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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.3








                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

                            Dated as of June 15, 2000

                                 By and Between

                            NABORS INDUSTRIES, INC.,

                                   as Issuer,

                                       and

                            [Intentionally Omitted],

                              as Initial Purchaser

               Zero Coupon Convertible Senior Debentures Due 2020




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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   Page
<S>                                                                                               <C>
1.       Definitions................................................................................1

2.       Shelf Registration.........................................................................4

3.       Liquidated Damages.........................................................................5

4.       Registration Procedures....................................................................6

5.       Registration Expenses.....................................................................11

6.       Indemnification...........................................................................12

7.       Rules 144 and 144A........................................................................15

8.       Underwritten Registrations................................................................15

9.       Miscellaneous.............................................................................16
</TABLE>



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                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

                                    PREAMBLE

         This Registration Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is dated as of
June 15, 2000, by and between NABORS INDUSTRIES, INC., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company") and [Intentionally Omitted] (the "Initial Purchaser").

                                    RECITALS

         This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase
Agreement, dated June 15, 2000 (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and between the
Company and the Initial Purchaser, which provides for the sale by the Company to
the Initial Purchaser of $825,000,000 aggregate principal amount at maturity of
the Company's Zero Coupon Convertible Senior Debentures due 2020 (the "Firm
Debentures"), which are convertible into common stock of the Company, par value
$0.10 per share (the "Underlying Shares"), plus up to an additional $125,000,000
aggregate principal amount at maturity of debentures which the Initial Purchaser
may subsequently elect to purchase pursuant to the terms of the Purchase
Agreement (the "Additional Debentures" and together with the Firm Debentures,
the "Convertible Debentures"). The Convertible Debentures are being issued
pursuant to an indenture dated as of the date hereof (the "Indenture"), between
the Company and Bank One, N.A., as trustee (the "Trustee"). In order to induce
the Initial Purchaser to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company has
agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement for the
benefit of the Initial Purchaser and any subsequent holder or holders of the
Convertible Debentures or Underlying Shares as provided herein. The execution
and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the Initial Purchaser's
obligation to purchase the Firm Debentures under the Purchase Agreement.

                                    AGREEMENT

         The parties hereby agree as follows:

1.       Definitions

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

         Additional Debentures: Has the meaning given such term in the Recitals.

         Agreement: Has the meaning given such term in the Preamble.

         Amount of Registrable Securities: (a) With respect to Convertible
Debentures constituting Registrable Securities, the aggregate principal amount
at maturity of all such Convertible Debentures outstanding, (b) with respect to
Underlying Shares constituting Registrable Securities, the aggregate number of
such Underlying Shares outstanding multiplied by the Conversion Rate (as defined
in the Indenture relating to the Convertible Debentures upon the conversion of
which such Underlying Shares were issued) in effect at the time of computing the
Amount of Registrable Securities and (c) with respect to combinations thereof,
the sum of (a) and (b) for the relevant Registrable Securities.



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         Board: The Board of Directors of the Company.

         Business Day: Any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which
banking institutions in New York or Texas are authorized or required by law to
be closed.

         Closing Date: June 20, 2000.

         Company: Has the meaning given such term in the Preamble.

         Convertible Debentures: Has the meaning given such term in the
Recitals.

         Damages Payment Date: See Section 3(c) hereof.

         Depositary: The Depository Trust Company until a successor is appointed
by the Company.

         Effectiveness Date: The 180th day after the Closing Date.

         Effectiveness Period: See Section 2(a) hereof.

         Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder and any successor act,
rules and regulations.

         Filing Date: The 90th day after the Closing Date.

         Holder: Any holder owner of a beneficial interest in Registrable
Securities.

         Indemnified Holder: See Section 6 hereof.

         Indemnified Person: See Section 6 hereof.

         Indemnifying Person: See Section 6 hereof.

         Indenture: has the meaning given such term in the Recitals.

         Initial Purchaser: has the meaning given such term in the Preamble.

         Initial Shelf Registration: See Section 2(a) hereof.

         Inspectors: See Section 4(n) hereof.

         Liquidated Damages: See Section 3(a) hereof.

         NASD: See Section 4(o) hereof.



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         Person: An individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability
company, unincorporated association, trust or joint venture, or a governmental
agency or political subdivision thereof.

         Prospectus: The prospectus included in any Registration Statement
(including, without limitation, any prospectus subject to completion and a
prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus
filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A
promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any
prospectus supplement, and all other amendments and supplements to the
Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated
by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

         Purchase Agreement: has the meaning given such term in the Recitals.

         QIU: See Section 4(o) hereof.

         Registrable Securities: All Convertible Debentures and all Underlying
Shares upon original issuance thereof and at all times subsequent thereto until
the earliest to occur of (i) a Registration Statement covering such Convertible
Debentures and Underlying Shares having been declared effective by the SEC and
such Convertible Debentures and Underlying Shares having been disposed of in
accordance with such effective Registration Statement, (ii) such Convertible
Debentures and Underlying Shares having been sold in compliance with Rule 144 or
(except with respect to affiliates of the Company within the meaning of the
Securities Act) are eligible for sale in compliance with Rule 144(k), or (iii)
such Convertible Debentures and any Underlying Shares ceasing to be outstanding.

         Registration Default: See Section 3(a) hereof.

         Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company that
covers the Registrable Securities filed with the SEC pursuant to the provisions
of this Agreement, including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such
registration statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits and
all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference
in such registration statement.

         Rule 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule
may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144A) or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC providing for offers and sales of
securities made in compliance therewith resulting in offers and sales by
subsequent holders that are not affiliates of an issuer of such securities being
free of the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act.

         Rule 144A: Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule
may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144) or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

         Rule 415: Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such Rule
may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the SEC.




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         SEC: The Securities and Exchange Commission.

         Securities Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder and any successor act, rules
and regulations.

         Shelf Registration: See Section 2(b) hereof.

         Shelf Registration Statement:  See Section 2(b) hereof.

         Subsequent Shelf Registration: See Section 2(b) hereof.

         TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and
regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder and any successor act, rules and
regulations.

         Trustee: has the meaning given such term in the Recitals.

         Underlying Shares: has the meaning given such term in the Recitals.

         Underwritten registration or underwritten offering: A registration in
which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the
public.

2.       Shelf Registration

         (a) Shelf Registration. To the extent not prohibited by any applicable
law or applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC, the Company shall use
its reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC a Registration Statement for an
offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of
the Registrable Securities (the "Initial Shelf Registration") on or prior to the
Filing Date. The Initial Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-3 or another
appropriate form permitting registration of such Registrable Securities for
resale by Holders in the manner or manners designated by them (including,
without limitation, one or more underwritten offerings). The Company shall not
permit any securities other than the Registrable Securities to be included in
the Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration (as defined
below).

         To the extent not prohibited by any applicable law or applicable
interpretation of the staff of the SEC, The Company shall use its reasonable
best efforts to cause the Initial Shelf Registration to be declared effective
under the Securities Act on or prior to the Effectiveness Date and to keep such
Initial Shelf Registration continuously effective under the Securities Act until
the date that is two years from the Closing Date (as it may be shortened
pursuant to clause (i) or clause (ii) immediately following, the "Effectiveness
Period"), or such shorter period ending when (i) all Registrable Securities
covered by the Initial Shelf Registration have been sold in the manner set forth
and as contemplated in the Initial Shelf Registration, (ii) the date on which
all the Registrable Securities (x) held by Persons who are not affiliates of the
Company may be resold pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or (y)
cease to be outstanding, or (iii) a Subsequent Shelf Registration covering all
of the Registrable Securities has been declared effective under the Securities
Act.




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         (b) Subsequent Shelf Registrations. If the Initial Shelf Registration
or any Subsequent Shelf Registration ceases to be effective for any reason at
any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than because of the sale of all
of the securities registered thereunder), the Company shall use its reasonable
best efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the
effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within 45 days of such cessation
of effectiveness amend the Initial Shelf Registration in a manner to obtain the
withdrawal of the order suspending the effectiveness thereof, or file an
additional "shelf" Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 415 covering all of
the Registrable Securities (a "Subsequent Shelf Registration"). If a Subsequent
Shelf Registration is filed, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts
to cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration to be declared effective under the
Securities Act as soon as practicable after such filing and to keep such
Registration Statement continuously effective for a period equal to the number
of days in the Effectiveness Period less the aggregate number of days during
which the Initial Shelf Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration was
previously continuously effective. As used herein the term "Shelf Registration"
means the Initial Shelf Registration and any Subsequent Shelf Registration and
the term "Shelf Registration Statement" means any Registration Statement filed
in connection with a Shelf Registration.

         (c) Supplements and Amendments. The Company shall use its reasonable
best efforts to promptly supplement and amend the Shelf Registration if required
by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form
used for such Shelf Registration, if required by the Securities Act, or if
reasonably requested by the Holders of the majority in Amount of Registrable
Securities covered by such Registration Statement or by any underwriter of such
Registrable Securities.

3.       Liquidated Damages

         (a) The Company and the Initial Purchaser agree that the Holders of
Registrable Securities will suffer damages if the Company fails to fulfill its
obligations under Section 2 hereof and that it would not be feasible to
ascertain the extent of such damages with precision. Accordingly, the Company
agrees to pay liquidated damages on the Registrable Securities at a rate of
0.25% per annum on the Amount of Registrable Securities ("Liquidated Damages")
under the circumstances (each of which shall be given independent effect; each a
"Registration Default"):

                  (i) if the Initial Shelf Registration is not filed on or prior
         to the Filing Date, then commencing on the day after the Filing Date,
         Liquidated Damages shall accrue on the Registrable Securities;

                  (ii) if the Company fails to use all reasonable efforts to
         cause the Initial Shelf Registration to be declared effective by the
         SEC on or prior to the Effectiveness Date, then commencing one day
         after the Effectiveness Date, Liquidated Damages shall accrue on the
         Registrable Securities; and

                  (iii) if a Shelf Registration has been declared effective and
         such Shelf Registration ceases to be effective at any time during the
         Effectiveness Period (other than as permitted under Section 3(b)), then
         commencing one day after the date the Shelf





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         Registration ceases to be effective, Liquidated Damages shall accrue on
         the Registrable Securities;

provided, however, that Liquidated Damages on the Registrable Securities may not
accrue under more than one of the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) or ever
exceed 0.25% per annum; provided, further, however, that (1) upon the filing of
the Shelf Registration as required hereunder (in the case of clause (a)(i) of
this Section 3), (2) upon the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration as
required hereunder (in the case of clause (a)(ii) of this Section 3), or (3)
upon the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration which had ceased to remain
effective (in the case of (a)(iii) of this Section 3), Liquidated Damages on the
Registrable Securities as a result of such clause (or the relevant subclause
thereof), as the case may be, shall cease to accrue. It is understood and agreed
that, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, so long as any Registrable
Security is then capable of being sold under an effective Shelf Registration
Statement or pursuant to Rule 144(k), no Liquidated Damages shall accrue on such
Registrable Security.

         (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this Section 3, if the Board
determines in good faith that it is the best interest of the Company not to
disclose the existence of or facts surrounding any proposed or pending material
corporate transaction involving the Company or its subsidiaries and the Company
notifies the selling Holders within two Business Days after such determination
is made, the Company may suspend the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration as a
result of such nondisclosure for up to 30 consecutive days in any 90-day period
for a total of not more than 60 days in any calendar year, without paying
Liquidated Damages.

         (c) Any amounts of Liquidated Damages due pursuant to Section 3(a)(i),
3(a)(ii) or 3(a)(iii) will be payable in cash semi-annually on each June 20 and
December 20 (each a "Damages Payment Date"), commencing with the first such date
occurring after any such Liquidated Damages commences to accrue, to Holders of
record on the June 1 or December 1 next preceding such Damages Payment Date with
respect to Convertible Debentures that are Registrable Securities and to Persons
that are Holders of record on the June 1 or December 1 next preceding such
Damages Payment Date with respect to Underlying Shares that are Registrable
Securities. The amount of Liquidated Damages for Registrable Securities will be
determined on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

4.       Registration Procedures

         In connection with the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant to
Section 2 hereof, the Company shall effect such registrations to permit the sale
of the securities covered thereby in accordance with the intended method or
methods of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto and in connection with any
Registration Statement filed by the Company hereunder the Company shall:

                  (a) Prepare and file with the SEC on or prior to the Filing
         Date, a Registration Statement or Registration Statements as prescribed
         by Section 2 hereof, and use its reasonable best efforts to cause each
         such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective as
         provided herein; provided, however, that before filing any Registration
         Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the
         Company shall furnish to and afford the managing underwriters, if any,
         a reasonable




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         opportunity to review copies of all such documents proposed to be filed
         (in each case, where possible, at least five Business Days prior to
         such filing, or such later date as is reasonable under the
         circumstances). The Company shall not file any Registration Statement
         or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto if the Holders
         of a majority in Amount of Registrable Securities covered by such
         Registration Statement or the managing underwriters, if any, shall
         reasonably object.

                  (b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
         post-effective amendments to each Shelf Registration, as may be
         necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective
         for the Effectiveness Period; cause the related Prospectus to be
         supplemented by any Prospectus supplement required by applicable law,
         and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar
         provisions then in force) promulgated under the Securities Act; and
         comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act
         applicable to it with respect to the disposition of all securities
         covered by such Registration Statement as so amended or in such
         Prospectus as so supplemented except as provided in Section 3(b).

                  (c) Notify the selling Holders of Registrable Securities and
         the managing underwriters, if any, promptly (but in any event within
         two Business Days), (i) when a Prospectus or any prospectus supplement
         or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to a
         Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same
         has become effective under the Securities Act (including in such notice
         a written statement that any Holder may, upon request, obtain, at the
         sole expense of the Company, one conformed copy of such Registration
         Statement or post-effective amendment including financial statements
         and schedules, documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
         reference and exhibits), (ii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop
         order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of
         any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary
         prospectus or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii)
         of the happening of any event, the existence of any condition or any
         information becoming known that makes any statement made in such
         Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document
         incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue
         in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in
         or amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement, Prospectus
         or documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it
         will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
         state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
         make the statements therein not misleading, and that in the case of the
         Prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact
         or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
         necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
         circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (iv) of
         the Company's determination that a post-effective amendment to a
         Registration Statement would be appropriate.

                  (d) Use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of
         any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or
         of any order preventing or suspending the use of a Prospectus and, if
         any such order is issued, to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain
         the withdrawal of any such order at the earliest possible moment.





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                  (e) If requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters,
         if any, or the Holders of the majority in Amount of Registrable
         Securities being sold in connection with an underwritten offering (i)
         promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective
         amendment such information as the managing underwriter or underwriters,
         if any, or such Holders reasonably determine is necessary to be
         included therein, (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus
         supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as reasonably
         practicable after the Company has received notification of the matters
         to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective
         amendment and (iii) supplement or make amendments to such Registration
         Statement.

                  (f) Furnish to each selling Holder of Registrable Securities,
         a single counsel to such Holders (chosen in accordance with Section
         5(b)) and each managing underwriter, if any, at the sole expense of the
         Company, one conformed copy of the Registration Statement or
         Registration Statements and each post-effective amendment thereto,
         including financial statements and schedules, and, if requested, all
         documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by
         reference and all exhibits.

                  (g) Deliver to each selling Holder of Registrable Securities,
         a single counsel to such Holders (chosen in accordance with Section
         5(b)) and the underwriters, if any, at the sole expense of the Company,
         as many copies of the Prospectus (including each form of preliminary
         prospectus) and each amendment or supplement thereto and any documents
         incorporated by reference therein as such Persons may reasonably
         request; and, subject to the second paragraph of Section 4(s) hereof,
         the Company hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus and each
         amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of
         Registrable Securities and the underwriters or agents, if any, and
         dealers, if any, in connection with the offering and sale of the
         Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus and any amendment or
         supplement thereto.

                  (h) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, to
         use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify, to the extent
         required by applicable law, and to cooperate with the selling Holders
         of Registrable Securities and the managing underwriter or underwriters,
         if any, in connection with the registration or qualification (or
         exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable
         Securities or offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of
         such jurisdictions within the United States as any selling Holder, or
         the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, reasonably request;
         provided, however, that where Registrable Securities are offered other
         than through an underwritten offering, the Company agrees to cause the
         Company's counsel to perform Blue Sky investigations and file
         registrations and qualifications required to be filed pursuant to this
         Section 4(h); keep each such registration or qualification (or
         exemption therefrom) effective during the period such Registration
         Statement is required to be kept effective and do any and all other
         acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the
         disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities covered
         by the applicable Registration Statement; provided, however, that the
         Company shall not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business
         in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, (B) take any
         action that would subject






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         it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is
         not then so subject or (C) subject itself to taxation in excess of a
         nominal dollar amount in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so
         subject.

                  (i) Cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable
         Securities and the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, to
         facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates
         representing Registrable Securities to be sold, which certificates
         shall not bear any restrictive legends and shall be in a form eligible
         for deposit with The Depository Trust Company; and enable such
         Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in
         such names as the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or
         selling Holders may reasonably request.

                  (j) Use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable
         Securities covered by any Shelf Registration Statement to be registered
         with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as
         may be reasonably necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or
         the underwriter or underwriters, if any, to consummate the disposition
         of such Registrable Securities, except as may be required solely as a
         consequence of the nature of such selling Holder's business, in which
         case the Company will cooperate in all reasonable respects with the
         filing of such Registration Statement and the granting of such
         approvals.

                  (k) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section
         4(c)(ii), 4(c)(iii) or 4(c)(iv) hereof, as promptly as practicable
         prepare and (subject to Section 4(a) hereof) use its reasonable best
         efforts to file with the SEC, at the sole expense of the Company, a
         supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or
         a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or
         deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, or file any other
         required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of
         the Registrable Securities being sold thereunder, any such Prospectus
         will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
         state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
         make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
         which they were made, not misleading.

                  (l) Prior to the effective date of the Initial Registration
         Statement relating to the Registrable Securities, (i) provide the
         Trustee with certificates for the Registrable Securities in a form
         eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and (ii) provide
         a CUSIP number for the Registrable Securities.

                  (m) Provide (i) the Holders of the Registrable Securities to
         be included in such Registration Statement and not more than one
         counsel for all the Holders of such Registrable Securities chosen in
         accordance with Section 5(b), (ii) the underwriters (which term, for
         purposes of this Agreement, shall include a Person deemed to be an
         underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act),
         if any, thereof, (iii) the sales or placement agent, if any, thereof,
         and (iv) one counsel for such underwriters or agents, reasonable
         opportunity to participate in the preparation of such Registration
         Statement, each prospectus included therein or filed with the SEC, and
         each amendment or supplement thereto.





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                  (n) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the
         SEC and make generally available to its securityholders earning
         statements satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities
         Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the
         Securities Act) no later than 45 days after the end of any 12-month
         period (or 90 days after the end of any 12-month period if such period
         is a fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in
         which Registrable Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm
         commitment or best efforts underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold
         to underwriters in such an offering, commencing on the first day of the
         first fiscal quarter of the Company after the effective date of a
         Registration Statement, which statements shall cover said 12-month
         periods.

                  (o) Cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities
         covered by any Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any,
         participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and
         their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be
         made with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the
         "NASD"), including, if the Conduct Rules of the NASD or any successor
         thereto as amended from time to time so require, engaging a "qualified
         independent underwriter" ("QIU") as contemplated therein and otherwise
         applying the provisions of this Agreement to such QIU as though it were
         a participating underwriter.

                  (p) Cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not
         later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement
         relating to the Registrable Securities; and in connection therewith,
         cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders of the Registrable
         Securities to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required
         for the Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of
         the TIA; and execute, and use its reasonable best efforts to cause the
         Trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such
         changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the
         SEC to enable the Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner.

                  (q) Use its reasonable best efforts to take all other steps
         necessary or advisable to effect the registration of the Registrable
         Securities covered by a Registration Statement contemplated hereby.

         The Company may require each Holder of Registrable Securities as to
which any registration is being effected to furnish to the Company such
information regarding such Holder and the distribution of such Registrable
Securities as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably request to the
extent necessary or advisable to comply with the Securities Act. The Company may
exclude from such registration the Registrable Securities of any Holder if such
Holder fails to furnish such information within 20 Business Days after receiving
such request. Each Holder as to which any Shelf Registration is being effected
agrees to furnish promptly to the Company all information required to be
disclosed so that the information previously furnished to the Company by such
Holder is not materially misleading and does not omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made.




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         Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees by acquisition of such
Registrable Securities that, upon actual receipt of any notice from the Company
of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 4(c)(ii),
4(c)(iii) or 4(c)(iv) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition
of such Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement or
Prospectus until such Holder's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or
amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 4(k) hereof, or until it is advised
in writing by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be
resumed, and has received copies of any amendments or supplements thereto.

         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company
shall have no liability for any incremental expenses incurred as a result of an
underwritten offering of any Registrable Securities.

5.       Registration Expenses

         (a) All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance
with this Agreement by the Company shall be borne by the Company, including,
without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without
limitation, fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or Blue Sky
laws (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel in connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities
and determination of the eligibility of the Registrable Securities for
investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as provided in Section 4(h)
hereof), (ii) printing expenses, including, without limitation, expenses of
printing certificates for Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit
with The Depository Trust Company and of printing prospectuses if the printing
of prospectuses is requested by the Holders of the majority in Amount of
Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement, (iii) messenger,
telephone and delivery expenses of the Company, (iv) fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Company and reasonable fees and disbursements of one special
counsel for the sellers of Registrable Securities (subject to the provisions of
Section 5(b) hereof), (v) fees and disbursements of all independent certified
public accountants referred to in Section 4(m)(iii) hereof (including, without
limitation, the expenses of any special audit and "cold comfort" letters
required by or incident to such performance), (vi) Securities Act liability
insurance, if the Company desires such insurance, (vii) fees and expenses of all
other Persons retained by the Company, (viii) internal expenses of the Company
(including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of officers and
employees of the Company performing legal or accounting duties), (ix) the
expense of any annual audit, (x) the fees and expenses incurred in connection
with the listing of the securities to be registered on any securities exchange,
if applicable, and (xi) the expenses relating to printing, word processing and
distributing all Registration Statements, underwriting agreements, securities
sales agreements and any other documents necessary in order to comply with this
Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each
Holder shall pay all underwriting discounts and brokerage commissions with
respect to any Registrable Securities sold by it.




                                      -11-
<PAGE>   14

         (b) The Company shall reimburse the Holders of the Registrable
Securities being registered in a Shelf Registration for the reasonable fees and
disbursements of not more than one counsel chosen by the Holders of a majority
in Amount of Registrable Securities to be included in such Registration
Statement.

6.       Indemnification

         (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless (i) the Initial
Purchaser, (ii) each Holder, (iii) each Person, if any, who controls (within the
meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange
Act) any of the foregoing (any of the Persons referred to in this clause (iii)
being hereinafter referred to as a "controlling person"), (iv) the respective
officers, directors, partners, employees, representatives and agents of the
Initial Purchaser, the Holders (including predecessor Holders) or any
controlling person (any person referred to in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv)
may hereinafter be referred to as an "Indemnified Holder"), from and against any
and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments (including, without
limitation, reasonable legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with
any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted) caused by any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto or
any related preliminary prospectus, or caused by any omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any untrue statement or
omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information relating to any Indemnified Holder furnished to the
Company in writing by such Indemnified Holder expressly for use in therein;
provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable to any Indemnified
Holder under the indemnity agreement of this paragraph with respect to any
preliminary prospectus to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage,
liability, judgment or expense of such Indemnified Holder results from the fact
that such Indemnified Holder sold Registrable Securities under a Registration
Statement to a Person as to whom it shall be established that there was not sent
or given, at or prior to the written confirmation of such sale, a copy of the
Prospectus (or of the preliminary prospectus as then amended or supplemented if
the Company shall have furnished such Indemnified Holder with such amendment or
supplement thereto on a timely basis), in any case where such delivery is
required by applicable law and the loss, claim, damage, liability or expense of
such Indemnified Holder results from an untrue statement or omission of a
material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus which was corrected in the
Prospectus (or in the preliminary prospectus as then amended or supplemented if
the Company shall have furnished such Indemnified Holder with such amendment or
supplement thereto, as the case may be, on a timely basis). The Company shall
notify such Indemnified Holder promptly of the institution, threat or assertion
of any claim, proceeding (including any governmental investigation) or
litigation in connection with the matters addressed by this Agreement which
involves the Company or such Indemnified Holder.

         Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold
harmless the Company, its directors, officers and each Person who controls the
Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section
20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as





                                      -12-
<PAGE>   15

the foregoing indemnity from the Company to each Holder, but only with reference
to such losses, claims, damages or liabilities which are caused by any untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information relating to a Holder furnished to the
Company in writing by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration
Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto or any related
preliminary prospectus.

         The Initial Purchaser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, its directors, officers and each Person who controls the Company within
the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to
the Initial Purchaser, but only with reference to such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities which are caused by any untrue statement or omission or alleged
untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information relating to the Initial Purchaser furnished to the Company in
writing by the Initial Purchaser expressly for use in any Registration Statement
or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto or any related preliminary
prospectus.

         If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or
regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against
any Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to either of the
two preceding paragraphs, such Person (the "Indemnified Person") shall promptly
notify the Person or Persons against whom such indemnity may be sought (each an
"Indemnifying Person") in writing, and such Indemnifying Person, upon request of
the Indemnified Person, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and any others entitled
to indemnification pursuant to this Section 6 that the Indemnifying Person may
designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel
related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, the Indemnifying Person
shall be able to participate in such proceeding and, to the extent that it so
elects, jointly with any other similarly situated Indemnifying Person, to assume
the defense thereof, subject to the right of the Indemnified Person to be
separately represented and to direct its own defense if the named parties to any
such proceeding include both the Indemnified Person and the Indemnifying Person
and the Indemnified Person has been advised by counsel that representation of
both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or
potential differing interests between them. In any such proceeding, any
Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees
and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person
unless (i) such Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have
mutually agreed to the contrary or (ii) the named parties in any such proceeding
(including any impleaded parties) include an Indemnifying Person and an
Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the same counsel would
be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It
is understood that an Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any
proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the
fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local
counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall
be reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm for the Indemnified
Holders shall be designated in writing by the Holders of the majority in Amount
of Registrable Securities, and any such separate firm for the Company, its
directors, respective officers and such control Persons of the Company shall be
designated in writing by the Company. The Indemnifying







                                      -13-
<PAGE>   16

Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without
its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final
judgment for the plaintiff, such Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify any
Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such
settlement or judgment. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the prior written
consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or
threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could
have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such
Indemnified Person, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of
such Indemnified Person from all liability on claims that are the subject matter
of such proceeding.

         If the indemnification provided for in the first and second paragraphs
of this Section 6 is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in
respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then
each Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such
Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by
such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by the Indemnifying Person on the one hand and the Indemnified
Person on the other hand pursuant to the Purchase Agreement or from the offering
of the Registrable Securities pursuant to any Shelf Registration or (ii) if the
allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in
such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits
referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Indemnifying
Person on the one hand and the Indemnified Person on the other in connection
with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and any Indemnified
Holder on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total
net proceeds from the initial offering and sale of Convertible Debentures
(before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total net
proceeds received by such Indemnified Holder from sales of Registrable
Securities giving rise to such obligations. The relative fault of the parties
shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission
to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or such
Indemnified Holder and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

         Each of the Company and the Initial Purchaser agrees that it would not
be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 6 were determined
by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take
account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding
paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of
the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set
forth above, any legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person in
connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6, in no event shall any Holder
be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the net
proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of the Registrable Securities
pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement exceeds the amount of damages which
such Holder would have otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue
or alleged untrue statement or omission






                                      -14-
<PAGE>   17

or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within
the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.

         The remedies provided for in this Section 6 are not exclusive and shall
not limit any rights or remedies that may otherwise be available to any
indemnified party at law or in equity. The indemnity and contribution agreements
contained in this Section 6 shall remain operative and in full force and effect
regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made
by or on behalf of any Holder or any Person controlling any Holder or by or on
behalf of the Company, its officers or directors or any other Person controlling
any of the Company and (iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the
Registrable Securities.

7.       Rules 144 and 144A

         The Company covenants that it will file the reports required to be
filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder in a timely manner in accordance with
the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and, for so long as
any Registrable Securities remain outstanding, if at any time the Company is not
required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any Holder or
beneficial owner of Registrable Securities, make available such information
necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The
Company further covenants that, for so long as any Registrable Securities remain
outstanding, it will use its reasonable best efforts to take such further action
as any Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request in writing, all
to the extent required from time to time to enable such holder to sell
Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the
limitation of the exemptions provided by (a) Rule 144(k) and Rule 144A under the
Securities Act, as such rules may be amended from time to time, or (b) any
similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, nothing in this Section 7 shall be deemed to require the Company to
register any of its securities pursuant to the Exchange Act.

8.       Underwritten Registrations

         If any of the Registrable Securities covered by any Shelf Registration
are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the investment banker or investment
bankers and manager or managers that will manage the offering will be selected
by the Holders of the majority in Amount of Registrable Securities to be
included in such offering and be reasonably acceptable to the Company.

         No Holder of Registrable Securities may participate in any underwritten
registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's
Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements
approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b)
completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms
of such underwriting arrangements.





                                      -15-
<PAGE>   18

9.       Miscellaneous

         (a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company has not, as of the date
hereof, and the Company shall not, after the date of this Agreement, enter into
any agreement with respect to any of its securities that is inconsistent with
the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or
otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The Company will not enter into
any agreement with respect to any of its securities that will grant to any
Person piggyback registration rights with respect to a Registration Statement,
except to the extent any existing right has heretofore been waived; provided,
however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary the rights
previously granted by the Company shall not be negatively affected by the
Agreement.

         (b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Securities. The Company shall
not, directly or indirectly, take any action with respect to the Registrable
Securities as a class that would adversely affect the ability of the Holders of
Registrable Securities to include such Registrable Securities in a registration
undertaken pursuant to this Agreement.

         (c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not be
amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given, otherwise than with the prior written
consent of the Company and the Holders of not less than the majority in Amount
of Registrable Securities; provided, however, that Section 6 and this Section
9(c) may not be amended, modified or supplemented without the prior written
consent of the Company and each Holder (including, in the case of an amendment,
modification or supplement of Section 6, any Person who was a Holder of
Registrable Securities disposed of pursuant to any Registration Statement).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions
hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of
Holders of Registrable Securities whose securities are being sold pursuant to a
Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect, impair,
limit or compromise the rights of other Holders of Registrable Securities may be
given by Holders of at least a majority in Amount of the Registrable Securities
being sold by such Holders pursuant to such Registration Statement.

         (d) Notices. All notices and other communications (including without
limitation any notices or other communications to the Trustee) provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered
first-class mail, next-day air courier or facsimile:

                  (1) if to a Holder of the Registrable Securities, at the most
         current address of such Holder set forth on the records of the
         registrar under the Indenture, in the case of Holders of Convertible
         Notes, and the stock ledger of the Company, in the case of Holders of
         common stock of the Company.

                  (2) if to the Initial Purchaser:

                      [intentionally Omitted]



                                      -16-
<PAGE>   19

                  with copies to:

                           [Intentionally Omitted]

                  (3)      if to the Company, at the addresses as follows:

                           Nabors Industries, Inc.
                           515 West Greens Road, Suite 1200
                           Houston, Texas  77067
                           Attention:  Legal Department
                           Facsimile No.: 281-775-8188

                  with copies to:

                           Winston & Strawn
                           200 Park Avenue
                           New York, New York  10166-4193
                           Attention:  Alan J. Rice
                           Facsimile No.:  212-294-4700

         All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after
being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; one Business Day after
being timely delivered to a next-day air courier; and when the addressor
receives facsimile confirmation, if sent by facsimile.

         (e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto,
including the Holders; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not inure to
the benefit of or be binding upon a successor or assign of a Holder unless and
except to the extent such successor or assign holds Registrable Securities.

         (f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

         (g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

         (h) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS MADE
AND PERFORMED WHOLLY WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES
OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.

         (i) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of
this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions,
covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full




                                      -17-
<PAGE>   20

force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and
the parties hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an
alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that
contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby
stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have
executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without
including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or
unenforceable.

         (j) Securities Held by the Company or Its Affiliates. Whenever the
consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage in Amount of
Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities held by the
Company or its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the
Securities Act) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or
approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.

         (k) Third Party Beneficiaries. Holders of Registrable Securities are
intended third party beneficiaries of this Agreement and this Agreement may be
enforced by such Persons.

         (l) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Purchase
Agreement and the Indenture, is intended by the parties as a final and exclusive
statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of
the subject matter contained herein and therein and any and all prior oral or
written agreements, representations, or warranties, contracts, understandings,
correspondence, conversations and memoranda between the Initial Purchaser on the
one hand and the Company on the other, or between or among any agents,
representatives, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors in interest or
successors in interest with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof are
merged herein and replaced hereby.

                 [REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY BLANK]





                                      -18-
<PAGE>   21



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

                                       NABORS INDUSTRIES, INC.

                                       By: /s/ Anthony G. Petrello
                                          --------------------------------------
                                           Anthony G. Petrello
                                           President and Chief Operating Officer

Confirmed and accepted as of
    the date first above written:

[Intentionally Omitted]



By:  /s/
     ---------------------------------
     [Intentionally Omitted]
     Vice President