UTI ENERGY CORP
SC 13D, 1997-04-21
OIL & GAS FIELD SERVICES, NEC
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<PAGE>


                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549


                                  SCHEDULE 13D

                   UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                            

                               UTI ENERGY CORP.
         -------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)

                                 COMMON STOCK
              ---------------------------------------------------
                        (Title of Class of Securities)

                                   009033871
                   -----------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)


                              GARY J. COHEN, ESQ.
                                SIDLEY & AUSTIN
                             555 WEST FIFTH STREET
                      LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90013-1010
                                 (213)896-6013
                (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person 
               Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

                                APRIL 11, 1997
                                --------------

            (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

     If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to 
report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing 
this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box [ ].

     *The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting 
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of 
securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would 
alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

      Note: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be 
filed with the Commission.  See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies 
are to be sent.

                        (Continued on following pages)
<PAGE>
 
- - -----------------------                                  ---------------------
  CUSIP NO. 009033871                   13D                PAGE 2 OF 10 PAGES
- - -----------------------                                  ---------------------
 
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
 1    S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
      
        Canpartners Investments IV, LLC.

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
 2                                                              (a) [X]
                                                                (b) [_]
                                                 
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      SEC USE ONLY
 3
 

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      SOURCE OF FUNDS*
 4    
        AF

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT
      TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e) 
 5                                                                   [_] 
  
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 6
         California
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          SOLE VOTING POWER
                     7   
     NUMBER OF               400,000
 
      SHARES       -----------------------------------------------------------
                          SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY      8
                          
     OWNED BY
                   -----------------------------------------------------------
    REPORTING             SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                     9    
      PERSON                 400,000 
 
       WITH        -----------------------------------------------------------
                          SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                     10 

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
11 
         400,000

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 11 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
12                  
                                                                      [_]
 
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 11
13    
         9.4%

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
14
         OO

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

                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>
 
- - -----------------------                                  ---------------------
  CUSIP NO.  009033871                  13D                PAGE 3 OF 10 PAGES
- - -----------------------                                  ---------------------
 
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
 1    S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
      
        Canpartners Incorporated

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
 2                                                              (a) [X]
                                                                (b) [_]
                                                 
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      SEC USE ONLY
 3
 

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      SOURCE OF FUNDS*
 4    
        AF

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT
      TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e) 
 5                                                                   [_] 
  
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 6
         California
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          SOLE VOTING POWER
                     7   
     NUMBER OF               400,000
 
      SHARES       -----------------------------------------------------------
                          SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY      8
                          
     OWNED BY
                   -----------------------------------------------------------
    REPORTING             SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                     9    
      PERSON                 400,000
 
       WITH        -----------------------------------------------------------
                          SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                     10 

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
11 
         400,000

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 11 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
12                  
                                                                      [_]
 
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 11
13    
         9.4%

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
14
         CO

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

                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>
 
- - -----------------------                                  ---------------------
  CUSIP NO. 009033871                   13D                PAGE 4 OF 10 PAGES
- - -----------------------                                  ---------------------
 
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
 1    S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
      
         Mitchell R. Julis

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
 2                                                              (a) [X]
                                                                (b) [_]
                                                 
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      SEC USE ONLY
 3
 

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      SOURCE OF FUNDS*
 4    
        AF

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT
      TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e) 
 5                                                                   [_] 
  
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 6
         USA
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          SOLE VOTING POWER
                     7   
     NUMBER OF               400,000
 
      SHARES       -----------------------------------------------------------
                          SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY      8
                          
     OWNED BY
                   -----------------------------------------------------------
    REPORTING             SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                     9    
      PERSON                 400,000
 
       WITH        -----------------------------------------------------------
                          SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                     10 

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
11 
         400,000

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 11 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
12                  
                                                                      [_]
 
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 11
13    
         9.4%

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
14
         IN

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

                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

                             (page 4 of 10 Pages)
<PAGE>
 
- - -----------------------                                  ---------------------
  CUSIP NO. 009033871                   13D                PAGE 5 OF 10 PAGES
- - -----------------------                                  ---------------------
 
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
 1    S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
      
          Joshua S. Friedman

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
 2                                                              (a) [X]
                                                                (b) [_]
                                                 
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      SEC USE ONLY
 3
 

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      SOURCE OF FUNDS*
 4    
        AF

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT
      TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e) 
 5                                                                   [_] 
  
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 6
         USA
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          SOLE VOTING POWER
                     7   
     NUMBER OF               400,000
 
      SHARES       -----------------------------------------------------------
                          SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY      8
                          
     OWNED BY
                   -----------------------------------------------------------
    REPORTING             SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                     9    
      PERSON                 400,000
 
       WITH        -----------------------------------------------------------
                          SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                     10 

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
11 
         400,000

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 11 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
12                  
                                                                      [_]
 
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 11
13    
         9.4%

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
14
         IN

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

                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

                             (Page 5 of 10 Pages)
<PAGE>
 
- - -----------------------                                  ---------------------
  CUSIP NO. 009033871                   13D                PAGE 6 OF 10 PAGES
- - -----------------------                                  ---------------------
 
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
 1    S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
      
        R. Christian B. Evensen

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
 2                                                              (a) [X]
                                                                (b) [_]
                                                 
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      SEC USE ONLY
 3
 

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      SOURCE OF FUNDS*
 4    
        AF

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT
      TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e) 
 5                                                                   [_] 
  
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 6
         USA
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          SOLE VOTING POWER
                     7   
     NUMBER OF               400,000
 
      SHARES       -----------------------------------------------------------
                          SHARED VOTING POWER
   BENEFICIALLY      8
                          
     OWNED BY
                   -----------------------------------------------------------
    REPORTING             SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
                     9    
      PERSON                 400,000
 
       WITH        -----------------------------------------------------------
                          SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                     10 

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
11 
         400,000

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW 11 EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
12                  
                                                                      [_]
 
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 11
13    
         9.4%

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
14
         IN

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

                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

                             (Page 6 of 10 Pages)
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 1.   SECURITY AND ISSUER

     This Schedule relates to the Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the
"Common Stock"), of UTI Energy Corp., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
which has its principal executive offices at 485 Devon Park Dr., Ste 112, Wayne,
PA 19087.

ITEM 2.   IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND

     (a) This Schedule is being filed by (i) Canpartners Investments IV, LLC, a
California limited liability company ("Canpartners IV"), a 25% interest of which
is held by Canpartners Incorporated (a California corporation owned one-third
each by Joshua S. Friedman, Mitchell R. Julis and R. Christian B. Evensen,
"Canpartners"), and 75% of which is owned by Messrs. Julis, Evensen and
Friedman, (ii) by Canpartners and (iii) by Messrs. Julis, Evensen and Friedman.

     Each of the persons listed above is hereinafter referred to individually as
a "Reporting Person" and collectively as the "Reporting Persons". The Reporting
Persons collectively may be deemed to be a group beneficially owning, in the
aggregate, 400,000 shares of Common Stock (the "Shares") or approximately 9.4%
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act").

     The filing of this Schedule shall not be construed as an admission that any
Reporting Person is, for purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Act, the
beneficial owner of any securities covered by this Schedule except for the
securities stated herein to be beneficially owned by such Reporting Person.

     (b),(c) Canpartners IV is primarily involved in holding securities for the
account of others and in investment advisory and investment banking services.
Canpartners is a holding company formed for the purpose of acting as the general
partner in various investment partnerships. Mr. Evensen, a director and
President of Canpartners holds various positions or limited partnership
interests in affiliates of Canpartners. Mr. Friedman, a director, Vice President
and Secretary of Canpartners, holds various positions or limited partnership
interests in affiliates of Canpartners. Mr. Julis, a director, Vice President
and Treasurer of Canpartners, holds various positions or limited partnership
interests in affiliates of Canpartners. Canpartners IV holds the Warrants and
Promissory Notes acquired from the Company on behalf of five investors, Value
Realization Fund, L.P. (as to 112,000 shares), Canyon Value Realization Fund
(Cayman) Ltd., (as to 224,000 shares), GRS Partners II (as to 16,000 shares),
CPI Securities, L.P. (as to 16,000 shares) and Apdel, LLC (as to 32,000 shares).
Of the Warrants held by CPI Securities, L.P., 25% are held for the benefit of
each of Joshua S. Friedman or his family trusts, Mitchell R. Julis or his family
trusts and R. Christian B. Evensen or his family trusts and 25% will be held for
the benefit of certain employees of CPI Securities, L.P., as yet undetermined.
Canyon Capital Management, L.P., is an affiliate of Canpartners IV and acts as
Investment Advisor for all of the foregoing entities. The business address of
each of Canpartners IV, Canpartners and Messrs. Julis, Friedman and Evensen is
9665 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 200, Beverly Hills, California 90212. The
Business address of GRS Partners II is 333 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1600,
Chicago, IL 60606. The business address of Canyon Value Realization Fund
(Cayman) is c/o MeesPierson, P.O. Box 2003, Brittish American Center, Phase 3,
Dr. Roy's Drive, Grand Cayman, B.W.I.

     (d),(e) None of the Reporting Persons during the last five years (1) has
been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar
misdemeanors) or (2) was a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or
administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding
was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future
violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or
state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

ITEM 3.   SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION

     Each of the Reporting Persons has the right to purchase the shares of
Common Stock at a price of $32.50 per share upon exercise of the Warrants (as
defined in Item 4). The aggregate purchase price for the Common Stock for each
Reporting Person, if the Warrants were exercised, is $13,000,000.

                              Page 7 of 10 Pages
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 4.   PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION

     All of the rights to purchase shares of Common Stock were purchased for
investment purposes only. The Reporting Persons have purchased on April 11, 1997
$25 million of the Company's 12% senior subordinated notes due 2001, pursuant to
a note purchase agreement, dated as of April 11, 1997 between Canpartners
Investments IV, LLC and the Company (the "Note Purchase Agreement"), a
representative copy of which is attached as Exhibit B to this Schedule 13D, with
warrants attached to purchase 400,000 shares of the Common Stock at a price of
$32.50 per share (the "Warrants"), pursuant to a warrant agreement, dated as of
April 11, 1997 (the "Warrant Agreement") between the Canpartners IV and the
Company, a representative copy of which is attached as Exhibit C to this
Schedule 13D and a registration rights agreement between the Company and
Canpartners IV (the "Registration Rights Agreement") pursuant to which the
Company has agreed to register any securities underlying the Warrants, a
representative copy of which is attached as Exhibit D to this Schedule 13D.

ITEM 5.   INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF ISSUER

     (a)  As of the date hereof, each of the Reporting Persons, acting as a
group within the meaning of Section 13(d)(1) of the Act, was the beneficial
owner of an aggregate of 400,000 shares (including 400,000 shares of Common
Stock which the Reporting Persons have the right to acquire upon exercise of the
Warrants) of Common Stock of the Company, which constituted approximately 9.4%
of the 4,258,511 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of December 31, 1996 (as
reported in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1996) after including the shares which the Reporting Persons have the right
to acquire upon exercise of the Warrants.

     (b)  With respect to the 400,000 shares of Common Stock underlying the
Warrants acquired by Canpartners IV, Canpartners IV exercises both voting and
dispositive power and since Canpartners IV is controlled by Canpartners,
Canpartners exercises both voting and dispositive power with respect to such
shares. Canpartners is, in turn, controlled by Messrs. Evensen, Friedman and
Julis and each of these Reporting Persons therefore exercises both voting and
dispositive power with respect to the shares of Common Stock acquired by
Canpartners IV.  Except as set forth in this Item 5(b), none of the Reporting
Persons has voting or dispositive power over another Reporting Person's shares
of Common Stock.  Canpartners IV holds the Warrants and Promissory Notes
acquired from the Company on behalf of five investors, Value Realization Fund,
L.P. (as to 112,000 shares), Canyon Value Realization Fund (Cayman) (as to
224,000 shares), Ltd., GRS Partners II (as to 16,000 shares), CPI Securities
L.P. (as to 16,000 shares) and Apdel, LLC (as to 32,000 shares). Of the Warrants
held by CPI Securities, L.P., 25% are held for the benefit of each of Joshua S.
Friedman or his family trusts, Mitchell R. Julis or his family trusts and R.
Christian B. Evensen or his family trusts and 25% will be held for the benefit
of certain employees of CPI Securities, L.P., as yet undetermined.

     (c)  Item 3 above sets forth the amount of shares which each Reporting
Person has the right to acquire upon exercise of the Warrants and the aggregate
purchase price of such shares. All of the transactions reflected in Item 3 above
were effectuated on April 11, 1997. None of the Reporting Persons have effected
any other transaction in the Common Stock in the past 60 days.

     (d)  No persons other than the Reporting Persons, each with respect to the
shares of Common Stock which they have the right to acquire upon exercise of the
Warrants, have the right to receive or power to direct the receipt of dividends
from, or the proceeds from the sale of, the shares of Common Stock.

     (e)  N/A

ITEM 6.   CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH RESPECT
          TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER

     Except with respect to the Exhibits listed in Item 7 below, there are no
contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships among the Reporting
Persons or any other persons with respect to the securities of The Company.

                              Page 8 of 10 Pages
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 7.   MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS

     Exhibit A:  Joint Filing Agreement among the Reporting Persons dated April
                 21, 1997.
     Exhibit B:  Note Purchase Agreement
     Exhibit C:  Warrant Agreement
     Exhibit D:  Registration Rights Agreement

                              Page 9 of 10 Pages
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE

     After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
              
                              CANPARTNERS INVESTMENTS IV, LLC
                              By: Canpartners Incorporated, its General Partner


                              By:  /s/ R. Christian B. Evensen
                                  -------------------------------------
                                  R. Christian B. Evensen, President
 
                              CANPARTNERS INCORPORATED


                              By:  /s/ R. Christian B. Evensen
                                  -------------------------------------
                                  R. Christian B. Evensen, President
 
 
                                 /s/ Mitchell R. Julis
                              -----------------------------------------
                                 Mitchell R. Julis


                               /s/ Joshua S. Friedman
                              -----------------------------------------
                                 Joshua S. Friedman


                               /s/ R. Christian B. Evensen
                              -----------------------------------------
                                 R. Christian B. Evensen


                              Page 10 of 10 Pages

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                                   EXHIBIT A
                             JOINT FILING AGREEMENT
     (Pursuant to Rule 13d-1(f)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended)

     Each of the undersigned hereby agrees to be included in the filing of the
Schedule 13D dated April 21, 1997 and any subsequent amendments hereto, relating
to the shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of UTI Energy Corp., a
Delaware corporation, beneficially owned by each of the undersigned.

April 21, 1997
                                     CANPARTNERS INVESTMENTS IV, LLC
                                     By:   Canpartners Incorporated, its 
                                           General Partner


                                         By: /s/ R. Christian B. Evensen
                                            ----------------------------
                                            R. Christian B. Evensen,       
                                            President

                                     CANPARTNERS INCORPORATED


                                     By: /s/ R. Christian B. Evensen
                                        ----------------------------
                                        R. Christian B. Evensen,     
                                        President


                                    /s/ Mitchell R. Julis
                                    ---------------------------------
                                    MITCHELL R. JULIS


                                    /s/ Joshua S. Friedman
                                    ---------------------------------
                                    JOSHUA S. FRIEDMAN


                                    /s/ R. Christian B. Evensen
                                    ---------------------------------
                                    R. CHRISTIAN B. EVENSEN

<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]


                            NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                           DATED AS OF APRIL 11, 1997

                                     AMONG

                          FWA DRILLING COMPANY, INC.,
                    INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM SERVICE COMPANY,
                             TRIAD DRILLING COMPANY
                         UNIVERSAL WELL SERVICES, INC.
                               USC, INCORPORATED
                                      AND
                      VIERSEN & COCHRAN DRILLING COMPANY,
                                   AS ISSUERS

                 THE GUARANTORS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO

                                      AND

                       CANPARTNERS INVESTMENTS IV,  LLC,
                                  AS PURCHASER

                           __________________________

                                  $25,000,000
                           SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES
                                    DUE 2001
                           __________________________
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                       <C> 
                                   ARTICLE I
                         DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

1.01.   CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS............................................. 2
1.02.   COMPUTATION OF TIME PERIODS.......................................15
1.03.   ACCOUNTING TERMS..................................................16
1.04.   REFERENCES TO THIS AGREEMENT......................................16
1.05.   MISCELLANEOUS TERMS...............................................16

                                   ARTICLE II
                                   THE NOTES

2.01.   SALE AND PURCHASE OF NOTES........................................16
2.02.   REGISTRATION OF NOTES.............................................17
2.03.   TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES....................................17
2.04.   REPLACEMENT OF NOTES..............................................18
2.05.   PAYMENTS ON NOTES.................................................18
2.06.   MANDATORY OFFERS TO REPURCHASE THE NOTES..........................19
2.07.   OPTIONAL PREPAYMENTS OF THE NOTES.................................21
2.08.   PURCHASES OF NOTES................................................22
2.09.   NOTES SUBORDINATED TO BANK CREDIT FACILITIES......................22
2.10.   TENDER OF NOTES TO PAY WARRANT EXERCISE PRICE.....................22

                                  ARTICLE III
                              GUARANTEE OF NOTES

3.01.   UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE...........................................23
3.02.   GUARANTY ABSOLUTE.................................................23
3.03.   ENFORCEMENT; APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS..............................24
3.04.   WAIVERS...........................................................25
3.05.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION.............................................26
3.06.   REINSTATEMENT.....................................................26
3.07.   SUBROGATION, CONTRIBUTION, ETC....................................26
3.08.   TERMINATION.......................................................27
3.09.   GUARANTY SUBORDINATED TO BANK CREDIT FACILITIES...................27
3.10.   ADDITIONAL GUARANTORS.............................................27
3.11.   LIMITATION ON SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR LIABILITY......................28
</TABLE>

                                      -i-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]


<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                       <C> 
                                  ARTICLE IV
                                    CLOSING

4.01.   CLOSING OF PURCHASE AND SALE OF NOTES.............................28
4.02.   ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS TO CLOSING..................................29

                                   ARTICLE V
                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

5.01.   REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES OF THE OBLIGORS.....................31
5.02.   REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PURCHASER..................................38

                                  ARTICLE VI
                      REPORTING AND AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

6.01    FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION................................39
6.02.   OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE.............................................42
6.03.   INSPECTION........................................................43
6.04.   COMPLIANCE WITH LAW...............................................43
6.05.   INSURANCE.........................................................43
6.06.   MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES.........................................44
6.07.   PAYMENT OF TAXES AND CLAIMS.......................................44
6.08.   CORPORATE EXISTENCE, ETC..........................................44
6.09.   MAINTENANCE OF BOOKS AND RECORDS..................................44
6.10.   MAINTENANCE OF LINES OF BUSINESS..................................44
6.11.   PRIVATE PLACEMENT NUMBERS.........................................45

                                  ARTICLE VII
                              NEGATIVE COVENANTS

7.01.   TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES......................................45
7.02.   MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, ASSET SALES, ETC...........................45
7.03.   RIGHT OF FIRST NEGOTIATION ON OTHER FINANCINGS....................47
7.04    RESTRICTED PAYMENTS AND INVESTMENTS...............................47
7.05.   LIMITATION ON ADDITIONAL INDEBTEDNESS.............................49
7.06.   LIMITATION ON CREATION OF LIENS...................................50
7.07.   RANK OF FUTURE INDEBTEDNESS.......................................50
7.08.   WAIVER OF STAY, EXTENSION AND USURY LAWS..........................51
</TABLE>

                                     -ii-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                       <C> 
                                 ARTICLE VIII
                        EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

8.01.   EVENTS OF DEFAULT.................................................51
8.02.   REMEDIES ON EVENT OF DEFAULT, ETC.................................53

                                  ARTICLE IX
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

9.01.   EXPENSES, ETC.....................................................55
9.02.   SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ENTIRE AGREEMENT......56
9.03.   AMENDMENT AND WAIVER..............................................56
9.04.   NOTICES...........................................................57
9.05.   REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS.........................................58
9.06    CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION..........................................59
9.07.   TRANSFERS OF NOTES................................................60
9.08.   SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS............................................60
9.09.   SEVERABILITY......................................................60
9.10.   CONSTRUCTION......................................................60
9.11.   COUNTERPARTS......................................................60
9.12.   GOVERNING LAW.....................................................61
9.13.   INDEMNIFICATION...................................................61
9.14.   MAXIMUM RATE......................................................61
</TABLE>

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

                                   SCHEDULES
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                             <C>  <C> 
   SCHEDULE 1.01-A              --   Existing Permitted Investments
 
   SCHEDULE 1.01-B              --   Existing Permitted Liens
 
   SCHEDULE 5.01(c)             --   Disclosure Materials
 
   SCHEDULE 5.01(d)             --   Subsidiaries of the Company and
                                     Ownership of Subsidiary Stock
 
   SCHEDULE 5.01(h)             --   Certain Litigation
 
   SCHEDULE 5.01(k)             --   Patents, etc.
 
   SCHEDULE 5.01(o)             --   Existing Indebtedness
</TABLE> 
 
 
                                   EXHIBITS
 
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                             <C>  <C> 
   EXHIBIT A                    --   Form of Note
 
   EXHIBIT B                    --   Form of Contribution Agreement
 
   EXHIBIT C                    --   Form of Opinion of Special Counsel for the
                                     Obligors
</TABLE> 

                                     -iv-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

                            NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT


          THIS NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (as the same may be amended, supplemented
or otherwise modified from time to time, this "AGREEMENT") is entered into as of
April 11, 1997 by and among (i) FWA DRILLING COMPANY, INC., a Delaware
corporation, INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM SERVICE COMPANY, a Pennsylvania
corporation, TRIAD DRILLING COMPANY, a Delaware corporation ("TRIAD"), UNIVERSAL
WELL SERVICES, INC., a Delaware corporation ("UNIVERSAL"), USC, INCORPORATED, a
Delaware corporation, and PANTHER DRILLING, INC. (formerly known as Viersen &
Cochran Drilling Company), an Oklahoma corporation (each an "ISSUER" and,
collectively, the  "ISSUERS"), (ii) THE GUARANTORS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY
HERETO and (iii) CANPARTNERS INVESTMENTS IV, LLC (the "PURCHASER").

                                    RECITALS

          WHEREAS, the Issuers desire to sell and the Purchaser desires to
purchase in each case on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement,
$25,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Issuers' 12% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2001 which notes shall be in substantially the form of
Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof (together with any such notes
- - ---------                                                                     
issued in substitution therefor pursuant to Section 2.03 of this Agreement, the
                                            ------------                       
"NOTES");

          WHEREAS, the Purchaser has required as a condition, among others, to
its  purchase of the Notes that UTICO, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the
owner of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each of the Issuers
("UTICO"), UTI Energy Corp., a Delaware corporation and the owner of all of the
issued and outstanding capital stock of UTICO (the "COMPANY"), and certain other
Persons (other than Issuers) which become  direct or indirect Subsidiaries of
the Company after the date of this Agreement (UTICO, the Company and any such
Subsidiary, each a "GUARANTOR" and, collectively, the "GUARANTORS")
unconditionally guarantee the prompt and complete payment and performance of the
Issuers' obligations under the Notes, this Agreement and the other Note
Documents; and

          WHEREAS, concurrently with the issuance of the Notes, the Company has
agreed to issue to the Purchaser warrants to purchase 400,000 shares of the
Company's common stock (the "WARRANTS") on substantially the terms set forth in
the Warrant Agreement of even date herewith by and among the Company and the
Purchaser (the "WARRANT AGREEMENT").
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]


          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and each of the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the
parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I
                         DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

          1.01.  CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS.  As used herein, the following terms
have the respective meanings set forth below or set forth in the Section hereof
following such term:

          "ACQUISITION" means the purchase by Triad of the contract drilling
business and assets of Southland pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement and the
documents related thereto.

          "ACQUISITION AGREEMENT" means the Asset Purchase Agreement dated March
5, 1997, by and between the Company and Southland.

          "AFFILIATE" means, at any time, and with respect to any Person, any
other Person that at such time directly or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries Controls, or is Controlled by, or is under common Control with,
such first Person.  As used in this definition, "CONTROL" means the possession,
directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise. Unless the context otherwise clearly
requires, any reference to an "Affiliate" is a reference to an Affiliate of the
Company.

          "ASSET SALE" means any direct or indirect sale, conveyance, transfer,
lease or other disposition to any Person other than the Company or any Wholly
Owned Subsidiary of the Company, in a transaction or a series or related
transactions (including by way of sale and leaseback) of (i) any capital stock
of any Subsidiary of the Company or (ii) any other Property of the Company or
any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that the term "Asset Sale" shall not
                               --------                                     
include (x) any transactions permitted by Section 7.02(a) or Section 7.02(b) or
                                          ---------------    ---------------   
(y) sales, conveyances, transfers, leases or other dispositions of Property in
the ordinary course of business.

          "BANK CREDIT FACILITIES" means (a) the obligations under the Amended
and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated December 7, 1995, among the
Obligors and Mellon Bank, N.A., as amended, the Loan and Security Agreement
dated April 11, 1997, among the Obligors and Mellon Bank, N.A, as amended and
all agreements, documents and instruments delivered in connection with each of
them, in each case as 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

such agreements, documents and instruments may be amended, restated,
consolidated, renewed, replaced, refinanced, supplemented or otherwise modified
from time to time and (b) all obligations under any other agreement, document or
instrument from time to time evidencing "Senior Debt" under (and as defined in)
the Subordination Agreement.

          "BANKRUPTCY CODE" means Title 11 of the United States Code (11 U.S.C.
(S)(S) 101 et seq.).
           -- ---   

          "BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day
on which commercial banks in New York, New York or Los Angeles, California are
required or authorized to be closed.

          "CAPITAL LEASE" means, at any time, a lease with respect to which the
lessee is required concurrently to recognize the acquisition of an asset and the
incurrence of a liability in accordance with GAAP.

          "CHANGE OF CONTROL" means the occurrence of both of the following: (a)
Remy Capital Partners III and its Affiliates as a group (collectively, "REMY")
shall cease to be the largest beneficial owner of the total voting power of all
issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company (or successor
thereto) entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; and (b) any
Person or group (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5, as in effect on the Closing
Date, under the Exchange Act) shall be the beneficial owner, directly or
indirectly, through a purchase, merger, consolidation or other acquisition
transaction of more than 35% of the total voting power of all issued and
outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company (or successor thereto)
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; provided, however, that
                                                         --------  -------      
a Person shall not be deemed to have beneficial ownership of  the shares of the
Company solely by reason of one or more of (i) the granting of a proxy or
agreement to such Person to vote in a particular manner in connection with a
transaction of the type described in clause (b), (ii) the granting of a
revocable proxy to such Person in connection with a matter to be considered by
stockholders of the Company, (iii) that Person's ownership of a right to
purchase or acquire stock in connection with such Person's purchase of stock of
the Company from the Company or Remy or (iv) by reason of the ownership of an
underwriter of shares of the capital stock of the Company in connection with a
public offering of such shares; provided, further, that, in the case of
                                --------  -------                      
subclauses (i), (ii) and (iii), no payment or consideration in the form of cash
or Property shall have been received in connection with such grants or
purchases.

          "CLOSING" is defined in Section 4.01.
                                  ------------ 

          "CLOSING DATE" is defined in Section 4.01.
                                       ------------ 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time
to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time.

          "COMPANY" is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

          "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION"  is defined in Section 9.06.
                                                    ------------ 

          "CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME" means, for any period, the aggregate of the
net income (or loss) of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis
determined in accordance with GAAP, provided that there shall be excluded from
                                    --------                                  
such net income (or loss) (to the extent otherwise included therein): (i) the
net income (or loss) of any other Person which is not a Subsidiary or is
accounted for by the Company by the equity method of accounting (except to the
extent of the amount of any dividends or distributions paid to the Company or a
Subsidiary during such period), (ii) all gains or losses, realized in connection
with any Asset Sale, (iii) all other income or gain or losses from extraordinary
items, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP, (iv) the write off in
excess of normal amortization of any intangible items, including the excess of
purchase price of assets acquired over their estimated fair market value on the
date of acquisition, and (v) the net income of any Person acquired in a pooling
of interests transaction for any period prior to the date of acquisition.

          "CONSOLIDATED NET WORTH" means, as of any date of determination for
any Person, the stockholders' equity of such Person and its Subsidiaries,
including goodwill, on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP.

          "CONSOLIDATED TOTAL CAPITALIZATION" means, as of any date of
determination,  the sum of (a) Consolidated Total Indebtedness as of such date,
plus (b) Consolidated Net Worth for the Company and its Subsidiaries as of such
- - ----                                                                           
date.

          "CONSOLIDATED TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS" means, as of any date of
determination, all Indebtedness and Guaranty Obligations of the Company and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP on that
date.

          "CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT" means the Contribution Agreement of even date
herewith among each of the Issuers, in substantially the form of Exhibit B.
                                                                 --------- 

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

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          "DEFAULT RATE" means that rate of interest that is 2.00% per annum
above the rate of interest stated in clause (a) of the first paragraph of the
Notes.

          "EBITDA" means, for any period and with respect to the Company and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, (i) the net earnings (or loss) after taxes
for such period taken as a single accounting period, plus (ii) depreciation,
                                                     ----                   
depletion and amortization expense for such period, plus (iii) federal, state
                                                    ----                     
and local income (or equivalent) taxes paid or accrued for such period, plus
                                                                        ----
(iv) total interest expense for such period (including amortization of
capitalized Indebtedness issuance costs), whether paid or accrued (including the
interest component of Capital Leases), including all commissions, discounts and
other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and net costs
under Swaps, plus (v) extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring losses and non-
             ----                                                           
cash charges for early extinguishment of Indebtedness for such period, minus
                                                                       -----
(vi) extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring gains for such period, in each case
determined in accordance with GAAP and, in the case of clauses (ii) through
(vi), to the extent included in the determination of net earnings (or loss) for
such period.

          "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means any and all Federal, state, local, and
foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders,
decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or
governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the
environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including but
not limited to those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions
and discharges to waste or public systems.

          "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

          "ERISA AFFILIATE" means any trade or business  (whether or not incor-
porated) that is treated as a single employer together with any Obligor under
section 414 of the Code.

          "EVENT OF DEFAULT" is defined in Section 8.01.
                                           ------------ 

          "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

          "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, with respect to any asset of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, the value of the consideration obtainable in a sale of
such asset in the open market, assuming a sale by a willing seller to a willing
purchaser dealing at arm's length and arranged in an orderly manner over a
reasonable period of time, each having reasonable knowledge of the nature and
characteristics of such asset, neither being under any compulsion to act,
determined by the Company in good faith, provided, that 
                                         --------                               

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

if the book value of the assets being sold is in excess of $500,000 such
determination shall be evidenced by a resolution of the board of directors of
the Company.

          "FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO" means, for any period and with respect
to the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the ratio of (a)
(i) EBITDA for such period, minus, (ii) income taxes paid in cash during such
                            -----                                            
period, minus (iii) any cash dividends paid by the Company or any of its
        -----                                                           
Subsidiaries during such period (other than dividends paid by a Subsidiary to
the Company or another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary), minus (iv) all cash
                                                 -----              
expenditures for normal capital expenditures relating to then existing
operations and assets that do not constitute an expansion of the Company's or
any Subsidiary's operations or business paid during such period (including the
capitalized portion of Capital Leases payments) which, in conformity with GAAP,
are required to be included or reflected by the property, plant or equipment or
similar fixed asset accounts reflected in the consolidated balance sheet of the
Company, to (b) the sum of (i) scheduled principal payments of Indebtedness paid
or payable during such period, plus (ii) total interest expense for such period,
                               ----                                             
whether paid or accrued (including the interest component of Capital Leases),
including all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with
respect to letters of credit and net costs under Swaps, in each case determined
in accordance with GAAP.

          "GAAP"  means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect
from time to time in the United States of America, as applied by the Company and
its Subsidiaries on a consistent basis.

          "GOVERNING DOCUMENTS" means, with respect to any corporation, limited
liability company or partnership (a) the articles/certificate of incorporation
(or the equivalent formation documents) of such corporation or limited liability
company, (b) the partnership agreement executed by the partners in the
partnership, (c) the by-laws (or the equivalent organizational documents) of the
corporation, limited liability company or partnership and (d) any document
setting forth the designation, amount and/or relative rights, limitations and
preferences of any class or series of such corporation's capital stock or such
limited liability company's or partnership's equity or ownership interests.

          "GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY"  means (a) the government of (i) the United
States of America or any State or other political subdivision thereof, or (ii)
any jurisdiction in which any Obligor conducts all or any part of its business,
or which asserts jurisdiction over any properties of such Obligor, or (b) any
entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative
functions of, or pertaining to, any such government.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          "GUARANTOR" and "GUARANTORS" are defined in the recitals to this
Agreement.

          "GUARANTY OBLIGATION"  means, with respect to any Person, any obli-
gation (except the endorsement in the ordinary course of business of negotiable
instruments for deposit or collection) of such Person guaranteeing or in effect
guaranteeing any indebtedness, dividend or other obligation of any other Person
in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including (without limitation)
obligations incurred through an agreement, contingent or otherwise, by such
Person: (a) to purchase such indebtedness or obligation or any property
constituting security therefor; (b) to advance or supply funds (i) for the
purchase or payment of such indebtedness or obligation, or (ii) to maintain any
working capital or other balance sheet condition or any income statement
condition of any other Person or otherwise to advance or make available funds
for the purchase or payment of such indebtedness or obligation; (c) to lease
properties or to purchase properties or services primarily for the purpose of
assuring the owner of such indebtedness or obligation of the ability of any
other Person to make payment of the indebtedness or obligation; or (d) otherwise
to assure the owner of such indebtedness or obligation against loss in respect
thereof.  In any computation of the indebtedness or other liabilities of the
obligor under any Guaranty Obligation, the indebtedness or other obligations
that are the subject of such Guaranty Obligation shall be assumed to be direct
obligations of such obligor.

          "HAZARDOUS MATERIAL" means any and all pollutants, toxic or hazardous
wastes or any other substances that might pose a hazard to health or safety, the
removal of which may be required or the generation, manufacture, refining,
production, processing, treatment, storage, handling, transportation, transfer,
use, disposal, release, discharge, spillage, seepage, or filtration of which is
or shall be restricted, prohibited or penalized by any applicable law
(including, without limitation, asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation and
polycholorinated biphenyls).

          "HIGHEST LAWFUL RATE" means, at any given time during which any
Obligations shall be outstanding hereunder, the maximum nonusurious interest
rate that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, taken,
reserved, charged or received on the Obligations, under the laws of the State of
Texas (or the law of any other jurisdiction whose laws may be mandatorily
applicable notwithstanding other provisions of this Agreement and the other Note
Documents), or under applicable federal laws which may presently or hereafter be
in effect and which allow a higher maximum nonusurious interest rate than under
the laws of the State of Texas (or such other jurisdiction's law), in any case
after taking into account, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any and
all relevant payments or charges under this Agreement and any 

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

other Note Documents executed in connection herewith, and any available
exemptions, exceptions and exclusions.

          "HOLDER" means, with respect to any Note, the Person in whose name
such Note is registered in the register maintained by the Company pursuant to
Section 2.02.
- - ------------ 

          "INDEBTEDNESS" with respect to any Person means, at any time, without
duplication, (a) its liabilities for borrowed money and its redemption
obligations in respect of mandatorily redeemable Preferred Stock; (b) its
liabilities for the deferred purchase price of property acquired by such Person
(excluding accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business but
including all liabilities created or arising under any conditional sale or other
title retention agreement with respect to any such property); (c) all
liabilities appearing on its balance sheet in accordance with GAAP in respect of
Capital Leases; (d) all liabilities for borrowed money secured by any Lien with
respect to any property owned by such Person (whether or not it has assumed or
otherwise become liable for such liabilities); (e) all its liabilities in
respect of letters of credit or instruments serving a similar function issued or
accepted for its account by banks and other financial institutions (whether or
not representing obligations for borrowed money); (f) Swaps of such Person; and
(g) any Guaranty Obligation of such Person with respect to liabilities of a type
described in any of clauses (a) through (f) hereof.  Indebtedness of any Person
shall include all obligations of such Person of the character described in
clauses (a) through (g) to the extent such Person remains legally liable in
respect thereof notwithstanding that any such obligation is deemed to be
extinguished under GAAP.

          "INSOLVENCY EVENT" means any of the events described in paragraphs (g)
and (h) of Section 8.01.
           ------------ 

          "INVESTMENT" means, with respect to any Person, (a) any purchase or
other acquisition by that Person of securities, or of a beneficial interest in
securities, issued by any other Person, (b) any purchase by that Person of all
or substantially all of the assets of a business conducted by another Person,
and (c) any loan, advance or capital contribution by that Person to any other
Person, including all Indebtedness to such Person arising from a sale of
property by such Person other than in the ordinary course of its business.  The
amount of any Investment shall be the original cost of such Investment, plus the
cost of all additions thereto less the amount of any return of capital or
principal to the extent such return is in cash with respect to such Investment
without any adjustments for increases or decreases in value or write-ups, write-
downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment.

          "ISSUER" and "ISSUERS" are defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          "LIEN" means, with respect to any Person, any mortgage, lien, pledge,
charge, security interest or other encumbrance, or any interest or title of any
vendor, lessor, lender or other secured party to or of such Person under any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement or Capital Lease, upon or
with respect to any property or asset of such Person (including in the case of
stock, stockholder agreements, voting trust agreements and all similar
arrangements).

          "LINES OF BUSINESS" means any of (a) the provision of drilling or
workover services, (b) the provision of any other oilfield services to Persons
in the oil and gas industry and (c) the manufacture, production, distribution or
sale of any products for use in the oil and gas industry.

          "MATERIAL" means material in relation to the business, operations,
financial condition, assets, properties, or prospects of the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

          "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means a material adverse effect on (a) the
business, operations, financial condition, assets, properties or prospects of
the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (b) the ability of any
Obligor to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Notes or the other
Note Documents, or (c) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement, the
Notes or the other Note Documents.

          "MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" means any Plan that is a "multiemployer plan" (as
such term is defined in section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA).

          "NET CASH PROCEEDS" means, with respect to any Asset Sale, the
aggregate amount of cash consideration received by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in connection with such Asset Sale after deduction of  taxes paid
or payable in connection with such Asset Sale and of all fees, costs and
expenses actually incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary in connection
therewith.

          "NOTE DOCUMENTS" means, collectively, this Agreement, the Notes, the
Contribution Agreement, the Warrants, the Warrant Agreement, the Registration
Rights Agreement, the Subordination Agreement and all other documents,
agreements, instruments, opinions and certificates now or hereafter delivered in
connection herewith or therewith (other than the Acquisition Agreement, the
documents related thereto and the documents evidencing the Bank Credit
Facilities).

          "NOTES" is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          "OBLIGATIONS" means all present and future obligations and liabilities
of any Obligor arising under or in connection with any Note Document, due or to
become due to any Holder or any other Person entitled to indemnification
pursuant to Section 9.13, or (to the extent permitted by the Note Documents) any
            ------------                                                        
of their respective successors, transferees or assigns, and shall include,
without limitation, (i) unpaid principal and interest under the Notes (including
interest accruing on or after the occurrence of an Insolvency Event, whether or
not allowed as a claim in any proceeding relating to the Insolvency Event), (ii)
fees, expenses and indemnification and expense reimbursement obligations arising
under any of the Note Documents, and (iv) the obligations of the Guarantors
arising under Article III of this Agreement.
              -----------                   

          "OBLIGOR" means any Issuer or any Guarantor and "OBLIGORS" means all
of the Issuers and Guarantors.

          "OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE" means a certificate of a Senior Financial
Officer or of any other officer of any Obligor whose responsibilities extend to
the subject matter of such certificate.

          "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and
defined in ERISA or any successor thereto.

          "PERMITTED BUSINESS INVESTMENTS" means (i) Investments by the Company
or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary in any Person which, immediately prior to the
making of such Investment, is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, (ii) Investments in the
Company by any Wholly Owned Subsidiary, (iii) loans and advances to officers,
directors and employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries for travel,
entertainment and moving and other relocation expenses made in direct
furtherance and in the ordinary course of business, (iv) Investments and
payments to any employee, officer or director of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries pursuant to Plans or compensation arrangements entered into in the
ordinary course of business and approved by the Board of Directors of the
Company or such Subsidiary or payments, contributions or transactions relating
to such Plans, (v) Investments permitted under Sections 7.02 and 7.05, (vi) to
                                               -------------     ----         
the extent that no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result
therefrom, Investments in any Person to the extent the consideration paid
consists of common stock of the Company and (vii) to the extent that no Default
or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, the acquisition of
capital stock, obligations or securities of (A) a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or (B)
a Person that is engaged primarily in a business described in the definition of
Lines of Business and after giving effect to the Investment becomes a
Subsidiary; provided, that the aggregate principal amount of loans and advances
            --------                                                           
made pursuant to clauses (iii) above shall not exceed $1,000,000 at any time
outstanding.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          "PERMITTED INVESTMENTS" means (i) marketable direct obligations issued
or unconditionally guaranteed by the United States Government or issued by any
agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States,
(ii) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of
America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public
instrumentality thereof, (iii) commercial paper or other corporate short term
obligations of corporations, the commercial paper of which has, at the time of
acquisition, no less than an investment grade rating obtainable from either
Standard & Poor's Rating Group (a division of McGraw-Hill, Inc.) or Moody's
Investor's Service, Inc., (iv) demand deposits, certificates of deposit
(including Eurodollar certificates of deposit) or bankers' acceptances issued by
commercial banks, savings and loans or other financial institutions organized
under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the
District of Columbia, each having capital and surplus of, in the case of any
such institution organized under the laws of the United States or any political
subdivision thereof, not less than $100,000,000 or, in the case of any such
institution organized under the laws of any foreign jurisdiction, not less than
$500,000,000 ("QUALIFYING BANKS"), (v) repurchase agreements and reverse
repurchase agreements with Qualifying Banks, (vi) money market funds organized
under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof and
administered by securities dealers of recognized national standing, (vii) any
Investment permitted under the Bank Credit Facilities, (viii) any Investment in
Persons that are Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the Company; (ix) negotiable
instruments endorsed for deposit or collection or similar instruments in the
ordinary course of business, (x) any Investment outstanding on the date of this
Agreement, as set forth on Schedule 1.01-A, and any extension, renewal,
                           ---------------                             
refinancing or deferral of such Investment provided that such extension,
renewal, refinancing or deferral does not increase the amount of such Investment
outstanding on the date of such extension, renewal, refinancing or deferral and
(xi) Permitted Business Investments.

          "PERMITTED LIENS" means (i) Liens (other than Liens arising under
ERISA or any Environmental Laws) for taxes, assessments or governmental charges
or claims which are not yet delinquent or which are being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted
and if a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required in
conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor; (ii) statutory Liens of
landlords and carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', suppliers', materialmen's,
repairmen's or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and
with respect to amounts not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by
appropriate process of law, if a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any,
as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor; (iii) purchase money
mortgages, pledges or other Liens upon, or obligations under Capital Leases
related to, any property acquired by a Person to effect the acquisition of such
property, including, without limitation, Liens incurred, assumed or taken
subject to in 

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

connection with the acquisition of inventory or other goods used in the ordinary
course of business of such Person, any industrial development bonds issued in
connection with the acquisition of facilities, related letters of credit and
Liens securing such letters of credit; provided, however, that no such mortgage,
pledge, Lien or Capital Lease obligation shall extend to or cover any other
property; (iv) Liens (other than Liens imposed under ERISA) incurred or deposits
made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers'
compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security; (v)
Liens incurred or deposits made to secure the performance of tenders, bids,
leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, government contracts,
performance and return-of-money bonds and other obligations of like nature
incurred in the ordinary course of business (exclusive of obligations for the
payment of borrowed money); (vi) attachment or judgment Liens not giving rise to
a Default or an Event of Default; (vii) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions
and other similar charges or encumbrances not interfering with the ordinary
conduct of the business of any Obligor; (viii) leases or subleases, including
contract drilling and dayrate drilling contracts, granted to others not
interfering in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of
any Obligor; (ix) any interest or title of a lessor in goods leased by such
lessor to any Obligor under any lease permitted under the Bank Credit
Facilities; (x) Liens securing Indebtedness of a Person at the time such Person
is acquired by or becomes a Subsidiary of the Company (whether by merger,
consolidation or otherwise), to the extent such Indebtedness is permitted under
this Agreement; (xi) Liens securing Swaps entered into in connection with the
Bank Credit Facilities; (xii) Liens in favor of collecting or payor banks having
a right of setoff, revocation, refund or chargeback with respect to money or
instruments of any Obligor on deposit with or in possession of such bank; (xiii)
additional Liens securing other Indebtedness permitted hereby encumbering
Property having a fair market value not in excess of $1,000,000 at any one time;
and (xiv) any renewal of or substitution for any of the foregoing, provided that
                                                                   --------     
such renewed or substituted Liens do not encumber Property other than that
encumbered by the original Lien.  All Liens in existence on the date of this
Agreement are set forth on Schedule 1.01-B.
                           --------------- 

          "PERSON" means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited
liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization, or a
government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

          "PLAN" means an "employee benefit plan" (as defined in section 3(3) of
ERISA) that is or, within the preceding five years, has been established or
maintained, or to which contributions are or, within the preceding five years,
have been made or required to be made, by any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate or
with respect to which any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate may have any liability.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          "PREFERRED STOCK" means any class of capital stock of a corporation
that is preferred over any other class of capital stock of such corporation as
to the payment of dividends or the payment of any amount upon liquidation or
dissolution of such corporation.

          "PRODUCTIVE ASSETS" means assets of a kind then used or usable in any
Line of Business and shall include assets consisting of at least a majority of
the voting stock of a Person primarily engaged in a Line of Business.

          "PROPERTY" or "PROPERTIES" means, unless otherwise specifically
limited, real or personal property of any kind, tangible or intangible, choate
or inchoate.

          "REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT" means the Registration Rights
Agreement of even date herewith between the Company and the Purchaser, as the
same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

          "REQUIRED HOLDERS" means, at any time, the Holders of more than fifty
percent in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding (exclusive of
Notes then owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates).

          "REQUIREMENT OF LAW" means (a) the Governing Documents of a Person,
(b) any law, treaty, rule, regulation, order or determination of an arbitrator,
court or other Governmental Authority or (c) any franchise, license, lease,
permit, certificate, authorization, qualification, easement, right of way, right
or approval binding on a Person or any of its property.

          "RESPONSIBLE OFFICER" means any Senior Financial Officer and any other
officer of any Obligor with responsibility for the administration of the
relevant portion of this Agreement or any Note Document.

          "SECURITIES" means the Notes, the Warrants and the common stock of the
Company issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.

          "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933.

          "SENIOR FINANCIAL OFFICER" means, with respect to any Obligor, the
chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or comptroller
of such Obligor.

          "SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS" means all of the following Indebtedness of the
Company and its Subsidiaries designated as "Senior Indebtedness" by the Company
or such Subsidiary (unless such Indebtedness is expressly junior or subordinated
in right of 

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

payment to any item of Senior Indebtedness), whether outstanding on the date of
this Agreement or thereafter, in each case in an amount not in excess of that
permitted to be incurred hereunder: (a) Indebtedness under the Bank Credit
Facilities, (b) Indebtedness under Capital Leases, (c) Indebtedness under
working capital loan or receivables facilities and (d) Indebtedness incurred for
the purpose of acquiring Property (including capital stock) of a Person,
including Indebtedness incurred to refinance such Indebtedness. Senior
Indebtedness shall not include (i) any amount or other obligations under or
relating to any operating lease, (ii) any accounts payable or other obligations
owing to trade creditors created or assumed by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, (iii) any tort liability and any liability for federal, state,
local or other taxes or other governmental charges or claims of whatever nature
(including any environmental charges or claims), (iv) any Indebtedness of any
Obligor to any other Obligor or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof or (v) any
Indebtedness or other obligations (A) owing, directly or indirectly, to any
Person under or in respect of any employee benefit plan, whether pursuant to
ERISA or otherwise or (B) owing, directly or indirectly, to employees of the
Company or any Subsidiary.

          "SOUTHLAND" means Southland Drilling Company, Ltd. a Texas limited
partnership.

          "SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT" means the Subordination and Intercreditor
Agreement of even date herewith among the Purchaser, the Obligors and Mellon
Bank, N.A., as the same may be amended, modified or replaced from time to time.

          "SUBSIDIARY" means, as to any Person, any corporation, association or
other business entity in which such Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries or
such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries owns sufficient equity or voting
interests to enable it or them (as a group) ordinarily, in the absence of
contingencies, to elect a majority of the directors (or Persons performing
similar functions) of such entity, and any partnership or joint venture if more
than a 50% interest in the profits or capital thereof is owned by such Person or
one or more of its Subsidiaries or such Person and one or more of its
Subsidiaries (unless such partnership can and does ordinarily take major
business actions without the prior approval of such Person or one or more of its
Subsidiaries).  Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, any reference to
a "Subsidiary" is a reference to a Subsidiary of the Company.

          "SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR" is defined in Section 3.11.
                                               ------------ 

          "SWAPS" means, with respect to any Person, payment obligations with
respect to interest rate swaps, currency swaps and similar obligations
obligating such Person to make payments, whether periodically or upon the
happening of a contingency. 

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

For the purposes of this Agreement, the amount of the obligation under any Swap
shall be the amount determined in respect thereof as of the end of the then most
recently ended fiscal quarter of such Person, based on the assumption that such
Swap had terminated at the end of such fiscal quarter, and in making such
determination, if any agreement relating to such Swap provides for the netting
of amounts payable by and to such Person thereunder or if any such agreement
provides for the simultaneous payment of amounts by and to such Person, then in
each such case, the amount of such obligation shall be the net amount so
determined.

          "TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS" means, collectively, (a) the Note Documents,
(b) the Acquisition Agreement and the documents related thereto and (c) the
documents from time to time evidencing the Bank Credit Facilities.

          "TRIAD" is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

          "UNIVERSAL" is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.

          "UTICO" is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

          "WARRANT AGREEMENT" is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.

          "WARRANTS"  is defined in the Recitals to this Agreement.

          "WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY" means, at any time, any Subsidiary one
hundred percent (100%) of all of the equity interests (except directors'
qualifying shares) and voting interests of which are owned by any one or more of
the Company and the Company's other Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries at such time.

          1.02.  COMPUTATION OF TIME PERIODS.  In this Agreement, in the
computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date,
the word "from" means "from and including" and the words "to" and "until" each
mean "to but excluding".  Periods of days referred to in this Agreement shall be
counted in calendar days unless Business Days are expressly prescribed.  Any
period determined hereunder by reference to a month or months or year or years
shall end on the day in the relevant calendar month in the relevant year, if
applicable, immediately preceding the date numerically corresponding to the
first day of such period, provided, that if such period commences on the last
                          --------                                           
day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically
corresponding day in the calendar month during which such period is to end),
such period shall, unless otherwise expressly required by the other provisions
of this Agreement, end on the last day of the calendar month.

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          1.03.  ACCOUNTING TERMS.  For purposes of this Agreement, all
accounting terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned
to them in conformity with GAAP.

          1.04.  REFERENCES TO THIS AGREEMENT.  The words "hereof", "herein",
"hereunder" and similar terms when used in this Agreement shall refer to this
Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and
article, section, subsection, clause, schedule and exhibit references herein are
references to articles, sections, subsections, clauses, schedules and exhibits
to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

          1.05.  MISCELLANEOUS TERMS.  All terms defined in this Agreement in
the singular shall have comparable meanings when used in the plural, and vice
                                                                         ----
versa, unless otherwise specified.  The term "including" is by way of example
- - -----                                                                        
and not limitation.  A Default or an Event of Default shall "continue" or be
"continuing" until such Default or Event of Default has been waived in
accordance with Section 9.03.  A reference to a statute, ordinance, code or
                ------------                                               
other Requirement of Law includes rules, regulations or guidance promulgated
thereunder and consolidations, amendments, re-enactments or replacements of, or
successors to, any of them.  A reference to a Person includes a reference to the
Person's executors, administrators, successors, substitutes and assigns.


                                  ARTICLE II
                                   THE NOTES

          2.01.  SALE AND PURCHASE OF NOTES.  Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, the Issuers will issue and sell to the Purchaser
and the Purchaser will purchase from the Issuers, at the Closing provided for in
Section 4.01, Notes in the principal amount of $25,000,000 at the purchase price
- - ------------                                                                    
of $24,500,000, it being agreed and understood that the difference between the
principal amount of the Note issued to the Purchaser on the Closing Date and the
amount to be funded by the Purchaser in respect of the purchase price shall be
treated by all parties to this Agreement as original issue discount for all
purposes.  The Issuers' obligations under the Notes are joint and several
obligations, and any Holder may exercise any of its rights and remedies under
the Note Documents against any or all of the Issuers.

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          2.02.  REGISTRATION OF NOTES.  Each Issuer hereby acknowledges and
makes the Notes a registered obligation for United States withholding tax
purposes.  The Company, on behalf of the Issuers, shall be the registrar for the
Notes (the "REGISTRAR") with full power of substitution.  In the event the
Registrar becomes unable or unwilling to act as registrar under this Agreement,
the Company shall reasonably designate a successor Registrar.  Each Holder who
is a foreign person, by its acceptance of its Note(s), hereby agrees to provide
the Company, for the benefit of the Issuers, with a completed Internal Revenue
Service Form W-8 (Certificate of Foreign Status) or a substantially similar form
for such Holder, participants or other affiliates who are holders of beneficial
interests in the Notes.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in
this Agreement or any of the other Note Documents, neither the Notes nor any
interests therein may be sold, transferred, hypothecated, participated or
assigned to any Person except upon satisfaction of the conditions specified in
this Section 2.02.  Each Holder, by its acceptance of its Note(s), agrees to be
     ------------                                                              
bound by the provisions of this Section 2.02 and to indemnify and hold harmless
                                ------------                                   
the Registrar against any and all loss or liability arising from the disposition
by such Holder of the Notes or any interest therein in violation of this Section
                                                                         -------
2.02.  The Registrar shall keep at its principal executive office (or an office
- - ----                                                                           
or agency designated by it by notice to the last registered Holder) a ledger, in
which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, but at its
expense (except as specified below), it shall provide for the registration and
transfer of the Notes. No sale, transfer, hypothecation, participation or
assignment of any Note or any interest therein shall be effective for any
purpose until it shall be registered on the books of the Registrar to be
maintained for such purpose.  The Registrar shall record the transfer of the
Notes on the books maintained for this purpose upon receipt by the Registrar at
the office or agency designated by the Registrar of (a) a written assignment of
the Note(s) being assigned (or the applicable interest therein), (b) funds
sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer as
well as the cost of reviewing the documents presented to the Registrar, and (c)
such evidence of due execution as the Registrar shall reasonably require.  The
Registrar shall record the transfer of the Notes on the books maintained for
such purpose at the cost and expense of the assignee.

          2.03.  TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES.  Upon surrender of any Note at
the principal executive office of the Company for registration of transfer or
exchange (and in the case of a surrender for registration of transfer, duly
endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer reasonably
acceptable to the Issuers, duly executed by the registered Holder of such Note
or its attorney duly authorized in writing and accompanied by the address for
notices of each transferee of such Note or part thereof), each Obligor shall
execute and deliver, at such Obligor's expense (except as provided below), one
or more new Notes (as requested by the Holder thereof) in exchange therefor, in
an aggregate principal amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of the
surrendered Note. Each such new Note shall be payable to such Person as such
Holder

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

may request and shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A.  Each such new
                                                      ---------       
Note shall be dated and bear interest from the date to which interest shall have
been paid on the surrendered Note or dated the date of the surrendered Note if
no interest shall have been paid thereon. Each Obligor may require payment of a
sum sufficient to cover any stamp tax or governmental charge imposed in respect
of any such transfer of Notes. Notes shall not be transferred in denominations
of less than $100,000, provided that if necessary to enable the registration of
                       --------                  
transfer by a Holder of its entire holding of Notes, one Note may be in a
denomination of less than $100,000. Any transferee, by its acceptance of a Note
registered in its name (or the name of its nominee), shall be deemed to have
made the representation set forth in Section 5.02.
                                     ------------ 

          2.04.  REPLACEMENT OF NOTES.  Upon receipt by each Issuer and the
Company of notice from any Holder of the ownership of and the loss, theft,
destruction or mutilation of any Note held by such Holder, and

          (a)    in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of a lost note
     indemnity agreement reasonably satisfactory to each Issuer and the Holder,
     or

          (b)    in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation
     thereof and, to the extent reasonably necessary, a lost note indemnity
     agreement reasonably satisfactory to each Issuer and the Holder,

each Issuer  at its own expense shall execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a
new Note, dated and bearing interest from the date to which interest shall have
been paid on such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note or dated the date of
such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note if no interest shall have been
paid thereon.

          2.05.  PAYMENTS ON NOTES.

          (a)  Place of Payment; Surrender.  Payments of principal, interest and
               ---------------------------                                      
     other amounts becoming due and payable on the Notes or under the Note
     Documents shall be made by the method and to the address or account
     specified with respect to any  Holder by such method and at such address or
     account as such Holder shall have from time to time specified to each
     Obligor in writing for such purpose, without the presentation or surrender
     of such Note or the making of any notation thereon, except that upon
     written request of any Obligor made concurrently with or promptly after
     payment or prepayment in full of any Note, the Holder of such Note shall
     surrender it for cancellation, reasonably promptly after any such request,
     to the Obligors at the Company's principal executive office.  Prior to any
     sale or other disposition of any Note by any Holder or its nominee, such
     Holder  will, at its election, either endorse thereon the amount of

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

     principal paid thereon and the last date to which interest has been paid
     thereon or surrender such Note to the Company in exchange for a new Note or
     Notes pursuant to Section 2.03.
                       ------------ 

          (b)  Payments Due on Non-Business Days.  Anything in this Agreement or
               ---------------------------------                                
     the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding, any payment of principal of or
     interest on any Note that is due on a date other than a Business Day shall
     be made on the next succeeding Business Day without including the
     additional days elapsed in the computation of the interest payable on such
     next succeeding Business Day.

           2.06.  MANDATORY OFFERS TO REPURCHASE THE NOTES.

          (a)  Offer to Repurchase Notes upon a Change of Control.  Promptly and
               --------------------------------------------------               
     in any event within ten Business Days after the occurrence of any Change of
     Control, the Issuers shall give written notice of such transaction or event
     to each Holder, which notice shall state the date of such Change of
     Control, shall describe such Change of Control in reasonable detail and
     shall contain an offer to prepay all Notes at the price specified below on
     the date therein specified (the "CHANGE OF CONTROL PREPAYMENT DATE"), which
     shall be a Business Day not less than 20 nor more than 30 Business Days
     after the date of such notice.  Each Holder shall have the option to sell
     to the Issuers, and the Issuers hereby jointly and severally agree to
     repurchase as provided herein, any or all of the Notes then owned by such
     Holder, at a purchase price equal to 101% of the unpaid principal amount
     thereof, together with accrued interest thereon to and including the Change
     of Control Prepayment Date.  Such option may be exercised by each Holder by
     written notice to the Issuers given not later than 10 days prior to the
     Change of Control Prepayment Date, specifying the aggregate principal
     amount of Notes which such Holder intends to sell to the Issuers.  On the
     Change of Control Prepayment Date, each Holder which has accepted the
     Issuers' offer to repurchase the Notes shall deliver to the Issuers the
     Notes to be repurchased hereunder on such date against payment by the
     Issuers in full in immediately available funds of the purchase price
     therefor specified herein.

          (b)  Upon consummation of any Asset Sale, the Company or a Subsidiary
     of the Company will apply the Net Cash Proceeds from such Asset Sale within
     270 days after such Asset Sale (or in the case of an Asset Sale by or of
     Universal, within 365 days after such Asset Sale), as follows: (i) the
     Company or such Subsidiary shall reinvest such Net Cash Proceeds in
     Productive Assets; and/or (ii) the Company or such Subsidiary shall apply
     such Net Cash Proceeds to the permanent repayment of Senior Indebtedness
     (and the permanent reduction of any applicable commitment relating
     thereto); if any such Net Cash Proceeds are 

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

     not invested or applied as described in clauses (i) and/or (ii) above (the
     excess of such Net Cash Proceeds over the amount thereof invested or
     applied as described in such clauses (i) and (ii) is hereinafter referred
     to as "EXCESS PROCEEDS"), the Issuers shall make an offer to purchase (an
     "ASSET SALE OFFER") from all Holders, an aggregate principal amount of
     Notes equal to such Excess Proceeds at a purchase price equal to 100% of
     the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to
     the date of purchase (the "ASSET SALE PURCHASE DATE"); provided, however,
                                                            --------  -------
     that the Issuers shall not be required to make an Asset Sale Offer in
     connection with any Asset Sale until such time as, and to the extent that,
     the aggregate book value of all assets sold, conveyed, leased, transferred
     or disposed of pursuant to such Asset Sale and all then previous Asset
     Sales consummated after the date of this Agreement exceeds $2,500,000.

          Notice of an Asset Sale Offer shall be mailed by the Issuers to the
     Holders not less than 25 days nor more than 45 days before an Asset Sale
     Purchase Date and the Asset Sale Offer is required to remain open for at
     least 20 Business Days. Such notice shall state the date of the Asset Sale
     and the Asset Sale Purchase Date and shall describe the Asset Sale in
     reasonable detail. Such option may be exercised by each Holder by written
     notice to the Issuers given not later than 10 days prior to the Asset Sale
     Purchase Date, specifying the aggregate principal amount of Notes which
     such Holder intends to sell to the Issuers. On or before the Asset Sale
     Purchase Date, each Holder electing to accept the Asset Sale Offer shall
     deliver to the Issuer the Notes to be repurchased hereunder on such date.
     On the Asset Sale Purchase Date the Issuers shall pay to each such Holder
     in full in immediately available funds the purchase price for such holder's
     Notes specified herein. Promptly following the Asset Sale Purchase Date,
     the Issuers shall deliver to each Holder electing to accept the Asset Sale
     Offer a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of
     the Note surrendered by such Holder. If less than all of the Notes tendered
     pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer are accepted for payment by the Issuers for
     any reason consistent with this Agreement, selection of the Notes to be
     purchased shall be made on a pro rata basis. To the extent the Asset Sale
     Offer is not fully subscribed to by holders of the Notes, the Company or
     such Subsidiary may retain such unutilized portion of the Excess Proceeds.

          (c)  If any Note (or portion thereof) surrendered for repurchase on a
     Change of Control Prepayment Date or an Asset Sale Purchase Date shall not
     be so repurchased, such Note (or portion thereof) shall, until repurchased,
     continue (i) to be outstanding for all purposes of this Agreement and (ii)
     to bear interest to the extent permitted by applicable law from such Change
     of Control Prepayment Date or such Asset Sale Purchase Date, as the case
     may be, at the Default Rate. 

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

     The Issuers jointly and severally agree to pay to the Holder of any such
     Note the additional amounts arising from this Section 2.06(c) at the same
                                                   ---------------
     time that the applicable purchase price is paid to such Holder.

          2.07.  OPTIONAL PREPAYMENTS OF THE NOTES.

          (a)  Notice of Prepayment; Prepayment Amount.  Except as set forth
               ---------------------------------------                      
     below, the Notes may not be prepaid prior to the second anniversary of the
     Closing Date.  Thereafter, the Issuers may, at their option, upon notice as
     provided below, prepay at any time all, or from time to time any part of,
     the Notes, in an amount not less than $1,000,000 or in incremental amounts
     of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount in the case of a partial prepayment,
     at price of (i) 105% of the principal amount so prepaid if such prepayment
     is to occur on or after the second anniversary of the Closing Date but
     prior to the third anniversary of the Closing Date (except to the extent
     provided in the immediately following sentence) or (ii) 100% of the
     principal amount so prepaid if such prepayment is to occur on or after the
     third anniversary of the Closing Date, in each case together with accrued
     and unpaid interest on the amount so prepaid.  In the event that (x) the
     Company or any of its Subsidiaries desires to incur Indebtedness that would
     not be permitted by Section 7.05 and (y) the Required Holders do not
                         ------------                                    
     consent to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, the Issuers may, at their
     option, upon notice as provided below but in any event not later than 90
     days after the date the Obligors are notified of the failure by the
     Required Holders to consent to such incurrence, prepay all (but not part)
     of the Notes at a price of 100% of the principal amount  of the  Notes,
     together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon.  Any Issuer making such
     prepayment  will give each Holder of Notes written notice of each optional
     prepayment under this Section 2.07 not less than 30 days and not more than
                           ------------                                        
     60 days prior to the date fixed for such prepayment.  Each such notice
     shall specify such date, the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to
     be prepaid on such date, the principal amount of each Note held by such
     Holder to be prepaid (determined in accordance with Section 2.07(b)), and
                                                         ---------------      
     the interest to be paid on the prepayment date with respect to such
     principal amount being prepaid.

          (b)  Allocation of Partial Prepayments.  In the case of each partial
               ---------------------------------                              
     prepayment of the Notes, the principal amount of the Notes to be prepaid
     shall be allocated among all of the Notes at the time outstanding in
     proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid principal
     amounts thereof not theretofore called for prepayment, with adjustments, to
     the extent practicable, to compensate for any prior payments not made
     exactly in such proportion, but so that Notes 

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

     remaining outstanding after the prepayment are in the authorized
     denominations specified in this Agreement.

          (c)  Maturity; Surrender, etc.  In the case of each prepayment of
               -------------------------                                   
     Notes pursuant to this Section 2.07, the principal amount of each Note to
                            ------------                                      
     be prepaid shall mature and become due and payable on the date fixed for
     such prepayment, together with interest on such principal amount accrued to
     such date.  From and after such date, unless the Issuers shall fail to pay
     such principal amount when so due and payable, together with the interest
     thereon as aforesaid, interest on such principal amount shall cease to
     accrue.  Any Note paid or prepaid in full shall be surrendered to the
     Company, for the benefit of the Issuers, and canceled and shall not be
     reissued, and no Note shall be issued in lieu of any prepaid principal
     amount of any Note.

          2.08.  PURCHASES OF NOTES.  No Obligor will and will not permit any
Affiliate to purchase, redeem, prepay or otherwise acquire, directly or
indirectly, any of the outstanding Notes except upon the payment or prepayment
of the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Notes
(including any offer to purchase the Notes pursuant to Section 2.06).  Each
                                                       ------------        
Obligor will promptly cancel all Notes acquired by it or any Affiliate pursuant
to any payment, prepayment or purchase of Notes pursuant to any provision of
this Agreement and no Notes may be issued in substitution or exchange for any
such Notes (except to the limited extent set forth in Section 2.06(b)).
                                                      ---------------  

          2.09.  NOTES SUBORDINATED TO BANK CREDIT FACILITIES.  Each Holder, by
its acceptance of its Notes, acknowledges that this Agreement and the Notes are
subject to the terms of the Subordination Agreement which contains certain
subordination provisions and is incorporated herein by reference.
Notwithstanding any contrary statement contained in this Agreement or in the
Notes (other than the provisions of Section 2.10), no payment on account of the
                                    ------------                               
principal of, premium, if any, or interest in the Notes shall become due or be
paid except in accordance with the terms of the Subordination Agreement.

          2.10.  TENDER OF NOTES TO PAY WARRANT EXERCISE PRICE.  Each of the
Obligors agrees that the Notes may be used, and credited at the principal amount
thereof (or portion surrendered for this purpose) together with accrued interest
to the date of exercise, by the Holders in making payment of the exercise price
of the Warrants in lieu of cash.

                                      -22-
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                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

                                  ARTICLE III
                               GUARANTEE OF NOTES

          3.01.  UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE.  Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally
jointly and severally guarantees for the benefit of each Holder the full and
prompt payment when due, whether at maturity or earlier, by reason of
acceleration or otherwise, and at all times thereafter, of all of the
Obligations of the Issuers (including, without limitation, interest accruing
following an Insolvency Event of any Issuer, at the applicable rate specified in
this Agreement and the Notes, whether or not such interest is allowed as a claim
in bankruptcy).  At any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of
an Event of Default, each Guarantor shall pay to each Holder, on demand and in
immediately available funds, the full amount of the Obligations of the Issuers
(including any portion thereof which is not yet due and payable).  Each
Guarantor further agrees to pay to each Holder, on demand and in immediately
available funds, (a) all losses, fees, costs and expenses (including, without
limitation, all court costs and reasonable attorneys' and paralegals' fees,
costs and expenses) paid or incurred by any Holder in: (i) enforcing or
defending such Person's rights under or in respect of this Agreement, the Notes
and any other Note Document and (ii) in collecting all or any part of the
Obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors and (b) interest on (i) the
Obligations of the Issuers which do not constitute interest, (ii) to the extent
permitted by applicable law, the Obligations of the Issuers which constitute
interest, and (iii) the expenses described in clause (a) above, from the date of
                                              ----------                        
demand hereunder until paid in full at the Default Rate.  Each Guarantor hereby
agrees that its guaranty under this Article III is an absolute guaranty of
                                    -----------                           
payment and is not a guaranty of collection.

          3.02.  GUARANTY ABSOLUTE.  Each of the Guarantors agrees that its
Obligations are independent of the Obligations of the Issuers and any other
guarantor of all or any part of the Obligations, and a separate action or
actions may be brought and prosecuted against such Guarantor whether or not any
action is brought against any Issuer or any of such other guarantors and whether
or not any Issuer is joined in any such action or actions.  The liability of
each Guarantor under this Agreement shall be absolute and unconditional, and
shall not be affected or released in any way, irrespective of:

          (a)  the validity, enforceability, avoidance, novation or
     subordination of any of the Obligations, or any of the Note Documents;

          (b)  the absence of any attempt by, or on behalf of, any Holder to
     collect, or to take any other action to enforce, all or any part of the
     Obligations whether from or against any Issuer, any other guarantor of the
     Obligations or any other Person;

                                      -23-
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                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          (c)  the election of any remedy by, or on behalf of, any Holder with
     respect to all or any part of the Obligations;

          (d)  the waiver, consent, extension, forbearance or granting of any
     indulgence by, or on behalf of, any Holder with respect to any provision of
     any of the Note Documents;

          (e)  the election by, or on behalf of, any Holder in any proceeding
     instituted under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, of the application of
     Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code;

          (f)  any borrowing or grant of a security interest by any Issuer, as
     debtor-in-possession, under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code;

          (g)  the disallowance, under Section 502 of the Bankruptcy Code, of
     all or any portion of the claims of any Holder for repayment of all or any
     part of the Obligations or any expenses described in Section 3.01;
                                                          ------------ 

          (h)  any refusal of payment by any Holder, in whole or in part, from
     any Obligor or guarantor in connection with any of the Obligations, whether
     or not with notice to, or further asset by, or any reservation of rights
     against, the Guarantors;

          (i)  any change, restructuring or termination of the corporate
     structure or existence of any Obligor, or any modification, compounding,
     compromise, settlement or release by  any Holder or any other Person (or by
     operation of law or otherwise), collection or other liquidation of the
     Obligations or the liability of any Obligor, in whole or in part; or

          (j)  any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal
     or equitable discharge or defense of any Issuer, any Guarantor or any other
     guarantor of such Obligations.

          3.03.  ENFORCEMENT; APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS. Upon the occurrence and
during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Holders may proceed directly
and at once, without notice, against any Guarantor to obtain performance of and
to collect and recover the full amount, or any portion, of the Obligations,
without first proceeding against the applicable Issuers or any other Person.
Subject only to the terms and provisions of this Agreement and the Notes, the
Holders shall have the exclusive right to determine the application of payments
and credits, if any, from the Guarantor, the 

                                      -24-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

Issuers or from any other Person on account of the Obligations or any other
liability of the Guarantor to any Holder, without affecting the liability of any
Guarantor hereunder.

           3.04.  WAIVERS.  (a) Each of the Guarantors hereby waives:

               (i)  diligence, presentment, demand of payment (except as
          expressly required under this Article III), filing of claims with a
                                        -----------                          
          court in the event of receivership or bankruptcy of any Issuer,
          protest or notice with respect to the Obligations, all setoffs and
          counterclaims and all presentments, demands for performance, notices
          of nonperformance, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor
          and notices of acceptance of this Agreement and the Notes, the
          benefits of all statutes of limitation, and all other demands (except
          as expressly required under this Article III) whatsoever (and shall
                                           -----------                       
          not require that the same be made on any Issuer as a condition
          precedent to the Guarantor's Obligations hereunder);

               (ii)  all notices of the existence, creation or incurring of new
          or additional indebtedness of  any Issuer to any Holder;

               (iii) all notices that the principal amount, or any portion
          thereof, and/or any interest on any instrument or document evidencing
          all or any part of the Obligations is due (except as expressly
          required under this Article III), notices of any and all proceedings
                              -----------                                     
          to collect from the maker, any endorser or any other guarantor of all
          or any part of the Obligations, or from any other Person; and

               (iv)  any defense based upon any Requirement of Law which
          provides that the obligation of a surety must be neither larger in
          amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the
          principal;

          (b)  Each of the Guarantors understands that it shall be liable for
     the full amount of its liability under this Agreement, notwithstanding any
     other reason impairing the right of such Guarantor or any Holder, to
     proceed against any Issuer or its property.  Each Guarantor hereby waives
     all suretyship defenses it may have under any applicable Requirement of
     Law.  The Holders may, without notice or demand and without affecting the
     liability of the Guarantors hereunder, from time to time, (i) to renew,
     extend, accelerate or otherwise change the time for payment of, or other
     terms relating to, all or any part of the Obligations, or to otherwise
     modify, amend or change the terms of any of the Note Documents; (ii) to
     accept partial payments on all or any part of the Obligations; (iii) to
     take and hold security or collateral for the payment of all or any part of
     the 

                                      -25-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

     Obligations, the guaranty of the Guarantors, or any other guaranties of all
     or any part of the Obligations or other liabilities of the Issuers, (iv) to
     exchange, enforce, waive and release any such security, collateral or
     guaranties; (v) to apply such security or collateral and direct the order
     or manner of sale thereof as in their reasonable discretion they may
     determine; and (vi) to settle, release, exchange, enforce, waive,
     compromise or collect or otherwise liquidate all or any part of the
     Obligations, the guaranty of the Guarantors, any other guaranty of all or
     any part of the Obligations, and any security or collateral for the
     Obligations or for any such guaranty. Any of the foregoing may be done in
     any manner, without affecting or impairing the Obligations of the
     Guarantors hereunder.
 
          3.05.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION. Each of the Guarantors hereby assumes
responsibility for keeping itself informed of the financial condition of the
applicable Issuers and any and all endorsers and/or other guarantors of all or
any part of the Obligations, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the
risk of nonpayment of such Obligations, or any part thereof, that diligent
inquiry would reveal, and each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that none of the
Holders shall have any duty to advise such Guarantor of information known to any
of them regarding such condition or any such circumstances. In the event a
Holder, in its sole discretion, undertakes at any time or from time to time to
provide any such information to any Guarantor, such Holder shall be under no
obligation (a) to undertake any investigation not a part of its regular business
routine, (b) to disclose any information which such Holder, pursuant to accepted
or reasonable commercial finance or banking practices, wishes to maintain
confidential or (c) to make any other or future disclosures of such information
or any other information to any Guarantor.

          3.06.  REINSTATEMENT.  Each of the Guarantors agrees that, to the
extent that any Issuer, such Guarantor or any other guarantor of all or any part
of the Obligations makes a payment or payments to any Holder, which payment or
payments or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be
fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or required to be repaid to such
Issuer, such Guarantor, such other guarantor or any other Person, or their
respective estates, trustees, receivers or any other party under any bankruptcy
law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause, then, to the extent of
such payment or repayment, the part of the Obligations which has been paid,
reduced or satisfied by such amount shall be reinstated and continued in full
force and effect as of the time immediately preceding such initial payment,
reduction or satisfaction.

          3.07.  SUBROGATION, CONTRIBUTION, ETC.  Until the Obligations have
been paid in full in cash, each Guarantor hereby agrees not to assert (a) any
claim, right or remedy, direct or indirect, that such Guarantor now has or may
hereafter have against 

                                      -26-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

any Issuer or any of its assets in connection with such Guarantor's guaranty of
the Obligations or the performance by such Guarantor of its Obligations
hereunder, in each case whether such claim, right or remedy arises in equity,
under contract, by statute (including, without limitation, under Section 509 of
the Bankruptcy Code), under common law or otherwise and including without
limitation (i) any right of subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification that
such Guarantor now has or may hereafter have against any Issuer or (ii) any
right to enforce, or to participate in, any claim, right or remedy any Holder
now has of may hereafter have against any Issuer, and (b) any right of
contribution such Guarantor may have against any other guarantor (including any
other Guarantor) of any of the Obligations.
 
          3.08.  TERMINATION.  Subject to Section 7.02, the guaranty of each
                                             ------------                      
Guarantor shall continue in full force and effect and may not be terminated or
otherwise revoked until the Obligations shall have been fully paid in cash.  If,
notwithstanding the foregoing, any Guarantor shall have any right under
applicable law to terminate or revoke its guaranty of the Obligations, such
Guarantor agrees that such termination or revocation shall not be effective
until a written notice of such revocation or termination, specifically referring
hereto, signed by such Guarantor, is actually received by the Holders.  Such
notice shall not affect the right and power of any Holder to enforce rights
arising prior to receipt thereof by the Holders.

          3.09.  GUARANTY SUBORDINATED TO BANK CREDIT FACILITIES. Each Holder,
by its acceptance of its Notes, acknowledges that the guaranty of the Guarantors
under this Article III is subject to the terms of the Subordination Agreement 
           -----------                                             
which contains certain subordination provisions and is incorporated herein by
reference. Notwithstanding any contrary statement contained in this Agreement or
in the Notes, no payment on account of the obligations of the Guarantors
hereunder shall become due or be paid except in accordance with the terms of the
Subordination Agreement.

          3.10.  ADDITIONAL GUARANTORS.  In the event that, after the date
hereof, the Company forms or acquires any direct or indirect Subsidiary (other
than an Issuer) having assets in excess of $100,000, the Company shall cause
such Subsidiary to become a Guarantor hereunder by executing a counterpart to
this Agreement.  Upon delivery of such counterpart to the Holders, notice of
which is hereby waived by the other Guarantors, such Subsidiary shall be a
Guarantor and shall be as fully a party hereto as if such Subsidiary were an
original signatory hereof.  Each Guarantor expressly agrees that its Obligations
arising hereunder shall not be affected or diminished by the addition or release
of any other Guarantor hereunder, nor by any election of the Required Holders
not to cause any Subsidiary of the Company to become a Guarantor hereunder.  The
provisions of this Agreement shall be fully effective as to any Guarantor that
is or

                                      -27-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

becomes a party hereto regardless of whether any other Person becomes or fails
to become or ceases to be a Guarantor hereunder.

          3.11.  LIMITATION ON SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR LIABILITY. Each Guarantor
which is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of an Issuer (a "SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR")
and, by its acceptance of its Notes, each Holder hereby confirms that it is the
intention of all such parties that the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor
pursuant to its guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for
purposes of any federal, state or foreign law. To effectuate the foregoing
intention, the Holders and each Subsidiary Guarantor irrevocably agree that the
obligation of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its guarantee shall be limited to
the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and
fixed liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor which are not junior in right of
payment to the Obligations and after giving effect to any collections from or
payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor. The provisions
of this Agreement shall be fully effective as to any Subsidiary Guarantor that
is or becomes a party to this Agreement regardless of whether any other Person
becomes or fails to become or ceases to be a Guarantor hereunder.


                                  ARTICLE IV
                                    CLOSING

          4.01.  CLOSING OF PURCHASE AND SALE OF NOTES.  The sale and purchase
of the Notes to be purchased by the Purchaser shall occur at such place and time
as the Issuer and the Purchaser may mutually agree (the consummation of such
sale and purchase being referred to herein as the "CLOSING" and the date on
which the Closing occurs being referred to herein as the "CLOSING DATE"). At the
Closing each Obligor will deliver to the Purchaser the Notes in the form of a
single Note (or such greater number of Notes in denominations of at least
$100,000 as the Purchaser may request) dated the date of the Closing and
registered in the Purchaser's name (or in the name of the Purchaser's nominee),
against delivery by the Purchaser to each Obligor or its order of immediately
available funds in the amount of $24,500,000 by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to an account or accounts specified by the Issuers in a written
notice to the Purchaser. If at the Closing the Issuers shall fail to tender such
Notes to the Purchaser as provided above in this Section 4.01, or any of the
                                                 ------------               
other conditions specified in Section 4.02 shall not have been fulfilled to the
                              ------------                                     
Purchaser's satisfaction, the Purchaser shall, at its election, be relieved of
all further obligations under this Agreement, without thereby waiving any rights
the Purchaser may have by reason of such failure or such nonfulfillment.

                                      -28-
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                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          4.02.  ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS TO CLOSING. In addition to the conditions
set forth in Section 4.01, the Purchaser's obligation to purchase and pay for 
             ------------                                            
the Notes to be sold to its at the Closing is subject to the fulfillment to the
Purchaser's satisfaction, prior to or at the Closing, of the following
conditions:

          (a)  Delivery of Documents.  The Purchaser shall have received on or
               ---------------------                                          
     before the Closing Date all of the following, each duly executed and
     acknowledged where appropriate and in form and substance satisfactory to
     the Purchaser:

               (i)   this Agreement, together with all Schedules hereto which
     shall be true, complete and correct as of the Closing Date;

               (ii)  the Warrants issued to the Purchaser, the Warrant Agreement
     and the Registration Rights Agreement;

               (iii) certified copies of the documents evidencing the Bank
     Credit Facilities;

               (iv)  the Subordination Agreement;

               (v)   the Contribution Agreement;

               (vi)  a flow of funds memorandum, including a statement of
     sources and uses of the proceeds of the Notes, the Bank Credit Facilities
     and other amounts used to consummate the Acquisition;

               (vii) certified copies of the Acquisition Agreement and all
     material agreements executed in connection therewith;

               (viii) an Officer's Certificate of each Obligor, dated the
     Closing Date, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 4.01,
                                                               -------------
     and 4.02 have been fulfilled;
         ----

               (ix)  a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of
     each Obligor certifying as to (A) the resolutions attached thereto and
     other corporate proceedings of such Obligor relating to the authorization,
     execution and delivery of the Transactional Documents to which it is a
     party; (B) the accuracy and currency of such Obligor's Governing Documents;
     and (C) the signatures of the officers of such Obligor authorized to
     execute the Note Documents to which it is a party;

                                      -29-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

               (x)   favorable legal opinions from counsel for the Obligors,
     covering the matters set forth in Exhibit C and covering such other matters
                                       ---------                                
     incident to the transactions contemplated hereby as the Purchaser may
     reasonably request (and the Obligors hereby instruct their counsel to
     deliver such opinion to the Purchaser); and

               (xi)  such additional documents as the Purchaser may reasonably
     request.

          (b)  Representations and Warranties.  The representations and
               ------------------------------                          
     warranties of the Obligors in the Note Documents shall be correct when made
     and at the time of the Closing.

          (c)  Performance; No Default.  The Obligors shall have performed and
               -----------------------                                        
     complied with all agreements and conditions contained in the Note Documents
     required to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Closing
     and after giving effect to the issue and sale of the Notes (and the
     application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated by Section 5.01(n)) no
                                                            ---------------    
     Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

          (d)  No Legal Impediments.  No law, regulation, order, judgment or
               --------------------                                         
     decree of any Governmental Authority shall, and the Purchaser shall not
     have received any notice that litigation is pending or threatened which is
     likely to, enjoin, prohibit or restrain the consummation of the
     transactions evidenced by the Transaction Documents.

          (e)  Payment of Fees and Expenses.  Without limiting the provisions of
               ----------------------------                                     
     Section 9.01, the Obligors shall have paid on or before the Closing the
     ------------                                                           
     fees, charges and disbursements of the Purchaser and the Purchasers'
     special counsel to the extent reflected in statements of the Purchaser and
     such counsel rendered to the Obligor at least one Business Day prior to the
     Closing.

          (f)  The Acquisition.
               --------------- 

               (i)  The Purchaser shall be satisfied in all material respects
     (A) with the terms, form and substance of the Acquisition and the
     Acquisition Agreement and the documents executed or delivered in connection
     therewith, including, without limitation, the resolutions with respect to
     the Acquisition adopted by the respective boards of directors of the
     Company, Triad and Southland,  (B) that the parties to the Acquisition have
     complied with all applicable Requirements of Law in connection with the

                                      -30-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

     Acquisition, (C) that all conditions precedent to, and all consents
     necessary to permit, the Acquisition pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement
     shall have been satisfied or delivered, or waived with the prior written
     consent of the Purchaser, (D) that all Liens encumbering the assets being
     purchased in the Acquisition have been terminated (other than Permitted
     Liens) and (E) that the Acquisition Agreement has not been amended or
     modified without the prior written consent of the Purchaser and is in full
     force and effect; and

               (ii)  Substantially simultaneously with the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Triad shall have acquired
     substantially all of the assets relating to the contract drilling business
     of Southland pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement in compliance with all
     applicable Requirements of Law.

          (g)  Bank Credit Facilities.  All conditions to the effectiveness of
               ----------------------                                         
     the documents evidencing the Bank Credit Facilities (other than the
     issuance of the Notes) shall have been satisfied or waived on or prior to
     the Closing Date.


                                   ARTICLE V
                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

          5.01.  REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES OF THE OBLIGORS.  Each of the
Obligors represents and warrants to the Purchaser as follows:

          (a)  Organization; Power and Authority.  Each Obligor is a corporation
               ---------------------------------                                
     duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
     jurisdiction of incorporation, and is duly qualified as a foreign
     corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such
     qualification is required by law, other than those jurisdictions as to
     which the failure to be so qualified or in good standing could not,
     individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
     Adverse Effect.  Each Obligor has the corporate power and authority to own
     or hold under lease the properties it purports to own or hold under lease,
     to transact the business it transacts and proposes to transact, to execute
     and deliver the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to perform
     the provisions thereof.

          (b)  Authorization, etc.  Each of the Transaction Documents have been
               ------------------                                              
     duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of each
     Obligor 

                                      -31-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

     which is a party thereto, and such Transaction Documents constitute, and
     upon execution and delivery thereof each Note will constitute, a legal,
     valid and binding obligation of such Obligor enforceable against such
     Obligor in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be
     limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
     other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally
     and general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability
     is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

          (c)  Disclosure.  This Agreement, the documents, certificates or other
               ----------                                                       
     writings delivered to the Purchaser by or on behalf of the Obligors in
     connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the financial
     statements described in Section 5.01(e), taken as a whole, do not contain
                             ---------------                                  
     any Material misstatement or Material omission except such as have been
     corrected in writing and delivered to the Purchaser.  Except as described
     in Schedule 5.01(c), since December 31, 1996, there has been no change in
        ----------------                                                      
     the financial condition, operations, business, properties or prospects of
     any Obligor or any Subsidiary except changes that individually or in the
     aggregate could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
     Effect.  There is no fact known to any Obligor that could reasonably be
     expected to have a Material Adverse Effect that has not been set forth
     herein or in the other documents, certificates and other writings delivered
     to the Purchaser by or on behalf of such Obligor specifically for use in
     connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

          (d)  Organization and Ownership of Shares of Subsidiaries; Affiliates.
               ---------------------------------------------------------------- 

               (i)  Schedule 5.01(d) contains (except as noted therein) complete
                    ----------------                                            
          and correct lists of each Obligor and its Subsidiaries, showing, as to
          such Persons, the correct name thereof, the jurisdiction of its
          organization, and the percentage of shares of each class of its
          capital stock or similar equity interests outstanding owned by each
          Obligor and each other Subsidiary.

               (ii)  All of the outstanding shares of capital stock or similar
          equity interests of each Subsidiary shown in Schedule 5.01(d) as being
                                                       ----------------         
          owned by each Obligor has been validly issued, are fully paid and
          nonassessable and are owned by each Obligor or another Subsidiary free
          and clear of any Lien (except as otherwise disclosed in Schedule
                                                                  --------
          5.01(d)).
          --------
                   
               (iii)  No Subsidiary is a party to, or otherwise subject to any
          legal restriction or any agreement (other than this Agreement, the
          agreements listed on Schedule 5.01(d) and customary limitations
                               ----------------
          imposed by

                                      -32-
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                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          corporate law statutes) restricting the ability of such Subsidiary to
          pay dividends out of profits or make any other similar distributions
          of profits to each Obligor or any of its Subsidiaries that owns
          outstanding shares of capital stock or similar equity interests of
          such Subsidiary.

          (e)  Financial Statements.  The Obligors have delivered to the
               --------------------                                     
     Purchaser copies of the consolidated financial statements of the Company
     and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996.  All
     of said financial statements (including in each case the related schedules
     and notes) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated
     financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the respective
     dates specified in such Schedule and the consolidated results of their
     operations and cash flows for the respective periods so specified and have
     been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the
     periods involved except as set forth in the notes thereto (subject, in the
     case of any interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments).

          (f)  Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, etc.  The execution,
               --------------------------------------------                 
     delivery and performance by each Obligor of the Transaction Documents to
     which it is a party will not (i) contravene, result in any breach of, or
     constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any Lien in
     respect of any property of such Obligor under, any indenture, mortgage,
     deed of trust, loan, purchase or credit agreement relating to the borrowing
     of money, any material lease or any other material agreement or instrument
     to which such Obligor is bound or by which such Obligor or any of its
     properties may be bound or affected, (ii) conflict with or result in a
     breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any order,
     judgment, decree, or ruling of any court, arbitrator or Governmental
     Authority applicable to such Obligor or (iii) violate any provision of any
     Requirement of Law applicable to such Obligor.

          (g) Governmental Authorizations, etc.  No consent, approval or
              --------------------------------                          
     authorization of, or registration, filing or declaration with, any
     Governmental Authority is required in connection with the execution,
     delivery or performance by any Obligor of this Agreement or the Notes.

          (h)  Litigation; Observance of Agreements, Statutes and Orders.
               --------------------------------------------------------- 

               (i)  Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.01(h), there are no
                                           ----------------              
          actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of any
          Obligor, threatened against or affecting such Obligor in any court or
          before any arbitrator of any kind or before or by any Governmental
          Authority that,

                                      -33-
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                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have
          a Material Adverse Effect.

               (ii)  None of the Obligors is in default under any term of any
          agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is
          bound, or any order, judgment, decree or ruling of any court,
          arbitrator or Governmental Authority or is in violation of any
          applicable Requirement of Law (including without limitation
          Environmental Laws) of any Governmental Authority, which default or
          violation, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be
          expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (i)  Taxes.  Each Obligor has filed all tax returns that are required
               -----                                                           
     to have been filed in any jurisdiction, and have paid all taxes shown to be
     due and payable on such returns and all other taxes and assessments levied
     upon them or their properties, assets, income or franchises, to the extent
     such taxes and assessments have become due and payable and before they
     have become delinquent, except for any taxes and assessments (i) the amount
     of which is not individually or in the aggregate Material or (ii) the
     amount, applicability or validity of which is currently being contested in
     good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which each
     Obligor, as the case may be, has established adequate reserves in
     accordance with GAAP.  No Obligor knows of no basis for any other tax or
     assessment that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
     Effect.  The Federal income tax liabilities of each Obligor have been
     audited by the Internal Revenue Service through the fiscal year ended
     December 31, 1993 and paid for all fiscal years up to and including the
     fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.

          (j)  Title to Property; Leases.  Each Obligor has good title to its
               -------------------------                                     
     properties that individually or in the aggregate are Material, including
     all such properties reflected in the most recent audited balance sheet
     referred to in Section 5.01(e) or purported to have been acquired by such
                    ---------------                                           
     Obligor after said date (except as sold or otherwise disposed of in the
     ordinary course of business), in each case free and clear of Liens (other
     than Liens permitted by this Agreement).  All leases that individually or
     in the aggregate are Material are valid and subsisting and are in full
     force and effect in all material respects.

          (k)  Licenses, Permits, etc.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.01(k),
               ----------------------                          ---------------- 
     each Obligor owns or possesses the right to use all licenses, permits,
     franchises, authorizations, patents, copyrights, service marks, trademarks
     and trade names, or rights thereto, that individually or in the aggregate
     are Material, without 

                                      -34-
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                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

     known conflict with the rights of others other than rights of licensors
     with respect to those items that subject to such licenses.

          (l)  Compliance with ERISA.
               --------------------- 

               (i)  Each Obligor and each ERISA Affiliate have operated and
          administered each Plan in compliance with all applicable laws except
          for such instances of noncompliance as have not resulted in and could
          not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No
          Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability pursuant to
          Title I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the
          Code relating to employee benefit plans (as defined in Section 3 of
          ERISA), and no event, transaction or condition has occurred or exists
          that could reasonably be expected to result in the incurrence of any
          such liability by any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate, or in the
          imposition of any Lien on any of the rights, properties or assets of
          any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate, in either case pursuant to Title I
          or IV of ERISA or to such penalty or excise tax provisions or to
          Section 401(a)(29) or 412 of the Code, other than such liabilities or
          Liens as would not be individually or in the aggregate Material.

               (ii)  The present value of the aggregate benefit liabilities
          under each of the Plans (other than Multiemployer Plans), determined
          as of the end of such Plan's most recently ended plan year on the
          basis of the actuarial assumptions specified for funding purposes in
          such Plan's most recent actuarial valuation report, did not exceed the
          aggregate current value of the assets of such Plan allocable to such
          benefit liabilities. The term "BENEFIT LIABILITIES" has the meaning
          specified in Section 4001 of ERISA and the terms "CURRENT VALUE" and
          "PRESENT VALUE" have the meaning specified in Section 3 of ERISA.

               (iii)  No Obligor or any ERISA Affiliates have incurred
          withdrawal liabilities (and are not subject to contingent withdrawal
          liabilities) under section 4201 or 4204 of ERISA in respect of
          Multiemployer Plans that individually or in the aggregate are
          Material.

               (iv)  The expected postretirement benefit obligation (determined
          as of the last day of each Obligor's most recently ended fiscal year
          in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No.
          106, without regard to liabilities attributable to continuation
          coverage mandated by section 4980B of the Code) of each Obligor is not
          Material.

                                      -35-
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                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

               (v)  The Obligors' execution and delivery of this Agreement and
          the issuance and sale of the Notes hereunder will not involve any
          transaction that is subject to the prohibitions of section 406 of
          ERISA or in connection with which a tax could be imposed pursuant to
          section 4975(c)(1)(A)-(D) of the Code.

          (m)  Private Offering by each Obligor.  None of the Obligors or anyone
               --------------------------------                                 
     acting on their behalf has offered the Securities or any similar securities
     for sale to, or solicited any offer to buy any of the same from, or
     otherwise approached or negotiated in respect thereof with, any person
     other than institutional investors. None of the Obligors or anyone acting
     on its behalf has taken, or will take, any action that would subject the
     initial issuance or sale of the Securities to the registration requirements
     of Section 5 of the Securities Act.

          (n)  Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations.  The Obligors will apply the
               -----------------------------------                              
     proceeds of the sale of the Notes to partially finance the Acquisition, to
     pay costs and expenses incurred by the Obligors in connection with the
     Transaction Documents and to refinance certain Indebtedness.  No part of
     the proceeds from the sale of the Notes hereunder will be used, directly or
     indirectly, for the purpose of buying or carrying any margin stock within
     the meaning of Regulation G of the Board of Governors of the Federal
     Reserve System (12 CFR 207), or for the purpose of buying or carrying or
     trading in any securities under such circumstances as to involve each
     Obligor in a violation of Regulation X of said Board (12 CFR 224) or to
     involve any broker or dealer in a violation of Regulation T of said Board
     (12 CFR 220).  As used in this Section, the terms "MARGIN STOCK" and
     "PURPOSE OF BUYING OR CARRYING" shall have the meanings assigned to them in
     said Regulation G.

          (o)  Existing Indebtedness; Future Liens.
               ----------------------------------- 

               (i)  Except as described therein, Schedule 5.01(o) sets forth a
                                                 ----------------             
          complete and correct list of all outstanding Indebtedness of each
          Obligor as of the Closing Date. None of the Obligors is in default in
          the payment of any principal or interest on any Indebtedness of such
          Obligor and no event or condition exists with respect to any
          Indebtedness of such Obligor that would permit (or that with notice or
          the lapse of time, or both, would permit) one or more Persons to cause
          such Indebtedness to become due and payable before its stated maturity
          or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment.

                                      -36-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

               (ii)  Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.01(o), none of the
                                            ----------------             
          Obligors has agreed or consented to cause or permit in the future
          (upon the happening of a contingency or otherwise) any of its
          property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to be subject to a
          Lien other than a Permitted Lien.

          (p)  Foreign Assets Control Regulations, etc.  Neither the sale of the
               ---------------------------------------                          
     Notes by the Issuers hereunder nor their use of the proceeds thereof will
     violate the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, or any of the foreign
     assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31
     CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or
     executive order relating thereto.

          (q)  Status under Certain Statutes.  None of the Obligors is subject
               -----------------------------                                
     to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the
     Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended, the Interstate
     Commerce Act, as amended, or the Federal Power Act, as amended.

          (r)  Environmental Matters.  None of the Obligors has knowledge of any
               ---------------------                                            
     claim or has received any notice of any claim, and no proceeding has been
     instituted raising any claim against such Obligor or any of their
     respective real properties now or formerly owned, leased or operated by any
     of them or other assets, alleging any damage to the environment or
     violation of any Environmental Laws, except, in each case, such as could
     not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  Except
     as otherwise disclosed to the Purchaser in writing,

               (i)  none of the Obligors has knowledge of any facts which would
     give rise to any claim, public or private, of violation of Environmental
     Laws or damage to the environment emanating from, occurring on or in any
     way related to real properties now or formerly owned, leased or operated by
     any of them or to other assets or their use, except, in each case, such as
     could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
     and

               (ii)  all buildings on all real properties now owned, leased or
     operated by each Obligor is in compliance with applicable Environmental
     Laws, except where failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to
     result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                                      -37-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          (s)  Labor Matters.  There is (a) no unfair labor practice complaint
               -------------                                                  
     pending against any Obligor or, to the best knowledge of such Obligor,
     threatened against it, before the National Labor Relations Board or any
     state or local labor relations board, and no grievance or arbitration
     proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining agreement is
     so pending against such Obligor or, to the best knowledge of such Obligor,
     threatened against it and (b) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or
     stoppage pending against any Obligor or, to the best knowledge of such
     Obligor, threatened against it, except for such actions specified in clause
     (a) or (b) above which, singly or in the aggregate, will have or could
     reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (t)  Solvency.  After giving effect to the transactions contemplated
               --------                                                       
     by the Transaction Documents, (a) the fair market value of the assets of
     each Obligor is in excess of the total amount of its liabilities
     (including, without limitation, contingent liabilities); (b) the present
     fair saleable value of the assets of each Obligor is greater than its
     probable liability on its existing debts as such debts become absolute and
     matured; (c) each Obligor is then able and expects to be able to pay its
     debts (including, without limitation, contingent debts and other
     commitments) as they mature; and (d) each Obligor has capital sufficient to
     carry on its business as conducted and as proposed to be conducted.

          (u)  The Acquisition.
               --------------- 

               (i) All conditions precedent to, and all consents necessary to
          permit, the Acquisition pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement and the
          related documents have been satisfied or delivered, or waived with the
          prior written consent of the Purchaser, and no material breach of any
          term or provision of any such document  has occurred and no action has
          been taken by any competent authority which restrains, prevents or
          imposes material adverse conditions upon, or seeks to restrain,
          prevent or impose material adverse conditions upon, the Acquisition or
          the purchase of the Notes.

               (ii)  After giving effect to the Acquisition, Triad will have
          acquired the assets to be purchased under the Acquisition Agreement in
          compliance with all applicable Requirements of Law.

          5.02.  REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PURCHASER.  The Purchaser severally and
not jointly represents and warrants to the Issuers as follows:

                                      -38-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          (a)  No Registration.  The Securities are not registered under the
               ---------------                                              
     Securities Act or any state securities laws; it understands that the
     offering and sale of the Securities are intended to be exempt from
     registration under the Securities Act, by virtue of Section 4(2) and the
     provisions of Regulation D promulgated thereunder, based, in part, upon the
     representations, warrantees and agreements contained in this Agreement; and
     the Purchaser understands that the Securities will bear a legend to that
     effect.

          (b)  Accredited Investor.  With respect to the transaction evidenced
               -------------------                                            
     by this Agreement and the Securities, the Purchaser is an accredited
     investor within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act, and
     it has such knowledge and experience in financial, tax and business matters
     so as to enable it to utilize the information contained in the Exchange Act
     reports described in Section 6.01(c) and other sources of information
                          ---------------                                 
     (including this Agreement) to evaluate the merits and risks of an
     investment in the Securities and to make an informed investment decision
     with respect thereto.

          (c)  Purchase for Investment.  The Purchaser is acquiring the
               -----------------------                                 
     Securities solely for its own account for investment and not with a view to
     resale or distribution.

          (d)  Authorization, etc.  This Agreement has been duly authorized,
               -------------------                                          
     executed and delivered by the Purchaser.

          (e)  ERISA Matters.  In connection with its purchase of the Notes and
               -------------                                                   
     the Warrants, none of the funds being used by the Purchaser to purchase the
     Notes and the Warrants include "plan assets" as such term is defined in
     ERISA.


                                  ARTICLE VI
                      REPORTING AND AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

          Each Obligor covenants that so long as any of the Notes are
outstanding:

          6.01  FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION  The Obligors shall deliver
to each Holder of Notes:

          (a)  Quarterly Statements.  Within 60 days after the end of each quar-
               --------------------                                            
     terly fiscal period in each fiscal year of the Company and its Subsidiaries
     (other than the last quarterly fiscal period of each such fiscal year),
     duplicate copies of,

                                      -39-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

               (i)  a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its
          Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter, and

               (ii) consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders'
          equity and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries, for such
          quarter and (in the case of the second and third quarters) for the
          portion of the fiscal year ending with such quarter, setting forth in
          each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding
          periods in the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail,
          prepared in accordance with GAAP applicable to quarterly financial
          statements generally, and certified by a Senior Financial Officer as
          fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position of
          the companies being reported on and their results of operations and
          cash flows, subject to changes resulting from year-end adjustments,
          provided that delivery within the time period specified above of
          --------                                                        
          copies of each Obligor's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q prepared in
          compliance with the requirements therefor and filed with the
          Securities and Exchange Commission shall be deemed to satisfy the
          requirements of this Section 6.01(a);
                               --------------- 

          (b)  Annual Statements.  Within 105 days after the end of each fiscal
               -----------------                                               
     year of the Company, duplicate copies of,

               (i)  a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its
          Subsidiaries, as at the end of such year, and

               (ii) consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders'
          equity and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries, for such
          year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for
          the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, prepared in
          accordance with GAAP, and accompanied

                    (A) by an opinion thereon of independent certified public
               accountants of recognized national standing, which opinion shall
               state that such financial statements present fairly, in all 
               material respects, the financial position of the companies being
               reported upon and their results of operations and cash flows and
               have been prepared in conformity with GAAP, and that the
               examination of such accountants in connection with such financial
               statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted
               auditing standards, and that such audit provides a reasonable
               basis for such opinion in the circumstances, and

                                      -40-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

                    (B) a certificate of such accountants stating that they have
               reviewed this Agreement and stating further whether, in making
               their audit, they have become aware of any condition or event
               that then constitutes a Default or an Event of Default, and, if
               they are aware that any such condition or event then exists,
               specifying the nature and period of the existence thereof (it
               being understood that such accountants shall not be liable,
               directly or indirectly, for any failure to obtain knowledge of
               any Default or Event of Default unless such accountants should
               have obtained knowledge thereof in making an audit in accordance
               with generally accepted auditing standards or did not make such
               an audit), provided that the delivery within the time period
               specified above of each Obligor's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
               such fiscal year prepared in accordance with the requirements
               therefor and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
               together with the accountant's certificate described in clause
               (B) above, shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this
               Section 6.01(b);
               --------------- 

          (c)  SEC and Other Reports.  Promptly upon their becoming available,
               ---------------------                                          
     each financial statement, report (including the Company's annual report to
     shareholders, if any, prepared pursuant to Rule 14a-3 under the Exchange
     Act), notice or proxy statement sent by any Obligor to public securities
     Holders generally, and each regular or periodic report, each registration
     statement other than registration statements on Form S-8 or any successor
     form (without exhibits except as expressly requested by such Holder), and
     each final prospectus and all amendments thereto filed by such Obligor with
     the Securities and Exchange Commission;

          (d)  Notice of Default or Event of Default.  Promptly, and in any 
               -------------------------------------          
     event within five Business Days after a Responsible Officer of any Obligor
     becoming aware of the existence of any Default or Event of Default or that
     any Person has given any notice or taken any action with respect to a
     claimed default hereunder or that any Person has given any notice or taken
     any action with respect to a claimed default of the type referred to in
     Section 8.01(f), a written notice specifying the nature and period of
     ---------------                                                      
     existence thereof and what action such Obligor is taking or proposes to
     take with respect thereto;

          (e)  Notices from Governmental Authority.  Promptly, and in any event
               -----------------------------------                             
     within 30 days of receipt thereof, copies of any notice to any Obligor from
     any Federal or state Governmental Authority relating to any order, ruling,
     statute or 

                                      -41-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

     other law or regulation that could reasonably be expected to have a
     Material Adverse Effect;

          (f)  Notices regarding Senior Indebtedness.  Promptly upon becoming
               -------------------------------------                         
     aware of the existence of any default or event of default under any Senior
     Indebtedness, a written notice specifying the nature and period of
     existence thereof and what action such Obligor is taking or proposes to
     take with respect thereto;  and

          (g)  Requested Information.  With reasonable promptness, such other
               ---------------------                                         
     data and information relating to the business, operations, affairs,
     financial condition, assets or properties of any Obligor or relating to the
     ability of such Obligor to perform its obligations hereunder and under the
     Notes as from time to time may be reasonably requested by any such Holder
     of Notes.

          6.02.  OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE.  Each set of financial statements
delivered to a Holder of Notes pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or Section 6.01(b)
                                           ---------------    ---------------
hereof shall be accompanied by a certificate of a Senior Financial Officer of
each Obligor setting forth:

          (a)  Covenant Compliance.  The information (including detailed
               -------------------                                      
     calculations) required in order to establish whether the Obligors were in
     compliance with the requirements of Section 7.04 and Section 7.05,
                                         ------------     ------------ 
     inclusive, during the quarterly or annual period covered by the statements
     then being furnished (including with respect to each such Section, where
     applicable, the calculations of the maximum or minimum amount, ratio or
     percentage, as the case may be, permissible under the terms of such
     Sections, and the calculation of the amount, ratio or percentage then in
     existence); and

          (b)  Event of Default.  A statement that such officer has reviewed the
               ----------------                                                 
     relevant terms hereof and has made, or caused to be made, under his or her
     supervision, a review of the transactions and conditions of Obligors from
     the beginning of the quarterly or annual period covered by the statements
     then being furnished to the date of the certificate and that such review
     shall not have disclosed the existence during such period of any condition
     or event that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default or, if any such
     condition or event existed or exists (including, without limitation, any
     such event or condition resulting from the failure of any Obligor to comply
     with any Environmental Law), specifying the nature and period of existence
     thereof and what action such Obligor shall have taken or proposes to take
     with respect thereto.

                                      -42-
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                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          6.03.  INSPECTION.  Each Obligor shall permit the representatives of
each Holder:

          (a)  No Default.  If no Default or Event of Default then exists, at 
               ----------     
     the expense of the applicable Holder and upon reasonable prior notice to
     such Obligor, to visit the principal executive office of the Company, to
     discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company and its
     Subsidiaries with the officers of the Company and, if resident in such
     office, the officers of its Subsidiaries, and (with the consent of the
     Company, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld) its independent
     public accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as may be
     reasonably requested; and

          (b)  Default.  If a Default or Event of Default then exists, at the
               -------                                                       
     expense of the applicable Obligor to visit and inspect any of the offices
     or Properties of such Obligor, to examine all their respective books of
     account, records, reports and other papers, to make copies and extracts
     therefrom, and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts
     with their respective officers and independent public accountants (and by
     this provision each Obligor authorizes said accountants to discuss the
     affairs, finances and accounts of such Obligor), all at such times and as
     often as may be requested.

          6.04.  COMPLIANCE WITH LAW.  Each Obligor will comply with all
Requirements of Law to which each of them is subject, including, without
limitation, Environmental Laws, and will obtain and maintain in effect all
licenses, certificates, permits, franchises and other governmental
authorizations necessary to the ownership of its properties or to the conduct of
its business, in each case to the extent necessary to ensure that non-compliance
with such Requirements of Law or failures to obtain or maintain in effect such
licenses, certificates, permits, franchises and other governmental
authorizations could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          6.05.  INSURANCE.  Each Obligor will and will cause each of its 
Subsidiaries to maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurers,
insurance (which may include self-insurance as is customary in businesses
similarly situated to the Company and its Subsidiaries) with respect to their
respective properties and businesses against such casualties and contingencies,
of such types, on such terms and in such amounts (including deductibles, co-
insurance and self-insurance, if adequate reserves are maintained with respect
thereto) as is customary in the case of entities of established reputations
engaged in the same or a similar business and similarly situated.

                                      -43-
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                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          6.06.  MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES.  Each Obligor will maintain and
keep, or cause to be maintained and kept, their respective properties in normal
working order and condition (other than ordinary wear and tear) such that, in
the reasonable judgment of such Obligor, the business carried on in connection
therewith may be properly conducted at all times, provided that this Section
                                                  --------                  
shall not prevent such Obligor from discontinuing the operation and the
maintenance of any of its properties if such discontinuance is desirable in the
conduct of its business and such Obligor has concluded that such discontinuance
could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

          6.07.  PAYMENT OF TAXES AND CLAIMS.  Each Obligor will and will cause
each of its Subsidiaries to file all tax returns required to be filed in any
jurisdiction and to pay and discharge all taxes shown to be due and payable on
such returns and all other taxes, assessments, governmental charges, or levies
imposed on them or any of their properties, assets, income or franchises, to the
extent such taxes and assessments have become due and payable and before they
have become delinquent and all claims for which sums have become due and payable
that have or might become a Lien on properties or assets of any Obligor,
provided that none of the Obligors need pay any such tax or assessment or claims
- - --------                                                                        
if the amount, applicability or validity thereof is contested by such Obligor on
a timely basis in good faith and in appropriate proceedings, and such Obligor
has established adequate reserves therefor in accordance with GAAP on the books
of such Obligor or the nonpayment of all such taxes and assessments in the
aggregate could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          6.08.  CORPORATE EXISTENCE, ETC.  Except to the extent permitted by
this Agreement, each Obligor will at all times preserve and keep in full force
and effect the corporate existence   and all rights and franchises of such
Obligor unless, in the good faith judgment of such Obligor, the termination of
or failure to preserve and keep in full force and effect such corporate
existence, right or franchise could not, individually or in the aggregate, have
a Material Adverse Effect.

          6.09.  MAINTENANCE OF BOOKS AND RECORDS.  Each Obligor will make and
keep books, records and accounts in which full, true and correct entries in
accordance with GAAP and in material compliance with all Requirements of Law.

          6.10.  MAINTENANCE OF LINES OF BUSINESS.  Each Obligor will, and will
cause its Subsidiaries to, devote substantially all of their respective time to,
and deploy substantially all of their respective Material assets owned or used
by such Obligor or Subsidiary in, Lines of Business as conducted by the Obligors
on the date of this Agreement and businesses reasonably related thereto.

                                      -44-
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                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          6.11.  PRIVATE PLACEMENT NUMBERS.  At the request of any Holder, the
Issuers shall assist such Holder in obtaining a Private Placement number issued
by Standard & Poor's CUSIP Service Bureau (in cooperation with the Securities
Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) for the
Notes.


                                  ARTICLE VII
                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

          Each Obligor covenants that so long as any of the Notes are
outstanding:

          7.01.  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES.  No Obligor will enter into
directly or indirectly any transaction or Material group of related transactions
(including without limitation the purchase, lease, sale or exchange of
properties of any kind or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate
(other than another Obligor), except (a) transactions entered into in the
ordinary course and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of each Obligor's
business and upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to such Obligor
than would be obtainable in a comparable arm's-length transaction with a Person
not an Affiliate, (b) the payment of reasonable and customary regular fees to
directors of the Company who are not employees of the Company, (c) loans and
advances to officers, directors and employees of the Company and its
Subsidiaries for travel, entertainment and moving and other relocation expenses
made in direct furtherance and in the ordinary course of business of the Company
and its Subsidiaries (to the extent otherwise permitted by this Agreement), (d)
any other transaction with any employee, officer or director of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to employee benefit or compensation
arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business and approved by the
Board of Directors of the Company or such Subsidiary, (e) the making of any
Restricted Payment otherwise permitted by this Agreement and (f) if  no Default
or Event of Default under Section 8.01(a) or Section 8.01(b) has occurred and is
                          ---------------    ---------------                    
continuing (without giving effect to any provision of the Subordination
Agreement which would prohibit any Obligor from making a payment required to be
made hereunder), customary investment banking or similar transactions with an
Affiliate approved by a majority of non-interested members of the Board of
Directors of the Company or such Subsidiary.

          7.02.  MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, ASSET SALES, ETC.  The Company will not
consolidate with or merge with or into any other corporation and the Company
will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, be a party to any Asset Sale;
provided, however, that:
- - --------  -------       

          (a)  the Company may permit any corporation to be merged into the
     Company or may consolidate with or merge into or sell, lease or otherwise

                                      -45-
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                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

     dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its
     Subsidiaries to any corporation organized in the United States of America
     which expressly assumes in writing all obligations of the Company and its
     Subsidiaries under this Agreement, the Notes and the other Note Documents,
     if in any such case:

               (i)   at the time of such merger, consolidation, sale, lease or
          other disposition and immediately after giving effect thereto, the
          Consolidated Net Worth of the surviving or resulting corporation of
          such merger or consolidation or the transferee or lessee of such
          assets (as the case may be) shall be not less than the Consolidated
          Net Worth of the Company immediately before giving effect to such
          merger, consolidation, sale, lease or other disposition;

               (ii)  at the time of such merger, consolidation, sale, lease or
          other disposition and immediately after giving effect thereto, no
          Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

               (iii) at the time of such merger, consolidation, sale, lease or
          other disposition and immediately after giving effect thereto, the
          surviving or resulting corporation of such merger or consolidation or
          the transferee or lessee of such assets (as the case may be) would be
          permitted to incur at least $1 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to
          Section 7.05;
          ------------ 

          (b)  any Subsidiary may merge or consolidate with or into the Company
     or any other Wholly Owned Subsidiary so long as (i) in any merger or
     consolidation involving the Company, the Company shall be the surviving or
     continuing corporation and (ii) in any merger or consolidation involving
     one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, the surviving or continuing
     corporation shall be a Wholly Owned Subsidiary; and

          (c)  the Company and its Subsidiaries may make Asset Sales if (i) at
     least 80% of the consideration therefor received by the Company or such
     Subsidiary is in the form of cash, Property readily convertible into cash
     or Productive Assets (or a combination thereof), (ii) such Asset Sale is
     for Fair Market Value, (iii) before and after the consummation of such
     Asset Sale and after giving effect thereto, the Company and its
     Subsidiaries would be permitted to incur at least $1 of additional
     Indebtedness under Section 7.05(h) and (iv) after giving effect to such
                        ---------------                                     
     Asset Sale, at least two Issuers would remain obligated under the Notes.

                                      -46-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

Upon the sale of the capital stock or all or substantially all of the assets or
other disposition (by merger or otherwise) of an Obligor (other than the Company
or UTICO) to a Person other than the Company or another Obligor and pursuant to
a transaction that is otherwise  permitted by this Agreement, such Obligor shall
be deemed released from all of its Obligations under the Note Documents;
provided, however, that any such termination shall occur only to the extent that
- - --------  -------                                                               
all obligations of such Obligor under all of its other Indebtedness shall also
terminate or be released.  The Holders shall deliver an appropriate instrument
evidencing such release upon receipt of a request by the Company certifying that
such sale or other disposition was made by the Company or another Obligor, as
the case may be, in accordance with this Agreement.

          7.03.  RIGHT OF FIRST NEGOTIATION ON OTHER FINANCINGS.  Neither the
Company nor any Obligor shall sell, offer for sale or sell any Indebtedness
other than (i) Indebtedness permitted by clauses (c) through (g) of Section
                                                                    -------
7.05, (ii) the Notes or (iii) the Bank Credit Facilities unless the Company
- - ----
shall have offered to the Holders the right to provide such Indebtedness on
terms acceptable to the Company or the applicable Obligor and the Holders shall
not have committed in writing within ten (10) Business Days of such notice to
provide such Indebtedness, subject to customary conditions.  In addition, if
after receiving such commitment, the Company or such Obligor shall not have been
reasonably able to reach a definitive agreement for the financing within a
reasonable period of time, as reasonably determined by the Company or such
Obligor in good faith, the Company or such Obligor may offer and effect such
financing from another party without further offering such opportunity to the
Purchasers.

          7.04   RESTRICTED PAYMENTS AND INVESTMENTS.  No Obligor shall,
directly or indirectly, (a) make any Investment other than a Permitted
Investment or (b) declare or pay any dividend (other than dividends payable
solely in common stock of a such Obligor) on, or make any payment on account of,
or set apart assets for a sinking or other analogous fund for, the purchase,
redemption, defeasance, retirement or other acquisition of, any shares of any
class of capital stock of any Obligor or any warrants, options or rights to
purchase any such capital stock, whether now or hereafter outstanding, or make
any other distribution in respect thereof, either directly or indirectly,
whether in cash or property or in obligations of a Credit Party or any of its
Subsidiaries (each a "RESTRICTED PAYMENT"); provided, however, that, to the
                                            --------  ------- 
extent permitted by applicable law: (i) any Subsidiary of an Issuer may make
Restricted Payments to any of the Issuers; and (ii) so long as no Default or
Event of Default then exists or would otherwise result therefrom, Obligors may
make a Restricted Payment if immediately after giving effect to such Restricted
Payment, the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments expended subsequent to
the date hereof (the amount so expended, if other than in cash, to be valued at
its fair market value as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company,
whose determination in good faith and evidenced by a board

                                      -47-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

resolution shall be conclusive) does not exceed an amount equal to the sum of
(A) fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Consolidated Net Income of the Company
and its Subsidiaries (or if such Consolidated Net Income shall be a loss, minus
such loss) during the period (treated as one accounting period) subsequent to
December 31, 1996 and ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter immediately
preceding the date of such Restricted Payment, plus (B) the aggregate net
                                               ----
proceeds, including cash and the fair market value of property other than
cash (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company or
the applicable Subsidiary, whose determination will be conclusive and evidenced
by a board resolution), received by the Company or its Subsidiary from any
Person (other than from the Company or another Subsidiary) as a result of the
issuance or sale of stock of the Company, including any net proceeds received
upon exercise of any rights, options or warrants, other than in connection with
the conversion or exchange of any Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary
during such period, plus (C) fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate net proceeds,
                    ----
including cash and the fair market value of property other than cash (as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company or the
applicable Subsidiary, whose determination will be conclusive and evidenced by a
board resolution), received by the Company or its Subsidiary during such period
from any Person (other than from the Company or another Subsidiary) as a result
of the issuance or sale of any Indebtedness during such period. For purposes of
any calculation pursuant to the preceding sentence that is required to be made
within 60 days after the declaration of a dividend by the Company, such dividend
shall be deemed to be paid at the date of declaration.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the above limitation shall not prevent (a)
the consummation of the Acquisition; (b) any adjustment required under Section
3.1 of the Asset Purchase Agreement dated December 31, 1996 between the Company
and Quarles Drilling Company; (c) the payment of any dividend within 60 days
after the date of its declaration if at the time of declaration the payment
would have complied with this Section 7.04; (d) the purchase, redemption,
                              ------------                               
acquisition or retirement of any shares of capital stock of the Company in
exchange for, or out of the net proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale
(other than to a Subsidiary) of, other shares of stock of the Company; (e) the
purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of
Indebtedness of the Company which is subordinate in right of payment to the
Notes, in exchange for, by conversion into, or out of the net proceeds of the
substantially concurrent issue or sale (other than to a Subsidiary) of stock of
the Company; (f) purchases of common stock by the Company or a trust pursuant to
any employee stock ownership or similar employee benefit plan of the Company
that has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company; or (g) payment
of the redemption price not in excess of $.02 per right and an aggregate price
not in excess of $300,000 with respect to any stockholders rights plan;
provided, that no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
- - --------                                                                
continuing at the time, or shall occur as a result, of any of the actions

                                      -48-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

contemplated in clauses (c), (d) and (e) above; and provided, further, that the
                                                    --------  -------          
full amount of any such payment, purchase, redemption, acquisition or retirement
pursuant to the foregoing clauses shall be counted in the calculation of the
aggregate amount of Restricted Payments expended pursuant to clause (ii) in the
immediately preceding paragraph.

          7.05.  LIMITATION ON ADDITIONAL INDEBTEDNESS.  No Obligor shall,
directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or in any other
manner become liable for, contingently or otherwise, or become responsible for
(including through any merger or consolidation to which such Obligor is a party
or through any other acquisition of any Person) the payment of (collectively, an
"incurrence"), any obligations in respect of any Indebtedness or Guaranty,
except (a) Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes and the Guarantors' Guaranty with
respect thereto; (b) Indebtedness and Guaranties incurred under the Bank Credit
Facilities in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000 at any time
outstanding; (c) Indebtedness outstanding on the Closing Date; (d) Indebtedness
of any Obligor to any other Obligor; (e) Swaps entered into in the ordinary
course of business and not for the purpose of speculation; (f) Indebtedness in
respect of performance bonds, surety bonds and letters of credit issued for the
purpose of supporting performance obligations of such Obligor provided in the
ordinary course of such Obligor's business, and any refinancings thereof; (g)
Indebtedness arising from agreements providing for reasonable indemnification,
adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, or from guarantees, letters
of credit, surety bonds or performance bonds securing any obligation of an
Obligor which has been incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of
any business, assets of Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such
acquisition, to the extent permitted by this Agreement; (h) any other
Indebtedness if (i) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result
therefrom, (ii) after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, the
Company's Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company's four full fiscal
quarters immediately following the date such additional Indebtedness is to be
incurred is at least 1.0 to 1 and (iii) after giving effect to the incurrence of
such Indebtedness, the ratio of Consolidated Total Indebtedness to Consolidated
Total Capitalization for the Company's four full fiscal quarters immediately
following the date such additional Indebtedness is to be incurred is at least
(A) with respect to any Indebtedness incurred from the Closing Date through the
first anniversary thereof, 0.65 to 1 and (B) with respect to any Indebtedness
incurred thereafter, 0.60 to 1; and (i) any Indebtedness which refinances,
renews, extends or refunds any of the foregoing, provided that (i) the principal
                                                 --------                       
amount of the new Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of the
Indebtedness so refinanced, renewed, extended or refunded, (ii) no Default or
Event of Default would result from the incurrence of such replacement or
refinancing Indebtedness and (iii) if the Indebtedness so refinanced, renewed,
extended or refunded is secured, any Liens securing the new Indebtedness do not
encumber Property other than that encumbered by 

                                      -49-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

the Liens securing the original Indebtedness. For purposes of this Section, the
required computations shall, in each case, be determined on a pro forma basis,
as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred at the beginning of such
four-quarter period; provided, however, that Indebtedness of a Person existing 
                     --------  -------   
at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of any Obligor (whether by merger,
consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to incurred by such
Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Subsidiary. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Section 7.05, the aggregate Indebtedness of all Obligors at 
                  ------------     
at any time outstanding shall not exceed the sum of (x) the aggregate principal
amount of all Indebtedness of the Obligors outstanding as of the Closing Date,
plus (y) $50,000,000.
- - ----                 

          7.06.  LIMITATION ON CREATION OF LIENS.  No Obligor shall create,
incur, assume or suffer to exist any Liens upon any of its assets unless the
Obligations are equally and ratably secured (or secured prior to any other such
Lien in the case of Indebtedness of such Obligor subordinated in right of
payment to the Notes) by such Lien on such Obligor's assets (for as long as such
Lien exists), except for (a) Liens existing as of the Closing Date and any
renewals and extensions thereof, provided that the principal amount of
                                 --------                             
Indebtedness secured thereby shall not increase; (b) Liens in favor of an
Issuer; (c) Permitted Liens; (d) Liens granted to secure Senior Indebtedness and
(e) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred in connection with the purchase or
improvement of Property (i) that is secured solely by the Property purchased or
improved, (ii) with respect to which the holder of such Indebtedness has
recourse only to such Property and (iii) that is otherwise non-recourse (whether
by contract or under applicable law) to any Person.

          7.07.  RANK OF FUTURE INDEBTEDNESS.  No Obligor shall incur, create,
issue, assume, guarantee or acknowledge any agreement with respect to (i) any
Indebtedness which is senior in right of payment to the Obligations and which by
its terms is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any Senior
Indebtedness, (ii) any Indebtedness convertible into equity securities of any
Obligor unless such Indebtedness by its terms is also subordinate in right of
payment to the Obligations, (iii) any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness
between Obligors permitted by Section 7.05) which by its terms is subordinate or
                              ------------                                      
junior in right of payment to the Obligations or which constitutes mandatorily
redeemable Preferred Stock and which has a maturity or redemption date or any
installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payment of
principal prior to the scheduled maturity of the Notes and (iv) any Indebtedness
(other than Senior Indebtedness and Indebtedness between Obligors permitted by
Section 7.05) which is structurally senior in right of payment to the
- - ------------                                                         
Obligations.

                                      -50-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          7.08.  WAIVER OF STAY, EXTENSION AND USURY LAWS.  Each of the Issuers
covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any
time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit
or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law which
would prohibit or forgive such Issuer from paying all or any portion of the
principal of or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted,
now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may materially affect the
covenants or the performance of this Agreement or the Notes in a manner
inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement and (to the extent that it
may lawfully do so) each Issuer hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage
of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the
execution of any power herein granted to the Holders, but will suffer and permit
the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted. This
Section shall not prevent any Issuer from complying with any judgment or order
of a court of competent jurisdiction which judgment or order was not sought by
such Issuer.


                                 ARTICLE VIII
                        EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

          8.01.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  An "EVENT OF DEFAULT" shall exist if any
of the following conditions or events shall occur and be continuing:

          (a)  any Obligor defaults in the payment of any principal on any Note
     when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date
     fixed for prepayment or by declaration or otherwise; or

          (b)  any Obligor defaults in the payment of any interest on any Note
     for more than five Business Days after the same becomes due and payable; or

          (c)  any Obligor defaults in the performance of or compliance with any
     term contained in Section 6.03, 6.04, 6.05, 6.06, 6.07, 6.08, 6.09 or 6.10
                       ------------  ----  ----  ----  ----  ----  ----    ----
     or Article VII; or
        -----------    

          (d)  any Obligor defaults in the performance of or compliance with any
     term contained herein (other than those referred to in paragraphs (a), (b)
     and (c) of this Section 8.01) and such default is not remedied within 30
                     ------------                                            
     days after the earlier of (i) a Responsible Officer of such Obligor
     obtaining actual knowledge of such default and (ii) such Obligor receiving
     written notice of such default from any Holder of a Note (any such written
     notice to be identified as a "notice of default" and to refer specifically
     to this paragraph (d) of Section 8.01); or
                              ------------     

                                      -51-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          (e)  any representation or warranty made in writing by or on behalf of
     any Obligor or by any officer of any Obligor in any of the Note Documents
     or in any writing furnished in connection with the transactions
     contemplated hereby proves to have been false or incorrect in any material
     respect on the date as of which made; or

          (f)  any Obligor is in default in the performance of or compliance
     with any term of any evidence of any Indebtedness in an aggregate
     outstanding principal amount of at least $500,000 or of any mortgage,
     indenture or other agreement relating thereto or any other condition
     exists, and as a consequence of such default or condition such Indebtedness
     has become, or has been declared, due and payable before its stated
     maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment; or

          (g)  any Obligor (i) is generally not paying, or admits in writing its
     inability to pay, its debts as they become due, (ii) files, or consents by
     answer or otherwise to the filing against it of, a petition for relief or
     reorganization or arrangement or any other petition in bankruptcy, for
     liquidation or to take advantage of any bankruptcy, insolvency,
     reorganization, moratorium or other similar law of any jurisdiction, (iii)
     makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (iv) consents
     to the appointment of a custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with
     similar powers with respect to it or with respect to any substantial part
     of its property, (v) is adjudicated as insolvent or to be liquidated, or
     (vi) takes corporate action for the purpose of any of the foregoing; or

          (h)  a court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction
     enters an order appointing, without consent by the applicable Obligor, a
     custodian, receiver, trustee or other officer with similar powers with
     respect to it or with respect to any substantial part of its property, or
     constituting an order for relief or approving a petition for relief or
     reorganization or any other petition in bankruptcy or for liquidation or
     to take advantage of any bankruptcy or insolvency law of any jurisdiction,
     or ordering the dissolution, winding-up or liquidation of any Obligor, or
     any such petition shall be filed against any Obligor and such petition
     shall not be dismissed within 60 days; or

          (i)  a final judgment or judgments for the payment of money
     aggregating in excess of $500,000 are rendered against one or more of the
     Obligors and which judgments are not, within 60 days after entry thereof,
     bonded, discharged or stayed pending appeal, or are not discharged within
     60 days after the expiration of such stay; or

                                      -52-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          (j)  if (i) any Plan shall fail to satisfy the minimum funding
     standards of ERISA or the Code for any plan year or part thereof or a
     waiver of such standards or extension of any amortization period is sought
     or granted under section 412 of the Code, (ii) a notice of intent to
     terminate any Plan shall have been or is reasonably expected to be filed
     with the PBGC or the PBGC shall have instituted proceedings under ERISA
     section 4042 to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer any Plan or
     the PBGC shall have notified any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate that a Plan
     may become a subject of any such proceedings, (iii) the aggregate "amount
     of unfunded benefit liabilities" (within the meaning of section 4001(a)(18)
     of ERISA) under all Plans, determined in accordance with Title IV of ERISA,
     shall exceed $500,000, (iv) any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate shall have
     incurred or is reasonably expected to incur any liability pursuant to Title
     I or IV of ERISA or the penalty or excise tax provisions of the Code
     relating to employee benefit plans, (v) any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate
     withdraws from any Multiemployer Plan, or (vi) any Obligor establishes or
     amends any employee welfare benefit plan that provides post-employment
     welfare benefits in a manner that would increase the liability of such
     Obligor thereunder; and any such event or events described in clauses (i)
     through (vi) above, either individually or together with any other such
     event or events, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
     Effect (as used in this Section 8.01(j), the terms "EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN"
                             ---------------                                   
     and "EMPLOYEE WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN" shall have the respective meanings
     assigned to such terms in Section 3 of ERISA); or

          (k)  At any time, for any reason, any Note Document ceases to be in
     full force and effect or any Obligor seeks to repudiate its obligations
     thereunder (except for releases of the Obligors in connection with Section
                                                                        -------
     7.02).
     ----  

          8.02.  REMEDIES ON EVENT OF DEFAULT, ETC.

          (a)  Acceleration.
               ------------ 

               (i)  If an Event of Default with respect to any Obligor described
          in paragraph (g) or (h) of Section 8.01 (other than an Event of
                                     ------------
          Default described in clause (i) of paragraph (g) or described in
          clause (vi) of paragraph (g) by virtue of the fact that such clause
          encompasses clause (i) of paragraph (g)) has occurred, all the Notes
          then outstanding shall automatically become immediately due and
          payable.

               (ii) If any Event of Default described in paragraph (a) or (b)
          of Section  8.01 has occurred and is continuing, any Holder or 
             -------------                                               
          Holders of Notes at the time outstanding affected by such Event of
          Default may at 

                                      -53-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          any time, at its or their option, by notice or notices to each
          Obligor, declare all the Notes held by it or them to be immediately
          due and payable.

               (iii) If any other Event of Default has occurred and is
          continuing, the Required Holders may at any time at its or their
          option, by notice or notices to each Obligor, declare all the Notes
          then outstanding to be immediately due and payable.

          Upon any Notes becoming due and payable under this Section 8.02,
                                                             ------------ 
     whether automatically or by declaration, such Notes will forthwith mature
     and the entire unpaid principal amount of such Notes, plus all accrued and
     unpaid interest thereon (to the full extent permitted by applicable law),
     shall all be immediately due and payable, in each and every case without
     presentment, demand, protest or further notice, all of which are hereby
     waived.

          (b)  Other Remedies.  If any Default or Event of Default has occurred
               --------------                                                  
     and is continuing, and irrespective of whether any Notes have become or
     have been declared immediately due and payable under Section 8.02(a), the
                                                          ---------------     
     Holder of any Note at the time outstanding may proceed to protect and
     enforce the rights of such Holder by an action at law, suit in equity or
     other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of any
     agreement contained herein or in any Note, or for an injunction against a
     violation of any of the terms hereof or thereof, or in aid of the exercise
     of any power granted hereby or thereby or by law or otherwise.

          (c)  Rescission.  At any time after any Notes have been declared due
               ----------                                                     
     and payable pursuant to clause (b) or (c) of Section 8.02, the Required
                                                  ------------              
     Holders, by written notice to each Obligor, may rescind and annul any such
     declaration and its consequences if (a) each Obligor has paid all overdue
     interest on the Notes, all principal of any Notes that are due and payable
     and are unpaid other than by reason of such declaration, all interest on
     such overdue principal and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any
     overdue interest in respect of the Notes, at the Default Rate, (b) all
     Events of Default and Defaults, other than non-payment of amounts that
     have become due solely by reason of such declaration, have been cured or
     have been waived pursuant to Section 9.04, and (c) no judgment or decree
                                  ------------                               
     has been entered for the payment of any monies due pursuant hereto or to
     the Notes.  No rescission and annulment under this Section 8.02(c) will
                                                        ---------------     
     extend to or affect any subsequent Event of Default or Default or impair
     any right consequent thereon.

                                      -54-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          (d)  No Waivers or Election of Remedies, Expenses, etc.  No course of
               -------------------------------------------------               
     dealing and no delay on the part of any Holder of any Note in exercising
     any right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise
     prejudice such Holder's rights, powers or remedies.  No right, power or
     remedy conferred by this Agreement or by any Note upon any Holder thereof
     shall be exclusive of any other right, power or remedy referred to herein
     or therein or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or
     otherwise.  Without limiting the obligations of each Obligor under Section
                                                                        -------
     9.01, each Obligor will pay to the Holder of each Note on demand such
     ----                                                                 
     further amount as shall be sufficient to cover all costs and expenses of
     such Holder incurred in any enforcement or collection under this Section
                                                                      -------
     8.02, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees, expenses
     ----                                                                     
     and disbursements.


                                  ARTICLE IX
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

          9.01.  EXPENSES, ETC.  Whether or not the transactions contemplated
hereby are consummated, each Obligor agrees, jointly and severally to pay all
costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees of a special counsel
and, if reasonably required, local or other counsel) incurred by the Purchaser
or Holder of a Note in connection with such transactions and in connection with
any amendments, waivers or consents under or in respect of this Agreement or the
Notes (whether or not such amendment, waiver or consent becomes effective),
including, without limitation: (a) the costs and expenses incurred in enforcing
or defending (or determining whether or how to enforce or defend) any rights
under this Agreement or the Notes or in responding to any subpoena or other
legal process or informal investigative demand issued in connection with this
Agreement or the Notes, or by reason of being a Holder of any Note, and (b) the
costs and expenses, including reasonable financial advisors' fees, incurred in
connection with the insolvency or bankruptcy of any Obligor or in connection
with any work-out or restructuring of the transactions contemplated hereby and
by the Notes. Each Obligor will pay, and will save each Holder harmless from,
all claims in respect of any fees, costs or expenses if any, of brokers and
finders (other than those retained by such Holder).  The obligations of each
Obligor under this Section 9.01 will survive the payment or transfer of any
                   ------------                                            
Note, the enforcement, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or
the Notes, and the termination of this Agreement.

                                      -55-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          9.02.  SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; ENTIRE AGREEMENT.
All representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the execution
and delivery of this Agreement and the Notes, the purchase or transfer by any
Holder of any Note or portion thereof or interest therein and the payment of any
Note, and may be relied upon by any subsequent Holder of a Note, regardless of
any investigation made at any time by or on behalf of any Holder. This
Agreement and the Notes embody the entire agreement and understanding between
each Holder and each Obligor and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.

          9.03.  AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.

          (a)  Requirements.  This Agreement and the Notes may be amended, and
               ------------                                                   
     the observance of any term hereof or of the Notes may be waived (either
     retroactively or prospectively), with (and only with) the written consent
     of each Obligor and the Required Holders, except that no amendment or
     waiver of any of the provisions of Sections 2.01, 4.01, 4.02 or 9.07
                                        ---------------------------------
     hereof, or any defined term (as it is used therein), will be effective as
     to any Holder unless consented to by such Holder in writing, and no such
     amendment or waiver may, without the written consent of all Holders
     affected thereby, subject to the provisions of Section 8.02 relating to
                                                    ------------            
     acceleration or rescission, change the amount or time of any prepayment or
     payment of principal of, or reduce the rate or change the time of payment
     or method of computation of interest on, the Notes, change the percentage
     of the principal amount of the Notes the Holders of which are required to
     consent to any such amendment or waiver, or amend any of  Sections 8.01(a),
                                                               -----------------
     8.01(b), 8.02, 9.03 or 9.06.
     --------------------------- 

          (b)  Delivery of Amendments, Waivers, etc.  Each Obligor will deliver
               -------------------------------------                           
     executed or true and correct copies of each amendment, waiver or consent
     effected pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9.03 to each Holder of
                                                 ------------                  
     outstanding Notes promptly following the date on which it is executed and
     delivered by, or receives the consent or approval of, the requisite Holders
     of Notes.

          (c)  Binding Effect, etc.  Any amendment or waiver consented to as
               -------------------                                          
     provided in this Section 9.03 applies equally to all Holders of Notes and
                      ------------                                            
     is binding upon them and upon each future Holder of any Note and upon each
     Obligor without regard to whether such Note has been marked to indicate
     such amendment or waiver.  No such amendment or waiver will extend to or
     affect any obligation, covenant, agreement, Default or Event of Default not
     expressly amended or waived or impair any right consequent thereon.  No
     course of dealing between each Obligor and the Holder of any Note nor any
     delay in exercising any 

                                      -56-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

rights hereunder or under any Note shall operate as a waiver of any rights of
any Holder of such Note.

          (d)  Notes held by each Obligor, etc.  Solely for the purpose of
               --------------------------------                           
     determining whether the Holders of the requisite percentage of the
     aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding approved or consented
     to any amendment, waiver or consent to be given under this Agreement or the
     Notes, or have directed the taking of any action provided herein or in the
     Notes to be taken upon the direction of the Holders of a specified
     percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding,
     Notes directly or indirectly owned by each Obligor or any of its Affiliates
     shall be deemed not to be outstanding.

          9.04.  NOTICES.  All notices and communications provided for hereunder
shall be in writing and sent by telecopy if the sender on the same day sends a
confirming copy of such notice by a recognized overnight delivery service
(charges prepaid), or by registered or certified mail with return receipt
requested (postage prepaid), or by a recognized overnight delivery service (with
charges prepaid). Any such notice must be sent to the following addresses (or at
such other address for a party as shall be specified in a notice given in
accordance with this Section 9.04):
                     ------------  

          (a)  if to any Obligor, to it care of:

               UTI Energy Corp.
               485 Devon Park Drive, Suite 112
               Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087
               Attention:  P. Blake Dupuis
               Telecopier:  (610) 964-0141

               with a copy to:

               Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
               1301 McKinney, Suite 5100
               Houston, Texas 77010-3095
               Attention:  Curtis W. Huff, Esq.
               Telecopier:  (713) 651-5246

                                      -57-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          (b)  if to the Purchaser, to:

               Canpartners Investments IV, LLC
               c/o Canyon Partners Incorporated
               9665 Wilshire Boulevard
               Beverly Hills, California 90212
               Attention:  Scott Imbach
               Telecopier:  (310) 247-2701

               with a copy to:

               Sidley & Austin
               555 West Fifth Street
               Los Angeles, California 90013
               Attention:  Gary J. Cohen, Esq.
               Telecopier:  (213) 896-6600

          (c)  if to any other Holder, to its address shown on the Note register
     to be maintained by the Company, on behalf of the Issuers, pursuant to
     Section 2.02.
     ------------ 

Notices under this Section 9.04 will be deemed given only when actually
                   ------------                                        
received.

          9.05.  REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS.  This Agreement and all documents
relating thereto, including, without limitation, (a) consents, waivers and
modifications that may hereafter be executed, (b) documents received by the
Purchaser at the Closing (except the Notes themselves), and (c) financial
statements, certificates and other information previously or hereafter
furnished to any Holder, may be reproduced by the Holders by any photographic,
photostatic, microfilm, microcard, miniature photographic or other similar
process and each Holder may destroy any original document so reproduced.  Each
Obligor agrees and stipulates that, to the extent permitted by applicable law,
any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in
any judicial or administrative proceeding (whether or not the original is in
existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by any Holder in the
regular course of business) and any enlargement, facsimile or further
reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.
This Section 9.05 shall not prohibit each Obligor or any other Holder of Notes
     ------------                                                             
from contesting any such reproduction to the same extent that it could contest
the original, or from introducing evidence to demonstrate the inaccuracy of any
such reproduction.

                                      -58-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          9.06   CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.  For the purposes of this Section 
                                                                     -------
9.06, "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION" means information delivered to any Holder by or
- - ----                                                                            
on behalf of each Obligor in connection with the transactions contemplated by or
otherwise pursuant to this Agreement that is proprietary in nature and that was
clearly marked or labeled or otherwise adequately identified when received by
such Holder as being confidential information of each Obligor, provided that
                                                               --------     
such term does not include information that (a) was publicly known to any Holder
prior to the time of such disclosure, (b) subsequently becomes publicly known
through no act or omission by any Holder or any Person acting on behalf of any
Holder, (c) otherwise becomes known to any Holder other than through disclosure
by each Obligor or its representatives or (d) constitutes financial statements
delivered to any Holder under Section 6.01 that are otherwise publicly
                              ------------                            
available.  Each Holder will maintain the confidentiality of such Confidential
Information in accordance with procedures adopted by such Holder in good faith
to protect confidential information of third parties delivered to such Holder,
provided that each Holder may deliver or disclose Confidential Information to
- - --------                                                                     
its (i) directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys and affiliates (to the
extent such disclosure reasonably relates to the administration of the
investment represented by its Notes), (ii) financial advisors and other
professional advisors who agree to hold confidential the Confidential
Information substantially in accordance with the terms of this Section 9.06,
                                                               ------------ 
(iii) any other Holder of any Note, (iv) any Person to which such Holder sells
or offers to sell such Note or any part thereof or any participation therein (if
such Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential
Information to be bound by the provisions of this Section 9.06), (v) any Person
                                                  ------------                 
from which such Holder offers to purchase any security of each Obligor (if such
Person has agreed in writing prior to its receipt of such Confidential
Information to be bound by the provisions of this Section 9.06), (vi) any
                                                  ------------           
federal or state regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Holder,
(vii) any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to
information about such Holder's investment portfolio or (viii) any other Person
to which such delivery or disclosure may be necessary or appropriate (w) to
effect compliance with any Requirement of Law applicable to such Holder, (x) in
response to any subpoena or other legal process, (y) in connection with any
litigation to which such Holder is a party or (z) if an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, to the extent such Holder may reasonably determine
such delivery and disclosure to be necessary or appropriate in the enforcement
or for the protection of the rights and remedies under such Holder's Notes and
this Agreement.  Each Holder of a Note, by its acceptance of a Note, will be
deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to be entitled to the benefits of this
Section 9.06 as though it were a party to this Agreement.  On reasonable request
- - ------------                                                                    
by each Obligor in connection with the delivery to any Holder of a Note of
information required to be delivered to such Holder under this Agreement or
requested by such Holder (other than a Holder that is a party to this Agreement
or its nominee), such Holder will enter into an agreement with each Obligor
embodying the provisions of this Section 9.06.
                                 ------------ 

                                      -59-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          9.07.  TRANSFERS OF NOTES.  Subject to the requirements of Section
                                                                     -------
2.02, the Purchaser and any subsequent Holder shall have the right to transfer
- - ----                                                                          
the Notes held by any such Person to any other Person, by written notice to the
Obligors (c/o the Company), which notice shall be signed by both the Purchaser
and such transferee, shall contain such transferee's agreement to be bound by
this Agreement, the Notes and the Subordination Agreement and shall contain a
confirmation by such transferee of the accuracy with respect to it of the
representations set forth in Section 5.02.  As a condition to any transfer of a
                             ------------                                      
Note, the Issuers may require appropriate documentation to evidence compliance
with applicable securities laws, including an opinion of counsel with respect
thereto.  Upon receipt of such notice, wherever the word "Purchaser" or "Holder"
is used in this Agreement (other than in this Section 9.07), such word shall be
                                              ------------                     
deemed to refer to such transferee in lieu of the  Purchaser or such Holder, as
the case may be. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Holder shall transfer the
Securities to any Person engaged in a Line of Business.  No transfer of any Note
shall relieve the transferring Holder of its obligations under Section 9.06.
                                                               ------------ 

          9.08.  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  All covenants and other agreements
contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto bind
and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns (including,
without limitation, any subsequent Holder of a Note) whether so expressed or
not.

          9.09.  SEVERABILITY.  Any provision of this Agreement that is
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction,
be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall (to the full extent permitted by law)
not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

          9.10.  CONSTRUCTION.  Each covenant contained herein shall be
construed (absent express provision to the contrary) as being independent of
each other covenant contained herein, so that compliance with any one covenant
shall not (absent such an express contrary provision) be deemed to excuse
compliance with any other covenant. Where any provision herein refers to action
to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such
provision shall be applicable whether such action is taken directly or
indirectly by such Person.

          9.11.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall
constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies
hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties
hereto.

                                      -60-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          9.12.  GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be construed and enforced
in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law
of the State of Texas excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such
State that would require the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other
than such State.

          9.13.  INDEMNIFICATION.  Each Issuer hereby jointly and severally
indemnifies and agrees to defend and hold harmless each Holder and its
directors, officers, agents, employees and counsel from and against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, judgments or expenses
incurred by any of them (except to the extent that it is finally judicially
determined to have resulted from its own gross negligence or willful misconduct)
arising out of or by reason of (a) any actual or proposed use by any Issuer or
any other Person of the proceeds of the Notes, (b) any litigation,
investigations, claims or proceedings which arise out of or are in any way
related to (i) the Note Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or
(ii) any aspect of the Acquisition or any transaction arising under or relating
to the Transaction Documents, including, without limitation, amounts paid in
settlement, court costs and the fees and disbursements of counsel incurred in
connection with any such litigation, investigation, claim or proceeding or any
advice rendered in connection with any of the foregoing, provided, that the
                                                         --------          
Issuers shall not be liable under this Section for any amounts arising from
disputes between any Holder and its Affiliates or arising from disputes
resulting from any Holder's assignment or participation of any of its interests
under any of the Note Documents and (c) any remedial or other action taken by an
Obligor or any of the Holders in connection with compliance by any Obligor, or
any of its properties, with any federal, state or local environmental laws,
acts, rules, regulations, orders, directions, ordinances, criteria or
guidelines.  WITHOUT LIMITING ANY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT, IT IS THE EXPRESS
INTENTION OF THE PARTIES HERETO THAT EACH PERSON INDEMNIFIED HEREUNDER SHALL BE
INDEMNIFIED AND HELD HARMLESS AGAINST ANY AND ALL LOSSES, LIABILITIES, CLAIMS OR
DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RESULTING FROM THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE OF
SUCH PERSON.  Without prejudice to the survival of any other Obligations of the
Obligors hereunder and under the other Note Documents, the Obligations of each
Obligor under this Section 9.13 will survive the payment or transfer of any
                   ------------                                            
Note, the enforcement, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or
the Notes, and the termination of this Agreement.

          9.14.  MAXIMUM RATE.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Note Document, the
Obligors and the Holders hereby agree that all agreements among them under this
Agreement and the other Note Documents, whether now existing or hereafter
arising and whether written or oral, are expressly limited so that in no
contingency or event whatsoever shall the amount paid, or agreed to be paid, to
any Holder for the use, forbearance, or detention of the money loaned to the
Issuers and evidenced hereby or thereby or for the performance or 

                                      -61-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

payment of any covenant or obligation contained herein or therein, exceed the
Highest Lawful Rate. If due to any circumstance whatsoever, fulfillment of any
provisions of this Agreement or any of the other Note Documents at the time
performance of such provision shall be due shall exceed the Highest Lawful Rate,
then, automatically, the obligation to be fulfilled shall be modified or reduced
to the extent necessary to limit such interest to the Highest Lawful Rate, and
if from any such circumstance the any Holder should ever receive anything of
value deemed interest by applicable law which would exceed the Highest Lawful
Rate, such excessive interest shall be applied to the reduction of the principal
amount then outstanding hereunder or on account of any other then outstanding
Obligations and not to the payment of interest, or if such excessive interest
exceeds the principal unpaid balance then outstanding hereunder and such other
then outstanding Obligations, such excess shall be refunded to the Issuers. All
sums paid or agreed to be paid to any Holder for the use, forbearance, or
detention of the Obligations and other Indebtedness of the Issuers to the
Holders, to the extent permitted by applicable law, shall be amortized,
prorated, allocated and spread throughout the full term of such Indebtedness,
until payment in full thereof, so that the actual rate of interest on account of
all such Indebtedness does not exceed the Highest Lawful Rate throughout the
entire term of such Indebtedness. The terms and provisions of this Section 9.14
                                                                   ------------
shall control every other provision of this Agreement and all agreements among
the Obligors and the Holders.

                             *    *    *    *    *

                                      -62-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Note
Purchase Agreement as of the date first written above.


       ISSUERS:                       FWA DRILLING COMPANY, INC.
       -------                                         


                                      By: ____________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                      INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM 
                                      SERVICE COMPANY


                                      By: ____________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                      TRIAD DRILLING COMPANY


                                      By: ____________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                      UNIVERSAL WELL SERVICES, INC.


                                      By: ____________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                      USC, INCORPORATED


                                      By: ____________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]




                                      PANTHER DRILLING, INC. (formerly 
                                      known as Viersen & Cochran Drilling 
                                      Company)


                                      By: ____________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

GUARANTORS:                           UTI ENERGY CORP.
- - ----------                                   


                                      By: ____________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                      UTICO, INC.


                                      By: ____________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


PURCHASER:                            CANPARTNERS INVESTMENTS IV, LLC, 
- - ---------                             a California limited liability company

                                      By:  Canpartners Incorporated, a 
                                           California corporation, its managing 
                                           member



                                      By: ____________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:



                                      S-2
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

                                                       EXHIBIT A -- FORM OF NOTE
                                                       -------------------------

     THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
     AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAW AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE,
     PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE THEREWITH.

     THIS SECURITY IS SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER CONTAINED IN THE NOTE
     PURCHASE AGREEMENT DATED AS OF APRIL 11, 1997, AMONG THE ISSUERS OF THIS
     SECURITY, CERTAIN OF THEIR AFFILIATES AND THE INITIAL PURCHASER NAMED
     THEREIN, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF
     UTI ENERGY CORP., AS REGISTRAR, AND WHICH RESTRICTIONS REQUIRE, AS A
     CONDITION TO ANY TRANSFER, APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION TO EVIDENCE COMPLIANCE
     WITH APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS, INCLUDING AN OPINION OF COUNSEL WITH
     RESPECT THERETO.

     NO REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY WILL BE EFFECTED ON THE BOOKS
     OF THE REGISTRAR UNLESS AND UNTIL SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE COMPLIED WITH.


                          FWA DRILLING COMPANY, INC.,
                    INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM SERVICE COMPANY,
                            TRIAD DRILLING COMPANY,
                         UNIVERSAL WELL SERVICES, INC.,
                               USC, INCORPORATED
                                      AND
                             PANTHER DRILLING, INC.

                12% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE DUE APRIL 10, 2001

No. [_____]                                            [Date]
$[_______]

          FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, FWA DRILLING COMPANY, INC., a
Delaware corporation, INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM SERVICE COMPANY, a Pennsylvania
corporation, TRIAD DRILLING COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, UNIVERSAL WELL
SERVICES, INC., a Delaware corporation, USC, INCORPORATED, a Delaware
corporation, and PANTHER 
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

DRILLING, INC. (formerly known as Viersen & Cochran Drilling Company), an
Oklahoma corporation (each an "ISSUER" and, collectively, the "ISSUERS"), hereby
jointly and severally promise to pay to [______________________], or registered
assigns, the principal sum of [_______________________________] DOLLARS on April
10, 2001, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-
day months) (a) on the unpaid balance thereof at the rate of 12% per annum from
the date hereof, payable quarterly, on the 15th day of January, April, July and
October in each year, commencing with the January 15, April 15, July 15 or
October 15 immediately following the date hereof, until the principal hereof
shall have become due and payable, and (b) to the extent permitted by law on any
overdue payment (including any overdue prepayment) of principal and any overdue
payment of interest (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement referred to
below), payable quarterly as aforesaid (or, at the option of the registered
Holder hereof, on demand), at a rate per annum from time to time equal to the
Default Rate.

          Payments of principal of and interest on with respect to this Note are
to be made in lawful money of the United States of America by the method and to
the address or account specified with respect to the holder hereof pursuant to
Section 2.05 of the Note Purchase Agreement referred to below.

          This Note is one of a series of Senior Subordinated Notes (herein
called the "Notes") issued pursuant to a Note Purchase Agreement dated as of
April 11, 1997 (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
from time to time, the "NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT"; capitalized terms used herein
and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Note
Purchase Agreement), among the Issuers, certain affiliates of the Issuers, in
their capacity as guarantors of the Notes, and the Purchaser named therein and
is entitled to the benefits thereof.  Each Holder of this Note will be deemed,
by its acceptance hereof, (i) to have agreed to the confidentiality provisions
set forth in Section 9.06 of the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) to have made
the representation set forth in Section 5.02 of the Note Purchase Agreement.

          Each Issuer hereby acknowledges and makes this Note a registered
obligation for United States withholding tax purposes.  The Company, on behalf
of the Issuers, shall be the registrar for this Note (the "REGISTRAR") with full
power of substitution.  In the event the Registrar becomes unable or unwilling
to act as registrar under this Agreement, the Company shall reasonably designate
a successor Registrar. Each Holder who is a foreign person, by its acceptance of
this Note, hereby agrees to provide the Company, for the benefit of the Issuers,
with a completed Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 (Certificate of Foreign
Status) or a substantially similar from for such Holder, participants or other
affiliates who are holders of beneficial interests in this Note.
Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in this Note or any of the
other Note Documents, neither this Note nor any interests therein may be sold,
transferred, 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

hypothecated, participated or assigned to any Person except upon satisfaction of
the conditions specified in this paragraph. Each Holder, by its acceptance of
its Note(s), agrees to be bound by the provisions of this paragraph and to
indemnify and hold harmless the Registrar against any and all loss or liability
arising from the disposition by such Holder of this Note or any interest therein
in violation of this paragraph. The Registrar shall keep at its principal
executive office (or an office or agency designated by it by notice to the last
registered Holder) a ledger, in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as
it may prescribe, but at its expense (except as specified below), it shall
provide for the registration and transfer of this Note. No sale, transfer,
hypothecation, participation or assignment of this Note or any interest herein
shall be effective for any purpose until it shall be registered on the books of
the Registrar to be maintained for such purpose. The Registrar shall record the
transfer of this Note on the books maintained for this purpose upon receipt by
the Registrar at the office or agency designated by the Registrar of (a) a
written assignment of this Note (or the applicable interest therein), (b) funds
sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer as
well as the cost of reviewing the documents presented to the Registrar, and (c)
such evidence of due execution as the Registrar shall reasonably require. The
Registrar shall record the transfer of this Note on the books maintained for
such purpose at the cost and expense of the assignee.

          This Note is subject to  prepayment, in whole or from time to time in
part, at the times and on the terms specified in the Note Purchase Agreement,
but not otherwise.

          If an Event of Default, as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement,
occurs and is continuing, the principal of this Note may be declared or
otherwise become due and payable in the manner, at the price and with the effect
provided in the Note Purchase Agreement.

          This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the
rights of the parties shall be governed by, the law of the State of Texas
excluding choice-of-law principles of the law of such State that would require
the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such State.

          The Holder of this Note, by its acceptance hereof, acknowledges that
this Note is subject to the terms of the Subordination Agreement, as defined in
the Note Purchase Agreement, which contains certain subordination provisions and
is incorporated herein by reference.  Notwithstanding any contrary statement
contained in the Note Purchase Agreement or in this Note (other than the
provisions of Section 2.10 of the Note Purchase Agreement), no payment on
account of the principal of, premium, if any, 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

or interest on this Note shall become due or be paid except in accordance with
the terms of the Subordination Agreement.

          Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this
Note or in any other Note Document, the Issuers and the Holder of this Note
hereby agree that all agreements among them under this Note and the other Note
Documents, whether now existing or hereafter arising and whether written or
oral, are expressly limited so that in no contingency or event whatsoever shall
the amount paid, or agreed to be paid, to such Holder for the use, forbearance,
or detention of the money loaned to the Issuers and evidenced hereby or thereby
or for the performance or payment of any covenant or obligation contained herein
or therein, exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.  If due to any circumstance
whatsoever, fulfillment of any provisions of this Note or any of the other Note
Documents at the time performance of such provision shall be due shall exceed
the Highest Lawful Rate, then, automatically, the obligation to be fulfilled
shall be modified or reduced to the extent necessary to limit such interest to
the Highest Lawful Rate, and if from any such circumstance the such Holder
should ever receive anything of value deemed interest by applicable law which
would exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, such excessive interest shall be applied
to the reduction of the principal amount then outstanding hereunder or on
account of any other then outstanding Obligations and not to the payment of
interest, or if such excessive interest exceeds the principal unpaid balance
then outstanding hereunder and such other then outstanding Obligations, such
excess shall be refunded to the Issuers.  All sums paid or agreed to be paid to
such Holder for the use, forbearance, or detention of the Obligations and other
Indebtedness of the Issuers to the Holders, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, shall be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout
the full term of such Indebtedness, until payment in full thereof, so that the
actual rate of interest on account of all such Indebtedness does not exceed the
Highest Lawful Rate throughout the entire term of such Indebtedness.  For
purposes of this paragraph, "HIGHEST LAWFUL RATE" means, at any given time
during which any Obligations shall be outstanding hereunder, the maximum
nonusurious interest rate that at any time or from time to time may be
contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received on the Obligations, under
the laws of the State of Texas (or the law of any other jurisdiction whose laws
may be mandatorily applicable notwithstanding other provisions of this Note and
the other Note Documents), or under applicable federal laws which may presently
or hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum nonusurious interest
rate than under the laws of the State of Texas (or such other jurisdiction's
law), in any case after taking into account, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, any and all relevant payments or charges under this Note and any
other Note Documents executed in connection herewith, and any available
exemptions, exceptions and exclusions.  The terms and provisions of this
paragraph shall control every other provision of this Note and all agreements
among the Obligors and such Holder.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuers have executed this Note on the date
first written above.

                                      FWA DRILLING COMPANY, INC.
                                                       


                                      By: ____________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                      INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM 
                                      SERVICE COMPANY


                                      By: ____________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                      TRIAD DRILLING COMPANY


                                      By: ____________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                      UNIVERSAL WELL SERVICES, INC.


                                      By: ____________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                      USC, INCORPORATED


                                      By: ____________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]


                                      PANTHER DRILLING, INC. (formerly 
                                      known as Viersen & Cochran Drilling 
                                      Company)


                                      By: ____________________________________
                                          Name:
                                          Title:


                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                [EXECUTION COPY]

                                                                       EXHIBIT C
                                                                       ---------

                       FORM OF OPINION OF SPECIAL COUNSEL
                                TO THE OBLIGORS

                            Matters To Be Covered In
                   Opinion of Special Counsel To Each Obligor
                   ------------------------------------------

          1.   Each Obligor being duly incorporated, validly existing and in
good standing and having requisite corporate power and authority to issue and
sell the Securities and to execute and deliver the Note Documents to which it is
a party.

          2.   Due authorization and execution of the Note Documents and such
Note Documents being legal, valid, binding and enforceable (including specific
opinions regarding choice of law and usury).

          3.   No conflicts with charter documents, laws or other agreements.

          4.   All consents required to issue and sell the Securities and to
execute and deliver the Note Documents having been obtained.

          5.   No litigation questioning validity of documents.

          6.   The Securities not requiring registration under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended; no need to qualify an indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

          7.   No violation of Regulations G, T or X of the Federal Reserve
Board.

          8.   No Obligor is an "investment company", or a company "controlled"
by an "investment company", under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended.

          9.   The shares initially issuable upon exercise of the Warrants have
been duly authorized and reserved for issuance upon such exercise, and, when
issued upon such exercise in accordance with the terms of the Warrants, against
payment therefor, will be validly issue, fully paid and nonassessable.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT C

EXECUTION COPY

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

                              WARRANT AGREEMENT OF
                                UTI ENERGY CORP.

                                 400,000 SHARES

                           Dated as of April 11, 1997



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


                         COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANTS
<PAGE>
 
     WARRANT AGREEMENT dated as of April 11, 1997, between UTI Energy Corp., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company") and those persons signatory hereto
(collectively, the "Warrant Holders" or "Holders").

     The Company proposes to issue Common Stock Purchase Warrants as hereinafter
described (collectively the "Warrants") to purchase an aggregate of up to
400,000 shares of its Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share (the shares of
Common Stock issuable on exercise of the Warrants being referred to herein as
the "Warrant Shares"), in favor of the Warrant Holder. Capitalized terms used
herein, if not otherwise defined, are defined in Section 8 hereof.

     The Company and the Warrant Holder hereby agree as follows:

     SECTION 1.  TRANSFERABILITY; NOTICE OF CORPORATE ACTIONS; 
                 FORM OF THE WARRANTS.

          1.1    REGISTRATION.  The Warrants shall be numbered and shall be
registered on the books of the Company maintained at the principal executive
offices of the Company ("the Warrant Register"). The Company shall be entitled
to treat the Holder of the Warrants, as reflected in the Warrant Register, as
the owner in fact thereof for all purposes and shall not be bound to recognize
any equitable or other claim to or interest in such Warrants on the part of any
other Person.

          1.2    TRANSFERABILITY.  The Warrants are freely transferable, subject
to applicable federal and state securities laws and similar laws and
restrictions. The Holder of any Warrants so transferred shall continue to be
bound by this Agreement. However, the denomination of any Warrant hereunder
shall be a Warrant exchangeable for a minimum of 1,000 Warrant Shares and shall
be in increments of 1,000 Warrant Shares.

          1.3    TRANSFER-GENERAL.  Subject to the terms hereof, the Warrants
shall be transferable on the Warrant Register upon delivery thereof to the
Company duly endorsed by the Holder or by his duly authorized attorney or
representative, or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or
authority to transfer. In all cases of transfer by an attorney, the original
power of attorney, duly approved, or a copy thereof, duly certified, shall be
deposited and remain with the Company. In case of transfer by executors,
administrators, guardians or other legal representatives, duly authenticated
evidence of their authority shall be produced, and may be required to be
deposited and to remain with the Company in its discretion. Upon any
registration of transfer, the Company shall countersign and deliver new Warrants
to the Persons entitled thereto. The Company may require the payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in
connection with any such transfer.

          1.4    NOTICES OF CORPORATE ACTIONS.  Nothing contained in this
Warrant Agreement shall be construed as conferring upon the Holder of Warrants,
(as opposed to the holder of Warrant Shares), the right to vote or to receive
dividends or other distributions or to 

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
consent to or receive notice as a stockholder in respect of any meeting of
stockholders for the election of directors or any other matter, or any rights
whatsoever as a stockholder of the Company. However, in the event of: (a) any
taking by the Company of a record of the holders of the Common Stock for the
purpose of determining the holders thereof who are entitled to receive any
extraordinary dividend or distribution, or any right to subscribe for, purchase
or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of any class or any other
securities or (b) any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or
winding-up of the Company, the Company shall mail to each Warrant Holder in
accordance with the provisions of Section 13 hereof a notice specifying (i) the
date or expected date on which any such record is to be taken for the purpose of
such dividend, distribution or right, and the amount and character of such
dividend, distribution or right and (ii) the date or expected date on which any
such dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is to take place, the time, if any
such time is to be fixed, as of which the holders of record of Common Stock
shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock for the securities or
Other Property deliverable upon such dissolution, liquidation or winding-up and
a description in reasonable detail of the transaction. Such notice shall be
mailed to the extent practicable at least ten (10) days (and at least thirty
(30) days if the transfer books for the Warrant Shares or other class of stock
purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants shall be closed on the date that
notice is given), but not more than ninety (90) days prior to the date therein
specified. In the event that the Company at any time sends any notice to the
holders of its Common Stock, it shall concurrently send a copy of such notice to
each Warrant Holder.

          1.5    FORM OF THE WARRANTS.  The text of the Warrants and of the form
of election to purchase Warrant Shares (the "Purchase Form") shall be
substantially as set forth respectively in Exhibits A and B attached hereto.
The price per Warrant Share (the "Warrant Price") and the number of Warrant
Shares issuable upon exercise of each Warrant are subject to adjustment upon the
occurrence of certain events, all as hereinafter provided.  The Warrants shall
be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief
Executive Officer, President or one of its Vice Presidents, under its corporate
seal reproduced thereon, and attested by its Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary.

          The Warrants shall be dated as of the date of countersignature thereof
by the Company either upon initial issuance or upon transfer.

          1.6    RESTRICTIVE LEGEND.  Except as otherwise provided in this
Section 1.6, each Warrant and each certificate for Warrants or Warrant Shares
and each certificate for Warrant Shares issued to any subsequent transferee of
any such certificate, shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in
substantially the following form:

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
     UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR ANY STATE
     SECURITIES LAW. NO TRANSFER OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS
     CERTIFICATE SHALL BE VALID OR EFFECTIVE UNLESS (A) SUCH TRANSFER IS MADE
     PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT OR (B) THE
     HOLDER OF THE SECURITIES PROPOSED TO BE TRANSFERRED SHALL HAVE DELIVERED TO
     THE COMPANY AN OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY TO
     THE EFFECT THAT SUCH PROPOSED TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGIS TRATION
     REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT AND THAT THE EXERCISE OF THE WARRANTS AND PURCHASE
     OF THE WARRANT SHARES WILL BE EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF
     THE ACT AND SUCH HOLDER(S) SHALL HAVE DELIVERED TO THE COMPANY A
     CERTIFICATE SETTING FORTH THE BASIS FOR APPLYING SUCH RULE TO THE PROPOSED
     TRANSFER.


          1.7    TERMINATION OF SECURITIES LAWS RESTRICTIONS.  The legend
require ments of Section 1.6 shall terminate as to any particular Warrant or
Warrant Shares when the Company shall have received from the Holder thereof an
opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such
legend is not required in order to ensure compliance with the Securities Act.
Whenever the restrictions imposed by this Agreement shall terminate as to the
Warrants, as hereinabove provided, the Holder hereof shall be entitled to
receive from the Company, at the expense of the Company, a new Warrant or
Warrant Shares bearing no legends.
 

     SECTION 2.  TERM OF THE WARRANTS; EXERCISE OF THE WARRANTS; WARRANT PRICE,
                 ETC.

          2.1    TERM OF THE WARRANTS. Subject to the terms of this Agreement,
the Holder shall have the right, which may be exercised from time to time, from
and through the dates set forth in the Warrants, to purchase from the Company
the number of fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares which the Holder may
at the time be entitled to purchase on exercise of such Warrant. If the last day
for the exercise of the Warrants shall not be a Business Day, then the Warrant
may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.

          2.2    VESTING OF THE WARRANTS.  The Warrants shall immediately vest
and may be exercised on or after the date hereof in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement and the Warrant Certificate.

          2.3    CALL PROVISIONS.   In the event that after the date that is six
months and one Business Day from the date of issuance of the Warrants, (i) the
Daily Market Price (as included in the definition of Current Market Price below)
of the Company's Common Stock shall equal or exceed $45.00 per Share for twenty
consecutive Business Days immediately 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
prior to the commencement of the Notice Period (as defined below) and (ii) a
currently effective Registration Statement is available (and no request for a
reduction in the amount of shares able to be sold in an underwritten offering
has limited the ability of the Holders to sell Warrant Shares pursuant to such
Registration Statement) for all of the Warrant Shares during the entire Notice
Period and the Company is not otherwise in default of its obligations hereunder
or under the Registration Rights Agreement and (iii) all of the Warrant Shares
may be transferred in a public sale pursuant to a currently effective
registration statement filed under the Securities Act or in a transaction exempt
from the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act
under Section 4(1) and pursuant to Sections 1.2 and 1.3 hereof and (iv) there
has been a bona fide offer by the Company to purchase all of the Notes at 100%
or more of their face amount (plus accrued interest) and (v) the transfer books
for the Warrant Shares or other class of stock purchasable upon the exercise of
such Warrants are open on all Business Days, then the Company shall have the
right, for a purchase price of $0.25 per Warrant, to call the Warrants at the
completion of the Notice Period. The Warrants shall remain subject to prior
exercise by the Holders during the Notice Period, but not thereafter. If a
failure of the conditions contained in subsection (ii), (iii) or (v) shall occur
at any time during the Notice Period, then the Notice Period during which such
failure occured shall terminate immediately and the conditions contained in
subsections (i) through (v) shall again be required to be satisfied and a new
Notice Period shall be required to elapse before the Company shall have the
right to call the Warrants at the completion of such new Notice Period.

          2.4    EXERCISE OF THE WARRANTS.  The Warrants may be exercised upon
surrender to the Company, at its principal office, of the original certificate
evidencing the Warrant to be exercised, together with the Purchase Form, in the
form of Exhibit B hereto, on the reverse thereof duly filled in and signed, and
upon payment to the Company, of the Warrant Price (as defined in and determined
in accordance with the provisions of Sections 2 and 6 hereof), for the number of
Warrant Shares in respect of which such Warrant is then exercised. Upon partial
exercise, a Warrant Certificate for the unexercised portion shall be delivered
to the Holder. Payment of the aggregate Warrant Price shall be payable (i) in
cash, (ii) by certified or official bank check or wire transfer or (iii) by
delivery to the Company of the Company's 12% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2001
(the "Notes") which shall be valued for this purpose at the principal amount
thereof so delivered plus the accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

          Subject to Section 3 hereof, upon such surrender of the Warrants and
payment of the Warrant Price as aforesaid, the Company shall issue and cause to
be delivered with all reasonable dispatch to or upon the written order of the
Holder and in such name or names as the Holder may designate, a certificate or
certificates for the number of full Warrant Shares so purchased upon the
exercise of such Warrant, together with cash, as provided in Section 9 hereof,
in respect of any fractional Warrant Shares otherwise issuable upon such
surrender.  Such certificate or certificates shall be deemed to have been issued
and any Person so designated to be named therein shall be deemed to have become
a holder of record of such Warrant Shares as of the date of the surrender of
such Warrant and payment of the Warrant Price, as aforesaid; provided, however,
                                                             --------  ------- 
that if, at the date of surrender of such Warrant and 

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
payment of such Warrant Price, the transfer books for the Warrant Shares or
other class of stock purchasable upon the exercise of such Warrant shall be
closed, the certificates for the Warrant Shares in respect of which such Warrant
are then exercised shall be issuable as of the date on which such books shall
next be opened (whether before or after the Expiration Date or the Notice
Period) and until such date the Company shall be under no duty to deliver any
certificate for such Warrant Shares; provided, further, that the transfer books
                                     --------  -------
of record, unless otherwise required by law, shall not be closed at any one time
for a period longer than 20 calendar days and shall not be closed if a notice
pursuant to Section 1.4 has been sent to the Holders.

          2.5    WARRANT PRICE.  The price per share at which Warrant Shares
shall be purchasable upon exercise of the Warrant (the "Warrant Price") shall be
$32.50, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 6 hereof.

     SECTION 3.  PAYMENT OF TAXES AND INDEMNIFICATION.
 
          3.1    PAYMENT OF TAXES.  The Company will pay all documentary stamp
taxes, if any, attributable to the issuance of Warrants and Warrant Shares upon
the exercise of the Warrants.

          3.2    INDEMNIFICATION.  Warrant Holder hereby agrees to indemnify and
hold the Company harmless from any and all taxes on the Warrant Holder that may
result from the issuance of the Warrants or any subsequent exercise of the
Warrants and issuance of the Warrant Shares.

     SECTION 4.  MUTILATED OR MISSING WARRANTS.  In case the Warrants shall be
mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed, the Company shall issue and deliver in
exchange and substitution for and upon cancellation of the mutilated Warrants,
or in lieu of and substitution for the Warrants lost, stolen or destroyed, a new
certificate of like tenor and representing an equivalent right or interest; but
only upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of such
loss, theft or destruction of such Warrant certificate and indemnity or bond, if
requested, also reasonably satisfactory to it.  An applicant for such substitute
Warrant certificate shall also comply with such other reasonable regulations and
pay such other reasonable charges as the Company may prescribe.

     SECTION 5.  RESERVATION OF WARRANT SHARES.

          5.1    RESERVATION OF WARRANT SHARES.  There have been reserved, and
the Company shall at all times keep reserved, out of its authorized shares of
Common Stock, a number of shares of Common Stock sufficient to provide for the
exercise of the rights of purchase represented by the outstanding Warrants. The
Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon exercise of
Warrants will, upon issue, be fully paid, nonassessable, free of preemptive
rights and free from all taxes, liens, charges and security interests with
respect to the issue thereof.  The Warrants surrendered in the exercise of the
rights thereby evidenced shall be canceled by the Company.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
          5.2    CANCELLATION OF THE WARRANTS.  In the event the Company shall
purchase or otherwise acquire the Warrants, the same shall be canceled and
retired.

     SECTION 6.  ADJUSTMENT OF WARRANT PRICE AND NUMBER OF WARRANT SHARES. The
number and kind of securities purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants and
the Warrant Price shall be subject to adjustment from time to time upon the
happening of certain events, as hereinafter defined.

           6.1  STOCK DIVIDENDS, SUBDIVISIONS AND COMBINATIONS.  If at any time
the Company shall:

           (i)   pay a dividend in, or make a distribution of, additional shares
     of Common Stock to the holders of all the Common Stock Outstanding,

           (ii)  subdivide its shares of Common Stock Outstanding  into a larger
     number of shares of such Common Stock, or

           (iii) combine its shares of Common Stock Outstanding  into a smaller
     number of shares of such Common Stock,

then the Exercise Price shall be adjusted to equal the product of the Exercise
Price in effect immediately prior to such event multiplied by a fraction the
numerator of which is equal to the number of shares of Common Stock Outstanding
immediately prior to the adjustment and the denominator of which is equal to the
number of shares of Common Stock Outstanding immediately after such adjustment.

          6.2.  RIGHTS OFFERINGS OF COMMON STOCK.  (a) In case the Company shall
issue rights, options or warrants to all holders of its Common Stock entitling
them to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share
less than the Current Market Price per share (determined as provided below) of
the Common Stock on the date fixed for the determination of stockholders
entitled to receive such rights, options or warrants, the Exercise Price in
effect at the opening of business on the day following the date fixed for such
determination shall be decreased by multiplying such Exercise Price by a
fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination
plus the number of shares of Common Stock which the aggregate of the offering
price of the total number of shares of Common Stock so offered for subscription
or purchase would purchase at such Current Market Price and the denominator
shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of
business on the date fixed for such determination plus the number of shares of
Common Stock so offered for subscription or purchase, such decrease to become
effective immediately after the opening of business on the day following the
date fixed for such determination. To the extent that shares of Common Stock are
not delivered after the expiration of such rights, options or warrants, the
Exercise Price shall be readjusted (but only with regard to the Warrants
exercised after such expiration) to the Exercise Price that would be in effect
had the adjustment made upon the issuance of such rights, options or warrants
been made upon the basis of delivery of only the 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
number of shares of Common Stock actually issued. For the purposes of this
provision, the number of shares of Common Stock at any time outstanding shall
not include shares held in the treasury of the Company but shall include shares
issuable in respect of script certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares
of Common Stock. The Company will not issue any rights, options or warrants in
respect of shares of Common Stock held in the treasury of the Company. The
foregoing provisions of this Section 6.2 shall not apply to any rights issued to
holders of the Company's Common Stock that are not currently exercisable and
shall not apply until such time that such rights become exercisable.

          (b)  The provisions of this Section 6.2 shall not apply to any
issuance of Common Stock for which an adjustment is provided for under Section
6.1.

          6.3.  OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS.  In case the Company shall, by dividend or
otherwise, distribute to all holders of its Common Stock evidences of its
indebtedness, shares of any class of capital stock, or other property (including
securities, but excluding (i) any rights, options or warrants referred to in
Section 6.2, (ii) any dividend or distribution paid exclusively in cash, (iii)
any dividend or distribution referred to in Section 6.1, and (iv) any merger or
consolidation or other transactions to which Section 6.5 applies), the Exercise
Price shall be reduced by multiplying the Exercise Price in effect immediately
prior to the close of business on the date fixed for the determination of
stockholders entitled to receive such distribution by a fraction of which the
numerator shall be the Current Market Price per share of the Common Stock on the
date fixed for such determination (the "Reference Date") less the then fair
market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors whose
determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) on the Reference Date
of the portion assets, shares or evidences of indebtedness of the Company so
distributed applicable to one share of Common Stock and the denominator shall be
the Current Market Price per share of the Common Stock on the Reference Date,
such adjustment to become effective immediately prior to the opening of business
on the day following the Reference Date; provided however, that if such dividend
or distribution is ultimately not paid, the Exercise Price shall be
retroactively readjusted as provided in Section 6.4
 
          6.4.   ADJUSTMENT OF NUMBER OF SHARES PURCHASABLE.  Upon any
adjustment of the Exercise Price as provided in Section 6 hereof, the Warrant
Holder shall thereafter be entitled to purchase upon the exercise of the
Warrants, at the Exercise Price resulting from such adjustment, the number of
shares of Common Stock (calculated to the nearest 1/100th of a share) obtained
by multiplying the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment
by the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on the exercise hereof
immediately prior to such adjustment and dividing the product thereof by the
Exercise Price resulting from such adjustment.

          6.5.  REORGANIZATION, RECLASSIFICATION, MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR
DISPOSITION OF ASSETS  In case the Company shall reorganize its capital,
reclassify its capital stock, consolidate or merge with or into another
corporation (where the Company is not the surviving corporation or where there
is any change whatsoever in, or distribution with respect to, the Outstanding
Common Stock of the Company), or sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
all or substantially all of its property, assets or business to another
corporation and, pursuant to the terms of such reorganization, reclassification,
merger, consolidation or disposition of assets, (i) shares of common stock of
the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company (if it is the surviving
corporation) or (ii) any cash, shares of stock or other securities or property
of any nature whatsoever (including warrants or other subscription or purchase
rights) in addition to or in lieu of common stock of the successor or acquiring
corporation ("Other Property") are to be received by or distributed to the
holders of Common Stock of the Company who are holders immediately prior to such
transaction, then the Warrant Holder shall have the right thereafter to receive,
upon exercise of the Warrants, the number of shares of common stock of the
successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving
corporation, and Other Property receivable upon or as a result of such
reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation or disposition of
assets by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which the
Warrants are exercisable immediately prior to such event. In such event, the
aggregate Exercise Price otherwise payable for the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of the Warrants shall be allocated among the shares of
common stock and Other Property receivable as a result of such reorganization,
reclassification, merger, consolidation or disposition of assets in proportion
to the respective fair market values of such shares of common stock and Other
Property as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company
which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error. In case of any
such reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation or disposition of
assets, the successor or acquiring corporation (if other than the Company) shall
expressly assume the due and punctual observance and performance of each and
every covenant and condition of this Agreement to be performed and observed by
the Company and all the obligations and liabilities hereunder, subject to such
modifications as may be reasonably deemed appropriate (as determined by
resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company) in order to provide for
adjustments of any shares of the common stock of such successor or acquiring
corporation for which the Warrants thus become exercisable, which modifications
shall be as equivalent as practicable to the adjustments provided for in this
Section 6. For purposes of this Section 6.5, "common stock of the successor or
acquiring corporation" shall include stock of such corporation of any class that
is not preferred as to dividends or assets over any other class of stock of such
corporation and that is not subject to redemption and shall also include any
evidences of indebtedness, shares of stock or other securities that are
convertible into or exchangeable for any such stock, either immediately or upon
the arrival of a specified date or the happening of a specified event and any
warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any such stock. The
foregoing provisions of this Section 6.5 shall similarly apply to successive
reorganizations, reclassification, mergers, consolidations or disposition of
assets.

          6.6.   DETERMINATION OF CONSIDERATION.  For purposes of Sections 6.1,
6.2, 6.3 and 6.5 hereof, the consideration received and/or receivable by the
Company in connection with the issuance, sale, grant or exercise of additional
shares of Common Stock, Stock Purchase Rights or Convertible Securities,
irrespective of the accounting treatment of such consideration, shall be valued
as follows:

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
          (1) SECURITIES OR OTHER PROPERTY.  In the case of securities or other
property, the fair market value thereof as of the date immediately preceding
such issuance, sale, grant or exercise as determined in good faith by the Board
of Directors of the Company which determination shall be conclusive absent
manifest error.
 
          (2) DIVIDENDS IN SECURITIES  In case the Company shall declare a
dividend or make any other distribution upon any stock of the Company payable in
either case in Common Stock or Convertible Securities, such Common Stock or
Convertible Securities, as the case may be, issuable in payment of such dividend
or distribution shall be deemed to have been issued or sold without
consideration.

          (3) MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE OF ASSETS.  In case any shares of
Common Stock, Stock Purchase Rights or Convertible Securities shall be issued in
connection with any merger or consolidation in which the Company is the
surviving corporation, the amount of consideration therefor shall be deemed to
be the fair value of such portion of the assets and business of the non-
surviving corporation attributable to such Common Stock, Stock Purchase Rights
or Convertible Securities, as is determined in good faith by the Company's Board
of Directors which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.


          6.7.   OTHER PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ADJUSTMENTS UNDER THIS SECTION.
The following provisions shall be applicable to the adjustments provided for
pursuant to this Section 6:

          (a)  WHEN ADJUSTMENTS TO BE MADE. The adjustments required by this
Section 6 shall be made whenever and as often as any specified event requiring
such an adjust  ment shall occur.  For the purpose of any such adjustment, any
specified event shall be deemed to have occurred at the close of business on the
date of its occurrence.
 
          (b)  FRACTIONAL INTERESTS.  In computing adjustments under this
Section 6, fractional interests in Common Stock shall be taken into account to
the nearest 1/100th of a share.

          (c)  WHEN ADJUSTMENT NOT REQUIRED. If the Company shall take a record
of the holders of its Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to receive
a dividend or distribution to which the provisions of Section 6 would apply, but
shall, thereafter and before the distribution to stockholders thereof, legally
abandon its plan to pay or deliver such dividend or distribution, then
thereafter no adjustment shall be required by reason of the taking of such
record and any such adjustment previously made in respect thereof shall be
rescinded and annulled.

          (d) MAXIMUM EXERCISE PRICE.  Except as provided in Section 6.1 above,
at no time shall the Exercise Price per share of Common Stock exceed the amount
set forth in this Agreement.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
          (e) CERTAIN LIMITATIONS.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, the Company agrees not to enter into any transaction that, by reason
of any adjustment under Section 6 above, would cause the Exercise Price to be
less than the par value of the Common Stock, if any, unless the Company first
reduces the par value of the Common Stock to be less than the Exercise Price
that would result from such transaction.

          (f) NOTICE OF ADJUSTMENTS.  Whenever the number of shares of Common
Stock for which the Warrants are exercisable or the Exercise Price shall be
adjusted pursuant to this Section 6, the Company shall forthwith prepare a
certificate to be executed by the chief financial officer of the Company setting
forth, in reasonable detail, the event requiring the adjustment and the method
by which such adjustment was calculated, specifying the number of shares of
Common Stock for which the Warrants are exercisable and (if such adjustment was
made pursuant to Section 6.3) describing the number and kind of any other shares
of stock or Other Property for which the Warrants are exercisable, and any
related change in the Exercise Price, after giving effect to such adjustment or
change. The Company shall within a reasonable amount of time cause a signed copy
of such certificate to be delivered to each Holder in accordance with Section
13. The Company shall keep at its principal office copies of all such
certificates and cause the same to be available for inspection at said office
during normal business hours by any Holder or any prospective transferee of any
Warrants designated by a Holder thereof.

          6.8  DISPUTES. In the event that there is any dispute as to the
computation of the price or the number of Warrant Shares required to be issued
upon exercise of Warrants or any other disputed calculation or adjustment under
Section 6 hereof, the Warrant Holders and the Company will retain an independent
and nationally recognized accounting firm to conduct at the expense of the
Company a special procedures engagement of the computations pursuant to the
terms hereof involved in such dispute, including the financial statements or
other information upon which such computations were based. The determination of
such nationally recognized accounting firm shall, in the absence of manifest
error, be binding upon the Warrant Holders and the Company. If there shall be a
dispute as to the selection of such nationally recognized accounting firm, such
firm shall be appointed by the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants, if willing, otherwise the American Arbitration Association, upon
application by the Company or any holder or holders of at least 25% of the
outstanding Warrants with notice to the others.
 
 
     SECTION 7.  REGISTRATION.

                 (a) COMPANY REGISTRATION.  The Company shall register the
Warrant Shares as may be required from time to time under the Registration
Rights Agreement under the Securities Act, and the Company shall, at such time,
promptly give all holders of Registrable Securities written notice of such
registration.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
                 (b) EXPENSES.  The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses
incurred in connection with the registration of Registrable Securities pursuant
to the Registration Rights Agreement.

     SECTION 8.  DEFINITIONS.
 
           As used in this Warrant Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following respective meanings:

          BUSINESS DAY shall mean any day that is not a Saturday or Sunday or a
day on which banks are required or permitted to be closed in the State of
California.

          COMMISSION means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
          COMMON STOCK means (except where the context indicates that it means
the Common Stock of another corporation such as a Constituent Corporation) the
Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, as constituted on its
original date of issue by the Company, and any capital stock into which such
Common Stock may thereafter be changed, and shall also include (i) capital stock
of the Company of any other class (regardless of how denominated) issued to the
holders of shares of any Common Stock upon any reclassification thereof which is
also not preferred as to dividends or liquidation over any other class of stock
of the Company and which is not subject to redemption and (ii) shares of common
stock of any successor or acquiring corporation (as defined in Section 6.5
hereof) received by or distributed to the holders of Common Stock of the Company
in the circumstances contemplated by Section 6.5 hereof.

          CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES shall mean evidences of indebtedness, shares of
stock or other securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, with or
without payment of additional consideration in cash or property, shares of
Common Stock, either immediately or upon the occurrence of a specified date or a
specified event.

          CURRENT MARKET PRICE shall mean as of any specified date the average
of the Daily Market Prices of the Common Stock of the Company for the shorter of
(x) the twenty (20) consecutive Business Days immediately preceding such date or
(y) the period commencing on the Business Day next following the first public
announcement of any event giving rise to an adjustment of the Exercise Price
pursuant to Section 6 and ending on such specified date. The "Daily Market
Price" for each such Business Day shall be: (i) if the Common Stock is then
listed on a national securities exchange or is listed on NASDAQ and is
designated as a National Market System security, the last sale price, regular
way, on such day on the principal stock exchange or market system on which such
Common Stock is then listed or admitted to trading, or, if no such sale takes
place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices for the
Common Stock on such day as reported on such stock exchange or market system or
(ii) if the Common Stock is not then listed or admitted to trading on any
national securities exchange or designated as a National Market System security
on NASDAQ but is traded over-the-counter, the 

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
average of the closing bid and asked prices for the Common Stock as reported on
NASDAQ or the Electronic Bulletin Board or in the National Daily Quotation
                                                  ------------------------
Sheets, as applicable.
- - ------
          EXCHANGE ACT  means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
or any successor act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.

          EXERCISE PRICE shall mean, in respect of a share of Common Stock at
any date herein specified, the initial Exercise Price set forth in this
Agreement as adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 6 hereof.

          EXPIRATION DATE means the seventh anniversary of the date
of this Agreement.

          FAIR VALUE means, per share of Common Stock as of any specified date,
(i) if the Common Stock is publicly traded on such date, the Current Market
Price per share or (ii) if the Common Stock is not publicly traded on such date,
the fair market value per share of Common Stock as determined in good faith by
the Board of Directors of the Company which determination shall be conclusive
absent manifest error, and set forth in a written notice to each Holder.     

          NOTICE PERIOD shall mean the period of ninety (90) days commencing
upon the delivery to the Holders of written notice of the Company's intention to
call the Warrants pursuant to Section 2.3, provided that conditions (i), (ii),
(iii) ,(iv) and (v) of Section 2.3 have been satisfied and that such conditions
(ii), (iii) and (v) continue to have been satisfied for such 90 days.

          OUTSTANDING shall mean, when used with reference to Common Stock, at
any date as of which the number of shares thereof is to be determined, all
issued shares of Common Stock, except shares then owned or held by or for the
account of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, and shall include all shares
issuable in respect of outstanding scrip or any certificates representing
fractional interests in shares of Common Stock.

          ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE shall mean the date on which the Warrants were
issued, as set forth on Exhibit B hereto.

          PERSON shall mean any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture, trust, incorporated organization,
association, corporation, institution, public benefit corporation, entity or
government (whether federal, state, county, city, municipal or otherwise,
including, without limitation, any instrumentality, division, agency, body or
department thereof).

          REGISTRABLE SECURITIES shall have the meaning specified for such term
in the Registration Rights Agreement.

          REGISTRATION EXPENSES shall have the meaning specified for such term
in the Registration Rights Agreement.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
          REGISTRATION RIGHTS means the right of a Holder to have its
Registrable Securities registered pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement and
pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT means the Agreement dated as of April
11, 1997 between the Company and the Holders.

          STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS shall mean any options, warrants or other
securities or rights to subscribe to or exercisable for the purchase of shares
of Common Stock or Convertible Securities, whether or not immediately
exercisable.
 
          SECURITIES ACT means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any
successor act thereto, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.
 
 
     SECTION 9.  FRACTIONAL INTERESTS.  The Company shall not be required to
issue fractional Warrant Shares on the exercise of the Warrants. If any fraction
of a Warrant Share would, except for the provisions of this Section 9, be
issuable on the exercise of the Warrants (or specified portion thereof), the
Company shall pay an amount in cash equal to the closing price for one share of
the Common Stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date the Warrants
are presented for exercise, multiplied by such fraction.

     SECTION 10. NO RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER; NOTICES TO HOLDER.  Nothing contained
in this Agreement or in the Warrants shall be construed as conferring upon the
Holder or his permitted transferees the right to vote or to receive dividends or
to consent to or receive notice as a stockholder in respect of any meeting of
stockholders for the election of directors of the Company or any other matter,
or any rights whatsoever as a stockholder of the Company.

     SECTION 11. INSPECTION OF WARRANT AGREEMENT.  The Company shall keep copies
of this Agreement and any notices given or received hereunder available for
inspection by the Holder during normal business hours at its principal office.

     SECTION 12. FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION.  Until the Expiration Date,
the Company shall deliver to each Warrant Holder, copies of all public financial
statements, reports and filings, notices and proxy statements sent or made
available by the Company to the holders of any class of its securities generally
at the time that such documents are generally made available to the Company's
stockholders.

     SECTION 13. NOTICES.  Any notice pursuant to this Agreement by any Holder
to the Company, shall be in writing and shall be mailed first class, postage
prepaid, or delivered to the Company at its office at 485 Devon Park Dr., Ste
112, Wayne, PA 19087

          Each party hereto may from time to time change the address to which
notices to it are to be delivered or mailed hereunder by notice in writing to
the other party.  Any 

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
notice mailed pursuant to this Agreement by the Company to the Holder shall be
in writing and shall be mailed first class, postage prepaid, or delivered to the
Holder at his address on the transfer books and a copy thereof shall be
delivered to Canpartners Incorporated IV, LLC c/o Canyon Partners Incorporated,
9665 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 200, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, attention: Scott
Imbach, Telecopy No. (310) 247-2701.

     SECTION 14. GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING
EFFECT TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS. THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE TO SUBMIT TO
THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE IN ANY ACTION OR
PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

     SECTION 15. SUPPLEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS.  The Company may from time to time
supplement or amend this Agreement in order to cure any ambiguity or to correct
or supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or
inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions in
regard to matters or questions arising hereunder which the Company may deem
necessary or desirable and which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions
of the Warrant and which shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holder.

     SECTION 16. SUCCESSORS.  All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement
by or for the benefit of the Company or the Holders of the Warrants shall bind
and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.

     SECTION 17. MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OF THE COMPANY.  So long as the
Warrants remain outstanding, the Company will not merge or consolidate with or
into, or sell, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its property to,
any other corporation unless the successor or purchasing corporation, as the
case may be (if not the Company), shall expressly assume, by supplemental
agreement, the due and punctual performance and observance of each and every
covenant and condition of this Agreement to be performed and observed by the
Company.

     SECTION 18. BENEFITS OF THIS AGREEMENT.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be
construed to give to any Person other than the Company and the Holders of the
Warrants, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement,
but this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company
and the Holders.

     SECTION 19. CAPTIONS.  The captions of the Sections of this Agreement have
been inserted for convenience only and shall have no substantive effect.

     SECTION 20. COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original; but
such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be duly
executed as of the day, month and year first above written.

 

                                UTI ENERGY CORP., a Delaware corporation


                               By:
                                     --------------------------------
                               Title:
                                     --------------------------------

 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
Canpartners Incorporated IV, LLC,
a California limited liability company

By:  Canpartners Incorporated,
     a California corporation,
     its managing member

By:  
     --------------------------------
     Name:
     Title

<PAGE>
 
EXECUTION COPY

                                                                       EXHIBIT D

                   REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT IN FAVOR OF

                     THE HOLDERS OF REGISTRABLE SECURITIES
<PAGE>
 
                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT


     This Registration Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of April 11, 1997 by and among UTI Energy Corp., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and the holders of Registrable Securities (the "Holders")
signatory to this Agreement.

     This Agreement is made pursuant to the Warrant Agreement (the "Warrant
Agreement") dated as of April 11, 1997 by and among the Company and the Warrant
Holders (as defined in the Warrant Agreement), pursuant to which the Holders are
receiving common stock warrants (the "Warrants") in connection with the purchase
of $25,000,000 of the Company's 12% notes pursuant to a note purchase agreement,
dated as of  April 11, 1997 between the Company and the purchasers named
therein.

     The parties hereby agree as follows:

     1.   CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.
          ------------------- 

          As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following respective meanings:

          (a) AFFILIATE of a specified Person means any other Person that
              ---------                                                  
directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediates, controls, is
controlled by or is under common control with the Person specified, or who holds
or beneficially owns 50% or more of the equity interest in the Person specified
or 50% or more of the voting securities of the Person specified.  A managed
account of a Person is also an Affiliate of such Person.

          (b) BUSINESS DAY means any day on which banking institutions
              ------------                                               
in Los Angeles, California are authorized or obligated by law or executive order
to close.

          (c) COMMISSION means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
              ----------                                              

          (d) COMPANY means UTI Energy Corp. or any successor to it or to
              -------                                                    
its business.

          (e) COMMON STOCK means (except where the context otherwise indicates)
              ------------                                                      
the Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, as constituted on
its original date of issue by the Company, and any capital stock into which such
Common Stock may thereafter be changed, and shall also include (i) capital stock
of the Company of any other class (regardless of how denominated) issued to the
holders of shares of any Common Stock upon any reclassification thereof which is
also not preferred as to dividends or liquidation over any other class of stock
of the Company and which is not subject to redemption and (ii) shares of common
stock of any successor corporation or acquiring corporation.
<PAGE>
 
          (f) DEMANDING HOLDERS shall have the meaning set forth in Section
              -----------------                                            
2(a)

          (g) DEMAND REGISTRATION shall have the meaning set forth in
              -------------------                                    
Section 2(a).

 
          (h) EXCHANGE ACT means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
              ------------                                              
amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

          (i) EXPIRATION DATE means the date on which no Holder holds any
              ---------------                                            
Registrable Securities.

          (j) HOLDERS shall have the meaning set forth in the first paragraph
              -------                                              
hereof.

          (k) OTHER COMMON STOCK shall have the meaning set forth in Section 
              ------------------
4(b) hereof.

          (l) PERSON means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint
              ------                                                      
venture, association, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or other agency or political
subdivision thereof.

          (m) PIGGYBACK REGISTRATION shall have the meaning set forth in
              ----------------------                                    
Section 2(b)  hereof.

          (n) PIGGYBACK SHARES shall have the meaning set forth in Section
              ----------------                                            
2(c) hereof.

          (o) REGISTRABLE SECURITIES means any Warrant Shares (as defined below)
              ----------------------                                            
which may be acquired and owned by a Holder, or any securities received by a
Holder in exchange for such securities and any shares of Common Stock held by
Remy.  As to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease
to be Registrable Securities when (x) such securities shall have been disposed
of pursuant to an effective registration statement, (y) such securities shall
have been transferred to any Person other than the Holders pursuant to Rule 144
(or any successor provision) or shall be transferable pursuant to paragraph (k)
thereof (or any successor provision) under the Securities Act, or (z) they shall
have ceased to be held by the Holders or any Affiliate of the Holders or any
Transferee of the Holders or their Affiliates.

          (p) REGISTRATION EXPENSES means all expenses incident to the
              ---------------------                                   
performance of or compliance with the registration rights granted herein,
including, without limitation, all registration, filing, listing and NASD fees,
all fees and expenses of complying with securities or blue sky laws, all word
processing, duplicating and printing expenses, messenger and delivery expenses,
the fees and expenses of the Company's counsel and the fees and expenses of the
Company's independent public accountants, including the expenses of any special
audits, should any such special audit be required, or "cold comfort" letters
required by or incident to such performance and compliance, and any fees and
disbursements of underwriters customarily paid by issuers and sellers 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
of securities which may be paid by the Company in connection with the
registration of any securities for which the Holders have the right to Piggyback
Registration for the Registrable Securities; provided, however, that
                                             --------  -------
Registration Expenses shall not include the fees and expenses of the Selling
Holders' counsel, any brokerage or similar commissions or charges or any
underwriting discounts, commissions or transfer taxes, if any, all of which
shall be borne by the Selling Holders.

          (q) REMY shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(c) hereof.
              ----                                                         

          (r) REMY SHARES shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(c)
              -----------                                                 
hereof.
 
          (s) SECURITIES ACT means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or
              --------------                                                 
any successor statute thereto, and the rules and regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in
effect at the time.

          (t) SELLING HOLDERS means those Holders who have requested
              ---------------                                       
registration pursuant to this agreement  and who are selling securities
hereunder.

          (u) SHARES means the Company's common stock, as constituted on the
              ------                                                        
date hereof, or any stock or other securities, for which such common stock shall
have been exchanged, or any stock or other securities resulting from any
reclassification of such Shares.

          (v) TRANSFEREE shall mean the first holder of Registrable Securities
              ----------                                                      
or Remy Shares by a transfer from a Holder or Remy or an Affiliate of a Holder
or Remy provided, however, that a Person acquiring such Registrable Securities
pursuant to a transfer under an effective registration statement or pursuant to
a sale under Rule 144 shall not be a Transferee.
 
          (w) VIOLATION shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).
              ---------                                                  

          (x) WARRANT AGREEMENT means the Warrant Agreement, dated as of April
              -----------------                                               
11, 1997 between the Company and the Warrant Holders listed therein.

          (y) WARRANTS shall mean any warrants issued pursuant to the Warrant
              --------                                               
Agreement.

          (z) WARRANT SHARES shall mean the Shares of Company Common Stock and
              --------------                                                  
any other securities issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.

     2.   REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
          ------------------- 

          (a) Until the Expiration Date, on four occasions, but in no event
during the period ending 90 days following the completion of a registered public
offering of Common Stock by the Company (other than an offering pursuant to an
employee benefit plan or in connection with a merger or acquisition), any Holder
or Holders of Registrable Securities then outstanding (collectively, the

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
"Demanding Holders") may request, pursuant to this Section 2(a), that the
Company register under the Securities Act the Registrable Securities pursuant to
a non-underwritten offering having a period of distribution not to exceed 120
days (a "Demand Registration") provided, however, the Company shall not be
                               --------  -------                          
obligated to prepare and file any registration statement pursuant to this
Section 2(a), or prepare or file any amendment or supplement thereto, at any
time when the Company, in the good faith judgment of its Board of Directors,
whose decision shall be conclusive absent manifest error, reasonably believes
that the filing thereof at the time requested, or the offering of securities
pursuant thereto, would materially and adversely affect a pending or proposed
public offering of securities of the Company, an acquisition, merger,
recapitalization, consolidation, reorganization or similar transaction relating
to the Company or its Affiliates or negotiations, discussions or pending
proposals with respect thereto or require premature disclosure of information
not otherwise required to be disclosed to the potential detriment of the Company
or its Affiliates.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Section 2(a), the Company shall be permitted to suspend the period of sale or
distribution of shares of Common Stock subject to a registration pursuant to
this Section 2(a) at any time when the Company reasonably believes that the sale
or distribution thereof at the time requested would materially and adversely
affect a pending or proposed public offering of securities of the Company, an
acquisition, merger, recapitalization, consolidation, reorganization or similar
transaction relating to the Company or its Affiliates or negotiations,
discussions or pending proposals with respect thereto or require premature
disclosure of information not otherwise required to be disclosed to the
potential detriment of the Company or its Affiliates; provided, however, that
                                                      --------  -------      
such period of sale or distribution shall resume after any such suspension for a
number of days necessary to keep such registration effective for permitted sales
thereunder for a term of 120 days.  The filing of a registration statement, or
any amendment or supplement thereto, by the Company may not be deferred for any
reason whatsoever, and the sale and distribution of shares may not be suspended
for more than 105 days.

          (b) If, at any time after the date hereof, the Company proposes to
register under the Securities Act any shares of Common Stock for sale by it
pursuant to an underwritten public offering of the Common Stock (except with
respect to registration statements filed on Form S-4 or such other forms as
shall be prescribed under the Securities Act for the same purposes as such
form), it will at each such time, prior to the filing of any such registration
statement, give written notice to each Holder of Registrable Securities of such
registration (a "Piggyback Registration") regardless of whether the Holder had
previously exercised piggyback registration rights or demand rights as to any
other shares of stock held by it, and, upon the written request given within 5
days following the date of such notice (which must specify the number of shares
of Common Stock to participate in such underwritten offering) of the Holder
delivered to the Company within five days of receipt of the Company's notice,
the Company will use its best efforts to cause any Registrable Securities as to
which registration shall have been so requested to be included in the shares to
be sold pursuant to such underwritten public offering as covered by the
registration statement proposed to be filed by the Company.  Nothing contained
in this Section 4(b) shall, however, limit the Company's right to cancel,
postpone or withdraw any such proposed registration for any reason.  Any request
by the Holder pursuant to this Section 4(b) to register Registrable Securities
for sale in the underwriting shall be on the same terms and conditions as the
shares of Common Stock to be registered and sold through 

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
underwriters under such registration; provided, however, that as a condition to
                                      --------  -------
such inclusion the Holder shall execute an underwriting agreement acceptable to
the underwriters and, if requested, a custody agreement having such customary
terms as the underwriters shall request, including indemnification, and if the
managing underwriter determines and advises in writing that the inclusion in the
underwriting of all Registrable Securities proposed to be included by the Holder
and any other shares of Common Stock sought to be registered by any other
stockholder of the Company exercising rights comparable to those of the Holder
under the Agreement (the "Other Common Stock") would, in its reasonable and good
faith judgment, interfere with the successful marketing of the securities
proposed to be registered for underwriting by the Company then the number of
Registrable Securities and Other Common Stock requested to be included in the
underwriting shall be reduced pro rata (based upon the number of shares
requested to be included in such underwriting) among the Holder and the holders
of Other Common Stock requesting such registration and inclusion in the
underwriting and may, in the determination of such managing underwriter and
consistent with pro rata reduction, be reduced to zero.

          (c) REMY PIGGYBACK REGISTRATION.  If at any time the Company shall
              ---------------------------                                   
contemplate filing a registration statement under the Act in order to register
any shares of the Company's Common Stock beneficially owned by Remy Capital
Partners III L.P. or its successors or assigns or any Transferees of Remy
(collectively, "Remy") for sale in a public offering, the Company shall give to
the Holder not less than thirty days prior written notice of its intentions,
which notice shall specify the number of shares of Common Stock to be registered
pursuant to the contemplated registration statement and the total number of such
shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Remy to be registered pursuant to
the contemplated registration statement (the "Remy Shares").  The Holders shall
have the right, exercisable by written notice delivered to the Company not later
than the fifteenth day following the date of the Company's notice, to cause the
Company to include in such registration statement up to a number of Warrant
Shares (disregarding fractional shares) determined by multiplying (x) the total
number of Warrant Shares then owned of record by the Holder, and (y) a fraction,
the numerator of which is the number of Remy Shares and the denominator of which
is the number of  shares of Common Stock then held of record by Remy.  In the
alternative, the Holder may specify any lesser whole number of Warrant Shares
then owned of record by the Holder.  The number of the Holder's Warrant Shares
so properly specified is herein referred to as the "Piggyback Shares". The
Company shall include the Piggyback Shares in any registration statement filed
by it which includes the Remy Shares, and shall thereafter use its reasonable
efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective and to remain
effective for the period required to permit the public offering of the Piggyback
Shares, but not longer than 60 days.  However, if all or any part of the
proposed registration is to be underwritten (whether on a "best efforts" or
"firm commitment" basis) the managing underwriter shall have the right to
exclude the Piggyback Shares, to the extent the inclusion of such Piggyback
Shares and Remy Shares would, in the written opinion of such managing
underwriter, adversely affect the successful distribution of the underwritten
portion of the public offering, provided such exclusion applies on a
proportional basis not only to Piggyback Shares but also to all other securities
proposed to be included other than those to be issued and sold for the benefit
of the Company pursuant to such registration statement.  Any exclusion of
Piggyback Shares 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
and other shares shall be made pro rata among all persons other than the Company
whose common stock was to have been included in the offering, including Remy.

          (d) REGISTRATION STATEMENT FORM.  The Company may, if permitted by
              ---------------------------                                   
law, effect any registration requested under Section 2(a) by the filing of a
registration statement on Form S-3 (or any successor or similar short-form
registration statement).

          (e) EXPENSES.  The Company shall pay all Registration Expenses
              --------                                                  
incurred in connection with the registration of Registrable Securities pursuant
to Section 2(a), 2(b) or 2(c) hereunder.

          (f) EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT.  Any registration effected  by
              --------------------------------                                
the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall not be deemed to have been effected
unless it has become effective with the Commission, provided, however, that a
                                                    --------  -------        
registration which does not become effective after the Company has filed a
registration statement with respect thereto with the Commission solely by reason
of the Demanding Holders failing to proceed with the registration shall be
deemed to have been effected by the Company in satisfaction of  one of the
Company's four demand obligations pursuant to Section 2(a) to register
Registrable Securities pursuant to a Demand Registration. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, a registration statement will not be deemed to have been effected if
after it has become effective with the Commission, such registration is
interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of
the Commission or other governmental agency or any court proceeding for any
reason other than a misrepresentation or omission by the Holders.

          (g) CONFLICTING INSTRUCTIONS FROM HOLDERS.   The Company may rely and
              -------------------------------------                            
shall be protected in relying upon any resolution, certificate, opinion,
request, communication, demand, receipt or other paper or document in good faith
believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper
party or parties.  The Company may act in reliance upon the advice of its
counsel in reference to any matter in connection with this Agreement and shall
not incur any liability for any action taken in good faith in accordance with
such advice.

              (i) In the event the Company receives conflicting instructions
regarding any action to be taken or withheld hereunder, the Company may suspend
further action relating to such action until such time as the conflicting
instructions are resolved by the parties giving the same or until the Company is
instructed to take or withhold the requested action by a final order from which
no appeal may be taken issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.
 
     3.   REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.
          ----------------------- 

          (a) Whenever the Company is required to effect the registration of any
Registrable Securities under the Securities Act as provided in Section 2, the
Company, as expeditiously as reasonably practicable and subject to the terms and
conditions herein, will use its best efforts to:

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
               (i)   prepare and file with the Commission the requisite
registration statement to effect such registration and use its best efforts to
cause such registration to become effective;

               (ii)  prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection
therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective for
such time as the Company is so obligated pursuant to this Agreement and to
comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition
of all securities covered by such registration statement;

               (iii) furnish to the Selling Holders such number of conformed
copies of such registration statement and of each such amendment and supplement
thereto (in each case including all exhibits), such number of copies of the
prospectus contained in such registration statement (including each preliminary
prospectus and any summary prospectus) and any other prospectus filed under the
Securities Act, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and
such other documents, as the Selling Holders may reasonably request;

               (iv)  as expeditiously as reasonably practicable, use its best
efforts to register or qualify all Registrable Securities covered by such
registration statement under such other United States state securities or blue
sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Selling Holders shall reasonably request,
to keep such registration statement qualification in effect for so long as such
registration remains in effect, and take any other action which may be
reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the Selling Holders to consummate
the disposition in such jurisdictions of the securities owned by the Selling
Holders, except that the Company shall not for any such purpose be required to
(a) qualify generally to do business as a foreign corporation in any
jurisdiction wherein it would not but for the requirements of this subdivision
(iv) be obligated to be so qualified, (b) subject itself to taxation in any such
jurisdiction or (c) consent to general service of process in any such
jurisdiction;

              (v)  in any underwritten offering, and if reasonable and customary
in the context of such offering, use its best efforts to furnish to the Selling
Holders a signed counterpart, addressed to the Selling Holders or seller of
Registrable Securities (and the underwriters, if any), of

              (x)  an  opinion of counsel for the Company, dated the effective
     date of such registration statement (and, if such registration includes an
     underwritten public offering, dated the date of the closing under the
     underwriting agreement), reasonably satisfactory to the Selling Holders in
     their reasonable judgment, and

               (y) if requested, a customary "comfort" letter, dated the
     effective date of such registration statement (and, if such registration
     includes an underwritten public offering, dated the date of the closing
     under the underwriting agreement), signed by the independent public
     accountants who have certified the Company's financial statements included
     in such registration statement, covering substantially the same matters
     with respect to such registration statement (and the prospectus included
     therein) and, in the case of the accountants' letter, with respect to
     events subsequent to the date of such financial statements, 

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
     as are customarily covered in opinions of issuer's counsel and in
     accountants' letters delivered to the underwriters in underwritten public
     offerings of securities and, in the case of the accountants' letter, such
     other financial matters as such seller or such holder (or the underwriters,
     if any) may reasonably request;

              (vi)  immediately notify the Selling Holders at any time when a
prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities
Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included
in such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement
of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, and at the request of the
Selling Holders promptly prepare and furnish to the Selling Holders a reasonable
number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such prospectus as may be
necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such securities,
such prospectus shall not include an 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 in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made;

              (vii) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable
rules and regulations of the Commission, and make available to its security
holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement satisfying the
provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act.

              (ix)  use its best efforts to list all Registrable Securities
covered by such registration statement on any securities exchange on which any
of the Registrable Securities are then listed.
 
              (x)   keep each registration pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof
effective for a period of up to 120 days or such shorter period of time until
the transfer or sale of all Warrant Shares so registered has been completed.

          (b) As a condition of these Registration Rights, the Company may
require the Demanding Holders, at their own expense, to furnish the Company with
such information and undertakings regarding such Holders and the distribution of
such securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in
writing, and the Holders, by their execution hereof, agree to provide such
information and make such undertakings as are requested.

          (c) The Selling Holders agree (A) that upon receipt of any notice from
the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in subdivision
(vi) of Section 3(a), the Selling Holders will forthwith discontinue their
disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement
relating to such Registrable Securities until the Selling Holders' receipt of
the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by subdivision
(vi) of Section 3(a) and, if so directed by the Company, will deliver to the
Company all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in the Selling
Holders' possession of the prospectus relating to such Registrable Securities
current at the time of receipt of such notice and (B) that they will immediately
notify the Company, at any time when a prospectus relating to the registration
of such Registrable Securities

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any
event as a result of which information previously furnished by the Selling
Holders to the Company for inclusion in such prospectus contains an untrue
statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made.

          (d) Notwithstanding anything in this agreement to the contrary, the
Company will not be required to file such a registration statement if it
receives an opinion of counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Selling Holders, or counsel to the Selling Holders, to the effect that the
sale of the Registrable Securities in the manner contemplated by the Selling
Holders may be effected without registration.

     4.   UNDERWRITTEN OFFERINGS.
          ---------------------- 

          (a) UNDERWRITTEN OFFERINGS.  If requested by the underwriters for any
              ----------------------                                           
underwritten offering by the Selling Holders in connection with any Piggyback
Registration pursuant to Section 2(c), the Selling Holders will enter into an
underwriting agreement with such underwriters for such offering, containing such
terms as are customarily contained in agreements of this type.  The Selling
Holders may, at their option (reasonably exercised), require that any or all of
the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of,
the Company to and for the benefit of such underwriters shall also be made to
and for the benefit of the Selling Holders and that any or all of the conditions
precedent to the obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting
agreement be conditions precedent to the obligations of the Selling Holders.

          (b) HOLDBACK AGREEMENTS.  (i) Each Holder agrees, if so required by
              -------------------                                            
the managing underwriter, not to effect any public sale or distribution of
Registrable Securities or sales of such Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule
144 or Rule 144A under the Securities Act, during the seven days prior to and
the 90 days after any firm commitment underwritten registration pursuant to
Section 2(c) has become effective (except as part of such registration), whether
or not the Holder participates in such registration.

     5.   PREPARATION, REASONABLE INVESTIGATION.
          ------------------------------------- 

          In connection with the preparation and filing of each registration
statement under the Securities Act, pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will
give the Selling Holders, the underwriters, if any are involved, and their
respective counsel and accountants, the opportunity to participate in the
preparation of such registration statement, each prospectus included therein or
filed with the Commission and each amendment thereof or supplement thereto, and
will give each of them such access to its books and records and such
opportunities to discuss the business of the Company with its officers and the
independent public accountants who have certified its financial statements as
shall be necessary to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of
the Securities Act.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
     6.   INDEMNIFICATION; CONTRIBUTION.  If any Registrable Securities are
          ------------------------------                                   
included in a registration statement under this Agreement:

          (a)  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall
indemnify and hold harmless each Selling Holder, each Person, if any, who
controls such Selling Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act, and each
officer, director, partner, and employee of such Selling Holder and such
controlling Person, against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and
expenses (joint or several), including reasonable attorneys' fees and
disbursements and expenses of investigation, incurred by such party pursuant to
any actual or threatened action, suit, proceeding or investigation, or to which
any of the foregoing Persons may become subject under the Securities Act, the
Exchange Act or other federal or state laws, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities and expenses arise out of or are based upon any of the
following statements, omissions or violations (collectively a "Violation"):

          (1) Any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in such registration statement as of the respective date thereof,
including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or
any amendments or supplements thereto;

          (2) The omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading; or

          (3) Any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any applicable state securities law or any
rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any
applicable state securities law; provided, however, that the indemnification
                                 --------  -------                          
required by this Section 6(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of
any such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense if such settlement is
effected without the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld), nor shall the Company be liable under this Section 6(a)
in any such case for any such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense to the
extent that it arises out of or is based upon a Violation which occurs in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by the indemnified party expressly for use in connection with such
registration; provided, further, that the indemnity agreement contained in this
              --------  -------                                                
Section 6 shall not apply to any Holder to the extent that any such loss is
based on or arises out of an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact, or an omission or alleged omission to state a material fact,
contained in or omitted from any preliminary prospectus if the final prospectus
shall correct such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement, or such
omission or alleged omission, and a copy of the final prospectus has not been
sent or given to such person at or prior to the confirmation of sale to such
person if such Holder was under an obligation to deliver such final prospectus
and failed to do so.  The Company shall also indemnify any underwriters
participating in a Piggyback Registration in which the Selling Holders are
participating.

          (b) To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Selling Holder
shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of
its officers who shall have signed the registration statement, each Person, if
any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the 

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
Securities Act, any other Selling Holder, any controlling Person of any such
other Selling Holder; each officer, director, partner, and employee of such
other Selling Holder and such controlling Person and each underwriter to the
extent that such Selling Holder participates in an underwritten registration,
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (joint and
several), including reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements and expenses of
investigation, incurred by such party pursuant to any actual or threatened
action, suit, proceeding or investigation, or to which any of the foregoing
Persons may otherwise become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act
or other federal or state laws, insofar as such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and expenses arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each
case to the extent (and only to the extent) that such Violation occurs in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished by such
Selling Holder expressly for use in connection with such registration; provided,
                                                                       --------
however, that (x) the indemnification required by this Section 6(b) shall not
- - -------
apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability
or expense if settlement is effected without the consent of the relevant Selling
Holder of Registrable Securities, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld, and (y) in no event shall the amount of any indemnity under this
Section 6(b) exceed the gross proceeds from the applicable offering received by
such Selling Holder.

          (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section
6 of notice of the commencement of any action, suit, proceeding, investigation
or threat thereof made in writing for which such indemnified party may make a
claim under this Section 6, such indemnified party shall deliver to the
indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof and the
indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent
the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party
similarly noticed, to assume the defense thereof with counsel mutually
satisfactory to the parties; provided, however, that an indemnified party shall
                             --------  -------                                 
have the right to retain its own counsel at its own expense except as provided
below.  The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a
reasonable time following the commencement of any such action, if prejudicial to
its ability to defend such action, shall relieve such indemnifying party of any
liability to the indemnified party under this Section 6 but shall not relieve
the indemnifying party of any liability that it may have to any indemnified
party otherwise than pursuant to this Section 6.  Any such indemnified party
shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action, claim or
proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses
of such counsel shall be the expenses of such indemnified party unless (i) the
indemnifying party has agreed to pay such fees and expenses or (ii) the
indemnifying party shall have failed to promptly assume the defense of such
action, claim or proceeding or (iii) the named parties to any such action, claim
or proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both such indemnified
party and the indemnifying party, and such indemnified party shall have been
advised by counsel that it has reasonably determined that there may be one or
more legal defenses available to it which are different from or in addition to
those available to the indemnifying party and that the assertion of such
defenses would create a conflict of interest such that counsel employed by the
indemnifying party could not faithfully represent the indemnified party (in
which case, if such indemnified party notifies the indemnifying party in writing
that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying
party, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of
such action, claim or proceeding on behalf of such indemnified party, it being
understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not, in 

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
connection with any one such action, claim or proceeding or separate but
substantially similar or related actions, claims or proceedings in the same
jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be
liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of
attorneys (together with appropriate local counsel) at any time for all such
indemnified parties. No indemnifying party shall be liable to an indemnified
party for any settlement of any action, proceeding or claim without the written
consent of the indemnifying party which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld.

          (d) If the indemnification required by this Section 6 from the
indemnifying party is unavailable to an indemnified party hereunder in respect
of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to in this
Section 6:

              (i)   The indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such
indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of
the indemnifying party and indemnified parties in connection with the actions
which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well
as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such
indemnifying party and indemnified parties shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether any Violation has been committed by, or relates to
information supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified parties, and the
parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to
correct or prevent such Violation. The amount paid or payable by a party as a
result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to
above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in
Section 6(a) and Section 6(b), any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably
incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding.

              (ii)  The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 6(d) were determined by pro
rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take into
account the equitable considerations referred to in Section 6(d)(i). 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.

          (e) If indemnification is available under this Section 6, the
indemnifying parties shall indemnify each indemnified party to the full extent
provided in this Section 6 without regard to the relative fault of such
indemnifying party or indemnified party or any other equitable consideration
referred to in Section 6(d); provided, however, that if it is determined by a
final and non-appealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction that a party
receiving indemnification hereunder was not entitled to receive such
indemnification, the additional cost, if any, to the indemnifying party of such
indemnification shall be promptly reimbursed by such improperly indemnified
party to such indemnifying party.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
          (f) The obligations of the Company and the Selling Holders of
Registrable Securities under this Section 6 shall survive the completion of any
offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement under
this Agreement, and otherwise.


     7.   COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.  The Company hereby agrees and covenants as
          ------------------------                                             
follows:

          The Company shall file as and when applicable, on a timely basis, all
reports required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act.  If the Company is
not required to file reports pursuant to the Exchange Act, upon the request of
any Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company shall make publicly available
the information specified in subparagraph (c)(2) of Rule 144 of the Securities
Act, and take such further action as may be reasonably required from time to
time and as may be within the reasonable control of the Company, to enable the
Holders to transfer Registrable Securities to a Transferee without registration
under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by
Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the Commission.
 

     8.   MISCELLANEOUS.
          ------------- 

          (a) SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE.  The parties hereto acknowledge that there
              --------------------                                            
may be no adequate remedy at law if any party fails to perform any of its
obligations hereunder and that each party may be irreparably harmed by any such
failure, and accordingly agree that each party, in addition to any other remedy
to which it may be entitled at law or in equity, may be entitled to compel
specific performance of the obligations of any other party under this Agreement
in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

          (b) NOTICES.  All notices, requests, claims, demands, waivers and
              -------                                                      
other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered by hand, if delivered
personally by courier, or three days after being deposited in the mail
(registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested) as
follows:

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
                    The Holders at the addresses indicated on the signature page
                    hereof with a copy to Canpartners Investments IV, LLC

                    c/o Canyon Partners Incorporated
                    9665 Wilshire Boulevard
                    Suite 200
                    Beverly Hills, CA  90212
                    Attn: Scott Imbach, Telecopy No. (310) 247-2701

                    Company:

                    UTI Energy Corp.
                    485 Devon Park Drive, Suite 112
                    Wayne, PA 19087

or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing
in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be
effective only upon receipt.

          (c) LAW GOVERNING.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
              -------------                                                    
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF LAWS.

          (d) ATTORNEYS' FEES.  In any action or proceeding brought to enforce
              ---------------                                                 
any provision of this Agreement, or where any provision hereof is validly
asserted as a defense, the successful party shall be entitled to recover
reasonable attorneys' fees (including any fees incurred in any appeal) in
addition to its costs and expenses and any other available remedy.

          (e) HEADINGS.  The descriptive headings of the several Sections and
              --------                                                       
paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only, and do not
constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not affect in any way the meaning
or interpretation of this Agreement.

          (f) ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENTS.  This Agreement and the other
              ----------------------------                               
writings referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto which form a part
hereof contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to its
subject matter.  This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings between the parties with respect to its subject matter.  This
Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be
waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or
prospectively) only by a written instrument duly executed by the Company and the
Holders.  Each holder of any Registrable Securities at the time or thereafter
outstanding shall be bound by an amendment or waiver authorized by this Section
8.6, whether or not any such Registrable Securities shall have been marked to
indicate such consent.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
          (g) ASSIGNABILITY.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
              -------------                                                    
the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto
provided, however, that the Registration Rights hereunder shall only be
available to the Holders, their Affiliates and to their Transferees.

          (h) COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more
              ------------                                                
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

          (i) VALIDITY, DUE AUTHORIZATION.  By its execution hereof, the Company
              ---------------------------                                       
represents and warrants that it has the corporate power to execute, deliver and
perform the terms and provisions of this Agreement and that it has taken all
appropriate and necessary corporate action to authorize the transactions
contemplated hereby and the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement.

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be duly executed as
of the day, month and year first above written.

                                    UTI Energy Corp.

                                    By:  ____________________________
                                         Name:
                                         Title:

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
Canpartners Investments IV, LLC,
a California limited liability company

By:  Canpartners Incorporated,
     a California corporation,
     its managing member



By:  ________________________
     Name:
     Title:

c/o Canyon Partners Incorporated
9665 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 200
Beverly Hills, CA  90212

310/247-2700 (O)
310/247-2701 (F)

                                      -17-


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