ATWOOD OCEANICS INC
8-K, EX-99.2, 2000-07-05
DRILLING OIL & GAS WELLS
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                                                                EXHIBIT 99.2



                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                      AMONG

                         ATWOOD OCEANICS PACIFIC LIMITED
                                   AS BORROWER

                                       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

                      $50,000,000 REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

                                  JUNE 30, 2000









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<TABLE>

                                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS
<S>     <C>                                                                                                     <C>
                                                                                                           Page No.



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

2.       Commitments of the Bank.................................................................................14
         (a)      Terms of Revolving Commitment..................................................................14
         (b)      Procedure for Borrowing........................................................................14
         (c)      Voluntary Reduction of Revolving Commitment....................................................15
         (d)      Type and Number of Advances....................................................................15
         (e)      Status of Obligations..........................................................................15

3.       Notes Evidencing Loans..................................................................................15
         (a)      Form of Notes. ................................................................................16
         (b)      Issuance of Additional Notes...................................................................16
         (c)      Interest Rate..................................................................................16
         (d)      Payment of Interest............................................................................16
         (e)      Payment of Principal...........................................................................16
         (f)      Payment to Banks...............................................................................16
         (g)      Sharing of Payments, Etc.......................................................................17
         (h)      Non-Receipt of Funds by the Agent..............................................................17

4.       Interest Rates..........................................................................................18
         (a)      Options........................................................................................18
         (b)      Interest Rate Determination....................................................................19
         (c)      Conversion Option..............................................................................19
         (d)      Recoupment.....................................................................................19

5.       Special Provisions Relating to Loans....................................................................19
         (a)      Unavailability of Funds or Inadequacy of Pricing...............................................19
         (b)      Change in Laws.................................................................................19
         (c)      Increased Cost or Reduced Return...............................................................20
         (d)      Discretion of Bank as to Manner of Funding.....................................................22
         (e)      Breakage Fees..................................................................................22

6.       Collateral Security.....................................................................................23

7.       Fees....................................................................................................23
         (a)      Unused Fee.....................................................................................23
         (b)      Agency Fees....................................................................................23



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8.       Prepayments.............................................................................................24
         (a)      Voluntary Prepayments..........................................................................24
         (b)      Mandatory Prepayment...........................................................................24

9.       Representations and Warranties..........................................................................24
         (a)      Creation and Existence.........................................................................24
         (b)      Power and Authority............................................................................24
         (c)      Binding Obligations............................................................................25
         (d)      No Legal Bar or Resultant Lien.................................................................25
         (e)      No Consent.....................................................................................25
         (f)      Financial Condition............................................................................25
         (g)      Liabilities....................................................................................26
         (h)      Litigation.....................................................................................26
         (i)      Taxes; Governmental Charges....................................................................26
         (j)      Titles, Etc....................................................................................26
         (k)      Defaults.......................................................................................26
         (l)      Casualties; Taking of Properties...............................................................26
         (m)      Use of Proceeds; Margin Stock..................................................................27
         (n)      Location of Business and Offices...............................................................27
         (o)      Compliance with the Law........................................................................27
         (p)      No Material Misstatements......................................................................27
         (q)      ERISA..........................................................................................28
         (r)      Public Utility Holding Company Act.............................................................28
         (s)      Environmental Matters..........................................................................28
         (t)      Liens..........................................................................................29
         (u)      Subsidiaries...................................................................................29

10.      Conditions of Lending...................................................................................29

11.      Affirmative Covenants...................................................................................32
         (a)      Financial Statements and Reports...............................................................32
         (b)      Certificates of Compliance.....................................................................33
         (c)      Taxes and Other Liens..........................................................................33
         (d)      Compliance with Laws...........................................................................33
         (e)      Further Assurances.............................................................................33
         (f)      Performance of Obligations.....................................................................34
         (g)      Insurance......................................................................................34
         (h)      Accounts and Records...........................................................................34
         (i)      Right of Inspection............................................................................34
         (j)      Notice of Certain Events.......................................................................35



                                      -ii-

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         (k)      ERISA Information and Compliance...............................................................35
         (l)      Environmental Compliance.......................................................................35
         (m)      Environmental Notifications....................................................................36
         (n)      Environmental Indemnifications.................................................................37
         (o)      Change of Principal Place of Business..........................................................37
         (p)      Payables and Other Indebtedness................................................................37
         (q)      Collateral Maintenance.........................................................................38
         (r)      Maintenance of Rig.............................................................................38

12.      Negative Covenants......................................................................................38
         (a)      Negative Pledge................................................................................38
         (b)      Current Ratio..................................................................................38
         (c)      Funded Debt to EBITDA..........................................................................39
         (d)      Interest Coverage Ratio........................................................................39
         (e)      Funded Debt to Tangible Net Worth..............................................................39
         (f)      Tangible Net Worth.............................................................................39
         (g)      Consolidations and Mergers.....................................................................39
         (h)      Debts, Guaranties and Other Obligations........................................................39
         (i)      Dividends......................................................................................40
         (j)      Loans and Advances.............................................................................40
         (k)      Sale or Discount of Receivables................................................................41
         (l)      Nature of Business.............................................................................41
         (m)      Transactions with Affiliates...................................................................41
         (n)      Investment.....................................................................................41
         (o)      Amendment to Charter Documents.................................................................41
         (p)      Management of Rig..............................................................................41
         (q)      Charter of Rig.................................................................................41
         (r)      Modification of Rig............................................................................42
         (s)      Sale of Rig, etc...............................................................................42

13.      Events of Default.......................................................................................42

14.      The Agent and the Banks.................................................................................44
         (a)      Appointment and Authorization..................................................................44
         (b)      Note Holders...................................................................................45
         (c)      Consultation with Counsel......................................................................45
         (d)      Documents......................................................................................46
         (e)      Resignation or Removal of Agent................................................................46
         (f)      Responsibility of Agent........................................................................46
         (g)      Independent Investigation......................................................................47
         (h)      Indemnification................................................................................48



                                      -iii-

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         (i)      Benefit of Section 14..........................................................................48
         (j)      Pro Rata Treatment.............................................................................48
         (k)      Assumption as to Payments......................................................................48
         (l)      Other Financings...............................................................................49
         (m)      Interests of Banks.............................................................................49
         (n)      Investments....................................................................................49
         (o)      Withholding Tax................................................................................50

15.      Exercise of Rights......................................................................................50

16.      Notices.................................................................................................50

17.      Expenses................................................................................................51

18.      Indemnity...............................................................................................51

19.      Governing Law...........................................................................................52

20.      Invalid Provisions......................................................................................52

21.      Maximum Interest Rate...................................................................................52

22.      Amendments or Waivers...................................................................................53

23.      Multiple Counterparts...................................................................................54

24.      Conflict................................................................................................54

25.      Survival................................................................................................54

26.      Parties Bound...........................................................................................54

27.      Assignments and Participations..........................................................................54

28.      Choice of Forum: Consent to Service of Process and Jurisdiction.........................................56

29.      Waiver of Jury Trial....................................................................................56

30.      Other Agreements........................................................................................56

31.      Financial Terms.........................................................................................57


</TABLE>

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Exhibits

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

Schedules

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




                                       -v-

<PAGE>



                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

         THIS CREDIT  AGREEMENT  (hereinafter  referred  to as the  "Agreement")
executed as of the 30th day of June, 2000 by and among ATWOOD  OCEANICS  PACIFIC
LIMITED, a Cayman Islands company ("Borrower"),  ATWOOD OCEANICS,  INC., a Texas
corporation  ("Atwood"),  ATWOOD DEEP SEAS,  LTD., a Texas  limited  partnership
("Deep Seas") (Atwood and Deep Seas shall  hereinafter be collectively  referred
to as "Guarantors" and, individually, as "Guarantor"),  Bank One, 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 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,  Borrower has requested that the Banks provide Borrower with a
revolving  credit  facility  and the Banks  are  willing  to make such  facility
available to Borrower.

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

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

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

                  "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.




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<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 Borrower to Agent on
         behalf of the Banks,  assigning to the Banks all policies and contracts
         of  insurance  in respect of the Rig and all other  claims,  rights and
         proceeds  related thereto,  said assignment  secures the obligations of
         the Borrower 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
         Borrower to Agent on behalf of the Banks, assigning to the Banks all of
         Borrower's  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 Rig and certain
         other rights and obligations arising pursuant to such agreements.  Said
         assignment   secures  the   obligations  of  the  Borrower  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




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<PAGE>



                           (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.

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

                  "Borrowing  Date" is used  herein as defined  in Section  2(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



                                       -3-

<PAGE>



         more than six months  from the date of  acquisition,  (iii)  repurchase
         obligations  with a term of not more  than  seven  days for  underlying
         securities of the types described in clause (i) above entered into with
         any bank  meeting the  qualifications  specified  in clause (ii) above,
         (iv)  commercial  paper  issued by any Bank or Approved  Bank or by the
         parent company of any Bank or Approved Bank and commercial paper issued
         by, or  guaranteed  by, any  industrial  or  financial  company  with a
         short-term  commercial  paper rating of at least A-1 or the  equivalent
         thereof  by S&P or at least P-1 or the  equivalent  thereof  by Moody's
         (any  such  company,  an  "Approved  Company"),  or  guaranteed  by any
         industrial company with a long term unsecured debt rating of at least A
         or A2 or the  equivalent of each thereof,  from S&P or Moody's,  as the
         case may be, and in each case maturing within six months after the date
         of acquisition and (v) investments in money market funds  substantially
         all of whose assets are comprised of  securities of the type  described
         in clauses (i) through (iv) above.

                  "Change of Control"  shall mean the  acquisition by any Person
         or group of Persons acting together of 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.



                                       -4-

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

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

                  "Consolidated  Interest  Expense"  shall mean, for any period,
         the sum of (i) total interest expense  (including that  attributable to
         Capitalized  Lease  Obligations)  of Atwood and its  Subsidiaries  on a
         consolidated  basis  in  accordance  with  GAAP  with  respect  to  all
         outstanding  Debt of Atwood and its  Subsidiaries,  including,  without
         limitation, all commissions,  discounts and other fees and charges owed
         with  respect to Letters of Credit and bankers'  acceptance  financing,
         less  (ii)  interest  expense  attributable  to 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 Atwood, the Borrower or any Subsidiary
         of Atwood or the  Borrower,  all  obligations  and  liabilities  of the
         Borrower or such Subsidiaries to any other person,  including,  without
         limitation, all debts, claims and indebtedness,  heretofore, now and/or
         from time to time hereafter owing, due or payable,  however  evidenced,
         created, incurred, acquired or owing and however arising, whether under
         written  or oral  agreement,  operation  of  law,  or  otherwise.  Debt
         includes, without limiting the foregoing, (i) indebtedness for borrowed
         money  (including  without  duplication  obligations  to reimburse  the
         issuer  of any  letter  of credit or any  guarantor  or  surety),  (ii)
         indebtedness  for the deferred  purchase price of property or services,
         excluding trade accounts payable within ninety (90) days and arising in
         the ordinary course of business,  (ii) indebtedness evidenced by bonds,
         debentures,  notes or other similar  instruments,  (iv) obligations and
         liabilities secured by a Lien on property owned by Atwood,  Borrower or
         any  Subsidiary  of the  Borrower  or Atwood,  whether  or not  Atwood,
         Borrower  or any such  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



                                       -5-

<PAGE>



         Lien if Atwood,  Borrower or any such  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 Atwood,  Borrower or any  Subsidiary of the Borrower or Atwood
         in respect of interest rate  protection  agreements,  foreign  currency
         exchange  agreements,  commodity  swap  agreements or other  interests,
         exchange rate or commodity  hedging  arrangements and (vii) liabilities
         in respect of unfunded  vested benefits under any Plan. The Debt of the
         Borrower,  Atwood or any  Subsidiary  of the  Borrower or Atwood  shall
         include  the Debt of any  partnership  or joint  venture  in which  the
         Borrower,  Atwood  or any  Subsidiary  of the  Borrower  or Atwood is a
         general or venture  partner.  The Debt of the  Borrower,  Atwood or any
         Subsidiary of the Borrower or Atwood shall not include  trade  payables
         and expense accruals  incurred or assumed in the ordinary course of the
         Borrower's,  Atwood's or such  Subsidiary's  business  (including trade
         payables and expense  accruals of any  partnership  or joint venture in
         which the Borrower,  Atwood or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or Atwood
         is a general or  venture  partner;  provided,  such  payables  have not
         remained  unpaid for a period of ninety (90) days after the same became
         due  unless  the  Borrower,  Atwood 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;




                                       -6-

<PAGE>



     "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
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



                                       -7-

<PAGE>



         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.

                  "First Naval  Mortgage"  shall mean that  certain  First Naval
         Mortgage  dated of even  date  herewith  on the  vessel  Atwood  Falcon
         executed by Borrower to Agent on behalf of the Banks  pursuant to which
         Borrower  mortgages  the  Atwood  Falcon  to the  Banks to  secure  its
         obligations under this Agreement.

                  "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.

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

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

                  "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,



                                       -8-

<PAGE>



         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 in the case of Base Rate
         Loans, the last day of each calendar quarter,  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 each 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 Borrower  pursuant to Section  4(a)(ii),
         and (ii)  thereafter,  each period  commencing on the day following the
         last day of the next preceding Interest Period applicable to such LIBOR
         Loan  and  ending  one  (1),  two  (2),  three  (3) or six  (6)  months
         thereafter,  as selected by the Borrower  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.

                  "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.




                                       -9-

<PAGE>



                  "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

                           (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 Borrower and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  or
         (ii) the



                                      -10-

<PAGE>



         ability of the  Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  to
         carry  out  its  businesses  as of the  date of  this  Agreement  or as
         proposed at the date of this  Agreement to be  conducted,  or (iii) the
         ability  of  Borrower  to meet its  obligations  under the  Note,  this
         Agreement or the other Loan  Documents on a timely  basis,  or (iv) the
         validity or enforceability of any Loan Document against Borrower.

                  "Maturity Date" shall mean June 30, 2005.

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

                  "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.

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

                  "Permitted Liens" shall mean (i) Liens for taxes, governmental
         charges,  levies or other  assessments  that are not yet delinquent (or
         that, if delinquent,  are being  contested in good faith by appropriate
         proceedings, levy and execution thereon having been stayed and continue
         to be stayed and for which Borrower has set aside on its books adequate
         reserves in accordance with GAAP);  (ii) maritime  (including,  without
         limitation,  Liens for  insurance  premiums or calls and Liens  arising
         under charters), materialmen's,  mechanic's,  repairmen's,  employee's,
         warehousemen's,  landlord's, carrier's, contractor's,  sub-contractor's
         and other Liens  (including any financing  statements  filed in respect
         thereof)  incidental to obligations  incurred by Borrower in connection
         with  the  construction,   maintenance,   transportation,   storage  or
         operation of  Borrower's  assets,  Rig or  properties to the extent not
         delinquent (or which, if delinquent,  are being contested in good faith
         by appropriate  proceedings and for which Borrower has set aside on its
         books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP);  (iii) all contracts,
         agreements  and  instruments,  any  interest  or title  of a lessor  or
         charterer  under any lease  permitted by this Agreement and all defects
         and  irregularities  and other matters affecting  Borrower's assets and
         properties  which  were in  existence  or arose at the time  Borrower's
         assets and  properties  were  originally  acquired by Borrower  and all
         routine  operational  agreements entered into in the ordinary course of
         business,   which   contracts,   agreements,    instruments,   defects,
         irregularities and other matters and routine operational agreements are
         not such as to, individually or in the aggregate,  interfere materially
         with the operation,  value or use of Borrower's  assets and properties,
         considered in the aggregate;



                                      -11-

<PAGE>



         (iv) liens in  connection  with  workmen's  compensation,  unemployment
         insurance or other social security, old age pension or public liability
         obligations;  (v) legal or  equitable  encumbrances  deemed to exist by
         reason of the existence of any litigation or other legal  proceeding or
         arising out of a judgment  or award with  respect to which an appeal is
         being prosecuted in good faith and levy and execution thereon have been
         stayed and continue to be stayed;  (vi) Liens incurred  pursuant to the
         Security  Instruments;  and (vii)  Liens  existing  at the date of this
         Agreement  which have been  disclosed to Banks in Borrower's  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 Borrower, or its Subsidiaries,  or any such plan to which
         Borrower or its  Subsidiaries  are required to  contribute on behalf of
         its employees.

                  "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 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



                                      -12-

<PAGE>



         or  official  interpretation  of said Board of  Governors  relating  to
         reserve requirements  applicable to member banks of the Federal Reserve
         System.

                  "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,
         $50,000,000  as reduced  from time to time  pursuant  to  Section  2(c)
         hereof  and  (B)  as to any  Bank,  its  obligation  to  make  Advances
         hereunder  on the  Revolving  Loans in amounts  not  exceeding,  in the
         aggregate,  the amount set forth  opposite the name of such Bank on the
         signature pages hereto under the heading  "Revolving  Commitment" or in
         its Assignment and Acceptance.

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

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

                  "Rig"  shall  mean the ATWOOD  FALCON  and any other  offshore
         drilling  rigs  acceptable  to the Banks which may be  mortgaged to the
         Banks by Borrower 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 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 Borrower or another subsidiary.

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

                  "Tranche"  means a set of LIBOR Loans made by the Banks at the
         same time and for the same Interest Period.



                                      -13-

<PAGE>



                  "Treasury Bonds" shall mean the U.S. Treasury Bonds or similar
                  U.S. securities pledged by Guarantor to Banks pursuant to the
                  Guarantors' Credit Agreement.

                  "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
         Borrower from time to time during the period beginning on the Effective
         Date and ending on the  Maturity  Date in such  amounts as Borrower may
         request  up to an amount  not to  exceed,  in the  aggregate  principal
         amount  outstanding at any time, the Revolving  Commitment.  Subject to
         the  terms  hereof,  the  Borrower  may  borrow,   repay  and  reborrow
         hereunder.  The obligation of Borrower  hereunder shall be evidenced by
         this  Agreement  and the Note or Notes issued in  connection  herewith,
         said  Note  or  Notes  to  be  as   described   in  Section  3  hereof.
         Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no Advance shall
         be required to be made hereunder if any Default or Event of Default (as
         hereinafter defined) has occurred and is continuing. Each Advance under
         the Revolving Commitment shall be an amount of at least $1,000,000 or a
         whole number multiple  thereof.  Irrespective of the face amount of the
         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  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,



                                      -14-

<PAGE>



         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 Borrower at the
         same office,  in like funds,  the  aggregate  amount of such  requested
         Advance.  Neither  Agent  nor any Bank  shall  incur any  liability  to
         Borrower  in acting  upon any Notice  referred  to above which Agent or
         such  Bank  believes  in  good  faith  to  have  been  given  by a duly
         authorized  officer or other person  authorized  to borrow on behalf of
         Borrower or for otherwise acting in good faith under this Section 2(b).
         Upon funding of Advances by Banks in  accordance  with this  Agreement,
         pursuant to any such Notice of Borrowing,  Borrower shall have effected
         Advances hereunder.

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

                  (d) 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  Borrower  pursuant to Section 4
         hereof.  The total number of LIBOR Loans that may be outstanding at any
         time may never exceed six (6).

                  (e) Status of Obligations.  The obligations of the Banks under
         the Revolving  Commitment are several and not joint. The failure of any
         Bank to make an Advance required to be made by it shall not relieve any
         other Bank of its obligation to make its Advance,  and no Bank shall be
         responsible for the failure of any other Bank to make the Advance to be
         made by such other Bank.

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

                  (a)      Form of Notes.   The Revolving Loans shall be
         evidenced by Notes in the aggregate face amount of $50,000,000, and
         shall be in the form of Exhibit "B" hereto with appropriate insertions.
         Notwithstanding the face amount of the Notes, the actual principal



                                      -15-

<PAGE>



         amount due from  Borrower  to Banks on account of the Notes,  as of any
         date of computation,  shall be the sum of Advances then and theretofore
         made on account  thereof,  plus outstanding  Reimbursement  Obligations
         less all  principal  payments  actually  received by Banks in collected
         funds with respect  thereto.  Although the Notes may be dated as of the
         Effective  Date,  interest in respect thereof shall be payable only for
         the period  during which the loans  evidenced  thereby are  outstanding
         and,  although the stated amount of the Notes may be higher,  the Notes
         shall be enforceable,  with respect to Borrower's obligation to pay the
         principal  amount thereof,  only to the extent of the unpaid  principal
         amount of the loans.

                  (b) Issuance of Additional  Notes. At the Effective Date there
         shall be outstanding  Notes in the aggregate face amount of $50,000,000
         payable to the order of the Banks for each such Bank's Pro Rata Part of
         the Revolving Commitment.  From time to time new Notes may be issued to
         other  Banks as such  Banks  become  parties  to this  Agreement.  Upon
         request  from Agent,  Borrower  shall  execute and deliver to Agent any
         such new or additional Notes. From time to time as new Notes are issued
         the Agent shall require that each Bank  exchange  their Notes for newly
         issued Notes to reflect the extent of each Bank's Revolving Commitments
         hereunder.

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

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

                  (e) Payment of Principal.  Principal of the 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 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



                                      -16-

<PAGE>



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

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

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


         4.       Interest Rates.

                  (a)      Options.

                            (i)     Base Rate Loans.  On all Base Rate Loans,
                  the Borrower agrees to pay interest on the Revolving Loans
                  calculated on the basis of the actual days elapsed in a year
                  consisting of 365 or, if appropriate 366 days,



                                      -17-

<PAGE>



                  with respect to the unpaid  principal amount of each Base Rate
                  Loan from the date the proceeds  thereof are made available to
                  Borrower   until   maturity   (whether  by   acceleration   or
                  otherwise), at a varying rate per annum equal to the lesser of
                  (i) the Maximum Rate (defined herein),  or (ii) the 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 Borrower
                  agrees  to pay  interest  calculated  on the  basis  of a year
                  consisting  of 360 days with  respect to the unpaid  principal
                  amount of each LIBOR Loan from the date the  proceeds  thereof
                  are made  available  to Borrower  until  maturity  (whether by
                  acceleration or otherwise),  at a varying rate per annum equal
                  to the lesser of (i) the Maximum Rate, or (ii) the 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),
                  Borrower  shall  have the  option,  subject to  compliance  by
                  Borrower with all of the provisions of this Agreement, as long
                  as no Event of Default exists, to specify whether the Interest
                  Period  commencing  on any such date  shall be a one (1),  two
                  (2),  three (3) or six (6) month  period.  If Agent  shall not
                  have received  timely notice of a designation of such Interest
                  Period as herein  provided,  Borrower  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
         Borrower of each rate of interest so determined  and its  determination
         thereof shall be conclusive absent error.

                  (c)      Conversion Option.  Borrower may elect from time to
         time (i) to convert all or any part of its LIBOR Loans to Base Rate
         Loans by giving Agent irrevocable notice of



                                      -18-

<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 Borrower and the Banks, whereupon,  until the Agent notifies the
         Borrower  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  Borrower  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
         Borrower 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,  Borrower  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



                                      -19-

<PAGE>



         continue  to  maintain  and fund such  LIBOR  Loans,  immediately),  or
         Borrower may convert such LIBOR Loans at such  appropriate time to Base
         Rate Loans.

                  (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  Borrower  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



                                      -20-

<PAGE>



                  (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 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
                  Borrower  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  Borrower 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  Borrower  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 Borrower  through
                  the Agent, pursuant to Section 5(c) shall give to the Borrower
                  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 Borrower of any notice  referred to in Section  5(c),  the
                  Borrower  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  Borrower
                  under this Section 5(c),  Borrower 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



                                      -21-

<PAGE>



         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 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   Borrower  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 Borrower  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  Borrower  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  Borrower  of its
obligations hereunder, and under the Note 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, Borrower 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 the Rig,
together  with an  assignment  of the  insurance  covering such Rig, the charter
hire,  drilling  contract  earnings and revenues of the Rig. All  agreements and
obligations arising out of Rate Management Transactions



                                      -22-

<PAGE>



between  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 Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The Rig and other
collateral in which Borrower has 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
Borrower  shall be  pursuant  to  Security  Instruments  in form  and  substance
reasonably  satisfactory  to the Agent.  Borrower  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,  Borrower  shall also (i) grant to the Banks a negative  pledge on all of
its other assets and (ii) provide the Guaranties.

         7.       Fees.

                  (a) Unused  Fee.  Borrower  shall pay to Agent for the ratable
         benefit of the Banks an unused  commitment fee (the "Unused  Commitment
         Fee")  equivalent  to the  Unused  Commitment  Fee Rate times the daily
         average of the  unadvanced  portion of the  Revolving  Commitment.  The
         Unused  Commitment Fee shall be payable in arrears on the last Business
         Day of each  calendar  quarter  beginning  September  30, 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,  Borrower shall pay to the
         Agent  for  the  ratable  benefit  of the  Banks,  on the  date of such
         termination,  the total  Unused  Commitment  Fee due for the  period in
         which such termination occurs.

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

         8.       Prepayments.

                  (a)  Voluntary  Prepayments.  Subject  to  the  provisions  of
         Section  5(e)  hereof,  the  Borrower  may at any time and from time to
         time,  without  penalty or  premium,  prepay the Notes,  in whole or in
         part. Each such prepayment shall be made on at least 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 Rate
         Loans,  plus  accrued  interest  thereon  and  (ii)  $1,000,000  or any
         integral multiples thereof



                                      -23-

<PAGE>



         (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 Borrower 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, Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the
Banks (which representations and warranties will survive the delivery of the
Notes) that:

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

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

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



                                      -24-

<PAGE>



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

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

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

                  (f) Financial  Condition.  The 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 Borrower  which is  reasonably
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,  except as disclosed to the
         Banks in Schedule "2" attached hereto.

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

                  (h)      Litigation.  Except as described in the Financial
         Statements, or as otherwise disclosed to the Banks in Schedule "4"
         attached hereto, there is no litigation, legal or administrative
         proceeding, investigation or other action of any nature pending or,
         to the



                                      -25-

<PAGE>



         knowledge  of the  officers of Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  threatened
         against or  affecting  Borrower or any  Subsidiary  which  involves the
         possibility   of  any  judgment  or  liability  not  fully  covered  by
         insurance,  and which is reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse
         Effect.

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

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

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

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

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



                                      -26-

<PAGE>



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                  (s)      Environmental Matters.

                           (i)      The Borrower has duly complied in all
                  material respects with, and the Rig and other properties and
                  operations are in compliance in all material respects



                                      -27-

<PAGE>



                  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 Rig is operating.

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

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

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

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

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

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




                                      -28-

<PAGE>



         10.      Conditions of Lending.

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

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

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

                           (iii)    Legal Opinion.  The Agent and the Banks
                  shall have received from Borrower's U.S., Cayman 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 the
                  Borrower, Atwood and the general partner of Deep Seas;

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

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

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




                                      -29-

<PAGE>



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

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

                           (x)      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;

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

                           (xii) Insurance.  Agent shall have received copies of
                  all of  Borrower's  insurance  on the Rig,  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;

                           (xiii)  Appraisal.  The Agent shall have  received an
                  initial  desk  top   appraisal  of  the  Rig  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 Rig shall
                  have an appraised  fair market  value of at least  $95,000,000
                  and  an  orderly  liquidation  appraisal  value  of  at  least
                  $75,000,000;

                           (xiv)    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;

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

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




                                      -30-

<PAGE>



                           (xvii)   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

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

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

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

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

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

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

         11.      Affirmative Covenants.  The Borrower covenants and agrees with
the Banks and the Agent that, so long as any Revolving Commitment, Revolving
Loan or any fee, expense, or any other amount payable under any Loan Document
shall remain unpaid and outstanding:

                  (a) Financial Statements and Reports.  Borrower 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 Borrower,  as the Banks may reasonably request,
         and will furnish, or cause Atwood to furnish, to the Agent for delivery
         to the Banks:




                                      -31-

<PAGE>



                           (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;

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

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

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

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

                  (b)   Certificates  of  Compliance.   Concurrently   with  the
         furnishing of the annual  Financial  Statements  pursuant to Subsection
         11(a)(i)  hereof  and  the  quarterly  unaudited  Financial  Statements
         pursuant to Subsection 11(a)(ii) hereof, Borrower will furnish or cause
         to be furnished to the Agent a  certificate  in the form of Exhibit "D"
         attached hereto,  signed by the President or Chief Financial Officer of
         Borrower,  which  certificate  may be  combined  with  the  certificate
         furnished  by  the   Guarantors   pursuant  to  Section  11(b)  of  the
         Guarantor's Credit Agreement.

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



                                      -32-

<PAGE>



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

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

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

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

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



                                      -33-

<PAGE>



                           (i)  The  Borrower  shall  insure,  or  cause  to  be
                  insured,  the Rig  pursuant to the terms of Article I, Section
                  15 of the First Naval  Mortgage.  The Borrower  will  promptly
                  notify the Agent of any material changes in such insurances or
                  any  change  in  the  underwriters  or  clubs  providing  such
                  insurances.  The Borrower 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  Borrower  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   Borrower's   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 Borrower's or any Subsidiary's
         auditors.

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

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

                  (k) ERISA Information and Compliance. Borrower shall and shall
         cause each Subsidiary to promptly furnish to the Agent immediately upon
         becoming aware of the  occurrence of any  "reportable  event",  as such
         term is defined in Section 4043 of ERISA, or



                                      -34-

<PAGE>



         of any  "prohibited  transaction",  as such term is  defined in Section
         4975 of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1954,  as amended,  in connection
         with any Plan or any trust created thereunder,  a written notice signed
         by  the  chief  financial   officer  of  Borrower  or  such  Subsidiary
         specifying the nature thereof,  what action Borrower or such Subsidiary
         is taking or proposes to take with respect  thereto,  and,  when known,
         any action taken by the Internal Revenue Service with respect thereto.

                  (l)      Environmental Compliance.

                           (i) The  Borrower  and 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
                  Borrower  and the  Subsidiaries)  to so  comply  with  (A) all
                  applicable  environmental,  health and safety laws,  codes and
                  ordinances,   and  all  rules  and   regulations   promulgated
                  thereunder of all  Governmental  Authorities and (B) the terms
                  and   conditions   of  all   applicable   permits,   licenses,
                  certificates and approvals of all Governmental Authorities now
                  or  hereafter  granted or obtained  with respect to the Rig or
                  other  properties  owned or  operated  by the  Borrower or the
                  Subsidiaries  unless such compliance would violate the laws or
                  regulations  of  the   jurisdictions  in  which  the  Rig  are
                  operating.

                           (ii) The Borrower 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 Rig or other  properties  owned or
                  operated by the Borrower or the Subsidiaries.

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

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

                           (ii)  Knowledge  by an officer of the Borrower or any
                  Subsidiary of receipt of service by Borrower or any Subsidiary
                  of  any  complaint,  compliance  order,  compliance  schedule,
                  notice letter, notice of violation,  citation or other similar
                  notice or any judicial demand by any court, federal,  state or
                  local   environmental   agency,   alleging   (A)  any   spill,
                  unauthorized discharge or release of any Hazardous Substance



                                      -35-

<PAGE>



                  to the environment  from, or as a result of the operations on,
                  the Rig or other  properties owned or operated by the Borrower
                  or  any  Subsidiary  or (B)  violations  of  applicable  laws,
                  regulations  or permits  regarding  the  generation,  storage,
                  handling,  treatment,  transportation,  recycling,  release or
                  disposal  of  Hazardous  Substances  on  or  as  a  result  of
                  operations on the Rig or other properties and operations owned
                  or operated by the Borrower or the respective Subsidiary.

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

                           (iv) The term  "environmental  agency" as used herein
                  shall  include,  but not be  limited  to,  the  United  States
                  Environmental  Protection  Agency,  the  United  States  Coast
                  Guard,  the United  States  Mineral  Management  Service,  the
                  United   States   Department   of   Transportation   (in   its
                  administration of the Hazardous Materials  Transportation Act,
                  49 U.S.C.  Sec. 1801, et seq.) and other  analogous 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 Borrower  hereby agrees 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 Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Hazardous
                  Substance,  including without limitation,  any claims asserted
                  or  arising  under any  applicable  environmental,  health and
                  safety  laws,   codes  and  ordinances,   and  all  rules  and
                  regulations   promulgated   thereunder  of  all   Governmental
                  Authorities,  regardless of whether or not caused by or within
                  the control of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

                           (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  Rig or any  other  properties  and  operations  owned  or
                  operated by the Borrower or any  Subsidiary,  nor have they in
                  the past,  presently,  or intend in the future to, maintain an
                  ownership interest in the Rig or any other



                                      -36-

<PAGE>



                  properties owned or operated by the Borrower 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 Rig or any other properties owned or operated
                  by the Borrower or any  Subsidiary,  e.g.,  including  but not
                  limited  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 Rig or other
                  properties owned or operated by the Borrower or any Subsidiary
                  of any Hazardous Substance.

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

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

                  (q)  Collateral  Maintenance.  The Borrower  shall maintain as
         Collateral  at all  times  the Rig with (i) an  aggregate  fair  market
         appraised value of at least 125% of the Revolving Commitment,  and (ii)
         a  liquidation  appraised  value  of at  least  100%  of the  Revolving
         Commitment.  In the event the foregoing required Collateral maintenance
         is not met, the Borrower will either reduce the Revolving Commitment to
         a level  supported  by the  Collateral  (as  required  above) or pledge
         additional Collateral acceptable to Agent within thirty (30) days.

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

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




                                      -37-

<PAGE>



         12. Negative  Covenants.  The Borrower  covenants and agrees,  and with
respect to Subsections 12(b), (c), (d), (e) and (f), the Guarantors covenant and
agree,  with the Banks,  the Agent that,  so long as any  Revolving  Commitment,
Revolving Loan or any fee,  expense,  or any other amount payable under any Loan
Document shall remain unpaid and outstanding:

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

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

                           (ii) sell,  lease,  transfer or otherwise dispose of,
                  in any fiscal year, any of its material  assets or properties,
                  except for (1) sales, leases,  transfers,  charters (including
                  drilling contracts) or other dispositions made in the ordinary
                  course  of the  Borrower's  business  and (2)  sales,  leases,
                  transfers,  charters  (including  drilling contracts) or other
                  dispositions between Borrower and a Subsidiary, 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 Subsections  12(b), (c), (d), (e)
                  or (f).

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

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

                  (f)      Tangible Net Worth.  Guarantors will not allow the
         Consolidated Tangible Net Worth to be less than $163,000,000 plus
         fifty percent (50%) of Consolidated Net Income, if



                                      -38-

<PAGE>



         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 Borrower nor any
         Subsidiary  will  consolidate  or merge with or into any other  Person,
         except  that the  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  may merge with  another
         Person if Borrower or such  Subsidiary is the surviving  entity in such
         merger,  and any  Subsidiary may merge with any  Subsidiary,  if, after
         giving effect to any such merger or consolidation,  no Default or Event
         of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

                  (h)  Debts,  Guaranties  and Other  Obligations.  Neither  the
         Borrower nor any of the Subsidiaries will incur,  create,  assume or in
         any  manner  become  or be  liable in  respect  of any  Debt,  nor will
         Borrower or any Subsidiary  guarantee or otherwise in any manner become
         or be liable  in  respect  of any  indebtedness,  liabilities  or other
         obligations  of any other  person or entity,  whether by  agreement  to
         purchase  the  indebtedness  of any 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
                  which,  together  with the  indebtedness  permitted by Section
                  12(h)(iii)  of the  Guarantors'  Credit  Agreement,  does  not
                  exceed  $10,000,000 in the aggregate  outstanding at any time;
                  or

                           (iv)     intercompany indebtedness between Borrower
                  and Guarantors permitted by Guarantors' Credit Agreement; or

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

                           (vi)     additional intercompany indebtedness payable
                  by Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower to Atwood or any
                  Subsidiary of Atwood which, together with



                                      -39-

<PAGE>



                  the indebtedness permitted by Section 12(h)(vii) of the
                  Guarantors' Credit Agreement, does not exceed $5,000,000 in
                  the aggregate; or

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

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

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

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

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

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

                           (iii)  additional  loans and advances to Subsidiaries
                  of  Atwood  or  Borrower  which  together  with the  loans and
                  advances  permitted by Section  12(j)(iii) of the  Guarantors'
                  Credit Agreement, do not exceed $5,000,00 in the aggregate; or

                           (iv) loans or advances to  employees  incurred in the
                  ordinary  course  of  business  not to exceed  $50,000  in the
                  aggregate outstanding at any time.

                  (k) Sale or Discount of Receivables.  Neither Borrower nor any
         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 Borrower nor any
         Subsidiary will permit any material change to be made in the character
         of its business as carried on at the date hereof.

                  (m)      Transactions with Affiliates.  Neither Borrower nor
         any Subsidiary will enter into any transaction with any Affiliate,
         except transactions upon terms that are no less



                                      -40-

<PAGE>



         favorable to it than would be obtained in a  transaction  negotiated at
         arm's length with an unrelated third party.

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

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

                           (ii)     investments in Subsidiaries; and

                           (iii)    investments consisting of Cash Equivalents.

                  (o)      Amendment to Charter Documents.  Neither Borrower nor
         any Subsidiary will permit any amendment to its Memorandum and Articles
         of Association or equivalent charter document.

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

                  (q)      Charter of Rig.

                           (i)  Borrower  shall not cause or allow the Rig 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  Borrower,  Borrower  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 Borrower and dated of even
                  date herewith.

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

                  (s)      Sale of Rig, etc.  Borrower shall not sell, transfer
         or assign the Rig, any right to receive the revenue from the Rig or any
         property serving as collateral for the Revolving



                                      -41-

<PAGE>



         Commitment;  provided, however, that the Borrower may sell, transfer or
         assign any surplus or scrap equipment from the Rig.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



                                      -42-

<PAGE>



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

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

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

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

                  (j)    A Change of Control shall occur; or

                  (k)    A Change of Management shall occur; or

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

         Upon occurrence of any Event of Default  specified in Subsections 13(f)
and (g) hereof, the entire principal amount due under the Notes and all interest
then accrued thereon,  and any other  liabilities of Borrower  hereunder,  shall
become  immediately due and payable all without notice and without  presentment,
demand, protest, notice of protest or dishonor or any other notice of default of
any kind,  all of which are hereby  expressly  waived by Borrower.  In any other
Event of Default,  the Agent, upon request of Majority Banks, shall by notice in
writing to Borrower  declare the principal of, and all interest then accrued on,
the Notes and any other  liabilities  hereunder to be forthwith due and payable,
whereupon the same shall forthwith  become due and payable without  presentment,
demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration or other
notice of any kind,  all of which Borrower  hereby  expressly  waives,  anything
contained herein or in the Notes



                                      -43-

<PAGE>



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

         14.      The Agent and the Banks.

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



                                      -44-

<PAGE>



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

                  (b) Note  Holders.  From time to time as other Banks  become a
         party to this  Agreement,  Agent shall obtain  execution by Borrower of
         additional  Notes,  in  the  form  of  Exhibit  B  hereto,  in  amounts
         representing  the Revolving  Commitment of each such new Bank, up to an
         aggregate  face  amount  of all Notes not  exceeding  $50,000,000.  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.

                  (e)      Resignation or Removal of Agent.  Subject to the
         appointment and acceptance of a successor Agent as provided below,
         Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to
         Banks and Borrower, and Agent may be removed at any time with or



                                      -45-

<PAGE>



         without  cause by Majority  Banks.  If no  successor  Agent has been so
         appointed by Majority Banks (and approved by Borrower) and has accepted
         such  appointment  within 30 days after the retiring  Agent's giving of
         notice of  resignation  or  removal  of the  retiring  Agent,  then the
         retiring Agent may, on behalf of Banks,  appoint a successor Agent. Any
         successor  Agent must be approved by Borrower,  which approval will not
         be  unreasonably  withheld.  Upon the acceptance of any  appointment as
         Agent  hereunder  by a  successor  Agent,  such  successor  Agent shall
         thereupon  succeed to and become  vested with all the rights and duties
         of the retiring Agent,  and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from
         its  duties  and  obligations  hereunder.  After any  retiring  Agent's
         resignation  or removal  hereunder  as Agent,  the  provisions  of this
         Section 14 shall  continue  in effect for its benefit in respect to any
         actions  taken or  omitted  to be taken  by it while it was  acting  as
         Agent.

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

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

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



                                      -46-

<PAGE>



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

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

                  (h)  Indemnification.  Banks agree to indemnify Agent, ratably
         according  to  their  respective  Revolving  Commitments  on a Pro Rata
         basis, from and against any and all liabilities,  obligations,  losses,
         damages,  penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits,  costs,  expenses or
         disbursements  of any proper and reasonable  kind or nature  whatsoever
         which may be imposed on,  incurred by or asserted  against Agent in any
         way  relating  to or arising  out of the Loan  Documents  or any action
         taken or omitted by Agent under the Loan  Documents,  provided  that no
         Bank shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities,  obligations,
         losses, damages, penalties,  actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses
         or  disbursements  resulting  from Agent's gross  negligence or willful
         misconduct.  Each Bank shall be entitled to be  reimbursed by the Agent
         for any amount such Bank paid to Agent under this Section  14(h) to the
         extent



                                      -47-

<PAGE>



         the Agent has been  reimbursed  for such  payments  by  Borrower or any
         other Person.  The parties intend for the provisions of this Section to
         apply to and protect the Agent from the  consequences  of any liability
         including strict liability imposed or threatened to be imposed on Agent
         as well as from the consequences of its own negligence,  whether or not
         that negligence is the sole,  contributing  or concurring  cause of any
         such liability.

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

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

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

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



                                      -48-

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

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

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




                                      -49-

<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)  BORROWER:  ATWOOD  OCEANICS  PACIFIC  LIMITED,  Maples &
Calder, P.O. Box 309, Upland House, George Town, Grand Cayman, B.W.I,  Facsimile
No.  (809)  949-8080;   Attention:  Tim  Ridley,  with  a  copy  to  Guarantors;
GUARANTORS: 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.   Borrower  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  Borrower  or any
amendment  thereof  and (iii) if a default  or an Event of Default  occurs,  all
reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Banks, including
fees and disbursements of counsel,  in connection with such default and Event of
Default and collection and other enforcement  proceedings  resulting  therefrom.
The Borrower hereby acknowledges 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  Borrower  in  connection  with  the
transactions described in this Agreement. The



                                      -50-

<PAGE>



Borrower is relying on separate counsel in the transaction described herein. The
Borrower shall indemnify the Banks against any transfer  taxes,  document taxes,
assessments  or  charges  made by any  governmental  authority  by reason of the
execution,  delivery and filing of the Loan  Documents.  The 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  Borrower  to the Banks
hereunder and under the Notes.

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




                                      -51-

<PAGE>



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

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

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

         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.



                                      -52-

<PAGE>



         22.  Amendments or Waivers.  Neither this  Agreement nor any other Loan
Document nor any terms hereof or thereof may be changed, waived or discharged or
terminated  unless such change,  waiver,  discharge or termination is in writing
signed by the  Borrower and the Majority  Banks,  provided  that no such change,
waiver,  discharge or termination shall, without the consent of each Bank (other
than a Defaulting Bank) affected thereby, (i) extend the Maturity Date (it being
understood that any waiver of the application of any prepayment of the Revolving
Loans or the method of application  of any  prepayment  shall not constitute any
such  extension),  to reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of  interest
(other  than as a  result  of  waiving  the  applicability  of any  post-default
increase in interest  rates) or fees  thereon,  or reduce the  principal  amount
thereof,  (ii)  increase the  Revolving  Commitment  of any Bank over the amount
thereof  then in effect  (it being  understood  that a waiver of any  condition,
covenant, Default or Event of Default shall not constitute a change in the terms
of any Revolving Commitment of any Bank), (iii) release or permit the release of
any Collateral from the Lien of the respective Security  Instruments,  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  Borrower  of any of its 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
(ix) amend this  sentence.  No provision  of Section 2, or any other  provisions
relating to 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,



                                      -53-

<PAGE>



provided,  however,  that Borrower may not, without the prior written consent of
the Banks, assign any rights, powers, duties or obligations hereunder.

         27.      Assignments and Participations.

                  (a) Each Bank shall have the right to sell, assign or transfer
         all or any part of its Note or Notes, its Revolving Commitments and its
         rights and  obligations  hereunder to an Eligible  Assignee;  provided,
         that  with  each  sale,  assignment  or  transfer  (other  than  to  an
         Affiliate, a Bank or a Federal Reserve Bank), shall require the consent
         of  Borrower  and  Agent,  which  consents  will  not  be  unreasonably
         withheld;  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 Borrower an Assignment and Acceptance and the Note or Notes subject
         to such assignment and other documents  evidencing any such assignment.
         An  assignment  fee in the  amount of $2,500  for each such  assignment
         (other than to an Affiliate,  a Bank or the Federal  Reserve Bank) will
         be payable to Agent by assignor or  assignee.  Within five (5) Business
         Days after its receipt of copies of the  Assignment  and Acceptance and
         the other documents  relating  thereto and the Note or Notes,  Borrower
         shall  execute  and  deliver to Agent  (for  delivery  to the  relevant
         assignee)  a new  Note or Notes  evidencing  such  assignee's  assigned
         Revolving  Commitment,  and within a reasonable  time after delivery of
         such new Note or Notes to Agent, Agent shall return the old or replaced
         Note or Notes to  Borrower,  and if the  assignor  Bank has  retained a
         portion  of  its  Revolving  Commitment,  a  replacement  Note  in  the
         principal amount of the Revolving  Commitment  retained by the assignor
         (except as provided in the last  sentence  of this  paragraph  (a) such
         Note or Notes,  to be in exchange  for, but not in payment of, the Note
         or Notes  held by such  Bank).  On and after the  effective  date of an
         assignment  hereunder,  the assignee  shall for all purposes be a Bank,
         party to this  Agreement  and any other Loan  Document  executed by the
         Banks and shall have all the rights and obligations of a Bank under the
         Loan  Documents,  to the same  extent as if it were an  original  party
         thereto,  and no further  consent or action by  Borrower,  Banks or the
         Agent shall be required to release the transferor



                                      -54-

<PAGE>



         Bank with respect to its Revolving Commitment assigned to such assignee
         and the transferor Bank shall henceforth be so released.

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

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

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

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

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

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

     28. Choice of Forum:  Consent to Service of Process and  Jurisdiction.  THE
OBLIGATIONS  OF BORROWER  UNDER THE LOAN  DOCUMENTS  ARE  PERFORMABLE  IN HARRIS
COUNTY,  TEXAS. ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE BORROWER WITH RESPECT
TO THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY JUDGMENT  ENTERED BY ANY COURT IN RESPECT  THEREOF,
MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS,  COUNTY OF HARRIS, OR IN THE
UNITED STATES COURTS



                                      -55-

<PAGE>



LOCATED  IN  HARRIS  COUNTY,  TEXAS  AND  THE  BORROWER  HEREBY  SUBMITS  TO THE
NON-EXCLUSIVE  JURISDICTION  OF SUCH  COURTS  FOR THE  PURPOSE OF ANY SUCH SUIT,
ACTION OR PROCEEDING.  THE BORROWER  HEREBY  IRREVOCABLY  CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF
PROCESS IN ANY SUIT,  ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SAID COURT BY THE MAILING  THEREOF
BY BANK BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL,  POSTAGE PREPAID,  TO THE BORROWER,  AS
APPLICABLE,  AT THE ADDRESS FOR NOTICES AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 16. THE  BORROWER
HEREBY  IRREVOCABLY  WAIVES ANY OBJECTION  WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO
THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING
TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT BROUGHT IN THE COURTS LOCATED IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, COUNTY
OF HARRIS,  AND HEREBY FURTHER  IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH SUIT,
ACTION  OR  PROCEEDING  BROUGHT  IN  ANY  SUCH  COURT  HAS  BEEN  BROUGHT  IN AN
INCONVENIENT FORUM.

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

         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.




                                      -56-

<PAGE>



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

                                BORROWER:

                                ATWOOD OCEANICS PACIFIC LIMITED
                                a Cayman Islands company


                                By:
                                         Michael Cardenas
                                         Vice President and Director

                                GUARANTORS:

                                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



                                      -57-

<PAGE>



                                           BANKS:

Revolving Commitment:                      BANK ONE, NA,
                                           a national banking association
$8,333,335.00


                                           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.:          (___) ___-____




                                      -58-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:                       CHRISTIANIA BANK OG KREDITKASSE ASA,
                                                     NEW YORK BRANCH
$7,500,000.00


                                       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





                                      -59-

<PAGE>



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

$3,333,333.00

                                                     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.:




                                      -60-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:       CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ

$4,333,333.00

                            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 Gustad
                            Telephone No.  +47 22 83 30 50
                            Fax No.:       +47 22 83 30 55




                                      -61-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:                       CREDIT LYONNAIS, NEW YORK BRANCH

$7,500,000.00

                                          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




                                      -62-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:              NATEXIS BANQUE BFCE

$4,333,333.00

                                            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.:          (___) ___-____



                                      -63-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:                       THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED,
                                                     HOUSTON AGENCY
$4,333,333.00

                                           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.:




                                      -64-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:                       FORTIS CAPITAL CORP.

$6,000,000.00
                                     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.:




                                      -65-

<PAGE>



Revolving Commitment:                       WHITNEY NATIONAL BANK

$4,333,333.00
                                       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>



                                    AGENT:

                                    BANK ONE, NA
                                    a national banking association



                                    By:
                                             Kenneth J. Fatur, Vice President



                                     -67-

<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:

868558.8



                                      -68-

<PAGE>




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