ATWOOD OCEANICS INC
8-K, EX-99.1, 2000-07-05
DRILLING OIL & GAS WELLS
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                                                            EXHIBIT 99.1


                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                      AMONG

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

                                       AND

                                  BANK ONE, NA
                   AND THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS NAMED HEREIN
                                    AS BANKS

                                  BANK ONE, NA,
                             AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

                      CHRISTIANIA BANK OG KREDITKASSE ASA,
                                 NEW YORK BRANCH
                             AS DOCUMENTATION AGENT

                        CREDIT LYONNAIS, NEW YORK BRANCH
                              AS SYNDICATION AGENT

                         BANC ONE CAPITAL MARKETS, INC.,
                      AS LEAD ARRANGER AND SOLE BOOK RUNNER

                     $100,000,000 REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

                                  June 30, 2000








                                                      -1-

<PAGE>



                                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>

                                                                                                           Page No.
<S>      <C>       <C>                                                                                          <C>

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)      Type and Number of Advances....................................................................17
         (g)      Status of Obligations..........................................................................17

3.       Notes Evidencing Loans..................................................................................18
         (a)      Form of Notes. ................................................................................18
         (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

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

5.       Special Provisions Relating to Loans....................................................................21
         (a)      Unavailability of Funds or Inadequacy of Pricing...............................................21
         (b)      Change in Laws.................................................................................21
         (c)      Increased Cost or Reduced Return...............................................................22
         (d)      Discretion of Bank as to Manner of Funding.....................................................24
         (e)      Breakage Fees..................................................................................24

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



                                                      -i-

<PAGE>



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

8.       Prepayments.............................................................................................26
         (a)      Voluntary Prepayments..........................................................................26
         (b)      Mandatory Prepayment...........................................................................26

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

10.      Conditions of Lending...................................................................................31

11.      Affirmative Covenants...................................................................................33
         (a)      Financial Statements and Reports...............................................................34
         (b)      Certificates of Compliance.....................................................................35
         (c)      Taxes and Other Liens..........................................................................35
         (d)      Compliance with Laws...........................................................................35
         (e)      Further Assurances.............................................................................35
         (f)      Performance of Obligations.....................................................................35
         (g)      Insurance......................................................................................36


                                                      -ii-

<PAGE>



         (h)      Accounts and Records...........................................................................36
         (i)      Right of Inspection............................................................................36
         (j)      Notice of Certain Events.......................................................................36
         (k)      ERISA Information and Compliance...............................................................37
         (l)      Environmental Compliance.......................................................................37
         (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............................................................................40

12.      Negative Covenants......................................................................................40
         (a)      Negative Pledge................................................................................40
         (b)      Current Ratio..................................................................................40
         (c)      Funded Debt to EBITDA..........................................................................40
         (d)      Interest Coverage Ratio........................................................................41
         (e)      Funded Debt to Tangible Net Worth..............................................................41
         (f)      Tangible Net Worth.............................................................................41
         (g)      Consolidations and Mergers.....................................................................41
         (h)      Debts, Guaranties and Other Obligations........................................................41
         (i)      Dividends......................................................................................42
         (j)      Loans and Advances.............................................................................42
         (k)      Sale or Discount of Receivables................................................................43
         (l)      Nature of Business.............................................................................43
         (m)      Transactions with Affiliates...................................................................43
         (n)      Investment.....................................................................................43
         (o)      Amendment to Articles of Incorporation or Partnership Agreements...............................43
         (p)      Management of Rigs.............................................................................43
         (q)      Charter of Rigs................................................................................44
         (r)      Modification of Rigs...........................................................................44
         (s)      Sale of Rigs, etc..............................................................................44
         (t)      Stock of Material Subsidiaries.................................................................44

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

14.      The Agent and the Banks.................................................................................47
         (a)      Appointment and Authorization..................................................................47
         (b)      Note Holders...................................................................................47
         (c)      Consultation with Counsel......................................................................48
         (d)      Documents......................................................................................48
         (e)      Resignation or Removal of Agent................................................................48


                                                      -iii-

<PAGE>



         (f)      Responsibility of Agent........................................................................48
         (g)      Independent Investigation......................................................................49
         (h)      Indemnification................................................................................50
         (i)      Benefit of Section 14..........................................................................50
         (j)      Pro Rata Treatment.............................................................................50
         (k)      Assumption as to Payments......................................................................51
         (l)      Other Financings...............................................................................51
         (m)      Interests of Banks.............................................................................51
         (n)      Investments....................................................................................51
         (o)      Withholding Tax................................................................................52

15.      Exercise of Rights......................................................................................52

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

17.      Expenses................................................................................................53

18.      Indemnity...............................................................................................53

19.      Governing Law...........................................................................................54

20.      Invalid Provisions......................................................................................54

21.      Maximum Interest Rate...................................................................................54

22.      Amendments or Waivers...................................................................................55

23.      Multiple Counterparts...................................................................................56

24.      Conflict................................................................................................56

25.      Survival................................................................................................56

26.      Parties Bound...........................................................................................56

27.      Assignments and Participations..........................................................................56

28.      Choice of Forum: Consent to Service of Process and Jurisdiction.........................................58

29.      Waiver of Jury Trial....................................................................................58

30.      Other Agreements........................................................................................58



                                                      -iv-

<PAGE>




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

</TABLE>

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 30th day of June, 2000, 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, NA, a national banking  association  ("Bank One") 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
Bank og  Kreditkasse  ASA, New York Branch,  as  Documentation  Agent and Credit
Lyonnais, New York Branch, as Syndication 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" 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.

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

                  "Alternate  Base Rate" shall mean,  as of any date,  a rate of
         interest  per annum  equal to the higher of (i) the Prime Rate for such
         date,  and (ii) the sum of the Federal  Funds  Effective  Rate for such
         date plus one-half of one percent (.50%) per annum.



                                       -1-

<PAGE>



                  "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  sum of the
         Alternate Base Rate plus the Base Rate Margin.

                  "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)  three-fourths  of one  percent  (.75%) per annum  whenever
                 Atwood's  ratio of  Consolidated  Funded  Debt to  Consolidated
                 EBITDA is greater than 2.25 to 1.0;or

                 (ii)  three-eighths  of one percent  (.375%) per annum whenever
                 Atwood's  ratio of  Consolidated  Funded  Debt to  Consolidated
                 EBITDA is equal to or less than  2.25 to 1.0 but  greater  than
                 2.0 to 1.0; or

                 (iii)  one-eighth  of one percent  (.125%)  per annum  whenever
                 Atwood's  ratio of  Consolidated  Funded  Debt to  Consolidated
                 EBITDA is equal to or less than 2.0 to 1.0 but greater than 1.5
                 to 1.0; and

                 (iv) zero percent  (0%) per annum  whenever  Atwood's  ratio of
                 Consolidated  Funded Debt to Consolidated EBITDA is equal to or
                 less than 1.5 to 1.0.


                                       -2-

<PAGE>



         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(b)
hereof.

                  "Business  Day"  means  (i)  with  respect  to any  borrowing,
         payment or note  selection of LIBOR Loans,  a day (other than Saturdays
         or Sundays) on which banks generally are open in Chicago,  Illinois and
         New  York,  New  York for the  conduct  of  substantially  all of their
         commercial lending activities,  interbank wire transfers can be made on
         the Fedwire  systems and dealings in United States  dollars are carried
         on in the London interbank market,  and (ii) for all other purposes,  a
         day (other than  Saturdays  and Sundays) on which banks  generally  are
         open in Chicago, Illinois for the conduct of substantially all of their
         commercial  lending activities and interbank wire transfers can be made
         on the Fedwire system.

                  "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


                                       -3-

<PAGE>



         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 Control"  shall mean the  acquisition by any Person
         or group of Persons acting together of the beneficial ownership (within
         the meaning of Rule 13(d)-3 of the Securities Exchange Commission under
         the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of thirty percent (30%) or more of
         the outstanding shares of voting stock of Atwood.

                  "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.

                  "Collateral" is used herein as defined in Section 6 hereof.

                  "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.

                  "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.

                  "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.



                                       -4-

<PAGE>



                  "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 the  face  value of the
         Treasury Bonds pledged as Collateral.

                  "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 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


                                       -5-

<PAGE>



         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 Alternate  Base Rate plus 2.75%
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"  means  the  Comprehensive   Environmental
         Response, Compensation  and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the
         Superfund  Amendments and  Reauthorization  Act of 1986,  42  U.S.C.A.
         ss.9601,  et seq.,  the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as
         amended by the Hazardous Solid Waste Amendment of 1984, 42 U.S.C.A.
         ss.6901, et seq., the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C.A.ss.1251,
         et seq., the Clean Air Act, 42  U.S.C.A.ss.1251,  et seq., the Toxic
         Substances Control Act, 15  U.S.C.A.ss.2601,  et seq.,  The Oil
         Pollution  Act of 1990, 33 U.S.G.ss.2701,  et seq., and all other laws,
         statutes,  codes, acts, ordinances, orders, judgments, decrees,
         injunctions, rules, regulations, orders, permits and


                                       -6-

<PAGE>



         restrictions  of  any  federal,  state,  county,  municipal  and  other
         governments,   departments,   commissions,  boards,  agencies,  courts,
         authorities,  officials and officers,  domestic or foreign, relating to
         oil pollution, air pollution, water pollution, noise control and/or the
         handling,  discharge,  disposal  or  recovery  of on-site  or  off-site
         asbestos,  radioactive materials, spilled or leaked petroleum products,
         distillates  or  fractions  and  industrial  solid waste or  "hazardous
         substances" as defined by 42 U.S.C.  ss. 9601, et seq., as amended,  as
         each of the foregoing may be amended from time to time.

                  "Environmental Liability" means 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 release of any substance into the environment
         which  is  required  to  be  remediated  by  a  regulatory   agency  or
         governmental  authority 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"  means a Lien  in  favor  of any  court,
         governmental  agency or instrumentality or any other Person (i) for any
         Environmental  Liability  or  (ii)  for  damages  arising  from or cost
         incurred by such court or  governmental  agency or  instrumentality  or
         other person in response to a release or threatened release of asbestos
         or "hazardous substance" into the environment,  the imposition of which
         Lien could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

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

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

                  Federal  Funds  Effective  Rate shall  mean,  for any day,  an
                    interest rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the
                    rates on overnight  Federal funds  transactions with members
                    of the Federal  Reserve  System  arranged  by Federal  funds
                    brokers on such day, as published  for such day (or, if such
                    day is not a Business  Day,  for the  immediately  preceding
                    Business Day) by the Federal  Reserve Bank of New York,  or,
                    if such  rate is not so  published  for any day  which  is a
                    Business Day, the average of the quotations at approximately
                    10:00  a.m.  (Chicago,  Illinois  time)  on such day on such
                    transactions  received  by the Agent from three (3)  Federal
                    funds brokers of recognized  standing  selected by the Agent
                    in its sole discretion.

                 "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.



                                       -7-

<PAGE>



                  "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.

                  "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.

                  "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  last  day of each
         calendar  quarter in the case of Base Rate  Loans  and,  in the case of
         LIBOR  Loans with an Interest  Period of three (3) months or less,  the
         last day of the applicable  Interest  Period,  and in the case of LIBOR
         Loans with an Interest Period of six (6) months, the earlier of (i) the
         last day of the applicable Interest Period or (ii) the last day of each
         calendar quarter.

                  "Interest  Period"  shall mean with  respect to any LIBOR Loan
         (i)  initially,  the period  commencing  on the date such LIBOR Loan is
         made  and  ending  one (1),  two  (2),  three  (3),  or six (6)  months
         thereafter as selected by the Borrowers  pursuant to Section  4(a)(ii),
         and


                                       -8-

<PAGE>



         (ii) thereafter,  each period  commencing on the day following the last
         day of the next preceding Interest Period applicable to such LIBOR Loan
         and ending one (1), two (2), three (3) or six (6) months thereafter, as
         selected  by the  Borrowers  pursuant  to Section  4(a)(ii);  provided,
         however,  that (i) if any Interest Period would  otherwise  expire on a
         day which is not a Business Day,  such Interest  Period shall expire on
         the next  succeeding  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  Business Day, (ii) if any Interest Period begins on the last
         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 Business
         Day of a calendar  month,  and (iii) any  Interest  Period  which would
         otherwise  expire  after the Maturity  Date shall end on such  Maturity
         Date.

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

                  "LIBOR Base Rate"  shall mean the offered  rate for the period
         equal to or next  greater  than the  Interest  Period  for U.S.  dollar
         deposits of not less than  $1,000,000 as of 11:00 a.m., City of London,
         England  time  two (2)  Business  Days  prior to the  first  day of the
         Interest Period as shown on the display  designate as "British Bankers'
         Association  Interest  Settlement Rates" on Reuter's for the purpose of
         displaying  such rate.  In the event that such rate is not available on
         Reuter's  then  such  offered  rate  shall be  otherwise  independently
         determined   by  Agent  from  an   alternate,   substantially   similar
         independent  source  available to Agent or shall be calculated by Agent
         by  substantially  similar  methodology  as  that  theretofore  used to
         determine such offered rate.

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

                  "LIBOR Margin" shall be:

                           (i)  two and one-quarter percent (2.25%) per
                  annum whenever Atwood's ratio of Consolidated Funded Debt to
                  Consolidated EBITDA is greater than 2.25 to 1.0: or

                           (ii) one and  seven-eighths  of one percent  (1.875%)
                  per annum whenever Atwood's ratio of Consolidated  Funded Debt
                  to  Consolidated  EBITDA  is equal to or less than 2.25 to 1.0
                  but greater than 2.0 to 1.0; or

                           (iii) one and five-eighths percent (1.625%) per annum
                  whenever  Atwood's  ratio  of  Consolidated   Funded  Debt  to
                  Consolidated  EBITDA  is equal to or less  than 2.0 to 1.0 but
                  greater than to 1.50 to 1.0; or


                                       -9-

<PAGE>



                           (iv) one and  one-quarter  percent  (1.25%) per annum
                  whenever  Atwood's  ratio  of  Consolidated   Funded  Debt  to
                  Consolidated  EBITDA  is equal to or less than 1.50 to 1.0 but
                  greater than 1.0 to 1.0; or

                           (v) one  percent  (1%) per  annum  whenever  Atwood's
                  ratio of Consolidated  Funded Debt to  Consolidated  EBITDA is
                  equal to or less than 1.0 to 1.0.

                  "LIBOR  Rate"  means,  with  respect  to a LIBOR  Loan for the
         relevant Interest Period,  the sum of (i) the quotient of (A) the LIBOR
         Base Rate applicable to such Interest Period,  divided by (B) one minus
         the Reserve  Requirement  (expressed  as a decimal)  applicable to such
         Interest  Period,  plus the (ii) LIBOR Margin.  The LIBOR Rate shall be
         rounded to the next  higher  multiple  of 1/16th of one  percent if the
         rate is not such a multiple.

                  "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 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 (i)  those  Subsidiaries
         listed on  Schedule 5 and (ii) those  hereafter  so  designated  at the
         reasonable  discretion  of the Banks,  whether  currently  existing  or
         hereafter created or acquired.

                  "Maturity Date" shall mean June 30, 2005.

                  "Maximum Rate" is used herein as defined in Section 21 hereof.



                                      -10-

<PAGE>



                  "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,  pursuant  to which the Banks  have  agreed to make a  revolving
         credit  facility  of up to  $50,000,000  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   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 their  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


                                      -11-

<PAGE>



         Instruments;  and (vii) Liens  existing  at the date of this  Agreement
         which have been  disclosed to Banks in  Borrowers'  September  30, 1999
         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  covering the Treasury
         Bonds executed by Atwood to Agent for the benefit of the Banks.

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

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

                  "Prime  Rate"  shall mean a rate per annum  equal to the prime
         rate of  interest  announced  from time to time by Agent or its  parent
         (which is not  necessarily  the lowest rate of interest  charged to any
         customer), changing when and as said prime rate changes.

                  "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.

                  "Rate  Management  Transactions"  shall  mean any  transaction
         (including an agreement with respect thereto) now existing or hereafter
         entered  into by either  Borrower  which is a rate  swap,  basis  swap,
         forward rate transaction,  commodity swap, commodity option,  equity or
         equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest
         rate option,  forward  exchange  transaction,  cap  transaction,  floor
         transaction,  collar transaction,  forward  transaction,  currency swap
         transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option


                                      -12-

<PAGE>



         or any other similar transaction  (including any option with respect to
         any of these transactions) or any combination  thereof,  whether linked
         to one or more interest rates,  foreign  currencies,  commodity prices,
         equity prices or other financial measures.

                  "Regulation  D"  shall  mean  Regulation  D of  the  Board  of
         Governors of the Federal  Reserve System as from time to time in effect
         and  any   successor   thereto   and  other   regulation   or  official
         interpretation   of  said  Board  of  Governors   relating  to  reserve
         requirements applicable to member banks of the Federal Reserve System.

                  "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.

                  "Reserve  Requirement"  means,  with  respect to any  Interest
         Period, the maximum aggregate reserve requirement (including all basic,
         supplemental,  marginal  and other  reserves)  which is  imposed  under
         Regulation D on Eurocurrency liabilities.

                  "Revolving   Commitment"   shall   mean  (A)  for  all  Banks,
         $100,000,000  as reduced  from time to time  pursuant  to Section  2(e)
         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 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  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


                                      -13-

<PAGE>



         Agreement  for  Bonds,  the  Guaranty  and other  collateral  documents
         covering 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 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"  means a set of LIBOR Loans made by the Banks at the
         same time and for the same Interest Period.

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

                  "Unused Commitment Fee Rate" shall be:

                           (i)      one-half of one percent (.50%) per annum
                  whenever Atwood's ratio of Consolidated Funded Debt to
                  Consolidated EBITDA is greater than 2.0 to 1.0: or

                           (ii)  three-eighths  of one percent (.375%) per annum
                  whenever  Atwood's  ratio  of  Consolidated   Funded  Debt  to
                  Consolidated  EBITDA  is equal to or less  than 2.0 to 1.0 but
                  greater than 1.0 to 1.0; or

                           (iii)  one-quarter  of one  percent  (.25%) per annum
                  whenever  Atwood's  ratio  of  Consolidated   Funded  Debt  to
                  Consolidated EBITDA is equal to or less than 1.0 to 1.0.

         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


                                      -14-

<PAGE>



         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.

                  (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.  Chicago,  Illinois  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)  Business
         Days prior to any proposed  Borrowing  Date in the case of LIBOR 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) Business Days' notice of each Advance prior
         to funding in the case of a LIBOR Loan,  each Bank shall  provide Agent
         at its  office at One Bank One Plaza,  10th  Floor,  Chicago,  Illinois
         60670,  not later  than  1:00  p.m.,  Chicago,  Illinois  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.,  Chicago,  Illinois 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-Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000). The face amount of all


                                      -15-

<PAGE>



         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 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 they intend
         to borrow  hereunder to finance  their  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


                                      -16-

<PAGE>



         to the amount of the outstanding  Letters of Credit exceeds Twenty-Five
         Million Dollars  ($25,000,000)  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 LIBOR Margin then in effect times the
         face  amount of the  Letter of  Credit.  Provided,  however,  that if a
         Default or Event of Default has  occurred  and is  continuing  said fee
         shall be an  amount  equal to two  percent  (2%) per  annum on the face
         amount of the Letter of Credit.  Borrowers  further  agree to pay Agent
         (i) an additional  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) Type  and  Number  of  Advances.  Any  Advance  under  the
         Revolving  Commitment  may be a Base Rate Loan or a LIBOR Loan,  or any
         combination  thereof,  as selected by  Borrowers  pursuant to Section 4
         hereof.  The total number of LIBOR Loans that may be outstanding at any
         time may never exceed six (6).

                  (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:



                                      -17-

<PAGE>



                  (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 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 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., Chicago,  Illinois,  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


                                      -18-

<PAGE>



         Agent  at any time  after  12:00  noon,  Chicago,  Illinois,  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.  Payment
         by the Borrowers of any  principal,  interest or 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 any 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.

         4.       Interest Rates.

                  (a)      Options.

                           (i) Base Rate Loans. On all Base Rate Loans, the
                               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


                                      -19-

<PAGE>



                  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 Base Rate.  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) LIBOR Loans.  On all LIBOR Loans,  the Borrowers
                  agree,  jointly and severally,  to pay interest  calculated on
                  the basis of a year consisting of 360 days with respect to the
                  unpaid  principal  amount of each LIBOR 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  LIBOR  Rate.  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 LIBOR 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) Business  Days'  written  notice
                  prior to the  making by the  Banks of any  LIBOR  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 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 LIBOR 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 LIBOR Loans to Base Rate
                  Loans by giving Agent irrevocable notice of


                                      -20-

<PAGE>



         such election in writing prior to 10:00 a.m.  (Chicago,  Illinois time)
         on the  conversion  date  and  such  conversion  shall  be  made on the
         requested  conversion date,  provided that any such conversion of LIBOR
         Loan shall  only be made on the last day of the  Interest  Period  with
         respect thereof, (ii) to convert all or any part of its Base Rate Loans
         to LIBOR Loans by giving the Agent  irrevocable  written notice of such
         election  three (3) 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  Business  Day,  on the next
         succeeding  Business Day. 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  LIBOR Loan,  the Agent
         reasonably  determines,  which  determination  shall,  absent  manifest
         error,  be final,  conclusive  and  binding  upon all  parties,  due to
         changes in circumstances since the date hereof, adequate and fair means
         do not  exist  for  determining  the  LIBOR  Rate or such rate will not
         accurately  reflect  the costs to the Banks of funding  LIBOR Loans for
         such Interest Period, the Agent shall give notice of such determination
         to the Borrowers and the Banks, whereupon, until the Agent notifies the
         Borrowers  and the Banks  that the  circumstances  giving  rise to such
         suspension  no  longer  exist,  the  obligations  of the Banks to make,
         continue, or convert Loans into LIBOR Loans shall be suspended, and all
         loans to  Borrowers  shall be Base  Rate  Loans  during  the  period of
         suspension.

                  (b)  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 any Bank to make or continue to maintain or
         fund  LIBOR  Loans  hereunder,  then such Bank  shall  promptly  notify
         Borrowers in writing and such Bank's obligation to make,  continue,  or
         convert Loans into, LIBOR Loans under this Agreement shall be suspended
         until it is no longer  unlawful for such Bank to make or maintain LIBOR
         Loans.  Upon receipt of such notice,  Borrowers  shall either repay the
         outstanding LIBOR 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  LIBOR  Loans,  immediately),  or
         Borrowers may convert such LIBOR Loans at such appropriate time to Base
         Rate Loans.


                                      -21-

<PAGE>



                  (c)      Increased Cost or Reduced Return.

                           (i) If,  after the date  hereof,  the adoption of any
                  applicable  law,  rule,  or  regulation,  or any change in any
                  applicable  law,  rule,  or  regulation,  or any change in the
                  interpretation or  administration  thereof by any governmental
                  authority, central bank, or comparable agency charged with the
                  interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any
                  Bank with any request or directive  (whether or not having the
                  force  of law) of any  such  governmental  authority,  central
                  bank, or comparable agency:

                                    (A)  shall  subject  such  Bank to any  tax,
                           duty, or other charge with respect to any LIBOR Loan,
                           its Notes,  or its obligation to make LIBOR Loans, or
                           change the basis of taxation  of any amounts  payable
                           to such Bank  under  this  Agreement  or its Notes in
                           respect of any LIBOR Loan (other than franchise taxes
                           and taxes  imposed on the  overall net income of such
                           Bank);

                                    (B) shall impose, modify, or deem applicable
                           any reserve, special deposit,  assessment, or similar
                           requirement (other than reserve requirements, if any,
                           taken into account in the  determination of the LIBOR
                           Rate)  relating to any  extensions of credit or other
                           assets of, or any deposits with or other  liabilities
                           or   commitments   of,  such  Bank,   including   the
                           Commitment of such Bank hereunder; or

                                    (C)  shall  impose  on  such  Bank or on the
                           London interbank market any other condition affecting
                           this Agreement or its Notes or any of such extensions
                           of credit or liabilities or commitments;

                  and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost
                  to such  Bank  of  making,  converting  into,  continuing,  or
                  maintaining  any LIBOR Loan or to reduce any sum  received  or
                  receivable by such Bank under this Agreement or its Notes with
                  respect to any LIBOR Loan,  then  Borrowers  shall pay to such
                  Bank on demand  such  amount  or  amounts  as will  reasonably
                  compensate such Bank for such increased cost or reduction.

                           (ii) If, after the date  hereof,  any Bank shall have
                  determined  that the adoption of any applicable  law, rule, or
                  regulation regarding capital adequacy or any change therein or
                  in  the  interpretation  or  administration   thereof  by  any
                  governmental  authority,  central bank,  or comparable  agency
                  charged with the interpretation or administration  thereof, or
                  any request or directive  regarding  capital adequacy (whether
                  or not  having  the  force  of law) of any  such  governmental
                  authority,  central bank, or comparable  agency,  has or would
                  have the effect of reducing  the rate of return on the capital
                  of such  Bank or any  corporation  controlling  such Bank as a
                  consequence  of such Bank's  obligations  hereunder to a level
                  below that which such


                                      -22-

<PAGE>



                  Bank or such  corporation  could  have  achieved  but for such
                  adoption,   change,   request,   or  directive   (taking  into
                  consideration its policies with respect to capital  adequacy),
                  then from time to time upon demand Borrowers shall pay to such
                  Bank such  additional  amount or  amounts  as will  reasonably
                  compensate such Bank for such reduction.

                           (iii) Each Bank shall promptly  notify  Borrowers and
                  Agent of any event of which it has knowledge,  occurring after
                  the date hereof,  which will entitle such Bank to compensation
                  pursuant to this  Section  5(c) and will  designate a separate
                  lending office, if applicable,  if such designation will avoid
                  the need for, or reduce the amount of, such  compensation  and
                  will  not,  in  the  judgment  of  such  Bank,   be  otherwise
                  disadvantageous  to it. Any Bank claiming  compensation  under
                  this  Section  5(c)  shall  furnish to  Borrowers  and Agent a
                  statement setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be
                  paid to it hereunder  which shall be conclusive in the absence
                  of manifest error. In determining  such amount,  such Bank may
                  use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.

                           (iv) Any Bank giving notice to the Borrowers  through
                  the  Agent,  pursuant  to  Section  5(c)  shall  give  to  the
                  Borrowers  a  statement  signed  by an  officer  of such  Bank
                  setting  forth in  reasonable  detail the basis  for,  and the
                  calculation  of such  additional  cost,  reduced  payments  or
                  capital  requirements,  as the case may be, and the additional
                  amounts required to compensate such Bank therefor.

                           (v) Within five (5)  Business  Days after  receipt by
                  the Borrowers of any notice  referred to in Section 5(c),  the
                  Borrowers  shall pay to the Agent for the  account of the Bank
                  issuing such notice such additional amounts as are required to
                  compensate such Bank for the increased  cost,  reduce payments
                  or increase capital  requirements  identified  therein, as the
                  case may be. If any Bank  requests  compensation  by Borrowers
                  under this Section 5(c), Borrowers may, by notice to such Bank
                  (with a copy to Agent), suspend the obligation of such Bank to
                  make or continue  LIBOR Loans or to convert all or part of the
                  Base Rate Loans owing to such Bank to LIBOR  Loans,  until the
                  event or condition giving rise to such request ceases to be in
                  effect (in which case the  provisions of Section 5(c) shall be
                  applicable);  provided that such  suspension  shall not affect
                  the  right  of  such  Bank  to  receive  the  compensation  so
                  requested.

                  (d)   Discretion   of   Bank   as  to   Manner   of   Funding.
         Notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary,  each
         Bank shall be entitled to fund and  maintain  its funding of all or any
         part of its  Loan in any  manner  it sees  fit,  it  being  understood,
         however,  that for the purposes of this  Agreement  all  determinations
         hereunder  shall  be made as if  each  Bank  had  actually  funded  and
         maintained  each LIBOR Loan through the  purchase of deposits  having a
         maturity   corresponding  to  the  last  day  of  the  Interest  Period
         applicable to such


                                      -23-

<PAGE>



         LIBOR Loan and bearing an interest rate to the applicable interest rate
         for such LIBOR Period.

                  (e)  Breakage  Fees.  Without   duplication  under  any  other
         provision  hereof,  if any  Bank  incurs  any  loss,  cost  or  expense
         including,  without  limitation,  any loss of profit  and  loss,  cost,
         expense or premium reasonably  incurred by reason of the liquidation or
         re-employment  of deposits or other funds acquired by such Bank to fund
         or maintain  any LIBOR Loan or the  relending  or  reinvesting  of such
         deposits or amounts  paid or prepaid to the Banks as a result of any of
         the following  events other than any such occurrence as a result in the
         change of circumstances described in Sections 5(a) and (b):

                           (i)      any payment, prepayment or conversion of a
                           LIBOR Loan on a date other than the last day of its
                           Interest Period (whether by acceleration, prepayment
                           or otherwise);

                           (ii)     any failure to make a principal payment of a
                           LIBOR Loan on the due date thereof; or

                           (iii)  any  failure  by  the   Borrowers  to  borrow,
                           continue,  prepay or  convert  to a LIBOR Loan on the
                           dates specified in a notice given pursuant to Section
                           2(b) or 4(c) hereof;

         then the Borrowers shall pay to such Bank such amount as will reimburse
         such Bank for such  loss,  cost or  expense.  If any Bank  makes such a
         claim for  compensation,  it shall  furnish  to  Borrowers  and Agent a
         statement  setting  forth the amount of such  loss,  cost or expense in
         reasonable  detail  (including an  explanation of the basis for and the
         computation  of such loss,  cost or expense)  and the amounts  shown on
         such statement shall be conclusive and binding absent 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  $19,600,000  in market value  Treasury
Bonds, (iii) 66% of the voting stock of all foreign Material Subsidiaries,  (iv)
100% of the voting  stock of all  domestic  Material  Subsidiaries,  and (v) the
Subsidiary Notes. All agreements and obligations  arising out of Rate Management
Transactions  between either Borrower and the Banks or their Affiliates shall be
secured by the Collateral  and paid on a pari passu basis with the  indebtedness
and  obligations  of such  Borrower  under  this  Agreement  and the other  Loan
Documents. The Rigs, Treasury Bonds, stock


                                      -24-

<PAGE>



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 the  Unused  Commitment  Fee Rate times 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,  2000 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.

                  (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
         Section 5(e)  hereof,  the  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 three (3) Business
         Days' notice to Agent in the case of LIBOR Loan Tranches and on one (1)
         Business  Day's notice in the case of Base Rate Loans and shall be in a
         minimum  amount of (i) $500,000 or any integral  multiples  thereof (or
         the unpaid balance of the Notes, whichever is less), for Base


                                      -25-

<PAGE>



         Rate Loans,  plus accrued  interest  thereon and (ii) $1,000,000 or any
         integral  multiples  thereof  (or  the  unpaid  balance  on the  Notes,
         whichever is less) for LIBOR Loans,  plus accrued  interest  thereon to
         the date of prepayment.

                  (b) Mandatory Prepayment.  In the event the Total Outstandings
         ever exceed the Revolving  Commitment,  the Borrowers shall immediately
         prepay,  without  premium  or  penalty,  subject to the  provisions  of
         Section 5(e) hereof with respect to LIBOR 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  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


                                      -26-

<PAGE>



         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.

                  (f) Financial  Condition.  The audited Financial Statements of
         Atwood dated September 30, 1999 and the unaudited Financial  Statements
         of Atwood dated March 31, 2000,  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 Atwood 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.

                  (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.



                                      -27-

<PAGE>



                  (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 Atwood 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,  and (iii)
         general  corporate  purposes other than hostile  acquisitions.  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:


                                      -28-

<PAGE>



                           (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.

                  (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.



                                      -29-

<PAGE>



                           (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.

                           (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 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;



                                      -30-

<PAGE>



                           (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 and the Banks
                  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;

                           (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


                                      -31-

<PAGE>



                  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)     Payment of Other Indebtedness.  The Agent
                  shall have received satisfactory evidence of the payment in
                  full of all amounts owed Bank One, Texas, N.A. and certain
                  other financial institutions under the provisions of that
                  certain Credit Agreement dated as of July 17, 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,  protection  and
                  indemnity insurance and pollution  insurance,  all in form and
                  substance   satisfactory   to  the  Agent  and  its  insurance
                  consultant;

                           (xiv)  Appraisal.  The Agent  shall have  received an
                  initial  desk  top  appraisal  of  the  Rigs  prepared  by  an
                  independent  appraisal firm or offshore drilling rig brokerage
                  firm   acceptable   to  the  Agent,   said   appraisal  to  be
                  satisfactory  to the  Agent,  provided,  however,  the  Atwood
                  Hunter and the Atwood  Eagle  shall have a combined  aggregate
                  appraised  fair market  value of at least  $150,000,000  and a
                  combined aggregate orderly  liquidation  appraisal value of at
                  least $115,000,000;

                           (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)    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);

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

                           (xviii) 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


                                      -32-

<PAGE>



                           (xix)    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 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 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 Agent for  delivery  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 Agent for delivery to the Banks:

                           (i)   Annual   Financial   Statements.   As  soon  as
                  available,  and in any event  within one hundred  twenty (120)
                  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;



                                      -33-

<PAGE>



                           (ii)  Quarterly  Financial  Statements.  As  soon  as
                  available,  and in any event  within sixty (60) 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;

                           (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  reasonably
                  acceptable to Borrowers;

                           (v) Fleet  Employment  Report.  As soon as available,
                  and in any event  within sixty (60) days after 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

                           (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,   which   certificate  may  be  combined  with  the
         certificate  furnished by Atwood Oceanics  Pacific Limited  pursuant to
         Section 11(b) of the Pacific Credit Agreement..

                  (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


                                      -34-

<PAGE>



         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,  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


                                      -35-

<PAGE>



                  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  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,  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 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


                                      -36-

<PAGE>



         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.

                           (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


                                      -37-

<PAGE>



                  or as a result of operations  on the Rigs or other  properties
                  and  operations  owned or  operated  by the  Borrowers  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 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 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 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,
                  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 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


                                      -38-

<PAGE>



                  to, through  foreclosure,  then the above stated indemnity and
                  hold harmless  shall be limited with respect to any actions or
                  failures  to act by the  Agent  or  the  Banks  subsequent  to
                  exercising such interest or operational control, to the extent
                  such  action or inaction by the Agent or the Banks is admitted
                  by the  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  Rigs  with  (i)  an  aggregate  fair  market
         appraised  value  of at  least  125% of the  sum of (A)  the  Revolving
         Commitment  minus  (B) the  market  value  of the U.S.  Treasury  Bonds
         pledged  to the Banks,  and (ii) a  liquidation  appraised  value of at
         least  100%  of an  amount  equal  to  the  sum of  (A)  the  Revolving
         Commitment  minus  (B) 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  outstanding  to a level  supported  by the  Collateral  (as
         required  above) or pledge  additional  Collateral  acceptable to 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 may approve.

                  (s)      Rate Management Transaction.  The Borrowers shall
         promptly perform all obligations and promptly pay all amounts due any
         Lender under any Rate Management Transaction.

         12. Negative Covenants. The Borrowers covenant and agree with the Banks
and the 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, and (3)
                  sales,   leases,   transfers,   charters  (including  drilling
                  contracts)  or other  dispositions  of its assets  (other than
                  Collateral)  which,  on a pro forma basis after giving  effect
                  thereto,  do not result in a violation of Sections 12(b), (c),
                  (d), (e) or (f).

                  (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.  The Borrowers will not allow their
         ratio of (i) Consolidated Funded Debt to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA to be
         greater  than (A) 2.75 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal  quarter from
         the Effective  Date to June 30, 2001,  and (B) 2.5 to 1.0 as of the end
         of any fiscal quarter thereafter.

                  (d) Interest  Coverage  Ratio.  The  Borrowers  will not allow
         their ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated  Interest Expense to
         be less than (i) 2.5 to 1.0 as of the end of any  fiscal  quarter  from
         the Effective  Date to June 30, 2001, and (ii) 3.0 to 1.0 as of the end
         of each fiscal quarter thereafter.

                  (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 $163,000,000 plus fifty
         percent (50%) of Borrowers' Consolidated Net Income, if positive, after
         the  Effective  Date,  plus 75% of the  proceeds  of any sale of equity
         after the Effective Date, 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


                                      -40-

<PAGE>



         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.

                  (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) 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

                           (iii)  additional  indebtedness for borrowed money or
                  letters  of  credit  which,  together  with  the  indebtedness
                  permitted  by  Section   12(h)(iii)  of  the  Pacific   Credit
                  Agreement,  does  not  exceed  $10,000,000  in  the  aggregate
                  outstanding at any time; or

                           (iv)     inter-company indebtedness between
                  Borrowers; or

                           (v)      intercompany indebtedness between any
                  Borrower and any Subsidiary of any Borrower in an amount not
                  greater than the principal amount outstanding as
                  of March 31, 2000; or

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

                           (vii) additional  intercompany  indebtedness  between
                  Borrowers and any Subsidiary other than a Material  Subsidiary
                  which  is  not  evidenced  by a  Subsidiary  Note  and  which,
                  together with the indebtedness  permitted by Section 12(h)(vi)
                  of the Pacific Credit Agreement, does not exceed $5,000,000 in
                  the aggregate; or



                                      -41-

<PAGE>



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

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

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

                  (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 or 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)  additional  loans and advances to Subsidiaries
                  other than Material  Subsidiaries  which loans or advances are
                  not evidenced by Subsidiary Notes and which, together with the
                  loans and  advances  permitted  by Section  12(j)(iii)  of the
                  Pacific  Credit  Agreement,  do not exceed  $5,000,000  in the
                  aggregate; 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.



                                      -42-

<PAGE>



                  (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:

                           (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.

                  (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,  materially  interfere
         with  the  suitability  of the  Rigs  for  normal  commercial  offshore
         drilling operations,  the consent of the Agent to any such modification
         not to be unreasonably withheld.



                                      -43-

<PAGE>



                  (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.

         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


                                      -44-

<PAGE>



         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 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 Control shall occur; or

                  (k)    A Change of Management shall occur; or

                  (l)    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


                                                      -45-

<PAGE>



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.

         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


                                      -46-

<PAGE>



         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 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.  Banks  acknowledge  that Gardere & Wynne,
         L.L.P.  is counsel for Bank One, both as Agent and as a Bank,  and that
         such firm does not represent any of the other Banks in connection  with
         this transaction.

                  (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.


                                      -47-

<PAGE>



                  (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  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


                                      -48-

<PAGE>



         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
         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.

                  Subject to Section  22 hereof,  Agent  shall have the right to
         exercise or refrain from exercising, without notice or liability to the
         Banks,  any and all rights  afforded to Agent by the Loan  Documents or
         which Agent may have as a matter of law. Agent shall not have liability
         to  Banks  for  failure  or  delay  in  exercising  any  right or power
         possessed by Agent pursuant to the Loan  Documents or otherwise  unless
         such failure or delay is caused by the gross  negligence  of the Agent,
         in which  case only the Agent  responsible  for such  gross  negligence
         shall have liability therefor to the Banks.

                  (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


                                      -49-

<PAGE>



         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  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


                                      -50-

<PAGE>



         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  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.



                                      -51-

<PAGE>



         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.

     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,  NA, One Bank One Plaza,  10th  Floor,  IL1-0362,
Chicago,  Illinois 60670,  Facsimile No. (312) 732-3055,  Attention:  Kenneth J.
Fatur,  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 Agent, 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.
The Borrowers hereby acknowledge that Gardere & Wynne, L.L.P. is special counsel
to Bank One,  as Agent and as a Bank,  under this  Agreement  and that it is not
counsel  to,  nor  does it  represent  the  Borrowers  in  connection  with  the
transactions described in this Agreement.  The Borrowers are relying on separate
counsel in the transaction  described herein.  The 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. The


                                      -52-

<PAGE>



obligations of this Section 17 shall survive any  termination of this Agreement,
the expiration of the Loans and the payment of the indebtedness of the Borrowers
to the Banks hereunder and under the Notes.

         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,  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


                                      -53-

<PAGE>



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 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.

         For purposes of Section 303 of the Texas  Finance  Code,  to the extent
applicable to any Lender or Agent,  Borrowers  agree that the Maximum Rate shall
be the "weekly ceiling" as defined in said Chapter, provided that such Lender or
Agent, as applicable,  may also rely, to the extent permitted by applicable laws
of the State of Texas and the United States of America,  on alternative  maximum
rates of interest under the Texas Finance Code or other laws  applicable to such
Lender or Agent from time to time if greater.

         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


                                      -54-

<PAGE>



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,  except as permitted by Sections 12(s) and (12(a)(ii),  (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, (vii) waive, change the timing or amount of, or extend any
mandatory  reduction  in  the  Revolving  Commitment,  (viii)  waive  any of the
conditions  precedent to the Effective  Date or making of any Loan or Advance or
issuance of any Letter of Credit,  or (ix) amend this sentence.  No provision of
Section 2, or any other  provisions  relating to and the  issuance 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 Borrowers may
not, without the prior written consent of the Banks, assign any rights,  powers,
duties or obligations hereunder.

         27.      Assignments and Participations.



                                      -55-

<PAGE>



                  (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;  provided,  however,  that no  consent of  Borrower  shall be
         required if an Event of Default has  occurred  and is  continuing.  Any
         such  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)
         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:



                                      -56-

<PAGE>



                           (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.

                  (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 16.
THE  BORROWERS  HEREBY  IRREVOCABLY  WAIVE ANY  OBJECTION  WHICH THEY MAY NOW OR
HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE


                                      -57-

<PAGE>



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.

         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:
                                           James M. Holland
                                           Senior Vice President

                                  ATWOOD DEEP SEAS, LTD.,
                                  a Texas limited partnership

                                  By:      Atwood Hunter Co.,
                                           its general partner

                                           By:
                                                    James M. Holland
                                                    Vice President


                                      -58-

<PAGE>



                                     BANKS:

Revolving Commitment:                BANK ONE, NA,
                                     a national banking association
$16,666,665.00


                                       By:
                                              Kenneth J. Fatur
                                              Vice President

                                     Address   for   Notices   for   operational
                                     matters:




                                   Attention:
                                     Telephone No.:    (___) ___-____
                                     Fax No.:          (___) ___-____

                                     Address for Notices for credit matters:




                                   Attention:
                                     Telephone No.:    (___) ___-____
                                     Fax No.:                   (___) ___-____



                                      -59-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:           CHRISTIANIA BANK OG KREDITKASSE ASA,
                                         NEW YORK BRANCH
$15,000,000.00


                               By:
                               Name:
                               Title:



                               By:
                               Name:
                               Title:

                               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.

$6,666,667.00

                                          By:
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                          Address for  Notices  for  operational
                                          matters:





                                          Attention:
                                          Telephone No.:
                                          Fax No.:

                                          Address   for   Notices   for   credit
                                          matters:





                                          Attention:
                                          Telephone No.
                                          Fax No.:



                                      -61-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:            CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ

$8,666,667.00

                           By:
                           Name:
                           Title:

                           Address for Notices for operational matters:

                            Credit Agricole Indosuez
                           9, Quai Du President Paul Doumer
                             92920 La Defense Cedex
                           FRANCE

                           Attention:        Sylvie Godet-Couery/Sophie Guittet
                           Telephone No.:    +33 141 89 12 49
                           Fax No.:          +33 141 89 19 34

                           Address for Notices for credit matters:

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

                           Attention:        Jonas Gunstad
                           Telephone No.     +47 22 83 30 50
                           Fax No.:          +47 22 83 30 55



                                      -62-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:                 CREDIT LYONNAIS, NEW YORK BRANCH

$15,000,000.00

                                         By:
                                         Name:
                                         Title:

                                         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:                NATEXIS BANQUE BFCE

$8,666,667.00

                                              By:
                                              Name:
                                              Title:


                                              By:
                                              Name:
                                              Title:

                                              Address   for  Notices  for
operational matters:

                                              Natexis Banque



                                              Attention:
                                              Telephone No.    (___) ___-____
                                              Fax No.:         (___) ___-____

                         With a copy to: Natexis Banque



                                               Attention:
                                               Telephone No.   (___) ___-____
                                               Fax No.:        (___) ___-____

                           Address for Notices for credit matters:





                                                Attention:
                                                Telephone No.   (___) ___-____
                                                Fax No.:        (___) ___-____



                                      -64-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:                       THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED,
                                                     HOUSTON AGENCY
$8,666,667.00

                                                     By:
                                                     Name:
                                                     Title:

                                                     Address   for  Notices  for
                                                     operational matters:





                                                     Attention:
                                                     Telephone No.:
                                                     Fax No.:

                                                     Address   for  Notices  for
                                                     credit matters:





                                                     Attention:
                                                     Telephone No.
                                                     Fax No.:



                                      -65-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:                       FORTIS CAPITAL CORP.

$12,000,000.00
                                                     By:
                                                     Name:
                                                     Title:


                                                     By:
                                                     Name:
                                                     Title:

                                                     Address   for  Notices  for
                                                     operational matters:





                                                     Attention:
                                                     Telephone No.:
                                                     Fax No.:

                                                     Address   for  Notices  for
                                                     credit matters:





                                                     Attention:
                                                     Telephone No.
                                                     Fax No.:



                                      -66-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:                       WHITNEY NATIONAL BANK

$8,666,667.00
                                                     By:
                                                     Name:
                                                     Title:


                                                     By:
                                                     Name:
                                                     Title:

                                                     Address   for  Notices  for
                                                     operational matters:





                                                     Attention:
                                                     Telephone No.:
                                                     Fax No.:

                                                     Address   for  Notices  for
                                                     credit matters:





                                                     Attention:
                                                     Telephone No.
                                                     Fax No.:



                                      -67-

<PAGE>



                                    AGENT:

                                    BANK ONE, NA
                                    a national banking association



                                    By:
                                             Kenneth J. Fatur, Vice President


                                      -68-

<PAGE>


                                    DOCUMENTATION AGENT:

                                    CHRISTIANIA BANK OG KREDITKASSE ASA,
                                    NEW YORK BRANCH



                                       By:
                                      Name:
                                     Title:



                                       By:
                                      Name:
                                     Title:

                                    SYNDICATION AGENT:

                                    CREDIT LYONNAIS, NEW YORK BRANCH



                                       By:
                                      Name:
                                     Title:

868565.9


                                      -69-

<PAGE>



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