<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.17

                             FORM OF GLOBAL SECURITY

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY ("DTC") TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF
TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE
NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC AS IS REQUESTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO.
OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO
ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS
AN INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT
NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF CEDE & CO. OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH
SUCCESSOR'S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE
LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE
INDENTURE.

No. R-1                                                         $200,000,000

                                                           CUSIP NO. 410768 AF 2

                           HANOVER COMPRESSOR COMPANY

                           8.625% SENIOR NOTE DUE 2010

                  Hanover Compressor Company, a corporation duly organized and
existing under the laws of Delaware (herein called the "Company", which term
includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for
value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the
principal sum of Two Hundred Million Dollars on December 15, 2010, and to pay
interest thereon from December 15, 2003 or from the most recent Interest Payment
Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semiannually on June
15 and December 15 in each year, commencing June 15, 2004, at the rate of 8.625%
per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment,
provided that any principal and premium, and any such installment of interest,
which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of 8.625% per annum (to the
extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), from the
dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment,
and such interest shall be payable on demand. The interest so payable, and
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as
provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security
(or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business
on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the June 1 or
December 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding
such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly
provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular
Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or
one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a
Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by
the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities not less
than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any
other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities
exchange on which the Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be
required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.

                  Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest
on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained
for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in such coin
or currency of the United States of America

<PAGE>

as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private
debts; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest
on Securities in definitive form may be made by check mailed to the address of
the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security
Register.

                  Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this
Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all
purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

                  Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been
executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature,
this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be
valid or obligatory for any purpose.

                  IN WITNESS Whereof, the Company has caused this instrument to
be duly executed.

                                     HANOVER COMPRESSOR COMPANY

                                     By: _____________________________________
                                         Name:  John E. Jackson
                                         Title: Senior Vice President and Chief
                                                Financial Officer

                    TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION.

                  This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein
referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

                                     WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL
                                        ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

                                     By: ______________________________________
                                          Authorized Signatory

Dated:  December 15, 2003

<PAGE>

                           [REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY]

                           8.625% SENIOR NOTE DUE 2010

1.       Interest

                  Hanover Compressor Company, a Delaware corporation (such
corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to, being herein called the "Company"), promises to pay interest on the
principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above.

                  The Company will pay interest semiannually in cash and in
arrears to Holders of record at the close of business on the June 1 and December
1 immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date on June 15 and December 15 of
each year, commencing on June 15, 2004. Interest on the Securities will accrue
from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on the Securities or,
if no interest has been paid, from December 15, 2003. The Company shall pay
interest on overdue principal or premium, if any (plus interest on such interest
to the extent lawful), at the rate borne by the Securities to the extent lawful.
Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months.

2.       Method of Payment

                  By at least 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date on
which any principal of or interest on the Securities is due and payable, the
Company shall irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or the Paying Agent money
sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and/or interest. The Company
will pay interest (except Defaulted Interest) to the Persons who are registered
Holders of Securities at the close of business on the June 1 or December 1 next
preceding the Interest Payment Date even if the Securities are cancelled,
repurchased or redeemed after the record date and on or before the Interest
Payment Date. Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to collect
principal payments. The Company will pay principal, premium and interest in
money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for
payment of public and private debts. However, the Company may pay interest on
any Security in definitive form by check payable in such money. It may mail an
interest check to a Holder's registered address.

3.       Trustee, Paying Agent and Security Registrar

                  Initially, Wachovia Bank, National Association, a national
banking association (the "Trustee"), will act as Trustee, Paying Agent and
Security Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent,
Security Registrar or co-registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company may
act as Paying Agent, Security Registrar or co-registrar.

4.       Indenture

                  The Company issued the Securities under the First Supplemental
Indenture dated as of December 15, 2003 (as it may be amended or supplemented
from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the "Supplemental
Indenture"), among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee to the
Senior Indenture dated as of December 15, 2003 (as

                                       3

<PAGE>

it may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the
terms thereof, the "Original Indenture" and, as amended and supplemented by the
Supplemental Indenture, the "Indenture"). For the sake of clarity, each
reference to the Indenture shall mean the Original Indenture as amended by the
Supplemental Indenture, and future amendments and supplements, the provisions of
which relate to the Securities and not future issuances of debt securities under
the Original Indenture other than these Securities. The terms of the Securities
include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by
reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb)
as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the "Act"). Capitalized terms used
herein and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the
Indenture. The Securities are subject to all such terms, and Holders are
referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement of those terms.

                  The Securities are general unsecured senior obligations of the
Company initially issued in aggregate principal amount of $200,000,000. The
Indenture imposes certain limitations on the Incurrence of Indebtedness by the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, the payment of dividends on, and the
purchase or redemption of, Capital Stock of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, certain purchases or redemptions of Subordinated Indebtedness, the
sale or transfer of assets and Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries,
Investments of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and transactions with
Affiliates. In addition, the Indenture limits the ability of the Company and its
Subsidiaries to restrict distributions and dividends from Restricted
Subsidiaries.

                  To guarantee (i) the full and punctual payment of the
principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities when due,
whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, by redemption, by required
repurchase or otherwise, and all other monetary obligations of the Company under
the Indenture and the Securities and (ii) the full and punctual performance
within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Company under
the Indenture and the Securities, each Subsidiary Guarantor has unconditionally
and irrevocably guaranteed such obligations pursuant to the terms of the
Indenture. The Subsidiary Guarantees shall be unsecured senior subordinated
obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor, ranking pari passu with all other
existing and future senior subordinated indebtedness of such Subsidiary
Guarantor.

5.       Optional Redemption

                  The Securities will be redeemable, at the option of the
Company, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time prior to
December 15, 2007, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice
mailed by first-class mail to each Holder's registered address, at a Redemption
Price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Securities
to be redeemed plus accrued but unpaid interest to the Redemption Date; and
(ii)(a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of
principal and interest thereon from the Redemption Date to December 15, 2007
(except for currently accrued but unpaid interest) (assuming the Securities are
redeemed, and based on the applicable Redemption Price, on that date) discounted
to the Redemption Date, on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year
consisting of twelve 30-day months), at the Treasury Rate, plus 50 basis points,
plus (b) accrued but unpaid interest to the Redemption Date (subject to the
right of Holders on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on
the relevant Interest Payment Date).

                                       4

<PAGE>

                  The Securities will be redeemable, at the Company's option, in
whole or in part, at any time and from time to time on and after December 15,
2007 and prior to Stated Maturity, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days'
prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each Holder's registered address, at
the following Redemption Prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount),
plus accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of
Holders on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the
relevant Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period
commencing on December 15 of the years set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year                                     Redemption Price
---                                      ----------------
<S>                                      <C>
2007.................................        104.313%
2008.................................        102.156%
2009 and thereafter..................        100.000%
</TABLE>

                  Prior to December 15, 2006, to the extent that the Company
raises Net Cash Proceeds from one or more Qualified Equity Offerings, the
Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the original
principal amount of the Securities with the Net Cash Proceeds at a Redemption
Price of 108.625% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders on the
relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest
Payment Date); provided that (i) at least 65% of the original principal amount
of the Securities remains Outstanding after each such redemption; and (ii) the
redemption occurs within 60 days after the closing of such Qualified Equity
Offering.

6        Notice of Redemption

                  Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not
more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Securities to be
redeemed at its registered address. Securities in denominations of principal
amount larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of
$1,000. If money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of and accrued and
unpaid interest on all Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the
Redemption Date is deposited with the Paying Agent on or before the Redemption
Date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such date interest
ceases to accrue on such Securities (or such portions thereof) called for
redemption.

7.       Put Provisions

                  Upon a Change of Control, any Holder of Securities will have
the right to cause the Company to repurchase all or any part of the Securities
of such Holder at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount
thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase as provided
in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

                                       5

<PAGE>

8.       Subordination and Ranking of the Subsidiary Guarantees

                  Each Subsidiary Guarantee is subordinated to the Guarantor
Senior Indebtedness of the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor, as defined in the
Indenture. To the extent provided in the Indenture, Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness must be paid before payments may be made on the Securities pursuant
to the Subsidiary Guarantees. Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees, and each Holder
by accepting a Security agrees, to the subordination provisions contained in the
Indenture and authorizes the Trustee to give them effect and appoints the
Trustee as attorney-in-fact for such purpose. Each Subsidiary Guarantee will
rank pari passu in right of payment with all other Guarantor Senior Subordinated
Indebtedness of the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor.

9.       Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

                  The Securities are in registered form without coupons in
denominations of principal amount of $1,000 and whole multiples of $1,000. A
Holder may transfer or exchange Securities in accordance with the Indenture. The
Security Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish
appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes required by
law. The Security Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange of any
Security selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Security to be
redeemed in part, the portion of the Security not to be redeemed) or any
Securities during a period beginning 15 days before a selection of Securities to
be redeemed and ending on the date of such selection.

10.      Persons Deemed Owners

                  The registered holder of this Security may be treated as the
owner of it for all purposes.

11.      Unclaimed Money

                  If money for the payment of principal or interest remains
unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to
the Company at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another
Person. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to
the Company and not to the Trustee for payment.

12.      Defeasance

                  Subject to certain conditions set forth in the Indenture, the
Company at any time may terminate some or all of its obligations under the
Securities and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money or
U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the
Securities to redemption or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.

13.      Amendment, Waiver

                  Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i)
the Indenture or the Securities may be amended with the written consent of the
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
and (ii) any default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived with the
written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the
Indenture,

                                       6

<PAGE>

without the consent of any Holder, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and
the Trustee may amend the Indenture or the Securities to, among other things,
cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, or to comply with Article
Four of the Supplemental Indenture, or to provide for uncertificated Securities
in addition to or in place of certificated Securities, or to add Subsidiary
Guarantees or to secure the Securities or the Subsidiary Guarantees, or to add
additional covenants or Events of Default or surrender rights and powers
conferred on the Company, or to comply with any requirement of the Commission in
connection with qualifying the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, or to
make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder.
However, no amendment may be made to the subordination provisions of the
Indenture that adversely affects the rights of any holder of Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness then outstanding unless the requisite holders of such Guarantor
Senior Indebtedness consent to such amendment.

14.      Defaults and Remedies

                  Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (i) a default
in any payment of interest on any Security when due (whether or not such payment
is prohibited by Article Eleven of the Supplemental Indenture), continued for 30
days, (ii) a default in the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on, any
Security when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon
required repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise, (iii) the failure by the
Company to comply with its obligations under Section 501 of the Supplemental
Indenture, (iv) the failure by the Company to comply for 30 days after notice
with any of its obligations under Sections 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709,
710, 711, 713 or 714 of the Supplemental Indenture (in each case, other than a
failure to purchase Securities when required under Section 710 or 711 of the
Supplemental Indenture), (v) the failure by the Company to comply for 60 days
after notice with its other agreements contained in the Securities or the
Indenture, (vi) the failure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to pay
any Indebtedness for money borrowed within any applicable grace period after
final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness by the holders
thereof because of a default if the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or
accelerated exceeds $20.0 million, (vii) certain events of bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization of the Company, a Significant Subsidiary or any
group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the latest audited
consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, (viii) the rendering
of any judgment or decree for the payment of money in an amount (net of any
insurance or indemnity payments actually received in respect thereof prior to or
within 90 days from the entry thereof, or to be received in respect thereof in
the event any appeal thereof shall be unsuccessful) in excess of $20.0 million
against the Company or a Significant Subsidiary that is not discharged, bonded
or insured by a third Person if (A) an enforcement proceeding thereon is
commenced or (B) such judgment or decree remains outstanding for a period of 60
days following such judgment or decree and is not discharged, waived or stayed
or (ix) the failure of any Subsidiary Guarantee of the Securities by a
Subsidiary Guarantor to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by
the terms thereof or of the Indenture) or the denial or disaffirmation in
writing by any such Subsidiary Guarantor of its obligations under the Indenture
or its Subsidiary Guarantee. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing,
the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities may declare all the Securities to be due and payable
immediately. Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency are

                                       7
<PAGE>

Events of Default which will result in the Securities being due and payable
immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default.

                  Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities except
as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or
the Securities unless it receives reasonable indemnity or security. Subject to
certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities
may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may
withhold from Holders notice of any continuing default or Event of Default
(except a default or Event of Default in payment of principal, premium or
interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interests.

15.      Trustee Dealings with the Company

                  Subject to certain limitations set forth in the Indenture, the
Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become
the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with and collect
obligations owed to it by the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or their
affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or
their affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

16.      No Recourse Against Others

                  A director, officer, employee, incorporator, limited partner,
member or stockholder, as such, of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors
shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the
Subsidiary Guarantors under the Securities, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the
Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such
obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Holder waives and
releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the
consideration for the issue of the Securities.

17.      Authentication

                  This Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory
of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent acting on its behalf) manually signs
the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Security.

18.      Abbreviations

                  Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or
an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the
entirety), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants
in common), CUST (=custodian) and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

19.      CUSIP Numbers

                  Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on
Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers
to be printed on the Securities and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP
numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation
is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as

                                       8
<PAGE>

printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and
reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

20.      Governing Law

                  THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                  The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request
and without charge to the Holder a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made
to:

                        Hanover Compressor Company
                        12001 North Houston Rosslyn
                        Houston, Texas  77086
                        Attention:  Treasurer

                                       9
<PAGE>

                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM

                To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

                  I or we assign and transfer this Security to

              (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

                  (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

         and irrevocably appoint ____________ agent to transfer this Security on
         the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for
         him.

________________________________________________________________________________

Date:____________________           Your Signature:___________________

Signature Guarantee:__________________________________________
                         (Signature must be guaranteed)
________________________________________________________________________________
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.

The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution
(banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with
membership in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such
other signature guarantee medallion program as may be approved by the Security
Registrar in addition to or substitution for, STAMP), pursuant to S.E.C. Rule
17Ad-15.

                                       10
<PAGE>

              SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY

                  The following increases or decreases in this Global Security
have been made:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Amount of decrease in Principal  Amount of increase in Principal
Date of Exchange  Amount of this Global Security    Amount of this Global Security
----------------  ------------------------------   ------------------------------
<S>               <C>                              <C>
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Principal Amount of this Global
Security following such decrease or    Signature of authorized signatory of
             increase                        Trustee or Notes Custodian
-----------------------------------    ---------------------------------------
<C>                                    <C>
</TABLE>

                                       11
<PAGE>

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

                  If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the
Company pursuant to Section 710 or 711 of the Supplemental Indenture, check the
box:
                                      [ ]

                  If you want to elect to have only part of this Security
purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 710 or 711 of the Supplemental
Indenture, state the amount in principal amount (must be integral multiple of
$1,000):

$______________________

Date:______________   Your Signature ___________________________________________
                                     (Sign exactly as your name appears on the
                                           other side of the Security)

Signature Guarantee: _______________________________________
                         (Signature must be guaranteed)

The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution
(banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions) with
membership in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such
other signature guarantee medallion program as may be approved by the Security
Registrar in addition to or substitution for STAMP, pursuant to S.E.C. Rule
17Ad-15.

                                       12