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                                  UNITED STATES

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
                                ________________

                                    Form 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                        PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                 DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED: April 7, 2003


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

                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-13167

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

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

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 281-749-7800
                                       N/A
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS

     On April 1, 2003, the Company filed a Form 8-K announcing  that the Company
had executed a $225,000,000  Senior  Secured Credit  Facility with a Bank Group.
For a more detailed  description,  see the Credit  Agreement  attached hereto as
Exhibit 99.1


ITEM 7. EXHIBITS


EXHIBIT 99.1    CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED APRIL 1, 2003

EXHIBIT 99.2    CONTRACT STATUS SUMMARY AT APRIL 7, 2003

ITEM 9.  REGULATION RD DISCLOSURE


     The ATWOOD HUNTER has been awarded a contract by Samedan, Mediterranean Sea
("Samedan")  to drill one well off the coast of Israel  following the completion
of one well (estimated June 2003) for Burullus Gas Company.  The Samedan well is
estimated  to take 70 days to complete  and will have a dayrate of $80,000.  The
Samedan contract provides for one option well to be drilled at a later date.

     Additional  information  with  respect  to the  Company's  Contract  Status
Summary  at April 7, 2003 is  attached  hereto as  Exhibit  99.2  which is being
furnished in accordance with Rule 101 (e)(1) under  Regulation FD and should not
be deemed to be filed.

     Statements  contained  in  this  report  with  respect  to the  future  are
forward-looking  statements.  These statements reflect  management's  reasonable
judgment with respect to future events. Forward-looking statements involve risks
and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated
as a result of various  factors;  the  Company's  dependence  on the oil and gas
industry;  the risks involved the construction of a rig; competition;  operating
risks;  risks involved in foreign  operations;  risks  associated  with possible
disruption in  operations  due to terrorism;  risks  associated  with a possible
disruption in operations  due to a war with Iraq; and  governmental  regulations
and environmental matters. A list of additional risk factors can be found in the
Company' annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2002, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.






SIGNATURES

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


                                                         ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.
                                                         (Registrant)



                                                         /s/ James M. Holland
                                                         James M. Holland
                                                         Senior Vice President

                                                         DATE:    April 7, 2003




                                                             EXHIBIT INDEX


EXHIBIT NO.                                          DESCRIPTION

99.1     Credit Agreement dated April 1, 2003

99.2     Contract Status Summary at April 7, 2003



                                                                   EXHIBIT 99.1



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                                CREDIT AGREEMENT



                                      among




                             ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.,
                        ATWOOD OCEANICS PACIFIC LIMITED,




                                 VARIOUS LENDERS



                                       and



                    NORDEA BANK FINLAND PLC, NEW YORK BRANCH,


                            as Administrative Agent,
                          Lead Arranger and Book Runner



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



                            Dated as of April 1, 2003


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


                                  $225,000,000



                    CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ, FORTIS CAPITAL
                       CORP. and HAMBURGISCHE LANDESBANK,
                                 as Co-Arrangers

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                  CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of April 1, 2003, among ATWOOD
OCEANICS, INC., a Texas corporation (the "Parent"), ATWOOD OCEANICS PACIFIC
LIMITED, a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands and a
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Parent (the "Borrower"), the Lenders party hereto
from time to time, and NORDEA BANK FINLAND PLC, NEW YORK BRANCH, a national
banking association organized under the laws of the Republic of Finland, as
Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent"). All
capitalized terms used herein and defined in Section 11 are used herein as
therein defined.


                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              - - - - - - - - - -


                  WHEREAS, subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein
set forth, the Lenders are willing to make available to the Borrower the credit
facility provided for herein;


                  NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:

SECTION 1.        Amount and Terms of Credit Facility.

     1.01 The Commitments.  (a) Subject to and upon the terms and conditions set
forth herein, each Lender with a Term Loan Commitment severally agrees to make a
term loan or term loans (each a "Term Loan" and, collectively, the "Term Loans")
to the  Borrower,  which Term Loans (i) shall be  incurred  pursuant to a single
drawing on the Initial  Borrowing  Date,  (ii) shall be  denominated in Dollars,
(iii) except as  hereinafter  provided,  shall bear interest in accordance  with
Section 1.07,  provided that, unless either the  Administrative  Agent otherwise
agrees in its sole discretion or has determined that the Successful  Syndication
Date has occurred (at which time this  proviso  shall no longer be  applicable),
Term Loans,  together with all outstanding  Revolving Loans, shall be restricted
to an  Interest  Period of either  one week or one month  which,  in each  case,
begins and ends on the same day,  and (iv) shall be made by each such  Lender in
that aggregate  principal  amount which does not exceed the Term Loan Commitment
of such Lender on the Initial  Borrowing Date. Once repaid,  Term Loans incurred
hereunder may not be reborrowed.

     (b) Subject to and upon the terms and  conditions  set forth  herein,  each
Lender with a Revolving Loan  Commitment  severally  agrees to make, at any time
and from time to time on or after the  Initial  Borrowing  Date and prior to the
Maturity  Date, a revolving loan or revolving  loans (each,  a "Revolving  Loan"
and, collectively, the "Revolving Loans") to the Borrower, which Revolving Loans
(i) shall be denominated in Dollars, (ii) shall bear interest in accordance with
Section 1.07,  provided that, unless either the  Administrative  Agent otherwise
agrees in its sole discretion or has determined that the Successful  Syndication
Date has occurred (at which time this  proviso  shall no longer be  applicable),
Revolving Loans,  together with all outstanding Term Loans,  shall be restricted
to an  Interest  Period of either  one week or one month  which,  in each  case,
begins  and  ends on the  same  day,  (iii)  may be  repaid  and  reborrowed  in
accordance  with the provisions  hereof,  and (iv) shall not exceed for any such
Lender at any time outstanding that aggregate principal amount which, when added
to the product of (x) such Lender's RL Percentage  and (y) the aggregate  amount
of all Letter of Credit  Outstandings  (exclusive of Unpaid  Drawings  which are
repaid with the  proceeds of, and  simultaneously  with the  incurrence  of, the
respective  incurrence  of Revolving  Loans) at such time,  equals the Revolving
Loan Commitment of such Lender at such time.

     1.02 Minimum Amount of Each Borrowing;  Limitation on Number of Borrowings.
The aggregate  principal  amount of each Borrowing of Loans under the respective
Tranche shall not be less than  $1,000,000 in each case. More than one Borrowing
may occur on the same date, but at no time shall there be outstanding  more than
ten (10)  Borrowings  of Loans  in the  aggregate  for all  Tranches  of  Loans,
provided that, there shall be no more than two Borrowings outstanding under each
Tranche prior to the Successful Syndication Date.

     1.03 Notice of Borrowing.  (a) Whenever the Borrower desires to incur Loans
hereunder,  an  Authorized   Representative  of  the  Borrower  shall  give  the
Administrative  Agent at the Notice Office at least three  Business  Days' prior
written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Loan
to be incurred hereunder, provided that, (in each case) any such notice shall be
deemed to have been given on a certain day only if given before 11:00 a.m.  (New
York time) on such day.  Each such  written  notice or written  confirmation  of
telephonic notice (each, a "Notice of Borrowing"), except as otherwise expressly
provided in Section 1.09,  shall be irrevocable and shall be given in writing by
the  Borrower in the form of Exhibit A,  appropriately  completed to specify (i)
the  aggregate  principal  amount of the Loans to be  incurred  pursuant to such
Borrowing,  (ii) the date of such  Borrowing  (which  shall be a Business  Day),
(iii)  whether  the  Loans  being  incurred  pursuant  to such  Borrowing  shall
constitute Term Loans or Revolving Loans, (iv) the initial Interest Period to be
applicable to such Borrowing and (v) to which account the proceeds of such Loans
are to be deposited.  The  Administrative  Agent shall promptly give each Lender
which is  required  to make Loans of the  Tranche  specified  in the  respective
Notice  of  Borrowing  notice  of such  proposed  Borrowing,  of  such  Lender's
proportionate share thereof and of the other matters required by the immediately
preceding sentence to be specified in the Notice of Borrowing.

     (b) Without in any way limiting the  obligation  of the Borrower to confirm
in writing any  telephonic  notice of any Borrowing or prepayment of Loans,  the
Administrative  Agent may act  without  liability  upon the basis of  telephonic
notice of such  Borrowing  or  prepayment,  as the case may be,  believed by the
Administrative  Agent in good faith to be from an Authorized  Representative  of
the Borrower  prior to receipt of written  confirmation.  In each such case, the
Borrower hereby waives the right to dispute the Administrative Agent's record of
the terms of such telephonic notice of such Borrowing or prepayment of Loans, as
the case may be, absent manifest error.

     1.04 Disbursement of Funds. No later than 12:00 Noon (New York time) on the
date specified in each Notice of Borrowing, each Lender with a Commitment of the
respective  Tranche  will make  available  its pro rata portion  (determined  in
accordance  with Section  1.06) of each such  Borrowing  requested to be made on
such date. All such amounts will be made available in Dollars and in immediately
available  funds at the Payment  Office and the  Administrative  Agent will make
available to the Borrower (prior to 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on such day to the
extent of funds  actually  received by the  Administrative  Agent prior to 12:00
Noon  (New  York  time)  on such  day) at the  Payment  Office,  in the  account
specified in the applicable Notice of Borrowing, the aggregate of the amounts so
made available by the Lenders.  Unless the Administrative  Agent shall have been
notified by any Lender prior to the date of Borrowing  that such Lender does not
intend to make available to the  Administrative  Agent such Lender's  portion of
any Borrowing to be made on such date, the Administrative  Agent may assume that
such Lender has made such amount available to the  Administrative  Agent on such
date of Borrowing and the  Administrative  Agent may (but shall not be obligated
to),  in  reliance  upon such  assumption,  make  available  to the  Borrower  a
corresponding amount. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available
to the Administrative  Agent by such Lender,  the Administrative  Agent shall be
entitled to recover such  corresponding  amount on demand from such  Lender.  If
such  Lender  does  not  pay  such  corresponding   amount  forthwith  upon  the
Administrative  Agent's demand therefor, the Administrative Agent shall promptly
notify the Borrower and the Borrower shall  immediately  pay such  corresponding
amount to the  Administrative  Agent.  The  Administrative  Agent  also shall be
entitled to recover on demand from such Lender or the Borrower,  as the case may
be, interest on such  corresponding  amount in respect of each day from the date
such corresponding  amount was made available by the Administrative Agent to the
Borrower  until  the  date  such  corresponding   amount  is  recovered  by  the
Administrative  Agent,  at a rate per annum equal to (i) if recovered  from such
Lender,  the  overnight  Federal  Funds Rate for the first three days and at the
interest rate  otherwise  applicable to such Loans for each day  thereafter  and
(ii) if recovered  from the  Borrower,  the rate of interest  applicable  to the
respective  Borrowing,  as determined  pursuant to Section 1.07. Nothing in this
Section 1.04 shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its  obligation  to make
Loans  hereunder or to prejudice  any rights which the Borrower may have against
any Lender as a result of any failure by such Lender to make Loans hereunder.

     1.05 Notes.  (a) The  Borrower's  obligation  to pay the  principal of, and
interest  on, the Loans made by each Lender  shall be  evidenced in the Register
maintained by the  Administrative  Agent pursuant to Section 14.15 and shall, if
requested by such Lender as provided below, also be evidenced (i) in the case of
Term Loans,  by a promissory  note duly  executed and  delivered by the Borrower
substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1, with blanks appropriately completed in
conformity herewith (each a "Term Note" and, collectively, the "Term Notes") and
(ii) in the case of  Revolving  Loans,  by a promissory  note duly  executed and
delivered by the Borrower  substantially in the form of Exhibit B-2, with blanks
appropriately  completed in conformity  herewith  (each a "Revolving  Note" and,
collectively, the "Revolving Notes").

     (b) The Term Note issued to each Lender that has a Term Loan  Commitment or
outstanding Term Loans shall (i) be executed by the Borrower, (ii) be payable to
the order of such  Lender or its  registered  assigns  and be dated the  Initial
Borrowing  Date (or, if issued after the Initial  Borrowing  Date,  be dated the
date of issuance  thereof),  (iii) be in a stated  principal amount equal to the
Term Loans made by such  Lender on the  Initial  Borrowing  Date (or,  if issued
after the Initial  Borrowing Date, be in a stated  principal amount equal to the
outstanding  Term  Loans of such  Lender  at such  time) and be  payable  in the
outstanding principal amount of Term Loans evidenced thereby, (iv) mature on the
Maturity Date, (v) bear interest as provided in Section 1.07, (vi) be subject to
voluntary  prepayment  as provided in Section  4.01 and  mandatory  repayment as
provided  in  Section  4.02,  and  (vii) be  entitled  to the  benefits  of this
Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

     (c) The  Revolving  Note issued to each  Lender  that has a Revolving  Loan
Commitment or outstanding Revolving Loans shall (i) be executed by the Borrower,
(ii) be payable to the order of such  Lender or its  registered  assigns  and be
dated the Initial  Borrowing  Date (or, in the case of  Revolving  Notes  issued
after the Initial  Borrowing  Date, be dated the date of the issuance  thereof),
(iii) be in a stated  principal amount equal to the Revolving Loan Commitment of
such  Lender  (or,  if issued  after  the  termination  thereof,  be in a stated
principal amount equal to the outstanding Revolving Loans of such Lender at such
time) and be payable in the outstanding  principal amount of the Revolving Loans
evidenced  thereby,  (iv)  mature on the  Maturity  Date,  (v) bear  interest as
provided in Section 1.07, (vi) be subject to voluntary  prepayment and mandatory
repayment  as provided  in  Sections  4.01 and 4.02 and (vii) be entitled to the
benefits of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

     (d) Each Lender will note on its  internal  records the amount of each Loan
made by it and each payment in respect thereof and, prior to any transfer of any
of its Notes, will endorse on the reverse side thereof the outstanding principal
amount of Loans  evidenced  thereby.  Failure to make any such  notation  or any
error  in  such  notation  or  endorsement   shall  not  affect  the  Borrower's
obligations in respect of such Loans.

     (e)  Notwithstanding  anything  to the  contrary  contained  above  in this
Section 1.05 or elsewhere  in this  Agreement,  Notes shall only be delivered to
Lenders which at any time  specifically  request the delivery of such Notes.  No
failure of any Lender to  request or obtain a Note  evidencing  its Loans to the
Borrower shall affect or in any manner impair the obligations of the Borrower to
pay the Loans (and all related Obligations) incurred by the Borrower which would
otherwise be  evidenced  thereby in  accordance  with the  requirements  of this
Agreement,  and shall not in any way affect the security or guaranties  therefor
provided  pursuant to the various  Credit  Documents.  Any Lender which does not
have a Note  evidencing its  outstanding  Loans shall in no event be required to
make the notations otherwise described in preceding clause (d). At any time when
any Lender  requests the  delivery of a Note to evidence  any of its Loans,  the
Borrower shall (at its expense)  promptly  execute and deliver to the respective
Lender the requested Note in the appropriate  amount or amounts to evidence such
Loans.

     1.06 Pro Rata Borrowings.  All Borrowings of Term Loans and Revolving Loans
under this Agreement shall be incurred from the Lenders pro rata on the basis of
their Term Loan Commitments or Revolving Loan  Commitments,  as the case may be.
It is  understood  that no Lender  shall be  responsible  for any default by any
other  Lender of its  obligation  to make Loans  hereunder  and that each Lender
shall  be  obligated  to make the  Loans  provided  to be made by it  hereunder,
regardless of the failure of any other Lender to make its Loans hereunder.

     1.07  Interest.  (a) The Borrower  agrees to pay interest in respect of the
unpaid  principal  amount of each Loan from the date of Borrowing  thereof until
the maturity  (whether by  acceleration or otherwise) of such Loan at a rate per
annum which shall,  during each Interest Period applicable  thereto, be equal to
(except as  otherwise  provided in Section  1.09(a))  the sum of the  Applicable
Margin plus the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period.

     (b) Overdue principal and, to the extent permitted by law, overdue interest
in respect of each Loan shall,  in each case,  bear interest at a rate per annum
equal to 2% per annum in excess of the rate then  borne by such  Loans,  and all
other overdue  amounts  payable  hereunder  and under any other Credit  Document
shall bear  interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate which is 1% in excess
of the Base Rate, as in effect from time to time, plus the Applicable  Margin as
in effect from time to time.  Interest that accrues  under this Section  1.07(b)
shall be payable on demand.

     (c) Accrued (and  theretofore  unpaid) interest shall be payable (x) on the
last day of each  Interest  Period  applicable  thereto  and,  in the case of an
Interest Period in excess of three months, on each date occurring at three month
intervals  after the first day of such Interest  Period,  and (y) on the date of
any  repayment or  prepayment  (on the amount  repaid or  prepaid),  at maturity
(whether by acceleration or otherwise) and, after such maturity, on demand.

     (d) Upon each Interest  Determination Date, the Administrative  Agent shall
determine  the  Eurodollar  Rate  for each  Interest  Period  applicable  to the
respective Loans and shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders thereof.
Each such  determination  shall,  absent manifest error, be final and conclusive
and binding on all parties hereto.

     1.08  Interest  Periods.  At the time the  Borrower  gives  any  Notice  of
Borrowing  in  respect  of the  making  of any Loan (in the case of the  initial
Interest  Period  applicable  thereto) or prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York time) on
the third Business Day prior to the expiration of an Interest Period  applicable
to such Loan (in the case of any subsequent Interest Period), the Borrower shall
have the right to elect, by having an Authorized  Representative of the Borrower
give the  Administrative  Agent notice  thereof,  the  interest  period (each an
"Interest Period")  applicable to such Loan, which Interest Period shall, at the
option of the Borrower (but  otherwise  subject to the provisions of the proviso
in each of Sections  1.01(a)(iii) and  1.01(b)(ii)),  be a one week or one, two,
three or six-month  period (it being  understood,  however,  that during the one
month period preceding the Maturity Date, the Borrower,  with the consent of the
Administrative  Agent,  may select an Interest  Period of less than one month so
long as such  Interest  Period ends no later than the Maturity  Date);  provided
that:

(i)      all Loans comprising a Borrowing shall at all times have the same
         Interest Period;

(ii)     the initial Interest Period for any Loan shall commence on the date of
         Borrowing of such Loan and each Interest Period occurring thereafter in
         respect of such Loan shall commence on the day immediately following
         the day on which the immediately preceding Interest Period applicable
         thereto expires;

(iii)    if any Interest Period for a Loan begins on a day for which there is no
         numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such
         Interest Period, such Interest Period shall end on the last Business
         Day of such calendar month;

(iv)     if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day which is not a
         Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the first succeeding
         Business Day; provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a Loan
         would otherwise expire on a day which is not a Business Day but is a
         day of the month after which no further Business Day occurs in such
         month, such Interest Period shall expire on the immediately preceding
         Business Day;

(v)      no  Interest  Period  longer  than one month may be  selected  at any
         time when a Default  or an Event of  Default  is then in existence;

(vi)     no Interest Period in respect of any Borrowing of any Tranche of Loans
         shall be selected which extends beyond the Maturity Date;

(vii)    the selection of Interest Periods shall be subject to the provisions of
         Section 1.02; and

(viii)   no Interest Period in respect of any Borrowing of Term Loans shall be
         selected which extends beyond any date upon which a mandatory repayment
         of such Term Loans will be required to be made under Section 4.02(b) if
         the aggregate principal amount of such Term Loans which have Interest
         Periods which will expire after such date will be in excess of the
         aggregate principal amount of such Term Loans then outstanding less the
         aggregate amount of such required repayment.

     If by 11:00 a.m.  (New York time) on the third  Business Day  preceding the
expiration of any Interest  Period  applicable to a Borrowing,  the Borrower has
failed to elect a new Interest Period to be applicable to such Loans as provided
above,  the Borrower shall be deemed to have elected a one month Interest Period
to be  applicable  to such Loans  effective  as of the  expiration  date of such
current Interest Period.

     1.09  Increased  Costs,  Illegality,  etc. (a) In the event that any Lender
shall have  determined  (which  determination  shall,  absent manifest error, be
final and  conclusive  and binding upon all parties  hereto but, with respect to
clause (i) below, may be made only by the Administrative Agent):

(i)      on any Interest Determination Date that, by reason of any changes
         arising after the date of this Agreement affecting the applicable
         interbank Eurodollar market, adequate and fair means do not exist for
         ascertaining the applicable interest rate on the basis provided for in
         the definition of Eurodollar Rate; or

(ii)     at any time, that such Lender shall incur increased costs or reductions
         in the amounts  received or receivable  hereunder with
         respect to any Loan because of (x) any change since the Initial
         Borrowing Date in any applicable  law or  governmental  rule,
         regulation,  order,  guideline or request (whether or not having
         the force of law) or in the  interpretation or administration
         thereof and including the introduction of any new law or governmental
         rule,  regulation,  order, guideline or request, such as
         but not limited to: (A) a change  subjecting  any Lender to any tax,
         duty or other charge with respect to any Loan,  Notes or
         Letter of Credit,  or its  obligation  to make such Loan or issue
         such Letter of Credit,  or a change in the basis of taxation
         of payment to any Lender of the  principal  of or interest on the
         Loans or the Notes or any other  amounts  payable  hereunder
         (except  for  changes in the rate of tax on, or  determined  by
         reference  to, the net income or net  profits of such  Lender
         pursuant to the laws of the  jurisdiction  in which such Lender is
         organized  or in which such  Lender's  principal  office or
         applicable  lending  office is  located),  but without  duplication
         of any  increased  costs with  respect to Taxes which are
         addressed in Section 4.04, or (B) a change in official reserve
         requirements,  but, in all events,  excluding reserves required
         under Regulation D to the extent included in the computation of the
         Eurodollar Rate,  and/or (y) other  circumstances  arising
         since the Initial  Borrowing  Date affecting such Lender,
         the interbank  Eurodollar  market or the position of such Lender in
         such market; or

(iii)    at any time, that the making or continuance of any Loan has been made
         (x) unlawful by any law or governmental rule, regulation or order, (y)
         impossible by compliance by any Lender in good faith with any
         governmental request (whether or not having force of law) and/or (z)
         impracticable as a result of a contingency occurring after the Initial
         Borrowing Date which materially and adversely affects the interbank
         Eurodollar market;

then, and in any such event, such Lender (or the  Administrative  Agent, in
the case of clause (i) above) shall promptly give notice (by telephone  promptly
confirmed in writing) to the Borrower, which written notice shall set forth such
Lender's (or the Administrative Agent's, as the case may be) basis for asserting
its right under this Section 1.09(a) and the calculation,  in reasonable detail,
of such additional amounts claimed hereunder,  and, except in the case of clause
(i) above, to the Administrative  Agent of such determination  (which notice the
Administrative  Agent shall  promptly  transmit  to each of the other  Lenders).
Thereafter (x) in the case of clause (i) above, any Notice of Borrowing given by
the Borrower with respect to any affected Loans which have not yet been incurred
shall be deemed rescinded by the Borrower,  the Total Unutilized  Revolving Loan
Commitment  shall  thereafter  not be  available  to be borrowed  hereunder  and
Letters of Credit shall not be permitted to be issued hereunder, and the rate of
interest  applicable to any affected  Loans then  outstanding  shall be the Base
Rate, as in effect from time to time,  plus the  Applicable  Margin as in effect
from time to time  minus  1%,  from the date such  notice  is  delivered  to the
Borrower and thereafter until such time as the Administrative Agent notifies the
Borrower  and the Lenders that the  circumstances  giving rise to such notice by
the Administrative  Agent no longer exist, (y) in the case of clause (ii) above,
the Borrower  agrees to pay to such Lender,  upon such Lender's  written  demand
therefor,  such  additional  amounts (in the form of an increased  rate of, or a
different  method of  calculating,  interest or  otherwise as such Lender in its
sole discretion  shall determine) as shall be required to compensate such Lender
for such  increased  costs or  reductions  in  amounts  received  or  receivable
hereunder (a written  notice as to the  additional  amounts owed to such Lender,
showing  in  reasonable  detail  the  basis  for  and the  calculation  thereof,
submitted to the Borrower by such Lender shall,  absent manifest error, be final
and  conclusive  and binding on all the  parties  hereto) and (z) in the case of
clause (iii) above, such Lender shall so notify the Administrative Agent and the
Borrower (and the  Administrative  Agent shall give notice  thereof to the other
Lenders) and thereafter (A) except in the case of an event of the type described
in clause (iii)(z) above,  the Revolving Loan Commitment of such Lender shall be
permanently  reduced by an amount  sufficient  to  alleviate  such  circumstance
arising  pursuant to clause (iii)(x) or (y) above, or shall be terminated in its
entirety  if all of such  Lender's  Revolving  Loans  are so  affected,  and the
Borrower shall prepay in full the affected  Loans of such Lender,  together with
accrued and unpaid  interest  thereon and, in the event of a termination of such
Lender's Revolving Loan Commitment, any accrued and unpaid Commitment Commission
which may be due to such Lender under this  Agreement  (and, in the event all of
such Lender's  Loans are being  repaid,  any other amounts which may be owing to
such  Lender  hereunder),  on either the last day of the then  current  Interest
Period  applicable  to each such  affected  Loan (if such  Lender  may  lawfully
continue to maintain  and fund such Loans to such day) or  immediately  (if such
Lender may not  lawfully  continue to maintain  and fund such Loans to such day)
and (B) in the case of an event of the type described in clause  (iii)(z) above,
the Unutilized  Revolving Loan  Commitment of such Lender shall be terminated in
its entirety  and the  Borrower  shall pay to such Lender any accrued and unpaid
Commitment Commission which may be due to such Lender under this Agreement,  and
all  outstanding  Loans of such  Lender  shall,  from the date  such  notice  is
delivered to the Borrower and thereafter  until such time as the  Administrative
Agent or such Lender  shall notify the Borrower  that the  circumstances  giving
rise to the  operation of clause  (iii)(z)  above with respect to such Lender no
longer exist,  bear interest at a rate equal to the Base Rate, as in effect from
time to time,  plus the  Applicable  Margin as in effect from time to time minus
1%, it being understood that,  notwithstanding  anything to the contrary in this
Agreement, to the extent any repayment of Revolving Loans of any Lender affected
by circumstances  described in clause (iii)(z) above are repaid prior to receipt
by the Borrower of the notice described above with respect to the elimination of
such  circumstances  giving rise to the operation of clause  (iii)(z) above with
respect to such Lender,  any amount of the Unutilized  Revolving Loan Commitment
of such Lender which may otherwise  result from such  repayment  shall be deemed
permanently reduced upon the effectiveness of such repayment. The Administrative
Agent and each  Lender (to the  extent it  continues  to be a Lender  hereunder)
agree  that if any of them  gives  notice to the  Borrower  of any of the events
described in clause (i) or (iii) above,  it shall  promptly  notify the Borrower
and, in the case of any such Lender,  the  Administrative  Agent,  if such event
ceases to exist.  If any such event  described  in clause  (iii) above ceases to
exist as to a Lender  (to the  extent it  continues  at such time to be a Lender
hereunder),  the  obligations  of such  Lender  to make  Loans on the  terms and
conditions  contained  herein shall to the extent of such  Lender's  outstanding
Loans and Commitments as in effect at such time, be immediately reinstated.

     (b) If any Lender determines that after the Effective Date the introduction
or  effectiveness  of or any change in any applicable law or governmental  rule,
regulation,  order,  guideline,  directive or request (whether or not having the
force of law) concerning  capital  adequacy,  or any change in interpretation or
administration thereof by the NAIC or any governmental  authority,  central bank
or comparable  agency will have the effect of  increasing  the amount of capital
required  or  expected  to be  maintained  by  such  Lender  or any  corporation
controlling  such Lender  based on the  existence of such  Lender's  Commitments
hereunder or its obligations hereunder,  then the Borrower agrees to pay to such
Lender,  upon its written demand therefor,  such additional  amounts as shall be
required to compensate  such Lender or such other  corporation for the increased
cost to such Lender or such other  corporation  or the  reduction in the rate of
return to such Lender or such other  corporation as a result of such increase of
capital. In determining such additional amounts, each Lender will act reasonably
and in good  faith and will use  averaging  and  attribution  methods  which are
reasonable,  provided that, such Lender's  determination  of compensation  owing
under this Section 1.09(b) shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive
and binding on all the parties hereto.  Each Lender,  upon  determining that any
additional  amounts will be payable pursuant to this Section 1.09(b),  will give
prompt  written  notice  thereof to the  Borrower,  which  notice  shall show in
reasonable detail the basis for calculation of such additional amounts.

     1.10 Compensation.  The Borrower agrees to compensate each Lender, upon its
written  request (which  request shall set forth in reasonable  detail the basis
for  requesting  such  compensation),  for all reasonable  losses,  expenses and
liabilities  (including,  without  limitation,  any loss,  expense or  liability
incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds
required  by such  Lender to fund its Loans but  excluding  loss of  anticipated
profits)  which such  Lender may  sustain:  (i) if for any reason  (other than a
default by such Lender or the  Administrative  Agent) a Borrowing does not occur
on a date specified  therefor in a Notice of Borrowing (whether or not withdrawn
by the Borrower or deemed withdrawn  pursuant to Section  1.09(a));  (ii) if any
prepayment or repayment  (including any prepayment or repayment made pursuant to
Section 1.09(a), Section 4.01, Section 4.02 or as a result of an acceleration of
the Loans  pursuant to Section 10) of any of its Loans,  or assignment of any of
its Loans  pursuant to Section 1.12,  occurs on a date which is not the last day
of an Interest  Period with respect  thereto;  (iii) if any prepayment of any of
its Loans is not made on any date  specified in a notice of prepayment  given by
the Borrower;  or (iv) as a consequence  of any other default by the Borrower to
repay Loans or make payment on any Note held by such Lender when required by the
terms of this Agreement.

     1.11 Change of Lending Office.  Each Lender agrees that upon the occurrence
of any event  giving  rise to the  operation  of Section  1.09(a)(ii)  or (iii),
Section  1.09(b),  Section 2.06 or Section 4.04 with respect to such Lender,  it
will, if requested by the Borrower,  use reasonable  efforts (subject to overall
policy  considerations  of such Lender) to designate  another lending office for
any Loans or Letters of Credit  affected  by such  event,  provided  that,  such
designation is made on such terms that such Lender and its lending office suffer
no economic, legal or regulatory  disadvantage,  with the object of avoiding the
consequence  of the event giving rise to the operation of such Section.  Nothing
in this  Section 1.11 shall  affect or postpone  any of the  obligations  of the
Borrower or the right of any Lender provided in Sections 1.09, 2.06 and 4.04.

     1.12 Replacement of Lenders.  (x) If any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender
or otherwise  defaults in its obligations to make Loans or fund Unpaid Drawings,
(y) upon the  occurrence  of any event  giving rise to the  operation of Section
1.09(a)(ii) or (iii), Section 1.09(b) or Section 4.04 with respect to any Lender
which results in such Lender charging to the Borrower  increased costs in excess
of those being  generally  charged by the other  Lenders,  or (z) as provided in
Section  14.12(b)  in the case of  certain  refusals  by a Lender to  consent to
certain proposed  changes,  waivers,  discharges or terminations with respect to
this Agreement  which have been approved by the Required  Lenders,  the Borrower
shall have the right,  if no Default or Event of Default then exists (or, in the
case of preceding clause (z), will exist  immediately after giving effect to the
respective replacement), to replace such Lender (the "Replaced Lender") with one
or more other Eligible  Transferee or Eligible  Transferees,  none of whom shall
constitute a Defaulting  Lender at the time of such  replacement  (collectively,
the  "Replacement  Lender") and each of whom shall be required to be  reasonably
acceptable to the Administrative Agent, provided that:

(i)      at the time of any replacement  pursuant to this Section 1.12, the
         Replacement  Lender shall enter into one or more Assignment
         and Assumption  Agreements  pursuant to Section  14.04(b) (and with
         all fees payable  pursuant to said Section  14.04(b) to be
         paid by the  Replacement  Lender)  pursuant  to  which  the
         Replacement  Lender  shall  acquire  all of the  Commitments  and
         outstanding  Loans of,  and in each case  participations  in Letters
         of Credit by, the  Replaced  Lender  and,  in  connection
         therewith,  shall pay to (x) the Replaced  Lender in respect
         thereof an amount equal to the sum of (I) an amount equal to the
         principal of, and all accrued and unpaid interest on, all outstanding
         Loans of the Replaced  Lender,  (II) an amount equal to
         all Unpaid  Drawings that have been funded by (and not  reimbursed
         to) such Replaced  Lender,  together with all then accrued
         and unpaid  interest with respect  thereto at such time,  and (III)
         an amount equal to all accrued,  but  theretofore  unpaid,
         Fees owing to the  Replaced  Lender  pursuant to Section 3.01 and
         (y) each  Issuing  Lender an amount  equal to such  Replaced
         Lender's RL  Percentage  of any Unpaid  Drawing  (which at such
         time remains an Unpaid  Drawing) to the extent such amount was
         not  theretofore  funded by such Replaced  Lender to such Issuing
         Lender,  together with all then accrued and unpaid interest
         with respect thereto at such time; and

(ii)     all obligations of the Borrower due and owing to the Replaced Lender at
         such time (other than those specifically described in clause (i) above
         in respect of which the assignment purchase price has been, or is
         concurrently being, paid) shall be paid in full to such Replaced Lender
         concurrently with such replacement.

     Upon the execution of the respective  Assignment and Assumption  Agreement,
the  payment of amounts  referred  to in clauses  (i) and (ii) above and,  if so
requested by the Replacement  Lender,  delivery to the Replacement Lender of the
appropriate Note or Notes executed by the Borrower, the Replacement Lender shall
become a Lender  hereunder  and the Replaced  Lender shall cease to constitute a
Lender hereunder,  except with respect to indemnification  provisions under this
Agreement (including, without limitation, Sections 1.09, 1.10, 2.06, 4.04, 12.06
and 14.01), which shall survive as to such Replaced Lender.

SECTION 2.        Letters of Credit.
                  -----------------

     2.01  Letters of Credit.  (a) Subject to and upon the terms and  conditions
set forth herein,  the Borrower may request that an Issuing Lender issue, at any
time and from time to time on and after the Initial  Borrowing Date and prior to
the 60th day prior to the Maturity  Date,  for the account of the  Borrower,  an
irrevocable standby letter of credit, in a form customarily used by such Issuing
Lender or in such other form as is reasonably  acceptable to such Issuing Lender
(each  such  letter of  credit,  a "Letter of  Credit"  and,  collectively,  the
"Letters of Credit").  All Letters of Credit shall be denominated in Dollars and
shall be issued on a sight basis only.

(b)      Subject to and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, each
         Issuing Lender agrees that it will, at any time and from time to time
         on and after the Initial Borrowing Date and prior to the 60th day prior
         to the Maturity Date, following its receipt of the respective Letter of
         Credit Request, issue for the account of the Borrower, one or more
         Letters of Credit as are permitted to remain outstanding hereunder
         without giving rise to a Default or an Event of Default, provided that,
         no Issuing Lender shall be under any obligation to issue any Letter of
         Credit of the types described above if at the time of such issuance:

(i)      any order,  judgment or decree of any  governmental  authority or
         arbitrator  shall purport by its terms to enjoin or restrain
         such Issuing  Lender from issuing such Letter of Credit or any
         requirement  of law  applicable to such Issuing  Lender or any
         request or directive  (whether or not having the force of law)
         from any  governmental  authority with  jurisdiction  over such
         Issuing Lender shall prohibit,  or request that such Issuing Lender
         refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit  generally
         or such Letter of Credit in  particular  or shall  impose upon such
         Issuing  Lender with respect to such Letter of Credit any
         restriction or reserve or capital  requirement (for which such
         Issuing Lender is not otherwise  compensated  hereunder) not in
         effect with respect to such  Issuing  Lender on the date  hereof,
         or any  unreimbursed  loss,  cost or expense  which was not
         applicable  or in effect with respect to such Issuing  Lender as
         of the date hereof and which such Issuing  Lender  reasonably
         and in good faith deems material to it; or

(ii)     such Issuing Lender shall have received from the Borrower, any other
         Credit Party or the Required Lenders prior to the issuance of such
         Letter of Credit notice of the type described in the second sentence of
         Section 2.03(b).

     2.02 Maximum  Letter of Credit  Outstandings;  Maturities.  Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary  contained in this  Agreement,  (i) no Letter of Credit
shall be issued the Stated  Amount of which,  when added to the Letter of Credit
Outstandings  (exclusive of Unpaid Drawings which are repaid on the date of, and
prior to the  issuance of, the  respective  Letter of Credit) at such time would
exceed  either  (x)  $10,000,000  or (y) when added to the  aggregate  principal
amount of all  Revolving  Loans then  outstanding,  an amount equal to the Total
Revolving Loan  Commitment at such time, and (ii) each Letter of Credit shall by
its terms  terminate  on or before the  earlier of (A) the date which  occurs 12
months after the date of the issuance thereof  (although any such standby Letter
of Credit shall be extendible for successive periods of up to 12 months, but, in
each case, not beyond the thirtieth  Business Day prior to the Maturity Date, on
terms acceptable to the respective  Issuing Lender) and (B) thirty Business Days
prior to the Maturity Date.

     2.03 Letter of Credit  Requests;  Minimum Stated  Amount.  (a) Whenever the
Borrowers desire that a Letter of Credit be issued for its account, the Borrower
shall give the  Administrative  Agent and the respective Issuing Lender at least
five  Business  Days' (or such shorter  period as is  acceptable to such Issuing
Lender)  written  notice thereof  (including by way of  facsimile).  Each notice
shall be in the form of Exhibit C,  appropriately  completed  (each a "Letter of
Credit Request").

     (b) The  making of each  Letter of Credit  Request  shall be deemed to be a
representation  and  warranty by the Borrower to the Lenders that such Letter of
Credit may be issued in accordance  with, and will not violate the  requirements
of, Section 2.02. Unless the respective  Issuing Lender has received notice from
the Borrower,  any other Credit Party or the Required Lenders before it issues a
Letter of Credit that one or more of the conditions  specified in Section 5 or 6
are not then  satisfied,  or that the  issuance of such  Letter of Credit  would
violate Section 2.02,  then such Issuing Lender shall,  subject to the terms and
conditions  of this  Agreement,  issue the  requested  Letter of Credit  for the
account of the  Borrower in  accordance  with such  Issuing  Lender's  usual and
customary  practices.  Upon the issuance of or  modification or amendment to any
Letter of Credit, each Issuing Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent, in writing of such issuance, modification or amendment and
such  notice  shall be  accompanied  by a copy of such  Letter  of Credit or the
respective modification or amendment thereto, as the case may be. Promptly after
receipt of such notice the  Administrative  Agent shall notify the Participants,
in  writing,  of  such  issuance,  modification  or  amendment.  Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in the event that a Lender
Default exists with respect to an RL Lender, no Issuing Lender shall be required
to issue any  Letter of Credit  unless  such  Issuing  Lender has  entered  into
arrangements  satisfactory  to it and the  Borrower to  eliminate  such  Issuing
Lender's  risk with  respect  to the  participation  in Letters of Credit by the
Defaulting Lender or Lenders,  including by cash collateralizing such Defaulting
Lender's or Lenders' RL Percentage of the Letter of Credit Outstandings.

     (c) The initial  Stated  Amount of each Letter of Credit  shall not be less
than $20,000 or such lesser amount as is acceptable  to the  respective  Issuing
Lender.

     2.04 Letter of Credit Participations.  (a) Immediately upon the issuance by
an Issuing  Lender of any Letter of Credit,  such Issuing Lender shall be deemed
to have sold and transferred to each RL Lender,  and each such RL Lender (in its
capacity under this Section 2.04, a "Participant")  shall be deemed  irrevocably
and  unconditionally  to have  purchased and received from such Issuing  Lender,
without recourse or warranty,  an undivided interest and  participation,  to the
extent of such  Participant's  RL  Percentage,  in such  Letter of Credit,  each
drawing or payment made  thereunder  and the  obligations  of the Borrower under
this  Agreement  with respect  thereto,  and any  security  therefor or guaranty
pertaining  thereto.  Upon any change in the Revolving  Loan  Commitments  or RL
Percentages  of the Lenders  pursuant to Section 1.12 or 14.04(b),  it is hereby
agreed  that,  with  respect  to all  outstanding  Letters  of Credit and Unpaid
Drawings  relating  thereto,  there  shall  be an  automatic  adjustment  to the
participations  pursuant to this Section 2.04 to reflect the new RL  Percentages
of the assignor and assignee Lender, as the case may be.

(b)      In determining whether to pay under any Letter of Credit, no Issuing
         Lender shall have any obligation relative to the other Lenders other
         than to confirm that any documents required to be delivered under such
         Letter of Credit appear to have been delivered and that they appear to
         substantially comply on their face with the requirements of such Letter
         of Credit. Any action taken or omitted to be taken by an Issuing Lender
         under or in connection with any Letter of Credit issued by it shall not
         create for such Issuing Lender any resulting liability to the Borrower,
         any other Credit Party, any Lender or any other Person unless such
         action is taken or omitted to be taken with gross negligence or willful
         misconduct on the part of such Issuing Lender (as determined by a court
         of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision).

(c)      In the event that any Issuing Lender makes any payment under any Letter
         of Credit issued by it and the Borrower shall not have reimbursed such
         amount in full to such Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 2.05(a), such
         Issuing Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent, which
         shall promptly notify each Participant of such failure, and each
         Participant shall promptly and unconditionally pay to such Issuing
         Lender the amount of such Participant's RL Percentage of such
         unreimbursed payment in Dollars and in same day funds. If the
         Administrative Agent so notifies, prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York time)
         on any Business Day, any Participant required to fund a payment under a
         Letter of Credit, such Participant shall make available to the
         respective Issuing Lender in Dollars such Participant's RL Percentage
         of the amount of such payment on such Business Day in same day funds.
         If and to the extent such Participant shall not have so made its RL
         Percentage of the amount of such payment available to the respective
         Issuing Lender, such Participant agrees to pay to such Issuing Lender,
         forthwith on demand such amount, together with interest thereon, for
         each day from such date until the date such amount is paid to such
         Issuing Lender at the overnight Federal Funds Rate for the first three
         days and at the Base Rate, as in effect from time to time, plus the
         Applicable Margin as in effect from time to time minus 1% for each day
         thereafter. The failure of any Participant to make available to an
         Issuing Lender its RL Percentage of any payment under any Letter of
         Credit issued by such Issuing Lender shall not relieve any other
         Participant of its obligation hereunder to make available to such
         Issuing Lender its RL Percentage of any payment under any Letter of
         Credit on the date required, as specified above, but no Participant
         shall be responsible for the failure of any other Participant to make
         available to such Issuing Lender such other Participant's RL Percentage
         of any such payment.

(d)      Whenever an Issuing Lender receives a payment of a reimbursement
         obligation as to which it has received any payments from the
         Participants pursuant to clause (c) above, such Issuing Lender shall
         pay to each such Participant which has paid its RL Percentage thereof,
         in Dollars and in same day funds, an amount equal to such Participant's
         share (based upon the proportionate aggregate amount originally funded
         by such Participant to the aggregate amount funded by all Participants)
         of the principal amount of such reimbursement obligation and interest
         thereon accruing after the purchase of the respective participations.

(e)      Upon the request of any Participant, each Issuing Lender shall furnish
         to such Participant copies of any standby Letter of Credit issued by it
         and such other documentation as may reasonably be requested by such
         Participant.

f)      The obligations of the Participants to make payments to each
        Issuing Lender with respect to Letters of Credit shall be
        irrevocable and not subject to any qualification or exception
        whatsoever and shall be made in accordance with the terms and
        conditions of this Agreement under all circumstances,
        including, without limitation, any of the following
        circumstances:

        (i)      any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement
                 or any of the other Credit Documents;

        (ii)     the existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right
                 which the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries may have at any
                 time against a beneficiary named in a Letter of Credit, any
                 transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom
                 any such transferee may be acting), the Administrative Agent,
                 any Participant, or any other Person, whether
                 in connection with this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, the
                 transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transactions
                 (including any underlying transaction between the Parent or any
                 Subsidiary of the Parent and the beneficiary named in any such
                 Letter of Credit);

        (iii)    any draft, certificate or any other document presented under
                 any Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent,
                 invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement
                 therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;

        (iv)     the surrender or impairment of any security for the performance
                 or observance of any of the terms of any of the Credit
                 Documents; or

        (v)      the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default.

     2.05 Agreement to Repay Letter of Credit Drawings.  (a) The Borrower agrees
to reimburse each Issuing Lender, by making payment to the Administrative  Agent
in  immediately  available  funds at the  Payment  Office,  for any  payment  or
disbursement made by such Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit issued by it
(each such amount, so paid until  reimbursed,  an "Unpaid  Drawing"),  not later
than one  Business  Day  following  receipt  by the  Borrower  of notice of such
payment or  disbursement  (provided that, no such notice shall be required to be
given if a  Default  or an Event of  Default  under  Section  10.05  shall  have
occurred and be  continuing,  in which case the Unpaid  Drawing shall be due and
payable immediately without presentment,  demand,  protest or notice of any kind
(all of which are hereby waived by the  Borrower)),  with interest on the amount
so paid or disbursed by such Issuing Lender,  to the extent not reimbursed prior
to 12:00 Noon (New York time) on the date of such payment or disbursement,  from
and  including the date paid or disbursed to but excluding the date such Issuing
Lender was reimbursed by the Borrower  therefor at a rate per annum equal to the
Base Rate,  as in effect  from time to time,  plus the  Applicable  Margin as in
effect from time to time minus 1%; provided, however, to the extent such amounts
are not reimbursed prior to 12:00 Noon (New York time) on the third Business Day
following the receipt by the Borrower of notice of such payment or  disbursement
or following  the  occurrence  of a Default or an Event of Default under Section
10.05,  interest shall thereafter  accrue on the amounts so paid or disbursed by
such Issuing  Lender (and until  reimbursed by the Borrower) at a rate per annum
equal to the Base Rate in effect from time to time plus the Applicable Margin as
in effect from time to time plus 1%, with such interest to be payable on demand.
Each  Issuing  Lender  shall give the  Borrower  prompt  written  notice of each
Drawing under any Letter of Credit issued by it,  provided  that, the failure to
give any such notice shall in no way affect,  impair or diminish the  Borrower's
obligations hereunder.

     (b) The  obligations  of the Borrower  under this Section 2.05 to reimburse
each Issuing Lender with respect to drafts,  demands and other presentations for
payment under Letters of Credit issued by it (each a "Drawing")  (including,  in
each case,  interest thereon) shall be absolute and unconditional  under any and
all  circumstances  and  irrespective of any setoff,  counterclaim or defense to
payment which the Borrower may have or have had against any Lender (including in
its  capacity  as an Issuing  Lender or as a  Participant),  including,  without
limitation,  any defense based upon the failure of any drawing under a Letter of
Credit to conform to the terms of the Letter of Credit or any  nonapplication or
misapplication  by the  beneficiary  of the proceeds of such Drawing;  provided,
however,  that the Borrower  shall not be  obligated  to  reimburse  any Issuing
Lender for any wrongful  payment  made by such Issuing  Lender under a Letter of
Credit  issued  by it as a  result  of acts or  omissions  constituting  willful
misconduct or gross negligence on the part of such Issuing Lender (as determined
by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision).

     2.06  Increased  Costs.  If at any  time  after  the  Effective  Date,  the
introduction  or  effectiveness  of or any change in any  applicable  law, rule,
regulation,   order,   guideline  or  request  or  in  the   interpretation   or
administration  thereof by the NAIC or any governmental  authority  charged with
the  interpretation  or  administration  thereof,  or  compliance by any Issuing
Lender or any  Participant  with any request or  directive by the NAIC or by any
such  governmental  authority  (whether  or not having the force of law),  shall
either (i) impose,  modify or make  applicable  any  reserve,  deposit,  capital
adequacy or similar  requirement against letters of credit issued by any Issuing
Lender or  participated  in by any  Participant,  or (ii)  impose on any Issuing
Lender or any Participant any other conditions relating, directly or indirectly,
to  this  Agreement  or any  Letter  of  Credit;  and the  result  of any of the
foregoing is to increase the cost to any Issuing  Lender or any  Participant  of
issuing,  maintaining or  participating  in any Letter of Credit,  or reduce the
amount  of  any  sum  received  or  receivable  by  any  Issuing  Lender  or any
Participant  hereunder  or reduce the rate of return on its capital with respect
to Letters of Credit (except for changes in the rate of tax on, or determined by
reference  to, the net  income or net  profits  of such  Issuing  Lender or such
Participant pursuant to the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized or
in which its  principal  office or applicable  lending  office is located or any
subdivision  thereof or therein),  then,  upon the  delivery of the  certificate
referred to below to the Borrower by any Issuing  Lender or any  Participant  (a
copy  of  which  certificate  shall  be  sent by  such  Issuing  Lender  or such
Participant to the  Administrative  Agent),  the Borrower  agrees to pay to such
Issuing Lender or such  Participant  such  additional  amount or amounts as will
compensate  such Issuing Lender or such  Participant  for such increased cost or
reduction  in the amount  receivable  or  reduction on the rate of return on its
capital.  Any  Issuing  Lender or any  Participant,  upon  determining  that any
additional  amounts  will be payable  pursuant to this Section  2.06,  will give
prompt  written  notice  thereof to the  Borrower,  which notice shall include a
certificate submitted to the Borrower by such Issuing Lender or such Participant
(a copy of  which  certificate  shall  be sent  by the  Issuing  Lender  or such
Participant to the Administrative Agent), setting forth in reasonable detail the
basis for the  calculation  of such  additional  amount or amounts  necessary to
compensate such Issuing Lender or such Participant.  The certificate required to
be delivered  pursuant to this Section 2.06 shall,  absent  manifest  error,  be
final and conclusive and binding on the Borrower.

SECTION 3.        Commitment Commission; Fees; Reductions of Commitment.
                  -----------------------------------------------------

     3.01 Fees. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the  Administrative  Agent for
distribution  to each  Non-Defaulting  RL Lender,  a commitment  commission (the
"Commitment Commission") for the period from and including the Effective Date to
and  including  the  Maturity  Date (or such  earlier  date on which  the  Total
Revolving  Loan  Commitment has been  terminated),  computed at a rate per annum
equal to the lesser of (i) 40% of the Applicable  Margin then in effect and (ii)
0.80%,  on the Unutilized  Revolving Loan Commitment of such  Non-Defaulting  RL
Lender as in effect from time to time.  Accrued  Commitment  Commission shall be
due and payable  quarterly in arrears on each Quarterly  Payment Date and on the
Maturity  Date (or such  earlier  date  upon  which  the  Total  Revolving  Loan
Commitment is terminated).

     (b) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for distribution
to each RL Lender (based on each such RL Lender's  respective RL Percentage),  a
fee in respect of each  Letter of Credit  (the  "Letter of Credit  Fee") for the
period from and  including  the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit to and
including  the date of  termination  or  expiration  of such  Letter of  Credit,
computed at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable  Margin then in effect from
time to time on the daily Stated  Amount of each such Letter of Credit.  Accrued
Letter of Credit  Fees  shall be due and  payable  quarterly  in arrears on each
Quarterly Payment Date and on the Maturity Date (or such earlier date upon which
the Total  Revolving Loan  Commitment is terminated and upon which no Letters of
Credit remain outstanding).

     (c) The Borrower agrees to pay directly to each Issuing Lender, for its own
account,  a facing  fee in respect  of each  Letter of Credit  issued by it (the
"Facing  Fee") for the period  from and  including  the date of issuance of such
Letter of Credit to and including the date of  termination or expiration of such
Letter of Credit,  computed  at a rate per annum equal to 1/8 of 1% on the daily
Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit,  provided that, in any event the minimum
amount of Facing  Fees  payable in any  twelve-month  period for each  Letter of
Credit shall be not less than $500; it being agreed that, on the day of issuance
of any Letter of Credit and on each anniversary thereof prior to the termination
or expiration of such Letter of Credit, if $500 will exceed the amount of Facing
Fees that will accrue with respect to such Letter of Credit for the  immediately
succeeding  twelve-month  period,  the full $500 shall be payable on the date of
issuance of such Letter of Credit and on each such anniversary  thereof.  Except
as  otherwise  provided in the proviso to the  immediately  preceding  sentence,
accrued  Facing  Fees  shall be due and  payable  quarterly  in  arrears on each
Quarterly Payment Date and upon the first day on or after the termination of the
Total  Revolving  Loan  Commitment  upon  which  no  Letters  of  Credit  remain
outstanding.

     (d) The Borrower agrees to pay to each Issuing Lender, for its own account,
upon each payment  under,  issuance  of, or  amendment  to, any Letter of Credit
issued  by  it,  such  amount  as  shall  at  the  time  of  such  event  be the
administrative  charge and the reasonable  expenses which such Issuing Lender is
generally imposing in connection with such occurrence with respect to letters of
credit.

     (e) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent such fees as may
be agreed to in writing from time to time by the Parent  and/or the Borrower and
the Administrative Agent.

     3.02 Voluntary  Termination of Unutilized  Revolving Loan Commitments.  (a)
Upon at least three  Business  Days'  prior  written  notice from an  Authorized
Representative of the Borrower to the Administrative  Agent at the Notice Office
(which notice the  Administrative  Agent shall promptly  transmit to each of the
Lenders),  the Borrower shall have the right,  at any time or from time to time,
without  premium or penalty,  to terminate the Total  Unutilized  Revolving Loan
Commitment in whole, or reduce it in part,  pursuant to this Section 3.02(a), in
an integral  multiple of  $1,000,000  in the case of partial  reductions  to the
Total Unutilized  Revolving Loan Commitment,  provided that, each such reduction
shall apply  proportionately to permanently reduce the Revolving Loan Commitment
of each RL Lender.

     (b) In the event of a refusal by a Lender to  consent  to certain  proposed
changes,  waivers,  discharges or  terminations  with respect to this  Agreement
which have been approved by the Required Lenders as (and to the extent) provided
in Section  14.12(b),  the  Borrower  may,  subject to its  compliance  with the
requirements  of Section  14.12(b) and upon five  Business  Days' prior  written
notice to the  Administrative  Agent at the  Notice  Office  (which  notice  the
Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the Lenders),  terminate
all of the  Commitments  of such  Lender,  so long as all Loans,  together  with
accrued and unpaid  interest,  Fees and all other amounts,  owing to such Lender
(including  all  amounts,  if any,  owing  pursuant to Section  1.10) are repaid
concurrently  with the  effectiveness  of such  termination  pursuant to Section
4.01(b)  (at which time  Schedule  I shall be deemed  modified  to reflect  such
changed  amounts) and such Lender's RL Percentage of all outstanding  Letters of
Credit is cash  collateralized  in a manner  satisfactory to the  Administrative
Agent and the respective Issuing Lenders, and at such time, such Lender shall no
longer constitute a "Lender" for purposes of this Agreement, except with respect
to  indemnification   provisions  under  this  Agreement   (including,   without
limitation,  Sections 1.09,  1.10,  2.06,  4.04,  12.06 and 14.01),  which shall
survive as to such repaid Lender.

     3.03 Mandatory Reduction of Commitments.  (a) The Total Commitment (and the
Commitment  of each Lender)  shall  terminate in its entirety at 5:00 p.m.  (New
York  time) on April 4, 2003  unless  the  Initial  Borrowing  Date  shall  have
occurred on or prior to such date.

     (b) In addition to any other mandatory  commitment  reductions  pursuant to
this Section 3.03, the Total Term Loan  Commitment (and the Term Loan Commitment
of each Lender) shall  terminate in its entirety on the Initial  Borrowing  Date
(after giving effect to the incurrence of Term Loans on such date).

     (c) In addition to any other mandatory  commitment  reductions  pursuant to
this Section 3.03, the Total  Revolving Loan  Commitment (and the Revolving Loan
Commitment of each Lender) shall terminate in its entirety on the Maturity Date.

     (d) In addition to any other mandatory  commitment  reductions  pursuant to
this  Section 3.03 and any  mandatory  repayments  required  pursuant to Section
4.02(c),  on the date of any Collateral  Disposition,  the Total  Revolving Loan
Commitment shall be permanently reduced by a percentage thereof,  expressed as a
fraction,  equal to (x) the average appraised value (as determined in accordance
with the most recent appraisal reports delivered to the Administrative Agent (or
obtained  by the  Administrative  Agent)  pursuant  to Section  8.01(c))  of the
Collateral  Rig or Collateral  Rigs which is/are the subject of such  Collateral
Disposition divided by (y) the Aggregate  Collateral Rig Value (as determined by
calculating  the sum of the  average  of the  appraisals  set  forth in the most
recent appraisal reports related to each respective Collateral Rig and delivered
to the Administrative  Agent (or obtained by the Administrative  Agent) pursuant
to Section 8.01(c) before giving effect to such Collateral Disposition).

     (e) Each  reduction  to,  or  termination  of,  the  Total  Revolving  Loan
Commitment  pursuant to this  Section  3.03 shall be applied to  proportionately
reduce or terminate,  as the case may be, the Revolving Loan Commitment,  as the
case may be, of each Lender with a Revolving Loan Commitment.

SECTION 4.        Prepayments; Payments; Taxes.
                  ----------------------------

        4.01 Voluntary  Prepayments.  (a)  The Borrower shall have the right to
prepay the Loans,  without premium or penalty,  in whole or in part at any time
and from time to time on the following terms and conditions:

        (i)      an Authorized  Representative of the Borrower shall give the
                 Administrative  Agent prior to 12:00 Noon (New York time) at
                 the Notice Office at least three Business Days' prior written
                 notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of
                 its intent to prepay such Loans, which notice (in each case)
                 shall specify whether Term Loans or Revolving Loans shall be
                 prepaid, the amount of such prepayment and the specific
                 Borrowing or Borrowings pursuant to which such Loans were
                 made, and which notice the Administrative Agent shall
                 promptly transmit to each of the Lenders;

        (ii)     each prepayment shall be in an aggregate principal amount of
                 at least $1,000,000 (or such lesser amount as is acceptable to
                 the Administrative Agent), provided that, no partial prepayment
                 of Loans made pursuant to any Borrowing shall reduce the
                 outstanding Loans made pursuant to such Borrowing to an amount
                 less than $1,000,000;

        (iii)    at the time of any prepayment of Loans pursuant to this
                 Section 4.01 on any date other than the last day of the
                 Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrower shall pay the
                 amounts required to be paid pursuant to Section 1.10;

        (iv)     each prepayment pursuant to this Section 4.01(a) in respect of
                 any Loans made pursuant to a Borrowing shall be applied pro
                 rata among such Loans, provided that, at the Borrower's
                 election in connection with any prepayment of Revolving Loans
                 pursuant to this Section 4.01(a), such prepayment shall not,
                 so long as no Default or Event of Default then
                 exists, be applied to any Revolving Loan of a Defaulting
                 Lender; and

        (v)      each voluntary prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to this
                 Section 4.01(a) shall be applied to reduce the then remaining
                 Scheduled Repayments on a pro rata basis (based upon the then
                 remaining unpaid principal amounts of such Scheduled Repayments
                 after giving effect to all prior reductions thereto).

     (b) In the event of a refusal by a Lender to  consent  to certain  proposed
changes,  waivers,  discharges or  terminations  with respect to this  Agreement
which have been approved by the Required Lenders as (and to the extent) provided
in Section  14.12(b),  the Borrower may, upon five Business  Days' prior written
notice by an  Authorized  Representative  of the Borrower to the  Administrative
Agent at the Notice Office (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly
transmit to each of the Lenders) repay all Loans (including all amounts, if any,
owing pursuant to Section 1.10), together with accrued and unpaid interest, Fees
and all other amounts owing to such Lender in  accordance  with,  and subject to
the  requirements of, said Section  14.12(b),  so long as (A) all Commitments of
such Lender are terminated concurrently with such prepayment pursuant to Section
3.02(b)  (at which time  Schedule  I shall be deemed  modified  to  reflect  the
changed Commitments), (B) such Lender's RL Percentage of all outstanding Letters
of Credit is cash  collateralized in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent and the respective Issuing Lenders, and (C) the consents, if any, required
under Section 14.12(b) in connection with the prepayment pursuant to this clause
(b) have been  obtained.  Each  prepayment  of any Term Loans  pursuant  to this
Section  4.01(b)  shall  be  applied  to  reduce  the then  remaining  Scheduled
Repayments of the Term Loans on a pro rata basis (based upon the then  remaining
unpaid principal amounts of such Scheduled Repayments after giving effect to all
prior reductions thereto).

     4.02  Mandatory  Repayments.  (a) On any  day on  which  the sum of (I) the
aggregate  outstanding  principal  amount of all  Revolving  Loans (after giving
effect to all other  repayments  thereof  on such  date) and (II) the  aggregate
amount of all Letter of Credit  Outstandings  exceeds the Total  Revolving  Loan
Commitment at such time,  the Borrower shall repay on such date the principal of
Revolving  Loans in an amount equal to such excess.  If, after giving  effect to
the repayment of all outstanding  Revolving  Loans,  the aggregate amount of the
Letter of Credit  Outstandings  exceeds the Total  Revolving Loan  Commitment at
such time,  the Borrower  shall pay to the  Administrative  Agent at the Payment
Office on such day an amount of cash and/or Cash Equivalents equal to the amount
of  such  excess  (up  to a  maximum  amount  equal  to  the  Letter  of  Credit
Outstandings  at such time),  such cash and/or  Cash  Equivalents  to be held as
security  for all  obligations  of the  Borrower to the Issuing  Lenders and the
Lenders  hereunder  in a  cash  collateral  account  to be  established  by  the
Administrative Agent.

     (b) In addition to any other mandatory  repayments pursuant to this Section
4.02, on each date set forth below (each,  a "Scheduled  Repayment  Date"),  the
Borrower shall be required to repay that principal  amount of Term Loans, to the
extent then  outstanding,  as is set forth  opposite  each such date below (each
such  repayment,  as the same may be reduced  as  provided  in Section  4.01(a),
4.01(b) or 4.02(d), a "Scheduled Repayment"):

         Scheduled Repayment Date                  Amount
         ------------------------                  ------
         December 31, 2003                        $6,000,000
         March 31, 2004                           $6,000,000
         June 30, 2004                            $6,000,000
         September 30, 2004                       $6,000,000
         December 31, 2004                        $9,000,000
         March 31, 2005                           $9,000,000
         June 30, 2005                            $9,000,000
         September 30, 2005                       $9,000,000
         December 31, 2005                        $9,000,000
         March 31, 2006                           $9,000,000
         June 30, 2006                            $9,000,000
         September 30, 2006                       $9,000,000
         December 31, 2006                        $9,000,000
         March 31, 2007                           $9,000,000
         June 30, 2007                            $9,000,000
         September 30, 2007                       $9,000,000
         December 31, 2007                        $9,000,000
         Maturity Date                            $9,000,000

     (c) In addition to any other mandatory  repayments pursuant to this Section
4.02 and in addition to any mandatory commitment reductions required pursuant to
Section 3.03(d), on the date of any Collateral  Disposition,  the Borrower shall
be  required  to  repay a  percentage,  expressed  as a  fraction,  of the  then
outstanding  aggregate  principal  amount of Term Loans equal to (x) the average
appraised  value (as  determined  in accordance  with the most recent  appraisal
reports delivered to the Administrative Agent (or obtained by the Administrative
Agent)  pursuant to Section  8.01(c)) of the Collateral  Rig or Collateral  Rigs
which  is/are the  subject  of such  Collateral  Disposition  divided by (y) the
Aggregate  Collateral  Rig Value (as  determined by  calculating  the sum of the
average of the appraisals set forth in the most recent appraisal reports related
to each respective  Collateral Rig and delivered to the Administrative Agent (or
obtained by the Administrative  Agent) pursuant to Section 8.01(c) before giving
effect to such Collateral Disposition).

     (d) The amount of each  principal  repayment of Term Loans made as required
by Section  4.02(c)  shall be applied  to reduce  the then  remaining  Scheduled
Repayments  of Term Loans on a pro rata  basis  (based  upon the then  remaining
unpaid principal amounts of such Scheduled Repayments after giving effect to all
prior reductions thereto).

     (e) With respect to each  repayment of Loans required by this Section 4.02,
the  Borrower  may  designate  the  specific  Borrowing  or  Borrowings  of  the
respective  Tranche  pursuant to which such Loans were made,  provided that, (i)
repayments  of Loans  pursuant to this Section 4.02 may only be made on the last
day of an Interest Period applicable  thereto unless all Loans of the respective
Tranche with Interest  Periods  ending on such date of required  repayment  have
been  paid in full and (ii)  each  repayment  of any Loans  made  pursuant  to a
Borrowing  shall be  applied  pro rata  among such  Loans.  In the  absence of a
designation  by the  Borrower  as  described  in  the  preceding  sentence,  the
Administrative  Agent shall,  subject to the above, make such designation in its
sole discretion.

     (f)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary contained  elsewhere in this
Agreement,  (i) all then  outstanding  Term Loans shall be repaid in full on the
Maturity Date and (ii) all then  outstanding  Revolving Loans shall be repaid in
full on the Maturity Date.

     4.03 Method and Place of Payment. Except as otherwise specifically provided
herein,  all payments  under this  Agreement and under any Note shall be made to
the  Administrative  Agent for the  account of the  Lender or  Lenders  entitled
thereto not later than 12:00 Noon (New York time) on the date when due and shall
be made in Dollars in immediately  available  funds at the Payment  Office.  Any
payments  under this Agreement or under any Note which are made later than 12:00
Noon  (New  York  time) on any day shall be deemed to have been made on the next
succeeding  Business Day. Whenever any payment to be made hereunder or under any
Note  shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a  Business  Day,  the due
date thereof  shall be extended to the next  succeeding  Business Day and,  with
respect to payments of principal,  interest  shall be payable at the  applicable
rate during such extension.

     4.04 Net Payments;  Taxes.  All payments made by any Credit Party hereunder
or under any other Credit Document will be made without setoff,  counterclaim or
other  defense.  All such  payments  will be made free and clear of, and without
deduction or  withholding  for, any present or future  taxes,  levies,  imposts,
duties,  fees,  assessments or other charges of whatever nature now or hereafter
imposed by any jurisdiction or by any political  subdivision or taxing authority
thereof or therein  with  respect to such  payments  (but  excluding,  except as
provided in the second  succeeding  sentence,  any tax imposed on or measured by
the  net  income  or  net  profits  of a  Lender  pursuant  to the  laws  of the
jurisdiction in which it is organized or the jurisdiction in which the principal
office or applicable lending office of such Lender is located or any subdivision
thereof or therein)  and all  interest,  penalties or similar  liabilities  with
respect hereto (all such non-excluded  taxes,  levies,  imposts,  duties,  fees,
assessments or other charges being referred to collectively as "Taxes").  If any
Taxes are so levied or imposed,  the  Borrower  agrees to pay the full amount of
such  Taxes,  and such  additional  amounts  as may be  necessary  so that every
payment  of all  amounts  due under  this  Agreement  or under  any Note,  after
withholding  or deduction for or on account of any Taxes,  will not be less than
the amount  provided  for herein or in such Note.  If any amounts are payable in
respect of Taxes  pursuant to the  preceding  sentence,  the  Borrower  shall be
obligated to reimburse each Lender, upon the written request of such Lender, for
taxes  imposed on or  measured  by the net income or net  profits of such Lender
pursuant to the laws of the jurisdiction in which such Lender is organized or in
which  the  principal  office or  applicable  lending  office of such  Lender is
located or under the laws of any political  subdivision  or taxing  authority of
any  such  jurisdiction  in which  such  Lender  is  organized  or in which  the
principal office or applicable  lending office of such Lender is located and for
any  withholding  of taxes as such  Lender  shall  determine  are payable by, or
withheld from,  such Lender,  in respect of such amounts so paid to or on behalf
of such Lender pursuant to the preceding  sentence and in respect of any amounts
paid to or on behalf of such Lender pursuant to this sentence. The Borrower will
furnish to the Administrative Agent within 45 days after the date the payment of
any Taxes is due pursuant to  applicable  law  certified  copies of tax receipts
evidencing  such payment by the Borrower.  The Borrower  agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless each Lender,  and reimburse such Lender upon its written  request,
for the amount of any Taxes so levied or imposed and paid by such Lender.

     SECTION 5. Conditions  Precedent to Credit Events on the Initial  Borrowing
Date.  The  obligation of each Lender to make Loans,  and the obligation of each
Issuing  Lender to issue Letters of Credit,  on the Initial  Borrowing  Date, is
subject at the time of the making of such Loans or the  issuance of such Letters
of Credit to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

     5.01 Effective Date;  Notes. On or prior to the Initial Borrowing Date, (i)
the Effective  Date shall have occurred and (ii) there shall have been delivered
to the  Administrative  Agent,  for the account of each of the Lenders  that has
requested same, the appropriate  Term Note and/or Revolving Note executed by the
Borrower, in each case in the amount, maturity and as otherwise provided herein.

     5.02 Fees, etc. On the Initial Borrowing Date, the Borrower shall have paid
to the  Administrative  Agent  and each  Lender  all  costs,  fees and  expenses
(including,  without limitation, legal fees and expenses) and other compensation
contemplated  hereby payable to the  Administrative  Agent or such Lender to the
extent then due.

     5.03   Officer's   Certificate.   On  the  Initial   Borrowing   Date,  the
Administrative  Agent  shall have  received  a  certificate,  dated the  Initial
Borrowing  Date,  and signed on behalf of the  Borrower  by the  chairman of the
board, the chief executive  officer,  the president or any vice president of the
Borrower  certifying  on behalf of the Borrower that all of the  conditions  set
forth in Sections 5.07, 5.13, 5.14 and 6.01 have been satisfied on such date.

     5.04  Opinions  of  Counsel.   (a)  On  the  Initial  Borrowing  Date,  the
Administrative  Agent shall have  received  from  Strasburger  & Price,  L.L.P.,
special counsel to each Credit Party, an opinion addressed to the Administrative
Agent and each of the Lenders and dated the Initial  Borrowing Date covering the
matters set forth in Exhibit D-I.

     (b) On the Initial  Borrowing  Date,  the  Administrative  Agent shall have
received from Maples & Calder,  special Cayman Islands  counsel to the Borrower,
an opinion  addressed  to the  Administrative  Agent and each of the Lenders and
dated the Initial Borrowing Date covering the matters set forth in Exhibit D-II.

     (c) On the Initial  Borrowing  Date,  the  Administrative  Agent shall have
received  from  Allens  Arthur  Robinson,  special  Australia  counsel to Atwood
Oceanics Australia, an opinion addressed to the Administrative Agent and each of
the Lenders and dated the Initial  Borrowing Date covering the matters set forth
in Exhibit D-III.

     (d) On the Initial  Borrowing  Date,  the  Administrative  Agent shall have
received from Bodipalar  Ponnudurai  Nathan,  special Malaysia counsel to Atwood
Oceanics Malaysia,  an opinion addressed to the Administrative Agent and each of
the Lenders and dated the Initial  Borrowing Date covering the matters set forth
in Exhibit D-IV.

     (e) On the Initial  Borrowing  Date,  the  Administrative  Agent shall have
received  from  Benedetti &  Benedetti,  special  Panama  counsel to each of the
Borrower and Atwood Deep Seas, an opinion addressed to the Administrative  Agent
and each of the  Lenders  and dated the  Initial  Borrowing  Date  covering  the
matters set forth in Exhibit D-V.

     5.05 Corporate  Documents;  Proceedings;  etc. (a) On the Initial Borrowing
Date,  the  Administrative  Agent shall have  received a  certificate  from each
Credit Party or, where  applicable,  the general  partner of such Credit  Party,
dated the Initial Borrowing Date, signed by the chairman of the board, the chief
executive officer,  the president,  any vice president,  or any other Authorized
Representative of such Person,  and attested to by the secretary,  any assistant
secretary or any other Authorized  Representative  of such Person other than the
Authorized  Representative  signing such certificate of such Person, in the form
of  Exhibit  E,  with  appropriate  insertions,  together  with  copies  of  the
certificate  of   incorporation   and  by-laws  (or  equivalent   organizational
documents),  as  applicable,  of such Credit Party and the  resolutions  of such
Credit Party (or, where  applicable,  the general  partner of such Credit Party)
referred to in such certificate,  and each of the foregoing shall be in form and
substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

     (b) On  the  Initial  Borrowing  Date,  all  corporate,  limited  liability
company,  partnership and legal proceedings,  and all instruments and agreements
in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other
Credit Documents,  shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the
Administrative  Agent,  and the  Administrative  Agent shall have  received  all
information  and  copies of all  documents  and  papers,  including  records  of
corporate,  limited liability company and partnership proceedings,  governmental
approvals, good standing certificates and bring-down telegrams or facsimiles, if
any, which the Administrative  Agent reasonably may have requested in connection
therewith,  such  documents and papers,  where  appropriate,  to be certified by
proper partnership, corporate or governmental authorities.

     5.06  Employee   Benefit  Plans;   Shareholders'   Agreements;   Management
Agreements;  Existing Indebtedness  Agreements;  Employment Agreements;  Service
Agreements;  Tax Sharing Agreements.  On or prior to the Initial Borrowing Date,
there shall have been delivered to the Administrative  Agent or its counsel true
and correct copies of the following documents:

        (i)      all Plans (and for each Plan that is required to file an
                 annual report on Internal  Revenue Service Form  5500-series,
                 a copy of the most recent such report  (including,  to the
                 extent  required,  the related  financial  and  actuarial
                 statements  and opinions  and  other  supporting  statements,
                 certifications,  schedules  and  information),  and  for  each
                 Plan  that is a "single-employer  plan," as defined in Section
                 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, the most recently prepared actuarial
                 valuation therefor) and a summary or  description  of any
                 other  "employee  benefit  plans," as  defined in Section
                 3(3) of ERISA,  and any other material  agreements,  plans or
                 arrangements,  with or for the benefit of current or former
                 employees of the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries or ERISA
                 Affiliates  (provided that, the foregoing  shall apply in the
                 case of any  multiemployer  plan, as defined in Section
                 4001(a)(3) of ERISA,  only to the extent that any document
                 described  therein is in the possession of the
                 Parent,  any Subsidiary of the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate,
                 or reasonably  available thereto from the sponsor or trustee of
                 any such Plan) (collectively, the "Employee Benefit Plans");


        (ii)     all agreements entered into by the Parent governing the terms
                 and relative rights of its capital stock and any agreements
                 entered into by shareholders of the Parent relating to the
                 Parent's capital stock (collectively, the "Shareholders'
                 Agreements");

        (iii)    all agreements (other than Employment Agreements) with respect
                 to the management of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or
                 any of the Rigs (collectively, the "Management Agreements");

        (iv)     all agreements evidencing or relating to Existing Indebtedness
                 of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries which is to remain
                 outstanding after giving effect to the incurrence of Loans on
                 the Initial Borrowing Date (other than the Credit Documents)
                 (collectively, the "Existing Indebtedness Agreements");

        (v)      all employment agreements entered into by the Parent or any of
                 its Subsidiaries with members of management of the Parent or
                 any of such Subsidiaries (collectively, the "Employment
                 Agreements");

        (vi)     all service agreements entered into between the Parent and its
                 Subsidiaries ("Service Agreements"); and

        (vii)    all tax sharing, tax allocation and other similar agreements
                 entered into by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries
                 (collectively, the "Tax Sharing Agreements");

all of which Employee Benefit Plans,  Shareholders' Agreements,  Management
Agreements,  Existing Indebtedness  Agreements,  Employment Agreements,  Service
Agreements and Tax Sharing Agreements shall be in form and substance  reasonably
satisfactory to the  Administrative  Agent and shall be in full force and effect
on the Initial Borrowing Date.

     5.07  Consummation of the  Refinancing;  etc. (a) On the Initial  Borrowing
Date, all  Indebtedness  under the Existing  Credit  Agreements  shall have been
repaid in full and all commitments in respect thereof shall have been terminated
and all Liens and guaranties in connection  therewith shall have been terminated
(and all appropriate  releases,  termination  statements or other instruments of
assignment  with respect  thereto  shall have been  obtained) to the  reasonable
satisfaction of the Administrative  Agent. The  Administrative  Agent shall have
received  satisfactory evidence (including  satisfactory pay-off letters,  UCC-3
termination statements and releases, assignments or amendments of rig mortgages)
that the  matters  set forth in the  immediately  preceding  sentence  have been
satisfied as of the Initial Borrowing Date.

     (b) After giving effect to the consummation of the Transaction, neither the
Parent  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  shall  have any  outstanding  Indebtedness
except (i) the Obligations  and (ii) such other  Indebtedness as is permitted to
remain outstanding pursuant to Section 9.04.

     5.08  Subsidiaries   Guaranties.   On  the  Initial  Borrowing  Date,  each
Subsidiary  Guarantor  (other than any Subsidiary  Guarantor  which is a Foreign
Subsidiary where the Administrative  Agent determines,  based on advice of local
counsel, that it would be preferable for the respective Subsidiary Guarantor not
to execute and deliver the U.S. Subsidiaries  Guaranty,  but only to execute and
deliver a Foreign  Subsidiaries  Guaranty as contemplated below) shall have duly
authorized, executed and delivered the U.S. Subsidiaries Guaranty in the form of
Exhibit G (as modified,  amended or  supplemented  from time to time,  the "U.S.
Subsidiaries  Guaranty")  and the U.S.  Subsidiaries  Guaranty  shall be in full
force and effect.  With respect to any Subsidiary  Guarantor  which is a Foreign
Subsidiary  of the Parent,  if the  Administrative  Agent  determines  (based on
advice of local  counsel)  that it would be in the interests of the Lenders that
(x) the  respective  Subsidiary  Guarantor  execute  both the U.S.  Subsidiaries
Guaranty  and a guaranty  governed by the law of the  jurisdiction  in which the
respective  Foreign  Subsidiary  is organized or (y) the  respective  Subsidiary
Guarantor  execute only a guaranty  governed by the laws of the  jurisdiction in
which the  respective  Subsidiary  Guarantor  is organized  then the  respective
Subsidiary  Guarantor shall take the actions contemplated by clauses (x) or (y),
as the case may be,  above  (and,  in the case of clause  (y)  above,  shall not
execute the U.S.  Subsidiaries  Guaranty).  Each  guaranty  to be  executed  and
delivered  by Foreign  Subsidiaries  of the Parent  pursuant to the  immediately
preceding  sentence  (each, as modified,  amended or  supplemented  from time to
time,  a "Foreign  Subsidiaries  Guaranty")  shall be prepared by local  counsel
satisfactory  to  the  Administrative   Agent  and  be  in  form  and  substance
satisfactory  to the  Administrative  Agent,  and  shall  conform  as  nearly as
possible (as to the obligations guaranteed and the rights intended to be granted
thereunder) to the U.S.  Subsidiaries  Guaranty,  taking into account variations
necessary or desirable  under  applicable  local law. Each Foreign  Subsidiaries
Guaranty shall be in full force and effect. Schedule IV sets forth a list of all
Subsidiaries   of  the  Parent  which  shall  have   executed  and  delivered  a
Subsidiaries Guaranty on or prior to the Initial Borrowing Date.

     5.09 Pledge  Agreements.  On or before the  Initial  Borrowing  Date,  each
Pledgor   (excluding  any  Foreign  Pledgor  where  the   Administrative   Agent
determines,  based on advice of local  counsel,  that it would be preferable for
the  respective  Foreign  Pledgor not to execute  and  deliver  the U.S.  Pledge
Agreement,  but to execute and deliver one or more Foreign Pledge  Agreements as
contemplated below) shall have duly authorized,  executed and delivered the U.S.
Pledge Agreement in the form of Exhibit G (as amended,  modified or supplemented
from time to time, the "U.S. Pledge Agreement"). With respect to (A) any Foreign
Pledgor,  if the  Administrative  Agent  determines  (based  on  advice of local
counsel)  that it would be in the  interests of the Lenders that the  respective
Foreign Pledgor  authorize,  execute and deliver a pledge agreement  governed by
the laws of the  jurisdiction in which such Foreign Pledgor is organized and (B)
any Pledgor (whether organized under the laws of the United States or a non-U.S.
jurisdiction)  which  is  pledging  equity  interests  in  one or  more  Persons
organized under the laws of a different  jurisdiction  from the  jurisdiction of
organization of the respective Pledgor,  if the Administrative  Agent determines
(based on  advice of local  counsel)  that it would be in the  interests  of the
Lenders that the respective Pledgor  authorize,  execute and deliver one or more
additional  pledge  agreements  governed  by the  laws  of the  jurisdiction  or
jurisdictions  in which the Person or Persons  whose equity  interests are being
pledged  is (or are)  organized,  then the  respective  Pledgor  shall  take the
actions  contemplated  by clause (A) and/or (B), as the case may be, above (and,
in the case of clause (A) above,  shall not execute the U.S. Pledge  Agreement).
Each pledge agreement to be executed and delivered by one or more Credit Parties
pursuant  to  the  immediately  preceding  sentence  (as  modified,  amended  or
supplemented  from time to time,  the "Foreign  Pledge  Agreements"  and each, a
"Foreign Pledge  Agreement") shall be prepared by local counsel  satisfactory to
the  Administrative  Agent  and be in form  and  substance  satisfactory  to the
Administrative  Agent,  and  shall  conform  as nearly  as  possible  (as to the
obligations secured thereby and the rights intended to be granted thereunder) to
the U.S. Pledge Agreement, taking into account variations necessary or desirable
under applicable local law. In connection with the execution and delivery of the
Foreign Pledge Agreements, the respective Credit Parties shall take such actions
as may be necessary or desirable  under local law (as advised by local  counsel)
to create,  maintain,  effect,  perfect,  preserve,  maintain  and  protect  the
security interests granted (or purported to be granted) thereby. The U.S. Pledge
Agreement and each Foreign  Pledge  Agreement  listed on Section A of Schedule V
shall be in full  force and  effect.  Each  Pledgor  is  listed on  Section B of
Schedule V.  Furthermore,  in connection  with the execution and delivery of the
U.S. Pledge Agreement and each Foreign Pledge Agreement (where applicable),  the
following shall be provided by the respective Credit Party:

(i)      to the Collateral Agent, as pledgee, all of the Pledge Agreement
         Collateral referred to therein, accompanied by executed and undated
         endorsements for transfer;

(ii)     in the case of the U.S. Pledge Agreement, proper financing statements
         (Form UCC-1) for filing under the UCC or in other appropriate filing
         offices of each jurisdiction as may be necessary or, in the reasonable
         opinion of the Collateral Agent desirable, to perfect the security
         interests purported to be created by the U.S. Pledge Agreement;

(iii)    in the case of the U.S. Pledge Agreement, certified copies of requests
         for information or copies (Form UCC-11), or equivalent reports, listing
         all effective financing statements that name such Pledgor as debtor and
         that are filed in the jurisdictions referred to in Section 5.09(ii),
         together with copies of such other financing statements that name such
         Pledgor as debtor (none of which shall cover the Collateral except (x)
         to the extent evidencing Permitted Liens or (y) in respect of which the
         Collateral Agent shall have received Form UCC-3 Termination Statements
         (or such other termination statements as shall be required by local
         law) fully executed for filing); and

(iv)     evidence that all other actions necessary or, in the reasonable opinion
         of the Collateral Agent desirable, to perfect and protect the security
         interests purported to be created by the respective Pledge Agreement
         have been taken.

     5.10  Assignment  of  Insurances,   Assignment  of  Earnings  and  Security
Agreements.  On or before the Initial  Borrowing  Date,  each Credit Party which
holds an ownership  interest in any Collateral  Rig shall have duly  authorized,
executed and  delivered (x) an Assignment of Insurances in the form of Exhibit H
(each, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, an "Assignment of
Insurances" and, together with any additional  assignment of insurances executed
and delivered  pursuant to Section  8.11(c),  the  "Assignments  of Insurances")
covering all such Credit  Party's  Insurance  Collateral,  (y) an  Assignment of
Charter Hire, Drilling Contract,  Revenues and Earnings in the form of Exhibit I
(each, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, an "Assignment of
Earnings" and, together with any additional assignment of charter hire, drilling
contract,  revenues and  earnings  executed  and  delivered  pursuant to Section
8.11(c),  the  "Assignments  of Earnings"),  covering all of such Credit Party's
Earnings Collateral and (z) a Security Agreement in the form of Exhibit J (each,
as amended,  modified or supplemented from time to time, a "Security  Agreement"
and,  together with any additional  security  agreements  executed and delivered
pursuant to Section 8.11(c), the "Security  Agreements"),  in each case together
with:

(i)      proper financing statements (Form UCC-1 or the equivalent) fully
         executed for filing under the UCC or other appropriate filing offices
         of each jurisdiction as may be necessary or, in the reasonable opinion
         of the Collateral Agent desirable, to perfect the security interests
         purported to be created by each Assignment of Insurance, each
         Assignment of Earnings and each Security Agreement, in each case
         executed and delivered on or before the Initial Borrowing Date;

(ii)     certified copies of requests for information or copies (Form UCC-11),
         or equivalent  reports as of a recent date, listing all
         effective  financing  statements that name any Credit Party as debtor
         and that are filed in the  jurisdictions  referred to in
         Section 5.10(i) and in such other  jurisdictions in which Insurance
         Collateral,  Earnings  Collateral and Security  Agreement
         Collateral are located on the Initial  Borrowing Date,  together with
         copies of such other financing  statements that name any
         Credit Party as debtor (none of which shall cover any of the Insurance
         Collateral,  Earnings Collateral or Security Agreement
         Collateral,  except (x) to the extent  evidencing  Permitted Liens or
         (y) those in respect of which the Collateral Agent shall
         have  received  termination  statements  (Form UCC-3) or such other
         termination  statements as shall be required by local law
         fully executed for filing);

(iii)    evidence of the provision of notice of assignment of insurances to all
         underwriters, together with the receipt of any consents required by
         such underwriters to the extent set forth in the respective Assignment
         of Insurances; and

(iv)     evidence that all other actions necessary or, in the reasonable opinion
         of the Collateral Agent, desirable to perfect and protect the security
         interests purported to be created by each Assignment of Insurances,
         each Assignment of Earnings and each Security Agreement executed and
         delivered on or before the Initial Borrowing Date have been taken;

and each Assignment of Earnings, each Assignment of Insurances and each Security
Agreement shall be in full force and effect.

     5.11  Collateral  Rig  Mortgage;   Certificates  of  Ownership;   Searches;
Appraisal Reports;  Insurance. (a) On or before the Initial Borrowing Date, each
Credit Party which holds an ownership interest in any Collateral Rig (other than
the ATWOOD  BEACON which will be under  construction  and will not be owned by a
Credit Party on the Initial Borrowing Date) shall have duly authorized, executed
and  delivered,  and caused to be recorded in the  appropriate  rig registry,  a
first preferred mortgage (as modified, amended or supplemented from time to time
in  accordance  with the terms thereof and hereof,  a "Collateral  Rig Mortgage"
and,  together  with  any  additional  collateral  rig  mortgages  executed  and
delivered  pursuant to Section 8.11(c) or (d), the "Collateral Rig  Mortgages"),
substantially  in the form of Exhibit K-I,  K-II,  K-III or K-IV, as applicable,
with respect to each of the  Collateral  Rigs and such  Collateral  Rig Mortgage
shall be effective to create in favor of the Collateral  Agent,  for the benefit
of the Lenders,  a legal, valid and enforceable first priority security interest
in, and lien upon, such Collateral Rigs, subject only to Permitted Liens. Except
as specifically provided above, all filings, deliveries of instruments and other
actions necessary or desirable in the reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent
to protect and preserve  such security  interests  shall have been duly effected
(or, in each case,  arrangements  satisfactory to the Administrative Agent shall
have been made) and the Collateral Agent shall have received evidence thereof in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.

     (b) The  Administrative  Agent  shall have  received  (x)  certificates  of
ownership  from  appropriate   authorities  showing  (or  confirmation  updating
previously  reviewed  certificates  and indicating) the registered  ownership of
each Collateral Rig by the relevant Credit Party and (y) the results of maritime
registry searches with respect to the Collateral Rig, indicating no record liens
other than Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent.

     (c) The Administrative  Agent shall have received class certificates from a
classification  society  recognized  by the United  State Coast Guard or another
internationally    recognized   classification   society   acceptable   to   the
Administrative  Agent,  indicating  that each  Collateral Rig meets the criteria
specified in Section 7.22(c) and is free of recommendations affecting class.

     (d) On or before the Initial Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent shall
have received appraisal reports of recent date in scope, form and substance, and
from two independent  appraisers,  reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent, stating the then current fair market value of each of the Collateral Rigs
on an individual  charter-free  basis, the results of such appraisal reports (i)
shall  be  reasonably   satisfactory  to  the  Administrative   Agent  and  (ii)
demonstrate,  to the reasonable  satisfaction of the Administrative  Agent, that
the Aggregate  Collateral Rig Value on the Initial Borrowing Date is equal to or
greater than $500,000,000.

     (e) On or before the Initial Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent shall
have  received  a  report,  in form and  scope  reasonably  satisfactory  to the
Administrative  Agent,  from a firm  of  independent  marine  insurance  brokers
reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, with respect to the insurance
maintained  by each Credit  Party in respect of the  Collateral  Rig in which it
holds an ownership  interest (if any),  together  with a  certificate  from such
broker  certifying  that such  insurances  (i) are  placed  with such  insurance
companies and/or underwriters and/or clubs, in such amounts, against such risks,
and in such form,  as are  customarily  insured  against by  similarly  situated
insureds  for the  protection  of the  Collateral  Agent as  mortgagee  and (ii)
otherwise conform with the insurance  requirements of the respective  Collateral
Rig Mortgages.

     5.12 Assignment of the ATWOOD BEACON Construction  Contract. On the Initial
Borrowing Date, the Borrower shall have duly authorized,  executed and delivered
an assignment of the Borrower's  rights under that certain  vessel  construction
agreement,  dated as of July 24,  2001,  between  the  Borrower  and Keppel Fels
Limited (the "ATWOOD BEACON Construction Contract") relating to the construction
of the ATWOOD BEACON, a KFELS MOD-V Enhanced B-Class,  Jack-up drilling unit, in
the form of Exhibit L (as modified,  supplemented  or amended from time to time,
the  "Assignment  of  Construction  Contract"),  covering all of the  Borrower's
present  and  future  interests  in the  ATWOOD  BEACON  Construction  Contract,
together with:

(i)      proper Financing Statements (Form UCC-1 or the equivalent) fully
         executed for filing under the UCC or in other appropriate filing
         offices of each jurisdiction as may be necessary or, in the reasonable
         opinion of the Collateral Agent, desirable to perfect the security
         interests purported to be created by the Assignment of Construction
         Contract;

(ii)     certified copies of Requests for Information or Copies (Form UCC-11),
         or equivalent reports, listing all effective financing statements that
         name any Credit Party as debtor and that are filed in the jurisdictions
         referred to in Section 5.10(i) above, together with copies of such
         other financing statements (none of which shall cover the Collateral
         except to the extent evidencing Permitted Liens or in respect of which
         the Collateral Agent shall have received Form UCC-3 Termination
         Statements (or such other termination statements as shall be required
         by local law) fully executed for filing); and

(iii)    evidence that all other actions necessary or, in the reasonable opinion
         of the Collateral Agent, desirable to perfect and protect the security
         interests purported to be created by the Assignment of Construction
         Contract have been taken.

     5.13 Adverse Change; Approvals. (a) Since September 30, 2002, nothing shall
have occurred (and neither the Administrative Agent nor any of the Lenders shall
have become aware of any facts or conditions not previously known to it or them)
which the Administrative  Agent or the Required Lenders shall determine has had,
or  could  reasonably  be  expected  to  have,  either  individually  or in  the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

     (b) On or prior to the Initial  Borrowing Date, all necessary  governmental
(domestic and foreign) and third party  approvals  and/or consents in connection
with the Transaction and the other transactions  contemplated  hereby shall have
been  obtained and remain in effect,  and all  applicable  waiting  periods with
respect  thereto  shall  have  expired  without  any action  being  taken by any
competent  authority  which,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Administrative  Agent,
restrains,   prevents  or  imposes   materially   adverse  conditions  upon  the
consummation  of the Transaction or the other  transactions  contemplated by the
Credit  Documents  or  otherwise  referred to herein or therein.  On the Initial
Borrowing Date, there shall not exist any judgment,  order,  injunction or other
restraint  issued  or filed or a  hearing  seeking  injunctive  relief  or other
restraint  pending  or  notified  prohibiting  or  imposing  materially  adverse
conditions  upon the Transaction or the other  transactions  contemplated by the
Credit Documents or otherwise referred to herein or therein.

     5.14 Litigation.  On the Initial Borrowing Date, there shall be no actions,
suits,  investigations  or  proceedings  pending  or  threatened  by any  entity
(private or governmental) (i) with respect to the Transaction, this Agreement or
any other Credit Document or (ii) which the Administrative Agent or the Required
Lenders shall determine has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, either
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

     5.15 Solvency  Certificate.  On or before the Initial  Borrowing  Date, the
Administrative  Agent shall have received a solvency  certificate from the chief
financial  officer of the  Parent,  in the form of  Exhibit  M,  which  shall be
addressed  to the  Administrative  Agent and each of the  Lenders  and dated the
Initial  Borrowing Date,  setting forth the conclusion that, after giving effect
to the Transaction and the incurrence of all the financings contemplated hereby,
each of the Parent and the Borrower,  on an individual basis, the Parent and its
Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as
a whole, are not insolvent and will not be rendered  insolvent by the incurrence
of such indebtedness,  and will not be left with unreasonably small capital with
which to engage in their respective  businesses and will not have incurred debts
beyond their ability to pay such debts as they mature.

     5.16 Financial Statements;  Projections;  Monthly Fleet Report. On or prior
to the Initial  Borrowing  Date,  the  Administrative  Agent shall have received
copies of the financial statements,  Projections and the Monthly Fleet Report as
of April 1, 2003,  referred to in Sections 7.05(a),  (d) and (e),  respectively,
which  historical  financial  statements,  Projections  and Monthly Fleet Report
shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

     5.17  Intercompany  Subordination  Agreement.  On  or  before  the  Initial
Borrowing Date, the obligor and obligee in respect of any loan, advance or other
extension  of credit  (including,  without  limitation,  pursuant to  guarantees
thereof or security  thereof)  which are made to a Credit Party by the Parent or
any Subsidiary of the Parent shall have duly authorized,  executed and delivered
the Intercompany  Subordination Agreement in the form of Exhibit Q (as modified,
supplemented  or  amended  from time to time,  the  "Intercompany  Subordination
Agreement"), and the Intercompany Subordination Agreement shall be in full force
and effect.

     5.18  Mergers.  On or prior to the Initial  Borrowing  Date,  each of Eagle
Oceanics,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation,  and Atwood  Oceanics  Drilling Co., a
Texas  corporation,  shall have each merged  with and into the Parent,  with the
Parent (in each case) being the surviving  corporation,  and the  Administrative
Agent shall have received a merger certificate evidencing each such merger.

     SECTION 6.  Conditions  Precedent to All Credit  Events.  The obligation of
each Lender to make Loans (including Loans made on the Initial  Borrowing Date),
and the obligation of each Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit  (including
Letters of Credit issued on the Initial Borrowing Date) is subject,  at the time
of each such Credit Event (except as hereinafter indicated), to the satisfaction
of the following conditions:

     6.01 No Default; Representations and Warranties. At the time of each Credit
Event and also after giving  effect  thereto (i) there shall exist no Default or
Event of Default and (ii) all  representations  and warranties  contained herein
and in each other  Credit  Document  shall be true and  correct in all  material
respects with the same effect as though such  representations and warranties had
been made on the date of such Credit Event (it being  understood and agreed that
any representation or warranty which by its terms is made as of a specified date
shall be  required to be true and correct in all  material  respects  only as of
such specified date).

     6.02 Notice of Borrowing; Letter of Credit Request. (a) Prior to the making
of each  Loan,  the  Administrative  Agent  shall  have  received  the Notice of
Borrowing meeting the requirements of Section 1.03(a).

     (b) Prior to the  issuance  of each  Letter of Credit,  the  Administrative
Agent and the  respective  Issuing Lender shall have received a Letter of Credit
Request meeting the requirements of Section 2.03(a).

     The  acceptance  of the  benefits of each Credit  Event shall  constitute a
representation  and  warranty  by each of the  Parent  and the  Borrower  to the
Administrative  Agent and each of the Lenders that all the conditions  specified
in Section 5 (with respect to Credit Events  occurring on the Initial  Borrowing
Date) and in this Section 6 (with respect to Credit Events occurring on or after
the Initial Borrowing Date) and applicable to such Credit Event are satisfied as
of that time. All of the Notes, certificates, legal opinions and other documents
and papers  referred  to in Section 5 and in this  Section 6,  unless  otherwise
specified,  shall be delivered to the Administrative  Agent at the Notice Office
for the account of each of the Lenders and,  except for the Notes, in sufficient
counterparts  or  copies  for  each of the  Lenders  and  shall  be in form  and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

     SECTION 7. Representations,  Warranties and Agreements.  In order to induce
the Lenders to enter into this  Agreement and to make the Loans and issue and/or
participate in the Letters of Credit as provided herein,  each of the Parent and
the Borrower makes the following representations,  warranties and agreements, in
each case after giving effect to the  Transaction  as consummated on the Initial
Borrowing  Date,  all of which shall  survive the execution and delivery of this
Agreement  and the Notes and the  making  of the Loans and the  issuance  of the
Letters of Credit,  with the  occurrence  of each  Credit  Event on or after the
Initial Borrowing Date being deemed to constitute a representation  and warranty
that the  matters  specified  in this  Section  7 are true  and  correct  in all
material  respects  on and as of the Initial  Borrowing  Date and on the date of
each  such  other  Credit  Event  (it  being  understood  and  agreed  that  any
representation  or warranty  which by its terms is made as of a  specified  date
shall be  required to be true and correct in all  material  respects  only as of
such specified date).

     7.01 Corporate/Limited  Liability Company/Limited  Partnership Status. Each
of the Parent and each of its Subsidiaries (other than any Inactive  Subsidiary)
(i) is a duly  organized and validly  existing  corporation,  limited  liability
company,  limited  partnership or other business entity,  as the case may be, in
good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its  organization,  (ii) has
the  corporate or other  applicable  power and authority to own its property and
assets  and to  transact  the  business  in which it is  engaged  and  presently
proposes to engage and (iii) is duly  qualified and is authorized to do business
and is in good standing in each  jurisdiction  where the  ownership,  leasing or
operation  of  its  property  or  the  conduct  of its  business  requires  such
qualifications,   except  for  failures  to  be  so  qualified   which,   either
individually  or in the  aggregate,  could not  reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

     7.02 Corporate Power and Authority.  Each Credit Party has the corporate or
other applicable  power and authority to execute,  deliver and perform the terms
and  provisions  of each of the  Credit  Documents  to which it is party and has
taken all  necessary  corporate  or other  applicable  action to  authorize  the
execution, delivery and performance by it of each of such Credit Documents. Each
Credit Party has duly  executed and  delivered  each of the Credit  Documents to
which it is party,  and each of such  Credit  Documents  constitutes  its legal,
valid and binding obligation enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to
the  extent  that  the  enforceability  thereof  may be  limited  by  applicable
bankruptcy,  insolvency,  fraudulent conveyance,  reorganization,  moratorium or
other  similar  laws  generally  affecting  creditors'  rights and by  equitable
principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law).

     7.03 No Violation.  Neither the  execution,  delivery or performance by any
Credit Party of the Credit  Documents to which it is a party,  nor compliance by
it with the terms and provisions  thereof,  (i) will contravene any provision of
any law, statute, rule or regulation or any order, writ, injunction or decree of
any court or governmental instrumentality,  (ii) will conflict with or result in
any breach of any of the  terms,  covenants,  conditions  or  provisions  of, or
constitute a default  under,  or result in the creation or imposition of (or the
obligation  to create or  impose)  any Lien  (except  pursuant  to the  Security
Documents) upon any of the properties or assets any Credit Party pursuant to the
terms of any  indenture,  mortgage,  deed of  trust,  credit  agreement  or loan
agreement, or any other agreement, contract or instrument, in each case to which
any Credit  Party is a party or by which it or any of its  property or assets is
bound or to which it may be subject or (iii) will  violate any  provision of the
certificate   or  articles   of   incorporation   or  by-laws   (or   equivalent
organizational documents) of any Credit Party.

     7.04  Governmental  Approvals.  No  order,  consent,   approval,   license,
authorization  or  validation  of, or filing,  recording  or  registration  with
(except for those that have  otherwise  been obtained or made on or prior to the
Initial  Borrowing  Date),  or exemption by, any  governmental or public body or
authority, or any subdivision thereof, is required to be obtained or made by, or
on behalf of, any Credit  Party to  authorize,  or is required to be obtained or
made by,  or on  behalf  of,  any  Credit  Party  in  connection  with,  (i) the
execution, delivery and performance of any Credit Document or (ii) the legality,
validity, binding effect or enforceability of any Credit Document.

     7.05 Financial Statements;  Financial Condition;  Undisclosed  Liabilities;
Projections;  etc.  (a) The  consolidated  balance  sheet of the  Parent and its
Subsidiaries  for the Parent's  fiscal year ended on September 30, 2002, and the
consolidated  balance sheet of the Parent and its  Subsidiaries for the Parent's
fiscal  quarter  ended on  December  31,  2002 and (in each  case)  the  related
consolidated  statements of income,  cash flows and shareholders'  equity of the
Parent and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year or fiscal quarter ended on such
dates,  as the  case  may  be,  copies  of  which  have  been  furnished  to the
Administrative  Agent  and the  Lenders  prior to the  Initial  Borrowing  Date,
present fairly in all material respects the consolidated  financial  position of
the  Parent and its  Subsidiaries  at the dates of such  balance  sheets and the
consolidated  results of the operations of the Parent and its  Subsidiaries  for
the  periods  covered  thereby.   All  of  the  foregoing  historical  financial
statements  have been  prepared in  accordance  with GAAP  consistently  applied
(except, in the case of the aforementioned  quarterly financial statements,  for
normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes).

     (b) On and as of the Initial Borrowing Date, and after giving effect to the
Transaction  and to all  Indebtedness  (including  the Loans) being  incurred or
assumed and Liens created by the Credit Parties in connection therewith, (i) the
sum of the assets, at a fair valuation,  of each of the Parent and the Borrower,
on an individual  basis, of the Parent and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,
and of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  will exceed their
respective  debts,  (ii) each of the Parent and the  Borrower,  on an individual
basis, the Parent and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, and the Borrower and
its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  have not  incurred  and do not  intend to
incur,  and do not believe that they will incur,  debts beyond their  respective
ability to pay such debts as such debts mature, and (iii) each of the Parent and
the Borrower, on an individual basis, the Parent and its Subsidiaries,  taken as
a whole,  and the Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  will have
sufficient  capital  with  which to conduct  their  respective  businesses.  For
purposes of this Section  7.05(b),  "debt" means any  liability on a claim,  and
"claim"  means (x) right to  payment,  whether or not such a right is reduced to
judgment,  liquidated,  unliquidated,  fixed,  contingent,  matured,  unmatured,
disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured, or unsecured or (y) right to an
equitable  remedy  for  breach of  performance  if such  breach  gives rise to a
payment,  whether  or not such  right  to an  equitable  remedy  is  reduced  to
judgment, fixed, contingent,  matured, unmatured,  disputed, undisputed, secured
or unsecured. The amount of contingent liabilities at any time shall be computed
as the amount that, in the light of all the facts and circumstances  existing at
such time,  represents  the amount that can  reasonably be expected to become an
actual or matured liability.

     (c) Except as fully  disclosed in the financial  statements  referred to in
Section 7.05(a),  there were as of the Initial  Borrowing Date no liabilities or
obligations  with respect to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of any nature
whatsoever  (whether absolute,  accrued,  contingent or otherwise and whether or
not due) which,  either  individually or in the aggregate,  could  reasonably be
expected to be material to the Parent and its Subsidiaries  taken as a whole. As
of the Initial  Borrowing  Date, the Credit Parties know of no reasonable  basis
for the  assertion  against it or any of its  Subsidiaries  of any  liability or
obligation of any nature whatsoever that is not fully disclosed in the financial
statements or referred to in Section  7.05(a) which,  either  individually or in
the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to be material to the Parent and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

     (d) On and as of the Initial  Borrowing  Date, the  Projections  which have
been delivered to the Administrative  Agent and the Lenders prior to the Initial
Borrowing  Date have been  prepared  in good  faith and are based on  reasonable
assumptions,  and  there  are  no  statements  or  conclusions  in  any  of  the
Projections  which are based upon or include  information known to the Parent or
the Borrower to be misleading in any material respect or which fail to take into
account material  information known to the Parent or the Borrower  regarding the
matters  reported  therein;  it being recognized by the Lenders,  however,  that
projections  as to  future  events  are not to be  viewed  as facts and that the
actual  results  during  the period or periods  covered by the  Projections  may
differ from the projected results.

     (e) Each monthly  fleet  employment  report  (each such report,  a "Monthly
Fleet Report") delivered to the  Administrative  Agent and the Lenders prior to,
on or after the Initial Borrowing Date sets forth as of the date of such report,
the  location,  charter,  term and rate for all Rigs owned and  operated  by the
Parent and its  Subsidiaries  (including,  without  limitation,  the  Collateral
Rigs).

     (f) After giving effect to the Transaction  (but for this purpose  assuming
that the Transaction  and the related  financing had occurred prior to September
30, 2002),  since September 30, 2002,  there has been no change in the property,
assets, operations,  liabilities, financial condition or prospects of the Parent
or any of its  Subsidiaries  that has had,  or could  reasonably  be expected to
have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

     7.06 Litigation.  There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to
the knowledge of the Parent or the Borrower,  threatened (i) with respect to the
Transaction or any Credit Document or (ii) that could  reasonably be expected to
have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

     7.07 True and  Complete  Disclosure.  All factual  information  (taken as a
whole) furnished by or on behalf of the Parent or the Borrower in writing to the
Administrative  Agent  or  any  Lender  (including,   without  limitation,   all
information  contained in the Credit Documents) for purposes of or in connection
with this Agreement,  the other Credit Documents or any transaction contemplated
herein or therein is, and all other such factual  information (taken as a whole)
hereafter  furnished by or on behalf of the Parent or the Borrower in writing to
the  Administrative  Agent or any  Lender  will be,  true  and  accurate  in all
material respects on the date as of which such information is dated or certified
and not  incomplete  by  omitting  to state  any  fact  necessary  to make  such
information  (taken as a whole) not  misleading in any material  respect at such
time in light of the circumstances under which such information was provided.

     7.08 Use of  Proceeds;  Margin  Regulations.  (a) All  proceeds of all Term
Loans  shall be used (i) to  consummate  the  Refinancing,  (ii) to pay fees and
expenses  incurred in connection  with the  Transaction and (iii) to finance the
completion of the construction of the ATWOOD BEACON.

     (b) (i) All proceeds of all Revolving Loans shall be used (w) to consummate
the  Refinancing,  (x) to  consummate  the  Reorganization,  (y) to pay fees and
expenses  incurred in connection  with the  Transaction and (z) for the Parent's
and its  Subsidiaries'  general  corporate and working capital purposes and (ii)
all Letters of Credit  shall be issued  for,  and the  proceeds of all  Drawings
under all Letters of Credit shall be utilized in connection  with,  the Parent's
and its Subsidiaries' general corporate and working capital purposes.

     (c) No part of any Credit Event (or the proceeds  thereof)  will be used to
purchase  or carry any  Margin  Stock or to extend  credit  for the  purpose  of
purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock.  Neither the making of any Loan nor the
use of the proceeds  thereof nor the  occurrence  of any other Credit Event will
violate or be  inconsistent  with the  provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

     7.09 Tax Returns and Payments. The Parent and each of its Subsidiaries have
timely filed with the  appropriate  taxing  authority  all returns,  statements,
forms and  reports  for taxes (the  "Returns")  required to be filed by, or with
respect to the income, properties or operations of, the Parent and/or any of its
Subsidiaries.  The  Returns  accurately  reflect in all  material  respects  all
liability  for  taxes of the  Parent  and its  Subsidiaries  as a whole  for the
periods covered  thereby.  Each of the Parent and each of its  Subsidiaries  has
paid all taxes and  assessments  payable by it,  other than those that are being
contested in good faith and  adequately  disclosed and fully provided for on the
financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.
There is no action, suit, proceeding,  investigation, audit or claim now pending
or, to the best knowledge of the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries,  threatened
by any  authority  regarding  any  taxes  relating  to the  Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries.  Except as set forth on Schedule VI, neither the Parent nor any of
its  Subsidiaries  has entered into an agreement or waiver or been  requested to
enter into an agreement or waiver extending any statute of limitations  relating
to the payment or collection of taxes of the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries,
or is aware of any  circumstances  that would cause the  taxable  years or other
taxable  periods of the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  not to be subject to
the normally applicable statute of limitations.  Except as set forth on Schedule
VI, none of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries  has incurred,  or will incur,
any  material tax  liability in  connection  with the  Transaction  or any other
transactions  contemplated  hereby (it being understood that the  representation
contained  in this  sentence  does not cover any future tax  liabilities  of the
Parent or any of its Subsidiaries  arising as a result of the operation of their
businesses in the ordinary course of business).

     7.10 Compliance with ERISA.  (a) Schedule VII sets forth, as of the Initial
Borrowing Date, the name of each Plan.  Neither the Parent nor any Subsidiary of
the Parent nor any ERISA  Affiliate  has ever  sponsored,  maintained,  made any
contributions to or has any liability in respect of any Plan which is subject to
Title IV of ERISA or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code;  each Plan
has been  maintained  and operated in compliance in all materials  respects with
the provisions of ERISA and, to the extent applicable,  the Code,  including but
not limited to the provisions thereunder respecting prohibited transactions.  No
action, suit,  proceeding,  hearing,  audit or investigation with respect to the
administration,  operation or the  investment  of assets of any Plan (other than
routine claims for benefits) is pending, expected or threatened. Except as would
not  result in a  material  liability,  each group  health  plan (as  defined in
Section 607(1) of ERISA or Section  4980B(g)(2) of the Code) which covers or has
covered  employees or former  employees  of the Parent,  any  Subsidiary  of the
Parent, or any ERISA Affiliate has at all times been operated in compliance with
the  provisions of Part 6 of subtitle B of Title I of ERISA and Section 4980B of
the Code.  Under each Plan which is an employee  welfare benefit plan within the
meaning  of Section  3(1) or  Section  3(2)(B)  of ERISA,  no  benefits  are due
thereunder unless the event giving rise to the benefit  entitlement occurs prior
to plan termination (except as required by Title I, Part 6 of ERISA). Any of the
Parent, any Subsidiary of the Parent or any ERISA Affiliate, as appropriate, may
terminate  each  such  Plan  at  any  time  (or at any  time  subsequent  to the
expiration of any  applicable  bargaining  agreement) in the  discretion of such
Person  without  liability  to any  Person.  Each of the  Parent and each of its
Subsidiaries  may cease  contributions to or terminate any employee benefit plan
maintained by any of them without incurring any material liability.

     (b) Each Foreign Pension Plan has been maintained in substantial compliance
with its  terms  and  with  the  requirements  of any and all  applicable  laws,
statutes, rules, regulations and orders and has been maintained, where required,
in good standing  with  applicable  regulatory  authorities.  All  contributions
required  to be made with  respect to a Foreign  Pension  Plan have been  timely
made. Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any obligation
in connection with the  termination of, or withdrawal  from, any Foreign Pension
Plan.  The present  value of the  accrued  benefit  liabilities  (whether or not
vested)  under  each  Foreign  Pension  Plan,  determined  as of the  end of the
Parent's most recently ended fiscal year on the basis of then current  actuarial
assumptions,  each of which is  reasonable,  did not exceed the current value of
the assets of such Foreign Pension Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities.

     7.11 The  Security  Documents.  Each of the Security  Documents  creates in
favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured  Creditors a legal,
valid and enforceable  fully perfected first priority  security  interest in and
Lien on all right,  title and interest of the Credit  Parties in the  Collateral
described  therein,  subject to no other Liens other than  Permitted  Liens.  No
filings or  recordings  are required in order to perfect the security  interests
created  under any Security  Document,  except for filings or  recordings  which
shall have been made (x) on or prior to the Initial  Borrowing Date, in the case
of filings  and  recordings  in respect of the  Collateral  Rigs (other than the
recording  of the  Collateral  Rig  Mortgage  in respect of the ATWOOD  SOUTHERN
CROSS,  VICKSBURG and ATWOOD BEACON),  (y) on or prior to the first Business Day
following the Initial Borrowing Date, in the case of the Collateral Rig Mortgage
relating to the ATWOOD  SOUTHERN CROSS and the VICKSBURG,  or (z) on or prior to
the  Anticipated  ATWOOD BEACON Delivery Date, in the case of the Collateral Rig
Mortgage relating to the ATWOOD BEACON.

     7.12 Capitalization.  On the Initial Borrowing Date, the authorized capital
stock of (a) the Parent consists of (i) 20,000,000 shares of common stock, $1.00
par value per share, of which  13,845,051  shares are issued and outstanding and
(ii)  1,000,000  shares of preferred  stock (of which  500,000  shares have been
designated as Series A Junior Participating  Preferred), no par value per share,
none of which shares are issued and outstanding and (b) the Borrower consists of
1,000 shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share, of which 127 shares are
issued and outstanding. All such outstanding equity interests have been duly and
validly issued,  are fully paid and  non-assessable and have been issued free of
preemptive  rights.  Except for (x) rights in respect of the equity interests of
the Parent that are  convertible at the option of the holder thereof into common
stock of the Parent and (y) rights to receive equity  interests of the Parent in
accordance  with the Rights  Plan,  neither the Parent nor the  Borrower has any
outstanding securities convertible into or exchangeable for its capital stock or
outstanding  any rights to subscribe for or to purchase,  or any options for the
purchase  of,  or any  agreement  providing  for  the  issuance  (contingent  or
otherwise)  of, or any calls in respect of, the  capital  stock of the Parent or
the Borrower, as the case may be.

     7.13  Subsidiaries.  On the Initial Borrowing Date, the Parent will have no
Subsidiaries  other than  those  Subsidiaries  listed on  Schedule  VIII  (which
Schedule identifies the correct legal name, direct owner,  percentage ownership,
each Subsidiary which is a Material  Subsidiary and jurisdiction of organization
of each such Subsidiary on the Initial Borrowing Date).

     7.14  Compliance  with  Statutes,  etc.  Each of the Parent and each of its
Subsidiaries  is in compliance  with all applicable  statutes,  regulations  and
orders of, and all applicable  restrictions imposed by, all governmental bodies,
domestic or foreign, in respect of the conduct of its business and the ownership
of  its  property   (including,   without   limitation,   applicable   statutes,
regulations,  orders and restrictions  relating to  environmental  standards and
controls), except such noncompliance as could not, either individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     7.15 Investment Company Act. Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries
is an "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an "investment company,"
within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

     7.16 Public Utility Holdings Company Act. Neither the Parent nor any of its
Subsidiaries  is a "holding  company"  or a  "subsidiary  company" of a "holding
company" or an "affiliate" of a "holding  company" or of a "subsidiary  company"
of a "holding company" within the meaning of the Public Utility Holdings Company
Act of 1935, as amended.

     7.17  Environmental  Matters.  (a)  Each  of the  Parent  and  each  of its
Subsidiaries  is in compliance  with all applicable  Environmental  Laws and the
requirements of any permits issued under such  Environmental  Laws. There are no
pending  or,  to  the  knowledge  of the  Parent  or  the  Borrower,  threatened
Environmental  Claims against the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries or any Rig,
Real Property or other facility  owned,  leased or operated by the Parent or any
of its  Subsidiaries  (including  any such claim  arising out of the  ownership,
lease or operation  by the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  of any Rig,  Real
Property or other facility  formerly owned,  leased or operated by the Parent or
any of its Subsidiaries but no longer owned, leased or operated by the Parent or
any of its  Subsidiaries).  All licenses,  permits,  registrations  or approvals
required for the business of the Parent and each of its  Subsidiaries  under any
Environmental  Law have been secured and the Parent and each of its Subsidiaries
is in  compliance  therewith.  To the  best  knowledge  of the  Parent  and  its
Subsidiaries,  there are no facts,  circumstances,  conditions or occurrences in
respect of any Rig,  Real  Property or other  facility  owned or operated by the
Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  that is  reasonably  likely  (i) to form the
basis of an Environmental  Claim against the Parent,  any of its Subsidiaries or
any Rig,  Real  Property  or other  facility  owned by the  Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries,  or (ii) to cause such Rig, Real Property or other  facility to be
subject to any restrictions on its ownership,  occupancy, use or transferability
under any Environmental Law.

     (b) Hazardous Materials have not at any time been generated,  used, treated
or stored on, or  transported  to or from, or Released on or from, any Rig, Real
Property or other facility owned, leased or operated by the Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries during the time of such ownership, lease or operation by the Parent
or any of its  Subsidiaries  or, to the  knowledge  of the  Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries,  prior  or  subsequent  to the  time of such  ownership,  lease or
operation  by the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries.  To the  knowledge  of the
Parent  and its  Subsidiaries,  Hazardous  Materials  have not at any time  been
generated, used, treated or stored on, or transported to or from, or Released on
or from,  any  property  adjoining  or  adjacent  to any Real  Property or other
facility,  where such generation,  use,  treatment,  storage,  transportation or
Release has violated or could be reasonably  expected to violate any  applicable
Environmental Law or give rise to an Environmental Claim.

     (c) All of the Rigs comply with all applicable  international  conventions,
national, federal, state and other governmental laws and regulations. The Parent
and its  Subsidiaries  have made all  required  payments  and  contributions  to
statutory  environmental  insurance  schemes and other  environmental  insurance
schemes  applicable  to the Parent and its  Subsidiaries  and  customary for the
business and operations conducted by them.

     7.18 Labor  Relations.  Neither the Parent nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is
engaged  in any  unfair  labor  practice  that,  either  individually  or in the
aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There
is (i) no unfair labor practice  complaint  pending against the Parent or any of
its  Subsidiaries  or, to the Parent's or the Borrower's  knowledge,  threatened
against any of them before the National Labor Relations  Board, and no grievance
or  arbitration  proceeding  arising out of or under any  collective  bargaining
agreement is so pending against the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the
Parent's or the Borrower's  knowledge,  threatened  against any of them, (ii) no
strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage pending against the Parent or any of
its  Subsidiaries  or, to the Parent's or the Borrower's  knowledge,  threatened
against the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries and (iii) no union  representation
proceeding  pending  with  respect to the  employees of the Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries, except (with respect to the matters specified in clauses (i), (ii)
and  (iii)  above)  as  could  not,  either  individually  or in the  aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     7.19 Patents,  Licenses,  Franchises  and Formulas.  Each of the Parent and
each of its  Subsidiaries  owns, or has the right to use, all material  patents,
trademarks,  trade secrets,  service marks, trade names,  copyrights,  licenses,
franchises  and formulas,  and has obtained  assignments of all leases and other
rights of whatever  nature,  necessary for the present  conduct of its business,
without any known  conflict with the rights of others,  except for such failures
and  conflicts  which  could  not,  either  individually  or in  the  aggregate,
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

     7.20  Indebtedness.  Schedule  IX sets  forth  a list  of all  Indebtedness
(excluding  the   Obligations   and  other  items  of   Indebtedness   that  are
independently  justified  under  Section  9.04  (other than under  clause  (iii)
thereof)) of the Parent and its  Subsidiaries  as of the Initial  Borrowing Date
and which is to remain  outstanding  after giving effect to the Transaction (the
"Existing Indebtedness"),  in each case (other than in the case of loans made by
the Parent to its Subsidiaries)  showing the aggregate  principal amount thereof
and the name of the borrower and any other entity which  directly or  indirectly
guarantees such debt.

     7.21 Insurance. Schedule X sets forth a list of all insurance maintained by
each Credit Party as of the Initial  Borrowing  Date,  with the amounts  insured
(and any deductibles) set forth therein.

     7.22 Collateral  Rigs. (a) The name,  registered owner and official number,
and jurisdiction of registration and flag of each Collateral Rig is set forth on
Schedule XI. Except as set forth on Schedule XI, each Collateral Rig is operated
in all  material  respects in  compliance  with all  applicable  law,  rules and
regulations (including,  without limitation,  in the case of each Collateral Rig
that is classified  on the Initial  Borrowing  Date,  compliance in all material
respects with all requirements of such  classification as required by the United
States Coast Guard or other internationally  recognized  classification  society
acceptable to the Administrative  Agent).  Each Collateral Rig is covered by all
such  insurance  as is  required  in  accordance  with the  requirements  of the
respective Collateral Rig Mortgage.

     (b) The  Borrower and each other Credit Party which owns or operates one or
more  Collateral  Rigs is qualified to own and operate such Collateral Rig under
the laws of either the United States,  the Republic of Panama,  Commonwealth  of
Australia or the Republic of the Marshall Islands,  as may be applicable,  based
upon the registry of such  Collateral  Rig, or such other  jurisdiction in which
any such  Collateral  Rigs are  permitted to be flagged in  accordance  with the
terms of the respective Collateral Rig Mortgages.

     (c) Each  Collateral  Rig is classified in the highest class  available for
rigs  of its age and  type  with  the  United  States  Coast  Guard  or  another
internationally    recognized   classification   society   acceptable   to   the
Administrative  Agent, free of any conditions or recommendations,  other than as
permitted under the Collateral Rig Mortgage related thereto.

     7.23  Properties.  The  Parent and each of its  Subsidiaries  have good and
marketable  title  to all  properties  owned  by them,  including  all  property
reflected  in  Schedule  XI and in the  balance  sheets  referred  to in Section
7.05(a) (except as sold or otherwise  disposed of since the date of such balance
sheet in the  ordinary  course of business or as  permitted by the terms of this
Agreement), free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens.

     7.24  Legal  Names;   Type  of  Organization   (and  Whether  a  Registered
Organization); Jurisdiction of Organization; etc. Schedule XII sets forth, as of
the Initial Borrowing Date, the legal name of the Parent,  the Borrower and each
Subsidiary  Guarantor,  the type of organization of the Parent, the Borrower and
each  Subsidiary  Guarantor,  whether  or not the  Parent  and  each  Subsidiary
Guarantor  that is a  Domestic  Subsidiary  is a  registered  organization,  the
jurisdiction  of  organization  of the Parent,  the Borrower and each Subsidiary
Guarantor and the  organizational  identification  number (if any) of the Parent
and each Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Domestic Subsidiary.

     SECTION  8.  Affirmative  Covenants.  The Parent  and the  Borrower  hereby
covenant  and agree that on and after the Initial  Borrowing  Date and until the
Total  Commitment  has been  terminated  and no  Letters  of Credit or Notes are
outstanding  and  all  Loans,  together  with  interest,   Fees  and  all  other
Obligations  (other than  indemnities  described in Section  14.13 which are not
then due and payable) incurred hereunder and thereunder, are paid in full:

     8.01 Information Covenants. The Parent and the Borrower will furnish to the
Administrative Agent, with sufficient copies for each of the Lenders:

     (a) Quarterly Financial  Statements.  Within 45 days after the close of the
first three quarterly  accounting periods in each fiscal year of the Parent, (i)
the consolidated  balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as at the end
of such quarterly accounting period and the related  consolidated  statements of
income and  retained  earnings and  statement  of cash flows for such  quarterly
accounting  period and for the elapsed portion of the fiscal year ended with the
last  day of such  quarterly  accounting  period,  in each  case  setting  forth
comparative  figures for the  corresponding  quarterly  accounting period in the
prior fiscal year and comparable budgeted figures for such quarterly  accounting
period as set forth in the  respective  budget  delivered  pursuant  to  Section
8.01(f), all of which shall be certified by an Authorized  Representative of the
Parent that they fairly present in all material respects in accordance with GAAP
the  financial  condition  of the  Parent and its  Subsidiaries  as of the dates
indicated and the results of their operations for the periods indicated, subject
to normal  year-end  audit  adjustments  and the absence of footnotes,  and (ii)
management's  discussion and analysis of the important operational and financial
developments during such quarterly accounting period.

     (b)  Annual  Financial  Statements.  Within 90 days after the close of each
fiscal year of the Parent, (i) the consolidated  balance sheet of the Parent and
its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year and the related  consolidated
statements of income and retained  earnings and statement of cash flows for such
fiscal year setting forth comparative  figures for the preceding fiscal year and
certified  by  PriceWaterhouseCoopers  or  other  independent  certified  public
accountants  of  recognized  national  standing  reasonably  acceptable  to  the
Administrative  Agent,  together with a report of such  accounting  firm stating
that in the  course of its  regular  audit of the  financial  statements  of the
Parent and its  Subsidiaries,  which  audit was  conducted  in  accordance  with
generally  accepted  auditing  standards,   such  accounting  firm  obtained  no
knowledge of any Default or Event of Default relating to financial or accounting
matters,  which has  occurred  and is  continuing  or, if in the opinion of such
accounting  firm  such a  Default  or  Event  of  Default  has  occurred  and is
continuing,  a statement  as to the nature and period of  existence  thereof (it
being  understood  that such  accounting  firm shall not be liable  directly  or
indirectly  to any  Person  for any  failure  to  obtain  knowledge  of any such
violations),  and (ii)  management's  discussion  and analysis of the  important
operational and financial developments during such fiscal year.

     (c)  Appraisal  Reports.  Together  with  the  delivery  of  the  financial
statements  described  in Section  8.01(b)  for each  fiscal  year of the Parent
(beginning with its fiscal year ending September 30, 2003),  and, upon a Default
or Event of Default and during the continuance thereof, within 30 days after the
written request of the  Administrative  Agent,  two appraisal  reports of recent
date in form  and  substance  and  from two  independent  appraisers  reasonably
satisfactory  to the  Administrative  Agent,  each stating the then current fair
market value (and each current fair market value used in such  determination) of
each of the  Collateral  Rigs on an  individual  charter-free  basis.  All  such
appraisals shall be arranged by, and made at the expense of, the Borrower.

     (d) Monthly Fleet Report and Contract Reports. Within 30 days following the
end of  each  month,  (i)  the  Monthly  Fleet  Report  of the  Parent  and  its
Subsidiaries setting forth the location, charter, term and rate for all offshore
drilling rigs owned and operated by the Parent and its Subsidiaries  (including,
without  limitation,  the Collateral  Rigs) as of the last day of such month and
(ii) a report (the "Contract Report") on the status of all material contracts of
the Parent  and its  Subsidiaries  (including,  without  limitation,  the ATWOOD
BEACON Construction Contract) as of the last day of such month.

     (e)  Management   Letters.   Promptly  after  the  Parent  or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries'  receipt thereof, a copy of any "management  letter" received from
its certified public accountants and management's response thereto.

     (f) Budgets.  No later than 30 days  following the first day of each fiscal
year of the Parent  (beginning  with the  Parent's  fiscal  year  commencing  on
October 1, 2003), a budget in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent  (including  budgeted  statements of income,  sources and uses of cash and
balance sheets for the Parent and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis) (i)
for each of the four  quarters of such  fiscal year  prepared in detail and (ii)
for the three  immediately  succeeding fiscal years prepared in summary form, in
each case setting forth, with appropriate discussion,  the principal assumptions
upon which such budget is based.

     (g)  Officer's  Certificates.  (I)  At the  time  of  the  delivery  of the
financial  statements  provided  for in Sections  8.01(a) and (b), a  compliance
certificate  from an  Authorized  Representative  of the  Parent  in the form of
Exhibit N certifying on behalf of the Parent and the Borrower  that, to the best
of such Authorized  Representative's  knowledge after due inquiry, no Default or
Event of Default has occurred and is  continuing  or, if any Default or Event of
Default  has  occurred  and is  continuing,  specifying  the  nature  and extent
thereof,  which  certificate  shall  (i) set  forth  in  reasonable  detail  the
calculations  required to establish whether the Parent and its Subsidiaries were
in  compliance  with  the  provisions  of  Sections  9.02(x)(B)(III),  9.04(vi),
9.05(xii) and 9.07 through 9.11, inclusive, at the end of such fiscal quarter or
year,  as the case may be,  (ii) set  forth the  obligor,  the  obligee  and the
principal amount  outstanding of each performance bond, surety bond, appeal bond
or  custom  bond  permitted  under  Section  9.04(vi)  with a  principal  amount
outstanding  of  $1,000,000  or more,  and (iii) certify that there have been no
changes to any of  Schedule  XII,  Annexes A through E,  inclusive,  of the U.S.
Pledge  Agreement or any  equivalent  annexes or schedules to any other Security
Document,  in each case since the Initial Borrowing Date or, if later, since the
date of the most recent certificate  delivered pursuant to this Section 8.01(g),
or if there  have been any such  changes,  a list in  reasonable  detail of such
changes (but, in each case with respect to this clause (iii), only to the extent
that such changes are required to be reported to the  Collateral  Agent pursuant
to the terms of such  Security  Documents)  and whether the Parent and the other
Credit  Parties have  otherwise  taken all actions  required to be taken by them
pursuant to such Security Documents in connection with any such changes.

     (II)  At the  time  of any  Collateral  Disposition,  a  certificate  of an
Authorized  Representative of the Parent, which certificate shall (i) certify on
behalf of the Parent and the  Borrower  that the most recent  appraisal  reports
delivered to the Lenders  pursuant to Section  8.01(c) can be used to accurately
determine the (x) average  appraised  value of the  Collateral Rig or Collateral
Rigs subject to such Collateral Disposition and (y) the Aggregate Collateral Rig
Value after giving effect to such Collateral  Disposition and (ii) set forth the
calculations  required to establish  compliance  with the provisions of Sections
3.03(d), 4.02(c) and 9.11 after giving effect to such Collateral Disposition.

(h)      Notice of Default, Litigation or Event of Loss. Promptly, and in any
         event within three Business Days after the Parent or any of its
         Subsidiaries obtains knowledge thereof, notice of (i) the occurrence of
         any event which constitutes a Default or an Event of Default, which
         notice shall specify the nature thereof, the period of existence
         thereof and what action the Parent and the Borrower propose to take
         with respect thereto, (ii) any litigation or governmental investigation
         or proceeding pending or threatened (x) against the Parent or any of
         its Subsidiaries which, either individually or in the aggregate, could
         reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (y) with
         respect to the Transaction or any Credit Document, (iii) any Event of
         Loss in respect of any Collateral Rig and (iv) any other event, change
         or circumstance that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have,
         a Material Adverse Effect.

(i)      Other Reports and Filings. Promptly after the filing or delivery
         thereof, copies of all financial information, proxy materials and other
         information and reports, if any, which the Parent or any of its
         Subsidiaries shall file with the Securities and Exchange Commission or
         any successor thereto (the "SEC") or deliver to holders (or any
         trustee, agent or other representative therefor) of its Indebtedness
         pursuant to the terms of the documentation governing such Indebtedness
         (or any trustee, agent or other representative therefor).

(j)      Environmental Matters. Promptly upon, and in any event within five
         Business Days after, the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries obtains
         knowledge thereof, written notice of any of the following environmental
         matters occurring after the Initial Borrowing Date, except to the
         extent that such environmental matters could not, either individually
         or when aggregated with all other such environmental matters,
         reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

(i)      any Environmental Claim pending or threatened in writing against the
         Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any Rig, Real Property or other
         facility owned, leased, operated or occupied by the Parent or any of
         its Subsidiaries;

(ii)     any condition or occurrence on or arising from any Rig or property
         owned, leased, operated or occupied by the Parent or any of its
         Subsidiaries that (a) results in noncompliance by the Parent or such
         Subsidiary with any applicable Environmental Law or (b) could
         reasonably be expected to form the basis of an Environmental Claim
         against the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any such Rig, Real
         Property or other facility;

(iii)    any condition or occurrence on any Rig, Real Property or other facility
         owned, leased, operated or occupied by the Parent or any of its
         Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to cause such Rig, Real
         Property or other facility to be subject to any restrictions on the
         ownership, occupancy, use or transferability by the Parent or such
         Subsidiary of such Rig, Real Property or other facility under any
         Environmental Law; and

(iv)     the taking of any removal or remedial action in response to the actual
         or alleged presence of any Hazardous Material on any Rig, Real Property
         or other facility owned, leased, operated or occupied by the Parent or
         any of its Subsidiaries as required by any Environmental Law or any
         governmental or other administrative agency; provided that, in any
         event the Parent shall deliver to the Administrative Agent all notices
         received by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries from any government
         or governmental agency under, or pursuant to, CERCLA or OPA which
         identify the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries as potentially
         responsible parties for remediation costs or otherwise notify the
         Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of potential liability under CERCLA
         or OPA, as the case may be.

     All such  notices  shall  describe in  reasonable  detail the nature of the
claim,  investigation,  condition,  occurrence or removal or remedial action and
the Parent's or such Subsidiary's response thereto. In addition, the Parent will
provide  the  Administrative  Agent with copies of all  communications  with any
government or governmental  agency and all communications  with any other Person
relating  to any  Environmental  Claim of which  notice is  required to be given
pursuant  to this  Section  8.01(j),  and  such  detailed  reports  of any  such
Environmental  Claim as may reasonably be requested by the Administrative  Agent
or the Required Lenders.

     (k) Other  Information.  Promptly  after the  filing or  delivery  thereof,
copies of any filings  and  registrations  with,  and reports to, the SEC by the
Parent or any of its Subsidiaries and copies of all financial statements,  proxy
statements,  notices and reports as the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries  shall
send generally to holders of their capital stock or of any of its  Indebtedness,
in their  capacity as such holders (to the extent not  theretofore  delivered to
the Lenders  pursuant to this Agreement) and, with reasonable  promptness,  such
other  information or documents  (financial or otherwise) as the  Administrative
Agent on its own  behalf or on behalf of the  Required  Lenders  may  reasonably
request from time to time.

     8.02 Books,  Records and  Inspections.  (a) The Parent will, and will cause
each of its  Subsidiaries  to, keep proper  books of record and account in which
full, true and correct entries, in conformity in all material respects with GAAP
and all  requirements of law, shall be made of all dealings and  transactions in
relation  to  its  business.  The  Parent  will,  and  will  cause  each  of its
Subsidiaries  to,  permit  officers  and  designated   representatives   of  the
Administrative  Agent and the  Lenders  as a group to visit and  inspect,  under
guidance  of  officers  of the  Parent  or any of its  Subsidiaries,  any of the
properties  of the  Parent  or its  Subsidiaries,  and to  examine  the books of
account of the Parent or such Subsidiaries and discuss the affairs, finances and
accounts of the Parent or such Subsidiaries  with, and be advised as to the same
by, its and their  officers and  independent  accountants,  all upon  reasonable
advance notice and at such reasonable times and intervals and to such reasonable
extent as the Administrative Agent or such Lender may request.

     (b) At a date to be mutually agreed upon between the  Administrative  Agent
and the  Parent  occurring  on or prior to the 120th day after the close of each
fiscal year of the Parent, the Parent will, at the request of the Administrative
Agent,  hold a meeting with all of the Lenders at which meeting will be reviewed
the financial results of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the previous fiscal
year and the budgets presented for the current fiscal year of the Parent.

     8.03  Maintenance  of Property;  Insurance.  (a) The Parent will,  and will
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (i) keep all material  property  necessary to
the  business  of the  Parent and its  Subsidiaries  in good  working  order and
condition (ordinary wear and tear and loss or damage by casualty or condemnation
excepted),   (ii)  maintain  with  financially  sound  and  reputable  insurance
companies  insurance on the Collateral  Rigs and other  properties of the Parent
and its  Subsidiaries  in at least such amounts and against all such risks as is
consistent  and in  accordance  with  normal  industry  practice  for  similarly
situated insureds and (iii) furnish to the Administrative  Agent, at the written
request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, a complete description of the
material  terms of insurance  carried.  In addition to the  requirements  of the
immediately preceding sentence,  the Parent will at all times cause insurance of
the types  described in Schedule X to (i) be maintained  (with the same scope of
coverage as that  described in Schedule X) at levels which are at least as great
as the  respective  amount  described  on  Schedule X and (ii)  comply  with the
insurance  requirements  of each  Collateral Rig Mortgage and the other Security
Documents.

     (b) The Parent  will,  and will cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to, at all
times  keep its  property  insured  in favor of the  Collateral  Agent,  and all
policies or  certificates  (or  certified  copies  thereof) with respect to such
insurance  (and  any  other  insurance  maintained  by the  Parent  and/or  such
Subsidiaries) (i) shall be endorsed to the Collateral  Agent's  satisfaction for
the benefit of the Collateral Agent (including,  without  limitation,  by naming
the Collateral Agent as loss payee and/or additional insured),  (ii) shall state
that such  insurance  policies  shall not be canceled  without at least 30 days'
prior written notice thereof by the respective  insurer to the Collateral Agent,
(iii) shall provide that the respective  insurers  irrevocably waive any and all
rights of subrogation with respect to the Collateral Agent and the other Secured
Creditors, and (iv) shall be deposited with the Collateral Agent.

     (c)  If the  Parent  or any of its  Subsidiaries  shall  fail  to  maintain
insurance in  accordance  with this Section 8.03, or if the Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries  shall fail to so endorse and deposit all policies or  certificates
with respect thereto,  the Administrative  Agent shall have the right (but shall
be under no  obligation)  to procure such  insurance and the Borrower  agrees to
reimburse  the  Administrative  Agent for all  reasonable  costs and expenses of
procuring such insurance.

     8.04  Existence;  Franchises.  The Parent will,  and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries  to, do or cause to be done all things  necessary  to preserve  and
keep in full force and effect its existence  (except to the extent that to do so
would result in any Subsidiary of the Parent  forgoing any right or power which,
under  applicable  law, it may not forgo) and its material  rights,  franchises,
licenses,  permits,  copyrights,  trademarks  and  patents  (if any) used in its
business; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 8.04 shall prevent (i)
sales or other dispositions of assets, consolidations,  mergers, dissolutions or
liquidations  by or involving  the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  which are
permitted in accordance  with Section 9.02 or (ii) the  withdrawal by the Parent
or any of  its  Subsidiaries  of its  qualification  as a  foreign  corporation,
partnership  or  limited  liability  company,   as  the  case  may  be,  in  any
jurisdiction  if  such  withdrawal  could  not,  either  individually  or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     8.05 Compliance with Statutes, etc. The Parent will, and will cause each of
its Subsidiaries to, comply with all applicable statutes, regulations and orders
of,  and all  applicable  restrictions  imposed  by,  all  governmental  bodies,
domestic or foreign, in respect of the conduct of its business and the ownership
of  its  property  (including  applicable  statutes,   regulations,  orders  and
restrictions  relating to  environmental  standards and  controls),  except such
non-compliances  as  could  not,  either   individually  or  in  the  aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     8.06  Compliance  with  Environmental  Laws.  (a) The Parent will, and will
cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to,  comply in all material  respects  with all
Environmental  Laws and permits  applicable  to, or required by, the  ownership,
lease,  or use of any Rig,  Real  Property or other  facility  now or  hereafter
owned,  operated,  leased, or occupied by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries,
and will pay or cause to be paid all costs and expenses  incurred in  connection
with such compliance  (except to the extent being contested in good faith),  and
will keep or cause to be kept each such Rig and all such Real  Property or other
facilities  free and clear of any Liens imposed  pursuant to such  Environmental
Laws. Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries will generate,  use, treat,
store, release or dispose of, or permit the generation, use, treatment, storage,
release or disposal of,  Hazardous  Materials on any Rig, Real Property or other
facility now or hereafter owned,  operated,  leased or occupied by the Parent or
any of its Subsidiaries,  or transport or permit the transportation of Hazardous
Materials to or from any ports, Rigs, Real Properties or other facilities except
in compliance in all material  respects with all applicable  Environmental  Laws
and as reasonably  required by the trade in connection  with the operation,  use
and  maintenance  of any such  property or  otherwise in  connection  with their
businesses.  The  Parent  will,  and will  cause  each of its  Subsidiaries  to,
maintain insurance on the Rigs, Real Properties and other facilities in at least
such amounts as are in accordance  with normal  industry  practice for similarly
situated  insureds,  against  losses  from oil  spills  and other  environmental
pollution.

     (b) At the  written  request of the  Administrative  Agent or the  Required
Lenders, which request shall specify in reasonable detail the basis therefor, at
any time and from time to time,  the Borrower  will provide,  at the  Borrower's
sole cost and  expense,  an  environmental  assessment  of any Rig by the United
States Coast Guard or another internationally  recognized classification society
acceptable to the Administrative Agent. If the United States Coast Guard or such
other  internationally  recognized  classification  society,  in its assessment,
indicates that such Rig is not in compliance  with the  Environmental  Laws, the
United States Coast Guard or such other internationally recognized society shall
set forth potential costs of the  remediation of such  non-compliance;  provided
that,  such request may be made only if (i) there has occurred and is continuing
a  Default  or an  Event of  Default  or (ii)  the  Administrative  Agent or the
Required  Lenders  reasonably and in good faith believe that the Parent,  any of
its Subsidiaries or any such Rig is not in compliance with Environmental Law and
such  non-compliance  could  reasonably  be expected to have a Material  Adverse
Effect or (iii)  circumstances  exist that reasonably  could be expected to form
the basis of a material  Environmental  Claim  against  the Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries  or any such Rig. If the Parent fails to provide the same within 90
days after such request was made, the  Administrative  Agent may order the same,
and the Parent shall grant and hereby grants to the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders  and  their  agents  access  to such  Rig and  specifically  grants  the
Administrative  Agent and the  Lenders  an  irrevocable  non-exclusive  license,
subject to the rights of tenants,  to undertake such an  assessment,  all at the
Borrower's expense.

     8.07  ERISA.  As soon as possible  and, in any event,  within ten (10) days
after the Parent,  any Subsidiary of the Parent or any ERISA  Affiliate knows or
has reason to know of the  occurrence of any of the  following,  the Parent will
deliver to each of the Lenders a certificate of an Authorized  Representative of
the Parent setting forth the full details as to such  occurrence and the action,
if any, that the Parent,  such Subsidiary or such ERISA Affiliate is required or
proposes to take,  together with any notices required or proposed to be given or
filed by the  Parent,  such  Subsidiary,  the Plan  administrator  or such ERISA
Affiliate  to or with  any  government  agency,  or a Plan  participant  and any
notices  received by the Parent,  such  Subsidiary or ERISA  Affiliate  from any
government  agency,  or a  Plan  participant  with  respect  thereto:  that  any
contribution  required to be made with respect to a Plan or Foreign Pension Plan
has not been timely made; or that the Parent or any Subsidiary of the Parent may
incur any material  liability  pursuant to any employee welfare benefit plan (as
defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) that provides benefits to retired employees or
other former  employees  (other than as required by Section 601 of ERISA) or any
Plan or any Foreign  Pension Plan. Upon request by the  Administrative  Agent or
any Lender,  the Parent will  deliver to the  Administrative  Agent or each such
Lender,  as the case may be, a complete  copy of the annual  report (on Internal
Revenue  Service  Form  5500-series)  of each  Plan  (including,  to the  extent
required,  the related financial and actuarial statements and opinions and other
supporting statements, certifications, schedules and information) required to be
filed with the Internal  Revenue  Service.  In addition to any  certificates  or
notices  delivered to the Lenders pursuant to the first sentence hereof,  copies
of any records,  documents or other information  required to be furnished to any
government agency, and any notices received by the Parent, any Subsidiary of the
Parent or any ERISA  Affiliate with respect to any Plan or Foreign  Pension Plan
from any government or governmental  agency shall be delivered to the Lenders no
later  than  ten (10)  days  after  the  date  such  records,  documents  and/or
information has been furnished to any government  agency or such notice has been
received by the Parent,  the Subsidiary or the ERISA  Affiliate,  as applicable.
The Parent and each of its applicable Subsidiaries shall ensure that all Foreign
Pension Plans  administered by it obtains or retains (as applicable)  registered
status under and as required by applicable law and is  administered  in a timely
manner in all respects in compliance  with all applicable  laws except where the
failure to do any of the foregoing would not be reasonably likely to result in a
Material Adverse Effect.

     8.08 End of Fiscal Years;  Fiscal Quarters.  The Parent will cause (i) each
of its,  and each of its  Subsidiaries',  fiscal years to end on September 30 of
each year (provided that Atwood Offshore, Inc.'s fiscal year may end on December
31 so long as such Person is dissolved  prior to June 30, 2003) and (ii) each of
its and its Subsidiaries' fiscal quarters to end on March 31, June 30, September
30 and December 31 of each year.

     8.09  Performance of  Obligations.  The Parent will, and will cause each of
its  Subsidiaries  to,  perform all of its  obligations  under the terms of each
mortgage,  indenture, security agreement, loan agreement or credit agreement and
each other agreement,  contract or instrument by which it is bound,  except such
non-performances  as  could  not,  either  individually  or  in  the  aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     8.10 Payment of Taxes.  The Parent will pay and  discharge,  and will cause
each of its  Subsidiaries  to pay and  discharge,  all  taxes,  assessments  and
governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits, or
upon any  properties  belonging to it, in each case on a timely  basis,  and all
lawful  claims  which,  if  unpaid,  might  become  a Lien or  charge  upon  any
properties  of the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  not  otherwise  permitted
under  Section  9.01(i);  provided  that,  neither  the  Parent  nor  any of its
Subsidiaries shall be required to pay any such tax, assessment,  charge, levy or
claim which is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings if it has
maintained adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP.

     8.11 Additional Security;  Additional Guarantors;  Further Assurances.  (a)
The Parent will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (x) at any time and
from  time to time,  at the  expense  of the  Parent or such  other  Subsidiary,
promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents, and take all
further action,  that may be reasonably  necessary,  or that the  Administrative
Agent may  reasonably  require,  to  perfect  and  protect  any Lien  granted or
purported to be granted  hereby or by the other Credit  Documents,  or to enable
the  Collateral  Agent to  exercise  and enforce  its rights and  remedies  with
respect  to any  Collateral  and (y) at the  time of the  Reorganization  or any
portion thereof, at the expense of the Parent or such other Subsidiary, promptly
execute any further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments,
and take all further  actions that may be required under  applicable  law, which
the Collateral Agent may reasonably request,  in order to preserve,  protect and
maintain  the  security  interests  created  or  intended  to be  created by the
Security Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Parent
will execute and file,  or cause to be filed,  such  financing  or  continuation
statements  under the UCC (or any non-U.S.  equivalent  thereto),  or amendments
thereto, such amendments or supplements to any Collateral Rig Mortgage, and such
other  instruments  or  notices,  as may be  reasonably  necessary,  or that the
Administrative  Agent may reasonably  require, to protect and preserve the Liens
granted or purported to be granted hereby and by the Credit Documents.

(b) The Parent and the Borrower hereby authorize the Collateral Agent to file
one or more financing or continuation statements under the UCC (or any non-U.S.
equivalent thereto), and amendments thereto, relative to all or any part of the
Collateral without the signature of the Parent or any other Credit Party, where
permitted by law. The Collateral Agent will promptly send the Parent a copy of
any financing or continuation statements which it may file without the signature
of the Parent or any other Credit Party and the filing or recordation
information with respect thereto.

     (c) In the event that the  Borrower  elects to grant an  additional  Rig or
Rigs as  collateral  to the  Collateral  Agent for the  benefit  of the  Secured
Creditors  pursuant to the proviso to Section 9.11, the appropriate Person shall
(i) duly  authorize,  execute  and  deliver,  and  cause to be  recorded  in the
appropriate  vessel registry,  a first preferred  mortgage  substantially in the
form of Exhibit K-I, K-II,  K-III or K-IV, as applicable and such Collateral Rig
Mortgage shall be effective to create in favor of the Collateral  Agent, for the
benefit of the Secured Creditors,  a legal, valid and enforceable first priority
security  interest in, and lien upon, such additional Rig or Rigs,  subject only
to Permitted  Liens,  (ii) deliver to the  Collateral  Agent a new assignment of
insurances,  assignment of earnings and security agreement  substantially in the
form of Exhibit H,  Exhibit I and  Exhibit J,  respectively,  in respect of such
additional  Rig or Rigs  being  granted,  and  such  Assignment  of  Insurances,
Assignment  of Earnings and Security  Agreement  shall be effective to create in
favor of the  Collateral  Agent,  for the  benefit of the Secured  Creditors,  a
legal,  valid  and  enforceable  first  priority  interest  in,  and lien  upon,
Insurance  Collateral,  Earnings  Collateral and Security  Agreement  Collateral
referred to in the applicable Security Document, (iii) deliver to the Collateral
Agent  such  opinions  of  counsel,  corporate  documents  and  proceedings  and
officer's  certificates  as would  have been  required  to deliver  pursuant  to
Section 5 of this Agreement had such Rig or Rigs constituted a Collateral Rig on
the Initial  Borrowing Date, (iv) deliver to the Collateral  Agent a certificate
of ownership in respect of such Rig or Rigs from appropriate authorities showing
(or confirmation  updating previously reviewed  certificates and indicating) the
registered  ownership of the  respective Rig by the  appropriate  Person and the
results of maritime  registry  searches with respect to such Rig,  indicating no
record liens other than Liens in favor of the Collateral  Agent,  (v) deliver to
the  Administrative  Agent appraisal  reports of recent date in scope,  form and
substance,  and from two independent appraisers,  reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative  Agent,  each  stating the then  current fair market value of the
respective  Rig, the results of which shall be  reasonably  satisfactory  to the
Administrative  Agent, and (vi) deliver to the Administrative Agent a report, in
form and scope reasonably  satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, from a firm
of  independent   marine  insurance   brokers   reasonably   acceptable  to  the
Administrative Agent with respect to the insurance maintained by the appropriate
Person in respect of such Rig,  together  with a  certificate  from such  broker
certifying  that such  insurances (x) are placed with such  insurance  companies
and/or  underwriters  and/or clubs, in such amounts,  against such risks, and in
such form, as are customarily insured against by similarly situated insureds for
the protection of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Creditors and (y) conform
with the insurance requirements of the Collateral Rig Mortgage thereon.

     (d) The  Borrower  shall use its best  commercial  efforts  to ensure  that
possession  and  ownership of the ATWOOD  BEACON is  transferred  by Keppel Fels
Limited to the  Borrower on or before June 30, 2003 (the date of such  transfer,
the  "Anticipated  ATWOOD BEACON Delivery  Date").  On or before the Anticipated
ATWOOD  BEACON  Delivery  Date,  the  Borrower  shall  (i)  have  caused a first
preferred  mortgage  substantially in the form of Exhibit K-IV in respect of the
ATWOOD BEACON to be filed in the appropriate  recording  office for the Republic
of the Marshall Islands (or another jurisdiction  approved by the Administrative
Agent) and such Collateral Rig Mortgage shall be effective to create in favor of
the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured  Creditors,  a legal, valid
and  enforceable  first  priority  security  interest  in  and  lien  upon  such
Collateral Rig, subject only to Permitted Liens,  (ii) deliver to the Collateral
Agent a new  assignment  of  insurances,  assignment  of earnings  and  security
agreement  substantially  in the form of  Exhibit  H,  Exhibit I and  Exhibit J,
respectively, and each such Assignment of Insurances, Assignment of Earnings and
Security  Agreement  shall be  effective  to create  in favor of the  Collateral
Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Creditors,  a legal, valid and enforceable
first priority  interest in, and lien upon, the Insurance  Collateral,  Earnings
Collateral  and  Security  Agreement  Collateral  referred to in the  applicable
Security  Document,  (iii)  deliver to the  Collateral  Agent such  opinions  of
counsel, corporate documents and proceedings and officer's certificates as would
have been  required to deliver  pursuant to Section 5 of this  Agreement had the
ATWOOD  BEACON been  possessed  and owned by a Credit  Party and  constituted  a
Collateral  Rig on the Initial  Borrowing  Date,  (iv) deliver to the Collateral
Agent  a  certificate  of  ownership  in  respect  of  the  ATWOOD  BEACON  from
appropriate  authorities  showing (or confirmation  updating previously reviewed
certificates  and indicating)  the registered  ownership of the ATWOOD BEACON by
the  appropriate  Person and the  results of  maritime  registry  searches  with
respect to such Collateral  Rig,  indicating no record liens other than Liens in
favor of the Collateral Agent, (v) deliver to the Administrative Agent appraisal
reports of recent date in scope,  form and substance,  and from two  independent
appraisers,  reasonably  satisfactory to the Administrative  Agent, each stating
the then current fair market  value of the ATWOOD  BEACON,  the results of which
shall be reasonably  satisfactory to the Administrative  Agent, and (vi) deliver
to the Administrative Agent a report, in form and scope reasonably  satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent, from a firm of independent marine insurance brokers
reasonably  acceptable to the Administrative Agent with respect to the insurance
maintained by the appropriate  Person in respect of the ATWOOD BEACON,  together
with a certificate  from such broker  certifying  that such  insurances  (x) are
placed with such insurance  companies and/or  underwriters and/or clubs, in such
amounts,  against  such  risks,  and in such form,  as are  customarily  insured
against by similarly  situated  insureds for the  protection  of the  Collateral
Agent and the Secured Creditors and (y) conform with the insurance  requirements
of the respective Collateral Rig Mortgage thereon.

     (e) (I) If at any time any  Subsidiary  of the  Parent  becomes a  Material
Subsidiary,  such Material  Subsidiary  shall be required to execute and deliver
counterparts of (or, if requested by the Administrative  Agent or the Collateral
Agent,  a  Joinder  Agreement  in  respect  of) the U.S.  Subsidiaries  Guaranty
(and/or, in the case of Foreign  Subsidiaries of the Parent, upon the request of
the  Administrative  Agent and based on advice of local  counsel,  such  Foreign
Subsidiaries  Guaranties  as would  have  been  entered  into by the  respective
Material  Subsidiary  if same had been a  Subsidiary  Guarantor  on the  Initial
Borrowing Date (determined in accordance with the criteria  described in Section
5.08)), and in each case shall take all actions in connection therewith as would
otherwise  have  been  required  to be  taken  pursuant  to  Section  5 if  such
Subsidiary had been a Credit Party on the Initial Borrowing Date. The Parent and
the Borrower agree that each action  required  above by this Section  8.11(e)(I)
shall be completed contemporaneously with (or within 10 days of) such Subsidiary
becoming a Material Subsidiary.

     (II) If at any time any  Subsidiary of the Parent  becomes a Pledgor,  such
Pledgor  shall be  required  to execute  and  deliver  counterparts  of (or,  if
requested  by the  Administrative  Agent  or the  Collateral  Agent,  a  Joinder
Agreement  in respect  of) the U.S.  Pledge  Agreement  (and/or,  in the case of
Foreign Subsidiaries of the Parent, upon the request of the Administrative Agent
and based on advice of local counsel,  such Foreign  Pledge  Agreements as would
have been entered into by the  respective  Pledgor if same had been a Pledgor on
the Initial Borrowing Date (determined in accordance with the criteria described
in  Section  5.09)),  and in each case  shall  take all  actions  in  connection
therewith as would  otherwise have been required to be taken pursuant to Section
5 if such  Subsidiary  had been a Pledgor on the  Initial  Borrowing  Date.  The
Parent and the Borrower  agree that each action  required  above by this Section
8.11(e)(II)  shall be  completed  contemporaneously  with (or within 10 days of)
such Subsidiary becoming a Pledgor.

     (f) The Parent will cause each obligor and obligee of any loan,  advance or
other extension of credit (including, without limitation, pursuant to guarantees
thereof or security thereof), in each case, made to a Credit Party by the Parent
or any  Subsidiary  of the Parent prior to the  extension or  incurrence of such
loan,  advance or other  extension  of credit,  to  execute  and  deliver to the
Administrative Agent the Intercompany  Subordination Agreement (or, if requested
by the Administrative  Agent, a Joinder Agreement in respect of the Intercompany
Subordination  Agreement)  and, in connection  therewith,  promptly  execute and
deliver  all  further  instruments,  and  take  all  further  action,  that  the
Administrative Agent may reasonably require.

     8.12 Use of  Proceeds.  The  Borrower  will use  Letters  of Credit and the
proceeds of the Loans only as provided in Section 7.08.


     8.13  Ownership.  The Parent shall  directly or indirectly  own 100% of the
capital  stock or other equity  interests  of the  Borrower and each  Subsidiary
Guarantor  (other  than,  (i) in the  case of  Foreign  Subsidiaries  which  are
Subsidiary Guarantors (excluding Atwood Australia), directors' qualifying shares
and other nominal  amounts held by local  nationals,  in each case to the extent
required by applicable  law and (ii) in the case of Atwood  Australia,  a single
share held by a nominee in trust).

     8.14 Permitted Acquisitions.  (a) Subject to the provisions of this Section
8.14 and the requirements  contained in the definition of Permitted Acquisition,
the  Parent,  and its  Subsidiaries  may  from  time to  time  effect  Permitted
Acquisitions, so long as (in each case except to the extent the Required Lenders
otherwise  specifically  agree in writing  in the case of a  specific  Permitted
Acquisition):  (i) no  Default or Event of Default  shall have  occurred  and be
continuing at the time of the consummation of the proposed Permitted Acquisition
or immediately after giving effect thereto;  (ii) the Parent shall have given to
the  Administrative  Agent and the Lenders at least 10  Business  Days' (or such
shorter  period of time as may be reasonably  acceptable  to the  Administrative
Agent) prior  written  notice of any Permitted  Acquisition,  which notice shall
describe  in  reasonable  detail  the  principal  terms and  conditions  of such
Permitted   Acquisition;   (iii)  the  Parent   shall  have   provided   to  the
Administrative  Agent and the  Lenders as soon as  available  but not later than
five  Business  Days  (or  such  shorter  period  of time  as may be  reasonably
acceptable to the  Administrative  Agent) after the execution thereof, a copy of
any  executed  purchase  agreement  or similar  agreement  (and the exhibits and
schedules  thereto) with respect to each such  Permitted  Acquisition;  (iv) the
Lenders shall have received (x) in the case of a proposed Permitted  Acquisition
in which the aggregate  consideration is at least $20,000,000,  audited year end
financial  statements  for at least the  previous  two fiscal  years and interim
unaudited financial  statements for the then current fiscal year of the Acquired
Entity  or  Business  being  acquired   pursuant  to  such  proposed   Permitted
Acquisition and (y) in the case of each proposed  Permitted  Acquisition,  a pro
forma  consolidated  balance sheet of the Parent and its  Subsidiaries as of the
last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Parent and a pro forma
consolidated statement of income of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the most
recently  ended four fiscal  quarter  period,  in each case on a Pro Forma Basis
after giving effect to such proposed Permitted Acquisition; (v) calculations are
made by the Parent showing compliance with the financial  covenants contained in
Sections 9.07 through 9.10, inclusive,  for the respective Calculation Period on
a Pro Forma Basis as if the  respective  Permitted  Acquisition  (as well as all
other Permitted Acquisitions theretofore consummated after the first day of such
Calculation  Period) had occurred on the first day of such  Calculation  Period,
and such recalculations shall show that such financial covenants would have been
complied with if the respective Permitted  Acquisition had occurred on the first
day of such Calculation Period; (vi) based on good faith projections prepared by
an Authorized  Representative  of the Parent for the period from the date of the
consummation  of the respective  Permitted  Acquisition to the date which is one
year thereafter,  the level of financial  performance  measured by the financial
covenants set forth in Sections 9.07 through  9.10,  inclusive,  shall be better
than or equal to such level as would be required  to provide  that no Default or
Event of Default  would exist under the  financial  covenants  contained in such
Sections  9.07  through  9.10,  inclusive,  as  compliance  with such  financial
covenants would be required  through the date which is one year from the date of
the   consummation   of  the  respective   Permitted   Acquisition;   (vii)  all
representations  and  warranties  contained  herein  and  in  the  other  Credit
Documents  shall be true and  correct  in all  material  respects  with the same
effect as though such  representations and warranties had been made on and as of
the date of the respective  Permitted  Acquisition (both before and after giving
effect  thereto),  unless stated to relate to a specific  earlier date, in which
case  such  representations  and  warranties  shall be true and  correct  in all
material respects as of such earlier date; (viii) the Administrative Agent shall
be satisfied in its sole  discretion  that the  proposed  Permitted  Acquisition
could not reasonably be expected to result in a material  increase in tax (other
than taxes on earnings generated by the relevant Permitted Acquisition),  ERISA,
environmental or other contingent  liabilities with respect to the Parent or any
of  its  Subsidiaries;   and  (ix)  the  Parent  shall  have  delivered  to  the
Administrative  Agent and each Lender a  certificate  executed by an  Authorized
Representative  of  the  Parent,  certifying  to the  best  of  such  Authorized
Representative's  knowledge,  compliance  with  the  requirements  of  preceding
clauses (i) through  (viii),  inclusive,  and  containing the  calculations  (in
reasonable detail) required by preceding clauses (v) and (vi).

     (b) At the time of each  Permitted  Acquisition  involving  the creation or
acquisition  of a Material  Subsidiary,  or the  acquisition of capital stock or
other equity interest of any Person, the capital stock or other equity interests
thereof created or acquired in connection with such Permitted  Acquisition shall
be pledged  for the  benefit of the  Secured  Creditors  pursuant to (and to the
extent required by) the Pledge Agreement.

     (c) The  Parent  will  cause each  Material  Subsidiary  which is formed to
effect, or is acquired pursuant to, a Permitted  Acquisition to comply with, and
to execute and deliver all of the  documentation  as and to the extent  required
by, Section 9.15, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent.

     (d) The consummation of each Permitted  Acquisition shall be deemed to be a
representation   and  warranty  by  the  Parent  and  the   Borrower   that  the
certifications  pursuant to this  Section 8.14 are true and correct and that all
conditions  thereto have been satisfied and that same is permitted in accordance
with the terms of this  Agreement,  which  representation  and warranty shall be
deemed  to  be  a  representation  and  warranty  for  all  purposes  hereunder,
including, without limitation, Sections 7 and 10.

     SECTION 9. Negative Covenants.  The Parent and the Borrower hereby covenant
and agree that on and after the Initial  Borrowing  Date and  thereafter  for so
long as this  Agreement  is in effect  and until the Total  Commitment  has been
terminated,  no  Letters  of  Credit  or Notes are  outstanding  and all  Loans,
together  with  interest,  Fees  and  all  other  Obligations  (other  than  any
indemnities  described  in  Section  14.13  which are not then due and  payable)
incurred hereunder and thereunder, are paid in full:

     9.01  Liens.  The  Parent  will  not,  and  will  not  permit  any  of  its
Subsidiaries to, create,  incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with
respect to any property or assets (real or personal,  tangible or intangible) of
the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries,  whether now owned or hereafter acquired,
or sell any such property or assets  subject to an  understanding  or agreement,
contingent or otherwise,  to repurchase such property or assets (including sales
of accounts  receivable with recourse to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries),
or assign  any right to receive  income or permit  the  filing of any  financing
statement  under the UCC or any other  similar  notice of Lien under any similar
recording or notice statute;  provided that, the provisions of this Section 9.01
shall not prevent the  creation,  incurrence,  assumption  or  existence  of the
following (Liens described below are herein referred to as "Permitted Liens"):

(i)      inchoate Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies
         not yet due or Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or
         levies being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings for
         which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP;

(ii)     Liens in respect of  property or assets of the Parent or any of its
         Subsidiaries  imposed by law,  incurred  in the  ordinary
         course  of  business  and  do  not  secure  Indebtedness  for
         borrowed  money,  such  as  maritime   privileges,   carriers',
         warehousemen's,  materialmen's  and  mechanics'  liens and other
         similar Liens arising in the ordinary  course of business and
         which  are in  existence  less  than  120 days  from  the date of
         creation  thereof,  and (x)  which do not in the  aggregate
         materially  detract  from the value of the  Parent's  or such
         Subsidiary's  property or assets or  materially  impair the use
         thereof in the operation of the business of the Parent or such
         Subsidiary  or (y) which are being  contested in good faith by
         appropriate  proceedings,  which  proceedings  have the effect of
         preventing  the forfeiture or sale of the property or assets
         subject to any such Lien;

(iii)    Liens in existence on the Initial Borrowing Date which are listed, and
         the property subject thereto described, in Schedule XIII, and any
         renewals, replacements and extensions thereof, provided that, the
         aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness, if any, secured by such
         Liens does not increase from that amount outstanding (or in the case of
         a revolving credit facility, from that aggregate amount committed by
         the respective lenders thereunder) on the Initial Borrowing Date, less
         any repayments of principal thereof (and, in the case of a revolving
         credit facility, less any reduction in the commitments thereunder) made
         (or effected) on or after the Initial Borrowing Date;

(iv)     Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents;

(v)      Liens placed upon equipment,  machinery or Rigs (other than Collateral
         Rigs) acquired or constructed,  in each case, after the
         Initial  Borrowing  Date and used in the ordinary  course of business
         of the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  and placed at
         the time of the  acquisition  or  construction  thereof  by the
         Parent or such  Subsidiary  or  within  one year  after  such
         acquisition  or the  completion  of such  construction,  as the case
         may be, to secure  Indebtedness  incurred to pay all or a
         portion of the purchase  price or  construction  cost  thereof or to
         secure  Indebtedness  incurred  solely for the purpose of
         financing the acquisition or construction  of any such  equipment,
         machinery or Rigs or extensions,  renewals or replacements
         of any of the  foregoing  for the same or a lesser  amount,  provided
         that,  (x) the  Indebtedness  secured  by such Liens is
         permitted by Section  9.04(viii),  (y) the  Indebtedness  secured
         thereby does not exceed 100% of the cost of such equipment,
         machinery or Rigs at the time of such acquisition or construction,
         including  transaction costs incurred by the Parent or any
         Subsidiary of the Parent in connection  with such  acquisition or
         construction  and (z) in all events,  the Lien  encumbering
         such equipment,  machinery or Rigs (and related accounts receivable
         and other general  intangibles) so acquired or constructed
         does not encumber any other property or asset of the Parent or any
         Subsidiary of the Parent;

(vi)     Liens placed upon assets of the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries
         not otherwise  subject to any Liens  (including  any Liens
         created pursuant to the Security  Documents),  in connection with
         Material Upgrades to such assets commenced after the Initial
         Borrowing  Date, and placed at the time of the completion of such
         Material  Upgrade by the Parent or such Subsidiary or within
         one year after the  completion  of such  Material  Upgrade  to secure
         Indebtedness  incurred  to pay all or a portion of such
         Material  Upgrade or extensions,  renewals or replacements  of any of
         the foregoing for the same or a lesser amount,  provided
         that, (x) the Indebtedness  secured by such Liens is permitted by
         Section  9.04(viii),  (y) the  Indebtedness  secured thereby
         does not exceed 100% of the cost of such Material  Upgrade and (z)
         in all events,  the Lien  encumbering the assets subject to
         such Material Upgrade does not encumber any other property or asset
         of the Parent or any Subsidiary of the Parent;

(vii)    easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, encroachments and other similar
         charges or encumbrances, and minor title deficiencies, in each case not
         securing Indebtedness and not materially interfering with the ordinary
         conduct of the business of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries;

(viii)   Liens arising from precautionary UCC financing statement filings
         regarding operating leases entered into in the ordinary course of
         business;

(ix)     Liens arising out of the existence of judgments or awards in respect of
         which the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries shall in good faith be
         prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review and in respect of which
         there shall have been secured a subsisting stay of execution pending
         such appeal or proceedings, provided that, the aggregate amount of all
         cash (including the stated amount of all letters of credit) and the
         fair market value of all other property subject to such Liens does not
         exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(x)      statutory and common law landlords' liens under leases to which the
         Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is a party;

(xi)     Liens (other than Liens imposed under ERISA) incurred in the ordinary
         course of business in connection with, workmen's compensation claims,
         unemployment insurance, and social security benefits and Liens securing
         the performance of bids, tenders, leases and contracts in the ordinary
         course of business, statutory obligations, surety bonds, performance
         bonds, maritime liens and other obligations of a like nature incurred
         in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice
         (exclusive of obligations in respect of the payment for borrowed
         money), provided that, the aggregate amount of all cash and the fair
         market value of all other property subject to all Liens permitted by
         this clause (xi) shall not at any time exceed $500,000; and

(xii)    Liens on property or assets acquired pursuant to a Permitted
         Acquisition, or on property or assets of a Subsidiary of the Parent in
         existence at the time such Subsidiary is acquired pursuant to a
         Permitted Acquisition, provided that, (x) any Indebtedness that is
         secured by such Liens is permitted to exist under Section 9.04(viii),
         and (y) such Liens are not incurred in connection with, or in
         contemplation or anticipation of, such Permitted Acquisition and do not
         attach to any other asset of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

In connection  with the granting of Liens described in this Section 9.01 by
the  Parent  or  any of its  Subsidiaries,  the  Administrative  Agent  and  the
Collateral  Agent shall be authorized to take any actions deemed  appropriate by
it  in  connection  therewith  (including,   without  limitation,  by  executing
appropriate  lien  releases  or lien  subordination  agreements  in favor of the
holder or holders of such Liens,  in either case solely with respect to the item
or items of equipment or other assets subject to such Liens).

     9.02  Consolidation,  Merger,  Purchase or Sale of Assets,  etc. The Parent
will not, and will not permit any of its  Subsidiaries to, wind up, liquidate or
dissolve  its  affairs  or  enter  into  any  partnership,   joint  venture,  or
transaction  of merger or  consolidation,  or convey,  sell,  lease,  charter or
otherwise  dispose of all or any part of its  property or assets,  or any of the
Collateral or enter into any sale-leaseback  transactions,  or purchase,  lease,
charter or otherwise  acquire (in one or a series of related  transactions)  any
part of the property or assets (other than  purchases or other  acquisitions  of
inventory,  materials and  equipment in the ordinary  course of business) of any
Person (or agree to do any of the foregoing at any future time), except that:

(i)      Investments by the Parent and its Subsidiaries shall be permitted in
         accordance with Section 9.05;

(ii)     each of the Parent and its Subsidiaries may sell any Rigs (and any
         related  equipment and spare parts),  provided that, (v) no
         Default or Event of Default is then in existence  or would result
         from each such sale,  (w) each such sale is made at least at
         fair market value (as determined (A) in the case of Collateral  Rigs,
         in accordance  with the appraisal  reports most recently
         delivered to the  Administrative  Agent (or obtained by the
         Administrative  Agent)  pursuant to Section 8.01(c) or (B) in the
         case of Rigs  other  than  Collateral  Rigs,  in good  faith  by the
         Board  of  Directors  of the  Parent),  (x) 100%  of the
         consideration  in  respect  of each  such  sale  shall  consist  of
         cash or Cash  Equivalents  received  by the  Parent or the
         respective  Subsidiary  of the Parent  which owned such Rig on the
         date of  consummation  of each such sale,  (y) the Net Cash
         Proceeds  received  from each such sale of a Collateral  Rig shall
         be applied as required by Section  4.02(a) (if  applicable)
         (after giving effect to any required  reduction in the Total
         Revolving Loan Commitment  pursuant to Section  3.03(d)) to repay
         outstanding  Revolving Loans and Section 4.02(c) to repay  outstanding
         Term Loans, and (z) the Parent shall have delivered to
         the Administrative  Agent an officer's  certificate,  certified by an
         Authorized  Representative of the Parent, (I) certifying
         that  preceding  clauses (v)  through (x) and, in the case of a
         Collateral  Rig,  clause (y), in each case,  of this  Section
         9.02(ii) have been or will be satisfied,  and  demonstrating
         pro forma  compliance  (after giving effect to such  disposition
         and, in the case of  calculations  involving the appraised  value
         of Collateral  Rigs,  using  valuations  consistent with the
         appraisal reports most recently  delivered to the Administrative
         Agent (or obtained by the Administrative  Agent) pursuant to
         Section  8.01(c)) with each of the covenants set forth in Sections
         9.07 through 9.11,  inclusive,  for the most recently ended
         Test Period (or at the time of such sale, as applicable)  and
         demonstrating  projected  compliance with each of the covenants
         set forth in Sections 9.07 through 9.11, inclusive,  for the one year
         period following such disposition,  in each case setting
         forth the calculations required to make such determination in
         reasonable detail;

(iii)    any Subsidiary of the Parent may lease (as lessee) or license (as
         licensee) real or personal property (so long as any such lease or
         license does not create a Capitalized Lease Obligation except to the
         extent permitted by Section 9.04(viii));

(iv)     any Subsidiary of the Parent may sell or discount, in each case without
         recourse and in the ordinary course of business, overdue accounts
         receivable arising in the ordinary course of business, but only in
         connection with the compromise or collection thereof consistent with
         customary industry practice (and not as part of any bulk sale or
         financing transaction);

(v)      the Parent and any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Borrower) may
         sell or otherwise transfer all or any part of its business, properties
         or assets to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case so
         long as all actions necessary or desirable to preserve, protect and
         maintain the security interest and Lien of the Collateral Agent in any
         Collateral involved in any such transaction are taken to the
         satisfaction of the Collateral Agent;

(vi)     any  Subsidiary of the Parent (other than the  Borrower)  may merge
         with and into,  or be dissolved or  liquidated  into,  the
         Borrower,  any  Subsidiary  Guarantor or any other  Subsidiary  of
         the Parent,  so long as (w) in the case of any such merger,
         dissolution or liquidation involving the Borrower,  the Borrower is
         the surviving corporation of any such merger,  dissolution
         or liquidation,  (x) except as provided in preceding  clause (w),
         in the cases of any such merger,  dissolution or liquidation
         involving a Subsidiary  Guarantor,  a Subsidiary  Guarantor is the
         surviving  corporation  of any such merger,  dissolution or
         liquidation,  and (y) in all cases,  the security  interests
         granted to the  Collateral  Agent for the benefit of the Secured
         Creditors  pursuant  to the  Security  Documents  shall  remain in
         full force and effect and  perfected  (to at least the same
         extent as in effect immediately prior to such merger, dissolution or
         liquidation);

(vii)    any Subsidiary of the Parent may enter into demise,  bareboat,  time,
         voyage and other charter or lease arrangements  pursuant
         to which any such Subsidiary  charters or leases out a Rig to another
         Subsidiary of the Parent or to a third Person,  in each
         case so long as (x) such  arrangements  are  entered  into in the
         ordinary  course  of  business  and  consistent  with  past
         practices,  (y) such  arrangements do not materially  impair the
         value of the Rig or Rigs subject to such arrangements and (z)
         such  arrangements  involving  any  Collateral  Rigs do not impair
         the  security  interest  of the  Collateral  Agent in such
         Collateral  Rigs (or the ability of the  Collateral  Agent to
         foreclose  on each  Collateral  Rig or exercise its remedies in
         respect thereof,  in each case free of such  arrangements) and such
         arrangements are subject in all respects to the Collateral
         Agent's Lien on such Collateral Rigs;

(viii)   any Subsidiary of the Parent that is not a Credit Party may sell or
         otherwise transfer all or any part of its business, properties or
         assets to any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Parent;

(ix)     the Reorganization shall be permitted; and

(x)      any Subsidiary of the Parent may (A) sell obsolete, uneconomic or
         worn-out equipment or materials in the ordinary course of business and
         (B) sell assets (other than Rigs) to the extent not otherwise permitted
         by this Section 9.02, provided that, (I) 100% of the consideration
         received by such Subsidiary of the Parent is in the form of cash which
         is received at the time of each such sale, (II) such assets are sold in
         the ordinary course of business and (III) the aggregate sale proceeds
         from all assets subject to sales permitted by this Section 9.02(x)(B)
         shall not exceed $500,000 in any fiscal year of the Parent;

(xi)     the Parent and its Subsidiaries may sell their ownership interests in
         Rig 200 to Helmerich and Payne, Inc.; and

(xii)    so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result
         therefrom, Inactive Subsidiaries of the Parent may be liquidated or
         dissolved from time to time, so long as (x) the Parent determines that
         such liquidation is not adverse to the interests of the Lenders and (y)
         the security interests granted to the Collateral Agent for the benefit
         of the Secured Creditors pursuant to the Security Documents shall
         remain in full force and effect (to at least the same extent as in
         effect immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation).

To the extent the Required  Lenders  waive the  provisions  of this Section
9.02 with respect to the sale of any  Collateral,  or any  Collateral is sold as
permitted by this Section 9.02, such Collateral  (unless sold to the Parent or a
Subsidiary  of the Parent)  shall be sold free and clear of the Liens created by
the Security Documents,  and the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall
be  authorized  to take any actions  deemed  appropriate  in order to effect the
foregoing.

     9.03  Dividends.  The  Parent  will  not,  and will not  permit  any of its
Subsidiaries  to,  authorize,  declare or pay any Dividends  with respect to the
Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, except that:

(i)      any Subsidiary of the Parent (other than the Borrower) which is a
         Credit Party may pay cash Dividends to the Parent, to the Borrower or
         to any other Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Parent which is a Credit
         Party, and any Subsidiary of the Parent which is not a Credit Party
         also may pay cash Dividends to the Parent or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary;

(ii)     any non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Parent may pay cash Dividends to
         its shareholders generally so long as the Parent or its respective
         Subsidiary which owns the equity interest in the Subsidiary paying such
         Dividends receives at least its proportionate share thereof (based upon
         its relative holding of the equity interest in such Subsidiary paying
         such Dividends and taking into account the relative preferences, if
         any, of the various classes of equity interests of such Subsidiary);

(iii)    the Borrower may pay cash Dividends to the Parent so long as the
         proceeds thereof are promptly used by the Parent to pay operating
         expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business (including,
         without limitation, outside directors and professional fees, expenses
         and indemnities) and other similar corporate overhead costs and
         expenses, provided that, the aggregate amount of all cash Dividends
         paid pursuant to this clause (iii), when added to the aggregate amount
         of Intercompany Loans made pursuant to Section 9.05(vii)(D) for such
         purposes, shall not exceed $500,000 in any fiscal year of the Parent;
         and

(iv)     so long as no Default or Event of Default exists or would result
         therefrom (x) any Subsidiary of the Parent may pay Dividends to any
         other Subsidiary of the Parent to the extent required pursuant to the
         Reorganization and (y) the Parent may pay cash Dividends in an
         aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000 (I) to redeem rights of holders
         of equity interests of the Parent to purchase Series A Junior
         Participating Preferred Stock, no par value, at $0.01 per right
         pursuant to the terms of the Rights Plan and/or (II) in lieu of the
         issuance of fractional rights or shares in accordance with Section 14
         of the Rights Plan.

     9.04  Indebtedness.  The  Parent  will not,  and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries  to,  contract,  create,  incur,  assume  or  suffer  to exist  any
Indebtedness, except:

(i)      Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Agreement and the other Credit
         Documents;

(ii)     Indebtedness under (x) Interest Rate Protection Agreements which are
         nonspeculative in nature and are entered into with respect to other
         Indebtedness permitted to remain outstanding or be incurred, as the
         case may be, pursuant to this Section 9.04 and (y) Indebtedness
         evidenced by Other Hedging Agreements entered into pursuant to Section
         9.05(vi);

(iii)    (A) Existing  Indebtedness  outstanding on the Effective Date and
         listed on Schedule IX (as reduced by any repayments  thereof
         (and, in the case of a revolving  credit  facility,  any  reductions
         in the  commitments  thereunder)  on or after the Initial
         Borrowing Date) and (B)  Indebtedness  issued to refinance or replace
         any such Existing  Indebtedness,  provided that, (I) the
         obligor or obligors on the Existing  Indebtedness so refinanced or
         replaced is the obligor or obligors on such  refinancing or
         replacement  Indebtedness,  (II) the  principal  amount of the
         Indebtedness  issued to  refinance  or replace  such  Existing
         Indebtedness  is not increased  beyond the sum of (x) the amount
         outstanding  thereunder on the date of such  refinancing  or
         replacement  (and, in the case of revolving credit  facilities,
         the maximum amount available for borrowing  thereunder is not
         increased  above the amount in place on the  Initial  Borrowing
         Date (as such  amount may have been  reduced as  provided  in
         preceding  clause (A))) plus (y) reasonable  fees and expenses
         incurred in connection  with such  refinancing or replacement,
         (III) such  refinancing  or  replacement  Indebtedness  has a final
         maturity  date no earlier than six months after the fifth
         anniversary of the Initial  Borrowing Date, (IV) such  Indebtedness
         is on terms and conditions  taken as a whole  (including,
         without limitation,  terms relating to interest rate, fees, covenants,
         defaults,  amortization and mandatory prepayments) not
         materially more onerous to the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries
         than the terms and conditions of the Existing  Indebtedness
         being  refinanced  or replaced (but taking into account any changes
         to the terms  thereof as permitted by Section  9.12),  (V)
         such  Indebtedness  is not secured other than by Liens on the assets
         of the Parent or any  Subsidiary of the Parent which were
         previously  subject to Liens  securing  the  Existing  Indebtedness
         being  refinanced  or  replaced as  permitted  by Section
         9.01(iii),  (VI) such  refinancing or replacement  Indebtedness
         is not guaranteed by any Credit Party and no Credit Party has
         any liability or obligation  with respect  thereto (other than
         guaranties of refinancing or replacement  Indebtedness  to the
         same extent (and by the same Credit Parties) that the Existing
         Indebtedness  being refinanced or replaced was guaranteed,  so
         long as such  guaranties  are on terms and conditions  taken as a
         whole that are not materially  more onerous to the Parent or
         any of its  Subsidiaries  than the terms and  conditions  of the
         guaranties  in respect of the  Existing  Indebtedness  being
         refinanced or replaced) and (VII) at the time of, and immediately
         after giving effect to, the incurrence of such  refinancing
         or replacement Indebtedness, no Default or Event of Default shall be
         in existence;

(iv)     intercompany Indebtedness to the extent permitted by Sections
         9.05(iii), (vii) and (xi);

(v)      (x) Contingent Obligations of any Subsidiary of the Parent (other than
         the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors) with respect to
         Indebtedness and lease obligations of any other Subsidiary of the
         Parent otherwise permitted under this Agreement and (y) Contingent
         Obligations of the Parent of obligations of its Subsidiaries under
         operating leases entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(vi)     Indebtedness of any Subsidiary of the Parent with respect to
         performance bonds, bid bonds, surety bonds, appeal bonds or customs
         bonds required in the ordinary course of business or in connection with
         the enforcement of rights or claims of the Parent or any of its
         Subsidiaries, provided that, the aggregate outstanding amount of all
         such performance bonds, surety bonds, appeal bonds and customs bonds
         permitted by this subsection (vi) shall not at any time exceed
         $3,000,000;

(vii)    Indebtedness of the Subsidiaries of the Parent acquired pursuant to a
         Permitted Acquisition or Indebtedness assumed at the time of a
         Permitted Acquisition involving the purchase of an asset or assets
         securing such Indebtedness (such Indebtedness, in either case,
         "Permitted Acquired Debt"), provided that, (x) such Indebtedness was
         not incurred in connection with, or in anticipation or contemplation
         of, such Permitted Acquisition and (y) such Indebtedness is permitted
         under Section 9.04 (viii); and

(viii)   so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result
         therefrom, additional Indebtedness of Subsidiaries of the Parent,
         provided that, both before and after giving effect to such additional
         Indebtedness, the Parent and its Subsidiaries shall be in pro forma
         compliance with the financial covenants contained in Sections 9.07
         through 9.10, inclusive, which Indebtedness shall be unsecured unless
         otherwise permitted under Section 9.01.

     9.05  Advances,  Investments  and Loans.  The Parent will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly,  lend money or credit
or make advances to any Person, or purchase or acquire any stock, obligations or
securities  of, or any other interest in, or make any capital  contribution  to,
any other  Person,  or purchase or own a futures  contract or  otherwise  become
liable for the  purchase or sale of currency  or other  commodities  at a future
date in the nature of a futures  contract,  or hold any cash or Cash Equivalents
(each of the foregoing an "Investment" and, collectively, "Investments"), except
that the following shall be permitted:

(i)      the Parent and any of its Subsidiaries may acquire and hold accounts
         receivables owing to any of them, if created or acquired in the
         ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance
         with customary trade terms of such Subsidiary of the Parent;

(ii)     the Parent and any of its Subsidiaries may acquire and hold cash and
         Cash Equivalents;

(iii)    the Parent and its Subsidiaries may hold the Investments held by them
         on the Initial Borrowing Date and described on Schedule XIV, provided
         that, any additional Investments made with respect thereto shall be
         permitted only if permitted under the other provisions of this Section
         9.05;

(iv)     the Parent and any of its Subsidiaries may acquire and own investments
         (including debt obligations) received in connection with the bankruptcy
         or reorganization of suppliers and customers and in good faith
         settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with,
         customers and suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business;

(v)      the Parent and any of its Subsidiaries may make loans and advances to
         their officers and employees for moving, relocation and travel expenses
         and other similar expenditures, in each case in the ordinary course of
         business in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250,000 at any time
         (determined without regard to any write-downs or write-offs of such
         loans and advances);

(vi)     (x) the Parent and its Subsidiaries may enter into Interest Rate
         Protection Agreements to the extent permitted by Section 9.04(ii) and
         (y) the Subsidiaries of the Parent may enter into and perform their
         obligations under Other Hedging Agreements entered into in the ordinary
         course of business so long as each such Other Hedging Agreement is
         non-speculative in nature;

(vii)    (A) each of the Parent,  the Borrower and the  Subsidiary  Guarantors
         may make  intercompany  loans and advances  between and
         among one  another,  (B) the Parent and its  Subsidiaries
         (other than the Borrower and the  Subsidiary  Guarantors)  may make
         intercompany  loans and  advances to each of the Parent,  the
         Borrower  and/or the  Subsidiary  Guarantors,  (C) Wholly-Owned
         Subsidiaries of the Parent that are not Credit Parties may make
         intercompany  loans and advances between or among one another
         and (D) to the extent that the Borrower may pay cash Dividends to
         the Parent  pursuant to  Section 9.03,  the Borrower may, in
         lieu of paying such cash Dividends,  make an intercompany  loan or
         advance to the Parent for the purposes,  and subject to the
         limitations,  set forth in  Section 9.03  (such  intercompany
         loans and  advances  referred to in the  preceding  clauses (A)
         through (D),  inclusive,  of this Section 9.05 are collectively
         referred to herein as "Intercompany  Loans"), in each case so
         long as each  Intercompany  Loan  made to a Credit  Party is
         subject  to the  provisions  of the  Intercompany  Subordination
         Agreement  (which  Intercompany  Subordination  Agreement  must have
         been  executed  by the  obligor  and obligee of each such
         Intercompany Loan);

(viii)   the Reorganization shall be permitted;

(ix)     the Parent, the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors that are
         Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries may make capital contributions to the
         Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

(x)      Permitted Acquisitions shall be permitted in accordance with Section
         8.14;

(xi)     the Parent and any of its Subsidiaries may make Investments in the
         Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor; and

(xii)    so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result
         therefrom, the Parent or any Subsidiary of the Parent may make cash
         capital contributions and/or loans to Joint Ventures or Subsidiaries of
         the Parent in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000 in any fiscal
         year of the Parent.

     9.06 Transactions with Affiliates. The Parent will not, and will not permit
any of its  Subsidiaries  to,  enter into any  transaction  or series of related
transactions with any Affiliate of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries,  other
than  in  the  ordinary   course  of  business  and  on  terms  and   conditions
substantially  as favorable to the Parent or such Subsidiary as would reasonably
be  obtained  by the  Parent or such  Subsidiary  at that  time in a  comparable
arm's-length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate,  except that the
following in any event shall be permitted:

(i)      Dividends may be paid to the extent provided in Section 9.03;

(ii)     (x) loans may be made and other transactions may be entered into by the
         Parent and its Subsidiaries to the extent permitted by Sections 9.02,
         9.04 and 9.05 and (y) the transactions contemplated by Section 9.02(xi)
         shall be permitted;

(iii)    customary fees may be paid to non-officer directors of the Parent and
         its Subsidiaries;

(iv)     the Parent and its Subsidiaries may enter into, and may make payments
         under, employment agreements, employee benefits plans, stock option
         plans, indemnification provisions and other similar compensatory
         arrangements (including arrangements made with respect to bonuses) with
         officers, employees and directors of the Parent and its Subsidiaries in
         the ordinary course of business;

(v)      the Reorganization shall be permitted;

(vi)     the Parent and its Subsidiaries may enter into employment agreements or
         arrangements with their respective officers and employees in the
         ordinary course of business; and

(vii)    the Parent and its Subsidiaries may make payments pursuant to
         agreements existing on the Initial Borrowing Date and entered into with
         Clearways Offshore Drilling Sdn. Bhd.

9.07 Maximum Leverage Ratio. The Parent will not permit the Leverage Ratio
during a period set forth below to be greater than the ratio set forth opposite
such period below:

                  Relevant Period                                Ratio
                  ---------------                                -----
   From the Initial Borrowing Date through and including
   December 30, 2003                                             5.00:1.00
   From December 31, 2003 through and including December
   30, 2004                                                      4.00:1.00
   Thereafter                                                    3.00:1.00

     9.08 Consolidated  Indebtedness to Consolidated  Capitalization  Ratio. The
Parent  will  not  permit  the   Consolidated   Indebtedness   to   Consolidated
Capitalization  Ratio on the last day of any fiscal  quarter of the Parent to be
greater than 0.50:1.00.

     9.09  Consolidated   Working  Capital.  The  Parent  will  not  permit  the
Consolidated Working Capital on the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Parent
to be less than $0.

     9.10  Consolidated  Tangible  Net  Worth.  The  Parent  will not permit its
Consolidated  Tangible  Net Worth on the last day of any  fiscal  quarter of the
Parent to be less than the sum of (x) $225,000,000  plus (y) 50% of Consolidated
Net Income (to the extent  positive) for the period from October 1, 2002 through
such last day of the fiscal  quarter of the Parent plus (z) 100% of the Net Cash
Proceeds  from  any  issuance  or sale of  equity  of the  Parent  or any of its
Subsidiaries that occurs after the Initial  Borrowing Date (except,  in the case
of such  Subsidiaries,  any sale or  issuance of equity to the Parent or another
Subsidiary of the Parent).

     9.11 Collateral Maintenance. The Parent will not permit the sum of the fair
market value of all Collateral Rigs which have not been sold, transferred,  lost
or otherwise disposed of, on an individual charter-free basis, at any time (such
value, the "Aggregate  Collateral Rig Value"),  as determined by calculating the
average of the appraisals set forth in the most recent appraisal reports related
to  each  respective  Collateral  Rig  and  delivered  by  the  Borrower  to the
Administrative  Agent or obtained by the Administrative Agent in accordance with
Section 8.01(c),  to equal less than 150% of the sum of the aggregate  principal
amount of Term  Loans and the Total  Revolving  Loan  Commitment  at such  time;
provided  that,  so long as any  violation of this Section 9.11 is not caused by
any voluntary  Collateral  Disposition,  such  violation  shall not constitute a
Default or an Event of Default  so long as within 14 days of the  occurrence  of
such violation, the Borrower shall either (i) post additional collateral (at the
expense of the  Borrower)  satisfactory  to the  Required  Lenders,  pursuant to
security documentation referred to in Section 8.11 and otherwise satisfactory in
form and substance to the  Collateral  Agent,  sufficient to cure such violation
(and shall at all times during such period and prior to satisfactory  completion
thereof,  be diligently  carrying out such actions) or (ii) make such repayments
of Term Loans and/or  reductions to the Total Revolving Loan Commitment (and any
required  repayments of outstanding  Revolving Loans resulting  therefrom) in an
amount  sufficient to cure such violation (it being  understood  that any action
taken in respect of this proviso shall only be effective to cure such  violation
pursuant to this  Section 9.11 to the extent that no Default or Event of Default
exists hereunder immediately after giving effect thereto).

     9.12 Certificate of  Incorporation,  By-Laws and Certain Other  Agreements,
etc. The Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries to (or,
in the case of the following  clause (i) of this Section  9.12,  the Parent will
exercise  its rights in relation  to each  Subsidiary  (whether as  shareholder,
stockholder,  partner, and arising under contract, statute or howsoever) so that
each Subsidiary shall not):

(i)      amend, modify or change its certificate or articles of incorporation
         (including, without limitation, by the filing or modification of any
         certificate or articles of designation), certificate of formation,
         limited liability company agreement or by-laws (or the equivalent
         organizational documents), as applicable, or any agreement entered into
         by it with respect to its capital stock or other equity interests
         (including any Shareholders' Agreement), or enter into any new
         agreement with respect to its capital stock or other equity interests,
         unless such amendment, modification, change or other action
         contemplated by this clause (i) could not reasonably be expected to be
         adverse to the interests of the Lenders, provided that, notwithstanding
         the foregoing the Reorganization shall be permitted;

(ii)     amend, modify or change any provision of (x) any Management Agreement
         unless such amendment, modification or change could not reasonably be
         expected to be adverse to the interests of the Lenders (although no
         amendment, modification or change may be made to any monetary term
         thereof) or (y) any Tax Sharing Agreement or enter into any new tax
         sharing agreement, tax allocation agreement or similar agreement
         without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent; or

(iii)    amend, modify or change any provision governing any Existing
         Indebtedness (including any refinancings or replacements thereof)
         permitted to remain outstanding pursuant to Section 9.04(iii), unless
         such amendments, modifications or changes contemplated by this clause
         (iii) (taken as a whole with respect to any single issue of Existing
         Indebtedness) are on terms and conditions not materially more onerous
         to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries than the terms and conditions
         applicable thereto on the Initial Borrowing Date.

9.13 Limitation on Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries. The Parent will not,
and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create
or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any encumbrance or
restriction on the ability of any such Subsidiary to (a) pay dividends or make
any other distributions on its capital stock or any other interest or
participation in its profits owned by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or
pay any Indebtedness owed to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) make
loans or advances to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or (c) transfer any
of its properties or assets to the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, except for
such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

                (i)     applicable law;

                (ii)    this Agreement and the other Credit Documents;

                (iii)   customary provisions restricting subletting or
                        assignment of any lease governing any leasehold
                        interest of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries;

                (iv)    customary provisions restricting assignment of
                        any agreement entered into by the Parent or any of
                        its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

                 (v)    restrictions on the transfer of any asset pending the
                         close of the sale of such asset;

                (vi)    restrictions  on the transfer of any asset subject to
                        a Lien permitted by Section  9.01(iii), (v), (vi) and
                        (xiii); and

                (vii)   restrictions which are not more restrictive
                        than those contained in this Agreement contained in
                        any documents governing any Indebtedness incurred
                        after the Initial Borrowing Date in
                        accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

     9.14 Limitation on Issuance of Capital Stock.  (a) The Parent will not, and
will not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to, issue (i) any  preferred  stock or
other preferred equity interests,  other than Qualified  Preferred  Interests of
the Parent or (ii) any redeemable common stock or other redeemable common equity
interests other than common stock or other  redeemable  common equity  interests
that is redeemable at the sole option of the Parent or such  Subsidiary,  as the
case may be.

     (b) The Parent will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to issue any capital
stock or other equity interests (including by way of sales of treasury stock) or
any options or warrants to purchase,  or securities  convertible  into,  capital
stock or other equity  interests,  except (i) for transfers and  replacements of
then  outstanding  shares of capital stock or other equity  interests,  (ii) for
stock splits, stock dividends and issuances which do not decrease the percentage
ownership of the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  in any class of the capital
stock or other equity interests of such Subsidiary,  (iii) to qualify  directors
to the extent required by applicable law and (iv) for issuances by newly created
or acquired Subsidiaries in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

     (c)  Notwithstanding   clause  (a)  and  (b)  above,  the  Parent  and  its
Subsidiaries may issue (i) Series A Participating  Preferred Stock to the extent
contemplated  by the Rights Plan,  (ii) capital stock or other equity  interests
(other than preferred  equity interests issued to Persons other than the Parent,
the Borrower or any Subsidiary  Guarantor) in connection with the Reorganization
and (iii) capital stock or other equity interests to the Parent, the Borrower or
any Subsidiary  Guarantor,  provided that, in the case of each issuance pursuant
to subsection  (i),  (ii) or (iii) above,  the  Administrative  Agent shall have
received  notice of each such  issuance from the Parent or the Borrower at least
ten days prior to such issuance.

     9.15 Limitation on Creation of Subsidiaries,  etc. The Parent will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,  establish,  create or acquire after
the Initial  Borrowing  Date any  additional  Subsidiaries;  provided  that, the
Parent and its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries shall be permitted to establish, create
and,  to  the  extent   permitted  by  this  Agreement,   acquire   Wholly-Owned
Subsidiaries and, to the extent permitted by Section 9.05(xii), non-Wholly-Owned
Subsidiaries,  in each case so long as each such new  Subsidiary,  to the extent
same constitutes a Material  Subsidiary,  takes all actions required pursuant to
Section  8.11 and  causes  to be  executed  and  delivered  all  other  relevant
documentation of the type described in Section 5 as such new Material Subsidiary
would have had to deliver if such new Material Subsidiary were a Credit Party on
the Initial Borrowing Date.

     9.16  Change  of  Registry;   Class;  Management;   Legal  Names;  Type  of
Organization   (and  whether  a  Registered   Organization);   Jurisdiction   of
Organization  etc.  (a) Neither  the Parent,  the  Borrower  nor any  Subsidiary
Guarantor shall transfer or change the flag, registry, class, ownership, port of
documentation,  management or control of any  Collateral Rig without the written
consent of the Administrative  Agent, provided that, the Reorganization shall be
permitted.

     (b) Neither the Parent,  the Borrower nor any  Subsidiary  Guarantor  shall
change its legal  name,  its type of  organization,  its status as a  registered
organization  (in the case the Parent and each  Subsidiary  Guarantor  that is a
Domestic  Subsidiary),  its jurisdiction of organization,  its location,  or its
organizational  identification  number  (in the  case  of the  Parent  and  each
Subsidiary  Guarantor  that is a  Domestic  Subsidiary),  except  that  any such
changes  shall be  permitted  (so  long as not in  violation  of the  applicable
requirements of the Security Documents and so long as same do not involve (w) in
the  case  of  the  Parent  or  any  Subsidiary  Guarantor  that  is a  Domestic
Subsidiary,  a registered  organization  ceasing to constitute the same, (x) the
Borrower  ceasing to  constitute a corporation  organized  under the laws of the
Cayman Islands and (y) the Parent or any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Domestic
Subsidiary changing its jurisdiction of organization or location from the United
States or a State thereof, to a jurisdiction of organization or location, as the
case may be,  outside the United  States or a State thereof if (i) it shall have
given to the  Collateral  Agent not less than 15 days' prior  written  notice of
each change to the  information  listed on  Schedule  XII (as  adjusted  for any
subsequent  changes  thereto  previously made in accordance with this sentence),
together with a supplement  to Schedule XII which shall correct all  information
contained  therein for the Parent or such Subsidiary of the Parent,  and (ii) in
connection with the respective such change or changes (I) such Person shall have
taken all action  reasonably  requested by the Collateral  Agent to maintain the
security  interests of the  Collateral  Agent in the  Collateral  intended to be
granted  hereby at all  times  fully  perfected  and in full  force and  effect;
provided that, the Reorganization shall be permitted and (II) the Administrative
Agent is satisfied  that the rights of the Lenders under the Guaranties (if any)
to which such Person is a party are not impaired in any respect.

     9.17  Business.  (a) The  Parent  will not,  and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than any business conducted by the
Parent and its Subsidiaries on the Initial Borrowing Date and any other business
or activities as may be  substantially  similar,  incidental or related thereto;
provided that, the Reorganization shall be permitted.

     (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else in this Agreement to the
contrary,  the Parent  will not engage in any  business  or own any  significant
assets or have any material  liabilities other than (i) the guarantees  referred
to in  Sections  9.04(iii)  and  (v)(y),  (ii) its  ownership  of (A) the equity
interests  of any of its  direct  Subsidiaries  and (B) the  Rig  identified  as
SEASCOUT,  (iii)  Investments made by the Parent in accordance with Section 9.05
and (iv) those  liabilities which it is responsible for under this Agreement and
the other Credit Documents to which it is a party, provided that, the Parent may
engage in those  activities  that are  incidental to (x) the  maintenance of its
existence in compliance  with  applicable law and (y) legal,  tax and accounting
matters in connection with any of the foregoing activities.

     9.18  ERISA.  The  Parent  will  not  and  will  not,  permit  any  of  its
Subsidiaries,  nor  any  ERISA  Affiliate,  to (i)  engage  in  any  "prohibited
transaction"  within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section  4975 of the
Code which  could  result in a material  liability  for the Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries;  or  (ii)  sponsor,  maintain,  make  contributions  to  or  incur
liabilities  in  respect  of any Plan  which is  subject to Title IV of ERISA or
Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code.

     SECTION 10. Events of Default.  Upon the occurrence of any of the following
specified events (each an "Event of Default"):

     10.01  Payments.  The Borrower shall (i) default in the payment when due of
any  principal of any Loan or any Note or (ii)  default,  and such default shall
continue  unremedied for three or more Business Days, in the payment when due of
any  interest on any Loan or Note,  any Unpaid  Drawing or any Fees or any other
amounts owing hereunder or under any other Credit Document; or

     10.02 Representations, etc. Any representation,  warranty or statement made
or deemed made by any Credit Party herein or in any other Credit  Document or in
any  certificate  delivered to the  Administrative  Agent or any Lender pursuant
hereto or thereto  shall prove to be untrue in any material  respect on the date
as of which made or deemed made; or

     10.03 Covenants. The Parent or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i) default in
the due  performance  or  observance  by it of any term,  covenant or  agreement
contained  in  Section  8.01(h),  8.08,  8.12,  8.13,  8.14 or Section 9 or (ii)
default in the due  performance or observance by it of any other term,  covenant
or agreement (other than those referred to in Section 10.01, 10.02 or clause (i)
of this  Section  10.03)  contained in this  Agreement  and, in the case of this
clause (ii),  such default  shall  continue  unremedied  for a period of 30 days
after written notice to the defaulting party by the Administrative  Agent or the
Required Lenders; or

     10.04  Default  Under  Other  Agreements.  (i)  The  Parent  or  any of its
Subsidiaries  shall default in any payment of any  Indebtedness  (other than the
Obligations)  beyond the period of grace, if any,  provided in the instrument or
agreement under which such Indebtedness was created or (ii) the Parent or any of
its Subsidiaries shall default in the observance or performance of any agreement
or  condition  relating  to any  Indebtedness  (other than the  Obligations)  or
contained  in any  instrument  or  agreement  evidencing,  securing  or relating
thereto,  or any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which
default  or other  event or  condition  is to cause,  or to permit the holder or
holders of such  Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or
holders) to cause (determined without regard to whether any notice is required),
any such  Indebtedness  to become due prior to its stated  maturity or (iii) any
Indebtedness  (other  than  the  Obligations)  of  the  Parent  or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries shall be declared to be due and payable,  or required to be prepaid
other than by a regularly  scheduled  required  prepayment,  prior to the stated
maturity  thereof,  provided that, it shall not be a Default or Event of Default
under  this  Section  10.04  unless  the  aggregate   principal  amount  of  all
Indebtedness as described in preceding clauses (i) through (iii),  inclusive, is
at least $5,000,000; or

     10.05 Bankruptcy, etc. The Parent or any of its Subsidiaries shall commence
a voluntary  case  concerning  itself  under Title 11 of the United  States Code
entitled  "Bankruptcy," as now or hereafter in effect,  or any successor thereto
(the "Bankruptcy  Code"); or an involuntary case is commenced against the Parent
or any of its Subsidiaries  and the petition is not controverted  within 10 days
after service of summons, or is not dismissed within 60 days, after commencement
of the case;  or a custodian  (as defined in the  Bankruptcy  Code) is appointed
for, or takes charge of, all or substantially  all of the property of the Parent
or any of its  Subsidiaries or the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  commences
any other proceeding under any reorganization,  arrangement, adjustment of debt,
relief of debtors, dissolution,  insolvency or liquidation or similar law of any
jurisdiction whether now or hereafter in effect relating to the Parent or any of
its  Subsidiaries  or  there  is  commenced  against  the  Parent  or any of its
Subsidiaries  any such proceeding  which remains  undismissed for a period of 60
days,  or the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  is  adjudicated  insolvent  or
bankrupt;  or any  order of  relief or other  order  approving  any such case or
proceeding  is  entered;  or the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  suffers any
appointment of any custodian or the like for it or any  substantial  part of its
property to continue  undischarged  or unstayed for a period of 60 days;  or the
Parent or any of its Subsidiaries  makes a general assignment for the benefit of
creditors; or any petition is presented (and in the case of a petition presented
by  a  Person  other  than  the  Parent  or  any  of  its  Subsidiaries  remains
undischarged  or unstayed for a period of 60 days);  or any order is made by any
competent court for winding up,  dissolution or the appointment of a liquidator;
or any resolution is passed by any of the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries for
its winding up or dissolution  or the  appointment of a liquidator of any of the
Parent  or any of its  Subsidiaries;  or any  corporate  action  is taken by the
Parent  or any of its  Subsidiaries  for the  purpose  of  effecting  any of the
foregoing; or

     10.06 ERISA. (a) A contribution  required to be made with respect to a Plan
or a  Foreign  Pension  Plan is not  timely  made,  or the  Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries has incurred or is reasonably likely to incur liabilities  pursuant
to one or more  employee  welfare  benefit  plans (as defined in Section 3(1) of
ERISA) that provide  benefits to retired  employees  or other  former  employees
(other than as  required  by Section  601 of ERISA) or Plans or Foreign  Pension
Plans;  (b) there shall result from any such event or events the imposition of a
lien, the granting of a security interest,  or a liability or a material risk of
incurring  a  liability;  and (c) such lien,  security  interest  or  liability,
individually  and/or in the aggregate,  in the opinion of the Required  Lenders,
has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect; or

     10.07  Security  Documents.  At any time after the  execution  and delivery
thereof,  any of the  Security  Documents  shall  cease to be in full  force and
effect,  or shall cease in to give the  Collateral  Agent for the benefit of the
Secured  Creditors  the Liens,  rights,  powers and  privileges  purported to be
created thereby (including,  without  limitation,  a perfected security interest
in,  and Lien on,  all of the  Collateral),  in favor of the  Collateral  Agent,
superior to and prior to the rights of all third  Persons  (except in connection
with Permitted  Liens),  and subject to no other Liens (except Permitted Liens),
or any Credit Party shall  default in the due  performance  or observance of any
term,  covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed pursuant to
any of the Security  Documents and such default shall continue  beyond any grace
period (if any)  specifically  applicable  thereto pursuant to the terms of such
Security Document; or

     10.08  Guaranties.  Any Guaranty or any provision thereof shall cease to be
in full force and effect,  or any Guarantor or any Person acting by or on behalf
of such Guarantor shall deny or disaffirm such Guarantor's obligations under the
relevant  Guaranty or any  Guarantor  shall  default in the due  performance  or
observance  of any term,  covenant or  agreement  on its part to be performed or
observed pursuant to any Guaranty; or

     10.09 Judgments.  One or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against
the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries  involving in the aggregate for the Parent
and its  Subsidiaries  a liability (not paid or fully covered by a reputable and
solvent insurance  company) and such judgments and decrees either shall be final
and  non-appealable  or shall  not be  vacated,  discharged  or stayed or bonded
pending appeal for any period of 30 consecutive  days, and the aggregate  amount
of all such judgments, to the extent not covered by insurance, equals or exceeds
$10,000,000; or

10.10    Change of Control.  A Change of Control shall occur;
         -----------------

then, and in any such event,  and at any time  thereafter,  if any Event of
Default shall then be continuing,  the  Administrative  Agent,  upon the written
request of the Required Lenders,  shall by written notice to the Borrower,  take
any or all of the  following  actions,  without  prejudice  to the rights of the
Administrative Agent, any Lender or the holder of any Note to enforce its claims
against any Credit Party  (provided  that,  if an Event of Default  specified in
Section  10.05  shall  occur,  the result  which  would occur upon the giving of
written  notice by the  Administrative  Agent to the  Borrower as  specified  in
clauses (i) and (ii) below shall occur  automatically  without the giving of any
such  notice):  (i)  declare the Total  Commitments  terminated,  whereupon  all
Commitments of each Lender shall forthwith terminate immediately and any accrued
and unpaid Commitment  Commission shall forthwith become due and payable without
any other  notice of any kind;  (ii)  declare the  principal  of and any accrued
interest  in  respect  of all  Loans and the  Notes  and all  Obligations  owing
hereunder and thereunder to be,  whereupon the same shall become,  forthwith due
and payable without  presentment,  demand,  protest or other notice of any kind,
all of which are hereby waived by each Credit Party;  (iii) terminate any Letter
of Credit which may be terminated in accordance with its terms;  (iv) direct the
Borrower to pay (and the Borrower  agrees that upon  receipt of such notice,  or
upon the occurrence of Event of Default  specified in Section 10.05 with respect
to the  Borrower,  to pay) to the  Collateral  Agent at the Payment  Office such
additional  amount of cash or Cash  Equivalents,  to be held as  security by the
Collateral  Agent, as is equal to the aggregate  Stated Amount of all Letters of
Credit issued for the account of the Borrower then outstanding;  (v) enforce, as
Collateral  Agent, all of the Liens and security  interests  created pursuant to
the  Security  Documents;  and  (vi)  apply  any  cash  collateral  held  by the
Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.02 repayment of the Obligations.

SECTION 11.       Definitions and Accounting Terms.

     11.01 Defined Terms. As used in this  Agreement,  the following terms shall
have the following  meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the
singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

     "Acquired Entity or Business" shall mean either (x) the assets constituting
a business,  division or product line of any Person not already a Subsidiary  of
the Parent or (y) at least 51% of the capital stock or other equity interests of
any such Person,  which  Person  shall,  as a result of such stock  acquisition,
become a  Subsidiary  of the Parent (or shall be merged with and into the Parent
(so long as the Parent is the  surviving  corporation)  or a  Subsidiary  of the
Parent).

     "Administrative  Agent"  shall  have  the  meaning  provided  in the  first
paragraph of this Agreement, and shall include any successor thereto.

     "Affiliate"  shall  mean,  with  respect to any  Person,  any other  Person
directly or indirectly controlling (including, but not limited to, all directors
and officers of such Person),  controlled by, or under direct or indirect common
control with, such Person. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person if
such Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power (i) to vote 10% or more
of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or
equivalent  governing  body) of such  Person  or (ii) to  direct  or  cause  the
direction of the management and policies of such other Person,  whether  through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; provided, however,
that  neither  the  Administrative  Agent  nor any  Affiliate  thereof  shall be
considered an Affiliate of the Parent or any Subsidiary thereof.

     "Aggregate  Collateral  Rig  Value"  shall  have the  meaning  set forth in
Section 9.11.

     "Agreement"  shall mean this Credit Agreement,  as modified,  supplemented,
amended, restated, extended or renewed from time to time.

     "Anticipated  ATWOOD BEACON Delivery Date" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 8.11(d).

     "Applicable  Margin" for any Margin  Reduction  Period shall mean, from and
after any Start Date to and including the corresponding End Date, the respective
percentage per annum set forth below opposite the respective Level (i.e.,  Level
5, Level 4, Level 3, Level 2 or Level 1, as the case may be)  indicated  to have
been achieved on the  applicable  Test Date for such Start Date (as shown in the
respective  officer's  certificate  delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(g) or the
first proviso below):

     Level                  Leverage Ratio                 Percentage

       5               Greater than 4.00:1.00                  2.50%

       4               Greater than 3.00:1.00
                       but less than or equal
                       to 4.00:1.00                            2.25%

       3               Greater than 2.00:1.00                  2.00%
                       but less than or equal
                       to 3.00:1.00

       2               Greater than 1.00:1.00                  1.75%
                       but less than or equal
                       to 2.00:1.00

       1               Less than or equal to                   1.50%
                       1.00:1.00

     ;  provided,  however,  that if the Parent  fails to deliver the  financial
statements  required  to  be  delivered  pursuant  to  Section  8.01(a)  or  (b)
(accompanied by the officer's  certificate  required to be delivered pursuant to
Section 8.01(g)) showing the applicable Leverage Ratio on the relevant Test Date
on or prior to the respective date required by such Sections, the greater of (x)
Level 4 pricing and (y) the pricing in effect at such time if greater than Level
4 pricing,  shall apply until such time,  if any,  as the  financial  statements
required as set forth above and the accompanying officer's certificate have been
delivered showing the pricing for the respective Margin Reduction Period is at a
Level below  Level 4 or below the pricing at such time if greater  than Level 4,
as the case may be, (it being  understood that, in the case of any late delivery
of the  financial  statements  and  officer's  certificate  as so required,  any
reduction in the  Applicable  Margin shall apply only from and after the date of
the delivery of the complying financial  statements and officer's  certificate);
provided further, that the greater of (x) Level 4 pricing and (y) the pricing in
effect at such time if greater than Level 4 pricing shall apply (i) at all times
when any  Default or Event of Default  is in  existence  and (ii) for the period
from the Initial  Borrowing  Date to the date of the  delivery  of the  Parent's
financial  statements  (and  related  officer's  certificate)  in respect of its
fiscal        quarter        ending       on       March        31,        2003.


     "Assignment  and  Assumption  Agreement"  shall  mean  the  Assignment  and
Assumption  Agreement  substantially  in the form of  Exhibit  O  (appropriately
completed).

     "Assignment of Construction  Contract"  shall have the meaning  provided in
Section 5.12.

     "Assignment of Earnings" shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.10.

     "Assignment of Insurances" shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.10.

     "ATWOOD BEACON  Construction  Contract" shall have the meaning  provided in
Section 5.12.

     "Atwood Deep Seas" shall mean Atwood Deep Seas,  Limited,  a Texas  limited
partnership and a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Parent.

     "Atwood  Oceanics  Australia"  shall mean  Atwood  Oceanics  Australia  Pty
Limited,  a company  organized  under the laws of Australia  and a  Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary of the Parent.

     "Atwood  Oceanics  Malaysia"  shall mean Atwood  Oceanics (M) Sdn.  Bhd., a
company  organized  under the laws of Malaysia and a Wholly-Owned  Subsidiary of
the Parent.

     "Authorized  Representative"  shall mean,  with  respect to (i)  delivering
Notices of Borrowing,  Letter of Credit Requests and similar notices, any person
or persons  that has or have been  authorized  by the board of  directors of the
Borrower to deliver such notices pursuant to this Agreement and that has or have
appropriate  signature  cards on file  with the  Administrative  Agent  and each
Issuing Lender, (ii) delivering financial information and officer's certificates
relating to financial  matters  pursuant to this Agreement,  the chief financial
officer,  the  treasurer or  controller  of such Person or, if there is no chief
financial  officer,  treasurer or  controller  of such Person,  any other senior
executive  officer of such Person  designated  by the  president or the board of
directors of such Person or such Person's  general  partner as being a financial
officer  authorized  to deliver and  certify  financial  information  under this
Agreement  and (iii) any other matter in connection  with this  Agreement or any
other Credit Document,  any officer (or a person or persons so designated by any
two officers) of such Person or of such Person's general partner, if applicable.

     "Bankruptcy Code" shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.05.

     "Base Rate" shall mean,  for any day, a rate of interest per annum equal to
the  higher of (i) the Prime  Rate for such day and (ii) the sum of the  Federal
Funds Rate for such day plus 1/2 of 1%.

     "Borrower"  shall have the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.

     "Borrower's  Existing Credit Agreement" shall mean the Amended and Restated
Credit  Agreement,  dated as of  February  20,  2002 (as  amended,  modified  or
supplemented)  among the Borrower,  the lenders party thereto from time to time,
Bank One, NA, as administrative  agent,  Nordea, as documentation  agent, Credit
Lyonnais,  New York Branch and Fortis Capital Corp.,  as syndication  agents and
Bank One Capital Markets, Inc., as lead arranger and sole book runner.

     "Borrowing"  shall mean the borrowing of Loans of a single Tranche from all
the Lenders (other than any Lender which has not funded its share of a Borrowing
in accordance with this Agreement) having  Commitments of the respective Tranche
on a given date having the same Interest Period. It is understood that there may
be more than one Borrowing outstanding pursuant to a given Tranche.

     "Business Day" shall mean (i) for all purposes other than as covered by the
following clause (ii), any day except  Saturday,  Sunday and any day which shall
be in New York, New York a legal holiday or a day on which banking  institutions
are authorized or required by law or other  government  action to close and (ii)
with respect to all notices and  determinations in connection with, and payments
of principal and interest on,  Loans,  any day which is a Business Day described
in clause (i) above and which is also a day for trading by and between  banks in
U.S. dollar deposits in the applicable interbank Eurodollar market.

     "Calculation Period" shall mean, in the case of any Permitted  Acquisition,
the Test Period  most  recently  ended  prior to the date of any such  Permitted
Acquisition for which financial statements are available.

     "Capital  Expenditures"  shall  mean,  with  respect  to  any  Person,  all
expenditures  by such Person which should be capitalized in accordance with GAAP
(excluding Capitalized Lease Obligations).

     "Capital  Stock"  shall  mean (i) in the case of a  corporation,  corporate
stock,  (ii) in the  case of an  association  or  business  entity,  any and all
shares,  interests,  participations,  rights or other  equivalents  of corporate
stock,  (iii)  in the  case  of a  partnership  or  limited  liability  company,
partnership or membership  interests  (whether  general or limited) and (iv) any
other interest or participation  that confers on a Person the right to receive a
share of the  profits and losses of, or  distribution  of assets of, the issuing
Person.

     "Capitalized Lease Obligations" shall mean, with respect to any Person, all
rental  obligations of such Person which, under GAAP, are or will be required to
be  capitalized  on the books of such  Person,  in each case taken at the amount
thereof accounted for as indebtedness in accordance with such principles.

     "Cash Equivalents" shall mean, as to any Person, (i) (x) Dollars and (y) in
the  case  of any  Foreign  Subsidiary  of the  Parent,  Euros  and  such  local
currencies held by any such Foreign Subsidiary from time to time in the ordinary
course of its business,  (ii) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed
or insured by (x) in the case of a Foreign Subsidiary of the Parent organized in
Norway, Norway or any agency of instrumentality thereof (provided that, the full
faith and credit of Norway is pledged in support  thereof) and (y) in all cases,
the United States or any agency or  instrumentality  thereof (provided that, the
full faith and credit of the United  States is pledged in support  thereof),  in
either  case  having  maturities  of not more than six  months  from the date of
acquisition,  (iii)  marketable  direct  obligations  issued by any state of the
United  States or any  political  subdivision  of any such  state or any  public
instrumentality  thereof maturing within six months from the date of acquisition
thereof and, at the time of  acquisition,  having one of the two highest ratings
obtainable  from  either S&P or Moody's,  (iv) time  deposits,  certificates  of
deposit and bankers  acceptances of any Lender or any commercial  bank organized
under the laws of the United  States,  any State  thereof  or any other  country
which is a member of the Organization  for Economic  Cooperation and Development
and,  in each case,  having  total  assets in excess of  $10,000,000,000  (or an
equivalent  amount  in the  currency  of any  member  country),  (v)  repurchase
obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of
the types  described in clause  (ii)(y) above entered into with any bank meeting
the qualifications  specified in clause (iv) above, (vi) commercial paper issued
by any  Person  incorporated  in the  United  States  rated at least  A-1 or the
equivalent  thereof by S&P or at least P-1 or the equivalent  thereof by Moody's
and in each case maturing not more than six months after the date of acquisition
by such Person,  (vii)  investments in money market funds  substantially  all of
whose assets are comprised of  securities of the types  described in clauses (i)
through (vi) above and (viii) in the case of Foreign Subsidiaries of the Parent,
overnight  deposits  and  demand  deposit  accounts  (in  the  respective  local
currencies) maintained in the ordinary course of business.

     "CERCLA" shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
and  Liability  Act of 1980,  as the same has been amended and may  hereafter be
amended from time to time, 42 U.S.C. ss. 9601 et seq.

     "Change of  Control"  shall mean (i) any  "Person"  or "Group"  (within the
meaning of Sections  13(d) and 14(d) under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the
Initial Borrowing Date) is or shall (A) be the "beneficial owner" (as so defined
in Rules  13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5  under the Exchange Act) of 25% or more on a fully
diluted basis of the voting  and/or  economic  interest in the Parent's  capital
stock or other Equity  Interests or (B) have obtained the power  (whether or not
exercised)  to elect a majority  of the  Parent's  directors,  (ii) the Board of
Directors  of the Parent  shall  cease to consist  of a majority  of  Continuing
Directors,  (iii) the Parent shall cease to own on a fully  diluted basis in the
aggregate  100% of the  economic and voting  interest in each of the  Borrower's
capital  stock or (iv) the  adoption  of a plan by the holder of  Capital  Stock
relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Parent.

     "Code" shall mean the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended from time
to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.  Section
references  to the  Code  are to the  Code,  as in  effect  at the  date of this
Agreement  and  any  subsequent  provisions  of the  Code,  amendatory  thereof,
supplemental thereto or substituted therefor.

     "Collateral"  shall  mean all  property  (whether  real or  personal)  with
respect to which any security  interests  have been granted (or  purported to be
granted) pursuant to any Security Document,  including,  without limitation, all
Pledge Agreement Collateral,  all Security Agreement  Collateral,  all Insurance
Collateral,  all Earnings  Collateral,  all Collateral  Rigs,  all  Construction
Contract  Collateral and all cash and Cash  Equivalents at any time delivered as
collateral hereunder.

     "Collateral Agent" shall mean the Administrative Agent acting as collateral
agent for the Secured Creditors pursuant to the Security Documents.

     "Collateral  Disposition" shall mean (i) the sale, lease, transfer or other
disposition of any Collateral  Rig by the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  to
any Person  other than a Credit Party or (ii) any Event of Loss of in respect of
any Collateral Rig.

     "Collateral  Rig" shall mean each Rig listed on Schedule XI,  together with
any additional Rigs in which the Collateral  Agent is granted a lien on pursuant
to Section 8.11(c) or (d).

     "Collateral  Rig  Mortgages"  shall have the  meaning  provided  in Section
5.11(a).

     "Commitment" shall mean any of the commitments of any Lender,  i.e., either
a Term Loan Commitment or a Revolving Loan Commitment.

     "Commitment Commission" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.01(a).

     "Consolidated   Capitalization"  shall  mean,  at  any  time,  Consolidated
Indebtedness at such time plus Consolidated Net Worth at such time.

     "Consolidated  Current  Assets" shall mean, at any time,  the  consolidated
current assets of the Parent and its Subsidiaries at such time.

     "Consolidated   Current   Liabilities"   shall  mean,  at  any  time,   the
consolidated  current  liabilities  of the Parent and its  Subsidiaries  at such
time, but excluding the current portion of any Indebtedness under this Agreement
and the current  portion of any other  long-term  Indebtedness of the Parent and
its Subsidiaries which would otherwise be included therein.

     "Consolidated EBIT" shall mean, for any period, Consolidated Net Income for
such period,  before deducting  therefrom  consolidated  interest expense of the
Parent and its  Subsidiaries  for such period and  provision  for taxes based on
income that were included in arriving at Consolidated Net Income for such period
and  without  giving  effect  (x) to any  extraordinary  gains or  extraordinary
non-cash  losses  (except to the  extent  that any such  extraordinary  non-cash
losses  require a cash  payment in a future  period)  and (y) to any or gains or
losses from sales of assets  other than from sales of  inventory in the ordinary
course of business.

     "Consolidated  EBITDA" shall mean,  for any period,  Consolidated  EBIT for
such  period,  adjusted  by adding  thereto  the amount of all  amortization  of
intangibles and depreciation to the extent that same was deducted in arriving at
Consolidated  EBIT for such period;  it being understood that in determining the
Leverage Ratio only, Consolidated EBITDA for any period shall be calculated on a
Pro Forma  Basis to give  effect to any  Acquired  Entity or  Business  acquired
during such period pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition and not subsequently sold
or otherwise disposed of by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries  during such
period.

     "Consolidated  Indebtedness"  shall mean, as at any date of  determination,
without duplication, the sum of (I) the aggregate stated balance sheet amount of
all Indebtedness  (but including,  in any event,  without  limitation,  the then
outstanding principal amount of all Loans, all Capitalized Lease Obligations and
all purchase money Indebtedness) of the Parent and its Subsidiaries at such time
determined  on  a  consolidated   basis,   (II)  the  aggregate  amount  of  all
Indebtedness of the Parent and its  Subsidiaries of the type described in clause
(ii)  of  the  definition  of  "Indebtedness"  contained  herein  at  such  time
determined  on a  consolidated  basis  and  (III)  the  aggregate  amount of all
Contingent  Obligations  of the  Parent  and  its  Subsidiaries  in  respect  of
Indebtedness described in preceding clauses (I) and (II) at such time determined
on a consolidated basis.

     "Consolidated  Indebtedness  to  Consolidated  Capitalization  Ratio" shall
mean, as at any date of determination, the ratio of Consolidated Indebtedness to
Consolidated Capitalization as at such date.

     "Consolidated  Interest Expense" shall mean, for any period, the sum of the
total consolidated  interest expense of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for such
period  (calculated  without regard to any  limitations on the payment  thereof)
plus, without duplication,  that portion of Capitalized Lease Obligations of the
Parent and its  Subsidiaries  representing  the interest factor for such period;
provided  that, the  amortization  of deferred  financing,  legal and accounting
costs  with  respect  to this  Agreement  shall be  excluded  from  Consolidated
Interest Expense to the extent same would otherwise have been included therein.

     "Consolidated  Net Income" shall mean,  for any period,  the net income (or
loss) of the  Parent  and its  Subsidiaries  for such  period,  determined  on a
consolidated basis (after any deduction for minority interests),  provided that,
(i) in determining  Consolidated Net Income,  the net income of any other Person
which is not a Subsidiary of the Parent or is accounted for by the Parent by the
equity method of accounting  shall be included only to the extent of the payment
of cash dividends or cash  distributions by such other Person to the Parent or a
Subsidiary thereof during such period,  (ii) the net income of any Subsidiary of
the Parent  shall be excluded to the extent that the  declaration  or payment of
cash  dividends or similar cash  distributions  by that  Subsidiary  of that net
income is not at the date of determination permitted by operation of its charter
or any agreement,  instrument or law applicable to such Subsidiary and (iii) the
net income (or loss) of any other Person  acquired by the Parent or a Subsidiary
of the Parent in a pooling of interests  transaction for any period prior to the
date of such acquisition shall be excluded.

     "Consolidated  Net Worth" shall mean,  with respect to any person,  the Net
Worth of such Person and its  Subsidiaries  determined on a  consolidated  basis
after appropriate deduction for any minority interests in Subsidiaries.

     "Consolidated  Tangible  Net  Worth"  shall  mean,  as of the  date  of any
determination, Consolidated Net Worth of the Parent and its Subsidiaries on such
date less the  amount  of all  intangible  items  included  therein,  including,
without limitation,  goodwill, franchises,  licenses, patents, trademarks, trade
names,  copyrights,  service  marks,  brand names and  write-ups of assets.  For
purposes  of  determining  Consolidated  Tangible  Net  Worth  pursuant  to this
definition,  the effect of cumulative foreign currency  translation  adjustments
calculated in  accordance  with GAAP and set forth in the  stockholders'  equity
section of the Parent and its Subsidiaries'  consolidated  financial  statements
delivered pursuant to Section 8.01 shall be excluded.

     "Consolidated  Working  Capital" shall mean, at any time of  determination,
Consolidated Current Assets minus Consolidated Current Liabilities.

     "Construction  Contract  Collateral" shall mean all "Collateral" as defined
in the Construction Contract Assignment.

     "Contingent  Obligation"  shall mean, as to any Person,  any  obligation of
such  Person as a result of such  Person  being a general  partner  of any other
Person,  unless the underlying  obligation is expressly made  non-recourse as to
such general partner, and any obligation of such Person guaranteeing or intended
to guarantee any Indebtedness,  leases, dividends or other obligations ("primary
obligations") of any other Person (the "primary obligor") in any manner, whether
directly or indirectly,  including,  without limitation,  any obligation of such
Person,  whether or not contingent,  (i) to purchase any such primary obligation
or any  property  constituting  direct or indirect  security  therefor,  (ii) to
advance or supply  funds (x) for the  purchase  or  payment of any such  primary
obligation or (y) to maintain  working  capital or equity capital of the primary
obligor or  otherwise  to  maintain  the net worth or  solvency  of the  primary
obligor,  (iii) to purchase  property,  securities or services primarily for the
purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary  obligation  of the ability of
the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation or (iv) otherwise
to assure or hold harmless the holder of such primary obligation against loss in
respect thereof;  provided,  however,  that the term Contingent Obligation shall
not  include  endorsements  of  instruments  for  deposit or  collection  in the
ordinary course of business.  The amount of any Contingent  Obligation  shall be
deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary
obligation  in respect of which such  Contingent  Obligation  is made or, if not
stated or determinable,  the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect
thereof  (assuming such Person is required to perform  thereunder) as determined
by such Person in good faith.

     "Continuing  Directors"  shall  mean the  directors  of the  Parent  on the
Initial  Borrowing  Date and  each  other  director,  if such  other  director's
nomination  for election to the Board of Directors of the Parent is  recommended
by a majority of the then Continuing  Directors or is recommended by a committee
of the Board of  Directors  of the Parent a majority of which is composed of the
then Continuing Directors.

                  "Contract Report" shall have the meaning provided in Section
8.01(d).

     "Credit  Documents"  shall mean this  Agreement,  each Note,  each Security
Document, each Subsidiaries Guaranty, the Intercompany  Subordination Agreement,
each Joinder  Agreement  and,  after the  execution and delivery  thereof,  each
additional guaranty or additional security document executed pursuant to Section
8.11.

     "Credit  Event"  shall mean the making of any Loan or the  issuance  of any
Letter of Credit.

     "Credit  Party"  shall  mean the  Parent,  the  Borrower,  each  Subsidiary
Guarantor and each Pledgor.

     "Default" shall mean any event, act or condition which with notice or lapse
of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

     "Defaulting  Lender"  shall mean any Lender with  respect to which a Lender
Default is in effect.

     "Dividend"  shall mean,  with  respect to any Person,  that such Person has
declared or paid a dividend,  distribution or returned any equity capital to its
stockholders,  partners or members or authorized or made any other distribution,
payment or  delivery of property  (other than common  equity of such  Person) or
cash to its  stockholders,  partners or members as such,  or redeemed,  retired,
purchased or otherwise  acquired,  directly or indirectly,  for a  consideration
(other than common equity of such Person) any shares of any class of its capital
stock or any  partnership  or membership  interests  outstanding on or after the
Initial  Borrowing  Date (or any options or warrants  issued by such Person with
respect to its capital stock or other equity interests),  or set aside any funds
for  any  of  the  foregoing  purposes,  or  shall  have  permitted  any  of its
Subsidiaries to purchase or otherwise  acquire for a  consideration  (other than
common  equity of such Person) any shares of any class of the capital  stock of,
or other equity  interests in, such Person  outstanding  on or after the Initial
Borrowing Date (or any options or warrants issued by such Person with respect to
its capital stock or other equity  interests).  Without  limiting the foregoing,
"Dividends"  with respect to any Person shall also include all payments  made or
required to be made (other  than  common  equity of such  Person) by such Person
with  respect to any stock  appreciation  rights,  plans,  equity  incentive  or
achievement  plans or any  similar  plans or setting  aside of any funds for the
foregoing purposes.

     "Dollars"  and the sign "$" shall  each  mean  lawful  money of the  United
States.

     "Domestic Subsidiary" shall mean, as to any Person, each Subsidiary of such
Person that is organized under the laws of the United States,  any state thereof
or the District of Columbia.

     "Drawing" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.05(b).

     "Earnings Collateral" shall mean, collectively, all "Collateral" as defined
in each Assignment of Earnings.

     "Effective Date" shall have the meaning provided in Section 14.10.

     "Eligible  Transferee"  shall  mean  and  include  a  commercial  bank,  an
insurance  company, a finance company,  a financial  institution,  any fund that
invests in loans or any other "accredited  investor" (as defined in Regulation D
of the Securities Act).

     "Employee Benefit Plans" shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.06.

     "Employment Agreements" shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.06.

     "End Date" shall mean,  for any Margin  Reduction  Period,  the last day of
such Margin Reduction Period.

     "Environmental Claims" shall mean any and all administrative, regulatory or
judicial actions,  suits, demands,  demand letters,  directives,  claims, liens,
notices of noncompliance or violation, investigations or proceedings relating in
any way to any  Environmental  Law or any permit issued,  or any approval given,
under any such  Environmental  Law  (hereafter,  "Claims"),  including,  without
limitation, (a) any and all Claims by governmental or regulatory authorities for
enforcement,  cleanup, removal,  response,  remedial or other actions or damages
pursuant to any applicable  Environmental Law, and (b) any and all Claims by any
third party  seeking  damages,  contribution,  indemnification,  cost  recovery,
compensation or injunctive relief in connection with alleged injury or threat of
injury to health,  safety or the  environment  due to the  presence of Hazardous
Materials.

     "Environmental  Law" shall mean any applicable Federal,  state,  foreign or
local statute, law, rule, regulation,  ordinance,  code, binding and enforceable
guideline,  binding and enforceable written policy and rule of common law now or
hereafter  in  effect  and  in  each  case  as  amended,  and  any  judicial  or
administrative  interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative
order, consent decree or judgment,  to the extent binding on the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries,  relating to the environment, employee health and safety or
Hazardous  Materials,  including,  without limitation,  CERCLA; OPA; the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. ss. 1251 et seq.; the Hazardous  Material
Transportation  Act, 49 U.S.C.  ss. 1801 et seq.;  the  Occupational  Safety and
Health Act, 29 U.S.C.  ss. 651 et seq. (to the extent it regulates  occupational
exposure  to  Hazardous   Materials);   and  any  state  and  local  or  foreign
counterparts or equivalents, in each case as amended from time to time.

     "ERISA" shall mean the Employee  Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time, and the  regulations  promulgated  and rulings issued
thereunder.  Section  references to ERISA are to ERISA, as in effect at the date
of this Agreement and any subsequent  provisions of ERISA,  amendatory  thereof,
supplemental thereto or substituted therefor.

     "ERISA  Affiliate"  shall mean each person (as  defined in Section  3(9) of
ERISA) which  together  with the Parent or a Domestic  Subsidiary  of the Parent
would be deemed to be a "single  employer" within the meaning of Section 414(b),
(c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

     "Eurodollar  Rate" shall mean,  with respect to each Interest  Period for a
Loan,  (a) the offered rate (rounded  upward to the nearest 1/16 of one percent)
for deposits of Dollars for a period equivalent to such period at or about 11:00
A.M.  (London  time) on the  second  Business  Day  before the first day of such
period as is  displayed  on Telerate  page 3750  (British  Bankers'  Association
Interest  Settlement Rates) (or such other page as may replace such page 3750 on
such system or on any other system of the information  vendor for the time being
designated  by the British  Bankers'  Association  to calculate the BBA Interest
Settlement Rate (as defined in the British  Bankers'  Association's  Recommended
Terms and Conditions dated August 1985)), provided that, if on such date no such
rate is so  displayed,  the  Eurodollar  Rate for such period  shall be the rate
quoted to the  Administrative  Agent as the offered rate for deposits of Dollars
in an  amount  approximately  equal to the  amount  in  relation  to  which  the
Eurodollar  Rate is to be determined for a period  equivalent to such applicable
Interest Period by prime banks in the London interbank  Eurodollar  market at or
about 11:00 A.M.  (London time) on the second  Business Day before the first day
of such period,  in each case divided (and rounded upward to the nearest 1/16 of
1%) by (b) a percentage  equal to 100% minus the then stated maximum rate of all
reserve requirements (including,  without limitation,  any marginal,  emergency,
supplemental,  special or other reserves  required by applicable law) applicable
to any member  bank of the  Federal  Reserve  System in respect of  Eurocurrency
funding or liabilities as defined in Regulation D (or any successor  category of
liabilities under Regulation D).

     "Event of Default" shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.

     "Event of Loss" shall mean any of the following  events:  (x) the actual or
constructive  total loss of a Collateral Rig or the agreed or compromised  total
loss of a  Collateral  Rig;  or (y)  the  capture,  condemnation,  confiscation,
requisition,  purchase,  seizure or forfeiture  of, or any taking of title to, a
Collateral  Rig.  An Event of Loss shall be deemed to have  occurred  (i) in the
event of an actual loss of a Collateral Rig, at the time and on the date of such
loss or if that is not known at noon  Greenwich Mean Time on the date which such
Collateral Rig was last heard from; (ii) in the event of damage which results in
a constructive or compromised or arranged total loss of a Collateral Rig, at the
time and on the date of the event  giving rise to such  damage;  or (iii) in the
case of an event referred to in clause (y) above, at the time and on the date on
which  such event is  expressed  to take  effect by the Person  making the same.
Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  if such Collateral Rig shall have been returned
to the Parent,  the Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Parent,  as the case
may be,  following  any event  referred to in clause (y) above prior to the date
upon which  payment is required to be made under  Section  4.02(c),  no Event of
Loss shall be deemed to have occurred by reason of such event.

     "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect
on the Initial Borrowing Date.

     "Existing  Credit  Agreements"  shall mean,  collectively,  the  Borrower's
Existing Credit Agreement and the Parent's Existing Credit Agreement.

     "Existing Indebtedness" shall have the meaning provided in Section 7.20.

     "Existing  Indebtedness  Agreements"  shall have the  meaning  provided  in
Section 5.06.

     "Facing Fee" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.01(c).

     "Federal  Funds Rate" shall mean,  for any period,  a fluctuating  interest
rate equal for each day during such period to the weighted  average of the rates
on overnight  Federal  Funds  transactions  with members of the Federal  Reserve
System arranged by Federal Funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such
day is not a Business Day, for the next  preceding  Business Day) by the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which
is a  Business  Day,  the  average  of the  quotations  for  such  day  on  such
transactions  received  by the  Administrative  Agent from three  Federal  Funds
brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent.

     "Fees" shall mean all amounts payable pursuant to or referred to in Section
3.01.

     "Foreign  Pension  Plan"  shall  mean any plan,  fund  (including,  without
limitation,  any  superannuation  fund) or other similar program  established or
maintained outside the United States of America by the Parent or any one or more
of its Subsidiaries primarily for the benefit of employees of the Parent or such
Subsidiaries residing outside the United States of America,  which plan, fund or
other similar program provides,  or results in, retirement income, a deferral of
income in contemplation of retirement or payments to be made upon termination of
employment, and which plan is not subject to ERISA or the Code.

     "Foreign Pledge Agreement" shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.09.

     "Foreign Pledgor" shall mean each Foreign Subsidiary of the Parent which is
a Pledgor,  in each case for so long as such Persons remain  organized under the
laws  of a  jurisdiction  other  than  the  United  States  and the  States  and
territories thereof.

     "Foreign Subsidiaries  Guaranty" shall have the meaning provided in Section
5.08.

     "Foreign  Subsidiary" shall mean, as to any Person, each Subsidiary of such
Person which is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

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

     "Guaranteed  Creditors"  shall mean and include each of the  Administrative
Agent, the Collateral Agent, each Issuing Lender and the Lenders.

     "Guaranteed  Obligations"  shall mean (i) the full and prompt  payment when
due  (whether at the stated  maturity,  by  acceleration  or  otherwise)  of the
principal  and  interest  on each Note  issued  by,  and all Loans  made to, the
Borrower  under this  Agreement  and all  reimbursement  obligations  and Unpaid
Drawings  with  respect  to  Letters  of  Credit,  together  with all the  other
obligations  (including  obligations  which,  but for the  automatic  stay under
Section  362(a) of the  Bankruptcy  Code,  would become due),  indebtedness  and
liabilities  (including,  without  limitation,  indemnities,  fees and  interest
(including  any interest  accruing  after the  commencement  of any  bankruptcy,
insolvency,  receivership or similar proceeding at the rate provided for herein,
whether  or not such  interest  is an  allowed  claim  in any  such  proceeding)
thereon) of the Borrower to the Lenders, each Issuing Lender, the Administrative
Agent and the Collateral Agent now existing or hereafter incurred under, arising
out of or in connection  with this  Agreement and each other Credit  Document to
which the  Borrower is a party and the due  performance  and  compliance  by the
Borrower with all the terms,  conditions and agreements  contained in the Credit
Agreement  and in each such other  Credit  Document and (ii) the full and prompt
payment when due (whether at the stated maturity,  by acceleration or otherwise)
of all  obligations  (including  obligations  which,  but for the automatic stay
under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, would become due),  liabilities and
indebtedness  (including  any interest  accruing after the  commencement  of any
bankruptcy, insolvency,  receivership or similar proceeding at the rate provided
for  herein,  whether  or not  such  interest  is an  allowed  claim in any such
proceeding) of the Borrower owing under any Interest Rate  Protection  Agreement
entered into by the Borrower with any Lender or any  affiliate  thereof (even if
such Lender  subsequently  ceases to be a Lender  under this  Agreement  for any
reason) so long as such Lender or affiliate  participates  in such Interest Rate
Protection  Agreement  and their  subsequent  assigns,  if any,  whether  now in
existence or hereafter arising,  and the due performance and compliance with all
terms, conditions and agreements contained therein.

     "Guarantor"  shall  mean,  collectively,  the  Parent  and each  Subsidiary
Guarantor.

     "Guaranty"  shall  mean,   collectively,   the  Parent  Guaranty  and  each
Subsidiaries Guaranty.

     "Hazardous  Materials" shall mean (a) any petroleum or petroleum  products,
radioactive  materials,  asbestos in any form that is or could  become  friable,
ureaformaldehyde  foam insulation,  transformers or other equipment that contain
dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated  biphenyls, and radon gas,
(b) any  chemicals,  materials  or  substances  defined  as or  included  in the
definition of "hazardous  substances," "hazardous waste," "hazardous materials,"
"extremely   hazardous   substances,"   "restricted   hazardous  waste,"  "toxic
substances,"  "toxic  pollutants,"  "contaminants," or "pollutants," or words of
similar  import,  under  any  applicable  Environmental  Law,  and (c) any other
chemical,  material or substance,  exposure to which is  prohibited,  limited or
regulated by any governmental authority under Environmental Laws.

     "Inactive  Subsidiary"  shall mean,  at any time,  each  Subsidiary  of the
Parent which (i) is not a Material Subsidiary or the Borrower, (ii) does not own
assets with an aggregate  fair market value (as  determined in good faith by the
management  of the Parent) in excess of $100,000 and (iii) which at such time is
inactive (i.e., does not conduct any business).

     "Indebtedness" shall mean, as to any Person,  without duplication,  (i) all
indebtedness  (including principal,  interest,  fees and charges) of such Person
for borrowed  money or for the deferred  purchase price of property or services,
(ii) the  maximum  amount  available  to be drawn  under all  letters of credit,
bankers'  acceptances  and  similar  obligations  issued for the account of such
Person and all unpaid  drawings in respect of such  letters of credit,  bankers'
acceptances  and  similar  obligations,  (iii)  all  Indebtedness  of the  types
described  in clause (i),  (ii),  (iv),  (v),  (vi) or (vii) of this  definition
secured by any Lien on any property  owned by such  Person,  whether or not such
Indebtedness  has been assumed by such Person  (provided that, if the Person has
not assumed or otherwise  become  liable in respect of such  Indebtedness,  such
Indebtedness  shall be deemed to be in an amount  equal to the fair market value
of the property to which such Lien relates as  determined  in good faith by such
Person),  (iv) the aggregate amount of all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such
Person, (v) all obligations of such Person to pay a specified purchase price for
goods or services,  whether or not delivered or accepted,  i.e., take-or-pay and
similar obligations,  (vi) all Contingent  Obligations of such Person, and (vii)
all obligations under any Interest Rate Protection Agreement,  any Other Hedging
Agreement or under any similar type of agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Indebtedness  shall not include trade payables and accrued expenses  incurred by
any Person in accordance with customary  practices and in the ordinary course of
business of such Person.

     "Initial  Borrowing  Date"  shall mean the date  occurring  on or after the
Effective Date on which the initial Borrowing of Loans hereunder occurs.

     "Insurances  Collateral"  shall mean,  collectively,  all  "Insurances"  as
defined in each Assignment of Insurances.

     "Intercompany Loan" shall have the meaning provided in Section 9.05(vii).

     "Intercompany  Subordination  Agreement" shall have the meaning provided in
Section 5.17.

     "Interest  Determination  Date" shall mean,  with respect to any Loan,  the
second Business Day prior to the commencement of any Interest Period relating to
such Loan.

     "Interest Period" shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.08.

     "Interest  Rate  Protection  Agreement"  shall mean any interest  rate swap
agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest collar agreement, interest rate
hedging agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement.

     "Investments" shall have the meaning provided in Section 9.05.

     "Issuing  Lender"  shall mean (i) Nordea Bank  Finland Plc, New York Branch
(which, for purposes of this definition,  shall include any banking affiliate of
Nordea  Finland  Plc,  New York  Branch) and (ii) any other  Lender which at the
request of the Borrower and with the consent of the Administrative  Agent (which
consent  shall not be  unreasonably  withheld)  agrees  (in such  Lender's  sole
discretion)  to become an Issuing  Lender for the purpose of issuing  Letters of
Credit pursuant to Section 2.

     "Joinder  Agreement"  shall mean a Joinder  Agreement  substantially in the
form of Exhibit P (appropriately completed).

     "Joint  Venture"  shall  mean any  Person  other  than an  individual  or a
Wholly-Owned  Subsidiary  of the  Parent  (i) in which the  Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries  holds or acquires an  ownership  interest  (by way of ownership of
equity  interests or other evidence of ownership) and (ii) which is engaged in a
business permitted by Section 9.17.

     "Leaseholds" of any Person shall mean all the right,  title and interest of
such Person as lessee or licensee  in, to and under  leases or licenses of land,
improvements and/or fixtures.

     "Lender"  shall mean each  financial  institution  listed on Schedule I, as
well as any Person which becomes a "Lender"  hereunder  pursuant to Section 1.12
or 14.04(b).

     "Lender  Default" shall mean (i) the refusal (which has not been retracted)
or the failure of a Lender to make  available its portion of any Borrowing or to
fund its portion of any  unreimbursed  payment under  Section  2.04(c) or (ii) a
Lender having notified in writing the Borrower and/or the  Administrative  Agent
that such Lender does not intend to comply with its  obligations  under  Section
1.01 or 2.

     "Letter of Credit" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.01(a).

     "Letter of Credit Fee" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.01(b).

     "Letter of Credit Outstandings" shall mean, at any time, the sum of (i) the
Stated Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit and (ii) the aggregate amount
of all Unpaid Drawings in respect of all Letters of Credit.

     "Letter of Credit  Request"  shall  have the  meaning  provided  in Section
2.03(a).

     "Leverage  Ratio" shall mean,  at any date of  determination,  the ratio of
Consolidated  Indebtedness  on such  date to  Consolidated  EBITDA  for the Test
Period last ended on or prior to such date.

     "Lien" shall mean any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation,  assignment, deposit
arrangement,  encumbrance,  lien (statutory or other),  preference,  priority or
other security  agreement of any kind or nature whatsoever  (including,  without
limitation,  any  conditional  sale or  other  title  retention  agreement,  any
financing  or  similar  statement  or  notice  filed  under the UCC or any other
similar recording or notice statute, and any lease having substantially the same
effect as any of the foregoing).

     "Loan" shall mean each Term Loan and each Revolving Loan.

     "Management Agreements" shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.06.

     "Margin  Reduction  Period" shall mean each period which shall  commence on
the date upon which the respective  officer's  certificate is delivered pursuant
to Section 8.01(g) (together with the related financial  statements  pursuant to
Section  8.01(a) or (b),  as the case may be) and which shall end on the date of
actual  delivery of the next officer's  certificate  pursuant to Section 8.01(g)
(and  related  financial  statements)  or the  latest  date on which  such  next
officer's  certificate (and related  financial  statements) is required to be so
delivered;  it being  understood  that the first Margin  Reduction  Period shall
commence  with the delivery of the Parent's  financial  statements  (and related
officer's  certificate)  in respect of its  fiscal  quarter  ending on March 31,
2003.

     "Margin Stock" shall have the meaning provided in Regulation U.

     "Material  Adverse Effect" shall mean a material  adverse effect (v) on the
rights or  remedies  of the  Lenders,  (w) on the  ability  of the  Parent,  the
Borrower or any Subsidiary  Guarantor,  or the Parent and its Subsidiaries taken
as a whole, to perform its or their obligations to the Lenders, (x) with respect
to  the  Reorganization,  (y)  with  respect  to the  Transaction  or (z) on the
property, assets, nature of assets, operations, liabilities, financial condition
or prospects of the Parent,  the Borrower or any  Subsidiary  Guarantor,  or the
Parent and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

     "Material  Subsidiary" shall mean each Subsidiary of the Parent (other than
the Borrower)  which holds at any time (x) an ownership  interest in one or more
Collateral  Rigs or (y) an equity  interest  in any  Subsidiary  which  holds an
ownership  interest in one or more  Collateral  Rigs,  provided that, a Material
Subsidiary which no longer holds either an ownership  interest in any Collateral
Rig or in any entity which holds an ownership interest in a Collateral Rig, such
Material Subsidiary shall thereafter cease to be a Material Subsidiary.

     "Material Upgrade" shall mean an upgrade to the assets of the Parent or any
of its Subsidiaries,  provided that the cost of such improvements,  on a project
by project basis, shall be equal to or greater than $10,000,000.

     "Maturity Date" shall mean, April 1, 2008.

     "Monthly Fleet Report" shall have the meaning provided in Section 7.05(e).

     "Moody's" shall mean Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

     "NAIC" shall mean the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

     "Net Cash Proceeds" shall mean, with respect to any Collateral  Disposition
or equity issuance,  the aggregate cash payments (including any cash received by
way of deferred payment pursuant to a note receivable  issued in connection with
such Collateral  Disposition or equity issuance,  other than the portion of such
deferred payment constituting  interest, but only as and when received) received
by the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  from such  Collateral  Disposition or
equity issuance,  net of (i) reasonable  transaction costs  (including,  without
limitation,  reasonable  attorney's  fees)  and sales  commissions  and (ii) the
estimated  marginal  increase  in income  taxes and any stamp tax payable by the
Parent or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of such Collateral  Disposition or
equity issuance.

     "Net Worth"  shall mean,  as to any Person,  the sum of its capital  stock,
capital  in  excess  of par or stated  value of  shares  of its  capital  stock,
retained  earnings  and any  other  account  which,  in  accordance  with  GAAP,
constitutes stockholders' equity, but excluding any treasury stock.

     "Non-Defaulting  Lender"  and  "Non-Defaulting  RL  Lender"  shall mean and
include  each Lender or RL Lender,  as the case may be,  other than a Defaulting
Lender.

     "Note" shall mean each Term Note and each Revolving Note.

     "Notice of Borrowing" shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.03(a).

     "Notice Office" shall mean the office of the  Administrative  Agent located
at 437 Madison  Avenue,  New York,  New York 10022,  or such other office as the
Administrative  Agent may  hereafter  designate  in writing as such to the other
parties hereto.

     "Obligations" shall mean all amounts owing to the Administrative Agent, the
Collateral Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement or any other Credit Document.

     "OPA"  shall  mean  the  Oil  Pollution   Act  of  1990,  as  amended,   33
U.S.C.ss.2701 et seq.

     "Other  Hedging  Agreement"  shall  mean any  foreign  exchange  contracts,
currency swap agreements,  commodity  agreements or other similar  agreements or
arrangements  designed  to protect  against  the  fluctuations  in  currency  or
commodity values.

     "Parent"  shall have the meaning  provided in the first  paragraph  of this
Agreement.

     "Parent Guaranty" shall mean the guaranty of the Parent pursuant to Section
13.

     "Parent's  Existing Credit  Agreement"  shall mean the Amended and Restated
Credit  Agreement,  dated as of  February  20,  2002 (as  amended,  modified  or
supplemented) among the Parent, Atwood Deep Seas, the lenders party thereto from
time to time, Bank One, NA, as  administrative  agent,  Nordea, as documentation
agent, Credit Lyonnais, New York Branch and Fortis Capital Corp., as syndication
agents  and Bank One  Capital  Markets,  Inc.,  as lead  arranger  and sole book
runner.

     "Participant" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.04(a).

     "Payment Office" shall mean the office of the Administrative  Agent located
at 437 Madison  Avenue,  New York,  New York 10022,  or such other office as the
Administrative  Agent may  hereafter  designate  in writing as such to the other
parties hereto.

     "Percentage" of any Lender at any time shall mean a fraction  (expressed as
a percentage)  the numerator of which is the Revolving  Loan  Commitment of such
Lender at such time and the  denominator  of which is the Total  Revolving  Loan
Commitment at such time, provided that, if the Percentage of any Lender is to be
determined after the Total Revolving Loan Commitment has been  terminated,  then
the  Percentages  of such  Lender  shall be  determined  immediately  prior (and
without giving effect) to such termination.

     "Permitted  Acquired  Debt"  shall  have the  meaning  provided  in Section
9.04(vii).

     "Permitted  Acquisition" shall mean the acquisition by the Parent or any of
its  Subsidiaries of an Acquired Entity or Business  (including by way of merger
of such  Acquired  Entity or  Business  with and into the Parent (so long as the
Parent is the surviving corporation) or a Wholly-Owned  Subsidiary of the Parent
(other than the Borrower),  provided that, (in each case) (A) in the case of the
acquisition of 100% of the capital stock or other equity interests of any Person
(including  way of  merger),  such  Person  shall own no capital  stock or other
equity interests of any other Person  (excluding de minimis amounts) unless such
Person owns 100% of the capital  stock or other  equity  interests of such other
Person, (B) at least 90% of the consolidated assets and consolidated revenues of
the  business,  division or product  line  acquired  pursuant to the  respective
Permitted Acquisition, or of the business of the Person acquired pursuant to the
respective  Permitted  Acquisition and its Subsidiaries  taken as a whole, is in
(x) a jurisdiction where the Parent or any Subsidiary of the Parent is organized
on the  Effective  Date or (y)  Angola,  (C) the  Acquired  Entity  or  Business
acquired  pursuant  to the  respective  Permitted  Acquisition  is in a business
permitted by Section 9.17 and (D) all  requirements  of Sections 8.14,  9.02 and
9.15  applicable  to  Permitted  Acquisitions  are  satisfied.   Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary  contained in the immediately  preceding  sentence,  an
acquisition  which does not otherwise meet the  requirements  set forth above in
the  definition  of  "Permitted   Acquisition"   shall  constitute  a  Permitted
Acquisition if, and to the extent, the Required Lenders agree in writing,  prior
to the consummation  thereof, that such acquisition shall constitute a Permitted
Acquisition for purposes of this Agreement.

     "Permitted Liens" shall have the meaning provided in Section 9.01.

     "Person"  shall mean any  individual,  partnership,  joint  venture,  firm,
corporation,  association,  trust  or  other  enterprise  or any  government  or
political subdivision or any agency, department or instrumentality thereof.

     "Plan"  shall mean any  pension  plan as defined in Section  3(2) of ERISA,
excluding  any pension plan that is not subject to Title I or Title IV of ERISA,
which is maintained or  contributed to by (or to which there is an obligation to
contribute of) the Parent or a Subsidiary of the Parent or any ERISA  Affiliate,
and each such plan for the  five-year  period  immediately  following the latest
date on which the Parent,  or a Subsidiary of the Parent or any ERISA  Affiliate
maintained, contributed to or had an obligation to contribute to such plan.

     "Pledge  Agreement" shall mean,  collectively,  the U.S. Pledge  Agreement,
each  Foreign  Pledge  Agreement  and any other  pledge  agreement  executed and
delivered by any Subsidiary of the Parent pursuant to any of Sections 5.09, 8.11
or 9.15.

     "Pledge Agreement Collateral" shall mean, collectively, all "Collateral" as
defined in each Pledge Agreement.

     "Pledged  Securities"  shall mean  "Pledged  Securities"  as defined in the
Pledge Agreement.

     "Pledgor"  shall mean the Parent and/or any Subsidiary of the Parent to the
extent that such Person owns any equity interest in the Borrower or any Material
Subsidiary, in either case, on the Initial Borrowing Date or thereafter.

     "Prime Rate" shall mean the rate which the  Administrative  Agent announces
from time to time as its prime lending  rate,  the Prime Rate to change when and
as such prime lending rate changes.  The Prime Rate is a reference rate and does
not  necessarily  represent  the  lowest or best rate  actually  charged  to any
customer.  The Administrative  Agent may make commercial loans or other loans at
rates of interest at, above or below the Prime Rate.

     "Pro Forma  Basis"  shall  mean,  in  connection  with any  calculation  of
compliance  with any  financial  covenant or  financial  term,  the  calculation
thereof  after giving  effect on a pro forma basis to (x) the  incurrence of any
Indebtedness  (other than revolving  Indebtedness,  except to the extent same is
incurred to refinance other  outstanding  Indebtedness or to finance a Permitted
Acquisition)  after the first day of the relevant  Calculation Period as if such
Indebtedness  had been incurred (and the proceeds  thereof applied) on the first
day of the  relevant  Calculation  Period,  (y) the  permanent  repayment of any
Indebtedness  (other  than  revolving  Indebtedness)  after the first day of the
relevant Calculation Period as if such Indebtedness had been retired or redeemed
on the  first  day of the  relevant  Calculation  Period  or (z) the  respective
Permitted  Acquisition,  if any,  then  being  consummated  as well as any other
Permitted   Acquisition   consummated  after  the  first  day  of  the  relevant
Calculation  Period  and on or  prior to the  date of the  respective  Permitted
Acquisition then being effected, as the case may be, with the following rules to
apply in connection therewith:

(i)      all  Indebtedness  (x)  (other  than  revolving  Indebtedness,
         except to the  extent  same is  incurred  to  refinance  other
         outstanding  Indebtedness  or to finance a  Permitted  Acquisition)
         incurred  or issued  after the first day of the  relevant
         Calculation  Period (whether  incurred to finance a Permitted
         Acquisition,  to refinance  Indebtedness or otherwise) shall be
         deemed to have been  incurred or issued (and the  proceeds  thereof
         applied) on the first day of the  respective  Calculation
         Period and remain  outstanding  through the date of determination
         and (y) (other than revolving  Indebtedness)  except to the
         extent accompanied by a corresponding  permanent commitment  reduction
         permanently retired or redeemed after the first day of
         the  relevant  Calculation  Period  shall be  deemed to have  been
         retired  or  redeemed  on the first day of the  respective
         Calculation Period and remain retired through the date of
         determination;

(ii)     all Indebtedness assumed to be outstanding pursuant to preceding clause
         (i) shall be deemed to have borne interest at (x) the rate applicable
         thereto, in the case of fixed rate indebtedness or (y) at the rate
         which would have been applicable thereto on the last day of the
         respective Calculation Period, in the case of floating rate
         Indebtedness (although interest expense with respect to any
         Indebtedness for periods while same was actually outstanding during the
         respective period shall be calculated using the actual rates applicable
         thereto while same was actually outstanding); and

(iii)    in making any determination of Consolidated EBITDA, pro forma effect
         shall be given to any Permitted Acquisition consummated during the
         periods described above, with such Consolidated EBITDA to be determined
         as if such Permitted Acquisition was consummated on the first day of
         the relevant Calculation Period, taking into account factually
         supportable and identifiable cost savings and expenses which would
         otherwise be permitted to be accounted for as an adjustment pursuant to
         Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act, as if such cost
         savings or expenses were realized on the first day of the respective
         Calculation Period.

     "Projections"  shall mean the projections dated February 2003 and that were
prepared by or on behalf of the Parent and its Subsidiaries and delivered to the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders prior to the Initial Borrowing Date.

     "Qualified  Preferred  Interests"  shall  mean any  preferred  stock of the
Parent so long as the terms of any such  preferred  stock (i) do not contain any
mandatory put,  redemption,  repayment,  sinking fund or other similar provision
occurring  prior to one year after the  Maturity  Date,  (ii) do not require the
cash  payment  of  dividends,  (iii) do not  contain  any  covenants  other than
financial  reporting  requirements  and (iv) do not grant the holder thereof any
voting rights except for voting rights on  fundamental  matters such as mergers,
consolidations,  sales or all or  substantially  all of the assets of the issuer
thereof, or liquidations involving the issuer thereof.

     "Quarterly  Payment  Date" shall mean the last  Business Day of each March,
June,  September  and  December  occurring  after the  Initial  Borrowing  Date,
commencing on December 31, 2003.

     "Real Property" of any Person shall mean all the right,  title and interest
of such Person in and to land, improvements and fixtures, including Leaseholds.

     "Refinancing"  shall mean the  repayment  in full of all  indebtedness  and
other  obligations  under, and the termination of all commitments in respect of,
the Existing Credit Agreements.

     "Register" shall have the meaning provided in Section 14.15.

     "Regulation  D" shall mean  Regulation  D of the Board of  Governors of the
Federal  Reserve  System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all
or a portion thereof establishing reserve requirements.

     "Regulation  S-X" shall mean  Regulation  S-X under the  Securities  Act of
1933.

     "Regulation  T" shall mean  Regulation  T of the Board of  Governors of the
Federal  Reserve  System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all
or a portion thereof.

     "Regulation  U" shall mean  Regulation  U of the Board of  Governors of the
Federal  Reserve  System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all
or a portion thereof.

     "Regulation  X" shall mean  Regulation  X of the Board of  Governors of the
Federal  Reserve  System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all
or a portion thereof.

     "Release"  shall  mean  actively  or  passively   disposing,   discharging,
injecting,  spilling, pumping, leaking, leaching,  dumping, emitting,  escaping,
emptying,  pouring,  seeping,  migrating  or the like,  into or upon any land or
water or air, or otherwise entering into the environment.

     "Reorganization"  shall have the meaning  provided in Annex A hereto,  with
each transaction described in such Annex A relating to the reorganization of the
ownership  structure  of the  Subsidiaries  of the  Parent,  including,  without
limitation,  the transfer of assets in connection therewith,  provided that, (i)
any modifications to the transactions set forth in Annex A shall be satisfactory
to the  Administrative  Agent,  (ii) each  Material  Subsidiary  which  holds an
ownership  interest  in a  Collateral  Rig  shall  at all  times  be  party to a
Collateral Rig Mortgage,  a Security Agreement,  an Assignment of Insurances and
an Assignment of Earnings which, in each case, shall create a perfected security
interest  in such  Collateral  Rig,  earnings  and  insurances  in  favor of the
Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders,  (iii) each Material Subsidiary
shall at all times be party to a Subsidiaries Guaranty,  (iv) each Pledgor shall
at all times be party to a Pledge Agreement, (v) 100% of the equity interests of
the Borrower and each Material Subsidiary shall at all times be pledged pursuant
to a Pledge  Agreement,  and such pledge shall create in favor of the Collateral
Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors a perfected  security interest in
such equity interests and (vi) the Parent shall give the Administrative Agent at
least 10 Business  Days' prior notice of the  occurrence of any component of the
Reorganization.

     "Replaced Lender" shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.12.

     "Replacement Lender" shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.12.

     "Required  Lenders"  shall  mean  Non-Defaulting  Lenders  the sum of whose
outstanding  Term Loans and Revolving Loan Commitments (or after the termination
thereof,  outstanding  Revolving  Loans and RL  Percentages  of Letter of Credit
Outstandings)  represent  an  amount  greater  than  50% of the  sum of (i)  all
outstanding  Term Loans of  Non-Defaulting  Lenders and (ii) the Total Revolving
Loan  Commitment less the Revolving Loan  Commitments of all Defaulting  Lenders
(or after the termination thereof,  the sum of then total outstanding  Revolving
Loans  of  Non-Defaulting  Lenders  and  the  aggregate  RL  Percentages  of all
Non-Defaulting Lenders of the total Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time).

     "Returns" shall have the meaning provided in Section 7.09.

     "Revolving Loan" shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.01(b).

     "Revolving  Loan  Commitment"  shall mean, for each Lender,  the amount set
forth  opposite  such  Lender's  name in  Schedule I  directly  below the column
entitled  "Revolving  Loan  Commitment," as same may be (x) reduced from time to
time or terminated pursuant to Sections 3.02, 3.03 and/or 10, as applicable,  or
(y) adjusted from time to time as a result of assignments to or from such Lender
pursuant to Section 1.12 or 14.04.

     "Revolving Note" shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.05(a).

     "Rig" shall mean, collectively,  offshore drilling rigs, including, without
limitation,  semisubmersibles,  jack-ups, semisubmersible tender assist vessels,
submersibles  and  modular  self-contained  platform  rigs,  owned by the Parent
and/or any Subsidiary of the Parent, and, individually, any of such rigs.

     "Rights Plan" shall mean that certain Rights  Agreement  between the Parent
and  Continental  Stock Transfer & Trust Company,  as Rights Agent,  dated as of
October 18,  2002,  as such Rights Plan is in effect on the  Effective  Date and
without  giving  effect  to  any  amendments,   modifications,   supplements  or
terminations  thereof or thereto after the Effective  Date  (including,  without
limitation,  any such  amendments,  modifications  or supplements to the defined
terms used therein) unless, and to the extent, the Required Lenders specifically
agree that the  respective  change will be given  effect to for purposes of this
Agreement.

     "RL Lender" shall mean each Lender with a Revolving Loan Commitment or with
outstanding Revolving Loans.

     "RL  Percentage"  of any  RL  Lender  at any  time  shall  mean a  fraction
(expressed  as a  percentage)  the  numerator  of  which is the  Revolving  Loan
Commitment  of such RL Lender at such time and the  denominator  of which is the
Total  Revolving  Loan  Commitment  at  such  time,  provided  that,  if  the RL
Percentage of any RL Lender is to be determined  after the Total  Revolving Loan
Commitment has been terminated,  then the RL Percentages of such RL Lender shall
be determined immediately prior (and without giving effect) to such termination.

     "Scheduled Repayment" shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.02(b).

     "Scheduled  Repayment  Date"  shall have the  meaning  provided  in Section
4.02(b).

     "SEC" shall have the meaning provided in Section 8.01(i).

     "Secured  Creditors"  shall  have the  meaning  assigned  that  term in the
Security Documents.

     "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

     "Security Agreement Collateral" shall mean, collectively,  all "Collateral"
as defined in each Security Agreement.

     "Security  Documents"  shall  mean each  Pledge  Agreement,  each  Security
Agreement,  each  Assignment of Insurances,  each  Assignment of Earnings,  each
Collateral  Rig  Mortgage,   the  Construction   Contract  Assignment  and  each
additional security document delivered pursuant to Section 8.11 or 9.15.

     "Series A Junior  Participating  Preferred Stock" shall mean the "Preferred
Shares" as defined in the Rights Plan.

     "Service Agreements" shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.06.

     "Shareholders' Agreements" shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.06.

     "S&P" shall mean Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.

     "Start Date" shall mean, with respect to any Margin Reduction  Period,  the
first day of such Margin Reduction Period.

     "Stated  Amount" of each  Letter of Credit  shall  mean,  at any time,  the
maximum amount available to be drawn thereunder (in each case determined without
regard to whether any conditions to drawing could then be met).

     "Subsidiaries  Guaranty"  shall  mean and  include  the  U.S.  Subsidiaries
Guaranty, each Foreign Subsidiaries Guaranty and any other guaranty executed and
delivered by any Subsidiary of the Parent pursuant to any of Sections 5.08, 8.11
or 9.15.

     "Subsidiary"  shall mean, as to any Person,  (i) any corporation  more than
50% of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof  ordinary
voting  power  to  elect  a  majority  of  the  directors  of  such  corporation
(irrespective  of  whether  or not at the time  stock of any class or classes of
such  corporation  shall  have or  might  have  voting  power by  reason  of the
happening of any  contingency) is at the time owned by such Person and/or one or
more  Subsidiaries of such Person and (ii) any  partnership,  limited  liability
company, association,  joint venture or other entity in which such Person and/or
one or more  Subsidiaries  of such Person has more than a 50% equity interest at
the time.

     "Subsidiary  Guarantor"  shall mean each direct and indirect  Subsidiary of
the Parent  which is a Material  Subsidiary  on the  Initial  Borrowing  Date or
becomes a Material Subsidiary thereafter.

     "Successful   Syndication   Date"  shall  mean  the  date  upon  which  the
Administrative Agent shall deem the senior secured financing contemplated hereby
to  be  "successfully  syndicated"  to  a  syndicate  of  Lenders  in  its  sole
discretion.

     "Tax Sharing Agreement" shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.06.

     "Taxes" shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.04.

     "Term Loan" shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.01(a).

     "Term Loan  Commitment"  shall mean, for each Lender,  the amount set forth
opposite  such Lender's  name in Schedule I directly  below the column  entitled
"Term Loan Commitment," as the same may be terminated  pursuant to Sections 3.03
and/or  10, it being  understood  and agreed  that on the  Effective  Date,  the
aggregate  amount  of the  Total  Loan  Commitments  of  all  Lenders  shall  be
$150,000,000.

     "Term Note" shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.05(a).

     "Test Date" shall mean, with respect to any Start Date, the last day of the
most recent fiscal quarter of the Parent ended  immediately  prior to such Start
Date.

     "Test Period" shall mean each period of four  consecutive  fiscal  quarters
then last ended, in each case taken as one accounting period.

     "Total  Commitment"  shall mean, at any time, the sum of the Commitments of
each of the Lenders at such time.

     "Total Revolving Loan  Commitment"  shall mean, at any time, the sum of the
Revolving  Loan  Commitments  of each of the Lenders,  it being  understood  and
agreed that on the Effective Date the Total Revolving Loan  Commitment  shall be
$75,000,000.

     "Total  Unutilized  Revolving Loan Commitment"  shall mean, at any time, an
amount equal to the remainder of the then Total Revolving Loan Commitment,  less
the aggregate  principal amount of Revolving Loans then  outstanding.

     "Tranche" shall mean the respective  facility and  commitments  utilized in
making Loans hereunder, with there being two separate Tranches, i.e., Term Loans
and Revolving Loans.

     "Transaction"  shall  mean,  collectively,  (i)  the  consummation  of  the
Refinancing,  (ii) the  entering  into of the  Credit  Documents  and  (iii) the
payment of fees and expenses in connection with the foregoing.

     "UCC" shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect
in the relevant jurisdiction.

     "United States" and "U.S." shall each mean the United States of America.


     "Unpaid Drawing" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.05(a).

     "Unutilized  Revolving  Loan  Commitment"  shall mean,  with respect to any
Lender at any time,  such Lender's  Revolving Loan  Commitment at such time less
the sum of (i) the aggregate  outstanding  principal  amount of Revolving  Loans
made by such Lender at such time and (ii) such Lender's Percentage of the Letter
of Credit Outstandings at such time.

     "U.S. Pledge Agreement" shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.09.

     "U.S. Security Agreement" shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.10.

     "U.S.  Subsidiaries  Guaranty"  shall have the meaning  provided in Section
5.08.

     "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" shall mean, as to any Person, (i) any corporation
100% of whose capital stock (other than (i) in the case of a Foreign  Subsidiary
other than Atwood Australia,  director's  qualifying shares and/or other nominal
amounts of shares required to be held other than by such Person under applicable
law and (ii) in the case of Atwood  Australia,  a single share held by a nominee
in trust) is at the time owned by such  Person  and/or one or more  Wholly-Owned
Subsidiaries of such Person and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company,
association,  joint  venture or other entity in which such Person  and/or one or
more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person has a 100% equity interest at such
time. Unless otherwise indicated herein, or the context otherwise requires,  all
references  herein to any Wholly-Owned  Subsidiary or Wholly-Owned  Subsidiaries
shall  mean and be deemed  to be  references  to a  Wholly-Owned  Subsidiary  or
Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, as the case may be, of the Parent.

SECTION 12.       The Administrative Agent.

     12.01  Appointment.  The Lenders hereby  irrevocably  designate and appoint
Nordea Bank Finland Plc, New York Branch, as Administrative  Agent (for purposes
of this Section 12 and Section 14.01, the term "Administrative Agent" also shall
include Nordea Bank Finland Plc, New York Branch (and/or any of its  affiliates)
in its  capacity as  Collateral  Agent and  assignee  pursuant  to the  Security
Documents (including as mortgagee under the Collateral Rig Mortgages) and in its
capacity as Lead Arranger and Book Runner in connection  with this Agreement and
the financings  contemplated hereby) to act as specified herein and in the other
Credit Documents. Each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes,  and each holder of
any  Note  by the  acceptance  of such  Note  shall  be  deemed  irrevocably  to
authorize,  the Administrative Agent to take such action on its behalf under the
provisions  of  this  Agreement,  the  other  Credit  Documents  and  any  other
instruments  and  agreements  referred to herein or therein and to exercise such
powers and to perform such duties  hereunder and thereunder as are  specifically
delegated  to or required of the  Administrative  Agent by the terms  hereof and
thereof  and  such  other  powers  as are  reasonably  incidental  thereto.  The
Administrative  Agent may perform any of its respective  duties  hereunder by or
through its officers, directors, agents, employees or affiliates.

     12.02 Nature of Duties. The Administrative  Agent shall not have any duties
or  responsibilities  except those  expressly set forth in this Agreement and in
the other  Credit  Documents.  Neither the  Administrative  Agent nor any of its
officers,  directors,  agents,  employees or affiliates  shall be liable for any
action  taken or  omitted  by it or them  hereunder  or under any  other  Credit
Document or in connection  herewith or therewith,  unless caused by its or their
gross  negligence or willful  misconduct  (as determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction  in a  final  and  non-appealable  decision).  The  duties  of  the
Administrative  Agent shall be  mechanical  and  administrative  in nature;  the
Administrative  Agent  shall not have by reason of this  Agreement  or any other
Credit Document a fiduciary  relationship in respect of any Lender or the holder
of any Note;  and nothing in this  Agreement  or in any other  Credit  Document,
expressed or implied,  is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon
the  Administrative  Agent any  obligations  in respect of this Agreement or any
other Credit Document except as expressly set forth herein or therein.

     12.03 Lack of  Reliance  on the  Administrative  Agent.  Independently  and
without reliance upon the  Administrative  Agent,  each Lender and the holder of
each  Revolving  Note,  to the extent it deems  appropriate,  has made and shall
continue  to  make  (i)  its  own  independent  investigation  of the  financial
condition and affairs of the Parent and its  Subsidiaries in connection with the
making  and the  continuance  of the Loans and the  taking or not  taking of any
action in connection herewith and (ii) its own appraisal of the creditworthiness
of the Parent and its  Subsidiaries  and,  except as expressly  provided in this
Agreement,  the Administrative  Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility,
either  initially or on a continuing  basis, to provide any Lender or the holder
of any Note with any credit or other  information with respect thereto,  whether
coming  into its  possession  before  the  making of the Loans or at any time or
times  thereafter.  The  Administrative  Agent shall not be  responsible  to any
Lender or the  holder  of any Note for any  recitals,  statements,  information,
representations  or warranties  herein or in any document,  certificate or other
writing  delivered in connection  herewith or for the execution,  effectiveness,
genuineness, validity, enforceability,  perfection, collectibility,  priority or
sufficiency  of this  Agreement  or any other Credit  Document or the  financial
condition of the Parent and its  Subsidiaries or be required to make any inquiry
concerning either the performance or observance of any of the terms,  provisions
or conditions of this Agreement or any other Credit  Document,  or the financial
condition  of the Parent  and its  Subsidiaries  or the  existence  or  possible
existence of any Default or Event of Default.

     12.04 Certain Rights of the  Administrative  Agent.  If the  Administrative
Agent requests instructions from the Required Lenders with respect to any act or
action (including failure to act) in connection with this Agreement or any other
Credit Document, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such
act or taking such action unless and until the  Administrative  Agent shall have
received  instructions from the Required Lenders;  and the Administrative  Agent
shall not incur  liability  to any  Lender by reason of so  refraining.  Without
limiting the foregoing, neither any Lender nor the holder of any Note shall have
any right of action whatsoever against the  Administrative  Agent as a result of
the Administrative Agent acting or refraining from acting hereunder or under any
other  Credit  Document in  accordance  with the  instructions  of the  Required
Lenders.

     12.05  Reliance.  The  Administrative  Agent shall be entitled to rely, and
shall be fully protected in relying, upon any note, writing, resolution, notice,
statement,  certificate,  telex,  teletype  or  telecopier  message,  cablegram,
radiogram,  order or other document or telephone message signed, sent or made by
any Person that the Administrative  Agent believed to be the proper Person, and,
with respect to all legal  matters  pertaining  to this  Agreement and any other
Credit Document and its duties hereunder and thereunder,  upon advice of counsel
selected by the Administrative Agent.

     12.06  Indemnification.  To the  extent  the  Administrative  Agent (or any
affiliate  thereof)  is not  reimbursed  and  indemnified  by the  Parent or the
Borrower, the Lenders will reimburse and indemnify the Administrative Agent (and
any affiliate thereof),  in proportion to their respective  "percentage" as used
in determining  the Required  Lenders  determined as if there were no Defaulting
Lenders), for and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
penalties,  claims,  actions,  judgments,  costs,  expenses or  disbursements of
whatsoever kind or nature which may be imposed on, asserted  against or incurred
by the Administrative  Agent (or any affiliate thereof) in performing its duties
hereunder  or under any other  Credit  Document,  or in any way  relating  to or
arising out of this  Agreement or any other Credit  Document;  provided that, no
Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages,  penalties,  claims,  actions,  judgments,  suits,  costs,  expenses or
disbursements  resulting from the  Administrative  Agent's (or such affiliate's)
gross  negligence or willful  misconduct  (as determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction in a final and non-appealable decision).

     12.07 The Administrative Agent in its Individual Capacity.  With respect to
its  obligation  to make Loans,  or issue or  participate  in Letters of Credit,
under this Agreement,  the Administrative Agent shall have the rights and powers
specified  herein for a "Lender"  and may exercise the same rights and powers as
though  it were  not  performing  the  duties  specified  herein;  and the  term
"Lender,"  "Required  Lenders,"  "holders of Notes" or any similar  terms shall,
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, include the Administrative Agent
in its  respective  individual  capacities.  The  Administrative  Agent  and its
affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally  engage in any
kind of banking,  investment  banking,  trust or other business with, or provide
debt financing,  equity capital or other services (including  financial advisory
services)  to any Credit  Party or any  Affiliate  of any  Credit  Party (or any
Person  engaged in a similar  business  with any Credit  Party or any  Affiliate
thereof) as if they were not performing  the duties  specified  herein,  and may
accept fees and other  consideration  from any Credit Party or any  Affiliate of
any Credit Party for services in  connection  with this  Agreement and otherwise
without having to account for the same to the Lenders.

     12.08 Holders. The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any
Note as the owner  thereof for all  purposes  hereof  unless and until a written
notice of the assignment,  transfer or endorsement  thereof, as the case may be,
shall have been filed with the Administrative  Agent. Any request,  authority or
consent of any Person  who,  at the time of making  such  request or giving such
authority or consent,  is the holder of any Note shall be conclusive and binding
on any subsequent holder, transferee,  assignee or endorsee, as the case may be,
of such Note or of any Note or Notes issued in exchange therefor.

     12.09 Resignation by the Administrative Agent. (a) The Administrative Agent
may resign  from the  performance  of all its  respective  functions  and duties
hereunder  and/or  under the  other  Credit  Documents  at any time by giving 15
Business Days' prior written  notice to the Lenders and,  unless a Default or an
Event of  Default  under  Section  10.05 then  exists,  the  Borrower.  Any such
resignation  by an  Administrative  Agent  hereunder  shall also  constitute its
resignation  as an Issuing  Lender,  in which case the resigning  Administrative
Agent (x) shall not be required to issue any further Letters of Credit hereunder
and (y) shall  maintain all of its rights as Issuing  Lender with respect to any
Letters  of Credit  issued by it,  prior to the date of such  resignation.  Such
resignation shall take effect upon the appointment of a successor Administrative
Agent pursuant to clauses (b) and (c) below or as otherwise provided below.

     (b) Upon any such notice of resignation by the  Administrative  Agent,  the
Required  Lenders shall appoint a successor  Administrative  Agent  hereunder or
thereunder who shall be a commercial bank or trust company reasonably acceptable
to the Borrower,  which acceptance shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed
(provided  that,  the  Borrower's  approval shall not be required if an Event of
Default then exists).

     (c) If a successor  Administrative  Agent shall not have been so  appointed
within such 15 Business Day period, the  Administrative  Agent, with the consent
of the Borrower  (which consent shall not be  unreasonably  withheld or delayed,
provided  that,  the  Borrower's  consent  shall not be  required if an Event of
Default then exists),  shall then appoint a successor  Administrative  Agent who
shall serve as Administrative  Agent hereunder or thereunder until such time, if
any,  as the  Required  Lenders  appoint  a  successor  Administrative  Agent as
provided above.

     (d) If no successor  Administrative  Agent has been  appointed  pursuant to
clause (b) or (c) above by the 30th  Business  Day after the date such notice of
resignation was given by the Administrative  Agent, the  Administrative  Agent's
resignation  shall become  effective and the Required  Lenders shall  thereafter
perform all the duties of the  Administrative  Agent hereunder  and/or under any
other Credit Document until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a
successor Administrative Agent as provided above.

SECTION 13.       Parent Guaranty.

     13.01 Guaranty.  In order to induce the  Administrative  Agent, the Issuing
Lenders  and the  Lenders  to enter  into this  Agreement  and to extend  credit
hereunder,  and to induce the other Guaranteed  Creditors to enter into Interest
Rate  Protection  Agreements,  and in recognition  of the direct  benefits to be
received  by Parent  from the  proceeds  of the Loans  and the  issuance  of the
Letters of Credit,  the Parent  hereby agrees with the  Guaranteed  Creditors as
follows: the Parent hereby and unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to the
Guaranteed  Creditors  the  full and  prompt  payment  when  due,  whether  upon
maturity,   acceleration  or  otherwise,  of  any  and  all  of  the  Guaranteed
Obligations to the Guaranteed  Creditors.  This is a guaranty of payment and not
of  collection.  If any or all of the  Guaranteed  Obligations  becomes  due and
payable hereunder, the Parent, unconditionally and irrevocably,  promises to pay
such  indebtedness  to the  Administrative  Agent  and/or  the other  Guaranteed
Creditors,  or order, on demand, together with any and all expenses which may be
incurred  by the  Administrative  Agent and the other  Guaranteed  Creditors  in
collecting  any of the  Guaranteed  Obligations.  If claim is ever made upon any
Guaranteed  Creditor for repayment or recovery of any amount or amounts received
in payment or on account  of any of the  Guaranteed  Obligations  and any of the
aforesaid  payees  repays  all or part  of  said  amount  by  reason  of (i) any
judgment,   decree  or  order  of  any  court  or  administrative   body  having
jurisdiction  over such payee or any of its property or (ii) any  settlement  or
compromise  of any such claim  effected  by such  payee  with any such  claimant
(including the Borrower), then and in such event the Parent agrees that any such
judgment,  decree,  order,  settlement or  compromise  shall be binding upon the
Parent,  notwithstanding  any  revocation  of  this  Parent  Guaranty  or  other
instrument evidencing any liability of the Borrower, and the Parent shall be and
remain  liable to the  aforesaid  payees  hereunder  for the amount so repaid or
recovered  to the same  extent  as if such  amount  had  never  originally  been
received by any such payee.

     13.02 Bankruptcy.  Additionally, the Parent unconditionally and irrevocably
guarantees  to the  Guaranteed  Creditors  the  payment  of any  and  all of the
Guaranteed  Obligations  whether or not due or payable by the Borrower  upon the
occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 10.05, and unconditionally,
irrevocably,  jointly and  severally  promises to pay such  indebtedness  to the
Guaranteed Creditors, or order, on demand.

     13.03  Nature of  Liability.  The  liability  of the  Parent  hereunder  is
exclusive  and  independent  of  any  security  for  or  other  guaranty  of the
Guaranteed  Obligations,  whether executed by the Parent, any other guarantor or
by any other  party,  and the  liability  of the Parent  hereunder  shall not be
affected or impaired by (a) any  direction as to  application  of payment by the
Borrower or by any other party,  or (b) any other  continuing or other guaranty,
undertaking or maximum  liability of a guarantor or of any other party as to the
Guaranteed Obligations,  or (c) any payment on or in reduction of any such other
guaranty  or  undertaking,  or (d) any  dissolution,  termination  or  increase,
decrease or change in personnel by the Borrower,  or (e) any payment made to any
Guaranteed  Creditor on the  Guaranteed  Obligations  which any such  Guaranteed
Creditor  repays to the Borrower or any other  Subsidiary of the Parent pursuant
to court order in any  bankruptcy,  reorganization,  arrangement,  moratorium or
other debtor relief proceeding,  and the Parent waives any right to the deferral
or modification of its obligations  hereunder by reason of any such  proceeding,
or (f) any action or inaction of the type described in Section 13.05.

     13.04 Independent  Obligation.  The obligations of the Parent hereunder are
independent of the  obligations of any other  guarantor,  any other party or the
Borrower, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against
the Parent  whether or not action is brought  against any other  guarantor,  any
other party or the  Borrower and whether or not any other  guarantor,  any other
party or the  Borrower  be joined  in any such  action or  actions.  The  Parent
waives,  to the fullest  extent  permitted by law, the benefit of any statute of
limitations  affecting its liability hereunder or the enforcement  thereof.  Any
payment by the Borrower or other circumstance which operates to toll any statute
of  limitations  as to the  Borrower  shall  operate  to  toll  the  statute  of
limitations as to the Parent.

     13.05 Authorization. The Parent authorizes the Guaranteed Creditors without
notice or demand  (except as shall be required by applicable  statute and cannot
be waived),  and without  affecting or impairing its liability  hereunder,  from
time to time to:

(a)      change the manner, place or terms of payment of, and/or change or
         extend the time of payment of, renew, increase, accelerate or alter,
         any of the Guaranteed Obligations (including any increase or decrease
         in the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest or fees
         thereon), any security therefor, or any liability incurred directly or
         indirectly in respect thereof, and this Parent Guaranty made shall
         apply to such Guaranteed Obligations as so changed, extended, renewed
         or altered;

(b)      take and hold security for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations
         and sell, exchange, release, impair, surrender, realize upon or
         otherwise deal with in any manner and in any order any property by
         whomsoever at any time pledged or mortgaged to secure, or howsoever
         securing, the Guaranteed Obligations or any liabilities (including any
         of those hereunder) incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof
         or hereof, and/or any offset thereagainst;

(c)      exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Borrower,
         any other Credit Party or others or otherwise act or refrain from
         acting;

(d)      release or substitute any one or more endorsers, guarantors, the
         Borrower, other Credit Parties or other obligors;

(e)      settle or compromise any of the Guaranteed Obligations, any security
         therefor or any liability (including any of those hereunder) incurred
         directly or indirectly in respect thereof or hereof, and may
         subordinate the payment of all or any part thereof to the payment of
         any liability (whether due or not) of the Borrower to its creditors
         other than the Guaranteed Creditors;

(f)      apply any sums by whomsoever paid or howsoever realized to any
         liability or liabilities of the Borrower to the Guaranteed Creditors
         regardless of what liability or liabilities of the Borrower remain
         unpaid;

(g)      consent to or waive any breach of, or any act, omission or default
         under, this Agreement or any other Credit Document or any of the
         instruments or agreements referred to herein or therein, or otherwise
         amend, modify or supplement this Agreement or any other Credit Document
         or any of such other instruments or agreements; and/or

(h)      take any other action which would, under otherwise applicable
         principles of common law, give rise to a legal or equitable discharge
         of the Parent from its liabilities under this Parent Guaranty.

     13.06 Reliance.  It is not necessary for any Guaranteed Creditor to inquire
into the  capacity  or powers of the  Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  or the
officers,  directors,  partners or agents  acting or  purporting to act on their
behalf,  and any  Guaranteed  Obligations  made or created in reliance  upon the
professed exercise of such powers shall be guaranteed hereunder.

     13.07  Subordination.  Any  indebtedness  of the  Borrower now or hereafter
owing to the Parent is hereby subordinated to the Guaranteed  Obligations of the
Borrower owing to the Guaranteed  Creditors;  and if the Administrative Agent so
requests at a time when an Event of Default exists, all such indebtedness of the
Borrower to the Parent shall be  collected,  enforced and received by the Parent
for  the  benefit  of  the  Guaranteed   Creditors  and  be  paid  over  to  the
Administrative  Agent on behalf of the  Guaranteed  Creditors  on account of the
Guaranteed  Obligations,  but without  affecting  or impairing in any manner the
liability  of the Parent  under the other  provisions  of this Parent  Guaranty.
Prior  to the  transfer  by the  Parent  of any  note or  negotiable  instrument
evidencing any such indebtedness of the Borrower to the Parent, the Parent shall
mark such note or negotiable  instrument  with a legend that the same is subject
to this  subordination.  Without  limiting the generality of the foregoing,  the
Parent hereby agrees with the Guaranteed Creditors that it will not exercise any
right of subrogation which it may at any time otherwise have as a result of this
Parent Guaranty (whether  contractual,  under Section 509 of the Bankruptcy Code
or otherwise)  until all Guaranteed  Obligations  have been  irrevocably paid in
full in cash.

     13.08 Waiver.  (a) The Parent waives any right (except as shall be required
by applicable  statute and cannot be waived) to require any Guaranteed  Creditor
to (i) proceed  against the  Borrower,  any other  guarantor or any other party,
(ii) proceed  against or exhaust any security held from the Borrower,  any other
guarantor or any other party or (iii) pursue any other remedy in any  Guaranteed
Creditor's power  whatsoever.  The Parent waives any defense based on or arising
out of any defense of the  Borrower,  any other  guarantor  or any other  party,
other than payment in full in cash of the  Guaranteed  Obligations,  based on or
arising out of the disability of the Borrower,  any other guarantor or any other
party,  or  the  validity,   legality  or  unenforceability  of  the  Guaranteed
Obligations or any part thereof from any cause,  or the cessation from any cause
of the  liability  of the  Borrower  other  than  payment in full in cash of the
Guaranteed  Obligations.  The  Guaranteed  Creditors  may,  at  their  election,
foreclose  on  any  security  held  by the  Administrative  Agent  or any  other
Guaranteed Creditor by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, whether or not
every  aspect of any such sale is  commercially  reasonable  (to the extent such
sale is permitted by applicable  law), or exercise any other right or remedy the
Guaranteed  Creditors may have against the Borrower,  or any other party, or any
security,  without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of the Parent
hereunder  except to the extent  the  Guaranteed  Obligations  have been paid in
cash.  The Parent  waives any defense  arising  out of any such  election by the
Guaranteed Creditors, even though such election operates to impair or extinguish
any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of the Parent
against the Borrower, or any other party or any security.

     (b) The Parent waives all presentments,  demands for performance,  protests
and notices, including, without limitation,  notices of nonperformance,  notices
of protest, notices of dishonor,  notices of acceptance of this Parent Guaranty,
and  notices  of the  existence,  creation  or  incurring  of new or  additional
Guaranteed  Obligations.  The Parent  assumes all  responsibility  for being and
keeping itself informed of the Borrower's financial condition and assets, and of
all other  circumstances  bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the  Guaranteed
Obligations  and the  nature,  scope and  extent of the risks  which the  Parent
assumes and incurs hereunder,  and agrees that neither the Administrative  Agent
nor any of the other  Guaranteed  Creditors  shall  have any duty to advise  the
Parent of information known to them regarding such circumstances or risks.

13.09 Payment. All payments made by the Parent pursuant to this Section 13 shall
be made in Dollars. All payments made by the Parent pursuant to this Section 13
will be made without setoff, counterclaim or other defense.

SECTION 14.       Miscellaneous.

     14.01 Payment of Expenses,  etc. The Borrower hereby agrees to: (i) whether
or not the transactions herein contemplated are consummated,  pay all reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent (including, without
limitation,  the reasonable fees and  disbursements  of White & Case LLP and the
Administrative  Agent's local maritime  counsel and the  Administrative  Agent's
consultants) in connection with the preparation,  execution and delivery of this
Agreement  and the other Credit  Documents  and the  documents  and  instruments
referred  to herein and therein and any  amendment,  waiver or consent  relating
hereto  or  thereto,  of  the  Administrative   Agent  in  connection  with  its
syndication  efforts with respect to this  Agreement  and of the  Administrative
Agent and,  after the  occurrence  of an Event of  Default,  each of the Issuing
Lenders and Lenders in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement and the
other Credit Documents and the documents and instruments  referred to herein and
therein or in connection  with any  refinancing or  restructuring  of the credit
arrangements  provided  under this  Agreement in the nature of a  "work-out"  or
pursuant to any insolvency or bankruptcy  proceedings  (including,  in each case
without  limitation,  the  reasonable  fees and  disbursements  of  counsel  and
consultants for the  Administrative  Agent and, after the occurrence of an Event
of Default,  counsel for each of the Issuing Lenders and Lenders);  (ii) pay and
hold the  Administrative  Agent,  each of the  Issuing  Lenders  and each of the
Lenders  harmless  from  and  against  any and all  present  and  future  stamp,
documentary,  transfer,  sales and use,  value added,  excise and other  similar
taxes with respect to the foregoing  matters,  the performance of any obligation
under this Agreement or any other Credit Document or any payment thereunder, and
save the  Administrative  Agent,  each of the  Issuing  Lenders  and each of the
Lenders  harmless  from and against any and all  liabilities  with respect to or
resulting from any delay or omission  (other than to the extent  attributable to
the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Lender or such Lender) to pay such taxes;
and (iii)  indemnify  the  Administrative  Agent,  each Issuing  Lender and each
Lender,   and  each  of  their  respective   officers,   directors,   employees,
representatives,  agents, affiliates,  trustees and investment advisors from and
hold  each of  them  harmless  against  any  and  all  liabilities,  obligations
(including removal or remedial actions),  losses,  damages,  penalties,  claims,
actions,   judgments,   suits,  costs,  expenses  and  disbursements  (including
reasonable  attorneys' and  consultants'  fees and  disbursements)  incurred by,
imposed on or assessed against any of them as a result of, or arising out of, or
in any way related  to, or by reason of, (a) any  investigation,  litigation  or
other proceeding (whether or not the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or
any Lender is a party thereto and whether or not such investigation,  litigation
or other  proceeding is brought by or on behalf of any Credit Party)  related to
the  entering  into and/or  performance  of this  Agreement  or any other Credit
Document  or the use of any  Letter  of  Credit  or the  proceeds  of any  Loans
hereunder  or the  consummation  of the  Transaction  or any other  transactions
contemplated  herein or in any other  Credit  Document or the exercise of any of
their rights or remedies  provided herein or in the other Credit  Documents,  or
(b) the actual or alleged  presence of Hazardous  Materials in the air,  surface
water or groundwater or on the surface or subsurface of any Rig or Real Property
at any time owned, leased,  operated or occupied by the Parent, the Borrower, or
any of the Parent's other Subsidiaries, the generation, storage, transportation,
handling, disposal or Release of Hazardous Materials by the Parent, the Borrower
or any of the Parent's other Subsidiaries at any location, whether or not owned,
leased or operated  by the Parent,  the  Borrower or any of the  Parent's  other
Subsidiaries,  the  non-compliance of any Rig or Real Property and Environmental
Law  (including  applicable  permits  thereunder)  applicable to any Rig or Real
Property,  or any Environmental  Claim asserted against the Parent, the Borrower
or any of the Parent's  other  Subsidiaries,  or any Rig or Real Property at any
time owned,  leased,  operated or occupied by the Parent, the Borrower or any of
the Parent's other  Subsidiaries,  including,  in each case, without limitation,
the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and other consultants  incurred
in connection with any such  investigation,  litigation or other proceeding (but
excluding  any losses,  liabilities,  claims,  damages or expenses to the extent
incurred by reason of the gross  negligence or willful  misconduct of the Person
to be indemnified (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final
and non-appealable  decision)). To the extent that the undertaking to indemnify,
pay or hold harmless the Administrative  Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender
set forth in the preceding sentence may be unenforceable because it is violative
of any law or public policy, the Borrower shall make the maximum contribution to
the payment and  satisfaction  of each of the indemnified  liabilities  which is
permissible under applicable law.

     14.02 Right of Setoff.  In addition to any rights now or hereafter  granted
under  applicable  law or  otherwise,  and not by way of  limitation of any such
rights,  upon the occurrence and during the  continuance of an Event of Default,
the  Administrative  Agent,  each  Issuing  Lender  and each  Lender  is  hereby
authorized  at any  time or from  time to  time,  without  presentment,  demand,
protest or other notice of any kind to any Credit Party or to any other  Person,
any such notice being hereby expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and
apply any and all deposits  (general or special) and any other  Indebtedness  at
any time held or owing by the Administrative  Agent, such Issuing Lender or such
Lender  (including,   without  limitation,  by  branches  and  agencies  of  the
Administrative Agent, such Issuing Lender or such Lender wherever located) to or
for the credit or the account of the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  against
and on account of the  Obligations  and liabilities of the Credit Parties to the
Administrative Agent, such Issuing Lender or such Lender under this Agreement or
under any of the other Credit  Documents,  including,  without  limitation,  all
interests in Obligations  purchased by such Lender pursuant to Section 14.06(b),
and all other  claims of any nature or  description  arising out of or connected
with this Agreement or any other Credit Document, irrespective of whether or not
the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Lender or such Lender shall have made any
demand hereunder and although said Obligations, liabilities or claims, or any of
them, shall be contingent or unmatured.

     14.03 Notices.  Except as otherwise  expressly provided herein, all notices
and other  communications  provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including
telegraphic,  telex, telecopier or cable communication) and mailed, telegraphed,
telexed, telecopied, cabled or delivered: if to any Credit Party, at the address
specified  opposite  its  signature  below  or  in  the  other  relevant  Credit
Documents;  if to any Lender, at its address specified on Schedule II; and if to
the  Administrative  Agent, at the Notice Office;  or, as to any Credit Party or
the  Administrative  Agent, at such other address as shall be designated by such
party in a written notice to the other parties hereto and, as to each Lender, at
such other address as shall be designated by such Lender in a written  notice to
the Borrower and the  Administrative  Agent. All such notices and communications
shall,  when  mailed,  telegraphed,  telexed,  telecopied,  or cabled or sent by
overnight  courier,  be effective when deposited in the mails,  delivered to the
telegraph company,  cable company or overnight  courier,  as the case may be, or
sent by telex or  telecopier,  except  that  notices and  communications  to the
Administrative  Agent and the Borrower shall not be effective  until received by
the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, as the case may be.

     14.04 Benefit of Agreement; Assignments; Participations. (a) This Agreement
shall be  binding  upon and inure to the  benefit of and be  enforceable  by the
respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto; provided, however, that
neither the Parent nor the  Borrower  may assign or transfer  any of its rights,
obligations or interest hereunder or under any other Credit Document without the
prior written consent of the Lenders, and, provided further,  that, although any
Lender may transfer,  assign or grant  participations  in its rights  hereunder,
such Lender  shall remain a "Lender"  for all  purposes  hereunder  (and may not
transfer or assign all or any  portion of its  Commitments  hereunder  except as
provided  in  Sections  1.12  and  14.04(b))  and the  transferee,  assignee  or
participant,  as the case may be, shall not constitute a "Lender" hereunder and,
provided further, that no Lender shall transfer or grant any participation under
which the participant shall have rights to approve any amendment to or waiver of
this Agreement or any other Credit  Document except to the extent such amendment
or waiver would (i) extend the final  scheduled  maturity of any Loan or Note or
Letter of Credit  (unless  such  Letter of  Credit is not  extended  beyond  the
Maturity Date) in which such participant is participating, or reduce the rate or
extend the time of payment of interest  or Fees  thereon  (except in  connection
with a waiver of applicability  of any post-default  increase in interest rates)
or reduce the principal  amount thereof (it being  understood that any amendment
or  modification  to the financial  definitions  in this Agreement or to Section
14.07(a)  shall not  constitute  a  reduction  in the rate of  interest  or Fees
payable  hereunder)  or increase the amount of the  participant's  participation
over the amount thereof then in effect (it being understood that a waiver of any
Default or Event of Default or of a mandatory  reduction in the Total Commitment
shall not  constitute a change in the terms of such  participation,  and that an
increase in any Commitment (or the available  portion  thereof) or Loan shall be
permitted   without  the  consent  of  any  participant  if  the   participant's
participation  is not  increased  as a  result  thereof),  (ii)  consent  to the
assignment  or transfer  by the Parent or the  Borrower of any of its rights and
obligations  under this Agreement or (iii) release all or  substantially  all of
the Collateral under all of the Security Documents (except as expressly provided
in the Credit Documents)  supporting the Loans or Letters of Credit hereunder in
which such participant is participating.  In the case of any such participation,
the  participant  shall not have any rights  under this  Agreement or any of the
other Credit Documents (the participant's  rights against such Lender in respect
of such  participation  to be those set forth in the agreement  executed by such
Lender in favor of the participant  relating thereto) and all amounts payable by
the Borrower  hereunder  shall be determined as if such Lender had not sold such
participation.

     (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing,  any Lender (or any Lender together with
one or more other  Lenders)  may (x) assign all or a portion of its  Commitments
and related outstanding  Obligations (or, if the Commitments with respect to the
relevant Tranche have terminated,  outstanding Obligations) hereunder to (i) (A)
its parent  company  and/or any affiliate of such other Lender which is at least
50%  owned by such  Lender or its  parent  company  or (B) to one or more  other
Lenders or any affiliate of any such other Lender which is at least 50% owned by
such Lender or its parent company (provided that, any fund that invests in loans
and is managed or advised by the same  investment  advisor of another fund which
is a Lender (or by an Affiliate of such investment  advisor) shall be treated as
an  affiliate  of  such  other  Lender  for  the  purposes  of  this  sub-clause
(x)(i)(B)),  or (ii) in the case of any  Lender  that is a fund that  invests in
loans,  any other  fund that  invests  in loans and is managed or advised by the
same  investment  advisor of any Lender or by an  Affiliate  of such  investment
advisor or (iii) to one or more  Lenders or (y) assign all, or if less than all,
a portion equal to at least $5,000,000 in the aggregate for the assigning Lender
or assigning Lenders,  of such Commitments and related  outstanding  Obligations
(or, if the Commitments  with respect to the relevant  Tranche have  terminated,
outstanding Obligations) hereunder to one or more Eligible Transferees (treating
any fund that  invests  in bank  loans and any other  fund that  invests in bank
loans and is managed or advised by the same  investment  advisor of such fund or
by an Affiliate of such  investment  advisor as a single  Eligible  Transferee),
each of which  assignees  shall become a party to this  Agreement as a Lender by
execution of an Assignment and Assumption Agreement,  provided that, (i) at such
time,  Schedule I shall be deemed  modified  to reflect the  Commitments  and/or
outstanding  Loans,  as the case may be, of such new Lender and of the  existing
Lenders,  (ii) upon the surrender of the relevant Notes by the assigning Lender,
new Notes will be issued, at the Borrower's  expense,  to such new Lender and to
the  assigning  Lender upon the request of such new Lender or assigning  Lender,
such new Notes to be in conformity  with the  requirements of Section 1.05 (with
appropriate   modifications)  to  the  extent  needed  to  reflect  the  revised
Commitments  and/or  outstanding Loans, as the case may be, (iii) the consent of
the  Administrative  Agent and, in the case of an assignment  of Revolving  Loan
Commitments,  each Issuing Lender, shall be required in connection with any such
assignment  pursuant to clause (y) above (which  consent shall not, in any case,
be  unreasonably  withheld  or  delayed),  (iv) the  Administrative  Agent shall
receive at the time of each such  assignment,  from the  assigning  or  assignee
Lender, the payment of a non-refundable assignment fee of $3,000 and (v) no such
transfer or assignment  will be effective  until recorded by the  Administrative
Agent on the Register pursuant to Section 14.16. To the extent of any assignment
pursuant to this Section 14.04(b), the assigning Lender shall be relieved of its
obligations  hereunder with respect to its assigned  Commitments and outstanding
Loans.  At the time of each  assignment  pursuant to this Section  14.04(b) to a
Person which is not already a Lender  hereunder and which is not a United States
person (as such term is defined  in  Section  7701(a)(30)  of the Code) for U.S.
Federal income tax purposes, the respective assignee Lender shall, to the extent
legally  entitled to do so,  provide to the  Borrower the  appropriate  Internal
Revenue  Service  Forms to the  extent  such  forms  would  provide  a  complete
exemption from or reduction in United States withholding tax. To the extent that
an  assignment  of all or any  portion of a  Lender's  Commitments  and  related
outstanding Obligations pursuant to Section 1.12 or this Section 14.04(b) would,
at the time of such  assignment,  result in increased  costs under Section 1.09,
2.06 or 4.04 from those being charged by the respective  assigning  Lender prior
to such  assignment,  then  the  Borrower  shall  not be  obligated  to pay such
increased costs  (although the Borrower,  in accordance with and pursuant to the
other  provisions  of this  Agreement,  shall  be  obligated  to pay  any  other
increased  costs of the type  described  above  resulting from changes after the
date of the respective assignment).

     (c) Nothing in this  Agreement  shall  prevent or prohibit  any Lender from
pledging its Loans and Notes  hereunder to a Federal  Reserve Bank in support of
borrowings  made by such Lender from such Federal  Reserve Bank and,  with prior
notification  to the  Administrative  Agent  (but  without  the  consent  of the
Administrative Agent or the Borrower), any Lender which is a fund may pledge all
or any  portion of its Loans and Notes to its trustee or to a  collateral  agent
providing  credit or credit support to such Lender in support of its obligations
to such trustee,  such collateral agent or a holder of such obligations,  as the
case may be. No pledge  pursuant to this clause (c) shall release the transferor
Lender from any of its obligations hereunder.

     14.05 No Waiver;  Remedies  Cumulative.  No failure or delay on the part of
the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender
in exercising any right, power or privilege  hereunder or under any other Credit
Document and no course of dealing between the Borrower or any other Credit Party
and the  Administrative  Agent, the Collateral  Agent, any Issuing Lender or any
Lender  shall  operate  as a waiver  thereof;  nor shall any  single or  partial
exercise of any right,  power or  privilege  hereunder or under any other Credit
Document  preclude any other or further  exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right, power or privilege hereunder or thereunder.  The rights, powers and
remedies  herein  or  in  any  other  Credit  Document  expressly  provided  are
cumulative  and not  exclusive  of any  rights,  powers  or  remedies  which the
Administrative  Agent,  the Collateral  Agent,  any Issuing Lender or any Lender
would  otherwise  have.  No notice to or demand on any Credit  Party in any case
shall  entitle  any  Credit  Party to any other or  further  notice or demand in
similar  or other  circumstances  or  constitute  a waiver of the  rights of the
Administrative  Agent, the Collateral Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender to
any other or further action in any circumstances without notice or demand.

     14.06  Payments  Pro  Rata.  (a)  Except  as  otherwise  provided  in  this
Agreement,  the  Administrative  Agent agrees that promptly after its receipt of
each  payment  from or on behalf of the  Borrower in respect of any  Obligations
hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the Lenders
entitled  thereto  (other than any Lender that has consented in writing to waive
its pro rata share of any such  payment)  pro rata  based upon their  respective
shares,  if any,  of the  Obligations  with  respect to which such  payment  was
received.

     (b) Each of the  Lenders  agrees  that,  if it should  receive  any  amount
hereunder  (whether by voluntary payment,  by realization upon security,  by the
exercise  of the right of setoff or  banker's  lien,  by  counterclaim  or cross
action,  by  the  enforcement  of any  right  under  the  Credit  Documents,  or
otherwise),  which is applicable to the payment of the principal of, or interest
on, the Loans,  Unpaid  Drawings,  or Fees,  of a sum which with  respect to the
related sum or sums  received by other Lenders is in a greater  proportion  than
the total of such Obligation then owed and due to such Lender bears to the total
of such Obligation then owed and due to all of the Lenders  immediately prior to
such receipt,  then such Lender receiving such excess payment shall purchase for
cash  without  recourse  or warranty  from the other  Lenders an interest in the
Obligations  of the  respective  Credit  Party to such Lenders in such amount as
shall result in a proportional  participation by all the Lenders in such amount;
provided  that,  if all or any  portion  of such  excess  amount  is  thereafter
recovered  from such Lenders,  such purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase
price restored to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.

     (c)  Notwithstanding   anything  to  the  contrary  contained  herein,  the
provisions  of the preceding  Sections  14.06(a) and (b) shall be subject to the
express  provisions  of this  Agreement  which  require,  or  permit,  differing
payments to be made to Non-Defaulting Lenders as opposed to Defaulting Lenders.

     14.07  Calculations;  Computations.  (a)  The  financial  statements  to be
furnished  to the  Lenders  pursuant  hereto  shall  be  made  and  prepared  in
accordance with GAAP in the United States  consistently  applied  throughout the
periods  involved  (except  as set forth in the notes  thereto  or as  otherwise
disclosed in writing by the Borrower to the Lenders to the extent, in each case,
permitted by the terms of this  Agreement);  provided that,  except as otherwise
specifically provided herein, all computations of the Applicable Margin, and all
computations  and  all  definitions   (including   accounting   terms)  used  in
determining compliance with Sections 9.07 through 9.10, inclusive, shall utilize
generally  accepted  accounting  principles and policies in conformity with, and
consistent  with,  those used to prepare  the  historical  audited  consolidated
financial  statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries  referred to in Section
7.05(a).

     (b) All  computations  of interest,  Commitment  Commission  and other Fees
hereunder shall be made on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number
of days  (including the first day but excluding the last day; except that in the
case of Letter of Credit Fees and Facing  Fees,  the last day shall be included)
occurring in the period for which such interest,  Commitment Commission or other
Fees are payable.

     14.08  GOVERNING LAW;  SUBMISSION TO  JURISDICTION;  VENUE;  WAIVER OF JURY
TRIAL.  (a) THIS  AGREEMENT  AND THE OTHER CREDIT  DOCUMENTS  AND THE RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER  SHALL,  EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE
PROVIDED IN CERTAIN OF THE COLLATERAL RIG MORTGAGES,  BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH AND BE  GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  ANY LEGAL  ACTION OR
PROCEEDING  WITH RESPECT TO THIS  AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT  DOCUMENT MAY BE
BROUGHT IN THE  COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR OF THE UNITED  STATES FOR THE
SOUTHERN  DISTRICT OF NEW YORK,  IN EACH CASE WHICH ARE LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF
NEW YORK,  AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS  AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT
DOCUMENT,  EACH OF THE PARENT AND THE BORROWER  HEREBY  IRREVOCABLY  ACCEPTS FOR
ITSELF  AND IN RESPECT  OF ITS  PROPERTY,  GENERALLY  AND  UNCONDITIONALLY,  THE
JURISDICTION  OF THE  AFORESAID  COURTS.  THE  PARENT  AND THE  BORROWER  HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY  DESIGNATES,  APPOINTS  AND  EMPOWERS  THE  PARENT AS ITS  DESIGNEE,
APPOINTEE AND AGENT TO RECEIVE,  ACCEPT AND  ACKNOWLEDGE  FOR AND ON ITS BEHALF,
AND IN RESPECT OF THE  PROPERTY OF THE PARENT AND THE  BORROWER,  SERVICE OF ANY
AND ALL LEGAL PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICES AND DOCUMENTS WHICH MAY BE SERVED IN ANY
SUCH  ACTION OR  PROCEEDING,  AND THE PARENT  HEREBY  ACCEPTS  THE  DESIGNATION,
APPOINTMENT  AND  EMPOWERMENT TO RECEIVE,  ACCEPT AND ACKNOWLEDGE FOR ITSELF AND
EACH OTHER SUBSIDIARY OF THE PARENT, ANY AND ALL LEGAL PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICES
AND DOCUMENTS  WHICH MAY BE SERVED IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING  INVOLVING ANY OF
ITS  PROPERTY OR THE  PROPERTY OF ITS  SUBSIDIARIES.  EACH OF THE PARENT AND THE
BORROWER HEREBY FURTHER  IRREVOCABLY  WAIVES ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH COURTS LACK
PERSONAL  JURISDICTION OVER EACH OF THE PARENT AND THE BORROWER,  AND AGREES NOT
TO PLEAD OR CLAIM, IN ANY LEGAL ACTION PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT
OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS BROUGHT IN ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED  COURTS, THAT
SUCH COURTS LACK PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER THE PARENT OR THE BORROWER.  EACH OF
THE PARENT AND THE  BORROWER  FURTHER  IRREVOCABLY  CONSENTS  TO THE  SERVICE OF
PROCESS OUT OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING
BY THE  MAILING OF COPIES  THEREOF BY  REGISTERED  OR  CERTIFIED  MAIL,  POSTAGE
PREPAID,  TO EACH OF THE  PARENT  AND THE  BORROWER  AT EACH  ADDRESS  SET FORTH
OPPOSITE EACH SIGNATURE  BELOW,  SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME  EFFECTIVE 30 DAYS AFTER
SUCH MAILING.  EACH OF THE PARENT AND THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY
OBJECTION TO SUCH SERVICE OF PROCESS AND FURTHER  IRREVOCABLY  WAIVES AND AGREES
NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING  COMMENCED  HEREUNDER OR UNDER
ANY OTHER  CREDIT  DOCUMENT  THAT  SERVICE OF PROCESS  WAS IN ANY WAY INVALID OR
INEFFECTIVE.  NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT,
ANY  LENDER OR THE  HOLDER  OF ANY NOTE TO SERVE  PROCESS  IN ANY  OTHER  MANNER
PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL  PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE  PROCEED AGAINST
THE PARENT OR THE BORROWER IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

     (b) EACH OF THE  PARENT  AND THE  BORROWER  HEREBY  IRREVOCABLY  WAIVES ANY
OBJECTION  WHICH IT MAY NOW OR  HEREAFTER  HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY OF
THE AFORESAID  ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS  ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
AGREEMENT  OR ANY OTHER  CREDIT  DOCUMENT  BROUGHT IN THE COURTS  REFERRED TO IN
CLAUSE (a) ABOVE AND HEREBY FURTHER  IRREVOCABLY  WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD
OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT  THAT ANY SUCH  ACTION OR  PROCEEDING  BROUGHT IN ANY
SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

     (c) EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS  AGREEMENT  HEREBY  IRREVOCABLY  WAIVES ALL
RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION,  PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM  ARISING OUT
OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

     14.09  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  in any  number  of
counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts,  each
of which when so executed and delivered  shall be an original,  but all of which
shall together  constitute one and the same  instrument.  A set of  counterparts
executed by all the parties  hereto  shall be lodged with the  Borrower  and the
Administrative Agent.

     14.10 Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective on the date (the
"Effective Date") on which the Parent, the Borrower,  the  Administrative  Agent
and each of the Lenders shall have signed a counterpart hereof (whether the same
or  different   counterparts)   and  shall  have   delivered  the  same  to  the
Administrative Agent at the Notice Office or, in the case of the Lenders,  shall
have  given to the  Administrative  Agent  telephonic  (confirmed  in  writing),
written or telex notice  (actually  received) at the Notice Office that the same
has been signed and mailed to it. The Administrative Agent will give the Parent,
the Borrower and each Lender  prompt  written  notice of the  occurrence  of the
Effective Date.

14.11 Headings Descriptive. The headings of the several sections and subsections
of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not in any way
affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

     14.12  Amendment or Waiver;  etc. (a) Neither this  Agreement nor any other
Credit  Document  nor any  terms  hereof  or  thereof  may be  changed,  waived,
discharged or terminated unless such change, waiver, discharge or termination is
in writing signed by the  respective  Credit Parties party hereto or thereto and
the Required Lenders (although  additional  parties may be added to (and annexes
may be modified to reflect such additions), and Subsidiaries of the Borrower may
be released  from,  the  Subsidiaries  Guaranty  and the  Security  Documents in
accordance  with the  provisions  hereof and thereof  without the consent of the
other Credit Parties party thereto or the Required  Lenders),  provided that, no
such change, waiver, discharge or termination shall, without the consent of each
Lender  (other  than a  Defaulting  Lender)  (with  Obligations  being  directly
affected  in the  case  of the  following  clause  (i)  and in the  case  of the
following  clause (v), to the extent (in the case of the  following  clause (v))
that any such Lender  would be required to make a Loan in excess of its pro rata
portion  provided for in this  Agreement or a payment under  Section  2.04(c) in
respect of a  participation  in excess of its RL  Percentage  or would receive a
payment or prepayment of Loans, a payment of obligations  under Section  2.04(d)
or a commitment  reduction  that (in any case) is less than its pro rata portion
provided for in this Agreement, in each case, as a result of any such amendment,
modification or waiver referred to in the following  clause (v)), (i) extend the
final  scheduled  maturity of any Loan or Note,  extend the timing for or reduce
the principal amount of any Scheduled Repayment, or extend the stated expiration
date of any Letter of Credit  beyond the  Maturity  Date,  or reduce the rate or
extend the time of payment of interest thereon,  or reduce the amount, or extend
the time of payment,  of any Fees thereon  (except in connection with the waiver
of applicability of any post-default  increase in interest rates), or reduce the
principal  amount of any Loan thereof (it being understood that any amendment or
modification  to the  financial  definitions  in this  Agreement  or to  Section
14.07(a)  shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest or the amount
of Fees for the purposes of this clause (i)), (ii) release all or  substantially
all of the  Collateral  (except as expressly  provided in the Credit  Documents)
under all the Security Documents,  (iii) amend, modify or waive any provision of
this Section 14.12,  (except for technical amendments with respect to additional
extensions of credit  pursuant to this Agreement which afford the protections to
such additional  extensions of credit of the type provided to the Term Loans and
Revolving Loan  Commitments on the Effective  Date),  (iv) reduce the percentage
specified in the definition of Required  Lenders (it being understood that, with
the consent of the Required Lenders, additional extensions of credit pursuant to
this Agreement may be included in the  determination  of the Required Lenders on
substantially  the same basis as the  extensions of the Term Loans and Revolving
Loan Commitments are included on the Effective Date), (v) amend, modify or waive
Section 1.06 or the provisions of Section  2.04(c) to the extent relating to the
obligation  of a  Participant  to make a payment  in an  amount  equal to its RL
Percentage or amend,  modify or waive any other  provision in this  Agreement to
the  extent  providing  for  payments  or  prepayments  of  Loans,  payments  of
obligations under Section 2.04(d) or reductions in Commitments, in each case, to
be  applied  pro rata  among the  Lenders of a given  Tranche  entitled  to such
payments or prepayments of Loans,  payments of obligations under Section 2.04 or
reductions in Commitments (it being  understood that the provision of additional
extensions of credit pursuant to this Agreement,  or the waiver of any mandatory
commitment  reduction  or any  mandatory  prepayment  of Loans  by the  Required
Lenders shall not constitute an amendment,  modification  or waiver for purposes
of this clause (v)), (vi) consent to the assignment or transfer by the Parent or
the  Borrower  of any of their  respective  rights  and  obligations  under this
Agreement or (vii) release any Subsidiary Guarantor from a Subsidiaries Guaranty
to the extent same constitutes a Material Subsidiary;  provided further, that no
such change, waiver, discharge or termination shall (1) increase the Commitments
of any Lender over the amount thereof then in effect without the consent of such
Lender  (it  being  understood  that  waivers  or  modifications  of  conditions
precedent,  covenants, Defaults or Events of Default or of a mandatory reduction
in the Total  Commitment  shall not  constitute an increase of the Commitment of
any Lender,  and that an increase in the available  portion of any Commitment of
any Lender shall not  constitute an increase of the  Commitment of such Lender),
(2) without  the  consent of each  Issuing  Lender,  amend,  modify or waive any
provision  of  Section 2 or alter its  rights or  obligations  with  respect  to
Letters of Credit, (3) without the consent of the Administrative  Agent,  amend,
modify or waive any  provision  of  Section  12 or any other  provision  as same
relates to the rights or obligations of the  Administrative  Agent,  (4) without
the  consent  of the  Collateral  Agent,  amend,  modify or waive any  provision
relating to the rights or obligations of the Collateral Agent or (5) without the
consent of the  Required  Lenders of each  Tranche  which is being  allocated  a
lesser prepayment,  repayment or commitment reduction as a result of the actions
described below, alter the required application of any prepayments or repayments
(or commitment reductions), as between the various Tranches, pursuant to Section
4.01 or 4.02 (excluding  Section 4.02(b)) (although (A) the Required Lenders may
waive,  in whole  or in  part,  any such  prepayment,  repayment  or  commitment
reduction (other than a Scheduled  Repayment),  so long as the  application,  as
amongst the various  Tranches,  of any such prepayment,  repayment or commitment
reduction  which  is  still  required  to be  made  is not  altered  and  (B) if
additional  tranches of term loans are extended after the Initial Borrowing Date
with the consent of the Required Lenders as required above, such tranches may be
included on a pro rata basis in the various  prepayments or repayments  required
pursuant to Sections 4.01 and 4.02  (excluding  Section  4.02(b) and any section
providing Scheduled Repayments for any new tranche of term loans)).

     (b) If, in  connection  with any  proposed  change,  waiver,  discharge  or
termination  of any of the  provisions  of this  Agreement  as  contemplated  by
clauses (i) through (vii),  inclusive, of the first proviso to Section 14.12(a),
the consent of the  Required  Lenders is obtained but the consent of one or more
of such other  Lenders  whose  consent is  required  is not  obtained,  then the
Borrower  shall  have the right,  so long as all  non-consenting  Lenders  whose
individual consent is required are treated as described in either clauses (A) or
(B) below, to either (A) replace each such non-consenting Lender or Lenders with
one or more Replacement  Lenders pursuant to Section 1.12 so long as at the time
of such  replacement,  each such  Replacement  Lender  consents to the  proposed
change,  waiver,  discharge or termination or (B) terminate such  non-consenting
Lender's  Commitments  and/or  repay each Tranche of  outstanding  Loans of such
Lender in accordance with Sections 3.02(b) and/or 4.01(b), provided that, unless
the Commitments that are terminated, and the Loans repaid, pursuant to preceding
clause (B) are immediately replaced in full at such time through the addition of
new  Lenders or the  increase of the  Commitments  and/or  outstanding  Loans of
existing Lenders (who in each case must specifically  consent thereto),  then in
the case of any action  pursuant to preceding  clause (B) the  Required  Lenders
(determined  after giving  effect to the  proposed  action)  shall  specifically
consent thereto, provided further, that in any event the Borrower shall not have
the right to  replace a Lender,  terminate  its  Commitments  or repay its Loans
solely as a result of the exercise of such Lender's  rights (and the withholding
of any  required  consent by such  Lender)  pursuant  to the  second  proviso to
Section 14.12(a).

     14.13  Survival.  All  indemnities  set  forth  herein  including,  without
limitation,  in Sections 1.09,  1.10,  2.06, 4.04, 12.06 and 14.01 shall survive
the execution,  delivery and termination of this Agreement and the Notes and the
making and repayment of the Obligations.

     14.14  Domicile of Loans.  Each Lender may transfer and carry its Revolving
Loans at, to or for the account of any office,  Subsidiary  or Affiliate of such
Lender. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, to the extent
that a transfer of Loans  pursuant to this Section  14.14 would,  at the time of
such transfer,  result in increased costs under Section 1.09, 1.10, 2.06 or 4.04
from those being charged by the respective  Lender prior to such transfer,  then
the Borrower  shall not be obligated to pay such increased  costs  (although the
Borrower  shall  be  obligated  to pay any  other  increased  costs  of the type
described  above  resulting  from  changes  after  the  date  of the  respective
transfer).

     14.15 Register.  The Borrower hereby designates the Administrative Agent to
serve as its agent,  solely for  purposes of this Section  14.15,  to maintain a
register (the  "Register") on which it will record the Commitments  from time to
time of each of the  Lenders,  the Loans  made by each of the  Lenders  and each
repayment  in  respect  of the  principal  amount of the  Loans of each  Lender.
Failure to make any such recordation,  or any error in such  recordation,  shall
not affect the Borrower's  obligations in respect of such Loans. With respect to
any Lender, the transfer of the Commitments of such Lender and the rights to the
principal of, and interest on, any Loan made pursuant to such Commitments  shall
not be effective  until such transfer is recorded on the Register  maintained by
the Administrative Agent with respect to ownership of such Commitments and Loans
and prior to such  recordation  all amounts owing to the transferor with respect
to such  Commitments  and  Loans  shall  remain  owing  to the  transferor.  The
registration  of  assignment or transfer of all or part of any  Commitments  and
Loans shall be recorded by the  Administrative  Agent on the Register  only upon
the acceptance by the Administrative  Agent of a properly executed and delivered
Assignment and Assumption  Agreement  pursuant to Section  14.04(b).  Coincident
with  the  delivery  of such  an  Assignment  and  Assumption  Agreement  to the
Administrative  Agent for acceptance and  registration of assignment or transfer
of all or part of a Loan, or as soon thereafter as practicable, the assigning or
transferor  Lender shall  surrender the Note (if any)  evidencing such Loan, and
thereupon one or more new Notes in the same aggregate  principal amount shall be
issued to the  assigning  or  transferor  Lender  and/or  the new  Lender at the
request of any such Lender.  The Borrower agrees to indemnify the Administrative
Agent from and against any and all losses,  claims,  damages and  liabilities of
whatsoever  nature which may be imposed on, asserted  against or incurred by the
Administrative Agent in performing its duties under this Section 14.15.

     14.16 Confidentiality.  (a) Subject to the provisions of clause (b) of this
Section 14.16, each Lender agrees that it will use its reasonable efforts not to
disclose  without the prior consent of the Parent (other than to its  employees,
auditors,  advisors  or  counsel  or to  another  Lender if such  Lender or such
Lender's  holding or parent company or board of trustees in its sole  discretion
determines that any such party should have access to such information,  provided
such Persons  shall be subject to the  provisions  of this Section  14.16 to the
same extent as such Lender) any information with respect to the Parent or any of
its  Subsidiaries  which  is now or in the  future  furnished  pursuant  to this
Agreement or any other Credit  Document,  provided that, any Lender may disclose
any such information (i) as has become  generally  available to the public other
than by virtue of a breach of this Section  14.16(a) by the  respective  Lender,
(ii) as may be required or  appropriate  in any report,  statement  or testimony
submitted to any municipal,  state or Federal regulatory body having or claiming
to have  jurisdiction  over such Lender or to the Federal  Reserve  Board or the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or similar  organizations  (whether in the
United  States or elsewhere)  or their  successors,  (iii) as may be required or
appropriate  in respect to any  summons or subpoena  or in  connection  with any
litigation, provided that, such Lender will use reasonable efforts to notify the
Borrower prior to such  disclosure to the extent  practicable,  (iv) in order to
comply with any law, order,  regulation or ruling applicable to such Lender, (v)
to the  Administrative  Agent or the  Collateral  Agent,  (vi) to any  direct or
indirect contractual counterparty in any swap, hedge or similar agreement (or to
any  such  contractual  counterparty's  professional  advisor),  so long as such
contractual  counterparty (or such  professional  advisor) agrees to be bound by
the  provisions of this Section  14.16,  and (vii) to any  prospective or actual
transferee  or  participant  in  connection  with any  contemplated  transfer or
participation of any of the Notes or Commitments or any interest therein by such
Lender,  provided that, such  prospective  transferee  agrees to be bound by the
confidentiality provisions contained in this Section 14.16.

     (b) Each of the Parent and the Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that
each Lender may share with any of its affiliates,  and such affiliates may share
with  such  Lender,  any  information  related  to  the  Parent  or  any  of its
Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, any non-public customer information
regarding the  creditworthiness  of the Parent and its  Subsidiaries),  provided
such Persons  shall be subject to the  provisions  of this Section  14.16 to the
same extent as such Lender.

     (c) No Lender  provides  accounting,  tax or legal advice.  Notwithstanding
Section  14.16(a) of this  Agreement,  the Borrower,  the Parent and each Lender
hereby agree and acknowledge that the Borrower,  the Parent and each Lender (and
each employee,  representative,  or other agent of the Borrower,  the Parent and
each  Lender) may  disclose to any and all persons,  without  limitation  of any
kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the transaction (within the meaning
of Section  6011 and  Section  6111 of the Code) and all  materials  of any kind
(including  opinions or other tax  analyses)  that are provided to the Borrower,
the Parent and each Lender (and each employee, representative, or other agent of
the Borrower, the Parent and each Lender) relating to such tax treatment and tax
structure.  This  authorization is effective without limitation of any kind from
the commencement of our discussions.

     14.17  Post-Closing  Actions.  Notwithstanding  anything  to  the  contrary
contained in this  Agreement or the other Credit  Documents,  the parties hereto
acknowledge  and agree that actions  described on Schedule XV shall be completed
in accordance  with Schedule XV. All  provisions of this Agreement and the other
Credit  Documents  (including,  without  limitation,  all conditions  precedent,
representations, warranties, covenants, Events of Default and other terms hereof
and  thereof)  shall be deemed  modified to the extent  necessary  to effect the
foregoing  (and to permit the taking of the actions  described  above within the
time periods specified on Schedule XV, rather than as otherwise  provided in the
Credit  Documents);  provided that to the extent any representation and warranty
would not be true  because the  foregoing  actions were not taken on the Initial
Borrowing Date, the respective  representation and warranty shall be required to
be true and correct in all material  respects at the time the respective  action
is taken  (or was  required  to be  taken)  in  accordance  with  the  foregoing
provisions of this Section  14.17.  The  acceptance of the benefits of the Loans
shall constitute a covenant and agreement by the Borrower to each of the Lenders
that the actions required  pursuant to this Section 14.17 will be, or have been,
taken within the relevant time periods  referred to in this Section 14.17 and on
Schedule XV and that, at such time, all representations and warranties contained
in the Credit  Documents shall then be true and correct without any modification
pursuant to this Section 14.17.  The parties hereto  acknowledge  and agree that
the  failure  by the Parent or any  Subsidiary  of the Parent to take any of the
actions required above,  within the relevant time periods required above,  shall
give rise to an immediate Event of Default pursuant to this Agreement.

     14.18  Insurance  Proceeds.   Notwithstanding   anything  to  the  contrary
contained in this Agreement  (but without  limiting any rights of the Collateral
Agent,  Administrative  Agent or the other Secured  Creditors under any Security
Document),  the  Parent and its  Subsidiaries  shall be  required  to pay to the
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors insurance proceeds
payable  to any such  Person  by  reason  of a single  event or group of  events
related to a  Collateral  Rig  (except for any loss under any  insurance  on the
Collateral Rigs with respect to protection and indemnity risks which may be paid
directly to the owner of the Collateral Rig to reimburse it for any loss, damage
or expense incurred by it and covered by such insurance or to the person to whom
any liability  covered by such  insurance has been  incurred) to the extent such
insurance  proceeds  received  in  respect  of  such  event  or  events  exceeds
$2,500,000  (which  insurance  proceeds shall be retained by the  Administrative
Agent for the  benefit  of the  Secured  Creditors  as cash  collateral  for the
Obligations  or, at the direction of the Required  Lenders,  shall be applied to
repay outstanding Loans) (it being understood that such repayment of outstanding
Loans shall be applied (x) first,  on a pro rata basis  among  outstanding  Term
Loans and Revolving  Loans and (y) second,  to the extent that either Tranche of
Loans has been fully repaid at such time,  to such other  Tranche  (and,  in the
case of a  repayment  of Term Loans,  shall  apply to reduce the then  remaining
Scheduled  Repayments  of Term  Loans on a pro  rata  basis  (based  on the then
remaining  unpaid  principal  amounts of such Scheduled  Repayments after giving
effect to all prior reductions  thereto)));  provided that,  notwithstanding the
foregoing,  if no Default or Event of Default then exists and the Parent and its
Subsidiaries  are in compliance  with Section 9.11 (without giving effect to the
proviso thereto),  in each case, after giving effect to any such event or events
and receipt of such insurance  proceeds,  the Parent or such Subsidiary shall be
permitted to retain such insurance proceeds; provided further that, in the event
that the  Administrative  Agent  retains  any such  insurance  proceeds  as cash
collateral for the Obligations and any such Default or Event of Default is cured
or waived and any violation of Section 9.11 is cured or waived,  such  insurance
proceeds shall be permitted to be returned to the Parent or such Subsidiary.

     14.19 Rights Plan.  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary  contained in
this  Agreement,  the Parent shall be permitted  to act in  accordance  with the
terms of the Rights Plan,  so long as (x) no cash  Dividends are paid in respect
of any Series A Junior  Participating  Preferred  Stock or other preferred stock
(if any)  referred to  thereunder  other than as  permitted  pursuant to Section
9.03(iv)(y)  and (y) no Series A Junior  Participating  Preferred Stock or other
preferred  stock (if any) referred to therein shall be redeemed by the Parent at
any time.


                                      * * *








     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have caused their duly  authorized
officers  to execute  and  deliver  this  Agreement  as of the date first  above
written.

Address:

15835 Park Ten Place Drive          ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC.
Houston, Texas  77084
Attention:  James M. Holland
Tel. No.:  (281) 749-7800
Fax No.:  (281) 492-0345             By:  /s/ James M. Holland
                                          --------------------
                                          Name: James M. Holland
                                          Title: Senior Vice President
332A-11C, 11th Floor                ATWOOD OCEANICS PACIFIC LIMITED
Plaza Ampang City
50450 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Attention:  Michael A. Cardenas
Tel. No.:  011 60 34256 9590         By:  /s/ Michael A. Cardenas
                                          -----------------------
Fax No.:  011 60 34256 8653               Name: Michael A. Cardenas
                                          Title: Vice President, Treasurer &
                                                 Director


                                    NORDEA BANK FINLAND PLC,
                                         NEW YORK BRANCH, Individually and as
                                         Administrative Agent


                                     By:  /s/ Martin Lunder
                                          -----------------
                                          Name: Martin Lunder
                                          Title: Senior Vice President

                                     By:  /s/ Ronny Bjornadal
                                          -------------------
                                          Name: Ronny Bjornadal
                                          Title:  Vice President







                                    CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ



                                     By:  /s/ Isabelle Billecocq
                                          ----------------------
                                          Name: Isabelle Billecocq
                                          Title: Assistant Vice President

                                     By:  /s/Alain Pitner
                                          ----------------
                                          Name:  Alain Pitner
                                          Title: Vice President

                                    FORTIS CAPITAL CORP.


                                     By:  /s/ Svein Engh
                                          --------------
                                          Name:  Svein Engh
                                          Title: Managing Director



                                     By:  /s/ Tobias Backer
                                          ------------------
                                          Name:  Tobias Backer
                                          Title: Vice President








                                    HAMBURGISCHE LANDESBANK



                                     By:  /s/ Uta Urbaniak
                                          ----------------
                                          Name:  Uta Urbaniak
                                          Title:    Vice President

                                     By:  /s/ Wills
                                          ----------
                                          Name:   Wills
                                          Title:   Vice President





                                                                                                                EXHIBIT 99.2

                                                ATWOOD OCEANICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                                        CONTRACT STATUS SUMMARY
                                                           AT APRIL 7, 2003
                                                               

      NAME OF RIG             LOCATION               CUSTOMER                          CONTRACT STATUS
     --------------         ------------    ------------------------    -----------------------------------------
SEMISUBMERSIBLES -
---------------------
ATWOOD FALCON                 AUSTRALIA      BHP BILLITON ("BHP") on    The rig is drilling its fifth well of an
                                             assignment from            eight well contract with Woodside on
                                             WOODSIDE ENERGY LTD.       assignment to BHP.  The contract is estimated
                                             ("WOODSIDE")               to be complete in  June 2003.

ATWOOD HUNTER                   EGYPT        APACHE MEDITERRANEAN       The rig is currently drilling a well for
                                             CORPORATION LDC            Apache which is expected to be completed in
                                             ("APACHE")                 April 2003.  Burullus Gas Company has issued
                                                                        a letter of award to use the rig to drill one
                                                                        well off the coast of Egypt following the
                                                                        completion of the Apache work. Samedan,
                                                                        Mediterranean Sea has contracted to drill one
                                                                        well off the coast of Israel following the
                                                                        completion of the Burullus work, with an
                                                                        option to drill one additional well at a
                                                                        later date.

ATWOOD EAGLE                   ANGOLA        ESSO EXPLORATION ANGOLA    The Company has executed a contract with ESSO
                                             (BLOCK 15) LIMITED         for the use of the rig to drill three firm
                                             ("ESSO")                   wells, plus options for four additional
                                                                        wells, off the coast of Angola.  The rig
                                                                        arrived Angola on February 18, 2003 and
                                                                        commenced drilling operations in early March
                                                                        2003.  The drilling program could extend 6 to
                                                                        12 months depending on the length of wells
                                                                        and number of options exercised.

SEAHAWK                       MALAYSIA       EXXONMOBIL EXPLORATION &   The rig's current contract terminates in
                                             PRODUCTION MALAYSIA INC.   December 2003, with an option for the
                                                                        Operator to extend.

ATWOOD SOUTHERN CROSS      MEDITERRANEAN    ENI S.P.A. - AGIP          The rig is drilling the last well under its
                                 SEA         DIVISION ("AGIP")         contract with AGIP, which is expected to be
                                                                        completed in late April/early May 2003.
                                                                        Contract opportunities for additional work
                                                                        following completion of the AGIP wells are
                                                                        being pursued in the Mediterranean Area.

SEASCOUT                    UNITED STATES                               The SEASCOUT was purchased in December 2000
                           GULF OF MEXICO                               for future conversion to a tender-assist
                                                                        unit, similar to the SEAHAWK, once an
                                                                        acceptable contract opportunity is secured.
                                                                        The rig is currently coldstacked.

CANTILEVER JACK-UPS -
---------------------
VICKSBURG                     MALAYSIA      EXXONMOBIL EXPLORATION      In early October 2002, the rig commenced a
                                            AND PRODUCTION MALAYSIA     two-year drilling program (with an option by
                                            INC. ("EMEPMI")             EMEPMI for one additional year), with EMEPMI
                                                                        having the right to terminate the drilling
                                                                        program after one year at any time with a 120
                                                                        days notice period.

ATWOOD BEACON                                                           The Company expects the construction of this
                               UNDER                                    ultra-premium jack-up drilling unit to be
                            CONSTRUCTION                                completed by May/June 2003.
SUBMERSIBLE -
--------------
RICHMOND                    UNITED STATES    BURLINGTON RESOURCES OIL   The rig is currently drilling one well for
                           GULF OF MEXICO    & GAS COMPANY              Burlington, with an estimated completion date
                                             ("BURLINGTON")              in April 2003.  Immediately upon completion
                                                                        of its current contract, the rig will
                                                                        commence a two-firm wells, plus four-option
                                                                        wells contract for Ocean Energy, Inc.   The
                                                                        two firm wells have an estimated duration of
                                                                        60 to 90 days.  The contract contains a
                                                                        30-day early termination provision.
MODULAR PLATFORMS -
--------------------
GOODWYN 'A' /NORTH            AUSTRALIA      WOODSIDE ENERGY LTD.       There is currently an indefinite planned
RANKIN 'A'                                                              break in drilling activity for the two
                                                                        client-owned rigs managed by the Company.
                                                                        The Company is involved in maintenance of the
                                                                        two rigs for future drilling programs.