notices  for
                                credit matters:

                                Bank of Toyko-Mitsubishi
                                1100 Louisiana Street, Suite 2800
                                Houston, Texas  77002-5216

                                Attention:     Manager-Corporate Finance
                                Telephone No.     (713) 655-3811
                                Fax No.:          (713) 655-3855




                                                      -54-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:              CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ

$4,000,000.00

                                   By: /S/ Pierre B. de Fontenay
                                            Pierre B. de Fontenay
                                            Assistant Vice President

                                   Address   for  Notices  for
                                   operational matters:

                                   Credit Agricole Indosuez
                                   47, Rue de Monceau, 75008 Paris
                                     France

                                    Attention:        Sylvie Godet-Couery
                                    Telephone No.:    33-1-44-20-12-49
                                    Fax No.:          33-1-44-20-19-34

                                    Address   for  Notices  for
                                    credit matters:

                                    Credit Agricole Indosuez
                                    Representative Office Norway
                                    P.O. Box 1675
                                    0120 Oslo Norway

                                    Attention:     Hans-Jorgen Wibstad
                                    Telephone No.     47-22-83-30-50
                                    Fax No.:          47-22-83-30-55





                                                      -55-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:               CREDIT LYONNAIS, NEW YORK BRANCH

$2,000,000.00

                                    By:/S/ Jacques-Yves Mulliez
                                             Jacques-Yves Mulliez
                                             Senior Vice President

                                    Address   for  Notices  for
operational matters:

                                    Credit Lyonnais
                                    1000 Louisiana, Suite 5360
                                    Houston, Texas 77002

                                   Attention:
                                     Telephone No.:             (713)
                                     Fax No.:                   (713) 751-0307

                                     Address   for  Notices  for
                                        credit matters:

                                      Credit Lyonnais
                                      1000 Louisiana, Suite 5360
                                      Houston, Texas 77002

                                      Attention:
                                      Telephone No.     (713)
                                      Fax No.:                   (713) 751-0307




                                                      -56-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:                   THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED,
                                     HOUSTON AGENCY
$3,000,000.00

                                        By:/S/ Kenichi Tatara
                                        Name: Kenichi Tatara
                                        Title: Vice President & Manager

                                        Address   for  Notices  for
                                        operational matters:

                                        The Fuji Bank, Limited
                                        1221 McKinney Street, Suite 4100
                                        Houston, Texas  77010

                                        Attention:        Jenny Lin
                                        Telephone No.:  (713) 650-7821
                                        Fax No.:        (713) 951-0590

                                        Address   for  Notices  for
                                        credit matters:

                                        The Fuji Bank, Limited
                                        1221 McKinney Street, Suite 4100
                                        Houston, Texas  77010

                                        Attention:    Michele Olivier
                                        Telephone No. (713) 650-7856
                                        Fax No.:       (713) 759-0048




                                                      -57-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:         MEESPIERSON N.V.

$4,000,000.00
                              By: /S/ Karel Louman
                                       Karel Louman
                                       Vice President

                              Address for Operational Notices:
                              MeesPierson N.V.
                              Loan Administration
                              Coolsingel 93
                              P.O. Box 749
                              3000 AS Rotterdam
                              The Netherlands
                              Primary:          Pim de Heer
                                             MeesPierson-Rotterdam Office
                              Telephone No.:  (011) 31 10 401 6304
                              Fax No.:          (011) 31 10 401 6118
                              with copy to:     MeesPierson N.V.
                                                300 Crescent Court, Suite 1750
                                                Dallas, Texas 75201
                              Secondary:        Yolanda Dittmar
                                                MeesPierson-Dallas Office
                              Telephone No.:    (214) 754-0009
                              Fax No.:          (214) 754-5981

                              Address for Other Notices:
                              MeesPierson N.V.
                              Coolsingel 93
                              3000 AS Rotterdam
                              The Netherlands
                              Attn: Donald van der Klaauw
                              Telephone:        (011) 31 10 401 6120
                              Fax No.: (011) 31 10 401 6343
                              copy to: MeesPierson N.V.
                                        300 Crescent Court, Suite 1750
                                        Dallas, Texas 75201
                                        Attn: Karel Louman
                                        Telephone:       (214) 754-0009
                                        Fax No.: (214) 754-5981

                              Payment Instructions:
                              ABN AMRO NEW YORK
                                 ABA #026009580
                               For credit to: MeesPierson N.V. Amsterdam
                               Acct #: 63 70 70 34 27 40
                               Reference: for further credit to 
                                        Loan Administration
                               Attention: Pim de Heer-Atwood Oceanics, Inc.



                                                      -58-

<PAGE>



                                     AGENT:

                                    BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A.
                                    a national banking association



                                    By: /S/ Christine M. Macan
                                             Christine M. Macan
                                             Vice President



                                                      -59-

<PAGE>


                                    CO-AGENT:

                              CHRISTIANIA BANK OG KREDITKASSE ASA,
                              NEW YORK BRANCH



                              By: /S/ Martin Lunder
                              Name: Martin Lunder
                              Title: First Vice President



                              By: /S/ Justin F. McCarty, III
                              Name: Justin F. McCarty, III
                              Title:Vice President
0230355.06\02



                                                      -60-

<PAGE>





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