CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC
S-1, 1998-04-22
OIL & GAS FIELD SERVICES, NEC
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    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON APRIL 22, 1998.

                                                     REGISTRATION NO. 333-
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------

                                    FORM S-1

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------

                          CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                    <C>                                          <C>
                                                          1389
               MINNESOTA                                  1311                                  95-3409686
     (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION             (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL                   (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
   OF INCORPORATION OF ORGANIZATION)           CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)                IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

                    400 N. SAM HOUSTON PARKWAY E., SUITE 400
                              HOUSTON, TEXAS 77060
                                 (281) 618-0400

              (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
        INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANTS PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

                                ANDREW C. BECHER
                   SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                          CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                    400 N. SAM HOUSTON PARKWAY E., SUITE 400
                              HOUSTON, TEXAS 77060
                                 (281) 618-0400

              (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                   INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                            ------------------------
                                   COPIES TO:

           ARTHUR H. ROGERS                         RICHARD M. RUSSO                      T. MARK KELLY
      FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI L.L.P.             GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER, LLP            VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P.
   1301 MCKINNEY STREET, SUITE 5100        1801 CALIFORNIA STREET, SUITE 4100         2300 FIRST CITY TOWER
         HOUSTON, TEXAS 77010                       DENVER, CO 80202                    1001 FANNIN STREET
            (713) 651-5151                           (303) 298-5775                    HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002
                                                                                          (713) 758-2222
</TABLE>
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO PUBLIC.  As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, please check the following box.  [ ]

     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]

     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ]

     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  [ ]

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  PROPOSED            PROPOSED
             TITLE OF EACH                     AMOUNT             MAXIMUM             MAXIMUM
          CLASS OF SECURITIES                  TO BE           OFFERING PRICE        AGGREGATE           AMOUNT OF
           TO BE REGISTERED                REGISTERED(1)        PER UNIT(2)      OFFERING PRICE(2)    REGISTRATION FEE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>                  <C> <C>           <C>                   <C>    
Common Stock, no par value.............      2,867,070            $33 3/4           $96,763,613           $28,062
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Includes 373,966 shares that the underwriters may purchase to cover
    over-allotments, if any.

(2) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933.

     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO
SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.

================================================================================
<PAGE>
Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes
effective. This Prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities
in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.

PROSPECTUS (SUBJECT TO COMPLETION)
ISSUED APRIL 22, 1998

                                2,493,104 SHARES
[LOGO]                   CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                                  COMMON STOCK
                            ------------------------

ALL OF THE 2,493,104 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY ARE BEING SOLD BY THE
                   SELLING SHAREHOLDERS. THE COMPANY WILL NOT
      RECEIVE ANY PROCEEDS FROM THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK. SEE "PRINCIPAL
                    AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS." THE COMPANY'S
         COMMON STOCK IS QUOTED ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET UNDER THE
                    SYMBOL "CDIS." ON APRIL 21, 1998 THE LAST
      REPORTED SALE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET
                             WAS $34 1/2 PER SHARE.

                            ------------------------

        SEE "RISK FACTORS" COMMENCING ON PAGE 13 HEREOF FOR INFORMATION
                          THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY
                             PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS.

                       ----------------------------------

  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
       ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
                         CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                     --------------------------------------

                              PRICE $     A SHARE

                     --------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  UNDERWRITING            PROCEEDS TO
                                             PRICE TO             DISCOUNTS AND             SELLING
                                              PUBLIC             COMMISSIONS(1)         SHAREHOLDERS(2)
                                       ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
<S>                                              <C>                                            
PER SHARE............................            $                      $                      $
TOTAL(3).............................           $                      $                      $
</TABLE>
- ------------
  (1) THE COMPANY AND THE SELLING SHAREHOLDERS HAVE AGREED TO INDEMNIFY THE
      UNDERWRITERS AGAINST CERTAIN LIABILITIES, INCLUDING LIABILITIES UNDER THE
      SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. SEE "UNDERWRITERS."
  (2) THE EXPENSES OF THE OFFERING, ESTIMATED AT $    , WILL BE PAYABLE BY THE
      COMPANY.
  (3) CERTAIN OF THE SELLING SHAREHOLDERS HAVE GRANTED THE UNDERWRITERS AN
      OPTION, EXERCISABLE WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE DATE HEREOF, TO PURCHASE UP TO
      AN AGGREGATE OF 373,966 ADDITIONAL SHARES, AT THE PRICE TO PUBLIC LESS
      UNDERWRITING DISCOUNTS AND COMMISSIONS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF COVERING
      OVER-ALLOTMENTS, IF ANY. IF THE UNDERWRITERS EXERCISE SUCH OPTION IN FULL,
      THE TOTAL PRICE TO PUBLIC, UNDERWRITING DISCOUNTS AND COMMISSIONS, AND
      PROCEEDS TO SELLING SHAREHOLDERS WILL BE $         , $         AND
      $         , RESPECTIVELY. SEE "UNDERWRITERS."

                            ------------------------

     THE SHARES ARE OFFERED, SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE, WHEN, AS AND IF ACCEPTED BY
THE UNDERWRITERS NAMED HEREIN, AND SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS
BY VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P., COUNSEL FOR THE UNDERWRITERS. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE
DELIVERY OF THE SHARES WILL BE MADE ON OR ABOUT             , 1998 AT THE OFFICE
OF MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED, NEW YORK, N.Y. AGAINST PAYMENT THEREFOR IN
IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FUNDS.

                            ------------------------

MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
                                                RAYMOND JAMES & ASSOCIATES, INC.
  SIMMONS & COMPANY

                                                           INTERNATIONAL

               , 1998
<PAGE>
                      -------------------------------------

                         [Picture of Uncle John Vessel]

                      -------------------------------------

     The UNCLE JOHN is a twin hull dynamically positioned 254-foot
semisubmersible, multi-service vessel ("MSV") capable of providing well
intervention services and supporting full field development activities in the
Deepwater Gulf of Mexico.

     CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK.
SPECIFICALLY, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVERALLOT IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING,
AND MAY BID FOR, AND PURCHASE, SHARES OF COMMON STOCK IN THE OPEN MARKET. IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS AND SELLING GROUP MEMBERS,
IF ANY, MAY ENGAGE IN PASSIVE MARKET MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK ON
THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 103 UNDER REGULATION M. SEE
"UNDERWRITERS."

                                       2
<PAGE>
                      -------------------------------------

                        [Schematic depicting the services
                       provided by the Company at various
                                  water depths]

                      -------------------------------------

FREQUENTLY USED TERMS:

     4-POINT:  Anchors set (two each) from the fore and aft position of the
vessel over the construction work site.

     DECOMMISSIONING:  The process, supervised by the MMS, of plugging the well,
capping and burying the pipelines serving the field, removing the platform and
clearing the site of all debris within 18 months of the termination of
production.

     DIVE SUPPORT VESSEL (DSV):  Specially constructed vessel which performs
services and acts as an operational base for divers, ROVs and specialized
equipment.

     DYNAMIC POSITIONING (DP):  Satellite based, computer directed thruster
systems which ensure the proper counteraction to wind, current and wave forces
and enable the vessel to stay in position without the use of anchors. Two or
more DP systems are used to provide the redundancy necessary to support safe
manned diving operations.

     MOONPOOL:  An opening in the center of a vessel through which a SAT diving
system or ROV may be deployed, allowing the safest diver or ROV deployment in
adverse weather conditions.

     REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLE (ROV):  Robotic vehicles used to complement,
support and increase the efficiency of diving and subsea operations and for
tasks beyond the capability of manned diving operations.
<PAGE>
     SATURATION (SAT) DIVING:  Saturation diving involves divers working from
special chambers for extended periods at a pressure equivalent to the depth of
the work site. SAT diving is required for work in water depths greater than 300
feet.

     SPOT MARKET:  Market unique to the Gulf of Mexico characterized by projects
generally short in duration and of a turnkey nature. These projects require
constant rescheduling and the availability and interchangeability of multiple
vessels.

     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON COMMONLY USED TERMINOLOGY IN CDI'S INDUSTRY, SEE
"BUSINESS -- THE INDUSTRY."

     -------------------------------------

         [Picture of Witch Queen Vessel]

     -------------------------------------
     The WITCH QUEEN is a 278-foot
     dynamically positioned DSV that has
     SAT diving and ROV capabilities for
     subsea construction projects at any
     water depth.

                                           -------------------------------------

                                            [Picture of Platforms at Block 231]

                                           -------------------------------------
                                           EAST CAMERON BLOCK 231 is one of 14
                                           natural gas and oil fields owned by
                                           Energy Resource Technology, Inc.
<PAGE>
     NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO GIVE
ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS,
AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED
UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY UNDERWRITER. THIS
PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO
BUY ANY SECURITY OTHER THAN THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY, NOR DOES
IT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY
SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY TO ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS
UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION TO SUCH PERSON. NEITHER THE
DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREBY SHALL UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES IMPLY THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY
DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.

                            ------------------------

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
   
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
Available Information................     4
Prospectus Summary...................     5
Risk Factors.........................    13
The Company..........................    17
Use of Proceeds......................    18
Dividend Policy......................    18
Price Range of Common Stock..........    18
Capitalization.......................    19
Selected Financial Data..............    20
Management's Discussion and Analysis
  of Financial Condition and Results
  of Operations......................    21
Business.............................    27
Management...........................    44
Certain Relationships and Related
  Transactions.......................    49
Principal and Selling Shareholders...    51
Description of Capital Stock.........    52
Shares Eligible for Future Sale......    55
Underwriters.........................    56
Legal Matters........................    57
Experts..............................    57
Index to Financial Statements........   F-1
    
                                       3
<PAGE>
   
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     The Company is subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").
Such reports, proxy statements and other information filed by the Company with
the Commission pursuant to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act
may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, Washington,
D.C. 20549, as well as at the Commission's Regional Offices at 7 World Trade
Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and Citicorp Center, 500 West
Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material may
be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549.
The Commission maintains a Web site that contains reports, proxy and information
statements and other information regarding the Company; the address of such site
is http://www.sec.gov. The Company's Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq
National Market. Reports, proxy and information statements and other information
concerning the Company can also be inspected at the Nasdaq National Market at
1735 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.

     The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-1 (including all amendments and exhibits thereto, the "Registration
Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), with respect to the Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus, which
constitutes a part of the Registration Statement, omits certain of the
information contained in the Registration Statement and the exhibits and
schedules thereto on file with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act and
the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. For further information
with respect to the Company and its Common Stock, reference is made to the
Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. Statements
contained in this Prospectus regarding the contents of any agreement or other
document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement are not necessarily
complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such agreement
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement being
qualified in all respects by such reference. The Registration Statement,
including the exhibits and schedules thereto, can be inspected and copied at the
Commission's offices as described above.
    
                                       4
<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, INCLUDING THE NOTES THERETO,
APPEARING ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS. UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, THE
INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS ASSUMES THAT THE UNDERWRITERS' OVER-ALLOTMENT
OPTION WILL NOT BE EXERCISED. UNLESS THE CONTEXT INDICATES OTHERWISE, ANY
REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS TO THE "GULF OF MEXICO" OR THE "GULF" REFERS TO
THE U.S. GULF OF MEXICO, AND "CDI", "CAL DIVE" OR THE "COMPANY" REFERS TO
CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND ITS PREDECESSORS, TOGETHER WITH ITS WHOLLY
OWNED SUBSIDIARIES, INCLUDING ENERGY RESOURCE TECHNOLOGY, INC. ("ERT"), ITS
INTEREST IN THE VENTURE WITH COFLEXIP, QUANTUM OFFSHORE CONTRACTORS, LTD.
("QUANTUM"), AND ITS EQUITY OWNERSHIP IN AQUATICA, INC. ("AQUATICA").

                                  THE COMPANY

GENERAL

     CDI is a leading subsea contractor providing construction, maintenance and
decommissioning services to the oil and gas industry from the shallowest to the
deepest waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Over three decades, CDI has developed a
reputation for innovation in underwater construction techniques and equipment.
With its diversified fleet of 11 vessels, CDI performs services in support of
drilling, well completion and construction projects involving pipelines,
production platforms and risers and subsea production systems. Through ERT, the
Company acquires and operates mature offshore natural gas and oil properties, in
order to provide customers a cost effective alternative to the decommissioning
process. In 1997, CDI derived 85% of its revenues from its subsea contracting
operations and 15% from ERT's production of natural gas and oil. The Company's
customers include major and independent natural gas and oil producers, pipeline
transmission companies and offshore engineering and construction firms.

     In the shallower waters of the Gulf (up to 1,000 feet), CDI performs
traditional subsea services which include air and saturation ("SAT") diving in
support of marine construction activities. CDI is uniquely qualified to provide
these services in the Gulf "spot market" where projects are generally turnkey
in nature, short in duration (two to 30 days) and require constant rescheduling
and availability of multiple vessels. Of the Company's 11 vessels that perform
these traditional services, five support SAT diving and three of these have
dynamic positioning ("DP") systems. CDI has the largest fleet of SAT and DP
vessels permanently deployed in the Gulf. In addition, the Company's highly
qualified personnel have the technical and operational experience to manage
turnkey projects to satsify customers requirements and achieve CDI's targeted
profitability. Between 1993 and 1996 leases awarded in the Gulf's shallower
waters more than doubled pushing offshore rig utilization in the Gulf over 90%.
Demand for CDI's services typically follows drilling activity in the shallow
waters by six to 18 months and in depths greater than 1,000 feet (the
"Deepwater") by 12 to 24 months.

     As the activity in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico continues to increase,
technological challenges inherent to the environment are requiring subsea
contractors to develop new and modify existing technology. Through its Deepwater
Technical Services Group, CDI provides integrated solutions to satisfy its
customers' Deepwater construction and maintenance needs. With a fleet of five
Deepwater-capable vessels, CDI has the most technically diverse fleet
permanently deployed for the delivery of these subsea solutions in the Gulf.
This fleet includes the DP multi-service vessel ("MSV") UNCLE JOHN, three DP
vessels, WITCH QUEEN, BALMORAL SEA and MERLIN, and the Deepwater service barge,
SEA SORCERESS. Quantum, the Company's joint venture with Coflexip, is now
offering a sixth Deepwater vessel, CSO CONSTRUCTOR. The alliance with Coflexip
and other alliances with offshore service and equipment providers enhance CDI's
ability to provide both full field development and life of field services. In
1997, the Deepwater Gulf experienced record lease sales, increased drilling
activity, new discoveries, increased subsea development and advances in drilling
and completion technology. The Company believes that the Deepwater Gulf of
Mexico will continue to be among the most active exploration and development
areas.

     The Company is a leader in the decommissioning of mature oil and gas
properties in the shallow water Gulf of Mexico. According to Offshore Magazine,
CDI performed 32% of all structure removal projects in the Gulf of

                                       5
<PAGE>
Mexico from January 1, 1996 through June 30, 1997, with the next closest
competitor at 13%. The Company also acquires, produces and develops mature
properties prior to decommissioning and as such is one of few companies with the
combined attributes of financial strength, reservoir engineering, operations
expertise and company-owned salvage assets acquiring mature properties in the
Gulf of Mexico.

     The Company traces its origins to California Divers Inc., a company which
pioneered the use of mixed gas diving in the early 1960s when oilfield
exploration off the Santa Barbara coast moved to water depths beyond 250 feet.
Cal Dive commenced operations in the Gulf of Mexico in 1975. In recent years,
CDI has experienced increased demand for its services due to the increased
offshore drilling and production activities in the Gulf, particularly in the
Deepwater. The Company's growth strategy has consisted of three basic elements:
(i) identifying niche markets that are underserviced or where no service exists,
(ii) developing the technical expertise to service such markets and (iii)
acquiring assets or seeking business alliances which fill the market gap. As a
result, CDI's revenues increased by a compounded annual growth rate of 71% from
$37.5 million in 1995 to $109.4 million in 1997. Similarly, net income has
increased by a compounded annual growth rate of 133%, $2.7 million in 1995 to
$14.5 million in 1997.

COMPANY STRENGTHS

  DIVERSIFIED FLEET OF VESSELS

     CDI's fleet provides a full complement of subsea construction, maintenance
and decommissioning project capabilities. CDI distinguishes itself by having the
largest fleet of vessels with fully redundant DP systems permanently deployed in
the Gulf. The services provided by the Company's vessels are both overlapping
and complementary in a number of market segments, enabling the Company to deploy
its vessels to areas of highest utility and margin potential in all water depths
where development is currently contemplated.

  EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL AND TURNKEY CONTRACTING

     The Company's highly qualified personnel enable it to compete effectively
in the Gulf's unique "spot market" for offshore construction projects and to
manage turnkey projects to satisfy customer needs and achieve CDI's targeted
profitability. The Company believes the recognized skill of its personnel
positions it to capitalize on the trend in the oil and gas industry towards
outsourcing additional responsibility to contractors.

  DEEPWATER TECHNICAL SERVICES

     The Company has established a unique niche by assembling the specialized
assets, technical personnel and exclusive alliance agreements that provide a
cost effective solution to the rising demand for Deepwater services. As a
result, the Company is able to meet the fast-track requirements of Deepwater
development projects. In April 1997, Quantum was established to undertake
Deepwater construction projects and provide integrated services and advanced
technology to its customers, drawing upon the capabilities and strengths of both
companies. Coflexip chartered the DP vessel CSO CONSTRUCTOR to Quantum in 1998.

  MAJOR PROVIDER OF SATURATION DIVING SERVICES

     Management believes that CDI is the largest provider of SAT diving services
in the Gulf of Mexico. All of CDI's SAT diving vessels have moonpool systems,
which allow safe diver deployment in adverse weather conditions. Because
Deepwater field developments must be tied into the existing Gulf infrastructure,
management believes there will be increasing demand for the Company's SAT diving
services.

  LEADER IN SHALLOW WATER SALVAGE OPERATIONS

     The Company has established a leading position in the decommissioning of
facilities in the shallow water Gulf of Mexico, performing 32% of all structure
removal projects from January 1, 1996 to June 30, 1997. The Company expects the
demand for decommissioning services to increase due to the significant number of
platforms that must be removed in accordance with government regulations. Over
75% of the 3,800 platforms in the Gulf are over ten years old, and there are
approximately 15,000 wells that must ultimately be decommissioned.

                                       6
<PAGE>
  OPERATION OF MATURE NATURAL GAS AND OIL PROPERTIES

     CDI is one of the few companies with the combined attributes of financial
strength, reservoir engineering, operations expertise and company-owned salvage
assets that is acquiring mature properties in the Gulf of Mexico. These
attributes result in significant strategic and cost advantages. The Company has
personnel experienced in geology and reservoir and production engineering which
allows ERT to maximize production of the properties until they are
decommissioned.

GROWTH STRATEGY

  FOCUS ON THE GULF OF MEXICO

     Cal Dive intends to maintain its focus on the Gulf of Mexico where the
Company is well positioned to respond to rising market demand for services in
all water depths. In recent years there have been significant new field
discoveries in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico, including 11 in 1997. The 1997 and
1998 Gulf of Mexico lease sales by the Minerals Management Service ("MMS")
attracted record bidding levels both in terms of the number of leases receiving
bids and the amount of capital exposed, including a record level of interest in
Deepwater blocks. Even though 20% less acreage was offered in the 1998 Central
Gulf lease sale, the total capital exposed was $1.4 billion in 1998 versus $1.2
billion for the prior year. Deepwater discoveries are resulting in increased
demand for CDI's services, as reflected in both continued high vessel
utilization rates and increased operating margins. In addition, the anticipated
increase in drilling activity following the record lease sales should result in
increased demand for CDI's services.

  CAPTURE A SIGNIFICANT SHARE OF THE DEEPWATER MARKET

     As the activity in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico continues to increase,
there exists a growing need for new applications of subsea services and
technology and subsea contractors to develop and deploy such technology.
Customers purchasing such services typically prefer a specialized vessel with
redundant DP systems as a work platform. CDI has the largest fleet of such
vessels operating in the Gulf. The Company believes that well completion, subsea
installation and infield connection projects have become more critical in an era
of limited availability of Deepwater drilling equipment. Through its Deepwater
Technical Services Group, the Company provides integrated solutions to satisfy
its customers' Deepwater subsea construction and maintenance needs. The
Company's MSV UNCLE JOHN has the capacity to undertake certain well completion
activities at lower day rates than semisubmersible drilling rigs, thereby
reducing cost to the operator and releasing the drilling rig for other projects.
CDI has negotiated alliance agreements with a number of specialized contractors,
as well as establishing Quantum with Coflexip, to provide the full range of
services necessary for Deepwater subsea construction projects. The objective of
this strategy is to increase the proportion of the Deepwater field development
expenditures captured by Cal Dive while reducing the project duration and
overall cost to the operator.

     To gain a greater share of the Deepwater market, the Company is designing
the first sixth-generation multi-service vessel, the MSV 3500. The vessel would
be a new generation of the semisubmersible design of the MSV UNCLE JOHN, unique
due to the absence of lower hull cross bracing. Planned variable deck load of
approximately 4,000 metric tons and a large deck area would make the vessel
particularly well suited for large offshore construction projects in Deepwater.
High transit speed would allow it to move rapidly from one location to another.
CDI is currently attempting to secure long-term utilization contracts and
industry partners for the vessel. There can be no assurance that the MSV 3500
will be built or that such contracts or industry partners will be obtained.

  CAPITALIZE ON SYNERGIES WITH COFLEXIP

     CDI entered into a strategic alliance with Coflexip to strengthen its
position in the Deepwater Gulf and to respond to the trend toward full field
development services. Management believes that Coflexip and CDI together offer
complementary products and services which significantly expand CDI's ability to
provide full field development services. A product of this alliance is Quantum
which was formed in April 1997. Coflexip is a

                                       7
<PAGE>
world leader in the design and manufacture of flexible pipe and umbilicals and
is one of the leading subsea construction contractors. Coflexip operates 10 of
the 31 globally competitive construction vessels, which is the largest
concentration of Deepwater vessels in the world. Headquartered in Paris, France,
Coflexip employs approximately 3,500 people on five continents. In 1997,
Coflexip had sales of $1.2 billion and total assets of $1.25 billion at
year-end.

  RESPOND TO SHALLOWER WATER FAST TRACK FIELD DEVELOPMENT

     Management believes that the large amount of leased acreage in the
shallower water of the Gulf and the shortages of drilling rigs and completion
equipment will create a demand for fast-track drilling and development
solutions. CDI's recent acquisitions of assets, its skilled personnel and its
technical expertise put the Company in a strong competitive position to be able
to respond to the vessel and other equipment needs for developing new oil or
natural gas fields. CDI's strategic alliances also provide many of the
non-vessel assets required in offshore drilling and production. CDI intends to
apply these assets, technologies and capabilities in a cost effective manner in
all water depths to satisfy its customers' fast-track drilling and development
needs.

  EXPAND THE COMPANY'S DECOMMISSIONING AND NATURAL GAS AND OIL OPERATIONS

     Management believes CDI's reputation in the industry and its experience in
decommissioning projects make the Company a preferred buyer of mature natural
gas and oil properties. In the last three years, ERT has purchased properties
from Amoco, Unocal, Texaco, Conoco, Sonat and Total. CDI is pursuing a number of
opportunities to expand the number of mature offshore properties for which the
Company will bid. In addition, the Company will continue, on a selective basis,
to acquire non-operated working interests in fields where there is the potential
of Cal Dive being awarded the decommissioning work.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

     Since CDI's initial public offering in July 1997, CDI has (i) expanded and
strengthened its relationship with Coflexip; (ii) added two deepwater vessels,
MERLIN and SEA SORCERESS, and taken delivery of two Triton ROVs; (iii) purchased
a significant minority equity stake in Aquatica, a shallow water diving company;
(iv) acquired interests in four mature offshore producing oil and gas fields;
and (v) added to its management team.

      o   EXPANDED AND STRENGTHENED COFLEXIP RELATIONSHIP.  As part of its
          strategy in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico, CDI established Quantum with
          its venture partner Coflexip in April 1997. Quantum will pursue full
          field service projects in the Gulf utilizing the services of both
          companies. Coflexip has chartered the DP vessel, CSO CONSTRUCTOR, to
          Quantum. The financial results of the joint venture will be
          consolidated into CDI's financial statements.

      o  NEW VESSELS AND ROVS.

         In December 1997, CDI acquired a DP ROV support vessel, the MERLIN.
         This vessel is specifically designed for Deepwater ROV intervention,
         survey, and coring. Twin moonpools facilitate deployment and recovery
         of ROVs in rough seas.

         In October 1997, CDI acquired the SEA SORCERESS, a 374 foot Deepwater
         service barge with a 6-point mooring system and a large moonpool. The
         vessel has a deck load capacity of 10,000 tons and is certified to
         handle 65,000 barrels of hydrocarbon storage.

         In May and June 1997, CDI took delivery of two Triton XL ROVs, the
         newest generation of Deepwater work class ROVs. CDI's goal is to
         utilize these units in support of Deepwater projects and its turnkey
         business rather than become a volume provider of ROVs.

      o   AQUATICA INVESTMENT.  In February 1998, CDI purchased a significant
          minority stake in Aquatica, a new shallow water diving company formed
          by Sonny Freeman, the former Chief Operating Officer of American
          Oilfield Divers. This investment allows CDI to increase its
          participation in the shallow water

                                       8
<PAGE>
          market segment, which is experiencing strong demand, while maintaining
          the Company's focus on its Deepwater strategy.

      o   PURCHASE OF MATURE GAS PROPERTIES.  In November 1997 and January 1998,
          ERT acquired interests in four mature properties located offshore of
          Louisiana, which combined have 12 producing wells and 11 structures.

      o   MANAGEMENT SUCCESSION.  As part of a three year succession plan, Jerry
          Reuhl, CDI's Chairman since 1990, intends to resign his position and
          become a consultant to CDI in the second quarter of 1998. Owen Kratz,
          who became President of CDI in 1993 and Chief Executive Officer in
          April 1997, is expected to assume the role of Chairman. In January
          1998, Martin Ferron became Chief Operating Officer of CDI. He has over
          16 years of experience in the oilfield industry, including the last
          seven years in senior management positions with J. Ray McDermott and
          Oceaneering International, Inc. in Europe.

                                       9
<PAGE>
                                  THE OFFERING
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                     <C>    
Common Stock offered by:

     The Selling Shareholders........  2,493,104 shares(1)

Common Stock to be outstanding after   14,544,831 shares(2)(3)
  the Offering.......................

Use of proceeds......................  The Company will not receive any proceeds from
                                       the sale of Common Stock by the Selling
                                       Shareholders.

Nasdaq National Market Symbol........  CDIS
</TABLE>
- ------------

(1) Does not include 373,966 shares which may be sold by certain Selling
    Shareholders pursuant to the Underwriters' over-allotment option. See
    "Principal and Selling Shareholders" and "Underwriters."

(2) Excludes 984,500 shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding options. See
    "Management -- Compensation Pursuant to Plans."

(3) Excludes shares which may be issued to shareholders of Aquatica. Dependent
    upon various pre-conditions, the shareholders of Aquatica have the right to
    convert their shares into Cal Dive shares at a ratio based on a formula
    which, among other things, must result in accretion to Cal Dive's earnings
    per share.

                                       10
<PAGE>
                SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA

     The following summary financial and operating data is qualified in its
entirety by the more detailed information appearing in "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the
Consolidated Financial Statements, including the notes thereto, appearing
elsewhere in this Prospectus.

                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                          --------------------------------
                                            1995       1996        1997
                                          ---------  ---------  ----------
                                           (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT
                                                 PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
     Revenues:
          Subsea and salvage............  $  32,747  $  63,870  $   92,860
          Natural gas and oil
            production..................      4,777     12,252      16,526
                                          ---------  ---------  ----------
               Total revenues...........     37,524     76,122     109,386
                                          ---------  ---------  ----------
     Gross profit.......................      8,849     22,086      33,685
     Operating income...................      3,917     13,795      22,489
     Income before taxes................      3,721     13,014      22,281
     Net income.........................  $   2,674  $   8,435  $   14,482
     Diluted net income per share.......  $    0.24  $    0.75  $     1.09
OTHER DATA:
     Net cash provided by (used in):
          Operating activities..........  $  11,996  $   7,645  $   22,294
          Investing activities..........    (19,584)   (27,300)    (28,288)
          Financing activities..........      7,475     19,700      18,815
     EBITDA(1)..........................      6,650     19,017      29,916
     Depreciation and amortization......      2,794      5,257       7,512
     Capital expenditures...............     16,857     27,289      28,936
OPERATING DATA:
     Number of Vessels (at end of
       period):
          DP MSV........................          0          1           1
          DP DSVs.......................          2          2           3
          DSVs..........................          5          5           5
          Other.........................          1          1           2
                                          ---------  ---------  ----------
               Total vessels............          8          9          11
     Natural Gas & Oil Properties:
          Producing properties
            acquired....................          7          5           2
          Total properties..............          9         14          14
     Natural Gas & Oil Production:
          Gas (MMcf)....................      2,382      4,310       5,385
          Oil (MBbls)...................         33         38          51

- ------------

(1) As used herein, EBITDA represents earnings before net interest and other
    expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is frequently used by
    security analysts and is presented here to provide additional information
    about the Company's operations. EBITDA should not be considered as an
    alternative to net income as an indicator of the Company's operating
    performance or as an alternative to cash flow as a more appropriate measure
    of liquidity.

                                       11
<PAGE>
                                             AS OF
                                         DECEMBER 31,
                                             1997
                                       -----------------
                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
     Cash and cash equivalents.......      $  13,025
     Working capital.................         28,927
     Total assets....................        125,600
     Long-term debt..................       --
     Shareholders' equity............         89,369

                    SUMMARY NATURAL GAS AND OIL RESERVE DATA

     The following table sets forth summary data with respect to the Company's
estimated proved natural gas and oil reserves and related estimated future net
revenue at December 31, 1997, and is based upon the report of Miller & Lents,
Ltd. ("Miller & Lents"), independent petroleum engineers. For additional
information relating to the Company's natural gas and oil reserves, see "Risk
Factors -- Uncertainty of Estimates of Oil and Gas Reserves" and
"Business -- Natural Gas and Oil Operations" and the Supplemental Information
on Oil and Gas Exploration and Producing Activities included in note 11 of the
notes to Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus.

                                           TOTAL PROVED(1)
                                        ----------------------
                                        (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Estimated Proved Reserves:
  Natural Gas (MMcf).................            22,245
  Oil and Condensate (MBbls).........               200
Standardized measure of discounted
  future net cash flows(2)...........          $ 19,760

- ------------

(1) East Cameron Blocks 231 and 353 purchased in January 1998 described below
    are not included in the above December 31, 1997 summary. The estimated
    proved reserves for these blocks as of the end of 1997 were 6,504 MMcf of
    natural gas and 58 MBbls of oil.

(2) The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows attributable to
    the Company's reserves was prepared using constant prices as of December 31,
    1997, discounted at 10% per annum.

                                       12
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS

     AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF
RISK. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS
IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS. THIS
PROSPECTUS INCLUDES CERTAIN STATEMENTS THAT MAY BE DEEMED "FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS" WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 27A OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND SECTION
21E OF THE EXCHANGE ACT. ALL STATEMENTS OTHER THAN STATEMENTS OF HISTORICAL
FACTS, INCLUDED IN THIS PROSPECTUS THAT RELATE TO BUSINESS PLANS OR STRATEGIES,
PROJECTED OR ANTICIPATED BENEFITS OR OTHER CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH PLANS OR
STRATEGIES, PROJECTED OR ANTICIPATED BENEFITS FROM ACQUISITIONS MADE BY OR TO BE
MADE BY CDI OR PROJECTIONS INVOLVING ANTICIPATED REVENUES, EARNINGS, OR OTHER
ASPECTS OF OPERATING RESULTS ARE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. THE WORDS
"EXPECT," "BELIEVE," "ANTICIPATE," "PROJECT," "ESTIMATE," AND SIMILAR
EXPRESSIONS ARE INTENDED TO IDENTIFY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. THE COMPANY
CAUTIONS READERS THAT SUCH STATEMENTS ARE NOT GUARANTEES OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE
OR EVENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO A NUMBER OF FACTORS THAT MAY TEND TO INFLUENCE THE
ACCURACY OF THE STATEMENTS AND THE PROJECTIONS UPON WHICH THE STATEMENTS ARE
BASED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THOSE DISCUSSED BELOW. AS NOTED ELSEWHERE,
ALL PHASES OF CDI'S OPERATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO A NUMBER OF UNCERTAINTIES, RISKS
AND OTHER INFLUENCES, MANY OF WHICH ARE OUTSIDE THE CONTROL OF CDI, AND ANY ONE
OR A COMBINATION OF WHICH COULD MATERIALLY AFFECT THE RESULTS OF CDI'S
OPERATIONS AND THE ACCURACY OF FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MADE BY CDI. THE
FOLLOWING DISCUSSION OUTLINES CERTAIN FACTORS THAT COULD AFFECT CDI'S
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR 1998 AND BEYOND AND CAUSE THEM TO DIFFER
MATERIALLY FROM THOSE THAT MAY BE SET FORTH IN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MADE
BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY.

VOLATILITY OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS PRICES AND CYCLICALITY OF THE OIL AND GAS
INDUSTRY

     The Company's business is substantially dependent upon the condition of the
oil and gas industry and, in particular, the willingness of oil and gas
companies to make capital expenditures on exploration, drilling and production
operations offshore. The level of capital expenditures is generally dependent on
the prevailing view of future oil and gas prices, which are influenced by
numerous factors affecting the supply and demand for oil and gas, including
worldwide economic activity, interest rates and the cost of capital,
environmental regulation, tax policies, coordination by the Organization of
Petroleum Exporting Countries ("OPEC"), the cost of exploring for and
producing oil and gas, the sale and expiration dates of offshore leases in the
United States and overseas, the discovery rate of new oil and gas reserves in
offshore areas and technological advances. Oil and gas prices and the level of
offshore drilling and production activity have been characterized by significant
volatility in recent years. Although the level of offshore exploration, drilling
and production activity has not declined, there can be no assurance that such
activity levels will be sustained and that there will not be continued
volatility in the level of drilling and production related activities. A
sustained period of low hydrocarbon prices would likely have a material adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Overview."

VESSEL OPERATING RISKS AND LIMITATION OF INSURANCE COVERAGE

     Marine construction involves a high degree of operational risk. Hazards,
such as vessels sinking, grounding, colliding and sustaining damage from severe
weather conditions are inherent in marine operations. These hazards can cause
personal injury or loss of life, severe damage to and destruction of property
and equipment, pollution or environmental damage and suspension of operations.
Damage arising from such an occurrence may result in lawsuits asserting large
claims. CDI maintains such insurance protection as it deems prudent, including
Jones Act employee coverage (the maritime equivalent of workers compensation)
and hull insurance on its vessels. There can be no assurance that any such
insurance will be sufficient or effective under all circumstances or against all
hazards to which CDI may be subject. A successful claim for which CDI is not
fully insured could have a material adverse effect on the Company. Moreover, no
assurance can be given that CDI will be able to maintain adequate insurance in
the future at rates that it considers reasonable. As construction activity moves
into deeper water in the Gulf of Mexico, construction projects tend to be larger
and more complex than shallow water projects. As a result, the Company's
revenues and profits are increasingly dependent on its larger vessels. While the
Company currently insures its vessels against property loss due to a
catastrophic marine disaster, mechanical failure or collision, the loss of any
of the Company's large vessels as a result of such event could result in a

                                       13
<PAGE>
substantial loss of revenues, increased costs and other liabilities and could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's operating performance. See
"Business -- Insurance and Litigation."

SHORTAGES OF RIGS, EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL

     There is currently a shortage of drilling rigs, equipment and personnel in
the Gulf, particularly relating to Deepwater Gulf exploration and development.
The costs and delivery times of rigs, equipment and personnel have been
increasing and could continue to escalate. Prolonged shortages of drilling rigs,
equipment or personnel could delay the exploration for and development of
natural gas and oil in the Gulf and have an adverse effect on the Company's
operations.

SEASONALITY AND ADVERSE WEATHER RISKS

     Marine operations conducted in the Gulf of Mexico are seasonal and depend,
in part, on weather conditions. Historically, CDI has enjoyed its highest vessel
utilization rates during the third and fourth quarters of the year when weather
conditions are favorable for offshore exploration, development and construction
activities and has experienced its lowest utilization rates in the first
quarter. During certain periods of the year, CDI typically bears the risk of
delays caused by adverse weather conditions. Accordingly, the results of any one
quarter are not necessarily indicative of annual results or continuing trends.
See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations."

CONTRACT BIDDING AND ALLIANCE RISKS

     A majority of CDI's projects are currently performed on a qualified turnkey
basis. The revenue, cost and gross profit realized on a contract can vary from
the estimated amount because of changes in offshore job conditions, variations
in labor and equipment productivity from the original estimates and performance
of others such as alliance partners. These variations and risks inherent in the
marine construction industry may result in CDI experiencing reduced
profitability or losses on projects. Although CDI has entered into a number of
strategic alliances, there can be no assurance that these alliances will be
successful or that contracts resulting from these alliances will not result in
unforeseen operational difficulties. In addition, CDI has only recently
established its Quantum venture with Coflexip. Since the venture is in its early
stages, the number of projects, if any, and the benefits to the Company's
business prospects and financial condition from the venture are uncertain.

UNCERTAINTY OF ESTIMATES OF NATURAL GAS AND OIL RESERVES

     This Prospectus contains an estimate of the Company's proved natural gas
and oil reserves and the estimated future net cash flows therefrom based upon a
report prepared as of December 31, 1997 by Miller & Lents that relies upon
various assumptions, including assumptions required by the Commission as to
natural gas and oil prices, drilling and operating expenses, capital
expenditures, taxes and availability of funds. The process of estimating natural
gas and oil reserves is complex, requiring significant decisions and assumptions
in the evaluation of available geological, geophysical, engineering and economic
data for each reservoir. As a result, such estimates are inherently imprecise.
Actual future production, cash flows, development expenditures, operating
expenses and quantities of recoverable natural gas and oil reserves may vary
substantially from those estimated in the report. Any significant variance in
these assumptions could materially affect the estimated quantity and value of
reserves set forth in this Prospectus. See "Business -- Decommissioning and
Natural Gas and Oil Operations."

NATURAL GAS AND OIL OPERATING RISKS

     The Company's natural gas and oil operations are subject to the usual risks
incident to the operation of natural gas and oil wells, including, but not
limited to, uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas, brine or well fluids into
the environment, blowouts, cratering, mechanical difficulties, fires,
explosions, pollution and other risks, any of which could result in substantial
losses to the Company. In accordance with industry practice, CDI maintains
insurance against some, but not all, of the risks described above. See
"Business -- Insurance and Litigation."

                                       14
<PAGE>
COMPETITION

     The business in which the Company operates is highly competitive. Several
of the Company's competitors are companies that are substantially larger and
have greater financial and other resources than the Company. If other
international companies relocate vessels to the Gulf of Mexico, levels of
competition may increase and the Company's business could be adversely affected.
See "Business -- Competition."

CUSTOMER CONCENTRATION

     CDI's customers consist primarily of major and independent natural gas and
oil producers, pipeline transmission companies and offshore engineering and
construction companies. During 1996 and 1997, the Company derived approximately
24% and 19% of its consolidated revenue, respectively, from one customer and 11%
of its consolidated revenue in 1997 from another customer. While CDI currently
has a good relationship with its customers, the loss of any one of its largest
customers, or a sustained decrease in demand, could result in a substantial loss
of revenues and could have a material adverse effect on the CDI's operating
performance.

DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL AND RETENTION OF EMPLOYEES

     CDI's success depends on the continued active participation of key
management personnel. The loss of key people could adversely affect CDI's
operations. The Company has two-year employment and non-compete agreements with
each of its twelve senior officers. See "Management." CDI believes that its
success and continued growth is also dependent upon its ability to employ and
retain skilled personnel. While the Company believes that its wage rates are
competitive and that its relationship with its workforce is good, a significant
increase in the wages paid by other employers could result in a reduction in the
Company's workforce, increases in the wage rates paid by the Company, or both.
If either of these events occur for any significant period of time, the
Company's profitability could be diminished and the growth potential of the
Company could be impaired.

REGULATORY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

     CDI's subsea construction, inspection, maintenance and decommissioning
operations and its natural gas and oil production from offshore properties
(including decommissioning of such properties) are subject to and affected by
various types of government regulation, including numerous federal, state and
local environmental protection laws and regulations. These laws and regulations
are becoming increasingly complex, stringent and expensive and there can be no
assurance that continued compliance with existing or future laws or regulations
will not adversely affect the operations of CDI. Significant fines and penalties
may be imposed for non-compliance. See "Business -- Government Regulation" and
"Business -- Environmental Regulations."

POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF MARKET PRICE

     The market price of the Common Stock may fluctuate depending on various
factors, including the general economy, stock market conditions, general trends
in the oilfield services industry, announcements by CDI or its competitors and
variations in the Company's operating results.

VOTING CONTROL BY PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

     After giving effect to this Offering, certain shareholders of CDI will own
approximately 47% of the outstanding Common Stock (44% if the Underwriters'
over-allotment option is exercised in full). Those shareholders are parties to a
shareholders agreement which, among other things, provides for the election of
directors. As a result, these current shareholders may be able to control the
outcome of certain matters requiring a shareholder vote, including the election
of directors. See "Business -- Coflexip Strategic Alliance," "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions" and "Principal and Selling
Shareholders."

ABSENCE OF DIVIDENDS

     CDI has never paid cash dividends on its Common Stock and intends for the
foreseeable future to retain any earnings otherwise available for dividends for
the future operation and growth of the CDI's business. In addition, CDI's
financing arrangements prohibit the payment of cash dividends on its capital
stock. See "Dividend Policy."

                                       15
<PAGE>
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

     Upon completion of this Offering, the Selling Shareholders, Coflexip and
the directors and officers of CDI will beneficially own approximately 6,972,000
shares of the Common Stock, which will represent approximately 48% of the then
issued and outstanding shares (45% if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is
exercised in full). The Company, the Selling Shareholders, Coflexip and the
directors and officers of CDI have agreed, pursuant to certain lock-up
agreements, that they will not offer, sell, contract to sell, grant any option
to sell, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly,
any shares of Common Stock owned by them, or that could be purchased by them
through the exercise of options or warrants to purchase Common Stock of the
Company, for a period of 90 days after the date of this Prospectus without the
prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated. After the expiration
of the agreements, however, such shareholders may sell shares pursuant to Rule
144 under the Securities Act. In addition, certain shareholders, including
Coflexip, have been granted "demand" and "piggyback" registration rights by
the Company with respect to all of the shares of Common Stock owned by them.
Although the Company cannot predict the timing or amount of future sales of
Common Stock or the effect that the availability of such shares for sale will
have on the market price prevailing from time to time, sales of substantial
amounts of Common Stock in the public market could adversely affect the market
price of the Common Stock. See "Principal and Selling Shareholders,"
"Description of Capital Stock -- Registration Rights" and "Shares Eligible
for Future Sale."

ANTI-TAKEOVER CONSIDERATIONS

     The Board of Directors of CDI has the authority, without any action by the
shareholders, to fix the rights and preferences on up to 5,000,000 shares of
undesignated preferred stock, including dividend, liquidation and voting rights.
In addition, CDI's Articles of Incorporation divide the Company's Board of
Directors into three classes. Except for a transaction involving Coflexip (which
is specifically excluded), CDI also is subject to certain anti-takeover
provisions of the Minnesota Business Corporations Act ("MBCA"). In addition,
CDI is a party to a Shareholders Agreement that provides Coflexip with a right
of first refusal in connection with certain acquisition proposals for CDI. Any
or all of the provisions or factors described above may have the effect of
discouraging a takeover proposal or tender offer not approved by management and
the Board of Directors of CDI, and could result in shareholders who may wish to
participate in such a proposal or tender offer receiving less for their shares
than otherwise might be available in the event of a takeover attempt. See
"Description of Capital Stock -- Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions" and
"Certain Relationships and Related Transactions."

                                       16
<PAGE>
                                  THE COMPANY

     Cal Dive is a leading provider of subsea construction, maintenance and
decommissioning services to the offshore natural gas and oil industry in the
Gulf of Mexico. In July 1990, the Company was purchased by a group of investors
including current management and key employees. In September 1992, Cal Dive
formed ERT as a wholly owned subsidiary to purchase producing offshore natural
gas and oil properties which are in the later stages of their economic lives. In
January 1995, certain of the funds managed by First Reserve Corporation ("First
Reserve Funds") acquired 5,549,630 shares of the Company's Common Stock. In
1997, Coflexip purchased 3,699,788 shares of the Company's Common Stock, and
Quantum was organized. Most of the Company's senior and middle operations
management have been actively involved with Cal Dive since the mid-1980s.

     The Company traces its origins to California Divers Inc., which pioneered
the use of mixed gas diving in the early 1960s when oilfield exploration off the
Santa Barbara coast moved to water depths beyond 250 feet. Cal Dive commenced
operations in the Gulf of Mexico in 1975. Since that time, the Company's growth
strategy has consisted of three basic elements: (i) identifying niche markets
that are underserviced or where no service exists, (ii) developing the technical
expertise to provide the service and (iii) acquiring assets or seeking business
alliances which fill the market gap.

     This growth strategy has frequently involved expanding beyond the Company's
main contracting base and developing innovative service capabilities to meet
customer needs, including the following significant milestones:

       o   1984  --  SATURATION VESSELS: Custom designed the first DSV with
                     moonpool deployed SAT diving systems dedicated for use in
                     the Gulf of Mexico.

       o   1986  --  TURNKEY CONTRACTING: Began providing subsea construction
                     work on a fixed price basis enabling Gulf customers to
                     better control project costs.

       o   1989  --  SALVAGE OPERATIONS: Chartered, and later acquired, the CAL
                     DIVE BARGE I for shallow water salvage operations, a
                     business synergistic with the Company's traditional diving
                     services.

       o   1992  --  NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION: Formed a natural gas production
                     company, ERT, to expand customer options for
                     decommissioning of mature offshore properties and to expand
                     off-season salvage activity.

       o   1993  --  WELL SERVICING: Added a new upstream service, well
                     servicing, as a complement to the Company's salvage
                     services and to exploit the value of ERT properties through
                     enhanced recovery techniques.

       o   1994  --  DYNAMIC POSITIONING: Chartered a DP DSV for use in the Gulf
                     of Mexico, enabling the Company to work through the winter
                     months and in deeper water. This vessel, the BALMORAL SEA,
                     was subsequently acquired in August 1996.

       o   1995  --  FIRST DP DSV: Acquired and enhanced a DP DSV, the WITCH
                     QUEEN, to expand the Company's marine construction and
                     subsea services to include flexible pipelay, umbilical lay,
                     coiled line pipe installation, decommissioning and ROV
                     support.

       o   1996  --  MULTI-SERVICE VESSEL: Acquired and enhanced a
                     semisubmersible MSV, the UNCLE JOHN, as the cornerstone of
                     the Company's Deepwater strategy, thereby expanding its
                     product line to include geotechnical investigation, laying
                     of infield flowlines, installation of flexible and hard
                     jumpers, platform risers and turnkey field development.

       o   1997  --  STRATEGIC ASSET ACQUISITIONS AND ALLIANCES: Added three
                     Deepwater vessels, created the Quantum venture with
                     Coflexip and implemented other formal alliance agreements
                     with offshore service and equipment providers to enhance
                     CDI's ability to provide the necessary services and assets
                     for full field development and life of field management.

     The Company was organized under the laws of Minnesota in June 1990. The
principal executive offices of the Company are located at 400 N. Sam Houston
Parkway E., Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77060, and its telephone number is (281)
618-0400.

                                       17
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS

     The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Common Stock
offered hereby.

                                DIVIDEND POLICY

     The Company has never paid cash dividends on its Common Stock and does not
intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The Company currently
intends to retain earnings, if any, for the future operation and growth of its
business. In addition, the Company's financing arrangements prohibit the payment
of cash dividends on its capital stock. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and
Capital Resources."

                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

     The Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market ("Nasdaq"). The
Common Stock is quoted through Nasdaq under the symbol "CDIS." The following
table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing sale
prices of the Common Stock as reported on Nasdaq since the Company's initial
public offering in July 1997.

Year ended December 31, 1997            HIGH      LOW
                                        ----      ----
     Third Quarter...................   $ 373/4   $19 1/2
     Fourth Quarter..................     38       22 1/4
Year ending December 31, 1998
     First Quarter...................     33       23 1/4
     Second Quarter (through April
       21)...........................     363/4    32 1/2

     A recent last sale price for the Company's Common Stock as reported on
Nasdaq is set forth on the front cover page of this Prospectus. As of April 15,
1998 there were approximately 550 holders of record of the Common Stock.

                                       18
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION

     The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company as of
December 31, 1997. This table should be read in conjunction with "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and
the Company's Financial Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this
Prospectus.

                                                 AS OF
                                           DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                           ------------------
                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
Short-term debt.........................        --
Long-term debt..........................        --
Shareholders' equity:
     Common Stock, no par value,
      60,000,000 shares authorized;
      21,345,040 shares issued and
      outstanding.......................        $ 52,832
     Additional paid-in capital.........        --
     Retained earnings..................          40,288
     Treasury Stock, 6,820,209 shares...          (3,751)
                                           ------------------
          Total shareholders' equity....          89,369
                                           ------------------
Total capitalization....................        $ 89,369
                                           ==================

                                       19
<PAGE>
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

     The historical financial data presented in the table below for and at the
end of each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 1997 are
derived from the consolidated financial statements of the Company audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants. The data should be read in
conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, including the
notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus and "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                       -----------------------------------------------------
                                         1993       1994       1995       1996       1997
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                             (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>      
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
    Revenues:
         Subsea and salvage..........  $  35,365  $  35,718  $  32,747  $  63,870  $  92,860
         Natural gas and oil
           production................      1,807      2,314      4,777     12,252     16,526
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
         Total revenues..............     37,172     38,032     37,524     76,122    109,386
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Cost of sales:
         Subsea and salvage..........     26,208     25,477     25,568     46,766     67,538
         Natural gas and oil
           production................        587      1,594      3,107      7,270      8,163
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Gross profit.....................     10,377     10,961      8,849     22,086     33,685
    Selling and administrative
      expenses.......................      4,075      4,657      4,932      8,291     11,196
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Operating income.................      6,302      6,304      3,917     13,795     22,489
    Other income and expenses:
         Interest expense, net.......        395        428        135        745        123
         Other expense, net..........        148         69         61         36         85
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Income before income taxes.......      5,759      5,807      3,721     13,014     22,281
         Provision for income
           taxes.....................      1,811      1,773      1,047      4,579      7,799
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
    Net income.......................  $   3,948  $   4,034  $   2,674  $   8,435  $  14,482
                                       =========  =========  =========  =========  =========
    Net income per share:
         Basic.......................  $    0.31  $    0.48  $    0.24  $    0.76  $    1.12
         Diluted.....................       0.30       0.46       0.24       0.75       1.09
    Weighted average number of shares
      outstanding:
         Basic.......................     12,908      8,319     11,016     11,099     12,883
         Diluted.....................     13,014      8,836     11,055     11,286     13,313
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
    Net cash provided by (used in):
         Operating activities........  $   4,944  $     857  $  11,996  $   7,645  $  22,294
         Investing activities........     (1,803)    (3,049)   (19,584)   (27,300)   (28,288)
         Financing activities........     (2,283)       291      7,475     19,700     18,815
    EBITDA(1)........................      7,637      8,252      6,650     19,017     29,916
    Depreciation and amortization....      1,483      2,017      2,794      5,257      7,512
    Capital expenditures.............      1,203      1,397     16,857     27,289     28,936

                                                          AS OF DECEMBER 31,
                                       ---------------------------------------------------------
                                         1993       1994       1995       1996          1997
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------   ------------
                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
    Working capital..................  $   5,309  $   6,052  $   4,033  $  13,411     $ 28,927
    Total assets.....................     22,798     28,633     44,859     83,056      125,600
    Long-term debt...................      5,141      3,766      5,300     25,000       --
    Shareholders' equity.............      6,360     10,394     22,408     30,844       89,369
</TABLE>
- ------------

(1) As used herein, EBITDA represents earnings before net interest expense,
    taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is frequently used by security
    analysts and is presented here to provide additional information about the
    Company's operations. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to
    net income as an indicator of the Company's operating performance or as an
    alternative to cash flow as a more appropriate measure of liquidity.

                                       20
<PAGE>
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

     In recent years, Cal Dive has experienced increased demand for its services
due to the increased offshore drilling and production activities in the Gulf,
particularly in deeper waters over 1,000 feet. The increase in offshore drilling
and production activity has been driven by a number of factors, including (i)
the prospect for relatively larger hydrocarbon discoveries in deepwater areas
and (ii) recent technological advances in offshore drilling and production
equipment, seismic data collection and interpretation techniques, and drilling
techniques, which have enhanced the economics of offshore drilling and
production. As a result, Cal Dive's revenues have increased by a compound annual
growth rate of 71% from $37.5 million in 1995 to $109.4 million in 1997.
Similarly, net income has grown 133% compounded annually from $2.7 million in
1995 to $14.5 million in 1997.

     Natural gas and oil prices, the offshore mobile rig count and Gulf of
Mexico lease activity are three of the primary indicators management uses to
predict the level of the Company's business. CDI's construction services
generally follow successful drilling activities by six to eighteen months on the
OCS and twelve to twenty-four months in the Deepwater arena. The level of
drilling activity is related to both short and long-term trends in natural gas
and oil prices. A decline in natural gas and oil prices generally leads to a
reduction in offshore drilling activity which can lower demand for construction
services. Recently, this relationship has been less pronounced due to a number
of industry trends, including advances in technology that have increased
drilling success rates and efficiency, and a worldwide growth in the demand for
both natural gas and oil. U.S. oil and gas companies spent $24.3 billion on
exploration and development in 1997 (both offshore and onshore), up 37% from
1996. The number of offshore rigs working in the Gulf of Mexico has averaged
close to full utilization since mid-1995 which has led to, and management
expects will lead to further, increased construction activity over the next
several years. Given worldwide shortages of drilling rigs, subsea hardware and
experienced personnel, efforts to drill Deepwater Gulf of Mexico leases on a
timely basis have accelerated demand for the Company's subsea services resulting
in improved pricing. Worldwide oil prices began to decline during the fourth
quarter of 1997. The decline accelerated in the first quarter of 1998. Continued
low oil prices could cause customers to scale back or eliminate 1998 drilling
programs and could reduce demand for the Company's services.

     Natural gas and oil prices impact the Company's operations in several
respects. The Company seeks to acquire producing natural gas and oil properties
that are generally in the later stages of their economic life. These properties
typically have few, if any, unexplored drilling locations, so the potential
abandonment liability is a significant consideration. Although higher natural
gas prices tended to reduce the number of mature properties available for sale,
these higher prices contributed to improved operating results for the Company in
1996 and 1997. Salvage operations consist of platform decommissioning, removal
and abandonment services. In addition, salvage related support, such as debris
removal and preparation of platform legs for removal, is often provided by the
Company's surface diving vessels. In 1989, management targeted platform removal
and salvage operations as a regulatory driven activity which offers a partial
hedge against fluctuations in the commodity price of natural gas. In particular,
MMS regulations require removal of platforms within eighteen months from the
date production ceases and also require remediation of the seabed at the well
site to its original state. In 1996 and 1997, the Company contracted and
managed, on a turnkey basis, all aspects of the decommissioning and abandonment
of certain large fields using third party heavy lift derrick barges, a service
the Company intends to expand in the future.

                                       21
<PAGE>
     The following table sets forth for the periods presented (i) average U.S.
natural gas prices, (ii) the Company's natural gas production, (iii) the average
number of offshore rigs under contract in the Gulf of Mexico, (iv) the number of
platforms installed and removed in the Gulf of Mexico and (v) the vessel
utilization rates for each of the major categories of the Company's fleet.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1995                                      1996    
                                       ------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------
                                          Q1         Q2         Q3         Q4         Q1         Q2         Q3         Q4
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                    <C>             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>      
U.S. Natural Gas Prices(1)...........  $    1.46  $    1.57  $    1.47  $    1.98  $    3.16  $    2.37  $    2.15  $    2.81
ERT Gas Production (MMcf)............        241        481        865        795        970        918      1,169      1,253
Rigs Under Contract in the Gulf of
  Mexico(2)..........................        119        131        143        148        149        156        161        164
Platform Installations(3)............         12         17         26         22         12         35         31         30
Platform Removals(3).................         14         36         23         10         11         11         25         30
Average Company Vessel Utilization
  Rate(4)............................
    Dynamically Positioned(5)........         77%        --         --         90%        81%        71%        82%        92%
    Saturation DSV...................         38%        53%        88%        88%        55%        73%        82%        88%
    Surface Diving...................         45%        63%        77%        74%        62%        77%        85%        74%
    Derrick Barge....................         21%        46%        63%        32%        16%        57%        91%        65%

                                                          1997
                                       ------------------------------------------
                                          Q1         Q2         Q3         Q4
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
U.S. Natural Gas Prices(1)...........  $    2.67  $    2.13  $    2.46  $    2.88
ERT Gas Production (MMcf)............      1,519      1,213      1,381      1,252
Rigs Under Contract in the Gulf of
  Mexico(2)..........................        165        169        168        169
Platform Installations(3)............         16         21         29         39
Platform Removals(3).................          3         21         31         28
Average Company Vessel Utilization
  Rate(4)............................
    Dynamically Positioned(5)........         60%        79%        92%        94%
    Saturation DSV...................         58%        77%        81%        77%
    Surface Diving...................         53%        80%        90%        81%
    Derrick Barge....................         22%        78%        99%        89%
</TABLE>
- ------------

(1) Average of the monthly Henry Hub cash prices in dollars per MMBtu, as
    reported in Natural Gas Week.

(2) Average weekly number of rigs contracted, as reported by Offshore Data
    Services.

(3) Number of installation and removal of platforms with two or more piles in
    the Gulf of Mexico, as reported by Offshore Data Services.

(4) Average vessel utilization rate is calculated by dividing the total number
    of days the vessels in each category generated revenues by the total number
    of days in each quarter.

(5) The BALMORAL SEA was operated by the Company under charters from September
    1994 to February 1995 and from April 1996 to August 8, 1996, at which time
    it was acquired by the Company. The Company purchased its first DP vessel,
    the WITCH QUEEN, in November 1995.

     Vessel utilization is historically lower during the first quarter due to
winter weather conditions in the Gulf of Mexico. Accordingly, the Company plans
its drydock inspections and other routine and preventive maintenance programs
during this period. During the first quarter, a substantial number of the
Company's customers finalize capital budgets and solicit bids for construction
projects. The bid and award process during the first two quarters leads to the
commencement of construction activities during the second and third quarters.
The Company's operations can also be severely impacted by weather during the
fourth quarter. The Company's salvage barge, which has a shallow draft, is
particularly sensitive to adverse weather conditions, and its utilization rate
will be lower during such periods. To minimize the impact of weather conditions
on the Company's operations and financial condition, CDI began operating DP
vessels and expanded into the acquisition of mature offshore properties. The
unique station-keeping ability offered by dynamic positioning enables these
vessels to operate throughout the winter months and in rough seas. Operation of
natural gas and oil properties tends to offset the impact of weather since the
first and fourth quarters are typically periods of high demand for natural gas
and of strong natural gas prices. Due to this seasonality, full year results are
not likely to be a direct multiple of any particular quarter or combination of
quarters.

                                       22
<PAGE>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

  COMPARISON OF YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996

     REVENUES.  Consolidated revenues of $109.4 million in 1997 were 44% more
than the $76.1 million reported during 1996 due primarily to the addition of DP
vessels, improved demand for traditional subsea services and increased natural
gas and oil production. Revenues from DP vessels increased 89% to $47.6 million
in 1997 as compared to the prior year due to the full year operations of the
BALMORAL SEA and UNCLE JOHN (vessels placed in service in April and October
1996, respectively). This increase, combined with stronger market conditions for
surface diving and supply boats offset the impact of seven vessels being out of
service for a combined 48 weeks for regulatory inspections, preventative
maintenance, vessel upgrades and unscheduled repairs. During 1996 only two such
vessels were out of service for any significant length of time.

     Revenue from natural gas and oil production was $16.5 million for the year
ended 1997 from 14 properties as compared to $12.3 million in 1996 from nine
properties. The 1997 revenue benefited from prior year well enhancement efforts.
Average gas sales prices improved slightly in 1997 compared to 1996.

     GROSS PROFIT.  Gross profit increased by $11.6 million, or 53%, from $22.1
million in 1996 to $33.7 million in 1997. The addition of the UNCLE JOHN and
BALMORAL SEA to the Company's fleet were responsible for over half of the
increase. The remaining increase was due to improved demand for traditional
subsea services and increased natural gas and oil production. Subsea and Salvage
margins were unchanged between 1997 and 1996 despite the Company encountering
difficulties on a large construction project in the third quarter of 1997 and
the unusually active 1997 regulatory inspection and maintenance program which
resulted in Subsea and Salvage repair costs of $6.3 million as compared to $3.4
million in 1996.

     Natural gas and oil production gross profit was $8.4 million for the year
ended December 31, 1997 as compared to $5.0 million for the prior year. The
increase was due mainly to the acquisition of five blocks during the second half
of 1996 and the gain recorded on the sale of two properties during the second
quarter of 1997.

     SELLING & ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.  Selling and administrative expenses
were 10% of 1997 revenues, an improvement from 11% in 1996. Such expenses in
1997 were $11.2 million as compared to $8.3 million in 1996. The increase was
due mainly to the addition of new personnel to support the Company's deepwater
strategy and growth in its base business and to higher levels of bonuses. The
remainder of the increase was due to the ERT incentive compensation program
whereby key management personnel share in the improved earnings of the natural
gas and oil production segment.

     NET INTEREST.  Net interest expense decreased by $622,000 (from $745,000 in
1996 to $123,000 in 1997) due mainly to the Company retiring all debt in July
1997 with the proceeds received from the initial public offering. Borrowings
under the Revolving Credit Agreement averaged $20.1 million during the first
half of 1997 prior to the July 1997 retirement as compared to $13.0 million
during 1996.

     INCOME TAXES.  Income taxes were $7.8 million for 1997 as compared to $4.6
million for the prior year. The increase was due to the Company's increased
profitability. Higher depreciation related to the newly acquired DP vessels
resulted in a reduction of the amount of cash taxes paid (as a percentage of
pre-tax income) in 1997 compared to 1996 and also a corresponding increase in
the deferred tax liability.

     NET INCOME.  Net income increased 72% to $14.5 million for the year ended
December 31, 1997 as compared to $8.4 million in 1996 as a result of factors
described above.

  COMPARISON OF YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995

     REVENUES.  Consolidated revenues of $76.1 million in 1996 were more than
double the $37.5 million reported in the prior year due primarily to the
addition of new DP vessels and to higher commodities prices and increased
production from natural gas and oil properties. A full year of operations from
WITCH QUEEN (placed in service in November 1995) and the additions of BALMORAL
SEA and UNCLE JOHN (placed in service in April and October 1996) increased
revenues from the DP vessels to 33% of consolidated 1996 revenues compared to
10% in 1995. The establishment of a new management team resulted in improved
performance in the operation of the salvage assets, which included the removal
of four large structures by subcontracting heavy lift barges. Natural gas and
oil production from 14 offshore blocks owned at year-end 1996 was $12.3 million

                                       23
<PAGE>
compared to $4.8 million in 1995. This increase of $7.5 million, or 156%, was a
result of natural gas prices increasing by approximately 58% and to production
from the five properties acquired in 1996, as well as the full year
contributions of the Company's other properties.

     GROSS PROFIT.  Gross profit increased by $13.2 million in 1996, from $8.8
million in 1995 to $22.1 million in 1996. Improved rates and performance on
turnkey contracts resulted in subsea and salvage margins increasing from 22% in
1995 to 27% in 1996. This increase reflects in part the benefit of operating
five specialized vessels capable of supporting saturation diving. Gross profit
from salvage assets was $2.2 million in 1996, or 13% of that generated by subsea
and salvage operations, in contrast to "break-even" results for the prior
year. Natural gas and oil production gross profit was $5.0 million in 1996
compared to $1.7 million in the prior year, with the $3.3 million increase
resulting from higher natural gas prices and greater production levels.

     SELLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.  Selling and administrative expenses
were 11% of 1996 revenues, an improvement from 13% in 1995. Such expenses in
1996 were $8.3 million as compared to $4.9 million in 1995. Payments of $2.3
million made under 1996 incentive plans represented an increase of $2.0 million
over 1995. The balance of the increase reflected higher sales and administrative
costs necessary to support the 103% increase in 1996 revenues.

     NET INTEREST.  Net interest expense increased by $610,000 (from $135,000 in
1995 to $745,000 in 1996) due to the borrowings incurred in conjunction with the
acquisition of the BALMORAL SEA and UNCLE JOHN. Borrowings under the Revolving
Credit Agreement averaged $13.0 million in 1996 compared to $6.0 million in
1995.

     INCOME TAXES.  Income taxes of $4.6 million compares to $1.0 million in
1995 as a result of significant increases in 1996 margins and profitability. The
effective tax rate increased significantly, from 28% to 35%, because the Company
no longer qualified for the "Small Producer" tax benefit of percentage
depletion. Higher depreciation related to the new DP vessels resulted in a
reduction in the amount of cash taxes paid. In 1996, cash payments for income
taxes were $2.2 million, or 48% of the total $4.6 million tax provision.

     NET INCOME.  In 1996, net income of $8.4 million increased $5.8 million, or
215%, from 1995 as a result of the factors described above.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     The Company has historically funded its operating activities principally
from internally generated cash flow, even in an industry-depressed year such as
1992. The 1995 equity infusion from the First Reserve Funds and its investment
funds, together with internally generated cash flow, enabled the Company to
formulate and implement its deepwater expansion strategy.

     As of December 31, 1997, the Company had $28.9 million of working capital
(including $13.0 million of cash on hand) and no debt outstanding. The Company
completed an initial public offering of common stock on July 7, 1997, with the
sale of 2,875,000 shares generating net proceeds to the Company of approximately
$39.5 million, net of underwriting discounts and issuance costs. The proceeds
were used to fund capital expenditures during 1997, and to repay all outstanding
long-term indebtedness. In January, 1998, the Company acquired interests in six
blocks involving two separate fields (including 49 wells). The Company also
purchased a significant minority stake in Aquatica, Inc. (a shallow water diving
company) in February 1998 for cash and a commitment to lend additional funds of
$5 million to allow Aquatica to purchase vessels and fund other growth
opportunities. As of March 31, 1998, the Company had no debt outstanding and
maintained $11 million of cash on hand after funding the acquisition of two
vessels in late 1997 (SEA SORCERESS and MERLIN), ERT's purchase of the offshore
properties mentioned above and the equity investment in Aquatica, Inc.
Additionally, the Company has approximately $37 million available under a
Revolving Credit Agreement with Fleet Capital Corporation, as amended, which
terminates on December 31, 2000 (the "Revolving Credit Agreement"). The
Company has had, and anticipates having additional discussions with third
parties regarding possible asset acquisitions (including natural gas and oil
properties and vessels). However, the Company can give no assurance that any
such transaction can be completed.

                                       24
<PAGE>
     OPERATING ACTIVITIES.  Net cash provided by operating activities was $22.3
million in 1997, as compared to $7.6 million provided in 1996. This increase was
primarily the result of increased profitability and a decline in the level of
funding required to fund accounts receivable increases ($5.8 million required in
1997 compared to $15.3 million in 1996). In addition, depreciation and
amortization increased as a result of vessel and natural gas and oil properties
acquisitions. The Company experienced improved collections of its billed
accounts receivable during 1997 as compared to the prior year. Total accounts
receivable increased $5.8 million at December 31, 1997, as compared to December
31, 1996, due to the 44% growth in revenues. The revenue allowance on gross
amounts billed increased $800,000 as of December 31, 1997 compared to $1,021,000
at December 31, 1996 due to the aforementioned increase in activity and certain
billing issues that were subsequently negotiated within the allowances provided.

     Net cash provided by operating activities was $7.6 million in 1996 as
compared to $12.0 million in 1995, with the decrease principally a result of
$15.3 million necessary to fund an increase in accounts receivable. Accounts
receivable increased 140% over the prior year, a level greater than the 103%
increase in revenues due to the significant increase in revenues from offshore
activity at the end of the Company's fiscal year 1996 which led to a much higher
accounts receivable balance at December 31, 1996. This increase in activity and
revenues also resulted in a significant increase in the revenue allowance on
gross amounts billed for the reasons described above. Depreciation and
amortization also increased by $2.5 million as a result of the new vessel
additions. However, as noted previously, overall subsea and salvage margins
increased from 22% in 1995 to 27% in 1996 notwithstanding higher depreciation
charges. The additional depreciation increased the provision for deferred income
taxes which was $2.1 million in 1996, compared to $600,000 in the prior year.

     INVESTING ACTIVITIES.  Capital expenditures have consisted principally of
strategic asset acquisitions including the WITCH QUEEN, BALMORAL SEA, UNCLE
JOHN, SEA SORCERESS and MERLIN, improvements to existing vessels and the
acquisition of offshore natural gas and oil properties. The Company incurred
$28.9 million of capital expenditures during 1997. During the third quarter, the
Company acquired a 374 foot by 104 foot ice-strengthened vessel (the SEA
SORCERESS). During the fourth quarter, the Company acquired a 198 foot by 40
foot DP vessel (the MERLIN) designed for long term ROV, survey and coring
support. The remaining capital expenditures included the acquisition of two work
class ROVs from Coflexip, the costs associated with installation of a derrick on
the UNCLE JOHN and the cash portion of the fourth quarter natural gas and oil
properties acquisition discussed below.

     During the second quarter of 1997, the Company sold two offshore natural
gas and oil properties for approximately $1.0 million. While divesting
properties runs counter to the corporate goal of growing ERT, the transaction
enabled CDI to lock in acquisition economics and to dispose of a major
exploratory block where ERT was not the operator. This transaction was
structured as a Section 1031 "Like Kind" exchange for tax purposes.
Accordingly, the cash received was restricted to use for acquisition of
additional natural gas and oil properties. This restriction was removed in the
fourth quarter with the acquisition of property interests in two offshore
blocks.

     From 1993 through January 1998, the Company has invested $19 million,
including $8 million in cash, to acquire 18 offshore natural gas and oil
properties in nine separate transactions. ERT offshore property acquisitions are
recorded at the value exchanged at closing together with an estimate of its
proportionate share of the decommissioning liability assumed in the purchase
based upon its working interest ownership percentage. Only the cash paid at
closing is reflected in the Company's statement of cash flows together with bond
and escrow deposits required in connection with these purchases. The MMS
requires an operator bond, and certain of the purchase and sale agreements have
required the Company to fund portions of the estimated decommissioning
liability. Accordingly, the Company's balance sheet as of December 31, 1997
included $5.7 million of cash deposits restricted for abandonment obligations
which aggregated $6.5 million on that date. In addition, the Company had also
issued letters of credit totaling $2.9 million at December 31, 1997 in lieu of
cash deposits in connection with property acquisitions.

     FINANCING ACTIVITIES.  The Company has financed seasonal operating
requirements and capital expenditures with internally generated funds,
borrowings under credit facilities, and the sale of Common Stock. The Revolving
Credit Agreement currently provides for a $40.0 million revolving line of
credit. The Revolving Credit

                                       25
<PAGE>
Agreement is secured by trade receivables and mortgages on the Company's
vessels. The Revolving Credit Agreement prohibits the payment of dividends on
the Company's capital stock and contains only one financial covenant (a fixed
charge coverage ratio) and a limitation that debt not exceed $60 million.
Interest on borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement is equal to LIBOR
plus a percentage (currently 1.25%) pursuant to a formula based upon EBDIT (as
defined therein). No borrowings were outstanding at December 31, 1997. Letters
of credit are also available under the Revolving Credit Agreement which the
Company typically uses if performance bonds are required or, in certain cases,
in lieu of purchasing U.S. Treasury Bonds in conjunction with gas and oil
property acquisitions.

     During the first two quarters of 1997, the Company repaid $5 million, net
of its borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement and in the third quarter
repaid the remaining $20 million outstanding with proceeds from its initial
public offering. Also, during the second quarter the Company completed a
transaction with Coflexip whereby Coflexip agreed to accept treasury shares as
payment for two ROVs ordered in February.

     CAPITAL COMMITMENTS.  In connection with its business strategy, management
expects the Company to acquire or build additional vessels, upgrade or convert
existing vessels, acquire other assets such as ROVs, as well as seek to buy
additional natural gas and oil properties. Depending upon the size of any future
acquisitions, the Company may require additional debt financing, possibly in
excess of the Revolving Credit Agreement, as amended, or additional equity
financing. Other than potential asset acquisitions, management believes the net
cash generated from operations and available borrowing capacity under the
Revolving Credit Agreement will be adequate to meet funding requirements for
1998.

IMPACT OF YEAR 2000 ISSUE

     The Company has assessed what computer software will require modification
or replacement so that its computer systems will properly utilize dates beyond
December 31, 1999. The Company has purchased, and is presently implementing, a
new project management accounting system which is Year 2000 compliant. This
system, which fully integrates all of its modules, will provide project managers
and accounting personnel with up-to-date information enabling them to better
control jobs in addition to providing benefits of inventory control and planned
vessel maintenance. This implementation will be completed during 1998.
Accordingly, the Company believes that with this conversion, the Year 2000 issue
will be resolved in a timely manner and presently does not believe that the cost
to become Year 2000 compliant will have a material adverse effect on the
Company's consolidated financial statements. Finally CDI's vessel computer DP
systems are dependent on government satellites which have not yet confirmed that
they have solved Year 2000 data transmission problems.

                                       26
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS

GENERAL

     CDI is a leading subsea contractor providing construction, maintenance and
decommissioning services to the oil and gas industry from the shallowest to the
deepest waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Over three decades, CDI has developed a
reputation for innovation in underwater construction techniques and equipment.
With its diversified fleet of 11 vessels, CDI performs services in support of
drilling, well completion and construction projects involving pipelines,
production platforms and risers and subsea production systems. Through ERT, the
Company acquires and operates mature offshore natural gas and oil properties
which provides customers a cost effective alternative to the decommissioning
process. The Company's customers include major and independent natural gas and
oil producers, pipeline transmission companies and offshore engineering and
construction firms. See Note 10 of the notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements for financial information with respect to the Company's business
segments.

     In water depths up to 1,000 feet, CDI performs traditional subsea services
which include air and SAT diving in support of marine construction activities.
CDI is uniquely qualified to provide these services in the Gulf "spot market"
where projects are generally turnkey in nature, short in duration (two to 30
days) and require constant rescheduling and availability of multiple vessels. Of
the Company's 11 vessels that perform these traditional services, five support
SAT diving and three of these have DP systems. CDI has the largest fleet of SAT
and DP vessels permanently deployed in the Gulf. In addition, the Company's
highly qualified personnel have the technical and operational experience to
manage turnkey projects to satsify customers' requirements and achieve CDI's
targeted profitability. Between 1993 and 1996 leases awarded in the Gulf's
shallower waters more than doubled pushing offshore rig utilization in the Gulf
over 90%. Demand for CDI's services typically follows drilling activity in the
shallower waters by six to 18 months and in the Deepwater by 12 to 24 months.

     As the activity in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico continues to increase,
technological challenges inherent to the environment are requiring subsea
contractors to develop new and modify existing technology. Through its Deepwater
Technical Services Group, CDI provides integrated solutions to satisfy its
customers' Deepwater construction and maintenance needs. With a fleet of five
Deepwater-capable vessels, CDI has the most technically diverse fleet
permanently deployed for the delivery of these subsea solutions in the Gulf.
This fleet includes the DP multi-service vessel UNCLE JOHN, three DP vessels,
WITCH QUEEN, BALMORAL SEA, and MERLIN, and the Deepwater service barge, SEA
SORCERESS. Quantum, the Company's joint venture with Coflexip, is now offering a
sixth vessel, CSO CONSTRUCTOR. The alliance with Coflexip and other alliances
with offshore service and equipment providers enhance CDI's ability to provide
both full field development and life of field services. In 1997, the Deepwater
Gulf experienced record lease sales, increased drilling activity, new
discoveries, increased subsea development and advances in drilling and
completion technology. The Company believes that the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico
will continue to be among the most active exploration and development areas.

     The Company is a leader in the decommissioning of mature oil and gas
properties in the shallow water Gulf of Mexico. According to Offshore Magazine,
CDI performed 32% of all structure removal projects in the Gulf of Mexico from
January 1, 1996 through June 30, 1997 with the next closest competitor at 13%.
The Company also acquires produces and develops mature properties prior to their
decommissioning and as such is one of few companies with the combined attributes
of financial strength, reservoir engineering, operations expertise and
company-owned salvage assets acquiring mature properties in the Gulf of Mexico.

COMPANY STRENGTHS

  DIVERSIFIED FLEET OF VESSELS

     CDI's fleet provides a full complement of subsea construction, maintenance,
and decommissioning project capabilities. CDI distinguishes itself by having the
largest fleet of vessels with fully redundant DP systems permanently deployed in
the Gulf. The fleet consists of one semisubmersible DP MSV (UNCLE JOHN), four DP
DSV's (WITCH QUEEN, BALMORAL SEA and MERLIN), one Deepwater service barge (SEA
SORCERESS), two 4-point moored saturation DSVs (CAL DIVER I and II), three other
DSVs, two work class ROVs and a

                                       27
<PAGE>
salvage barge. This fleet enables the Company to operate in all Gulf water
depths where development is currently contemplated. The services provided by the
Company's vessels are both overlapping and complementary in a number of market
segments, enabling the Company to deploy its vessels to areas of highest utility
and margin potential in all water depths where development is currently
contemplated. The vessels serve as work platforms for activities performed by
divers in water depths of less than 1,000 feet and by ROVs for projects at all
depths. The Company intends to continue to expand the capabilities of its
diversified fleet through the acquisition of additional vessels and assets.

  EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL AND TURNKEY CONTRACTING

     A shortage of experienced personnel has resulted in a trend in the oil and
gas industry of transferring more responsibility to contractors and suppliers.
Management believes that a key element of its growth strategy and success has
been its pioneering role in providing turnkey contracting and its ability to
attract and retain experienced industry personnel. The Company's highly
qualified personnel enable it to compete effectively in the Gulf's unique "spot
market" for offshore construction projects and to manage turnkey projects to
satisfy customer needs and achieve CDI's targeted profitability. Because of its
experience with turnkey contracting and the recognized skill of its personnel,
the Company believes it is well positioned to capitalize on the trend in the
natural gas and oil industry towards outsourcing additional responsibility to
contractors.

  DEEPWATER TECHNICAL SERVICES

     CDI has established a unique niche in the Deepwater Gulf by assembling the
specialized assets, technical personnel and exclusive alliance agreements that
provide a cost effective solution to the rising demand for Deepwater services.
CDI's mono-hulled DP vessels provide a flexible work platform to launch ROVs and
support subsea construction in most weather conditions. Likewise, the Company's
MSV, the UNCLE JOHN, has demonstrated the ability to perform certain well
completion tasks previously undertaken using more expensive drilling equipment.
These vessels, in combination with ROVs, allow CDI to control key assets
involved in Deepwater subsea construction and field development. As a result,
the Company is able to meet the fast track requirements of Deepwater development
projects. In April 1997, CDI and Coflexip established Quantum to undertake
Deepwater construction projects and provide integrated services and technology
to its customers drawing upon the capabilities and strengths of both companies.
Coflexip chartered the DP vessel CSO CONSTRUCTOR to Quantum in 1998.

  MAJOR PROVIDER OF SATURATION DIVING SERVICES

     Saturation diving is required for diving operations in water depths beyond
300 feet. Management believes that CDI is the largest provider of SAT diving
services and operates the largest fleet of SAT diving vessels permanently
deployed in the Gulf. All of CDI's SAT diving vessels have moonpool systems,
which allow safe diver deployment in adverse weather conditions. Because
Deepwater field developments must be tied into the existing Gulf infrastructure,
management believes there will be increasing demand for the Company's SAT diving
services.

  LEADER IN SHALLOW WATER SALVAGE OPERATIONS

     The Company has established a leading position in the decommissioning of
facilities in the shallow water Gulf of Mexico. According to Offshore Magazine,
CDI performed 32% of all structure removal projects in the Gulf from January 1,
1996 through June 30, 1997. The Company expects the demand for decommissioning
services to increase. Over 75% of the 3,800 platforms in the Gulf of Mexico are
over ten years old and there are approximately 15,000 wells that must ultimately
be decommissioned. Since 1989, Cal Dive has undertaken a wide variety of
decommissioning assignments, most on a turnkey basis. When the structure to be
removed exceeds the capacity of CDI's equipment, the Company has successfully
project managed the decommissioning of large fields by subcontracting the heavy
lift to third party vendors.

  OPERATION OF MATURE NATURAL GAS AND OIL PROPERTIES

     CDI formed ERT in 1992 to exploit a market opportunity to provide a more
efficient solution to the abandonment of offshore properties, to expand Cal
Dive's off season salvage and decommissioning activity and

                                       28
<PAGE>
to support full field development projects. CDI has assembled a team of
personnel experienced in geology, reservoir and production engineering,
facilities management and lease operations which allows ERT to maximize
production at the properties until they are decommissioned. The Company has
acquired interests in 21 mature producing leases in the last five years, one of
which has been decommissioned and two of which were sold in May 1997. Mature
properties are generally those properties where decommissioning costs are
significant relative to the value of remaining natural gas and oil reserves. CDI
seeks to acquire properties that it can operate to enhance remaining production,
control operating expenses and manage the cost and timing of the
decommissioning. Management believes that CDI is one of the few companies which
combines financial strength, reservoir engineering and operations expertise with
the availability of company-owned salvage assets acquiring mature properties in
the Gulf of Mexico. These attributes result in significant strategic and cost
advantages. Since acquiring its initial property in late 1992, the Company has
increased estimated proved reserves to approximately 23.4 Bcfe of natural gas
and oil at December 31, 1997. In November 1997 and January 1998, ERT purchased
four properties which represented approximately 5% of the estimated proved
reserves at December 31, 1997.

GROWTH STRATEGY

  FOCUS ON THE GULF OF MEXICO

     CDI intends to maintain its focus on the Gulf of Mexico where the Company
is well positioned to respond to rising market demand for services in all water
depths. Natural gas and oil exploration, development and production activity
levels in the Gulf of Mexico have increased significantly as a result of several
factors, including: (i) improvements in exploration technologies such as
computer aided exploration and 3D seismic, which have enhanced reservoir
mapping, increased drilling success rates and led to entirely new prospects such
as the "Subsalt" play; (ii) improvements in subsea completion and production
technologies, which have resulted in increased Deepwater drilling and
development; (iii) expansion of the region's production infrastructure, which
has improved the economics of developing both Deepwater and smaller natural gas
and oil fields; and (iv) the short reserve life characteristic of Gulf of Mexico
natural gas production, which requires continuous drilling to replace reserves
and maintain production. In recent years there have been significant new field
discoveries in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico, including 11 in 1997. Both 1997 and
1998 lease sales by the MMS of Gulf of Mexico properties attracted record
bidding levels both in terms of the number of leases receiving bids and the
amount of capital exposed, including a record level of interest in Deepwater
blocks. Even though 20% less acreage was being offered in 1998 as compared to
the Central Gulf lease sale in 1997, the total capital exposed was $1.4 billion
versus $1.2 billion for the prior year. Recent Deepwater discoveries have led to
new market opportunities as well as increased demand for the Company's services,
as reflected in both higher vessel utilization rates and operating margins. In
addition, the anticipated increase in drilling activity following the record
lease sales should result in increased demand for CDI's services.

  CAPTURE A SIGNIFICANT SHARE OF THE DEEPWATER MARKET

     As activity in the Gulf of Mexico continues to increase there exists a
growing need for new applications of subsea services and technology and new
subsea contractors to develop and deploy that technology. Customers purchasing
such services typically prefer a specialized vessel with redundant DP systems as
a work platform. CDI has the largest fleet of such vessels operating in the
Gulf. The Company believes that well completion, subsea installation and infield
connection projects have become more critical in an era of limited availability
of Deepwater drilling equipment. Through its Deepwater Technical Services Group,
the Company provides integrated solutions to satisfy its customers' Deepwater
subsea construction and maintenance needs. The Company's MSV UNCLE JOHN has the
capacity to undertake certain well completion activities at lower day rates than
semisubmersible drilling rigs, thereby reducing cost to the operator and
releasing the drilling rig for other projects. CDI has negotiated formal
alliance agreements with a number of specialized contractors, as well as
establishing Quantum with Coflexip, to provide a full range of services
necessary to Deepwater construction projects. These strategic alliances include
Quantum and exclusive agreements with Schlumberger, Shell Offshore, Inc.,
Reading & Bates Development Co., Fugro-McClelland Marine GeoSciences, Inc.,
Sonat, Inc. and Quality Tubing, Inc. CDI is also a preferred installation
contractor to Total Offshore Productions Systems ("TOPS"), a company formed by
Reading & Bates Development Co. and Intec Engineering, Inc. to conduct

                                       29
<PAGE>
Deepwater full field development projects. The objective of this strategy is to
increase the proportion of Deepwater field development expenditures captured by
Cal Dive while reducing the project duration and overall costs to the operator.

     To gain a greater share of the Deepwater market, the Company is designing
the first sixth-generation multi-service vessel, the MSV 3500. The vessel would
be a new generation of the semisubmersible design of the MSV UNCLE JOHN, unique
due to the absence of lower hull cross bracing. Planned variable deck load of
approximately 4,000 metric tons and a large deck area would make the vessel
particularly well suited for large offshore construction projects in Deepwater.
High transit speed would allow it to move rapidly from one location to another.
CDI is currently attempting to secure long-term utilization contracts and
industry partners for the vessel. There can be no assurance that the MSV 3500
will be built or that such contracts and industry partners will be obtained.

  CAPITALIZE ON SYNERGIES WITH COFLEXIP

     CDI entered into a strategic alliance with Coflexip to strengthen its
position in the Deepwater Gulf and to respond to the trend toward full field
development services. Management believes that Coflexip and CDI together offer
complementary products and services which significantly expand CDI's ability to
provide full field development and life of field services. A product of this
alliance is Quantum which was formed in April 1997. Coflexip is a world leader
in the design and manufacture of flexible pipe and umbilicals and is one of the
leading subsea construction contractors and is one of the leading subsea
contractors. Coflexip operates 10 of the 31 globally competitive construction
vessels, the largest concentration of deepwater vessels in the world.
Headquartered in Paris, France, Coflexip employs approximately 3,500 people on
five continents. In 1997, Coflexip had sales of $1.2 billion and total assets of
$1.25 billion at the end of the year.

  RESPOND TO EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR FIELD DEVELOPMENT

     Management believes that the large amount of leased acreage in the Gulf and
the shortages of drilling rigs and completion equipment will create a demand for
fast-track drilling and development solutions. CDI's recent acquisitions of
assets, its skilled personnel and its technical expertise put the Company in a
strong competitive position to be able to respond to the vessel and other
equipment needs for developing new oil or natural gas fields. CDI's strategic
alliances also provide many of the non-vessel assets required in offshore
drilling and production. CDI intends to apply these assets technologies and
capabilities in a cost effective manner in all water depths to satisfy its
customers' fast-track drilling and development needs.

  EXPAND THE COMPANY'S DECOMMISSIONING AND NATURAL GAS AND OIL OPERATIONS

     Management believes CDI's reputation in the industry and experience in
decommissioning projects make the Company a preferred buyer of mature natural
gas and oil properties. Specifically, customers can sell an offshore property at
a reasonable price with the assurance that the offshore property will be
decommissioned in accordance with regulatory requirements. In the last three
years, ERT has purchased properties from Unocal, Texaco, Conoco, Sonat and
Total. CDI is pursuing a number of opportunities to expand the number of mature
offshore properties for which the Company will bid. In addition, CDI will
continue, on a selective basis, to acquire non-operated working interests in
fields where there is the potential of CDI being awarded decommissioning work.
These fields expand the universe of potential ERT property acquisitions.

THE INDUSTRY

  INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

     In the Gulf of Mexico, demand for offshore exploration, development and
production services has increased considerably due to, among other factors, (i)
increased exploration and development expenditures by major and independent oil
companies (ii) the potential for relatively large oil and gas discoveries in
offshore areas, particularly in previously unexplored Deepwater areas, (iii)
technological advances in exploration, development and production techniques,
including seismic data collection and interpretation (particularly with respect
to 3-D seismic data), drilling techniques, subsea completion and production
equipment, and mobile production units, (iv) increasing demand for natural gas
and oil, (v) stable North American natural gas prices and (vi) royalty relief

                                       30
<PAGE>
granted by the U.S. government for oil and gas produced from wells drilled in
newly acquired Deepwater blocks in the Gulf of Mexico. These factors have
increased exploration for and development of new reserves in Deepwater areas
that were previously considered commercially marginal.

     This increased interest in offshore exploration, development and production
has also been evidenced by the significant increase in Gulf of Mexico lease
sales by the MMS and the record breaking results of these sales. Importantly,
the results of these lease sales demonstrate the increasing interest in the
Deepwater. The following table sets forth for the periods presented results from
recent MMS lease sales in the Gulf,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          MMS LEASE SALES
                                       -----------------------------------------------------
                                        WESTERN GULF SALES         CENTRAL GULF SALES
                                       --------------------  -------------------------------
                                         1996       1997       1996       1997       1998
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                          <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>        <C>  
Blocks receiving bids................        617        804      1,381      1,790      1,188
Deepwater bids.......................        321        603        401        535        539
Total capital exposed ($MM)..........  $     504  $     939  $     716  $   1,242  $   1,350
Average dollars bid per block
($000)...............................        577        766        563        799      1,020
</TABLE>
     Additionally, a study by the MMS forecasts that production from the Gulf
will shift toward the Deepwater areas. In 1995, 7% of total Gulf of Mexico
production came from Deepwater areas compared to 43% estimated by the year 2000.

     This activity has resulted in increased demand for drilling and production
equipment and services, as evidenced by the increase in the average Gulf of
Mexico contracted utilization rate for all marketed offshore drilling rigs from
73% in 1992 to 99% in 1997 and 98% in the first quarter of 1998. Recently, most
offshore drilling contractors have announced plans to upgrade existing rigs to
drill in deeper water and harsher environments or to build new Deepwater capable
rigs. Based on reports from Offshore Data Services related to new drilling rig
construction, it is anticipated that the number of rigs worldwide capable of
drilling in greater than 1,000 feet of water will increase from 156 at December
31, 1997 to 203 by the year 2000. In addition, subsea installations (number of
production trees) in the Gulf of Mexico will increase 60% to 40 planned or under
construction in 1998 from 25 for 1997. The foregoing statements concerning
future industry conditions are forward-looking statements, and, although the
Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking
statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will
be met. See "Risk Factors."

  SUBSEA SERVICES

     The subsea services industry in the Gulf of Mexico originated in the early
1960s to assist natural gas and oil companies with their offshore operations.
The industry has grown significantly since the early 1970s as these companies
have increasingly relied upon offshore fields for production. Subsea services
are required throughout the economic life of an offshore field and include at
various phases the following services, among others:

      o   EXPLORATION.  PRE-INSTALLATION SURVEY; RIG POSITIONING AND
          INSTALLATION ASSISTANCE; DRILLING INSPECTION; SUBSEA EQUIPMENT
          MAINTENANCE; SEARCH AND RECOVERY OPERATIONS.

      o   DEVELOPMENT.  INSTALLATION OF PRODUCTION PLATFORMS; INSTALLATION OF
          SUBSEA PRODUCTION SYSTEMS; PIPELAY SUPPORT INCLUDING CONNECTING
          PIPELINES TO RISERS AND SUBSEA ASSEMBLIES; PIPELINE STABILIZATION,
          TESTING AND INSPECTION; CABLE AND UMBILICAL LAY AND CONNECTION.

      o   PRODUCTION.  INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF PRODUCTION
          STRUCTURES, RISERS AND PIPELINES AND SUBSEA EQUIPMENT.

      o   DECOMMISSIONING.  DECOMMISSIONING AND REMEDIATION SERVICES; PLUGGING
          AND ABANDONMENT SERVICES; PLATFORM SALVAGE AND REMOVAL; PIPELINE
          ABANDONMENT; SITE INSPECTIONS.

     The industry has grown principally due to the economic benefits of new and
advanced technologies and custom designed equipment and recently has focused
more on Deepwater projects and the integrated "full field development" service
concept described below.

                                       31
<PAGE>
  FULL FIELD DEVELOPMENT

     CDI and its alliance partners can offer oil and gas companies a range of
services from subcontracting to complete field development solutions. CDI and
its partners are able to provide a complete range of subsea systems and
services, from procurement and installation of flowlines, wellheads, control
systems, umbilicals and manifolds to installation and commissioning of the
complete production system. Many oil and gas companies prefer to contract with a
consortium capable of undertaking major portions or all of an entire field
development project. Full field development services can relieve a customer of
substantially all of the burdens of management of field development and thereby
avoid many of the risks inherent in traditional contracting strategies. Field
development partnerships can also allow oil and gas companies to increase
outsourcing of development work. CDI's strategic alliances provide it with the
necessary capabilities to pursue field development contracts.

  OPERATIONS AND EQUIPMENT

     SUBSEA CONSTRUCTION VESSELS.  Subsea services are typically performed with
the use of specialized subsea construction vessels which provide an above water
platform that functions as an operational base for divers in water depths up to
1,000 feet and ROVs at all water depths. Distinguishing characteristics of
subsea construction vessels include DP systems, SAT diving capabilities, deck
space, deck load, craneage and moonpool launching. Deck space, deck load and
craneage are important features of the vessel's ability to transport and
fabricate hardware, supplies and equipment necessary to complete subsea
projects. Vessels with greater deck space and load capacities have the
flexibility to service more complex projects in deeper water. A moonpool is a
structure built into the center of the vessel, which enables safe and efficient
launching of ROVs and SAT diving systems in harsh weather conditions. These
characteristics will generally dictate the types of jobs undertaken and the
conditions and water depths in which the vessel is capable of working.

     DYNAMIC POSITIONING.  DP systems allow a vessel to maintain position
without the use of anchors, and therefore enhance productivity in adverse
weather conditions and are preferred for Deepwater applications. Computer
controlled thrusters mounted on the vessel's hull ensure the proper
counteraction to wind, current and wave forces to maintain position. Since no
anchors are required, risks associated with objects snagging on pipelines or
other underwater structures are minimized. The capabilities provided by the
Company's DP vessels have allowed CDI to penetrate new markets and provide
additional services to the Deepwater market such as flexible pipelay, well
servicing, coring and general field support.

     REMOTELY OPERATED VEHICLES.  ROVs are robotic vehicles used to complement,
support and increase the efficiency of diving and subsea operations and at
depths for tasks where the use of divers is uncompetitive or impossible. One of
the ROVs acquired from Coflexip has been permanently installed on the UNCLE
JOHN. The second ROV is a mobile system working on the other CDI vessels. CDI
believes that purchasing ROVs will enable it to better control the quality and
cost of its services, replacing the need to rely upon third party equipment and
personnel for critical path operations.

     SATURATION DIVING.  SAT diving, required at water depths greater than 300
feet, involves divers working from special chambers for extended periods at a
pressure equivalent to the depth of the work site. The divers are transferred
from the surface to the work site by a diving bell. After completion of the
work, the bell is lifted back to the DSV and the divers return to the chamber to
be replaced by a new group of divers who are lowered to the job site to continue
the work. SAT diving systems allow for continuous operations to be conducted 24
hours a day. The primary advantage of SAT diving is that divers can remain under
pressure and make repeated dives for extended periods before beginning
decompression. Overall productivity and safety is therefore enhanced due to
fewer decompressions, diver continuity and a lower likelihood of delays caused
by adverse weather conditions.

     SURFACE DIVING.  Surface diving is the primary diving technique performed
in water depths less than 300 feet. Divers are linked to the surface by a diving
umbilical containing air lines and communications equipment. The diver enters
the water directly and descends to the work site, accomplishes the prescribed
tasks and begins to decompress in the water during a gradual ascent to the
surface. The length of time a diver is able to remain at the work site depends
upon, and is limited by, the water depth.

                                       32
<PAGE>
TRADITIONAL SUBSEA SERVICES

     Subsea services that CDI has performed in shallower waters of the Gulf for
more than two decades include air and saturation diving in support of pipelay
and related marine construction activities. In 1997, demand was unusually strong
for 4-point and surface air diving work in the shallow water from the shore to
300 feet.

     In February 1998, CDI purchased a significant minority stake in Aquatica, a
new shallow water diving company formed by Sonny Freeman, the former Chief
Operating Officer of American Oilfield Divers. The Company has committed to lend
$5 million of additional funds to allow Aquatica to purchase vessels and fund
other growth opportunities. Management believes the CDI investment in Aquatica
should permit the Company to benefit from a market segment that is experiencing
strong demand while allowing Cal Dive to continue to focus on its Deepwater
strategy. Dependent upon various preconditions, the shareholders of Aquatica
have the right to convert their shares into Cal Dive shares at a prescribed
ratio which, among other things, must be accretive to Cal Dive's earnings per
share.

     CDI offers the largest fleet of DP vessels with SAT diving capabilities
permanently deployed in the Gulf. Cal Dive's diversified fleet provides a full
complement of traditional subsea construction, maintenance, and salvage project
capabilities and includes one DP MSV, three DP DSVs, two 4-point moored
saturation DSVs, three other DSVs, two work class ROVs and a salvage barge. The
Company has also contracted to build a replacement for its smallest 4-point DSV,
CAL DIVER IV. The services provided by these vessels both overlap and are
complementary in a number of market segments, enabling the Company to deploy its
vessels to areas of highest utility and margin potential.

DEEPWATER SERVICES

     In 1994, CDI began to assemble a fleet of DP vessels which are required to
deliver subsea services in the Deepwater. The Company's diversified fleet
serving the Deepwater includes a semisubmersible MSV, three mono-hull DP vessels
and one Deepwater service barge. This Deepwater fleet has recently been expanded
following CDI's initial public offering in the second half of 1997 by the
purchase of the SEA SORCERESS and MERLIN.

     CDI formed its Deepwater Technical Services Group in early 1996 to serve
the emerging Deepwater market. This group is the focal point for assembling and
delivering the varied technological disciplines required for Deepwater drilling
projects. The limited availability of Deepwater drilling rigs has increased
demand for well completions, subsea installations and infield connection
services. CDI's DP vessels are a key asset to the application of Deepwater
technologies. Services provided by Cal Dive's Deepwater Technical Services Group
include geotechnical investigation, turnkey field development, installation of
umbilicals, controls and flexible pipe, well servicing, decommissioning, subsea
wellhead installations and pipeline repair systems and riser installation. In
1997, the Company completed or was awarded 13 Deepwater projects requiring DP
vessels which management believes represent most of those projects in the Gulf
1997. These projects allowed CDI to perform work numerous times at what
management believes to be record depths. The Company's alliances detailed below
are also managed through this group.

     As part of its strategy in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico, CDI entered into a
number of strategic alliances, including establishment of Quantum with Coflexip
in April 1997. Quantum, which is owned 51% by CDI and 49% by Coflexip, was
formed to pursue full field development projects in the offshore oil and gas
industry in the Gulf and the Caribbean exceeding $25 million in value and
meeting certain other criteria. Coflexip has chartered the vessel CSO
CONSTRUCTOR to Quantum. Cal Dive will consolidate the financial results of the
joint venture into its financial statements.

                                       33
<PAGE>
     CDI's other alliances, intended to enhance its ability to offer a complete
range of subsea full field development services, are described in the following
table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               ALLIANCE                             DESCRIPTION                   1997 CONTRIBUTIONS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------------------
<S>                                     <C>                                   <C>
Schlumberger, Ltd...................... Alliance Agreement whereby CDI        Downhole equipment played a
                                       provides DP vessels and related        major role in the Tahoe 4
                                       operating services for well servicing  well intervention job
                                       and testing
Fugro-McClelland Marine................ Performance Contract whereby CDI
                                       provides
  Geoscience, Inc.                     vessels and related operating          Coring work identified the
                                       services for geoscience services and   underwater aquifers causing
                                       coring work                            Deepwater sand flow
Quality Tubing, Inc.................... Preferred Provider Agreement whereby  Laid a significant amount
                                       CDI provides vessels and related       of coiled line pipe, a new
                                       operating services for the             CDI product line
                                       installation of coiled line pipe
Shell Offshore, Inc.................... Performance Contract whereby CDI      Contracted to provide well
                                       provides vessels and related           intervention services over
                                       operating services for subsea well     a two-year period
                                       intervention and the development of
                                       J-lay procedures
Sonat, Inc............................. Preferred Provider Agreement whereby  Provided diving services on
                                       CDI provides marine contracting        several pipeline contracts
                                       services in a life of field services
                                       setting
TOPS................................... Preferred Provider Agreement whereby  Marine construction
                                       CDI provides marine contracting        services contracts in
                                       services in a full field development   process
                                       setting to TOPS in the Deepwater Gulf
                                       of Mexico
Reading & Bates Development Co......... Alliance Agreement to cooperate on    MSV 3500 feasibility
                                       the design and testing of the
                                       feasibility of a new build MSV
</TABLE>
DECOMMISSIONING AND NATURAL GAS AND OIL OPERATIONS

     Since 1989, CDI has established a leading position in the decommissioning
of facilities in the shallow water Gulf of Mexico. Over 75% of the 3,800
platforms in the Gulf of Mexico are over ten years old and there are
approximately 15,000 wells that must ultimately be decommissioned in accordance
with government regulations related to the decommissioning of offshore
production facilities. Since 1989, Cal Dive has undertaken a wide variety of
decommissioning assignments, most on a turnkey basis. When the structure to be
removed exceeds the capacity of CDI's salvage equipment, the Company
subcontracts the heavy lift to third party vendors.

     CDI's wholly owned subsidiary ERT was formed in 1992 in response to a
market opportunity to provide a more efficient solution to offshore
decommissioning liability and CDI's desire to expand its off-season salvage and
decommissioning activity. Within ERT, the Company has assembled experienced
personnel with proven track records in geology, reservoir and production
engineering as well as offshore facilities management. CDI generates numerous
opportunities to acquire mature properties through its established contacts in
the industry. The Company's property analysis utilizes both the expertise of its
executives and CDI's years of experience in performing turnkey contracts for
decommissioning work.

     To maximize the economic value of its properties, CDI also uses its
operating expertise to reduce operating costs, maximize production from the
properties and minimize the costs of decommissioning. Based on the Miller &
Lents report, the remaining average useful life of the current properties is
approximately 7.4 years based on 1997 production. Unless exempt under MMS
regulations, property owners are required to bond and/or fund the MMS' estimate
of the decommissioning liability. As of December 31, 1997, the recorded
decommissioning liability was approximately $6.5 million. Estimates of
decommissioning costs and their timing may change due to many factors including
inflation rates, market factors and changes in environmental laws and
regulations.

     The table below sets forth information, as of December 31, 1997, with
respect to the Company's estimated net proved reserves and the present value of
estimated future net cash flows at such date, as estimated by Miller & Lents.
Also see "Risk Factors -- Uncertainty of Estimates of Natural Gas and Oil
Reserves."

                                       34
<PAGE>
                                        TOTAL PROVED(1)
                                        ----------------
                                          (DOLLARS IN
                                           THOUSANDS)
Estimated Proved Reserves:
     Natural Gas (MMcf)..............         22,245
     Oil and Condensate (MBbls)......            200
Standardized measure of discounted
  future net cash flows(2)...........       $ 19,760

- ------------

(1) East Cameron Blocks 231 and 353 purchased in January 1998 described below
    are not included in the above December 31, 1997 summary. In November 1997
    ERT acquired interests in offshore properties ranging from 50%-55% in
    Vermilion Blocks 147 and 328 from Spirit Energy 76, a business unit of
    Unocal Corporation. These blocks are located southeast of Louisiana and have
    three producing wells with five wells shut-in. The facilities consist of one
    four-pile, one eight-pile and a monopod platform structure. In January 1998
    ERT acquired interests in six blocks involving two separate fields from
    Sonat Exploration Company (SONAT). The East Cameron 231 field (blocks 231
    and 223) currently produces about 8 MMCFD and 100 BOPD from eight wells.
    Structures located in the EC 231 area include 46 wells, four platforms, and
    three caissons. The East Cameron 353 field currently produces about 10 MMCFD
    from three wells.

(2) The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows attributable to
    the Company's reserves was prepared using constant prices as of the
    calculation date, discounted at 10% per annum.

     As of December 31, 1997, the Company owned an interest in 49 gross (38.1
net) natural gas wells and one gross (0.5 net) oil well located in federal
offshore waters in the Gulf of Mexico. With its 1998 aquisitions, ERT now owns
interests in 18 offshore leases and has accumulated a significant backlog of
decommissioning work in 14 ERT operated fields which include 23 platforms, nine
caissons and 98 wells.

MARINE VESSELS AND EQUIPMENT

  GENERAL

     The Company owns or charters a fleet of eleven vessels and two ROVs. The
size of the Company's fleet and its capabilities have increased in recent years
with the addition of the WITCH QUEEN, BALMORAL SEA, UNCLE JOHN, SEA SORCERESS
and MERLIN.

     Management believes that the Gulf of Mexico market increasingly will
require specially designed or equipped vessels to deliver the necessary subsea
construction services, especially in the Deepwater. Five of CDI's vessels have
the permanent capability to provide SAT diving services. Five of CDI's vessels
have DP capabilities specifically designed to respond to the Deepwater market.
CDI's vessels serve as work platforms for services provided by alliances with
partners who are internationally recognized contractors and manufacturers.

  NEW VESSELS AND ROVS

     In May and June 1997, CDI took delivery of two, 2,000 meter (6,600 feet),
100 hp Triton XL ROVs, the newest generation of deepwater work class ROVs. The
Triton XL units were manufactured by Perry Tritech, a wholly owned subsidiary of
CDI's strategic partner, Coflexip. One of these ROVs, the Triton XL 15, has been
installed permanently onboard CDI's MSV, UNCLE JOHN, making it the only
semisubmersible in the Gulf of Mexico with this capability. Operating through a
designated moonpool and equipment which deploys the ROV 50 feet below the water
line, the Triton XL 15 is able to perform projects in severe offshore sea
conditions without the usual loss of time associated with the deployment of
ROVs. The second work class ROV, the Triton XL 16, is permanently installed as
the DP vessel which utilizes a U-boom launch and recovery system, heavy duty
winch and umbilical, control van and work van. CDI's goal is not to become a
volume provider of ROVs but rather to utilize these units in support of
Deepwater projects and CDI turnkey business.

     In October 1997, CDI acquired a 374 foot Deepwater service barge, the SEA
SORCERESS, with 6-point mooring and accommodations for 50 people. The vessel is
ice strengthened, has a deck load capacity of 10,000 tons and is certified to
handle 65,000 barrels of hydrocarbon storage. A large moonpool located near
mid-ship is available to facilitate pipelay, coring, drilling and production
riser operations. The vessel is scheduled to be on an approximately three month
contract starting in the third quarter of 1998 to assist in the development of
the "Terra Nova" project offshore of Newfoundland, Canada. This project
involves the second largest Canadian offshore field with an estimated 300-400
million barrels of recoverable oil and the latest technology to protect
wellheads and subsea templates from iceberg flow.

     In December 1997, CDI acquired a DP ROV support vessel, the MERLIN. The
vessel is 198 feet long, 40 feet wide and has accommodations for 42 people. The
vessel can be fitted with a portable moonpool diving

                                       35
<PAGE>
system and has one fully functioning ROV control station and maintenance store.
The vessel also has Nautronics station keeping and tracking systems and has an
"A Frame" 30 ton hydraulic lift and one deck mounted crane. CDI has
permanently installed its Triton 16 ROV on the MERLIN and expects to use the
vessel primarily for ROV support, coring and laying of small umbilicals.

     CDI is currently in the process of designing the MSV 3500, a sixth
generation, multi-service vessel which is a new generation of the column
stabilized semisubmersible design of the UNCLE JOHN and is unique due to the
absence of lower hull cross bracing which decreases vessel weight and increases
operating efficiency. Variable deck load of 4,000 tons and a large deck area
would make the vessel particularly well suited for large offshore construction
projects in Deepwater. High transit speed would allow it to move rapidly from
one location to another while operability (thruster power and motion
characteristics) would provide for well intervention in an extremely cost
efficient manner. Finally, management expects that there would be a derrick
similar to that installed on the UNCLE JOHN for well completion and well
servicing projects. There is no assurance, however, that the MSV 3500 will be
constructed.

                                       36
<PAGE>
                          CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                      LISTING OF VESSELS, BARGES AND ROVS
                            AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         DATE                                                   MOONPOOL
                                       PLACED IN            CLEAR DECK                           LAUNCH/
                                        SERVICE    LENGTH     SPACE      DECK LOAD   ACCOMMO-      SAT                  CLASSIFI-
                                        BY CDI     (FEET)   (SQ. FEET)    (TONS)     DATIONS     DIVING       CRANE      CATION
                                       ---------   ------   ----------   ---------   --------   ---------   ----------  ---------
<S>                                     <C>         <C>       <C>             <C>       <C>       <C>        <C> <C>        
DP MSV:
Uncle John...........................   11/96       254       11,834          460       102       3          2 x 100-    DNV
                                                                                                               ton
DP DSVS:
Balmoral Sea (1).....................   9/94        259        3,443          250        60       3           30-ton     DNV
Witch Queen..........................   11/95       278        5,600          500        62       3           50-ton     DNV
Merlin...............................   12/97       198          955          308        42                  A-Frame     ABS
Constructor(2).......................   4/98        367        8,612        2,210       109       3          100-ton     DNV

DSVS:
Cal Diver I..........................   7/84        196        2,400          220        40       3           20-ton     ABS
Cal Diver II.........................   6/85        166        2,816          300        32       3          A-Frame     ABS
Cal Diver III........................   8/87        115        1,320          105        18                              ABS
Cal Diver IV.........................   10/90       100        1,035           46        16                              ABS
Cal Diver V..........................   9/91        168        2,324          490        30                  A-Frame     ABS

OTHER:
Sea Sorceress........................   8/97        374        8,600       10,000        50                     --       DNV
Cal Dive Barge I.....................   8/90        150           NA          200        26                  200-ton     ABS
ROVs x 2.............................   4/97        25            --           --        --                     --        --
</TABLE>
- ------------

(1) This vessel was operated by the Company under charters from September 1994
    to February 1995 and from April 1996 to August 8, 1996, at which time it was
    acquired by the Company.

(2) This vessel is chartered to Quantum and, subject to its needs, it is
    expected that the vessel will also be available to CDI for its project
    needs.

     Under government regulations and CDI's insurance policies, the Company is
required to maintain its vessels in accordance with standards of seaworthiness
and safety set by government regulations and classification organizations. CDI
maintains its fleet to the standards for seaworthiness, safety and health set by
both the American Bureau of Shipping ("ABS"), Det Norske Veritas ("DNV") and
the United States Coast Guard ("USCG"). The ABS is one of several
classification societies used by ship owners to certify that their vessels meet
certain structural, mechanical and safety equipment standards, including Lloyd's
Register, Bureau Veritas and DNV among others.

     CDI incurs routine drydock inspection, maintenance and repair costs under
USCG Regulations and to maintain ABS or DNV classification for its vessels. In
addition to complying with these requirements, the Company has its own vessel
maintenance program which management believes permits Cal Dive to continue to
provide its customers with well maintained, reliable vessels.

     In the normal course of its operations, the Company also charters other
vessels on a short-term basis, such as tugboats, cargo barges, utility boats and
dive support vessels. All of the Company's vessels are subject to ship
mortgages. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources."

COFLEXIP STRATEGIC ALLIANCE

  BACKGROUND

     As part of CDI's strategy in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico and to respond to
the growing trend towards integrated contracting of packages for full field
development services, CDI entered into a strategic alliance with Coflexip in
April 1997. Coflexip is the worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of
flexible pipe and umbilicals and is a leading integrated subsea contractor to
the offshore oil and gas industry. Deepwater full field developments have
shifted toward greater use of subsea and floating production systems and away
from

                                       37
<PAGE>
conventional fixed production platform development systems. These developments
have increased the demand for services and products offered by CDI and Coflexip.

     The alliance was formed by Coflexip acquiring 3,699,788 shares of the
Common Stock of the Company, pursuant to a purchase agreement dated as of April
11, 1997 (the "Purchase Agreement") and entering into the Business Cooperation
Agreement. In addition, CDI is a party to a shareholders agreement that provides
Coflexip with a right of first refusal in connection with certain acquisition
proposals for CDI. See "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions." In
connection with the closing under the Purchase Agreement, Coflexip and the
Company entered into certain related agreements, including two-year employment
agreements with the Company's nine senior executives, a registration rights
agreement, shareholders agreement and amended the Company's Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws. See "Management" and "Description of Capital
Stock."

  THE BUSINESS COOPERATION AGREEMENT

     As part of the transaction, the companies entered into the Business
Cooperation Agreement and formed Quantum in April 1997 which is owned 51% by Cal
Dive and 49% by Coflexip. CDI will consolidate financial results from the joint
venture into its financial statements. CDI and Coflexip are now bidding on
projects as a subcontractor to Quantum for their respective services. Cal Dive's
assets and services include ROV operation, diving, coiled tubing, flexible lay
operations with deck load requirements up to 600 metric tons, riser
installation, well servicing, DP DSV's and related services and 4-point DSV's.
Coflexip's assets and services include flexible lay operations in excess of
alliance vessel capabilities (including risers), product sales, manufacture and
supply of umbilicals/flex hose/flex pipe, ROV manufacture and sale, full field
project design and engineering and project management, reeled hard pipelay
(including risers), pipelay operations (excluding coiled tubing), and
construction vessels in excess of Company and alliance capabilities. Quantum is
pursuing Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean projects that require at least one Cal
Dive service and one Coflexip service, where the aggregate contract value of the
combined services is at least $25 million, and any such other projects as the
parties may agree.

  COMPLEMENTARY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

     Management believes that Coflexip and CDI offer highly complementary
products and services and that the strategic alliance with Coflexip
significantly expands CDI's ability to provide full field development and life
of field services. The table below illustrates some of the individual strengths,
products and services offered by Coflexip and CDI that combined permit them to
offer a new approach for Deepwater Gulf subsea contracting activities:

                                    CAL DIVE

  o   Significant Gulf market presence
  o   Deepwater position in the Gulf
  o   DP vessels
  o   Spot market turnkey expertise
  o   Flexible pipe installation
  o   ROV operation and marketing
  o   Engineering utilization and marketing
  o   Well servicing capability: alliance with
      Schlumberger in the Gulf

                                    COFLEXIP

  o   Worldwide presence
  o   Deepwater expertise and credibility
  o   Large DP construction vessels
  o   Large project EPIC contractor
  o   Umbilical and flexible pipe
      manufacturer/installer
  o   ROV manufacturer
  o   Significant subsea engineering group
  o   Well servicing capability: alliance
      with Schlumberger in the North Sea

  INFORMATION ON COFLEXIP

     Coflexip is a world leader in the design and manufacture of flexible pipe
and umbilicals, and one of the leading subsea contractors to the offshore oil
and gas industry, providing integrated subsea services on large subsea projects
throughout the world. Coflexip was established in 1971 to manufacture and market
flexible pipe designed by the Institute Francais du Petrole, a French research
and development organization that holds a controlling interest in one of
Coflexip's principal shareholders. In December 1994, Coflexip acquired Stena
Offshore N.V., a contractor providing subsea services to the oil and gas
industry, from Stena International B.V. ("Stena International"), and Stena
International became a significant shareholder of Coflexip.

                                       38
<PAGE>
     Coflexip targets the subsea production systems segment of the subsea
oilfield services industry involving the installation of a wellhead on the
seabed rather than on a platform. Subsea productions systems generally require
flowlines that are less than 12 inches in internal diameter and less than 20
kilometers in length. This segment corresponds with the Company's technological
capabilities and represents its key market.

     Coflexip designs and manufactures offshore flexible pipe, a number of
products that apply similar technology, including umbilicals and ROVs. Coflexip
also performs project management and engineering services in connection with
large subsea contracts, installs rigid and flexible pipes, umbilicals and
floating production storage and offloading facilities, performs inspection,
repair and maintenance and provides a number of related services such as
lifting, diving and testing. Its fleet of vessels and equipment is one of the
largest and most advanced technologically in the industry.

     Coflexip has manufacturing and assembly facilities in five countries and
markets its integrated services worldwide. Its principal markets are the North
Sea (UK and Norwegian sectors), offshore Brazil, the Asia-Pacific region and
other markets including North America and North and West Africa. Coflexip
employs approximately 3,500 employees in five continents and has subsidiaries in
France, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Norway, the United States, Australia and
India.

CUSTOMERS

     CDI's customers are primarily major and independent oil and gas
exploration, transportation and marine construction companies operating in the
Gulf of Mexico. The level of construction services required by any particular
customer depends on the size of that customer's capital expenditure budget
devoted to construction plans in a particular year. Consequently, customers that
account for a significant portion of contract revenues in one fiscal year may
represent an immaterial portion of contract revenues in subsequent fiscal years.
The Company estimates that in 1997 it provided subsea services to approximately
100 customers. For the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, approximately 19%
and 24%, respectively, of the Company's total revenues were attributable to J.
Ray McDermott, S.A. In addition, Shell Offshore, Inc. represented 11% of
consolidated revenues in 1997. The Company's projects are typically of short
duration and are generally awarded shortly before remobilization. Accordingly,
backlog is not a meaningful indicator of future activities.

MARKETING

     Contracts for work in the Gulf of Mexico are typically awarded on a
competitive bid basis with customers usually requesting bids on projects several
months prior to commencement. CDI maintains a focused marketing effort through a
12-person direct sales force operating from Houston, Texas together with sales
offices in Lafayette and New Orleans, Louisiana. Most contracts are awarded on a
turnkey basis, but CDI also performs work on a cost-plus or day rate basis, or
on a combination of such bases. Under a qualified turnkey project, Cal Dive
agrees to provide a portion of services for a fixed price (regardless of the
time and materials actually required) and other services on a day rate basis.
For projects involving day rates, CDI charges are based upon a rate schedule for
the services provided.

     CDI sells substantially all of its natural gas and oil under short-term
contracts (maximum of one year in duration) at pricing based on spot market
indexes. CDI has not engaged in hedging transactions.

COMPETITION

     The subsea services industry is highly competitive. Competition for subsea
construction work in the Gulf of Mexico has historically been based on the
location and type of equipment available, ability to deploy such equipment, the
safety and quality of service in recent years and price. While price has been an
important factor in obtaining contracts, the ability to acquire specialized
vessels, to attract and retain skilled personnel, and to demonstrate a good
safety record have also been important competitive factors. CDI's competitors on
the OCS include Ceanic Corporation, (formerly American Oilfield Divers, Inc.)
Torch, Inc., Horizon Offshore, Inc., Global Industries Ltd., Oceaneering
International, Inc. as well as a number of smaller companies, some of which only
operate a single vessel, that often compete solely on price. For Deepwater
projects, Cal Dive's principal U.S. based competitors include Oceaneering
International, Inc., Global Industries, Ltd. and J. Ray McDermott, S.A. Other
large foreign based subsea contractors, including Stolt Comex Seaway, A/S, DSND,
Ltd., Saipem and

                                       39
<PAGE>
Rockwater, Ltd., have announced their intention to perform services in the Gulf.
CDI also encounters significant competition for the acquisition of producing
natural gas and oil properties. The Company's ability to acquire additional
properties will depend upon its ability to evaluate and select suitable
properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment.
Many of the Company's competitors are well-established companies with
substantially larger operating staffs and greater capital resources than CDI
which, in many instances, have been engaged in the energy business for a much
longer time than CDI.

TRAINING, SAFETY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

     CDI maintains a stringent safety and quality assurance program. In 1994,
the Company devised and instituted a comprehensive revision to its safety
program which emphasizes team building by assembling a core group of personnel
specifically for each vessel to promote offshore efficiency and safety.
Assembling core groups of personnel specifically assigned to each vessel has
also reduced recorded incidents. As a result, management believes that CDI's
safety programs are among the best in the industry.

FACILITIES

     CDI is headquartered at 400 N. Sam Houston Parkway E., in Houston, Texas.
The Company's subsea and marine services operations are based in Morgan City,
Louisiana. All of CDI's facilities are leased.

                        PROPERTY AND FACILITIES SUMMARY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              LOCATION                                  FUNCTION                           SIZE
- -------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------   -------------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>               
Houston, Texas.......................  Corporate and ERT Headquarters                30,000 square feet
                                       Project Engineering
                                       Account Management
                                       Sales Office

Morgan City, Louisiana...............  Operations/Docking                                    28.5 acres
                                       Warehouse                                     30,000 square feet
                                       Offices                                        4,500 square feet
</TABLE>
     The Company also has sales offices in Lafayette and New Orleans, Louisiana.

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

     Many aspects of the offshore marine construction industry are subject to
extensive governmental regulation. The Company is subject to the jurisdiction of
the USCG, the Environmental Protection Agency, MMS and the U.S. Customs Service
as well as private industry organizations such as the ABS.

     CDI supports and voluntarily complies with the Association of American
Diving Contractor Standards. The USCG sets safety standards and is authorized to
investigate vessel and diving accidents and recommend improved safety standards,
and the U.S. Customs Service is authorized to inspect vessels at will. CDI is
required by various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies to obtain
certain permits, licenses and certificates with respect to its operations. The
Company believes that it has obtained or can obtain all permits, licenses and
certificates necessary for the conduct of its business.

     In addition, CDI depends on the demand for its services from the oil and
gas industry and, therefore, the Company's business is affected by laws and
regulations, as well as changing taxes and policies relating to the oil and gas
industry generally. In particular, the development and operation of natural gas
and oil properties located on the OCS of the United States is regulated
primarily by the MMS.

     The MMS requires lessees of OCS properties to post bonds in connection with
the plugging and abandonment of wells located offshore and the removal of all
production facilities. Operators in the OCS waters of the Gulf of Mexico are
currently required to post an area wide bond of $3 million or $500,000 per
producing lease. The Company currently has bonded its offshore leases as
required by the MMS. Under certain circumstances, the MMS has the authority to
suspend or terminate operations on federal leases. Any such suspensions or
terminations of the Company's operations could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

                                       40
<PAGE>
     The Company acquires production rights to offshore mature oil and gas
properties under federal oil and gas leases, which the MMS administers. These
leases contain relatively standardized terms and require compliance with
detailed MMS regulations and orders pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf
Lands Act ("OCSLA") (which are subject to change by the MMS). The MMS has
promulgated regulations requiring offshore production facilities located on the
OCS to meet stringent engineering and construction specifications. These latter
regulations were withdrawn pending further discussions among interested federal
agencies. The MMS also has issued regulations restricting the flaring or venting
of natural gas and prohibiting the burning of liquid hydrocarbons without prior
authorization. Similarly, the MMS has promulgated other regulations governing
the plugging and abandonment of wells located offshore and the removal of all
production facilities. Finally, under certain circumstances, the MMS may require
any operations on federal leases to be suspended or terminated, and the MMS has
recently proposed, but not yet enacted, regulations that would allow it to expel
unsafe operators from existing OCS platforms and bar them from obtaining future
leases. Any such suspension or termination or ban could materially and adversely
affect the Company's financial condition and operations.

     The MMS has also issued a notice of proposed rulemaking in which it
proposes to amend its regulations governing the calculation of royalties and the
valuation of crude oil produced from federal leases. The proposed rule would
modify the valuation procedures for both arm's length and non-arm's length crude
oil transactions to decrease reliance on oil posted prices and assign a value to
crude oil that better reflects market value, establish a new MMS form for
collecting value differential data, and amend the valuation procedure for the
sale of federal royalty oil. The Company cannot predict at this stage of the
rulemaking proceeding how it might be affected by this amendment to the MMS'
regulations. In addition, the MMS recently issued a final rule amending its
regulations regarding costs for gas transportation which are deductible for
royalty valuation purposes when gas is sold offlease. Among other matters, for
purposes of computing royalty owed, the rule disallows as deductions certain
costs, such as aggregator/marketer fees and transportation imbalance charges and
associated penalties.

     Historically, the transportation and sale for resale of natural gas in
interstate commerce has been regulated pursuant to the Natural Gas Act of 1938,
the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 (the "NGPA"), and the regulations
promulgated thereunder by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the
"FERC"). In the past, the federal government has regulated the prices at which
gas and oil could be sold. While sales by producers of natural gas, and all
sales of crude oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids can currently be made at
uncontrolled market prices, Congress could reenact price controls in the future.
Deregulation of wellhead sales in the natural gas industry began with the
enactment of the NGPA. In 1989, the Natural Gas Wellhead Decontrol Act was
enacted. This act amended the NGPA to remove both price and non-price controls
from natural gas sold in "first sales" no later than January 1, 1993.

     Sales of natural gas are affected by the availability, terms and cost of
transportation. The price and terms for access to pipeline transportation remain
subject to extensive federal and state regulation. Several major regulatory
changes have been implemented by Congress and the FERC from 1985 to the present
that affect the economics of natural gas production, transportation and sales.
In addition, the FERC continues to promulgate revisions to various aspects of
the rules and regulations affecting those segments of the natural gas industry,
most notably interstate natural gas transmission companies that remain subject
to the FERC's jurisdiction. These initiatives may also affect the intrastate
transportation of gas under certain circumstances. The stated purpose of many of
these regulatory changes is to promote competition among the various sectors of
the natural gas industry. The ultimate impact of the complex rules and
regulations issued by the FERC since 1985 cannot be predicted. In addition, many
aspects of these regulatory developments have not become final but are still
pending judicial and FERC final decisions.

     The Company cannot predict what further action the FERC will take on these
matters, however, the Company does not believe that it will be affected by any
action taken materially differently than other companies with which it competes.

     Additional proposals and proceedings before various federal and state
regulatory agencies and the courts could affect the oil and gas industry. The
Company cannot predict when or whether any such proposals may become effective.
In the past, the natural gas industry has been heavily regulated. There is no
assurance that the regulatory approach currently pursued by the FERC will
continue indefinitely. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company does not
anticipate that compliance with existing federal, state and local laws, rules,
and regulations will have a material effect upon the capital expenditures,
earnings, or competitive position of the Company.

                                       41
<PAGE>
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS

     The Company's operations are subject to a variety of federal, state and
local laws and regulations governing the discharge of materials into the
environment or otherwise relating to environmental protection. Numerous
governmental departments issue rules and regulations to implement and enforce
such laws that are often complex and costly to comply with, and that carry
substantial penalties for failure to comply. Aside from possible liability for
damages and costs associated with releases of hazardous materials including oil
into the environment, such laws and regulations may impose liability the Company
to liability for the conduct of or conditions caused by others, or by acts of
the Company that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time such
acts were performed.

     The Oil Pollution Act of 1990, as amended ("OPA"), imposes a variety of
requirements on "responsible parties" related to the prevention of oil spills
and liability for damages resulting from such spills in waters of the United
States. A "responsible party" includes the owner or operator of an onshore
facility, vessel or pipeline, or the lessee or permittee of the area in which an
offshore facility is located. OPA imposes liability on each responsible party
for oil spill removal costs and for other public and private damages from oil
spills. Failure to comply with OPA may result in the assessment of civil and
criminal penalties. OPA establishes liability limits of up to $350 million for
onshore facilities, all removal costs plus up to $75 million for offshore
facilities, and the greater of $500,000 or $600 per gross ton for vessels other
than tank vessels. The liability limits are not applicable, however, if the
spill is caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct, if the spill resulted
from violation of a federal safety, construction, or operating regulation, or if
a party fails to report a spill or to cooperate fully in the cleanup. Few
defenses exist to the liability imposed under OPA. Management of the Company is
currently unaware of any oil spills for which the Company has been designated as
a responsible party under OPA that will have a material adverse impact on the
Company or its operations.

     OPA also imposes ongoing requirements on a responsible party including
preparation of an oil spill contingency plan and proof of financial
responsibility to cover a majority of the costs in a potential spill. The
Company believes it has appropriate spill contingency plans in place. Vessels
subject to OPA other than tank vessels are subject to financial responsibility
limits of the greater of $500,000 or $600 per gross ton, while offshore
facilities are subject to financial responsibility limits of not less than $35
million, with that limit potentially increasing up to $150 million if a formal
risk assessment indicates that a greater amount is required. In March 1997, the
MMS proposed regulations implementing these financial responsibility
requirements. The company believes that it currently has established adequate
proof of financial responsibility for its vessels and onshore and offshore
facilities, and fully anticipates that in the future it will be able to satisfy
the MMS requirements for financial responsibility under OPA and the proposed
regulations.

     OPA also requires owners and operators of vessels over 300 gross tons to
provide the USCG with evidence of financial responsibility to cover the cost of
cleaning up oil spills from such vessels. The Company currently owns and
operates five vessels over 300 gross tons. Satisfactory evidence of financial
responsibility has been provided to the USCG for all of the Company's vessels.

     The Clean Water Act imposes strict controls on the discharge of pollutants
into the navigable waters of the U.S., and imposes potential liability for the
costs of remediating releases of petroleum and other substances. The Clean Water
Act provides for civil, criminal and administrative penalties for any
unauthorized discharge of oil and other hazardous substances and imposes
substantial potential liability for the costs of removal, remediation and
damages. Many states have laws which are analogous to the Clean Water Act and
also require remediation of accidental releases of petroleum in reportable
quantities in state waters. The Company's vessels routinely transport diesel
fuel to offshore rigs and platforms, and also carry diesel fuel for their own
use. The Company's supply boats transport bulk chemical materials used in
drilling activities, and also transport liquid mud which contains oil and oil
by-products. In addition, offshore facilities and vessels operated by the
Company have facility and vessel response plans to deal with potential spills of
oil or its derivatives.

     OCSLA provides the federal government with broad discretion in regulating
the release of offshore resources of natural gas and oil production as well as
regulating safety and environmental protection applicable to lessees and
permittees operating in the OCS. Specific design and operational standards may
apply to OCS vessels, rigs, platforms, vehicles and structures. Violations of
lease conditions or regulations issued pursuant to OCSLA can result in
substantial civil and criminal penalties, as well as potential court injunctions
curtailing

                                       42
<PAGE>
operations and cancellation of leases. Because the Company's operations rely on
offshore oil and gas exploration and production, if the government were to
exercise its authority under OCSLA to restrict the availability of offshore oil
and gas leases, such action could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition and the results of operations. As of this date,
the Company believes it is not the subject of any civil or criminal enforcement
actions under OCSLA.

     The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
("CERCLA") contains provisions dealing with remediation of releases of
hazardous substances into the environment and imposes liability without regard
to fault or the original conduct, on certain classes of persons including owners
and operators of contaminated sites where the release occurred and those
companies who transport, dispose of or who arrange for disposal of hazardous
substances released at the sites. Under CERCLA, such persons may be subject to
joint and several liability for the costs of cleaning up the hazardous
substances that have been released into the environment, for damages to natural
resources and for the costs of certain health studies, and it is not uncommon
for third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage
allegedly caused by the release of hazardous substances. Although the Company
handles hazardous substances in the ordinary course of business, the Company is
not aware of any hazardous substance contamination for which it may be liable.

     Management believes the Company is in compliance in all material respects
with all applicable environmental laws and regulations to which it is subject.
The Company does not anticipate that compliance with existing environmental laws
and regulations will have a material effect upon the capital expenditures,
earnings or competitive position of the Company. However, changes in the
environmental laws and regulations, or claims from damages to persons, property,
natural resources or the environment, could result in substantial costs and
liabilities to the Company and thus there can be no assurance that the Company
will not incur significant environmental compliance costs in the future.

INSURANCE AND LITIGATION

     CDI's operations are subject to the inherent risks of offshore marine
activity including accidents resulting in personal injury and the loss of life
or property, environmental mishaps, mechanical failures and collisions. CDI
insures against these risks at levels consistent with industry standards. The
Company also carries workers' compensation, maritime employer's liability,
general liability and other insurance customary in its business. All insurance
is carried at levels of coverage and deductibles that management considers
financially prudent. The Company's services are provided in hazardous
environments where accidents involving catastrophic damage or loss of life could
result, and litigation arising from such an event may result in CDI being named
a defendant in lawsuits asserting large claims. To date, CDI has been involved
in no such catastrophic lawsuit. Although there can be no assurance that the
amount of insurance carried by Cal Dive is sufficient to protect it fully in all
events, management believes that its insurance protection is adequate for CDI's
business operations. A successful liability claim for which the Company is
underinsured or uninsured could have a material adverse effect on CDI.

     The Company is involved in various legal proceedings primarily involving
claims for personal injury under the General Maritime Laws of the United States
and the Jones Act as a result of alleged negligence. The Company believes that
the outcome of all such proceedings, even if determined adversely, would not
have a material adverse effect on its business or financial condition.

EMPLOYEES

     CDI relies on the quality and skill of its workforce and has successfully
hired, trained, and retained highly skilled managers and divers. As of December
31, 1997, the Company had 432 employees, 120 of which were salaried. The Company
also utilized approximately 200 non-US citizens to crew its foreign flag vessels
under a crewing contract with C-MAR Services (UK), Ltd. of Aberdeen, Scotland.
None of the Company's employees belong to a union or are employed pursuant to
any collective bargaining agreement or any similar arrangement. Management
believes that the Company's relationship with its employees and foreign crew
members is good.

     Of the Company's employees, 150 persons own shares of the Company's Common
Stock and 40 other employees hold options to acquire Common Stock under the
Company's 1995 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended.

                                       43
<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES

     The following table sets forth certain information as of the date of this
Prospectus with respect to the executive officers, directors and certain other
senior officers of the Company:

                NAME                   AGE       POSITION WITH THE COMPANY
- ------------------------------------   --- -------------------------------------
Gerald G. Reuhl.....................   47  Chairman and Director (retiring)
Owen Kratz..........................   45  President, Chief Executive Officer
                                           and Director
S. James Nelson, Jr.................   56  Executive Vice President, Chief
                                           Financial Officer and Director
Martin R. Ferron....................   41  Executive Vice President and Chief
                                           Operating Officer
Andrew C. Becher....................   52  Senior Vice President and General
                                           Counsel
Louis L. Tapscott...................   60  Senior Vice President -- Business
                                           Development
Jon M. Buck.........................   40  Vice President -- Sales
Randall W. Drewry...................   52  Vice President -- Bids and Proposals
Kenneth Duell.......................   47  Vice President -- Special Projects
                                           and Deepwater
Michael P. Middleton................   41  Vice President -- Operations
A. Wade Pursell.....................   33  Vice President -- Finance
Terrell W. (Jack) Reedy.............   56  Vice President -- Safety
Lyle K. Kuntz.......................   46  President, ERT
Gordon F. Ahalt.....................   70  Director
Thomas M. Ehret.....................   46  Director
Jean-Bernard Fay....................   52  Director
Gerald M. Hage......................   49  Director
Kenneth Hulls.......................   54  Director
David H. Kennedy....................   48  Director
William E. Macaulay.................   52  Director

- ------------

     GERALD G. REUHL has served as the Company's Chairman of the Board since
1990. Mr. Reuhl is planning to retire and become a consultant to CDI in the
second quarter of 1998.

     OWEN KRATZ has served as the Company's Chief Executive Officer since April
1997, President since 1993 and Chief Operating Officer and director since 1990.
He joined the Company in 1984 and has held various offshore positions, including
SAT diving supervisor, and management responsibility for client relations,
marketing and estimating. From 1982 to 1983, Mr. Kratz was the owner of an
independent marine construction company operating in the Bay of Campeche. Prior
to 1982, he was a supervisor for various international diving companies and a
SAT diver in the North Sea.

     S. JAMES NELSON, JR., has served as Executive Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and a director of the Company since 1990. From 1985 to 1988,
Mr. Nelson was the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Diversified Energies, Inc., the former parent of Cal Dive, at which time he had
corporate responsibility for the Company. From 1980 to 1985, Mr. Nelson served
as Chief Financial Officer of Apache Corporation, an oil and gas exploration and
production company. From 1966 to 1980, Mr. Nelson was employed with Arthur
Andersen & Co., and from 1976 to 1980, he was a partner serving on the firm's
worldwide oil and gas industry team. Mr. Nelson received his undergraduate
degree from Holy Cross College (B.S.) in 1964 and a masters in business
administration (M.B.A.) from Harvard University in 1966.

     MARTIN R. FERRON became Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer in January 1998. Mr. Ferron has over sixteen years of experience in the
oilfield industry, the last seven of which were in senior management positions
with international operations of McDermott Marine Construction and Oceaneering
International Services Limited. Mr. Ferron has a Civil Engineering degree from
the City University in London, a

                                       44
<PAGE>
Masters Degree in Marine Technology from Strathclyde University in Glasgow, and
an MBA from Aberdeen University, Scotland and is a Chartered Civil Engineer.

     ANDREW C. BECHER has served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of
the Company since January 1996. Mr. Becher served as outside general counsel for
the Company from 1990 to 1996, while a partner with Robins, Kaplan, Miller &
Ciresi. From 1987 to 1990, Mr. Becher served as Senior Vice President of Dain
Bosworth, Inc., a Minneapolis-based investment banking firm. From 1976 to 1987,
he was a partner specializing in mergers and acquisitions with the law firm of
Briggs and Morgan. Mr. Becher received his undergraduate degree from Purdue
University (B.S.) in 1968 and his law degree from the University of Illinois in
1971.

     LOUIS L. TAPSCOTT joined the Company as Senior Vice President of Business
Development in August 1996. From 1992 to 1996, he was a Senior Vice President
for Sonsub International, Inc., a company which operates a deepwater fleet of
ROVs. From 1984 to 1988, he was a director and Chief Operating Officer of
Oceaneering International, Inc. Mr. Tapscott has over thirty years of executive
management and operational experience working with subsea contractors and subsea
technology organizations in the United States and internationally.

     JON M. BUCK has served as the Company's Vice President of Sales since
August 1996 and as Sales Coordinator since 1994. From 1987 to 1994, Mr. Buck
served as one of the Company's Account Managers. Prior to 1987, he held various
positions in the hyperbaric welding and sales groups of SubSea International,
Inc.

     RANDALL W. DREWRY has served as the Company's Vice President of Bids and
Proposals since 1992. He has held a number of management positions since joining
the Company in 1980 and was responsible for custom designing the CAL DIVER I in
1984. Mr. Drewry has 24 years of experience in the industry as a diver, project
manager, marine manager and sales coordinator and is a specialist in pipeline
construction and saturation project specifications.

     KENNETH DUELL joined Cal Dive in November of 1994 and was appointed Vice
President -- Special Projects in November 1996. From 1989 to 1994, he was
employed by ABB Soimi, Milan, Italy, in connection with a modular refining
systems development in Central Asia. From 1974 to 1988, he held various
positions with Santa Fe International, including the ROV and diving division.
Mr. Duell has over 22 years of worldwide experience in all aspects of the
onshore and offshore construction and diving industry.

     MICHAEL P. MIDDLETON has served as the Company's Vice President of
Operations since 1991. Since joining the Company in 1981, Mr. Middleton has held
a number of offshore and management positions, including dive tender, diver,
diving superintendent, diving personnel manager, marine operations manager and
general manager.

     A. WADE PURSELL joined the Company in May 1997 as Vice President -- Finance
and Chief Accounting Officer. From 1988 through 1997 he was with Arthur Andersen
LLP, most recently as an Experienced Manager specializing in the offshore
services industry. Mr. Pursell is a Certified Public Accountant.

     TERRELL W. (JACK) REEDY has been the Company's Vice President of Safety
since 1991, becoming Vice President of Safety and Training in 1994. Prior to
joining the Company in 1990, Mr. Reedy worked for McDermott International, Inc.
as a diving supervisor and in offshore operations and the safety area. Prior
thereto, he served in the United States Navy as a SAT diver, a diving medical
technician and a member of the Experimental Diving Unit.

     LYLE K. KUNTZ has served as President of the Company's subsidiary, Energy
Resource Technology, Inc., since its inception in 1992. Prior to forming ERT,
Mr. Kuntz spent 17 years with ARCO Oil and Gas Co. in a broad range of senior
engineering and management positions.

     GORDON F. AHALT has served on the Company's Board of Directors since July
1990 and has extensive experience in the oil and gas industry. Since 1982, Mr.
Ahalt has been the President of GFA, Inc., a petroleum industry management and
financial consulting firm. From 1979 to 1982, he served as Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer of Ashland Oil Company. Prior thereto, Mr. Ahalt
spent a number of years in executive positions with Chase Manhattan Bank.

     THOMAS M. EHRET has served on the Company's Board of Directors since April
1997. Mr. Ehret has been Senior Executive Vice President of Coflexip Stena
Offshore since 1995 and has served as Chief Operating Officer for the Group
since February 1995. From 1989 through 1994, Mr. Ehret served as President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Stena Offshore Group based in Aberdeen, Scotland.

                                       45
<PAGE>
     JEAN-BERNARD FAY has served on the Company's Board of Directors since April
1997. Mr. Fay has been Senior Executive Vice President Finance and
Administration and Chief Financial Officer of Coflexip since 1990. From 1986 to
1990, he was a Managing Director with SCOR (UK), a French reinsurance group.

     GERALD M. HAGE has served on the Company's Board of Directors since January
1995. Since 1995, Mr. Hage has served as President and Chief Executive Officer
of Phoenix Energy Services, and from 1993 to 1994, he was President and Chief
Executive Officer of Total Energy Services, Inc., which was later merged into
Enterra Corporation. From 1991 to 1993, Mr. Hage served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of First Reserve Energy Services Co. From 1981 to 1991, he
held a number of senior management positions with Baker Hughes, Incorporated,
including President and Chief Executive Officer of Baker Oil Tools and
President, Chief Executive Officer, Vice President of Manufacturing and Vice
President of Operations for Baker Tubular Services. Mr. Hage has decided not to
stand for reelection to the Company's Board at CDI's annual meeting on May 12,
1998 due to his other business responsibilities.

     KENNETH HULLS has served on the Company's Board of Directors since May
1997. Mr. Hulls has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Coflexip
Stena Offshore, Inc., the North American subsidiary of Coflexip since May 1997,
and has held various positions in the Coflexip Stena Offshore Group from 1991 to
May 1997. From 1977 to 1991, Mr. Hulls held various international positions in
the offshore construction industry.

     DAVID H. KENNEDY has served on the Company's Board of Directors since
January 1995 and has more than 20 years of experience in the energy industry. In
1981, Mr. Kennedy joined First Reserve Corporation, a corporate manager of
private investments focusing on the energy and energy-related sectors and since
1981, has served as one of its Managing Directors. From 1976 to 1981, he was
with Price Waterhouse & Co. where his responsibilities included tax and audit
services for major energy companies. Mr. Kennedy is a director of Maverick Tube
Corporation, a manufacturer of steel pipe and casing, and of Berkley Petroleum
Corporation, Best Pacific Resources and Pursuit Resources Corporation, three
Canadian exploration and production companies.

     WILLIAM E. MACAULAY has served on the Company's Board of Directors since
January 1995. Since 1983, Mr. Macaulay has served as President and since 1990
also as the Chief Executive Officer of First Reserve Corporation, a corporate
manager of private investments focusing on the energy and energy-related
sectors. Mr. Macaulay serves as a director of Weatherford Enterra, Inc., an
oilfield service company, Maverick Tube Corporation, a manufacturer of steel
pipe and casing, TransMontaigne Oil Company, a downstream oil and gas
transportation, marketing and distribution company, and production company,
National-Oilwell Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of oil field equipment,
and Domain Energy Corporation, an independent oil and gas company.

     The Company's Bylaws provide for the Board of Directors to be divided into
three classes of directors with each class to be as nearly equal in number of
directors as possible, serving staggered three-year terms. The terms of the
Class I directors, Owen Kratz, Thomas M. Ehret, and Gerald M. Hage, expire in
1998. Mr. Hage has notified CDI that he will not stand for re-election in 1998
due to his other business responsibilities. The terms of the Class II directors,
William E. Macaulay, Gerald G. Reuhl, Gordon F. Ahalt and Jean-Bernard Fay will
expire in 1999. The terms of the Class III directors, David H. Kennedy, S. James
Nelson, Jr. and Kenneth Hulls will expire in 2000. Each director serves until
the end of his term or until his successor is elected and qualified. Based upon
the sale of shares by the First Reserve Funds and Gerald G. Reuhl, as herein
described, Mr. Reuhl and one First Reserve Fund designated director must resign
and the total number of directors shall decrease to nine as required by the
Shareholders Agreement. See "Description of Capital Stock -- Certain
Anti-Takeover Provisions."

COMMITTEES

     As authorized by CDI's Bylaws (and as provided in the Shareholders
Agreement among the Company, certain of its executives, Coflexip and the First
Reserve Funds dated April 11, 1997, as amended (the "Shareholders Agreement"),
the Board has established the following four committees: (i) a five-member
Executive Committee comprised of one First Reserve Funds director, one Coflexip
director, one independent director and two directors appointed by management
which, when the Board is not in session, shall exercise such power and authority
of the Board in the management of the business of the Company pursuant to the
unanimous vote of such Committee as the Board may from time to time authorize,
(ii) a four-member Audit Committee including two independent directors, which
shall consult with the independent public auditors of the Company in

                                       46
<PAGE>
connection with such auditors' audit and review of the financial statements of
CDI and shall consult with CDI's Chief Financial Officer and staff in connection
with the preparation of the Company's financial statements, subject to such
limitations as the Board may from time to time impose; (iii) a five-member
Compensation Committee comprised of one First Reserve Funds director, one
Coflexip director, one director appointed by management and two independent
directors, which shall administer awards under any Stock Option Plan and shall
evaluate and make recommendations with respect to the compensation arrangements
of executive officers of the Company, subject to such limitations as the Board
may from time to time impose; and (iv) a three-member Nominating Committee
comprised of one First Reserve Funds director, one Coflexip director and one
director appointed by management, which shall be responsible for searching for
and selecting nominees to serve as independent directors from a list of
acceptable potential nominees prepared by the First Reserve Funds director and
Coflexip director with the advice of the director appointed by management, from
which list the director appointed by management shall select a nominee.

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

     The Company pays the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by each
Director in connection with attending the meetings of the Board, any Subsidiary
Board and any committee thereof. In addition, the Company pays its Directors who
are not employed by CDI ("Non-Affiliate Directors") a fee of $20,000 per year
and $1,000 for attending each of four regularly scheduled quarterly meetings.
Furthermore, the Non-Affiliate Directors receive a fee of $500 for each
committee meeting they attend.

COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

     The following table sets forth the cash compensation paid or accrued for
services rendered in all capacities to the Company in 1997, to the Chief
Executive Officer and each of the other four most highly compensated executive
officers of the Company (the "Named Executives").

                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            LONG TERM
                                                                           COMPENSATION
                                            ANNUAL COMPENSATION         ------------------
                                        ----------------------------        SECURITIES           ALL OTHER
     NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION        YEAR     SALARY      BONUS      UNDERLYING OPTIONS    COMPENSATION(1)
- -------------------------------------   ----    --------    --------    ------------------    ---------------
<S>                                     <C>     <C>         <C>               <C>                 <C>    
Owen Kratz...........................   1997    $169,728    $169,728          250,000             $ 4,000
     President and Chief and
       Executive Officer (2)
Gerald G. Reuhl......................   1997    $151,840    $151,840         --                   $ 4,000
     Chairman (2)
S. James Nelson, Jr..................   1997    $133,432    $133,432         --                   $ 4,000
     Executive Vice President and
       Chief Financial Officer
Lyle Kuntz (3).......................   1997    $106,329    $640,085         --                   $ 4,000
     President, ERT
Louis L. Tapscott....................   1997    $140,000    $ 70,000           70,000             $ 3,570
     Senior Vice
       President -- Business
       Development
</TABLE>
- ------------

(1) Represents the Company's matching contribution to the Company's 401(k) Plan.

(2) Owen Kratz succeeded Mr. Reuhl as Chief Executive Officer in April 1997. In
    connection with closing the Coflexip transaction, Mr. Kratz exchanged
    certain rights for a five year option for 250,000 shares with an exercise
    price of $9.50 per share.

(3) Mr. Kuntz's bonus compensation varies depending on the net income before
    taxes of ERT.

     Except as indicated above, no stock options were granted to the Named
Executives during 1997 and none of these individuals exercised a stock option
during 1997.

     Each of CDI's three principal executive officers, Gerald G. Reuhl, Owen
Kratz and S. James Nelson, Jr., has entered into a two-year employment agreement
with the Company each of which expire on April 30, 1999. These agreements
provide, among other things, that until the later of April 30, 2002 or the first
or second anniversary of the date of termination of the executive's employment
with CDI (depending on the event of termination), the executive shall not,
directly or indirectly either for himself or any other individual or entity,
participate in any business which engages or which proposes to engage in the
business of providing diving services in the Gulf of Mexico or any other
business actively engaged in by CDI on the date of termination of employment, so
long as

                                       47
<PAGE>
the Company continues to make payments to such executive, including his base
salary and insurance benefits received by senior executives of CDI. In
connection with the Coflexip transaction, CDI also entered into employment
agreements with six of the Company's other senior officers substantially similar
to the above agreements.

COMPENSATION PURSUANT TO PLANS

  BONUS PLANS

     CDI has established bonus compensation plans for several classes of its
employees. Payments under each plan are based on the Company's performance. A
separate plan is applicable to the three principal employees of ERT and provides
for a bonus of between 1% to 10% of net income before taxes of ERT up to a
maximum total of 15% of such net income.

  PROFIT SHARING AND RETIREMENT PLAN

     CDI's Retirement Plan (the "Retirement Plan") is a 401(k) savings plan.
The Retirement Plan permits each employee to become a participant in the savings
plan feature on January 1, April 1, July 1, or October 1 following the
employee's completion of 90 consecutive days of employment.

     Under the Retirement Plan, each active participant may elect, subject to
certain limitations required by law, to defer payment of from 1% to 15% of his
or her compensation. Upon such an election, CDI contributes such deferred
amounts to the Retirement Plan on behalf of such participant. Such contributions
to the 401(k) savings plan are invested according to the instructions of the
participant in investment funds designated by the plan administrator. Subject to
reduction or elimination based on its financial performance and needs as
described in the Retirement Plan, CDI's contributions are determined annually as
50% of each employee's contribution (up to a maximum of 5% of the employee's
annual salary).

     Employee contributions to the 401(k) savings plan and earnings thereon are
100% vested at all times. Contributions by CDI to the profit sharing feature,
and earnings thereon, vest based on the participant's years of service with the
Company, vesting 20% after two years of service, increasing to 50% with three
years of service, and becoming 100% vested following four years of service. All
contributions vest, regardless of years of service, upon termination of
employment by reason of death or disability, attainment of age 65 or the
termination or discontinuance of the Retirement Plan. After termination of
employment, an employee is entitled to receive a lump-sum distribution of his or
her entire vested interest in the Retirement Plan.

  STOCK OPTION PLAN

     The Company's 1995 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended (the "Stock Option
Plan") is administered by the Board and its Compensation Committee and provides
for grants of incentive and nonqualified options as defined by the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the "Code") to employees as determined by
the Compensation Committee. The Stock Option Plan provides that options for a
maximum of 10% of the total shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding may be
granted. No options may be granted under the Stock Option Plan after October
2005. Options granted to employees under the Stock Option Plan have a maximum
term of five years and, subject to certain exceptions, are not transferable.

     The number and exercise price of options granted to employees will be
determined by the Compensation Committee; provided, however, that (i) the
exercise price of an incentive option may not be less than the fair market value
of the shares subject to the option on the date of the grant, and (ii) the
exercise price of a non-qualified option may not be less than 85% of the fair
market value of the shares subject to the option on the date of the grant. The
Stock Option Plan provides that, upon a change of control, the options
immediately vest and become exercisable.

     To date, options to purchase approximately 984,500 shares of Common Stock
at exercise prices ranging from $4.50 to $32.00 have been granted to 40
employees.

  STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

     The Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan") is administered
by the Employee Benefits Committee and allows all eligible employees to receive
purchase rights for the Company's Common Stock. Once every six months, each
employee can set-aside between 1% and 10% of their base compensation via payroll
deductions to purchase shares at 85% of the lower of market price at the
beginning or end of the plan period. The Plan is intended to qualify for tax
benefits under Section 423 of the Code so that there is no tax to the
participant at the time of grant and, if held long enough, the sale would be
eligible for capital gains treatment.

                                       48
<PAGE>
                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     DESCRIBED BELOW ARE CERTAIN RELATED AGREEMENTS. THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTIONS
ARE QUALIFIED IN THEIR ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE COMPLETE TEXT OF THE
RELEVANT AGREEMENTS, COPIES OF WHICH ARE FILED AS EXHIBITS TO THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT OF WHICH THIS PROSPECTUS IS A PART AND ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
HEREIN.

PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     On April 11, 1997, CDI, the Selling Shareholders, Messrs. Reuhl, Kratz and
Nelson and certain other shareholders of the Company entered into an agreement
with Coflexip pursuant to which (i) CDI sold to Coflexip 528,541 shares of
Common Stock and (ii) certain shareholders of the Company, including Messrs.
Reuhl, Kratz and Nelson, sold to Coflexip 3,171,247 shares of Common Stock, all
at a purchase price of $9.46 per share for an aggregate price of $35 million
(the "Purchase Agreement"). For issuing Common Stock to Coflexip, the Company
received $5 million in consideration, consisting of two Triton XL ROVs. Among
other terms of the Purchase Agreement, CDI was required to make a number of
specific representations, warranties and covenants about its business, capital
structure, assets and liabilities. Individual selling shareholders were required
to make separate representations. CDI and Coflexip also agreed to indemnify each
other against certain claims and liabilities arising in connection with the
transaction for a minimum of three years for up to the amount of consideration
transferred for shares, in the case of the Company, or for the value of the
assets transferred, in the case of Coflexip.

SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT

  COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD

     Pursuant to the Shareholders Agreement, the Board currently consists of 10
members, three nominated by Coflexip, three nominated by the First Reserve Funds
and Messrs. Kratz, Reuhl, Nelson and Ahalt. In addition, the Board will nominate
two additional directors by a majority vote of the entire Board, to serve in
separate classes. The Shareholders Agreement provides that the Company will
nominate and use its best efforts to take all necessary action to elect to the
Board the individuals required to be nominated for election as directors. The
Shareholders Agreement provides that the number of director nominees to be
designated by a shareholder shall be reduced if such shareholder's holdings of
Common Stock fall below certain levels. Consequently, upon completion of this
Offering, Mr. Reuhl will resign from the Board, the First Reserve Funds will be
required to have one of their directors resign and the number of directors shall
be reduced to eight.

  RIGHT OF FIRST OFFER

     The Shareholders Agreement provides that CDI will not enter into any
agreement (i) to sell the Company (ii) to retain an advisor to sell the Company
or (iii) to pursue any acquisition in excess of 50% of the Company's market
capitalization (based on the 30-day average trading value of the Common Stock)
without first notifying Coflexip in writing and providing Coflexip (including
its affiliates) with the right to acquire CDI and the opportunity to consummate
an acquisition of another party or Quantum on terms substantially equivalent to
any proposal. If Coflexip does not notify CDI of its intent to pursue a
transaction within 15 days of the notice (the "Notice Period"), the Board will
have the right to pursue the transaction.

     If Coflexip elects to pursue an acquisition of CDI, the Company will take
no further action with respect thereto for 120 days from the date of Coflexip's
notice. If Coflexip does not pursue an acquisition of CDI, Coflexip has the
right to acquire the Company's interest in Quantum by providing notice within
the Notice Period. The purchase price for Quantum shall be based on a valuation
prepared by an independent appraiser appointed by the Board. Coflexip retains
the foregoing rights to acquire the Company or Quantum so long as it owns at
least five percent of CDI's Common Stock.

  LIMITED PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS

     The Shareholders Agreement provides that, except under limited
circumstances (including issuances of securities under stock option plans or in
connection with acquisitions), CDI shall provide preemptive rights to acquire
the Company's securities to each of Coflexip, the First Reserve Funds and
Messrs. Reuhl, Kratz and Nelson. In the event of any public offering (by the
Company), Coflexip and the First Reserve Funds shall have

                                       49
<PAGE>
the opportunity to acquire their pro rata share unless the managing underwriters
for such offering believe it would materially and adversely affect the
marketability of such offering.

  LIMITATIONS ON TRANSFERS

     The Shareholders Agreement contains certain customary transfer restrictions
that prohibit the parties from transferring any Common Stock, except for certain
permitted transfers.

BUSINESS COOPERATION AGREEMENT

     In connection with the Purchase Agreement, the Company and Coflexip entered
into a Business Cooperation Agreement pursuant to which the parties formed
Quantum. See "Business -- Coflexip Strategic Alliance -- The Business
Cooperation Agreement."

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENTS

     In January 1995, the Company and certain shareholders entered into an
agreement pursuant to which they sold an aggregate of 5,549,630 shares of Common
Stock to the First Reserve Funds at a purchase price of $4.50 per share. In
connection with the purchases of such shares of Common Stock, each of the First
Reserve Funds, Gerald G. Reuhl, Owen Kratz, S. James Nelson, Jr. and the other
shareholders of the Company entered into a registration rights agreement with
the Company providing for demand and "piggyback" registration rights with
respect to such shares. In connection with the Purchase Agreement, the Company
and Coflexip entered into a registration rights agreement providing for demand
and "piggyback" registration rights with respect to such shares. These
registration rights agreements provide that if the Company proposes to register
any of its securities under the Securities Act, the holder is entitled to
include shares of Common Stock owned by such holder in such offering provided,
among other conditions, that the underwriters of any offering have the right to
limit the number of such shares included in such registration. Such registration
rights agreements further provide for registration upon the request of holders
of at least 5% of the shares of Common Stock subject to the agreement. See
"Description of Capital Stock -- Registration Rights."

                                       50
<PAGE>
                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

     The following table sets forth certain information as of April 20, 1998,
with respect to the beneficial ownership of Common Stock by (i) each shareholder
of the Company who owns more than 5% of the outstanding stock, (ii) each
director of the Company, (iii) each of the Named Executives, (iv) all directors
and executive officers as a group and (v) each Selling Shareholder.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       SHARES BENEFICIALLY              SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                              OWNED                            OWNED
                                        PRIOR TO OFFERING     SHARES     AFTER OFFERING(1)
                                       -------------------     BEING    -------------------
                NAME                    NUMBER     PERCENT    OFFERED    NUMBER     PERCENT
- -------------------------------------  ---------   -------   ---------  ---------   -------
<S>            <C>                       <C>          <C>      <C>                      
Gerald G. Reuhl(2)(3)................    912,731      6.2%     912,731     --         --
Owen Kratz(2)(3)(8)..................  1,490,929     10.2       --      1,490,929     10.2%
S. James Nelson, Jr.(2)..............    303,125      2.1      100,000    203,125      1.4
Lyle K. Kuntz........................      3,110     *          --          3,110     *
Louis L. Tapscott(9).................     15,333     *          --         15,333     *
Gordon F. Ahalt......................     32,000     *          --         32,000     *
William E. Macaulay(4)...............  2,980,373     20.4    1,480,373  1,500,000     10.3
John A. Hill(4)......................  2,980,373     20.4    1,480,373  1,500,000     10.3
David H. Kennedy(5)..................     --         --         --         --         --
Gerald M. Hage.......................     20,000     *          --         20,000     *
Thomas M. Ehret......................     --         --         --         --         --
Jean-Bernard Fay.....................     --         --         --         --         --
Kenneth Hulls........................     --         --         --         --         --
First Reserve Corporation(4).........  2,980,373     20.4    1,480,373  1,500,000     10.3
First Reserve Fund VI(5).............  1,549,221     10.6      749,221    800,000      5.5
First Reserve Fund V(5)..............  1,097,371      7.5      547,371    550,000      3.8
First Reserve Fund V-2(5)............    322,753      2.2      172,753    150,000      1.0
First Reserve Secured Energy Assets
  Fund(5)............................     11,028     *          11,028     --         --
Coflexip(6)..........................  3,699,788     25.3       --      3,699,788     25.3
Cambridge Investments, Ltd.(10)......    872,346      6.0       --        872,346      6.0
All directors and executive officers
  as a group
  (15 persons)(7)....................  9,457,389     64.7    2,493,104  6,964,285     47.7
</TABLE>
- ------------

* Less than 1%.

 (1) Unless otherwise indicated, the persons listed in the table have sole
     voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as
     beneficially owned by them.

 (2) The address of each executive officer is 400 N. Sam Houston Parkway E.,
     Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77060.

 (3) Messrs. Reuhl and Kratz are parties to an option agreement pursuant to
     which Mr. Kratz can purchase up to 168,350 shares of Common Stock from Mr.
     Reuhl. It is expected that Mr. Reuhl will repurchase this option in
     connection with the closing of this Offering by paying Mr. Kratz, for each
     share covered by the option, the difference between the option exercise
     price and the price on the cover of this Prospectus net of all costs.

 (4) First Reserve Corporation and Messrs. Macaulay and Hill do not directly own
     any Common Stock. The number of shares shown as beneficially owned by First
     Reserve Corporation and Messrs. Macaulay and Hill consists of all the
     shares owned by the First Reserve Funds. First Reserve Corporation may be
     deemed to have beneficial ownership of the shares of voting stock held by
     the First Reserve Funds because it is the managing general partner of each
     of the First Reserve Funds and has voting and dispositive power over those
     shares. Messrs. Macaulay and Hill may be deemed to have beneficial
     ownership over the shares held by the First Reserve Funds because of their
     ownership of a controlling interest in the common stock of First Reserve
     Corporation and their positions as managing directors of First Reserve
     Corporation. Messrs. Macaulay and Hill disclaim beneficial ownership of
     such shares. Mr. Macaulay is a director of the Company. The address of
     First Reserve Corporation and Messrs. Macaulay and Hill (c/o First Reserve
     Corporation) is 475 Steamboat Rd., Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.

 (5) The addresses of David H. Kennedy, First Reserve Fund VI, First Reserve
     Fund V, First Reserve Fund V-2 and First Reserve Secured Energy Assets Fund
     are c/o First Reserve Corporation, 475 Steamboat Road, Greenwich,
     Connecticut 06830.

 (6) The address of Coflexip is 23 Avenue de Neuilly, 75116 Paris, France.

 (7) Includes shares issuable upon exercise of options to directors and
     executive officers.

 (8) Includes 50,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options.

 (9) Includes 14,000 shares issuable upon exercise of options.

(10) Cambridge Investments, Ltd., whose address is 600 Montgomery Street, 43rd
     Floor, San Francisco, California 94111, reported beneficial ownership of
     872,346 shares of Common Stock as of     with the following affiliates:
     Cambridge Energy Fund International, Ltd., Cambridge Energy, L.P.,
     Cambridge Oil & Gas, L.P., Cambridge Oil & Gas International, Ltd.,
     Palamundo, LDC and Quantum Partners, LDC.

                                       51
<PAGE>
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     CDI's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the "Articles of
Incorporation") provide for authorized capital stock of 60,000,000 shares of
Common Stock, no par value per share, of which 14,544,831 shares will be
outstanding upon completion of this Offering, and 5,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock, $.01 par value per share ("Preferred Stock"), of which no shares will
be outstanding upon completion of this Offering. The following summary
description of the capital stock of CDI is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Articles of Incorporation and the Company's Amended and
Restated Bylaws (the "Bylaws"), a copy of each of which is filed as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.

COMMON STOCK

     The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share on all
matters voted on by shareholders, and except as otherwise required by law or as
provided in any resolution adopted by the Board of Directors with respect to any
series of Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Common Stock exclusively
possess all voting power.

     Subject to any preferential rights of any outstanding series of Preferred
Stock created by the Board of Directors from time to time, the holders of Common
Stock are entitled to such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the
Board of Directors from funds available therefor, and upon liquidation will be
entitled to receive pro rata all assets of CDI available for distribution to
such holders. The Common Stock is not convertible or redeemable and there are no
sinking fund provisions therefor. Holders of the Common Stock are not entitled
to any preemptive rights except under the Shareholders Agreement. See "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions."

PREFERRED STOCK

     The Board of Directors of CDI, without any action by the shareholders of
the Company, is authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock,
in one or more series and to determine the voting rights, preferences as to
dividends and assets in liquidation and the conversion and other rights of each
such series. There are no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding. See
"-- Certain Anti-takeover Provisions" with regard to the effect that the
issuance of Preferred Stock might have on attempts to take over CDI.

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

     CDI has entered into both a First Amended and Restated 1995 Registration
Rights Agreement and a 1997 Registration Rights Agreement (collectively, the
"Registration Rights Agreements") with certain of its current shareholders,
the latter with Coflexip and the former with Gerald G. Reuhl, Owen Kratz, S.
James Nelson, Jr. and the First Reserve Funds, pursuant to which the holders are
entitled to certain demand and "piggyback" rights with respect to the
registration of such shares under the Securities Act. These Registration Rights
Agreements provide that if CDI proposes to register any of its securities under
the Securities Act, the holder is entitled to include shares of Common Stock
owned by such holder in such offering provided, among other conditions, that the
underwriters of any offering have the right to limit the number of such shares
included in such registration. Such Registration Rights Agreements further
provide for registration upon the request of holders of at least 5% of the
shares of Common Stock subject to the agreement. Gerald G. Reuhl is exercising
his registration rights in connection with this Offering. The other parties to
the Registration Rights Agreements, with the exception of certain other Selling
Shareholders, have waived their right to include shares of Common Stock owned by
each of them in this Offering.

CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS

     The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws contain a number of provisions
that could make the acquisition of CDI by means of a tender or exchange offer, a
proxy contest or otherwise more difficult. The description of such provisions
set forth below is intended to be only a summary and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the pertinent sections of the Articles of Incorporation
and the Bylaws, copies of which are filed as exhibits to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.

     CLASSIFIED BOARD OF DIRECTORS; REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS.  The classification of
directors will have the effect of making it more difficult for shareholders to
change the composition of the Board of Directors. At least two annual meetings
of shareholders generally will be required to effect a change in a majority of
the Board of Directors. Such a delay may help ensure that CDI's directors, if
confronted by a shareholder attempting to force a proxy contest, a tender or
exchange offer or an extraordinary corporate transaction, would have sufficient
time to

                                       52
<PAGE>
review the proposal as well as any available alternatives to the proposal and to
act in what they believe to be the best interest of the shareholders. The
classification provisions will apply to every election of directors, however,
regardless of whether a change in the composition of the Board of Directors
would be beneficial to CDI and its shareholders and whether a majority of the
Company's shareholders believes that such a change would be desirable.

     The Articles of Incorporation provide that directors of CDI may only be
removed by the affirmative vote of the holders of 68% of the voting power of all
of the then outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors (the "Voting Stock").

     The classification provisions could also have the effect of discouraging a
third party from initiating a proxy contest, making a tender or exchange offer
or otherwise attempting to obtain control of CDI, even though such an attempt
might be beneficial to the Company and its shareholders. These provisions could
thus increase the likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their
positions. In addition, the classification provisions may discourage
accumulations of large blocks of the Common Stock that are effected for purposes
of changing the composition of the Board of Directors. Accordingly, shareholders
could be deprived of certain opportunities to sell their shares of Common Stock
at a higher market price than might otherwise be the case.

     PREFERRED STOCK.  The Articles of Incorporation authorize the Board of
Directors to establish one or more series of Preferred Stock and to determine,
with respect to any series of Preferred Stock, the terms and rights of such
series, including (i) the designation of the series, (ii) the number of shares
of the series, which number the Board may thereafter (except where otherwise
provided in the certificate of designation) increase or decrease (but not below
the number of shares thereof then outstanding), (iii) whether dividends, if any,
will be cumulative or noncumulative and the dividend rate of the series, (iv)
the dates at which dividends, if any, will be payable, (v) the redemption rights
and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series, (vi) the terms and
amounts of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of
the series, (vii) the amounts payable on shares of the series in the event of
any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
affairs of CDI, (viii) whether the shares of the series will be convertible into
shares of any other class or series, or any other security, of CDI or any other
corporation, and, if so, the specification of such other class or series or such
other security, the conversion price or prices or rate or rates, any adjustments
thereof, the date or dates as of which such shares shall be convertible and all
other terms and conditions upon which such conversion may be made, (ix)
restrictions, if any, on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any
other class or series, and (x) voting rights, if any, of the shareholders of
such series, which may include the right of such shareholders to vote separately
as a class on any matter.

     CDI believes that the ability of the Board of Directors to issue one or
more series of Preferred Stock will provide the Company with flexibility in
structuring possible future financing and acquisitions and in meeting other
corporate needs which might arise. The authorized shares of Preferred Stock, as
well as shares of Common Stock, will be available for issuance without further
action by the Company's shareholders, unless such action is required by
applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system
on which CDI's securities may be listed or traded.

     Although the Board of Directors has no intention at the present time of
doing so, it could issue a series of Preferred Stock that, depending on the
terms of such series, might impede the completion of a merger, tender offer or
other takeover attempt. The Board of Directors will make any determination to
issue such shares based on its judgment as to the best interests of CDI and its
shareholders. The Board of Directors, in so acting, could issue Preferred Stock
having terms that could discourage an acquisition attempt through which an
acquiror may be otherwise able to change the composition of the Board of
Directors, including a tender or exchange offer or other transaction that some,
or a majority, of CDI's shareholders might believe to be in their best interests
or in which shareholders might receive a premium for their stock over the then
current market price of such stock.

     NO SHAREHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT; SPECIAL MEETINGS.  The Articles
of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that shareholder action can be taken only at
an annual or special meeting of shareholders and prohibit shareholder action by
written consent in lieu of a meeting. The Bylaws provide that special meetings
of shareholders can be called only upon a written request by the Chief Executive
Officer or a majority of the members of the Board of Directors. Shareholders are
not permitted to call a special meeting or to require that the Board call a
special meeting.

     The provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws prohibiting
shareholder action by written consent may have the effect of delaying
consideration of a shareholder proposal, including a shareholder proposal

                                       53
<PAGE>
that a majority of shareholders believes to be in the best interest of CDI,
until the next annual meeting unless a special meeting is called. These
provisions would also prevent the holders of a majority of the voting stock from
unilaterally using the written consent procedure to take shareholder action.
Moreover, a shareholder could not force shareholder consideration of a proposal
over the opposition of the Board by calling a special meeting of shareholders
prior to the time a majority of the Board believes such consideration to be
appropriate.

     AMENDMENT OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND
BYLAWS.  Under the MBCA, the shareholders have the right to adopt, amend or
repeal the Bylaws and, with the approval of the Board of Directors, the Articles
of Incorporation. The Articles of Incorporation provide that the affirmative
vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of the then outstanding
shares of Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, and in addition to
any other vote required by the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, is required
to amend provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws relating to: (i)
the prohibition of shareholder action without a meeting; (ii) the prohibition of
shareholders calling a special meeting; (iii) the number, election and term of
CDI's directors; (iv) the removal of directors or (v) fixing a quorum for
meetings of shareholders. The vote of the holders of a majority of the voting
power of the then outstanding shares of Voting Stock is required to amend all
other provisions of the Articles of Incorporation. The Bylaws further provide
that the Bylaws may be amended by the Board of Directors. These super-majority
voting requirements will have the effect of making more difficult any amendment
by shareholders of the Bylaws or of any of the provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation described above, even if a majority of CDI's shareholders believes
that such amendment would be in their best interests.

     ANTI-TAKEOVER LEGISLATION.  As a public corporation, CDI will be governed
by the provisions of Section 302A.673 of the MBCA. This anti-takeover provision
may eventually operate to deny shareholders the receipt of a premium on their
Common Stock and may also have a depressive effect on the market price of CDI's
Common Stock. Section 302A.673 prohibits a public corporation (except Coflexip)
from engaging in a "business combination" with an "interested shareholder"
for a period of four years after the date of the transaction in which the person
became an interested shareholder, unless the business combination is approved by
a committee of all of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of CDI
before the interested shareholder's share acquisition date. A "business
combination" includes mergers, asset sales and other transactions. An
"interested shareholder" is a person who is the beneficial owner of 10% or
more of the corporation's Voting Stock. Reference is made to the detailed terms
of Section 302A.673 of the MBCA.

LIMITATION ON DIRECTORS' LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

     The Articles of Incorporation contain a provision that eliminates, to the
extent currently allowed under the MBCA, the personal monetary liability of a
director to CDI and its shareholders for breach of his fiduciary duty of care as
a director, except in certain circumstances. If a director were to breach the
duty of care in performing his duties as a director, neither the Company nor its
shareholders could recover monetary damages from the director, and the only
course of action available to the Company's shareholders would be equitable
remedies, such as an action to enjoin or rescind a transaction involving a
breach of the fiduciary duty of care. To the extent certain claims against
directors are limited to equitable remedies, this provision of the Articles of
Incorporation may reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation and may
discourage shareholders or management from initiating litigation against
directors for breach of their duty of care. Additionally, equitable remedies may
not be effective in many situations. If a shareholder's only remedy is to enjoin
the completion of the Board of Directors' action, this remedy would be
ineffective if the shareholder does not become aware of a transaction or event
until after it has been completed. In such a situation, such shareholder would
not have effective remedy against the directors.

     The Company's Bylaws require the Company to indemnify directors and
officers to the fullest extent permitted under Minnesota law. The MBCA provides
that a corporation organized under Minnesota law shall indemnify any director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation made or threatened to be made a
party to a proceeding, by reason of the former or present official capacity (as
defined in the MBCA) of the person, against judgments, penalties, fines,
settlements and reasonable expenses incurred by the person in connection with
the proceedings if certain statutory standards are met. "Proceeding" means a
threatened, pending or completed civil, criminal, administrative, arbitration or
investigative proceeding, including one by or in the right of the corporation.
Section 302A.521 contains detailed terms regarding such rights of
indemnification and reference is made thereto for a complete statement of such
indemnification rights.

                                       54
<PAGE>
     All of the foregoing indemnification provisions include statements that
such provisions are not to be deemed exclusive of any other right to indemnity
to which a director or officer may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote
of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

     The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is Norwest Bank
Minnesota, N.A.

                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

     Upon completion of this Offering, CDI will have 14,544,831 shares of Common
Stock outstanding. The 2,493,104 shares sold in this Offering (plus any
additional shares sold upon exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option)
and the other shares of the Company's common stock outstanding are freely
tradeable in the public market without restriction or further registration under
the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by "affiliates" of CDI, as
that term is defined in Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

     In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person (or persons
whose shares are required to be aggregated), including an affiliate of CDI, who
beneficially owns "restricted securities" acquired from the Company or an
affiliate of CDI at least one year prior to the sale is entitled to sell within
any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of
(i) one percent of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock (145,448) shares
based on the number of shares outstanding immediately after completion of this
Offering, and (ii) the average weekly reported trading volume of the Common
Stock during the four calendar weeks immediately preceding the date on which
notice of such sale is filed with the Commission, provided certain manner of
sale and notice requirements and requirements as to the availability of current
public information concerning the Company are satisfied. Under Rule 144(k), a
person who has not been an affiliate of CDI for a period of three months
preceding a sale of securities by him, and who beneficially owns such
"restricted securities" acquired from CDI or an affiliate of the Company at
least two years prior to such sale, would be entitled to sell shares without
regard to volume limitations, manner of sale provisions, notification
requirements or requirements as to the availability of current public
information concerning CDI. Shares held by persons who are deemed to be
affiliates of CDI, including any shares acquired by affiliates in this Offering,
are subject to such volume limitations, manner of sale provisions, notification
requirements and requirements as to availability of current public information
concerning the Company, regardless of how long the shares have been owned or how
they were acquired, and, in addition, the sale of any "restricted securities"
beneficially owned by affiliates is subject to the one-year holding period
requirement. As defined in Rule 144, an "affiliate" of an issuer is a person
that directly or indirectly through the use of one or more intermediaries
controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such issuer.

     CDI, its directors and officers, the Selling Shareholders and Coflexip have
agreed that, for a period of 90 days after the date of this Prospectus, they
will not, directly or indirectly, offer, sell, contract to sell, grant any
option to sell or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of
Common Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or any rights
to purchase or acquire, Common Stock, other than options under the Stock Option
Plan and upon exercise of options granted under the Stock Option Plan) without
prior written consent of the Representatives of the Underwriters.

     In connection with the purchase of Common Stock by the First Reserve Funds
in January 1995 and the purchase of Common Stock by Coflexip in April 1997, the
Company entered into registration rights agreements which include certain demand
and "piggyback" registration rights, on customary terms and conditions, to the
Company's existing shareholders who currently hold an aggregate of 9,457,389
shares of Common Stock. Such registration rights are subject to certain notice
requirements, timing restrictions and volume limitations. See "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions" and "Description of Capital Stock --
Registration Rights."

     CDI has granted options to purchase an aggregate of 984,500 shares of
Common Stock under the Stock Option Plan. See "Management -- Compensation
Pursuant to Plans." The Company intends to register under the Securities Act
the shares issuable upon exercise of options granted under the Stock Option Plan
and, upon such registration, such shares will be eligible for resale in the
public market, except that any such shares issued to affiliates are subject to
the volume limitations and other restrictions of Rule 144.

                                       55
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITERS

     Under the terms and subject to the conditions in the Underwriting Agreement
dated the date of this Prospectus (the "Underwriting Agreement"), the
Underwriters named below (the "Underwriters"), for whom Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated, Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Simmons & Company
International are acting as Representatives (the "Representatives"), have
severally agreed to purchase, and the Selling Shareholders have agreed to sell
to them, severally, the respective number of shares of Common Stock set forth
opposite the names of such Underwriters below:

                                        NUMBER OF
                NAME                      SHARES
- -------------------------------------   ----------
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated....
Raymond James & Associates, Inc......
Simmons & Company International......
                                        ----------
     Total...........................   2,493,104
                                        ==========

     The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the several
Underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the shares of Common Stock
offered hereby are subject to the approval of certain legal matters by their
counsel and to certain other conditions. The Underwriters are obligated to take
and pay for all the shares of Common Stock offered hereby (other than those
covered by the overallotment option described below) if any such shares are
taken.

     The Underwriters initially propose to offer part of the shares of Common
Stock directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover
page hereof and part to certain dealers at a price, which represents a
concession not in excess of $      a share under the public offering price. Any
Underwriter may allow, and such dealers may re-allow, a concession not in excess
of $      a share to other Underwriters or to certain dealers. After the initial
offering of shares of Common Stock, the offering price and other selling terms
may from time to time be varied by the Representatives.

     Certain of the Selling Shareholders have granted to the Underwriters an
option, exercisable for 30 days after the date of this Prospectus, to purchase
up to an aggregate of 373,966 additional shares of Common Stock at the public
offering price set forth on the cover page hereof, less underwriting discounts
and commissions. The Underwriters may exercise such option solely for the
purpose of covering overallotments, if any, made in connection with the offering
of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby. To the extent such option is
exercised, each Underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain
conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of such additional
shares as the number set forth next to such Underwriter's name in the preceding
table bears to the total number of shares of Common Stock set forth next to the
names of all Underwriters in the preceding table.

     Each of the Company and the directors, executive officers and certain other
stockholders of the Company has agreed that, without the prior written consent
of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not,
during the period ending 90 days after the date of this Prospectus, (i) offer,
pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase,
purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to
purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any
shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exerciseable or
exchangeable for Common Stock or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement
that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences
of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in
clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such
other securities, in cash or otherwise. The restrictions described in this
paragraph do not apply to (x) the sale of Shares to the Underwriters, (y) the
issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of an option
or a warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date of this
Prospectus of which the Underwriters have been advised in writing or (z)
transactions by any person other than the Company relating to shares of Common
Stock or other securities acquired in open market transactions after the
completion of the offering of the Shares.

     In order to facilitate the Offering of the Common Stock, the Underwriters
may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the
price of the Common Stock. Specifically, the Underwriters may over-allot in
connection with the Offering, creating a short position in the Common Stock for
their own account. In

                                       56
<PAGE>
addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the Common Stock,
the Underwriters may bid for, and purchase, shares of Common Stock in the open
market. Finally, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions
allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the Common Stock in the
Offering, if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed Common Stock in
transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions
or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price
of the Common Stock above independent market levels. The Underwriters are not
required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at
any time.

     The Underwriters and dealers may engage in passive marketing making
transactions in the Common Stock in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M
promulgated by the Commission. In general, a passive market maker may not bid
for, or purchase, the Common Stock at a price that exceeds the highest
independent bid. In addition, the net daily purchases made by any passive market
maker generally may not exceed 30% of its average daily trading volume in the
Common Stock during a specified two month prior period or 200 shares, whichever
is greater. A passive market maker must identify passive market making bids as
such on the Nasdaq electronic inter-dealer reporting system. Passive market
making may stabilize or maintain the market price of the Common Stock above
independent market levels. Underwriters and dealers are not required to engage
in passive market making and may end passive market making activities at any
time.

     The Company, the Selling Shareholders and the Underwriters have agreed to
indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act.

     From time to time, Simmons & Company International has provided advisory
services to the Company and First Reserve Corporation and entities owned by the
First Reserve Funds, for which it has received customary compensation.

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

     The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by the Company's General Counsel, Andrew C. Becher. Certain legal
matters wil be passed upon for the Company by Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.,
Houston, Texas. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the Selling
Shareholders by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP, Denver, Colorado. Vinson & Elkins
L.L.P., Houston, Texas will pass upon certain legal matters for the
Underwriters.

                                    EXPERTS

     The consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and shareholders' equity for
the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997 included in this
Prospectus and elsewhere in the Registration Statement have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their
report with respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said
report.

     The estimated reserve evaluations and related calculations of Miller &
Lents, Ltd. set forth in this Registration Statement have been included herein
in reliance upon the authority of said firm as an expert in petroleum
engineering.

                                       57
<PAGE>
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                        PAGE
                                        ----

Report of Independent Public
  Accountants........................    F-2

Consolidated Balance
  Sheets -- December 31, 1997 and
  1996...............................    F-3

Consolidated Statements of Operations
  for the years ended December 31,
  1997, 1996 and 1995................    F-4

Consolidated Statements of
  Shareholders' Equity for the years
  ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and
  1995...............................    F-5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
  for the years ended December 31,
  1997, 1996 and 1995................    F-6

Notes to Consolidated Financial
  Statements.........................    F-7

                                      F-1
<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

To the Board of Directors of
  Cal Dive International, Inc.:

     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cal Dive
International, Inc. (a Minnesota corporation), and subsidiaries as of December
31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of operations,
shareholders' equity and cash flows for the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1997. These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Cal Dive
International, Inc., and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Houston, Texas
February 19, 1998

                                      F-2
<PAGE>
                 CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS -- DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                          ----------------------
                                             1997        1996
                                          ----------  ----------
                 ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
     Cash and cash equivalents..........  $   13,025  $      204
     Accounts receivable --
          Trade, net of revenue
            allowance on gross amounts
            billed of $1,822 and
            $1,021......................      23,856      18,849
          Unbilled revenue..............       8,134       7,364
     Other current assets...............       4,947       2,755
                                          ----------  ----------
               Total current assets.....      49,962      29,172
                                          ----------  ----------
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT..................      89,499      61,466
     Less -- Accumulated depreciation...     (20,021)    (13,260)
                                          ----------  ----------
                                              69,478      48,206
                                          ----------  ----------
OTHER ASSETS:
     Cash deposits restricted for
      salvage operations................       5,670       5,234
     Other assets, net..................         490         444
                                          ----------  ----------
                                          $  125,600  $   83,056
                                          ==========  ==========

  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
     Accounts payable...................  $   12,919  $    9,909
     Accrued liabilities................       7,514       5,758
     Income taxes payable...............         602          94
                                          ----------  ----------
               Total current
                 liabilities............      21,035      15,761
LONG-TERM DEBT..........................      --          25,000
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES...................       8,745       5,417
DECOMMISSIONING LIABILITIES.............       6,451       6,034
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
     Common stock, no par, 60,000 shares
      authorized, 21,345 and 18,448
      shares issued and outstanding.....      52,832       9,093
     Retained earnings..................      40,288      25,806
     Treasury stock, 6,820 and 7,349
      shares, at cost...................      (3,751)     (4,055)
                                          ----------  ----------
               Total shareholders'
                 equity.................      89,369      30,844
                                          ----------  ----------
                                          $  125,600  $   83,056
                                          ==========  ==========

  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.

                                      F-3
<PAGE>
                 CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
                    (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                       -------------------------------
                                         1997       1996       1995
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
NET REVENUES:
     Subsea and salvage revenues.....  $  92,860  $  63,870  $  32,747
     Natural gas and oil
     production......................     16,526     12,252      4,777
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
                                         109,386     76,122     37,524
COST OF SALES:
     Subsea and salvage..............     67,538     46,766     25,568
     Natural gas and oil
     production......................      8,163      7,270      3,107
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
          Gross profit...............     33,685     22,086      8,849
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
SELLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES:
     Selling expenses................      1,429      1,157        939
     Administrative expenses.........      9,767      7,134      3,993
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
          Total selling and
            administrative
            expenses.................     11,196      8,291      4,932
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS...............     22,489     13,795      3,917
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE:
     Interest expense, net...........        123        745        135
     Other expense...................         85         36         61
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES...........     22,281     13,014      3,721
     Provision for income taxes......      7,799      4,579      1,047
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
NET INCOME...........................  $  14,482  $   8,435  $   2,674
                                       =========  =========  =========
NET INCOME PER SHARE:
     Basic...........................  $    1.12  $    0.76  $    0.24
     Diluted.........................       1.09       0.75       0.24
                                       =========  =========  =========
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES
  OUTSTANDING:
     Basic...........................     12,883     11,099     11,016
     Diluted.........................     13,313     11,286     11,055
                                       =========  =========  =========

  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.

                                      F-4
<PAGE>
                 CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             COMMON STOCK                      TREASURY STOCK          TOTAL
                                           -----------------    RETAINED     ------------------    SHAREHOLDERS'
                                           SHARES    AMOUNT     EARNINGS     SHARES     AMOUNT         EQUITY
                                           ------    -------    ---------    -------    -------    --------------
<S>                                        <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>           <C>     
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1994..............   18,388    $ 1,178     $14,697     (10,069)   $(5,481)      $ 10,394
NET INCOME..............................     --        --          2,674       --         --             2,674
ACTIVITY IN COMPANY STOCK PLANS.........       60        121       --            500        150            271
SALE OF TREASURY STOCK, NET.............     --        7,794       --          2,220      1,276          9,070
                                           ------    -------    ---------    -------    -------    --------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1995..............   18,448      9,093      17,371      (7,349)    (4,055)        22,409
NET INCOME..............................     --        --          8,435       --         --             8,435
                                           ------    -------    ---------    -------    -------    --------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1996..............   18,448      9,093      25,806      (7,349)    (4,055)        30,844
NET INCOME..............................     --        --         14,482       --         --            14,482
ACTIVITY IN COMPANY STOCK PLANS.........       22        327       --          --         --               327
SALE OF TREASURY STOCK, NET.............     --        4,055       --            529        304          4,359
SALE OF COMMON STOCK, NET...............    2,875     39,357       --          --         --            39,357
                                           ------    -------    ---------    -------    -------    --------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1997..............   21,345    $52,832     $40,288      (6,820)   $(3,751)      $ 89,369
                                           ======    =======    =========    =======    =======    ==============
</TABLE>
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.

                                      F-5
<PAGE>
                 CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                       ----------------------------------
                                          1997        1996        1995
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income.........................  $   14,482  $    8,435  $    2,674
     Adjustments to reconcile net
     income to net cash provided by
     operating activities --
       Depreciation and
      amortization...................       7,512       5,257       2,794
       Deferred income taxes.........       3,789       2,122         635
       Gain on sale of property......        (464)     --          --
     Changes in operating assets and
      liabilities:
       Accounts receivable, net......      (5,777)    (15,287)      2,592
       Other current assets..........      (2,653)       (299)      1,574
       Accounts payable and accrued
        liabilities..................       4,766       6,355       1,640
       Income taxes payable
        (receivable).................         736         280        (327)
       Other noncurrent, net.........         (97)        782         414
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------
          Net cash provided by
            operating activities.....      22,294       7,645      11,996
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Capital expenditures...............     (28,936)    (27,289)    (16,857)
  Deposits restricted for salvage
     operations......................        (436)       (255)     (2,727)
  Proceeds from sale of property.....       1,084         244      --
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------
          Net cash used in investing
            activities...............     (28,288)    (27,300)    (19,584)
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Sale of treasury stock, net of
     transaction costs...............       4,359      --           9,070
  Borrowings under term loan
     facility........................       6,700      25,000       8,253
  Exercise of stock warrants and
     options.........................          99      --             271
  Decrease in short-term borrowing...      --          --          (1,900)
  Repayments of long-term debt.......     (31,700)     (5,300)     (8,219)
  Sale of Common Stock, net of
     transaction costs...............      39,357      --          --
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------
          Net cash provided by
            financing activities.....      18,815      19,700       7,475
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND
  CASH EQUIVALENTS...................      12,821          45        (113)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
  Balance, beginning of year.........         204         159         272
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------
  Balance, end of year...............  $   13,025  $      204  $      159
                                       ==========  ==========  ==========

  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.

                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                 CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  ORGANIZATION:

     Cal Dive International, Inc. (Cal Dive, CDI or the Company), headquartered
in Houston, Texas, owns, staffs and operates ten marine construction vessels and
a derrick barge in the Gulf of Mexico. The Company provides a full range of
services to offshore oil and gas exploration and production and pipeline
companies, including underwater construction, maintenance and repair of
pipelines and platforms, and salvage operations.

     In September 1992, Cal Dive formed a wholly owned subsidiary, Energy
Resource Technology, Inc. (ERT), to purchase producing offshore oil and gas
properties which are in the later stages of their economic lives. ERT is a fully
bonded offshore operator and, in conjunction with the acquisition of properties,
assumes the responsibility to decommission the property in full compliance with
all governmental regulations.

2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

  PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

     The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated.

  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

     Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided
primarily on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the
assets.

     All of the Company's interests in natural gas and oil properties are
located offshore in United States waters. Under the successful efforts method,
the costs of successful wells and leases containing productive reserves are
capitalized.

     ERT offshore property acquisitions are recorded at the value exchanged at
closing together with an estimate of its proportionate share of the
decommissioning liability assumed in the purchase based upon its working
interest ownership percentage. In estimating the decommissioning liability to be
assumed in offshore property acquisitions, the Company performs very detailed
estimating procedures, including engineering studies. All capitalized costs are
amortized on a unit-of-production basis (UOP) based on the estimated remaining
oil and gas reserves. Properties are periodically assessed for impairment in
value, with any impairment charged to expense.

     The following is a summary of the components of property and equipment
(dollars in thousands):

                                         ESTIMATED
                                        USEFUL LIFE     1997       1996
                                        -----------   ---------  ---------
Vessels..............................         15      $  62,814  $  40,403
Offshore leases and equipment........        UOP         15,634     14,767
Machinery and equipment..............          5          8,191      5,125
Leasehold improvements, furniture,
  software and computer equipment....          5          2,651      1,061
Automobiles and trucks...............          3            209        110
                                                      ---------  ---------
     Total property and equipment....                 $  89,499  $  61,466
                                                      =========  =========

     The cost of repairs and maintenance of vessels and equipment is charged to
operations as incurred, while the cost of improvements is capitalized. Total
repair and maintenance charges were $6,771,000, $3,655,000 and $2,368,000 for
the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Upon the
disposition of property and equipment, the related cost and accumulated
depreciation accounts are relieved, and the resulting gain or loss is included
in other income (expense).

  USE OF ESTIMATES

     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and

                                      F-7
<PAGE>
                 CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

  REVENUE RECOGNITION

     The Company earns the majority of its service revenues during the summer
and fall months. Revenues are derived from billings under contracts (which are
typically of short duration) that provide for either lump-sum turnkey charges or
specific time, material and equipment charges which are billed in accordance
with the terms of such contracts. The Company recognizes revenue as it is earned
at estimated collectible amounts. Revenue on significant turnkey contracts is
recognized on the percentage-of-completion method based on the ratio of costs
incurred to total estimated costs at completion. Contract price and cost
estimates are reviewed periodically as work progresses and adjustments are
reflected in the period in which such estimates are revised. Provisions for
estimated losses on such contracts are made in the period such losses are
determined. Unbilled revenue represents revenue attributable to work completed
prior to year-end which has not yet been invoiced. All amounts included in
unbilled revenue at December 31, 1997 and 1996, are expected to be billed and
collected within one year.

  REVENUE ALLOWANCE ON GROSS AMOUNTS BILLED

     The Company bills for work performed in accordance with the terms of the
applicable contract. The gross amount of revenue billed will include not only
the billing for the original amount quoted for a project but also include
billings for services provided which the Company believes are outside the scope
of the original quote. The Company establishes a Revenue Allowance for these
additional billings based on its collections history if conditions warrant such
a reserve.

  MAJOR CUSTOMERS AND CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

     The market for the Company's services is the offshore oil and gas industry,
and the Company's customers consist primarily of major, well-established oil and
pipeline companies and independent oil and gas producers. The Company performs
ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and provides allowances for probable
credit losses when necessary; however, such losses have historically been
insignificant.

     Two customers merged during 1995 (J. Ray McDermott, S.A.) and together
accounted for 19 percent, 24 percent and 21 percent of consolidated revenues in
the years 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. In addition, Shell accounted for 11
percent of consolidated revenues in 1997.

  INCOME TAXES

     Deferred taxes are recognized for revenues and expenses reported in
different years for financial statement purposes and income tax purposes in
accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." The statement
requires, among other things, the use of the liability method of computing
deferred income taxes. The liability method is based on the amount of current
and future taxes payable using tax rates and laws in effect at the balance sheet
date.

  EARNINGS PER SHARE

     In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standard No. 128, "Earnings Per Share". This statement
replaces APB Opinion No. 15 and establishes standards for computing and
presenting earnings per share. The Company adopted this standard, as required,
for the year ended December 31, 1997. Adoption of this standard did not have a
material effect on the Company's reported earnings per share amounts.

     SFAS 128 requires the presentation of "basic" EPS and "diluted" EPS on
the face of the statement of operations. Basic EPS is computed by dividing the
net income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average shares of
outstanding common stock. The calculation of diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS

                                      F-8
<PAGE>
                 CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

except that the denominator includes dilutive common stock equivalents, which
were stock options, less the number of treasury shares assumed to be purchased
from the proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

  STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

     The Company defines cash and cash equivalents as cash and all highly liquid
financial instruments with original maturities of less than three months. During
the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Company's cash payments
for interest were approximately $1,033,000, $1,069,000 and $526,000,
respectively, and cash payments for federal income taxes were approximately
$3,200,000, $2,200,000 and $663,000, respectively. In connection with 1997, 1996
and 1995 offshore property acquisitions, ERT assumed net abandonment liabilities
estimated at approximately $1,351,000, $1,200,000 and $3,800,000, respectively
(see Note 3).

  RECLASSIFICATIONS

     Certain reclassifications were made to previously reported amounts in the
consolidated financial statements and notes to make them consistent with the
current presentation format.

  INVESTMENTS

     The Company follows SFAS No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in
Debt and Equity Securities." Under SFAS No. 115, debt securities, including
treasury bills and notes, that the Company has both the intent and ability to
hold to maturity, are carried at amortized cost and are included in cash
deposits restricted for salvage operations in the accompanying consolidated
balance sheets. As all of these securities as of December 31, 1997, are U.S.
Treasury securities and notes, the majority of which mature beyond one year, the
Company believes the recorded balance of these securities approximates their
fair market value.

3.  OFFSHORE PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS:

     During 1995, net working interests of 50 percent to 100 percent in seven
offshore blocks were acquired in exchange for cash of $1,780,000 and ERT
assuming the related abandonment liabilities. The 1996 property acquisitions
included net working interests of 33 percent to 100 percent in four offshore
blocks which were acquired for cash of $3,600,000 and assumption of a pro rata
share of the decommissioning liability. During 1997, ERT acquired net working
interest of 50 percent to 100 percent in 3 offshore blocks in exchange for $1.3
million in cash and assumption of a pro rata share of the decommissioning
liability.

     ERT production activities are regulated by the federal government and
require significant third-party involvement, such as refinery processing and
pipeline transportation. The Company records revenue from its offshore
properties net of royalties paid to the Minerals Management Service. Royalty
fees paid totaled approximately $3,018,000, $1,996,000 and $875,000 for the
years ended 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. In accordance with federal
regulations that require operators in the Gulf of Mexico to post an areawide
bond of $3,000,000, cash deposits restricted for salvage operations include U.S.
Treasury bonds of $3,300,000 at December 31, 1997 (see Note 2). In addition, the
terms of certain of the 1993 purchase and sale agreements require that ERT
deposit a portion of a property's net production revenue into interest-bearing
escrow accounts until such time as a specified level of funding has been set
aside for salvaging and abandoning the properties. As of December 31, 1997, such
deposits totaled $2,370,000 and are included in cash deposits restricted for
salvage operations in the accompanying balance sheet.

                                      F-9
<PAGE>
                 CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

4.  ACCRUED LIABILITIES:

     Accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

                                            1997       1996
                                          ---------  ---------
Accrued payroll and related benefits....  $   4,097  $   2,961
Workers compensation claims.............      1,100        999
Workers compensation claims to be
  reimbursed............................      1,568        698
Other...................................        749      1,100
                                          ---------  ---------
     Total accrued liabilities..........  $   7,514  $   5,758
                                          =========  =========

5.  REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY:

     During 1995, the Company entered into a $30 million revolving credit
facility, maturing in May 2000, which is secured by property and equipment and
trade receivables. At the Company's option, interest was at a rate equal to 2.00
percent above a Eurodollar base rate (2.25 on borrowings less than $10 million)
or .5 percent above prime. Pursuant to these terms, borrowings at December 31,
1996, included $22 million at 7.37 percent (Eurodollar option) and $3 million at
8.75 percent. The Company drew upon the revolving credit facility throughout the
three years ended December 31, 1997. Under this credit facility, letters of
credit (LOC) are also available which the Company typically uses if performance
bonds are required and, in certain cases, in lieu of purchasing U.S. Treasury
bonds in conjunction with ERT property acquisitions. At December 31, 1996 and
1997, LOC totaling $4.25 million and $2.92 million were outstanding pursuant to
these terms.

     During April 1997, the revolving credit facility was amended, increasing
the amount available to $40 million and reducing the financial covenant
restrictions to one (a fixed charge ratio) and reducing the interest rate from
 .5% above prime and 2% above the Eurodollar base rate to prime and 1.25 to 2.50
percent above Eurodollar based on specific provisions set forth in the loan
agreement. The Company was in compliance with these debt covenants at December
31, 1997.

6.  FEDERAL INCOME TAXES:

     Federal income taxes have been provided based on the statutory rate of 34
percent in 1995 and 1996 and 35 percent in 1997 adjusted for items which are
allowed as deductions for federal income tax reporting purposes, but not for
book purposes. The primary differences between the statutory rate and the
Company's effective rate are as follows:

                                         1997       1996       1995
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
Statutory rate.......................     35%        34%        34%
Percentage depletion related to the
  natural gas production of ERT
  properties.........................     --         --         (7)
Other................................     --          1          1
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
Effective rate.......................     35%        35%        28%
                                       =========  =========  =========

     Components of the provision for income taxes reflected in the statements of
operations consist of the following (in thousands):

                                         1997       1996       1995
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
Current..............................  $   4,010  $   2,457  $     412
Deferred.............................      3,789      2,122        635
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
                                       $   7,799  $   4,579  $   1,047
                                       =========  =========  =========

                                      F-10
<PAGE>
                 CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

     Deferred income taxes result from those transactions which affect financial
and taxable income in different years. The nature of these transactions and the
income tax effect of each as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, is as follows (in
thousands):

                                         1997       1996
                                       ---------  ---------
Deferred tax liabilities --
     Depreciation....................  $   8,745  $   5,417
                                       ---------  ---------
Deferred tax assets --
     Reserves, accrued liabilities
      and other......................        (91)      (552)
                                       ---------  ---------
          Net deferred tax
             liability...............  $   8,654  $   4,865
                                       =========  =========

7.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

  LEASE COMMITMENTS

     The Company occupies several facilities under noncancelable operating
leases, with the more significant leases expiring in the years 2004 and 2007.
Future minimum rentals under these leases are $4.35 million at December 31, 1997
with $495,000 in 1998, $559,000 in 1999, $553,000 in 2000, $569,000 in 2001 and
the balance thereafter. Total rental expense under operating leases was
$376,000, $262,000 and $240,000 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and
1995, respectively.

  INSURANCE AND LITIGATION

     The Company carries hull protection on vessels, indemnity insurance and a
general umbrella policy. All onshore employees are covered by workers'
compensation, and all offshore employees, including divers and tenders, are
covered by Jones Act employee coverage, the maritime equivalent of workers'
compensation. The Company is exposed to deductible limits on its insurance
policies, which vary from $5,000 to a maximum of $100,000 per accident
occurrence. Effective August 1, 1992, the Company adopted a self-insured (within
specified limits) medical and health benefits program for its employees whereby
the Company is exposed to a maximum of $15,000 per claim.

     The Company incurs workers' compensation claims in the normal course of
business, which management believes are covered by insurance. The Company, its
insurers and legal counsel analyze each claim for potential exposure and
estimate the ultimate liability of each claim. Amounts accrued and receivable
from insurance companies, above the applicable deductible limits, are reflected
in other current assets in the consolidated balance sheet. See related accrued
liabilities at Note 4. Such amounts were $1,568,000 and $698,000 as of December
31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The Company has not incurred any significant
losses as a result of claims denied by its insurance carriers. In the opinion of
management, the ultimate liability to the Company, if any, which may result from
these claims will not materially affect the Company's consolidated financial
position, results of operations or net cash flows.

8.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS:

  DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN

     The Company sponsors a defined contribution 401(k) retirement plan covering
substantially all of its employees. The Company's contributions and cost are
determined annually as 50 percent of each employee's contribution up to 5
percent of the employee's salary. The Company's costs related to this plan
totaled $270,000, $197,000 and $168,000 for the years ended December 31, 1997,
1996 and 1995, respectively.

  INCENTIVE AND STOCK OPTION PLAN

     During 1995, the board of directors and shareholders approved the 1995
Long-Term Incentive Plan (the Incentive Plan). Under the Incentive Plan, a
maximum of 10% of the total shares of Common Stock issued and

                                      F-11
<PAGE>
                 CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

outstanding may be granted to key executives and selected employees who are
likely to make a significant positive impact on the reported net income of the
Company. The Incentive Plan is administered by a committee which determines,
subject to approval of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, the
type of award to be made to each participant and sets forth in the related award
agreement the terms, conditions and limitations applicable to each award. The
committee may grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, or stock and cash
awards. Options granted to employees under the Incentive Plan vest 20% per year
for a five year period, have a maximum exercise life of five years and, subject
to certain exceptions, are not transferable.

     The stock option plan is accounted for using APB Opinion No. 25, and
therefore no compensation expense is recorded. If SFAS Statement No. 123 had
been used for the accounting of these plans, the Company's pro forma net income
for 1997, 1996 and 1995 would have been $14,023,000, $8,330,000 and $2,607,000,
respectively, and the Company's pro forma diluted earnings per share would have
been $1.07, $0.74 and $0.24, respectively. These pro forma results exclude
consideration of options granted prior to January 1, 1995, and therefore may not
be representative of that to be expected in future years.

     All of the options outstanding at December 31, 1997, have exercise prices
as follows: 454,500 shares at $4.50, 470,000 shares at $9.50 and 70,000 shares
at a range of $26.75 to $32.75 and a weighted average remaining contractual life
of 3.68 years.

     The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average
assumptions used for grants in 1995 and 1996: risk-free interest rates of 5.9
percent; expected dividend yields of 0 percent; expected lives of five years;
and expected volatility of 0 percent as the Company was a privately held entity
and accordingly estimating the expected volatility was not feasible. The same
weighted average assumptions were used for grants in 1997 with the exception of
expected volatility which is assumed to be 36 percent and risk-free interest
rate assumed to be 5.5 percent.

     Options outstanding are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               1997                   1996                   1995
                                       --------------------   --------------------   ---------------------
                                                   WEIGHTED               WEIGHTED                WEIGHTED
                                                   AVERAGE                AVERAGE                 AVERAGE
                                                   EXERCISE               EXERCISE                EXERCISE
                                        SHARES      PRICE      SHARES      PRICE       SHARES      PRICE
                                       ---------   --------   ---------   --------   ----------   --------
<S>                                      <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>   
Options outstanding, beginning of
  year...............................    544,500    $ 4.50      447,500    $ 4.50       560,000    $  .35
Granted..............................    540,000     12.17      135,000      4.50       447,500      4.50
Exercised............................    (22,000)     4.50       --         --         (560,000)      .35
Terminated...........................    (68,000)     4.50      (38,000)     4.50        --         --
                                       ---------   --------   ---------   --------   ----------   --------
Options outstanding,
  December 31........................    994,500    $ 8.66      554,500    $ 4.50       447,500    $ 4.50
Options exercisable,
  December 31........................    199,604    $ 4.50      124,700    $ 4.50        44,000    $ 4.50
                                       =========   ========   =========   ========   ==========   ========
</TABLE>
9.  COMMON STOCK:

     During 1995, the board of directors and shareholders approved an amendment
to the Articles of Incorporation increasing the number of authorized shares from
2,000,000 to 20,000,000. In connection with this measure, a 10-for-1 stock split
was also approved. Accordingly, all of the share and per share information
included in the financial statements and notes thereto has been restated
retroactively to reflect the 10-for-1 stock split.

     During 1995, certain investment funds managed by First Reserve Corporation
(the "First Reserve Funds") acquired a 50 percent ownership position in the
Company by purchasing 3,329,780 shares held by employees and 2,219,850 treasury
shares held by the Company, increasing shareholders' equity by $10,000,000
($9,070,000, net of transaction costs).

                                      F-12
<PAGE>
                 CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

     On April 11, 1997, Coflexip purchased approximately 3,700,000 shares of the
Company's stock, consisting of approximately 2.1 million shares sold by
management of the Company, 1.1 million shares sold by First Reserve Funds and
approximately 500,000 shares sold by the Company at a price of $9.46 per share.
The Company had previously, in February of 1997, contracted with Coflexip to
acquire two ROVs at published retail prices. Coflexip agreed to accept
approximately 500,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock as payment for the
ROVs and as part of the transaction described above.

     In conjunction with this transaction, the Company entered into a new
Shareholders Agreement. The new Shareholders Agreement provides that, except in
limited circumstances (including issuance of securities under stock option plans
or in conjunction with acquisitions), the Company shall provide preemptive
rights to acquire the Company's securities to each of Coflexip, First Reserve
and the Executive Directors. The Shareholders Agreement also provides that the
Company will not enter into an agreement (i) to sell the Company, (ii) to retain
an advisor to sell the Company or (iii) to pursue any acquisition in excess of
50% of the Company's market capitalization without first notifying Coflexip in
writing and providing Coflexip the opportunity to consummate an acquisition on
terms substantially equivalent to any proposal.

     The Company completed an initial public offering of common stock on July 7,
1997, with the sale of 4.1 million shares at $15 per share. Of the 4.1 million
shares, 2,875,000 shares were sold by the Company and 1,265,000 shares were sold
by First Reserve Funds. Net proceeds to the Company of approximately $39.4
million were used to retire all of its then outstanding long-term indebtedness
of $20 million.

10.  BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (IN THOUSANDS):

     The following summarizes certain financial data by business segment:

                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                       ---------------------------------
                                          1997        1996       1995
                                       ----------  ----------  ---------
Revenues --
  Subsea and salvage revenues........  $   92,860  $   63,870  $  32,747
  Natural gas and oil production.....      16,526      12,252      4,777
                                       ----------  ----------  ---------
          Total......................  $  109,386  $   76,122  $  37,524
                                       ==========  ==========  =========
Income from operations --
  Subsea and salvage.................  $   16,411  $   10,503  $   3,185
  Natural gas and oil production.....       6,078       3,292        732
                                       ----------  ----------  ---------
          Total......................  $   22,489  $   13,795  $   3,917
                                       ==========  ==========  =========
Identifiable assets --
  Subsea and salvage.................  $  107,420  $   63,217  $  31,473
  Natural gas and oil production.....      18,180      19,839     13,386
                                       ----------  ----------  ---------
          Total......................  $  125,600  $   83,056  $  44,859
                                       ==========  ==========  =========
Capital expenditures --
  Subsea and salvage.................  $   26,984  $   20,038  $  14,260
  Natural gas and oil production.....       1,952       7,251      2,597
                                       ----------  ----------  ---------
          Total......................  $   28,936  $   27,289  $  16,857
                                       ==========  ==========  =========
Depreciation and amortization --
  Subsea and salvage.................  $    4,000  $    2,525  $   1,659
  Natural gas and oil production.....       3,512       2,732      1,135
                                       ----------  ----------  ---------
          Total......................  $    7,512  $    5,257  $   2,794
                                       ==========  ==========  =========

                                      F-13
<PAGE>
                 CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

11.  SUPPLEMENTAL OIL AND GAS DISCLOSURES (UNAUDITED):

     The following information regarding the Company's oil and gas producing
activities is presented pursuant to SFAS No. 69, "Disclosures About Oil and Gas
Producing Activities" (in thousands).

  CAPITALIZED COSTS

     Aggregate amounts of capitalized costs relating to the Company's oil and
gas producing activities and the aggregate amount of related accumulated
depletion, depreciation and amortization as of the dates indicated are presented
below. The Company has no capitalized costs related to unproved properties.

                                           AS OF DECEMBER 31,
                                          --------------------
                                            1997       1996
                                          ---------  ---------
Proved properties being amortized.......  $  15,634  $  14,767
Less -- Accumulated depletion,
  depreciation and amortization.........     (6,845)    (3,998)
                                          ---------  ---------
     Net capitalized costs..............  $   8,789  $  10,769
                                          =========  =========

  COSTS INCURRED IN OIL AND GAS PRODUCING ACTIVITIES

     The following table reflects the costs incurred in oil and gas property
acquisition and development activities during the dates indicated:

                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                          -------------------------------
                                            1997       1996       1995
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
Proved property acquisition costs.......  $   2,687  $   4,688  $   6,092
Development costs.......................        385      2,048        310
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
     Total costs incurred...............  $   3,072  $   6,736  $   6,402
                                          =========  =========  =========

  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR OIL AND GAS PRODUCING ACTIVITIES

                                              YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                          -------------------------------
                                            1997       1996       1995
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
Revenues................................  $  16,526  $  12,252  $   4,777
Production (lifting) costs..............      4,651      4,538      1,971
Depreciation, depletion and
  amortization..........................      3,512      2,732      1,136
Pretax income from producing
  activities............................      8,363      4,982      1,670
Income tax expenses.....................      2,927      1,744        568
                                          ---------  ---------  ---------
Results of oil and gas producing
  activities............................  $   5,436  $   3,238  $   1,102
                                          =========  =========  =========

  ESTIMATED QUANTITIES OF PROVED OIL AND GAS RESERVES

     Proved oil and gas reserve quantities are based on estimates prepared by
Company engineers in accordance with guidelines established by the Securities
and Exchange Commission. The Company's estimates of reserves at December 31,
1997, have been reviewed by Miller and Lents, Ltd., independent petroleum
engineers. Reserve quantities for periods prior to December 31, 1995, were
estimated by the Company's internal engineers and not independent engineers
since the Company was a privately held entity. The internal engineers did not
revise their estimates for 1994 because the Company's properties were proved and
producing in the latter stages of their respective lives and revisions to the
reserve data were insignificant. Accordingly, no revisions of estimates prior to
December 31, 1995 have been reflected. All of the Company's reserves are located
in the United States. Proved reserves cannot be measured exactly because the
estimation of reserves involves numerous judgmental determinations. Accordingly,
reserve estimates must be continually revised as a result of new information
obtained from drilling and production history, new geological and geophysical
data and changes in economic conditions.

                                      F-14
<PAGE>
                 CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

     As of December 31, 1995, all of the Company's proved reserves were
developed. As of December 31, 1996 and 1997, 4,500 Bbls. of oil and 6,325,700
Mcf. of gas of the Company's proved reserves were undeveloped.

                                             OIL        GAS
      RESERVE QUANTITY INFORMATION         (BBLS.)    (MCF.)
- ----------------------------------------   -------   ---------
Total proved reserves at December 31,
1994....................................      75         3,336
     Production.........................     (33)       (2,382)
     Purchases of reserves in place.....      80        19,444
                                           -------   ---------
Total proved reserves at December 31,
  1995..................................     122        20,398
     Revisions of previous estimates....      32          (365)
     Production.........................     (38)       (4,310)
     Purchases of reserves in place.....       8         8,873
                                           -------   ---------
Total proved reserves at December 31,
  1996..................................     124        24,596
     Revisions of previous estimates....     (21)        1,831
     Production.........................     (51)       (5,385)
     Purchases of reserves in place.....     149         2,115
     Sales of reserves in place.........      (1)         (912)
                                           -------   ---------
Total proved reserves at December 31,
  1997..................................     200        22,245
                                           =======   =========

  STANDARDIZED MEASURE OF DISCOUNTED FUTURE NET CASH FLOWS RELATING TO PROVED
OIL AND GAS RESERVES

     The following table reflects the standardized measure of discounted future
net cash flows relating to the Company's interest in proved oil and gas reserves
as of December 31:

                                          1997        1996        1995
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------
Future cash inflows..................  $   59,819  $   92,393  $   44,127
Future costs --
     Production......................     (23,675)    (26,247)    (23,990)
     Development and abandonment.....      (6,917)     (7,365)     (6,168)
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------
Future net cash flows before income
  taxes..............................      29,227      58,781      13,969
     Future income taxes.............      (7,927)    (17,980)     (5,072)
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------
Future net cash flows................      21,300      40,801       8,897
     Discount at 10% annual rate.....      (1,540)     (6,996)     (1,252)
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------
Standardized measure of discounted
  future net cash flows..............  $   19,760  $   33,805  $    7,645
                                       ==========  ==========  ==========

                                      F-15
<PAGE>
                 CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

  CHANGES IN STANDARDIZED MEASURE OF DISCOUNTED FUTURE NET CASH FLOWS

     Principal changes in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash
flows attributable to the Company's proved oil and gas reserves are as follows:

                                          1997        1996       1995
                                       ----------  ----------  ---------
Standardized measure, beginning of
  year...............................  $   33,805  $    7,645  $     604
Sales, net of production costs.......     (11,441)     (9,882)    (2,806)
Net change in prices, net of
  production costs...................     (17,707)     22,201      1,217
Changes in future development
  costs..............................         160        (555)    --
Development costs incurred...........         385       2,007     --
Accretion of discount................       4,870       1,200         60
Net change in income taxes...........       7,544     (10,539)    (4,358)
Purchases of reserves in place.......       3,282      21,730     13,068
Sales of reserves in place...........      (2,480)     --         --
Changes in production rates (timing)
  and other..........................       1,342          (2)      (140)
                                       ----------  ----------  ---------
Standardized measures, end of year...  $   19,760  $   33,805  $   7,645
                                       ==========  ==========  =========

12.  REVENUE ALLOWANCE ON GROSS AMOUNTS BILLED:

     The following table sets forth the activity in the Company's Revenue
Allowance on Gross Amounts Billed for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1997 (in thousands):

                                         1997       1996       1995
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
Beginning balance....................  $   1,021  $     402  $     364
Additions............................      3,058      1,784        464
Deductions...........................     (2,257)    (1,165)      (426)
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
Ending balance.......................  $   1,822  $   1,021  $     402
                                       =========  =========  =========

     The Company also regularly reviews its trade receivable balances for
collectibility and provides Reserves for Bad Debts when necessary; however, as
the Company's customers consist primarily of major, well-established oil and
pipeline companies and independent oil and gas producers such reserves have
historically been insignificant. See Note 2 for a detailed discussion regarding
the Company's accounting policy on the revenue allowance on gross amounts
billed.

13.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

  INVESTMENT IN AQUATICA, INC.

     In February 1998, the Company purchased a significant minority stake in
Aquatica, Inc. for cash, in addition to a commitment to lend additional funds to
allow Aquatica to purchase vessels and fund other growth opportunities.
Aquatica, Inc., headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana, is a surface diving
company founded in October 1997 with the acquisition of Acadiana Divers, a 15
year old surface diving company. Dependent upon various preconditions, as
defined, the shareholders of Aquatica, Inc. have the right to convert their
shares into Cal Dive shares at a ratio based on a formula which, among other
things, values their interest in Aquatica, Inc. and must be accretive to Cal
Dive shareholders. The Company will account for this investment on the equity
basis of accounting for financial reporting purposes.

  ACQUISITION OF OFFSHORE BLOCKS

     In January 1998, ERT acquired interests in six blocks involving two
separate fields (a 55% interest in East Cameron 231 and a 10% interest in East
Cameron 353) from Sonat Exploration Company ("Sonat"). The

                                      F-16
<PAGE>
                 CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

properties were purchased in exchange for cash of $1 million, as well as
assumption of Sonat's pro rata share of the related decommissioning liability.

14.  QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED):

     The offshore marine construction industry in the Gulf of Mexico is highly
seasonal as a result of weather conditions and the timing of capital
expenditures by the oil and gas companies. Historically, a substantial portion
of the Company's services has been performed during the period from June through
November. As a result, historically a disproportionate portion of the Company's
revenues and net income is earned during the third (July through September) and
fourth (October through December) quarters of its fiscal year. The following is
a summary of consolidated quarterly financial information for 1997 and 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            QUARTER ENDED
                                        -----------------------------------------------------
                                        MARCH 31     JUNE 30    SEPTEMBER 30     DECEMBER 31
                                        ---------   ---------   -------------    ------------
                                              (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                      <C>        <C>            <C>             <C>     
FISCAL 1997
Revenues.............................    $18,444    $  28,628      $28,859         $ 33,455
Gross profit.........................      5,423        9,282        8,419           10,561
Net income...........................      1,886        4,604        3,983            4,009
Net income per share:
     Basic...........................       0.17         0.40         0.28             0.28
     Diluted.........................       0.17         0.39         0.27             0.27
FISCAL 1996
Revenues.............................    $11,184    $  17,605      $23,906         $ 23,427
Gross profit.........................      3,148        5,497        7,508            5,933
Net income...........................      1,156        2,403        3,412            1,464
Net income per share:
     Basic...........................       0.10         0.22         0.31             0.13
     Diluted.........................       0.10         0.22         0.30             0.13
</TABLE>
                                      F-17
<PAGE>
                      -------------------------------------

                            [Chart Depicting Vessels]

                      -------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                 [CAL DIVE LOGO]
<PAGE>
                                    PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

13.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

     The following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses of the
Registrant in connection with the offering described in the Registration
Statement. All of the amounts shown are estimates except the SEC registration
fee and the NASD filing fee.

SEC Filing Fee.......................  $
NASD Filing Fee......................
NASDAQ Listing Fee...................     (1)
Legal Fees and Expenses..............     (1)
Accounting Fees and Expenses.........     (1)
Printing Expenses....................     (1)
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses...........     (1)
Miscellaneous Expenses...............     (1)
                                       ---------
     Total...........................  $  (1)(2)
                                       =========

- ------------

(1) To be provided by amendment.

(2) All of the issuance and distribution expenses will be borne by the
    Registrant.

14.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

     Minnesota Statutes Section 302A.521 provides that a corporation organized
under Minnesota law shall indemnify any director, officer, employee or agent of
the corporation made or threatened to be made a party to a proceeding, by reason
of the former or present official capacity (as defined) of the person, against
judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses incurred by the
person in connection with the proceedings if certain statutory standards are
met. "Proceeding" means a threatened, pending or completed civil, criminal,
administrative, arbitration or investigative proceeding, including one by or in
the right of the corporation. Section 302A.521 contains detailed terms regarding
such rights of indemnification and reference is made thereto for a complete
statement of such indemnification rights.

     Reference is made to the Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit 1 to this
Registration Statement for a description of indemnification arrangements related
to this Offering.

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Act") may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                      II-1
<PAGE>
15.  RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.

     During the last three years, the Company has sold the following securities
(as adjusted for a   -for-1 reverse stock split effective             , 1997)
that were not registered under the Act.

     1.  From November 1995 through May 1996, pursuant to the provisions of the
1995 Long Term Incentive Plan, the Company granted options to purchase an
aggregate of 476,500 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $4.50 per
share to certain employees, including officers and directors.

     2.  In April 1997, the Company granted options to employees to purchase an
aggregate of 435,000 shares at an exercise price of $9.50 per share.

     3.  On April 11, 1997, the Company issued an aggregate of 528,541 shares of
Common Stock to Coflexip at a per share price equal to $9.46 per share in
consideration for the purchase of certain assets valued at an aggregate of $5
million and in entering into a Business Cooperation Agreement pursuant to which
the Company and Coflexip intend to form a joint venture for combined services on
Gulf of Mexico projects.

     4.  Since the Company's initial public offering, 20,000 shares have been
issued pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options.

     No underwriting commissions or discounts were paid with respect to the
sales of unregistered securities described herein.

     Except as otherwise noted, all of the above sales were made in reliance on
Section 4(2) of the Act for transactions not involving a public offering. With
regard to the reliance by the Company upon such exemption for registration,
certain inquiries were made by the Company to establish that such sales
qualified for such exemption from the registration requirements. In particular,
the Company confirmed that (i) each purchaser provided the Company with written
assurance of investment intent, and the certificates for the shares sold
accordingly bear restrictive legends and (ii) sales were made a limited number
of persons.

16.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

(A)  EXHIBITS

        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                       DESCRIPTION
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
           1.1       -- Form of Underwriting Agreement
           3.1       -- Amended and Restated Articles of
                        Incorporation of Registrant,
                        incorporated by reference to Exhibits
                        3.1 to the Form S-1 Registration
                        Statement filed by the Registrant (Reg.
                        No. 333-26357).
           3.2       -- Bylaws of Registrant, incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Form S-1
                        Registration Statement filed by the
                        Registrant (Reg. No. 333-26357).
           4.1       -- Amended and Restated Loan and Security
                        Agreement by and among the Company, ERT
                        and Fleet Capital Corporation (f/n/a
                        Shawmut Capital Corporation) dated as of
                        May 23, 1995 incorporated by reference
                        to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form S-1
                        Registration Statement filed by the
                        Registrant (Reg. No. 333-26357).
           4.2       -- Amendment No. 5 to Loan incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Form S-1
                        Registration Statement filed by the
                        Registrant (Reg. No. 333-26357).
           4.3       -- Form of Common Stock certificate,
                        incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
                        to the Form S-1 Registration Statement
                        filed by the Registrant (Reg. No.
                        333-26357).
           4.4       -- Shareholders Agreement by and among the
                        Company, First Reserve Secured Energy
                        Asset Fund, First Reserve Fund V, First
                        Reserve Fund V-2, First Reserve Fund
                        (collectively the "Selling
                        Shareholders"), Messrs. Reuhl, Kratz,
                        Nelson and other shareholders of the
                        Company incorporated by reference to
                        Exhibit 4.4 to the Form S-1 Registration
                        Statement filed by the Registrant (Reg.
                        No. 333-26357).

                                      II-2
<PAGE>
           4.5       -- Registration Rights Agreement by and
                        between the Company, the Selling
                        Shareholders, Messrs. Reuhl, Kratz,
                        Nelson and other shareholders of the
                        Company incorporated by reference to
                        Exhibit 4.5 to the Form S-1 Registration
                        Statement filed by the Registrant (Reg.
                        No. 333-26357).
           4.6       -- Registration Rights Agreement by and
                        between the Company and Coflexip in-
                        corporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6
                        to the Form S-1 Registration Statement
                        filed by the Registrant (Reg. No.
                        333-26357).
           5.1(1)    -- Opinion of Andrew C. Becher.
          10.1       -- Purchase Agreement dated April 11, 1997
                        by and between Coflexip and the Company P
                        incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                        10.1 to the Form S-1 the Registration
                        Statement filed by the Registrant (Reg.
                        No. 333-26357).
          10.2       -- Business Cooperation Agreement dated
                        April 11, 1997 by and between Coflexip
                        and the Company incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Form
                        S-1 the Registration Statement filed by
                        the Registrant (Reg. No. 333-26357).
          10.3       -- 1995 Long Term Incentive Plan, as
                        amended incorporated by reference to
                        Exhibit 10.3 to the Form S-1 the
                        Registration Statement filed by the
                        Registrant (Reg. No. 333-26357).
          10.4       -- Employment Agreement between Gerald G.
                        Reuhl and the Company incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Form
                        S-1 the Registration Statement filed by
                        the Registrant (Reg. No. 333-26357).
          10.5       -- Employment Agreement between Owen Kratz
                        and the Company incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Form
                        S-1 the Registration Statement filed by
                        the Registrant (Reg. No. 333-26357).
          10.6       -- Employment Agreement between S. James
                        Nelson and the Company incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Form
                        S-1 the Registration Statement filed by
                        the Registrant (Reg. No. 333-26357).
          10.7(1)    -- Employment Agreement between Louis L.
                        Tapscott and the Company.
          10.8       -- 1997 Annual Incentive Compensation
                        Program incorporated by reference to
                        Exhibit 10.7 to the Form S-1
                        Registration Statement filed by
                        Registrant (Reg. No. 333-26357).
          21         -- Subsidiaries of the Registrant. The
                        Company has two subsidiaries, Energy
                        Resource Technologies, Inc., a Delaware
                        corporation, and Cal Dive Offshore,
                        Ltd., a Cayman Islands corporation.
          23.1       -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
          23.2(1)    -- Consent of Andrew C. Becher (included in
                        Exhibit 5.1)
          23.3       -- Consent of Miller & Lents, Ltd.
          24         -- Power of Attorney (included on signature
                        page)

- ------------

(1) To be filed by amendment

(B)  FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

     None

17.  UNDERTAKINGS.

     (a)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1993, as amended (the "Act") may be permitted to directors,
officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of
the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indenmification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate

                                      II-3
<PAGE>
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.

     (b)  The Registrant hereby undertakes to provide of the Underwriter at the
closing specified in the Underwriting Agreement certificates in such
denominations and registered in such names as required by the Underwriter to
permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

     (c)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

     i.  For purposes of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1993,
the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of a
registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 430A and contained in the form of
a prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or Rule 497(h)
under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of the Registration
Statement as of the time it was declared effective.

     ii.  For the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be
deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initital bona fide offering thereof.

                                      II-4
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THE
REGISTRANT CERTIFIES THAT IT HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT IT MEETS ALL
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING ON FORM S-1 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY
AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, STATE OF TEXAS, ON APRIL 22, 1998.

                                          CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                                          By: /s/ OWEN KRATZ
                                                  OWEN KRATZ
                                            CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

     Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints OWEN
KRATZ and ANDREW C. BECHER, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents,
each acting alone, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him
and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all
amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the Registration Statement
on Form S-1 and any additional Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 462(b),
and to file the same, with all exhibits hereto, and all documents in connection
herewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and authority to do and perform each
and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, each acting alone, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED,
THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BELOW BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN
THE CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED ON APRIL 22, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                       TITLE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                                                   <S>
                  /s/GERALD G. REUHL                  Chairman of the Board
                   GERALD G. REUHL
                    /s/OWEN KRATZ                     President, Chief Executive Officer,
                      OWEN KRATZ                      Chief Operating Officer and Director
                                                      (principal executive officer)
                  /s/S. JAMES NELSON                  Executive Vice President, Chief
                   S. JAMES NELSON                    Financial Officer and Director
                                                      (principal financial and accounting
                                                      officer)
                /s/WILLIAM E. MACAULAY                Director
                 WILLIAM E. MACAULAY
                  /s/GORDON F. AHALT                  Director
                   GORDON F. AHALT
                 /s/DAVID H. KENNEDY                  Director
                   DAVID H. KENNEDY
                  /s/GERALD M. HAGE                   Director
                    GERALD M. HAGE
                  /s/THOMAS M. EHRET                  Director
                   THOMAS M. EHRET
                 /s/JEAN-BERNARD FAY                  Director
                   JEAN-BERNARD FAY
                   /s/KENNETH HULLS                   Director
                    KENNETH HULLS
</TABLE>
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
                                INDEX TO EXIBITS

        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                       DESCRIPTION
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
           1.1       -- Form of Underwriting Agreement
           3.1       -- Amended and Restated Articles of
                        Incorporation of Registrant,
                        incorporated by reference to Exhibits
                        3.1 to the Form S-1 Registration
                        Statement filed by the Registrant (Reg.
                        No. 333-26357).
           3.2       -- Bylaws of Registrant, incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Form S-1
                        Registration Statement filed by the
                        Registrant (Reg. No. 333-26357).
           4.1       -- Amended and Restated Loan and Security
                        Agreement by and among the Company, ERT
                        and Fleet Capital Corporation (f/n/a
                        Shawmut Capital Corporation) dated as of
                        May 23, 1995 incorporated by reference
                        to Exhibit 4.1 to the Form S-1
                        Registration Statement filed by the
                        Registrant (Reg. No. 333-26357).
           4.2       -- Amendment No. 5 to Loan incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Form S-1
                        Registration Statement filed by the
                        Registrant (Reg. No. 333-26357).
           4.3       -- Form of Common Stock certificate,
                        incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
                        to the Form S-1 Registration Statement
                        filed by the Registrant (Reg. No.
                        333-26357).
           4.4       -- Shareholders Agreement by and among the
                        Company, First Reserve Secured Energy
                        Asset Fund, First Reserve Fund V, First
                        Reserve Fund V-2, First Reserve Fund
                        (collectively the "Selling
                        Shareholders"), Messrs. Reuhl, Kratz,
                        Nelson and other shareholders of the
                        Company incorporated by reference to
                        Exhibit 4.4 to the Form S-1 Registration
                        Statement filed by the Registrant (Reg.
                        No. 333-26357).
<PAGE>
           4.5       -- Registration Rights Agreement by and
                        between the Company, the Selling
                        Shareholders, Messrs. Reuhl, Kratz,
                        Nelson and other shareholders of the
                        Company incorporated by reference to
                        Exhibit 4.5 to the Form S-1 Registration
                        Statement filed by the Registrant (Reg.
                        No. 333-26357).
           4.6       -- Registration Rights Agreement by and
                        between the Company and Coflexip in-
                        corporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6
                        to the Form S-1 Registration Statement
                        filed by the Registrant (Reg. No.
                        333-26357).
           5.1(1)    -- Opinion of Andrew C. Becher.
          10.1       -- Purchase Agreement dated April 11, 1997
                        by and between Coflexip and the Company P
                        incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                        10.1 to the Form S-1 the Registration
                        Statement filed by the Registrant (Reg.
                        No. 333-26357).
          10.2       -- Business Cooperation Agreement dated
                        April 11, 1997 by and between Coflexip
                        and the Company incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Form
                        S-1 the Registration Statement filed by
                        the Registrant (Reg. No. 333-26357).
          10.3       -- 1995 Long Term Incentive Plan, as
                        amended incorporated by reference to
                        Exhibit 10.3 to the Form S-1 the
                        Registration Statement filed by the
                        Registrant (Reg. No. 333-26357).
          10.4       -- Employment Agreement between Gerald G.
                        Reuhl and the Company incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Form
                        S-1 the Registration Statement filed by
                        the Registrant (Reg. No. 333-26357).
          10.5       -- Employment Agreement between Owen Kratz
                        and the Company incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Form
                        S-1 the Registration Statement filed by
                        the Registrant (Reg. No. 333-26357).
          10.6       -- Employment Agreement between S. James
                        Nelson and the Company incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Form
                        S-1 the Registration Statement filed by
                        the Registrant (Reg. No. 333-26357).
          10.7(1)    -- Employment Agreement between Louis L.
                        Tapscott and the Company.
          10.8       -- 1997 Annual Incentive Compensation
                        Program incorporated by reference to
                        Exhibit 10.7 to the Form S-1
                        Registration Statement filed by
                        Registrant (Reg. No. 333-26357).
          21         -- Subsidiaries of the Registrant. The
                        Company has two subsidiaries, Energy
                        Resource Technologies, Inc., a Delaware
                        corporation, and Cal Dive Offshore,
                        Ltd., a Cayman Islands corporation.
          23.1       -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
          23.2(1)    -- Consent of Andrew C. Becher (included in
                        Exhibit 5.1)
          23.3       -- Consent of Miller & Lents, Ltd.
          24         -- Power of Attorney (included on signature
                        page)
- ------------

(1) To be filed by amendment

                                                                     EXHIBIT 1.1

                                   DRAFT DATED
                                 APRIL 22, 1998
                                    VERSION 2



                                   |X| SHARES


                          CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                      COMMON STOCK (NO PAR VALUE PER SHARE)



                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT


May |X|, 1998
<PAGE>
                                  May |X|, 1998


Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
Simmons & Company International
c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
        1585 Broadway
        New York, New York  10036

Dear Sirs and Mesdames:

               Certain shareholders of Cal Dive International, Inc., a Minnesota
corporation (the "COMPANY") named in Schedule I hereto (the "SELLING
SHAREHOLDERS") severally propose to sell to the several Underwriters named in
Schedule II hereto (the "UNDERWRITERS"), an aggregate of |X| shares of the
Common Stock, no par value per share, of the Company (the "FIRM SHARES"), each
Selling Shareholder selling the amount set forth opposite such Selling
Shareholder's name in Schedule I hereto.

               Certain of the Selling Shareholders also propose to issue and
sell to the several Underwriters not more than an additional |X| shares of the
Common Stock, no par value per share, of the Company (the "ADDITIONAL SHARES"),
if and to the extent that you, as Managers of the offering, shall have
determined to exercise, on behalf of the Underwriters, the right to purchase
such shares of common stock granted to the Underwriters in Section 3 hereof. The
Firm Shares and the Additional Shares are hereinafter collectively referred to
as the "SHARES". The shares of Common Stock, no par value per share, of the
Company to be outstanding after giving effect to the sales contemplated hereby
are hereinafter referred to as the "COMMON STOCK". The Selling Shareholders are
hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as the "SELLERS".

               The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "COMMISSION") a registration statement, including a prospectus, relating to
the Shares. The registration statement as amended at the time it becomes
effective, including the information (if any) deemed to be part of the
registration statement at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"), is hereinafter
referred to as the "REGISTRATION STATEMENT"; the prospectus in the form first
used to confirm sales of Shares is hereinafter referred to as the "PROSPECTUS".
If the Company has filed an abbreviated registration statement to register
additional shares of Common Stock pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities
Act (the "RULE 462 REGISTRATION STATEMENT"), then any reference herein to the
term "REGISTRATION STATEMENT" shall be deemed to include such Rule 462
Registration Statement.

               1. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. The Company
represents and warrants to and agrees with each of the Underwriters that:

               (a) The Registration Statement has become effective; no stop
        order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in
        effect, and no proceedings for such purpose are pending before or
        threatened by the Commission.

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                       -1-
<PAGE>
               (b) (i) The Registration Statement, when it became effective, did
        not contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not
        contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
        material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
        statements therein not misleading, (ii) the Registration Statement and
        the Prospectus comply and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable,
        will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the
        applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and (iii)
        the Prospectus does not contain and, as amended or supplemented, if
        applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
        omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein,
        in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
        misleading, except that the representations and warranties set forth in
        this paragraph do not apply to statements or omissions in the
        Registration Statement or the Prospectus based upon information relating
        to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such
        Underwriter through you expressly for use therein.

               (c) The Company has been duly incorporated, is validly existing
        as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of
        its incorporation, has the corporate power and authority to own its
        property and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and
        is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each
        jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or
        leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent
        that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not
        have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries,
        taken as a whole.

               (d) Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly incorporated, is
        validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the
        jurisdiction of its incorporation, has the corporate power and authority
        to own its property and to conduct its business as described in the
        Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good
        standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or
        its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except
        to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing
        would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
        subsidiaries, taken as a whole; all of the issued shares of capital
        stock of each subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly
        authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned
        directly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances,
        equities or claims.

               (e) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
        delivered by the Company.

               (f) The authorized capital stock of the Company conforms as to
        legal matters to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus.

               (g) The shares of Common Stock (including the Shares to be sold
        by the Selling Shareholders) outstanding prior to the issuance of the
        Shares to be sold by the Company have been duly authorized and are
        validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                       -2-
<PAGE>
               (h) The Shares to be sold by the Company have been duly
        authorized and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms
        of this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and
        non-assessable, and the issuance of such Shares will not be subject to
        any preemptive or similar rights.

               (i) The execution and delivery by the Company of, and the
        performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement will
        not contravene any provision of applicable law or the Amended and
        Restated Articles of Incorporation (the "Articles of Incorporation") or
        By-Laws, in each case as amended to the date hereof, of the Company or
        any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or any of its
        subsidiaries that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken
        as a whole, or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body,
        agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary,
        and no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification
        with, any governmental body or agency is required for the performance by
        the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, except such as may
        be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states in
        connection with the offer and sale of the Shares.

               (j) There has not occurred any material adverse change, or any
        development involving a prospective material adverse change, in the
        condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or
        operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from
        that set forth in the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendments or
        supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement).

               (k) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or
        threatened to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or
        to which any of the properties of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
        is subject that are required to be described in the Registration
        Statement or the Prospectus and are not so described or any statutes,
        regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to be
        described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed
        as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described or
        filed as required.

               (l) Each preliminary prospectus filed as part of the registration
        statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or
        filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, complied when so
        filed in all material respects with the Securities Act and the
        applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

               (m) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering
        and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof as
        described in the Prospectus, will not be an "investment company" as such
        term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

               (n) The historical information underlying the estimates of the
        reserves of the Company supplied by the Company to Miller & Lents, Ltd.
        ("Miller & Lents"), independent petroleum engineers with respect to the
        Company (as described in Annex A), for the purposes 

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                       -3-
<PAGE>
        of preparing the reserve reports of the Company referenced in the
        Prospectus (the "Reserve Report"), including, without limitation,
        production volumes, sales prices for production, contractual pricing
        provisions under oil or gas sales or marketing contracts or under
        hedging arrangements, costs of operations and development, and working
        interest and net revenue information relating to the Company's ownership
        interests in properties, was true and correct in all material respects
        on the date of such Reserve Report; the estimates of future capital
        expenditures and other future exploration and development costs supplied
        to Miller & Lents were prepared in good faith and with a reasonable
        basis; the information provided by Miller & Lents for purposes of
        preparing the Reserve Report was prepared in accordance with customary
        industry practices; to the best of the Company's knowledge, Miller &
        Lents was, as of the date of the Reserve Report prepared by it, and are,
        as of the date hereof, independent petroleum engineers with respect to
        the Company; other than normal production of reserves and intervening
        spot market product price fluctuations, and except as disclosed in the
        Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company is not aware of
        any facts or circumstances that would result in a materially adverse
        change in the reserves in the aggregate, or the aggregate present value
        of future net cash flows therefrom, as described in the Prospectus and
        as reflected in the Reserve Report; estimates of such reserves and the
        present value of the future net cash flows therefrom as described in the
        Prospectus and reflected in the Reserve Report comply in all material
        respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and
        regulations of the Commission thereunder;

        (o) The Company and its subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with any and
        all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations
        relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment
        or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants
        ("ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS"), (ii) have received all permits, licenses or
        other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to
        conduct their respective businesses and (iii) are in compliance with all
        terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except
        where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive
        required permits, licenses or other approvals or failure to comply with
        the terms and conditions of such permits, licenses or approvals would
        not, singly or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the
        Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. There has been no
        storage, disposal, generation, transportation, handling or treatment of
        hazardous substances or solid wastes by the Company and its subsidiaries
        (or to the knowledge of the Company, any of their predecessors in
        interest) at, upon or from any of the property now or previously owned
        or leased by the Company and its subsidiaries in violation of any
        applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or
        permit or which would require remedial action by the Company and its
        subsidiaries under any applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation,
        order, judgment, decree or permit, except for any violation or remedial
        action which would not result in, or which would not be reasonably
        likely to result in, singularly or in the aggregate with all such
        violations and remedial actions, a material adverse effect on the
        Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; there has been no spill,
        discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release of any
        kind onto such property or into the environment surrounding such
        property of any solid wastes or hazardous substances due to or caused by
        the Company and its subsidiaries, except for any such spill,

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                       -4-
<PAGE>
        discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release which
        would not result in or would not be reasonably likely to result in,
        singularly or in the aggregate with all such spills, discharges, leaks,
        emissions, injections, escapes, dumpings and releases, a material
        adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
        and the terms "hazardous substances" and "solid wastes" shall have the
        meanings specified in any applicable local, state and federal laws or
        regulations with respect to environmental protection;

               (p) There are no costs or liabilities associated with
        Environmental Laws (including, without limitation, any capital or
        operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or
        compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval,
        any related constraints on operating activities and any potential
        liabilities to third parties) which would, singly or in the aggregate,
        have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries,
        taken as a whole.

               (q) The description of services to be performed by non-coastwise
        qualified vessels set forth in the letter dated [FEBRUARY 10, 1997 OF
        ROBINS, KAPLAN, MILLER & CIRESI, L.L.P., SPECIAL COUNSEL TO THE
        COMPANY]1, to the U.S. Commissioner of Customs, Office of Regulations
        and Rulings, completely and correctly describes in all material respects
        the manner in which the Company and its subsidiaries currently operate
        the marine vessels described in the Prospectus (the "Vessels"). At no
        time during the Company or any subsidiary's ownership of the Vessels
        have any of the Vessels been sold, chartered or otherwise transferred to
        any person or entity in violation of any applicable laws, rules or
        regulations. Except as set forth on Schedule III, each Vessel has a
        clean certificate of inspection from the United States Coast Guard and
        an American Bureau of Shipping load line certificate where applicable,
        in each case free of reported or reportable exceptions or notations of
        record.

               (r) There are no contracts, agreements or understandings between
        the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the
        Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with
        respect to any securities of the Company or to require the Company to
        include such securities with the Shares registered pursuant to the
        Registration Statement that have not been validly waived pursuant to the
        terms of any such agreements.

               (s) The Company has complied with all provisions of Section
        517.075, Florida Statutes relating to doing business with the Government
        of Cuba or with any person or affiliate located in Cuba.

               (t) The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess adequate
        patent rights or licenses or other rights to use patent rights,
        inventions, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights,
        technology and know-how necessary to conduct the general business now or
        proposed to be operated by them as described in the Prospectus, except
        where failure to do so would not have a material adverse effect on the
        Company and its subsidiaries, taken as 

- ---------------
               1Has Fulbright provided an updated letter?

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                       -5-
<PAGE>
        a whole; neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received
        any notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others
        with respect to any patent, patent rights, inventions, trademarks,
        service marks, trade names, copyrights, technology or know-how which,
        singularly or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on
        the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

               (u) The Company and each of its subsidiaries are insured by
        insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and
        risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses
        in which they are engaged; neither the Company nor any such subsidiary
        has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and
        except as described in the Prospectus neither the Company nor any such
        subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew
        its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to
        obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to
        continue its business at a cost that would not have a material adverse
        effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

               2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLING SHAREHOLDERS.
Each of the Selling Shareholders severally and not jointly represents and
warrants to and agrees with each of the Underwriters that:

               (a) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
        delivered by or on behalf of such Selling Shareholder.

               (b) The execution and delivery by such Selling Shareholder of,
        and the performance by such Selling Shareholder of its obligations
        under, this Agreement, the Custody Agreement signed by such Selling
        Shareholder and the Company, as Custodian, relating to the deposit of
        the Shares to be sold by such Selling Shareholder (the "Custody
        Agreement") and the Power of Attorney appointing certain individuals as
        such Selling Shareholder's attorneys-in-fact to the extent set forth
        therein, relating to the transactions contemplated hereby and by the
        Registration Statement (the "Power of Attorney") will not contravene any
        provision of applicable law, or the certificate of incorporation or
        by-laws of such Selling Shareholder (if such Selling Shareholder is a
        corporation), or any agreement or other instrument binding upon such
        Selling Shareholder or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental
        body, agency or court having jurisdiction over such Selling Shareholder,
        and no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification
        with, any governmental body or agency is required for the performance by
        such Selling Shareholder of its obligations under this Agreement or the
        Custody Agreement or Power of Attorney of such Selling Shareholder,
        except such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the
        various states in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares.

               (c) Such Selling Shareholder has, and on the Closing Date will
        have, valid title to the Shares to be sold by such Selling Shareholder
        and the legal right and power, and all authorization and approval
        required by law, to enter into this Agreement, the Custody

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                       -6-
<PAGE>
        Agreement and the Power of Attorney and to sell, transfer and deliver
        the Shares to be sold by such Selling Shareholder.

               (d) The Shares to be sold by such Selling Shareholder pursuant to
        this Agreement have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully
        paid and non-assessable.

               (e) The Custody Agreement and the Power of Attorney have been
        duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Selling Shareholder and
        are valid and binding agreements of such Selling Shareholder.

               (f) Delivery of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Shareholder
        pursuant to this Agreement will pass title to such Shares free and clear
        of any security interests, claims, liens, equities and other
        encumbrances.

               (g) (i) The Registration Statement, when it became effective, did
        not contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not
        contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
        material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
        statements therein not misleading and (ii) the Prospectus does not
        contain and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain
        any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
        necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
        circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, but only with
        reference to information relating to such Selling Shareholder furnished
        in writing by or on behalf of such Selling Shareholder expressly for use
        in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the
        Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto.

               3. AGREEMENTS TO SELL AND PURCHASE. Each Seller, severally and
not jointly, hereby agrees to sell to the several Underwriters, and each
Underwriter, upon the basis of the representations and warranties herein
contained, but subject to the conditions hereinafter stated, agrees, severally
and not jointly, to purchase from such Seller at $|X| a share (the "PURCHASE
PRICE") the number of Firm Shares (subject to such adjustments to eliminate
fractional shares as you may determine) that bears the same proportion to the
number of Firm Shares to be sold by such Seller as the number of Firm Shares set
forth in Schedule II hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the
total number of Firm Shares.

               On the basis of the representations and warranties contained in
this Agreement, and subject to its terms and conditions, certain of the Selling
Shareholders agree to sell to the Underwriters the Additional Shares, and the
Underwriters shall have a one-time right to purchase, severally and not jointly,
up to |X| Additional Shares at the Purchase Price. If you, on behalf of the
Underwriters, elect to exercise such option, you shall so notify the Company in
writing not later than 30 days after the date of this Agreement, which notice
shall specify the number of Additional Shares to be purchased by the
Underwriters and the date on which such shares are to be purchased. Such date
may be the same as the Closing Date (as defined below) but not earlier than the
Closing Date nor later than ten business days after the date of such notice.
Additional Shares may be purchased

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                       -7-
<PAGE>
as provided in Section 5 hereof solely for the purpose of covering
over-allotments made in connection with the offering of the Firm Shares. If any
Additional Shares are to be purchased, each Underwriter agrees, severally and
not jointly, to purchase the number of Additional Shares (subject to such
adjustments to eliminate fractional shares as you may determine) that bears the
same proportion to the total number of Additional Shares to be purchased as the
number of Firm Shares set forth in Schedule II hereto opposite the name of such
Underwriter bears to the total number of Firm Shares.

               Each Seller hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent
of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not,
during the period ending 90 days after the date of the Prospectus, (i) offer,
pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase,
purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to
purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any
shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for Common Stock or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement
that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences
of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in
clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such
other securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not apply
to (A) the Shares to be sold hereunder, (B) the issuance by the Company of
shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the
conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof of which the
Underwriters have been advised in writing or (C) transactions by any person
other than the Company relating to shares of Common Stock or other securities
acquired in open market transactions after the completion of the offering of the
Shares. In addition, each Selling Shareholder, agrees that, without the prior
written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf of the
Underwriters, it will not, during the period ending 90 days after the date of
the Prospectus, make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect to, the
registration of any shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or
exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock.

               4. TERMS OF PUBLIC OFFERING. The Sellers are advised by you that
the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of their respective portions
of the Shares as soon after the Registration Statement and this Agreement have
become effective as in your judgment is advisable. The Sellers are further
advised by you that the Shares are to be offered to the public initially at $|X|
a share (the "PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE") and to certain dealers selected by you at
a price that represents a concession not in excess of $|X| a share under the
Public Offering Price, and that any Underwriter may allow, and such dealers may
reallow, a concession, not in excess of $|X| a share, to any Underwriter or to
certain other dealers.

               5. PAYMENT AND DELIVERY. Payment for the Firm Shares to be sold
by each Seller shall be made to such Seller in Federal or other funds
immediately available in New York City against delivery of such Firm Shares for
the respective accounts of the several Underwriters at 10:00 a.m., New York City
time, on May |X|, 1998,2 or at such other time on the same or such other date,
- --------
        2Insert date 3 business days or, in the event the offering is priced
after 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (and T+4 settlement is deemed to apply to secondary
sales), 4 business days after the date of the Underwriting Agreement.

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                       -8-
<PAGE>
not later than May |X|, 1998,3 as shall be designated in writing by you. The
time and date of such payment are hereinafter referred to as the "CLOSING DATE".

               Payment for any Additional Shares shall be made to the Company in
Federal or other funds immediately available in New York City against delivery
of such Additional Shares for the respective accounts of the several
Underwriters at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date specified in the
notice described in Section 3 or at such other time on the same or on such other
date, in any event not later than June |X|, 1998,4 as shall be designated in
writing by you. The time and date of such payment are hereinafter referred to as
the "OPTION CLOSING DATE".

               Certificates for the Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be
in definitive form and registered in such names and in such denominations as you
shall request in writing not later than one full business day prior to the
Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be. The certificates
evidencing the Firm Shares and Additional Shares shall be delivered to you on
the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for the
respective accounts of the several Underwriters, with any transfer taxes payable
in connection with the transfer of the Shares to the Underwriters duly paid,
against payment of the Purchase Price therefor.

               6. CONDITIONS TO THE UNDERWRITERS' OBLIGATIONS. The obligations
of the Sellers to sell the Shares to the Underwriters and the several
obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Shares on the
Closing Date are subject to the condition that the Registration Statement shall
have become effective not later than 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date
hereof.

               The several obligations of the Underwriters are subject to the
following further conditions:

               (a) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement
        and prior to the Closing Date:

                      (i) there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor
               shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential
               downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not
               indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating
               accorded any of the Company's securities by any "nationally
               recognized statistical rating organization," as such term is
               defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act;
               and

                      (ii) there shall not have occurred any change, or any
               development involving a prospective change, in the condition,
               financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or
               operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
               from that set forth in the Prospectus (exclusive of any
               amendments or
- --------
        3Insert date 5 business days after the date inserted in accordance with
        note 2 above. 4Insert date 10 business days after the expiration of the
        green shoe option.

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                       -9-
<PAGE>
               supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement)
               that, in your judgment, is material and adverse and that makes
               it, in your judgment, impracticable to market the Shares on the
               terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.

               (b) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date a
        certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by an executive officer
        of the Company, to the effect set forth in Section 6(a)(i) above and to
        the effect that the representations and warranties of the Company
        contained in this Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing Date
        and that the Company has complied with all of the agreements and
        satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied
        hereunder on or before the Closing Date.

               The officer signing and delivering such certificate may rely upon
        the best of his or her knowledge as to proceedings threatened.

               (c) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an
        opinion of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., outside counsel for the Company,
        dated the Closing Date, to the effect that:

                      (i) the Company has been duly incorporated, is validly
               existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the
               State of Minnesota, has the corporate power and authority to own
               its property and to conduct its business as described in the
               Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in
               good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its
               business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such
               qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so
               qualified or be in good standing would not have a material
               adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
               whole;

                      (ii) each subsidiary of the Company has been duly
               incorporated, is validly existing as a corporation in good
               standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation,
               has the corporate power and authority to own its property and to
               conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and is duly
               qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each
               jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its
               ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification,
               except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in
               good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the
               Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

                      (iii) the authorized capital stock of the Company conforms
               as to legal matters to the description thereof contained in the
               Prospectus;

                      (iv) the shares of Common Stock (including the Shares to
               be sold by the Selling Shareholders) outstanding prior to the
               issuance of the Shares to be sold by the Company have been duly
               authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable;


                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                      -10-
<PAGE>
                      (v) all of the issued shares of capital stock of each
               subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized
               and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned
               directly by the Company, free and clear of all liens,
               encumbrances, equities or claims;

                      (vi) the Shares to be sold by the Company have been duly
               authorized and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the
               terms of this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and
               non-assessable, and the issuance of such Shares will not be
               subject to any preemptive or similar rights;

                      (vii) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed
               and delivered by the Company;

                      (viii) the execution and delivery by the Company of, and
               the performance by the Company of its obligations under, this
               Agreement will not contravene any provision of applicable law or
               the Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws, in each case as amended
               to the date hereof, of the Company or, to the best of such
               counsel's knowledge, any agreement or other instrument binding
               upon the Company or any of its subsidiaries that is material to
               the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or, to the
               best of such counsel's knowledge, any judgment, order or decree
               of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction
               over the Company or any subsidiary, and no consent, approval,
               authorization or order of, or qualification with, any
               governmental body or agency is required for the performance by
               the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, except such
               as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the
               various states in connection with the offer and sale of the
               Shares;

                      (ix) the statements (A) in the Prospectus under the
               captions "|X|," "|X|," "Description of Capital Stock" and
               "Underwriters" and (B) in the Registration Statement in Items 14
               and 15, in each case insofar as such statements constitute
               summaries of the legal matters, documents or proceedings referred
               to therein, fairly present the information called for with
               respect to such legal matters, documents and proceedings and
               fairly summarize the matters referred to therein;

                      (x) after due inquiry, such counsel does not know of any
               legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened to which
               the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which any
               of the properties of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
               subject that are required to be described in the Registration
               Statement or the Prospectus and are not so described or of any
               statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents that are
               required to be described in the Registration Statement or the
               Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration
               Statement that are not described or filed as required;

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                      -11-
<PAGE>
                      (xi) the Company is not and, after giving effect to the
               offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the
               proceeds thereof as described in the Prospectus, will not be an
               "investment company" as such term is defined in the Investment
               Company Act of 1940, as amended;

                      (xii) the Company and its subsidiaries (A) are in
               compliance with any and all applicable Environmental Laws, (B)
               have received all permits, licenses or other approvals required
               of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their
               respective businesses and (C) are in compliance with all terms
               and conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except
               where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to
               receive required permits, licenses or other approvals or failure
               to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits, licenses
               or approvals would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a
               material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries,
               taken as a whole; and

                      (xiii) such counsel (A) is of the opinion that the
               Registration Statement and Prospectus (except for financial
               statements and schedules and other financial and statistical data
               included therein as to which such counsel need not express any
               opinion) comply as to form in all material respects with the
               Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the
               Commission thereunder, (B) has no reason to believe that (except
               for financial statements and schedules and other financial and
               statistical data as to which such counsel need not express any
               belief) the Registration Statement and the prospectus included
               therein at the time the Registration Statement became effective
               contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
               state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
               to make the statements therein not misleading and (C) has no
               reason to believe that (except for financial statements and
               schedules and other financial and statistical data as to which
               such counsel need not express any belief) the Prospectus contains
               any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
               material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein,
               in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
               misleading.

               (d) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an
        opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, counsel for the Selling
        Shareholders, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that:

                      (i) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
               delivered by or on behalf of each of the Selling Shareholders;

                      (ii) the execution and delivery by each Selling
               Shareholder of, and the performance by such Selling Shareholder
               of its obligations under, this Agreement and the Custody
               Agreement and Powers of Attorney of such Selling Shareholder will
               not contravene any provision of applicable law, or the
               certificate of incorporation or by-laws of such Selling
               Shareholder (if such Selling Shareholder is a corporation),

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                      -12-
<PAGE>
               or, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, any agreement or
               other instrument binding upon such Selling Shareholder or, to the
               best of such counsel's knowledge, any judgment, order or decree
               of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction
               over such Selling Shareholder, and no consent, approval,
               authorization or order of, or qualification with, any
               governmental body or agency is required for the performance by
               such Selling Shareholder of its obligations under this Agreement
               or the Custody Agreement or Power of Attorney of such Selling
               Shareholder, except such as may be required by the securities or
               Blue Sky laws of the various states in connection with offer and
               sale of the Shares;

                      (iii) each of the Selling Shareholders has valid title to
               the Shares to be sold by such Selling Shareholder and the legal
               right and power, and all authorization and approval required by
               law, to enter into this Agreement and the Custody Agreement and
               Power of Attorney of such Selling Shareholder and to sell,
               transfer and deliver the Shares to be sold by such Selling
               Shareholder;

                      (iv) the Custody Agreement and the Power of Attorney of
               each Selling Shareholder have been duly authorized, executed and
               delivered by such Selling Shareholder and are valid and binding
               agreements of such Selling Shareholder;

                      (v) delivery of the Shares to be sold by each Selling
               Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement will pass title to such
               Shares free and clear of any security interests, claims, liens,
               equities and other encumbrances; and

                      (vi) such counsel (A) is of the opinion that the
               Registration Statement and Prospectus (except for financial
               statements and schedules and other financial and statistical data
               included therein as to which such counsel need not express any
               opinion) comply as to form in all material respects with the
               Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the
               Commission thereunder, (B) has no reason to believe that (except
               for financial statements and schedules and other financial and
               statistical data as to which such counsel need not express any
               belief) the Registration Statement and the prospectus included
               therein at the time the Registration Statement became effective
               contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
               state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
               to make the statements therein not misleading and (C) has no
               reason to believe that (except for financial statements and
               schedules and other financial and statistical data as to which
               such counsel need not express any belief) the Prospectus contains
               any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
               material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein,
               in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
               misleading.

               (e) The Underwriters shall have received on the Closing Date an
        opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel for the Underwriters, dated
        the Closing Date, covering the

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                      -13-
<PAGE>
        matters referred to in Sections 6(c)(vi), 6(c)(vii), 6(c)(ix) (but only
        as to the statements in the Prospectus under "Description of Capital
        Stock" and "Underwriters") and 6(c)(xiii) above.

               With respect to Section 6(c)(xiii) above, Fulbright & Jaworski
        L.L.P. and Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. and with respect to Section 6(d)(vi)
        above, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, may state that their opinion and
        belief are based upon their participation in the preparation of the
        Registration Statement and Prospectus and any amendments or supplements
        thereto and review and discussion of the contents thereof, but are
        without independent check or verification, except as specified. With
        respect to Section 6(d) above Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP may rely upon
        an opinion or opinions of counsel for any Selling Shareholders and, with
        respect to factual matters and to the extent such counsel deems
        appropriate, upon the representations of each Selling Shareholder
        contained herein and in the Custody Agreement and Power of Attorney of
        such Selling Shareholder and in other documents and instruments;
        provided that (A) each such counsel for the Selling Shareholders is
        satisfactory to your counsel, (B) a copy of each opinion so relied upon
        is delivered to you and is in form and substance satisfactory to your
        counsel, (C) copies of such Custody Agreements and Powers of Attorney
        and of any such other documents and instruments shall be delivered to
        you and shall be in form and substance satisfactory to your counsel and
        (D) Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP shall state in their opinion that they
        are justified in relying on each such other opinion.

               The opinions of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. and Gibson, Dunn &
        Crutcher LLP described in Sections 6(c) and 6(d) above (and any opinions
        of counsel for any Selling Shareholder referred to in the immediately
        preceding paragraph) shall be rendered to the Underwriters at the
        request of the Company or one or more of the Selling Shareholders, as
        the case may be, and shall so state therein.

               (f) Miller & Lents, Ltd., such firm constituting independent
        petroleum engineering consultants (the "Engineering Consultants"), shall
        have delivered to you on the date of this Agreement a letter (the
        "Reserve Letter") and also on the Closing Date a letter dated the
        Closing Date, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
        to you and substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A,
        stating, as of the date of such letter (or, with respect to matters
        involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which
        specified information with respect to the oil and gas reserves is given
        or incorporated in the Prospectus as of the date not more than five days
        prior to the date of such letter), the conclusions and findings of such
        firm with respect to the oil and gas reserves of the Company.

               (g) The Underwriters shall have received, on each of the date
        hereof and the Closing Date, a letter dated the date hereof or the
        Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to
        the Underwriters, from Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
        accountants, containing statements and information of the type
        ordinarily included in accountants' "comfort letters" to underwriters
        with respect to the financial information

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                      -14-
<PAGE>
        contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; PROVIDED
        that the letter delivered on the Closing Date shall use a "cut-off date"
        not earlier than the date hereof.

               (h) The "lock-up" agreements, each substantially in the form of
        Exhibit A hereto, between you and certain shareholders, officers and
        directors of the Company relating to sales and certain other
        dispositions of shares of Common Stock or certain other securities,
        delivered to you on or before the date hereof, shall be in full force
        and effect on the Closing Date.

               The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase
        Additional Shares hereunder are subject to the delivery to you on the
        Option Closing Date of such documents as you may reasonably request with
        respect to the good standing of the Company, the due authorization and
        issuance of the Additional Shares and other matters related to the
        issuance of the Additional Shares.

               7. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY. In further consideration of the
agreements of the Underwriters herein contained, the Company covenants with each
Underwriter as follows:

               (a) To furnish to you, without charge, four (4) signed copies of
        the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and for delivery
        to each other Underwriter a conformed copy of the Registration Statement
        (without exhibits thereto) and to furnish to you in New York City,
        without charge, prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the business
        day next succeeding the date of this Agreement and during the period
        mentioned in Section 7(c) below, as many copies of the Prospectus and
        any supplements and amendments thereto or to the Registration Statement
        as you may reasonably request.

               (b) Before amending or supplementing the Registration Statement
        or the Prospectus, to furnish to you a copy of each such proposed
        amendment or supplement and not to file any such proposed amendment or
        supplement to which you reasonably object, and to file with the
        Commission within the applicable period specified in Rule 424(b) under
        the Securities Act any prospectus required to be filed pursuant to such
        Rule.

               (c) If, during such period after the first date of the public
        offering of the Shares as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters
        the Prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with
        sales by an Underwriter or dealer, any event shall occur or condition
        exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the
        Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
        circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not
        misleading, or if, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters, it is
        necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with
        applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and
        furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to the dealers
        (whose names and addresses you will furnish to the Company) to which
        Shares may have been sold by you on behalf of the Underwriters and to
        any other dealers upon request, either amendments or supplements to the
        Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or
        supplemented will not, in the light

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                      -15-
<PAGE>
        of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be
        misleading or so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will
        comply with law.

               (d) To endeavor to qualify the Shares for offer and sale under
        the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as you shall
        reasonably request.

               (e) To make generally available to the Company's security holders
        and to you as soon as practicable an earning statement covering the
        twelve-month period ending June 30, 1999 that satisfies the provisions
        of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of
        the Commission thereunder.

               8. EXPENSES. Whether or not the transactions contemplated in this
Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Sellers agree to
pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the performance of their
obligations under this Agreement, including: (i) the fees, disbursements and
expenses of the Company's counsel, the Company's accountants and counsel for the
Selling Shareholders in connection with the registration and delivery of the
Shares under the Securities Act and all other fees or expenses in connection
with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, any preliminary
prospectus, the Prospectus and amendments and supplements to any of the
foregoing, including all printing costs associated therewith, and the mailing
and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters and dealers, in the
quantities hereinabove specified, (ii) all costs and expenses related to the
transfer and delivery of the Shares to the Underwriters, including any transfer
or other taxes payable thereon, (iii) the cost of printing or producing any Blue
Sky or Legal Investment memorandum in connection with the offer and sale of the
Shares under state securities laws and all expenses in connection with the
qualification of the Shares for offer and sale under state securities laws as
provided in Section 7(d) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees
and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such
qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky or Legal Investment
memorandum, (iv) all filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel to the Underwriters incurred in connection with the review and
qualification of the offering of the Shares by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., (v) all fees and expenses in connection with the
preparation and filing of the registration statement on Form 8-A relating to the
Common Stock and all costs and expenses incident to listing the Shares on the
Nasdaq National Market, (vi) the cost of printing certificates representing the
Shares, (vii) the costs and charges of any transfer agent, registrar or
depositary, (viii) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor
presentations on any "road show" undertaken in connection with the marketing of
the offering of the Shares, including, without limitation, expenses associated
with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any
consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations with the
prior approval of the Company, travel and lodging expenses of the
representatives and officers of the Company and any such consultants, and the
cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show, and (ix) all
other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the
Company hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this Section. It
is understood, however, that except as provided in this Section, Section 9
entitled "Indemnity and Contribution", and the last paragraph of Section 11
below, the Underwriters will pay all of their costs and expenses,

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                      -16-
<PAGE>
including fees and disbursements of their counsel, stock transfer taxes payable
on resale of any of the Shares by them and any advertising expenses connected
with any offers they may make.

               The provisions of this Section shall not supersede or otherwise
affect any agreement that the Sellers may otherwise have for the allocation of
such expenses among themselves.

               9.     INDEMNITY AND CONTRIBUTION.

               (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each
        Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within
        the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of
        the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "EXCHANGE ACT"),
        from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities
        (including, without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably
        incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action
        or claim) caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
        a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or any amendment
        thereof, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (as amended or
        supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or
        supplements thereto), or caused by any omission or alleged omission to
        state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
        to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such
        losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any such untrue
        statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon
        information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in
        writing by such Underwriter through you expressly for use therein.

               (b) Each Selling Shareholder agrees, severally and not jointly,
        to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and each person, if any,
        who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 or
        Section 20 of the Exchange Act and the Company, its directors, its
        officers who sign the Registration Statement and each person, if any,
        who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the
        Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any
        and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without
        limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in
        connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim)
        caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
        fact contained in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof,
        any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented
        if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements
        thereto), or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein
        a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
        statements therein not misleading, but only with reference to
        information relating to such Selling Shareholder furnished in writing by
        or on behalf of such Selling Shareholder expressly for use in the
        Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or
        any amendments or supplements thereto. In addition, in no event shall
        the liability of any Selling Shareholder for indemnification in this
        Section 9(b) exceed the net proceeds from the offering of the Shares
        (before deducting expenses) received by such Selling Shareholder.

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                      -17-
<PAGE>
               (c) Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to
        indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Selling Shareholders, the
        directors of the Company, the officers of the Company who sign the
        Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company
        or any Selling Shareholder within the meaning of either Section 15 of
        the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against
        any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without
        limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in
        connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim)
        caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
        fact contained in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof,
        any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented
        if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements
        thereto), or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein
        a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
        statements therein not misleading, but only with reference to
        information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company in
        writing by such Underwriter through you expressly for use in the
        Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or
        any amendments or supplements thereto.

               (d) In case any proceeding (including any governmental
        investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect of
        which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 9(a), 9(b) or 9(c),
        such person (the "INDEMNIFIED PARTY") shall promptly notify the person
        against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "INDEMNIFYING PARTY") in
        writing and the indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified
        party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified
        party to represent the indemnified party and any others the indemnifying
        party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and
        disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such
        proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own
        counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the
        expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and
        the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of
        such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including
        any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the
        indemnified party and representation of both parties by the same counsel
        would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests
        between them. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in
        respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in connection
        with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be
        liable for (i) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in
        addition to any local counsel) for all Underwriters and all persons, if
        any, who control any Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15
        of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, (ii) the fees
        and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local
        counsel) for the Company, its directors, its officers who sign the
        Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company
        within the meaning of either such Section and (iii) the fees and
        expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local
        counsel) for all Selling Shareholders and all persons, if any, who
        control any Selling Shareholder within the meaning of either such
        Section, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they
        are incurred. In the case of any such separate firm for the Underwriters
        and such control persons of any Underwriters, such firm shall be
        designated

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                      -18-
<PAGE>
        in writing by Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated. In the case of any such
        separate firm for the Company, and such directors, officers and control
        persons of the Company, such firm shall be designated in writing by the
        Company. In the case of any such separate firm for the Selling
        Shareholders and such control persons of any Selling Shareholders, such
        firm shall be designated in writing by the persons named as
        attorneys-in-fact for the Selling Shareholders under the Powers of
        Attorney. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement
        of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled
        with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the
        indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and
        against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
        Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified
        party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the
        indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by
        the second and third sentences of this paragraph, the indemnifying party
        agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding
        effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered
        into more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the
        aforesaid request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have
        reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior
        to the date of such settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the
        prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of
        any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified
        party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought
        hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an
        unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on
        claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding.

               (e) To the extent the indemnification provided for in Section
        9(a), 9(b) or 9(c) is unavailable to an indemnified party or
        insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities
        referred to therein, then each indemnifying party under such paragraph,
        in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall
        contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a
        result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such
        proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received
        by the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified
        party or parties on the other hand from the offering of the Shares or
        (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 9(e)(i) above is not permitted
        by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not
        only the relative benefits referred to in clause 9(e)(i) above but also
        the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand
        and of the indemnified party or parties on the other hand in connection
        with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims,
        damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable
        considerations. The relative benefits received by the Sellers on the one
        hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the
        offering of the Shares shall be deemed to be in the same respective
        proportions as the net proceeds from the offering of the Shares (before
        deducting expenses) received by each Seller and the total underwriting
        discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as
        set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the
        aggregate Public Offering Price of the Shares. The relative fault of the
        Sellers on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be
        determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
        alleged untrue statement of a material

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                      -19-
<PAGE>
        fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
        relates to information supplied by the Sellers or by the Underwriters
        and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
        opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The
        Underwriters' respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this
        Section 9 are several in proportion to the respective number of Shares
        they have purchased hereunder, and not joint.

               (f) The Sellers and the Underwriters agree that it would not be
        just or equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were
        determined by PRO RATA allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated
        as on entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that
        does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in
        Section 9(e). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a
        result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in the
        immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to
        the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably
        incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or
        defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of
        this Section 9, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any
        amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the
        Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to
        the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has
        otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged
        untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of
        fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the
        Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who
        was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The remedies
        provided for in this Section 9 are not exclusive and shall not limit any
        rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any indemnified
        party at law or in equity.

               (g) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this
        Section 9 and the representations, warranties and other statements of
        the Company and the Selling Shareholders contained in this Agreement
        shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i)
        any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on
        behalf of any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter, any
        Selling Shareholder or any person controlling any Selling Shareholder,
        or the Company, its officers or directors or any person controlling the
        Company and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Shares.

               10. TERMINATION. This Agreement shall be subject to termination
by notice given by you to the Company, if (a) after the execution and delivery
of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have
been suspended or materially limited on or by, as the case may be, any of the
New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc., the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, the Chicago
Mercantile Exchange or the Chicago Board of Trade, (ii) trading of any
securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any
over-the-counter market, (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking
activities in New York shall have been declared by either Federal or New York
State authorities or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation
of hostilities or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis
that, in your judgment, is

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                      -20-
<PAGE>
material and adverse and (b) in the case of any of the events specified in
clauses 10(a)(i) through 10(a)(iv), such event, singly or together with any
other such event, makes it, in your judgment, impracticable to market the Shares
on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.

               11. EFFECTIVENESS; DEFAULTING UNDERWRITERS. This Agreement shall
become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto.

               If, on the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case
may be, any one or more of the Underwriters shall fail or refuse to purchase
Shares that it has or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and
the aggregate number of Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters
agreed but failed or refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the
aggregate number of the Shares to be purchased on such date, the other
Underwriters shall be obligated severally in the proportions that the number of
Firm Shares set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule II bears to
the aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the names of all such
non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other proportions as you may specify, to
purchase the Shares which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but
failed or refused to purchase on such date; provided that in no event shall the
number of Shares that any Underwriter has agreed to purchase pursuant to this
Agreement be increased pursuant to this Section 11 by an amount in excess of
one-ninth of such number of Shares without the written consent of such
Underwriter. If, on the Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail
or refuse to purchase Firm Shares and the aggregate number of Firm Shares with
respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate
number of Firm Shares to be purchased, and arrangements satisfactory to you, the
Company and the Selling Shareholders for the purchase of such Firm Shares are
not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate
without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter, the Company or
the Selling Shareholders. In any such case either you or the relevant Sellers
shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer
than seven days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Registration
Statement and in the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be
effected. If, on the Option Closing Date, any Underwriter or Underwriters shall
fail or refuse to purchase Additional Shares and the aggregate number of
Additional Shares with respect to which such default occurs is more than
one-tenth of the aggregate number of Additional Shares to be purchased, the
non-defaulting Underwriters shall have the option to (i) terminate their
obligation hereunder to purchase Additional Shares or (ii) purchase not less
than the number of Additional Shares that such non-defaulting Underwriters would
have been obligated to purchase in the absence of such default. Any action taken
under this paragraph shall not relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability
in respect of any default of such Underwriter under this Agreement.

               If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters, or any
of them, because of any failure or refusal on the part of any Seller to comply
with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement, or if for
any reason any Seller shall be unable to perform its obligations under this
Agreement, the Sellers will reimburse the Underwriters or such Underwriters as
have so terminated this Agreement with respect to themselves, severally, for all
out-of-pocket expenses (including the fees and disbursements of their counsel)
reasonably incurred by such Underwriters in connection with this Agreement or
the offering contemplated hereunder.

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                      -21-
<PAGE>
               12. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be signed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the
signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

               13. APPLICABLE LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

               14. HEADINGS. The headings of the sections of this Agreement have
been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed a part
of this Agreement.

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                      -22-
<PAGE>
                              Very truly yours,

                              CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                              By:____________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

                              SELLING SHAREHOLDERS:

                              FIRST RESERVE FUND VI, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                              FIRST RESERVE FUND V, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                              FIRST RESERVE FUND V-2, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
                              FIRST RESERVE SECURED ENERGY ASSETS FUND,
                                      LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                              By:  First Reserve Corporation, as general partner


                              By:____________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

                              -------------------------------
                              Gerald G. Reuhl

Accepted as of the date hereof

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED
RAYMOND JAMES & ASSOCIATES, INC.
SIMMONS & COMPANY INTERNATIONAL

Acting severally on behalf of themselves and the several Underwriters named in
  Schedule II hereto.

By:  Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated


        By:___________________________
           Name:
           Title:

                           CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                      -23-
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE I



                                                            NUMBER OF FIRM
SELLING SHAREHOLDER                                        SHARES TO BE SOLD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FIRST RESERVE FUND VI, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP       .....
FIRST RESERVE FUND V, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP.............
FIRST RESERVE FUND V-2, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP...........
FIRST RESERVE SECURED ENERGY ASSETS FUND,
        LIMITED PARTNERSHIP...........................
GERALD G. REUHL.......................................
S. JAMES NELSON, JR...................................
                                                       -------------------------


                                                                                
           Total...................................... =========================
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE II



                                                          NUMBER OF FIRM SHARES
UNDERWRITER                                                  TO BE PURCHASED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated....................
Raymond James & Associates, Inc......................
Simmons & Company International......................


                                                      --------------------------


                                                                                
               Total................................. ==========================
<PAGE>
                                  SCHEDULE III

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       ISSUING 
VESSEL                        ITEM#                  OUTSTANDING ITEM                   BODY
- ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>                                                        
CALDIVER I                       1       M/E TO GEARBOX COUPLING TO                      ABS
                                         BE RENEWED BY NOV 1998
CALDIVER I                       2       CORRODED BRACKETS IN                            ABS
                                         RUDDER ROOM - RENEW BY NOV
                                         1998
CALDIVER I                       3       CORRODED STIFFENERS IN AFTER                    ABS
                                         PEAKS - RENEW BY NOV 1998
CALDIVER I                       4       DENT IN NO. 3 BALLAST -                         ABS
                                         RENEW BY NOV 1998
CALDIVER I                       5       WHEELHOUSE WINDOW FRAMES                        ABS
                                         - RENEW BY NOV 1998
CALDIVER I                       6       SMALL HOLE IN DECK PLATE AT                     ABS
                                         FRAME 33 - RENEW BY
                                         NOV 1998
CALDIVER I                       7       CHANGE PLUG VENTS TO BALL                       ABS
                                         VENTS NO. 3 TANKS BY NOV 1998
CALDIVER II                      1       NONE                                            N/A
CALDIVER III                     1       NONE                                            N/A
CALDIVER IV                      1       NONE                                            N/A
CALDIVER V                       1       NONE                                            N/A
CD BARGE I                       1       NONE                                            N/A
BALMORAL SEA                     1       SEE DNV LIST                                    DNV
WITCH QUEEN                      1       SEE DNV LIST                                    DNV
UNCLE JOHN                       1       SEE DNV LIST                                    DNV
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                             FORM OF LOCK-UP LETTER

                                 April |X|, 1998


Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
Simmons & Company International
c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
1585 Broadway
New York, NY  10036

Dear Sirs and Mesdames:

      The undersigned understands that Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
("MORGAN STANLEY"), Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Simmons & Company
International propose to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the "UNDERWRITING
AGREEMENT") with Cal Dive International, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the
"COMPANY") and certain shareholders of the Company named in the Underwriting
Agreement (the "SELLING SHAREHOLDERS") providing for the public offering (the
"PUBLIC OFFERING") by the several Underwriters, including Morgan Stanley (the
"UNDERWRITERS"), of _______________ shares (the "SHARES") of the Common Stock,
no par value per share, of the Company (the "COMMON STOCK").

      To induce the Underwriters that may participate in the Public Offering to
continue their efforts in connection with the Public Offering, the undersigned
hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley on
behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period commencing on the
date hereof and ending 90 days after the date of the final prospectus relating
to the Public Offering (the "PROSPECTUS"), (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to
sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract
to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise
transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or
any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock
or (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in
whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of Common Stock,
whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be
settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or
otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (a) the sale of any Shares
to the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement or (b) transactions
relating to shares of Common Stock or other securities acquired in open market
transactions after the completion of the Public Offering. In addition, the
undersigned agrees that, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley on
behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period commencing on the
date hereof and ending 90 days after the date of the Prospectus, make any demand
for or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any shares of
Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for
Common Stock.

      Whether or not the Public Offering actually occurs depends on a number of
factors, including market conditions. Any Public Offering will only be made
pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, the terms of which are subject to
negotiation between the Company and the Underwriters.

                               Very truly yours,


                                              ---------------------------------

                               (Name)


                                              ---------------------------------

                               (Address)
<PAGE>
                                     ANNEX A


                        FORM OF RESERVE LETTER OF MILLER & LENTS, LTD.

[To come]
<PAGE>


                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our
report (and to all references to our Firm) included in or made a part of this
registration statement.

                                                         ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Houston, Texas
April 22, 1998

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3

                       [MILLER AND LENTS, LTD. LETTERHEAD]

                                   April 22, 1998

Cal Dive International, Inc.
400 N. Sam Houston Parkway E., Suite 400
Houston, TX 77060

     Re:  Cal Dive International, Inc.
        Securities and Exchange Commission Form S-1
        Consent Letter

Gentlemen:

     The firm of Miller and Lents, Ltd. consents to the naming of it as experts
and to the incorporation by reference of its report dated February 23, 1998
concerning the Oil and Gas Reserves and Future Net Revenues as of December 31,
1997 attributable to Energy Resource Technology, Inc. in the Registration
Statement of Cal Dive International, Inc. on Securities and Exchange Commission
Form S-1 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     Miller and Lents, Ltd. has no interests in Cal Dive International, Inc. or
in any of its affiliated companies or subsidiaries and is not to receive any
such interest as payment for such report and has no director, officer, or
employee employed or otherwise connected with Cal Dive International, Inc. We
are not employed by Cal Dive International, Inc. on a contingent basis.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          MILLER AND LENTS, LTD.
                                          
                                             By P.G. VON TUNGELN
                                                P.G. VON TUNGELN
                                                CHAIRMAN



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