<PAGE>
 
   
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON COMMISSION ON NOVEMBER
                                 22, 1996     
                                                   
                                                REGISTRATION NO. 333-16231     
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                                   FORM S-3
                            
                         PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT     
                                     
                                  NO. 1     
                                       
                                    TO     
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                       NUEVO ENERGY COMPANY     DELAWARE

                        NUEVO FINANCING I       DELAWARE

        (Exact name of registrant as     (State or other jurisdiction of
         specified in its charter)       incorporation or organization)

                                    76-0304436

                               TO BE APPLIED FOR

                                (I.R.S. Employer
                              Identification No.)

                 1331 LAMAR, SUITE 1650, HOUSTON, TEXAS  77010
                           TELEPHONE: (713) 652-0706
          (Address, including zip code, and telephone number including
            area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                                 ROBERT M. KING
                 1331 LAMAR, SUITE 1650, HOUSTON, TEXAS  77010
                           TELEPHONE: (713) 652-0706
            (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number
                   including area code, of agent for service)

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

                                    Copy to:
                            BUTLER & BINION, L.L.P.
                           
                        1000 LOUISIANA, SUITE 1600     
                             HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002
                        ATTN: GEORGE G. YOUNG III, ESQ.
                           TELEPHONE: (713) 237-3111
                           TELECOPY: (713) 237-3202
 
  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO PUBLIC: FROM TIME TO
TIME AFTER THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.
 
  If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the
following box: [_]
 
  If any securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: [X]
 
  If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [_]
 
  If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_]
 
  If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [_]
       
  THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
 
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+                                                                              +
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A         +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE   +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY  +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT        +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR   +
+THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE      +
+SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE    +
+UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF  +
+ANY SUCH STATE.                                                               +
+                                                                              +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                  
               Subject to Completion Dated November 22, 1996     
 
PROSPECTUS
   
NUEVO ENERGY COMPANY     
 
Debt Securities, Preferred Stock,
Common Stock and Warrants
   
NUEVO FINANCING I     
 
Trust Preferred Securities Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by Nuevo Energy
Company
   
Nuevo Energy Company ("Nuevo" or the "Company") may offer and issue from time
to time, together or separately, (i) its debt securities (the "Debt
Securities"), which may be senior or senior subordinated debt securities (the
"Senior Debt Securities") or subordinated debt securities (the "Subordinated
Debt Securities"), consisting of notes, debentures or other secured or
unsecured evidences of indebtedness in one or more series; (ii) its preferred
shares, $1.00 par value per share (the "Preferred Stock"); and (iii) warrants
to purchase Debt Securities or Preferred Stock or any combination thereof, as
shall be designated by the Company at the time of the offering (the "Warrants")
in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of the
offering. Any shares of its common stock, $.01 par value per share ("Common
Stock"), issued by Nuevo hereunder will be issued only upon conversion of, or
in exchange for, other securities, and no Common Stock will be issued by Nuevo
in a primary offering. Certain Selling Stockholders identified under "Selling
Stockholders" herein may sell up to 2,138,605 shares of Common Stock, in
amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of the offering.
       
Nuevo Financing I (the "Nuevo Trust"), a statutory business trust created under
the laws of the State of Delaware, may offer, from time to time, preferred
securities, representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the
Nuevo Trust ("Trust Preferred Securities"). Trust Preferred Securities may also
be issuable upon exchange for shares of Preferred Stock issued by the Company.
The payment of periodic cash distributions ("distributions") with respect to
Trust Preferred Securities out of moneys held by the Nuevo Trust, and payment
on liquidation, redemption or otherwise with respect to such Trust Preferred
Securities, will be guaranteed by the Company to the extent described herein
(the "Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee"). See "Description Of Trust
Preferred Securities Guarantee." The Company's obligations under the Trust
Preferred Securities Guarantee will be subordinate and junior in right to all
other liabilities of the Company and rank pari passu with the most senior
preferred stock, if any, issued from time to time by the Company. A series of
Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued and sold to the Nuevo Trust, or a
trustee of the Nuevo Trust, in connection with the investment of the proceeds
from the offering of Trust Preferred Securities and Trust Common Securities (as
defined herein, together the "Trust Securities") of the Nuevo Trust. The
Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by the Nuevo Trust may be subsequently
distributed pro rata to holders of Trust Preferred Securities and Trust Common
Securities in connection with the dissolution of the Nuevo Trust upon the
occurrence of certain events as may be described in an accompanying supplement
to this Prospectus (a "Prospectus Supplement"). The Trust Preferred Securities
Guarantee, when taken together with the Company's other obligations under the
Subordinated Debt Securities, the Indenture related thereto and the Declaration
(as defined below), including its obligations to pay costs, expenses, debts and
liabilities of the Nuevo Trust (other than with respect to the Trust
Securities), will provide a full and unconditional guarantee on a subordinated
basis by the Company of payments due on the Trust Preferred Securities. The
Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Warrants, Trust Preferred
Securities and Trust Preferred Securities Guarantees are collectively called
the "Securities."     
   
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED ON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.     
 
    , 1996
<PAGE>
 
   
The Securities to be sold by the Company and/or the Nuevo Trust may be offered
as separate series or issuances at an aggregate initial public offering price
not to exceed $150,000,000 or, if applicable, the equivalent thereof in one or
more foreign currencies, currency units, composite currencies or in amounts
determined by reference to an index as shall be designated by the Company, in
amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined in light of market conditions
at the time of sale and set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The
Prospectus Supplement relating to any series of Securities will contain
information concerning United States federal income tax considerations, if
applicable.     
   
Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the Senior Debt
Securities, when issued, will be unsecured and will rank on a parity with all
other unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company or, alternatively, will rank
on a parity with all other senior subordinated indebtedness of the Company. The
Subordinated Debt Securities, when issued, will be subordinated in right of
payment to all Senior Indebtedness (as hereinafter defined) of the Company
including any Senior Debt Securities. If the Debt Securities are secured, the
security, which may consist of oil and gas properties or other assets owned by
the Company, and any related mortgage will be described in the Prospectus
Supplement.     
   
Certain specific terms of the particular Securities in respect of which this
Prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, including, where applicable, (i) in the case of Debt Securities,
the title, aggregate principal amount, denominations, maturity, subordination
terms, if any, any interest rate (which may be fixed or variable) and time of
payment of any interest, the right of the Company, if any, to defer payment of
interest on the Debt Securities and the maximum length of such deferral period,
any terms for redemption at the option of the Company or the holder, any terms
for sinking fund payments, any terms for conversion or exchange into other
Securities, currency or currencies of denomination and payment, if other than
U.S. dollars, any security applicable to Debt Securities which are secured, any
listing on a securities exchange and any other terms in connection with the
offering and sale of the Debt Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is
delivered, as well as the initial public offering price; (ii) in the case of
Trust Preferred Securities, the designation and number, liquidation preference
per Trust Preferred Security, initial public offering price, any listing on a
securities exchange, distribution rate (or method of calculation thereof),
dates on which distributions shall be payable and dates from which
distributions shall accrue, any voting rights, terms for any conversion or
exchange into other Securities, any redemption, exchange or sinking fund
provisions, any other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or
restrictions relating to the Trust Preferred Securities and the terms upon
which the proceeds of the sale of the Trust Preferred Securities shall be used
to purchase a specific series of Subordinated Debt Securities of the Company,
(iii) in the case of Preferred Stock, the specific title, the aggregate amount,
any dividend (including the method of calculating payment of dividends),
seniority, liquidation, redemption, voting and other rights, any terms for any
conversion or exchange into other Securities, including Trust Preferred
Securities, any listing on a securities exchange, the initial public offering
price and any other terms; and (iv) in the case of Common Stock, the number of
shares of Common Stock, the identity of the Selling Stockholder and the terms
of offering thereof.     
   
The Company's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the
"New York Stock Exchange") under the symbol "NEV." Any Common Stock sold by a
Selling Stockholder pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement will be listed on such
exchange. Any shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of any Trust
Preferred Securities, Debt Securities or Preferred Stock will also be listed on
such exchange, subject to official notice of issuance.     
   
The Company, the Selling Stockholders and/or the Nuevo Trust may sell the
Securities directly, through agents, underwriters or dealers as designated from
time to time, or through a combination of such methods. See "Plan Of
Distribution." If agents of the Company, the Selling Stockholders and/or the
Nuevo Trust or any dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of the
Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered, the names of
such agents, dealers or underwriters and any applicable commissions or
discounts will be set forth in or may be calculated from the Prospectus
Supplement with respect to such Securities. The net proceeds to the Company
from such sale also will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
       
This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of Securities unless
accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.     
   
IN CONNECTION WITH AN UNDERWRITTEN OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS FOR SUCH OFFERING
MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET
PRICE OF THE SECURITIES AT LEVELS ABOVE THOSE WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN
THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK
EXCHANGE, THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF
COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.     
   
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations other than those contained in this Prospectus, any accompanying
Prospectus Supplement or the documents incorporated or deemed incorporated by
reference herein, and, if given or made, such information or representations
must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company, the Nuevo
Trust or by any underwriter, agent or dealer. This Prospectus and any
Prospectus Supplement shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation
of an offer to buy any of the Securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction to
any person     
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.
Neither the delivery of this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement nor any
sale made thereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication
that the information therein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date
thereof.
                              
                           AVAILABLE INFORMATION     
   
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Ex-
change Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance there-
with files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements and
other information can be inspected and copied at the public reference facili-
ties maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, and at the Commission's regional offices located at Citicorp Center, 500
West Madison, 14th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and Seven World Trade Center,
13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material can be obtained
from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. Such material may also be accessed
electronically by means of the Commission's home page on the Internet at
http://www.sec.gov. The Company's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange. Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Com-
pany can be inspected and copied at the offices of The New York Stock Exchange,
Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.     
   
The Company and the Nuevo Trust have filed a registration statement on Form S-3
(together with all amendments thereto, the "Registration Statement") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). This Prospectus does
not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement,
certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations
of the Commission. For further information, reference is made to the Registra-
tion Statement and the exhibits filed as part thereof. Statements contained
herein are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Registration State-
ment and such exhibits.     
   
No separate financial statements of the Nuevo Trust have been included herein.
The Company does not consider that such financial statements would be material
to holders of the Trust Preferred Securities because (i) all of the voting se-
curities of the Nuevo Trust will be owned, directly or indirectly, by the Com-
pany, a reporting company under the Exchange Act, (ii) the Nuevo Trust has no
independent operations but exists for the sole purpose of issuing securities
representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Nuevo Trust
and investing the proceeds thereof in Subordinated Debt Securities issued by
the Company, and (iii) the Company's obligations described herein and in any
accompanying Prospectus Supplement under the Declaration of the Nuevo Trust,
the guarantee issued with respect to Trust Preferred Securities issued by the
Nuevo Trust, the Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by the Nuevo Trust and
the related Indenture, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional
guarantee of payments due on the Trust Preferred Securities. See "Description
Of Debt Securities" and "Description Of Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee."
       
The Nuevo Trust is not currently subject to the information reporting
requirements of the Exchange Act. The Nuevo Trust will become subject to such
requirements upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, although it
intends to seek and expects to receive exemptions therefrom.     
                 
              INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE     
   
The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1995; the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters
ended March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996, and September 30, 1996, respectively; the
Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 9, 1996, as amended; the
description of the Common Stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form
8-A declared effective by the Commission on May 15, 1990; and all other
documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act (File No. 1-10537) subsequent to the date of this
Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities are
incorporated herein by reference. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.     
   
The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this
Prospectus is delivered, upon the request of any such person, a copy of all of
the documents which are incorporated herein by reference, other than exhibits
to such documents (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by
reference into such documents). Requests should be directed to Nuevo Energy
Company, 1331 Lamar, Suite 1650, Houston, Texas 77010, Attention: Corporate
Secretary, telephone number (713) 652-0706.     
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                                   
                                THE COMPANY     
   
Nuevo is a Houston, Texas based company engaged in the exploitation,
exploration and acquisition of crude oil and natural gas properties. The
Company's properties are located domestically onshore and offshore California,
in East Texas and the onshore Gulf Coast region, and internationally in waters
offshore the Republic of Congo.     
                                 
                              THE NUEVO TRUST     
   
Nuevo Financing I is a statutory business trust created under Delaware law
pursuant to (i) a separate trust agreement (as amended, the "Declaration")
executed by the Company, as sponsor for the trust (the "Sponsor") and certain
of the Nuevo Trustees (as defined herein) for the trust and (ii) the filing of
a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State on November 15,
1996. The Nuevo Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing the
Trust Preferred Securities and common securities representing undivided
beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust (the "Trust Common Securities"
and, together with the Trust Preferred Securities, the "Trust Securities"),
(ii) investing the gross proceeds of the Trust Securities in a specific series
of Subordinated Debt Securities and (iii) engaging in only those other
activities necessary or incidental thereto. All of the Trust Common Securities
will be directly or indirectly owned by the Company. The Trust Common
Securities will rank pari passu, and payments will be made thereon pro rata,
with the Trust Preferred Securities except that upon an event of default under
the Declaration, the rights of the holders of the Trust Common Securities to
payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption
and otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the Trust
Preferred Securities. The Company will, directly or indirectly, acquire Trust
Common Securities in an aggregate liquidation amount equal to 3% of the total
capital of the Nuevo Trust. The Nuevo Trust has a term of approximately 35
years, but may earlier terminate as provided in the Declaration. The Nuevo
Trust's business and affairs will be conducted by the trustees (the "Nuevo
Trustees") appointed by the Company, as the direct or indirect holder of all
the Trust Common Securities. Except in certain limited circumstances, the
holder of the Trust Common Securities will be entitled to appoint, remove or
replace any of, or increase or reduce the number of, the Nuevo Trustees. The
duties and obligations of the Nuevo Trustees shall be governed by the
Declaration of the Nuevo Trust. A majority of the Nuevo Trustees (the "Regular
Trustees") will be persons who are employees or officers of or affiliated with
the Company. One Nuevo Trustee will be a financial institution which will be
unaffiliated with the Company and which shall act as property trustee and as
indenture trustee for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended
(the "Trust Indenture Act"), pursuant to the terms set forth in a Prospectus
Supplement (the "Property Trustee"). In addition, unless the Property Trustee
maintains a principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise
meets the requirements of applicable law, one Nuevo Trustee will have its
principal place of business or reside in the State of Delaware (the "Delaware
Trustee"). The Company will pay all fees and expenses related to the Nuevo
Trust and the offering of Trust Securities. The payment of periodic
distributions with respect to the Trust Preferred Securities out of moneys held
by the Nuevo Trust, and payment on liquidation, redemption or otherwise with
respect to the Trust Preferred Securities, will be guaranteed by the Company to
the extent described herein. See "Description Of Trust Preferred Securities
Guarantee." The Company's obligations under the Trust Preferred Securities
Guarantee will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other
liabilities of the Company and rank pari passu with the most senior preferred
shares, if any, issued from time to time by the Company. The office of the
Delaware Trustee for the Nuevo Trust in the State of Delaware is c/o Wilmington
Trust Company, Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington,
Delaware 19890-0001. The principal place of business of the Nuevo Trust shall
be c/o Nuevo Energy Company, 1331 Lamar, Suite 1650, Houston, Texas 77010.     
                                 
                              USE OF PROCEEDS     
   
Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, proceeds
from the sale of the Securities sold by the Company will be used by the Company
for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of existing
indebtedness. Proceeds from the sale of Securities initially may be temporarily
invested in short-term securities.     
   
The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of any Common Stock by
a Selling Stockholder.     
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
              
           RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND OF EARNINGS     
            
         TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS     
   
The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the
Company for the periods indicated:     
 
                                                     --------------------------
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                YEAR ENDED
                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                              -------------- NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                              1993 1994 1995 SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                              ---- ---- ---- ------------------
<S>                                           <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(a)........ 2.2   --  1.9         2.3
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and
 preferred stock dividends(b)................ 2.0   --  1.8         2.2
</TABLE>    
   
(a) For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, "earn-
    ings" are consolidated earnings (loss) from continuing operations before
    tax, exclusive of the period's undistributed equity earnings of affiliated
    companies, plus fixed charges. Fixed charges are comprised of interest on
    indebtedness, amortization of debt issuance costs and that portion of op-
    erating lease expense which is deemed to be representative of an interest
    factor. Earnings were insufficient by $27.2 million to cover fixed charges
    for the year ended December 31, 1994.     
(b) In calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock
    dividends, fixed charges includes preferred stock dividend requirements.
                         
                      DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES     
   
The Senior Debt Securities will be issued under an indenture (the "Senior
Indenture") between the Company and a trustee (the "Senior Indenture
Trustee"); and the Subordinated Debt Securities are to be issued under a
subordinated indenture ("Subordinated Indenture") between the Company and
Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (the "Subordinated Indenture Trustee").
The Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture are sometimes referred to
herein collectively as the "Indentures" or, individually, as an "Indenture."
The form of the Subordinated Indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part or incorporated
therein by reference. The form of Senior Indenture will be incorporated into
the Registration Statement by reference. Unless otherwise provided, all
references to Sections of an Indenture herein are references to such Section
in the Subordinated Indenture. The Senior Indenture will permit the Company
and the Senior Indenture Trustee, and the Subordinated Indenture permits the
Company and the Subordinated Indenture Trustee, to enter into a Supplemental
Indenture to provide for the appointment of another qualifying bank or trust
company to act as trustee with respect to a series of Senior Debt Securities
or Subordinated Debt Securities, respectively. Any such bank or trust company
so appointed will be identified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the
particular Debt Securities offered thereby (the "Offered Debt Securities").
The Senior Indenture Trustee and the Subordinated Indenture Trustee, as well
as any such other bank or trust company as shall have been appointed to act
with respect to a series of Offered Debt Securities, are sometimes referred to
herein collectively as the "Trustees" or individually as a "Trustee."     
   
The Debt Securities will represent unsecured general obligations of the
Company, unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement, with the
relative rankings indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.     
   
The following summaries of certain provisions of the Debt Securities and the
Indentures do not purport to be complete and are subject to and are qualified
in their entirety by reference to all the provisions of the Indenture
applicable to a particular series of Offered Debt Securities (the "Applicable
Indenture"), including the definitions of certain terms therein. Wherever
particular Sections, Articles or defined terms of the Applicable Indenture are
referred to, it is intended that such Sections, Articles or defined terms
shall be incorporated herein by reference. Article and Section references used
herein are references to the Applicable Indenture or the Indentures, as the
case may be. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the
respective meanings given to them in the Applicable Indenture.     
   
In the event Subordinated Debt Securities are issued to the Nuevo Trust or a
trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by
the Nuevo Trust, such Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to
the Subordinated Indenture and subsequently may be distributed pro rata to the
holders of such Trust Securities in connection with the dissolution of the
Nuevo Trust upon the occurrence of certain events described in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to such Trust Securities. Only one series of Subordinated
Debt Securities will be issued to the Nuevo Trust or a trustee of such trust
in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by the Nuevo Trust.     
   
The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of
the Debt Securities to which any Prospectus Supplement may relate. The
particular terms of the Offered Debt Securities and the extent, if any, to
which such general provisions may not apply to the Offered Debt Securities
will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Offered Debt
Securities.     
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
GENERAL
   
The Indentures will not limit the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities
that may be issued thereunder and provide that Debt Securities may be issued
thereunder from time to time in one or more series. Reference is made to the
Prospectus Supplement relating to the Offered Debt Securities, which shall set
forth the following terms, as applicable, of the Offered Debt Securities: (1)
the title of the Offered Debt Securities; (2) any limit on the aggregate
principal amount of the Offered Debt Securities; (3) the price (expressed as a
percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which the Offered Debt
Securities will be issued; (4) the Person to whom any interest on the Offered
Debt Securities will be payable, if other than the Person in whose name such
Offered Debt Securities (or one or more Predecessor Securities) are registered
on any Regular Record Date; (5) the date or dates on which the principal of the
Offered Debt Securities will be payable; (6) the rate or rates per annum (which
may be fixed, floating or adjustable) at which the Offered Debt Securities will
bear interest, if any, or the formula pursuant to which such rate or rates
shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest will accrue and
the dates on which such interest, if any, will be payable and the Regular
Record Dates for such interest payment dates; (7) the place or places where
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Offered Debt
Securities will be payable; (8) if applicable, the price at which, the periods
within which and the terms and conditions upon which the Offered Debt
Securities may be redeemed at the option of the Company, pursuant to a sinking
fund or otherwise; (9) if applicable, any obligation of the Company to redeem
or purchase Offered Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous
provisions or at the option of a holder thereof (each, a "Holder"), and the
period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and
conditions upon which the Offered Debt Securities will be redeemed or
purchased, in whole or in part; (10) if other than denominations of $1,000 and
any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Offered Debt
Securities will be issuable; (11) the currency or currencies, including
composite currencies or currency units, in which payment of the principal of
(or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any of the Offered Debt Securities
will be payable if other than the currency of the United States of America;
(12) if the amount of payments of principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest, if any, on the Offered Debt Securities may be determined with
reference to one or more indices, the manner in which such amounts will be
determined; (13) if the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any,
on any of the Offered Debt Securities of the series is to be payable, at the
election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in one or more currencies,
including composite currencies, or currency units other than that or those in
which the Offered Debt Securities are stated to be payable, the currency,
currencies, including composite currencies, or currency units in which payment
of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on Offered Debt
Securities of such series as to which such election is made will be payable,
and the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such
election is to be made; (14) the portion of the principal amount of the Offered
Debt Securities, if other than the entire principal amount thereof, payable
upon acceleration of maturity thereof; (15) whether all or any part of the
Offered Debt Securities will be issued in the form of a permanent Global
Security or Securities, as described under "Permanent Global Securities," and,
if so, the depositary for, and other terms relating to, such permanent Global
Security or Securities; (16) any event or events of default applicable with
respect to the Offered Debt Securities in addition to those provided in the
Applicable Indenture; (17) any other covenant or warranty included for the
benefit of the Offered Debt Securities in addition to (and not inconsistent
with) those included in the Indentures for the benefit of Debt Securities of
all series, or any other covenant or warranty included for the benefit of the
Offered Debt Securities in lieu of any covenant or warranty included in the
Indenture for the benefit of Offered Debt Securities, or any combination of
such covenants, warranties or provisions; (18) any restriction or condition on
the transferability of the Offered Debt Securities; (19) if applicable, that
such Offered Debt Securities, in whole or any specified part, are defeasible
pursuant to the provisions of the Applicable Indenture described under
"Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance"; (20) any authenticating or paying agents,
registrars, conversion agents or any other agents with respect to the Offered
Debt Securities; (21) designation (including whether the Offered Debt
Securities are senior debt, senior subordinated debt or subordinated debt and
whether such debt is convertible); (22) the terms, if any, on which such
Offered Debt Securities will be subordinate to other debt of the Company; (23)
any rights of the Holders thereof to convert such Offered Debt Securities into
other securities or property of the Company; and (24) any other specific terms
or provisions of the Offered Debt Securities not inconsistent with the
Applicable Indenture. (Section 301)     
   
Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, the
Offered Debt Securities are to be issued as registered securities without
coupons in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000. (Section
302). No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of such
Offered Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection
therewith. (Section 305)     
   
Debt Securities may be issued under the Indentures as Original Issue Discount
Debt Securities to be offered and sold at a substantial discount below their
stated principal amount. Special Federal income tax, accounting and other
considerations applicable thereto will be described in the Prospectus
Supplement relating thereto. "Original Issue Discount Debt Security" means any
security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to
be due and payable upon the declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof
upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default. (Section 101)     
 
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
   
If the Debt Securities are denominated in whole or in part in any currency
other than United States dollars, if the principal of (and premium, if any) or
interest, if any, on the Debt Securities is to be payable, at the election of
the Company or a Holder thereof, in a currency or currencies other than that in
which such Debt Securities are to be payable, or if any index is used to
determine the amount of payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest
on any series of the Debt Securities, special Federal income tax, accounting
and other considerations applicable thereto will be described in the Prospectus
Supplement relating thereto.     
 
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
   
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of
interest on a Debt Security on any Interest Payment Date will be made to the
Person in whose name such Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Debt
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest payment. (Section 307)     
   
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, principal
of and any premium and interest on the Debt Securities of a particular series
will be payable at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as the
Company may designate for such purpose from time to time, except that, at the
option of the Company, payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to
the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address appears in the
Security Register. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, the corporate trust office of the applicable Trustee in New York,
New York will be designated as the Company's sole Paying Agent for payments
with respect to Debt Securities of each series.     
   
Any other Paying Agents initially designated by the Company for the Debt
Securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. The Company may at any time designate additional Paying Agents or
rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or approve a change in the office
through which any Paying Agent acts, except that the Company will be required
to maintain a Paying Agent in each place of payment for the Debt Securities of
a particular series. (Section 1002)     
   
All moneys paid by the Company to a Paying Agent for the payment of the
principal of or any premium or interest on any Debt Security which remain
unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has
become due and payable will be repaid to the Company, and the Holder of such
Debt Security thereafter may look only to the Company for payment thereof.
(Section 1003)     
 
SUBORDINATION OF SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
   
Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the following
provisions will apply to the Subordinated Debt Securities.     
   
The Subordinated Debt Securities will, to the extent set forth in the
Subordinated Indenture, be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment
in full of all Senior Indebtedness. Upon any payment or distribution of assets
to creditors upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization,
assignment for the benefit of creditors, marshaling of assets or any
bankruptcy, insolvency, debt restructuring or similar proceedings in connection
with any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding of the Company the holders of
Senior Indebtedness will first be entitled to receive payment in full of
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Senior
Indebtedness before the holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities will be
entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect of the principal of (and
premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Subordinated Debt Securities.
(Section 1502)     
   
By reason of such subordination, in the event of liquidation or insolvency,
Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities may recover less, ratably, than holders
of Senior Indebtedness and holders of Senior Indebtedness may recover more,
ratably, than the holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities. With respect to
any series of Subordinated Debt Securities, Senior Indebtedness may include
Indebtedness ("Senior Subordinated Indebtedness") which is senior to such
Subordinated Debt Securities and subordinated to other Senior Indebtedness and
obligations of the Company.     
   
In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any Subordinated Debt
Securities, the holders of all Senior Indebtedness (including any Senior
Subordinated Indebtedness) outstanding at the time of such acceleration will
first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due thereon before
the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities will be entitled to receive any
payment upon the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the
Subordinated Debt Securities. (Section 1503)     
   
No payments on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any,
in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities may be made if there shall have
occurred and be continuing (i) a default in the payment of principal of (or
premium, if any) or interest on Senior Indebtedness, (ii) an event of default
with respect to any Senior Indebtedness resulting in the acceleration of the
maturity thereof, or (iii) any other event of default permitting the holders of
Senior Indebtedness to accelerate the maturity or demand payment in full.
(Section 1504)     
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
   
The Subordinated Indenture does not limit or prohibit the incurrence of
additional Senior Indebtedness, which may include Senior Subordinated
Indebtedness.     
   
The applicable Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions, if
any, applicable to the subordination of the Subordinated Debt Securities of a
particular series. If the Senior Debt Securities are issued on a senior
subordinated basis, the applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the
related subordination provisions. All Senior Debt Securities, whether issued on
a senior or senior subordinated basis, will be senior in right of payment to
each series of Subordinated Debt Securities.     
   
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY     
 
Restrictions on Merger and Sale of Assets
   
Each Indenture will provide that the Company may not consolidate with or merge
into any other Person or sell, lease or otherwise transfer its property and
assets as, or substantially as, an entirety to any Person, and the Company may
not permit any Person to merge into or consolidate with the Company unless (i)
either (A) the Company will be the resulting or surviving entity or (B) any
successor or purchaser is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company
or trust organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State or
the District of Columbia, and any such successor or purchaser expressly assumes
the Company's obligations on the Debt Securities under a supplemental
indenture; (ii) immediately after giving effect to the transaction no Event of
Default, and no event which after notice or lapse of time or both would become
an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and (iii) certain
other conditions are met. (Section 801). Upon any consolidation or merger into
any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the Company's assets
as, or substantially as, an entirety to any Person, the successor Person shall
succeed to, and be substituted for, the Company under the Indenture, and the
Company, except in the case of a lease, shall be relieved of all obligations
and covenants under the Indenture and the Debt Securities to the extent it was
the predecessor Person. (Section 802)     
 
Conversion Rights
   
The terms and conditions, if any, upon which Debt Securities are convertible
into Common Stock, Preferred Stock or other securities of the Company will be
set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Such terms
will include the conversion price (or manner of calculation thereof), the
conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be at the option of
the Holders or the Company, the events requiring an adjustment of the
conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event of redemption
of such Debt Securities.     
 
Events Of Default And Notice Thereof
   
Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a
particular series of Debt Securities, the following events are defined in the
Indentures as "Events of Default" with respect to Debt Securities of any
series: (a) failure to pay principal (including any sinking fund payment) of
(or premium, if any, on) any Debt Security of that series when due; (b) failure
to pay any interest on any Debt Security of that series when due, continued for
30 days; (c) failure to perform any other covenant or agreement of the Company
under the Applicable Indenture (other than a covenant the performance of which
is dealt with specifically elsewhere in the Applicable Indenture or which has
been included in the Applicable Indenture solely for the benefit of a series of
Debt Securities other than that series), continued for 60 days after written
notice as provided in the Applicable Indenture; (d) certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; (e) in the event Subordinated Debt
Securities are issued to the Nuevo Trust or a trustee of such trust in
connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by the Nuevo Trust, the
voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Nuevo
Trust, except in connection with the distribution of Subordinated Debt
Securities to the holders of Trust Securities in liquidation of the Nuevo
Trust, the redemption of all of the Trust Securities of the Nuevo Trust, or
certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the
Declaration of the Nuevo Trust; and (f) any other Event of Default provided
with respect to Debt Securities of that series. (Section 501)     
   
Except as defined in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, no Event of
Default with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series shall
necessarily constitute an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of
any other series. (Section 501) The Holders of a majority in principal amount
of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series shall have the right, subject
to such provisions for indemnification of the Trustee, to direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Trustee under the Applicable Indenture or exercising any trust or power
conferred on the Trustee with respect to Debt Securities of that series.
(Section 512)     
   
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (d)
of the second preceding paragraph) with respect to Debt Securities of any
series at the time Outstanding shall occur and be continuing, either the
Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding
Debt Securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to the Company (and
to the     
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
Trustee if given by the Holders), declare the principal amount (or, if the Debt
Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion
of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all
Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately; provided,
however, that under certain circumstances the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may
rescind or annul such declaration and its consequences. (Section 502). If an
Event of Default specified in clause (d) of the next preceding paragraph
occurs, the outstanding Debt Securities automatically will become immediately
payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any
Holder. (Section 502). For information as to waiver of defaults, see
"Modification and Waiver" herein.
   
Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to any series of
Offered Debt Securities which are Original Issue Discount Securities for the
particular provisions relating to the principal amount of such Original Issue
Discount Securities due on acceleration upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default and the continuation thereof.     
   
No Holder of a Debt Security of any series will have any right to institute any
proceeding with respect to the Applicable Indenture or for any remedy
thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given to the applicable
Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to Debt
Securities of that series and unless also the Holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of the same series shall
have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity to the applicable
Trustee, to institute such proceeding as trustee, and the applicable Trustee
shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of the same series a direction
inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such
proceeding within 60 days. (Section 507). However, such limitations do not
apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of any Debt Security for enforcement of
payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on such
Debt Security on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debt
Security. (Section 508)     
   
Subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee will be under
no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Applicable
Indenture at the request of any of the Holders of Debt Securities unless they
shall have offered to the applicable Trustee security or indemnity in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to such Trustee against the costs, expenses
and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request.
(Section 603)     
   
The Company will be required to furnish to each Trustee annually a statement by
certain officers of the Company as to whether the Company is in default in the
performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of
the Applicable Indenture. (Section 1004)     
   
Notwithstanding anything in the Indentures to the contrary, the right of any
Holder of a Debt Security to receive payment of the principal of (or premium,
if any) and interest on such Debt Security, on and after the respective due
dates expressed in such Debt Security (as the same may be extended in
accordance with the terms of such Debt Security) or to institute suit for the
enforcement of any such payment shall not be impaired or affected without the
consent of such Holder, including, in the case of a Subordinated Debt Security
issued to the Nuevo Trust, the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities. In
addition, in the case of a Subordinated Debt Security issued to the Nuevo
Trust, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is
attributable to the failure of the Company to pay interest or principal (or
premium, if any) then a holder of Trust Preferred Securities may directly
institute a proceeding against the Company for payment.     
 
Modification And Waiver
   
Each Indenture will provide that modifications and amendments of such Indenture
may be made by the Company and the applicable Trustee, with the consent of the
Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of each series of the
Outstanding Debt Securities under such Indenture affected by the modification
or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may,
without the consent of the Holder of each such Outstanding Debt Security
affected thereby: (a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or
premium, if any) or any installment of principal or interest, if any, on any
such Debt Security; (b) reduce the principal amount of (or premium, if any) or
the interest rate, if any, on any such Debt Security or the principal amount
due upon acceleration of an Original Issue Discount Security; (c) adversely
affect any right of repayment at the option of the Holder of any such Debt
Security; (d) reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment
of any sinking fund or analogous obligation; (e) change the place or currency
of payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or the interest, if any, on any
such Debt Security; (f) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement
of any such payment on or with respect to any such Debt Security on or after
the Stated Maturity (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption
Date); (g) reduce the percentage of the aggregate principal amount of
Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, the consent of the Holders of which
is necessary to modify or amend the Applicable Indenture; or (h) modify the
foregoing requirements or reduce the percentage of Outstanding Debt Securities
necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of the Applicable
Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults. (Section 902)     
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
   
The Holders of at least a majority of the principal amount of the Outstanding
Debt Securities of any series may, on behalf of all Holders of that series,
waive compliance by the Company with certain restrictive provisions of the
Applicable Indenture and waive any past default under such Indenture, except a
default in the payment of principal, premium or interest or in the performance
of certain covenants. (Sections 1008 and 513)     
   
If the Nuevo Trust or the Property Trustee of the Nuevo Trust holds a series of
Subordinated Debt Securities no such amendment, modification or waiver which
requires the approval of the Holders of a certain percentage in principal
amount of such series of Subordinated Debt Securities shall be effective
without the approval of the holders of the same percentage of aggregate
liquidation preference of Trust Preferred Securities.     
   
Each Indenture will provide that a supplemental indenture which changes or
eliminates any covenant or other provision of such Indenture which has
expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series
of Debt Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of such series
with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect
the rights under such Indenture of the Holders of Debt Securities of any other
series. (Section 902)     
   
Each Indenture will provide that modifications and amendments of such Indenture
may be made by the Company and the applicable Trustee, without the consent of
the Holders of any series of Debt Securities issued thereunder: (1) to evidence
the succession of another Person to the Company in accordance with the covenant
described under "Restrictions on Merger and Sale of Assets" and assumption by
any such successor of the covenants of the Company in such Indenture and in the
Debt Securities issued thereunder; (2) to add to the covenants of the Company
or to add any additional Events of Default; (3) to permit or facilitate the
issuance of Debt Securities in bearer form or to provide for uncertificated
Debt Securities to be issued thereunder; (4) to change or eliminate any
provision of such Indenture, provided that any such change or elimination shall
become effective only when there are no Debt Securities outstanding of any
series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which are
entitled to the benefit of such provision; (5) to secure any Debt Securities
issued thereunder; (6) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities issued
thereunder; (7) to evidence and provide for a successor trustee under such
Indenture with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities issued
thereunder or to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts
under such Indenture by more than one trustee; or (8) to cure any ambiguity, to
correct or supplement any provision in such Indenture that may be inconsistent
with any other provision of such Indenture or to make any other provisions with
respect to matters or questions arising under such Indenture, provided that
such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of any
series of Debt Securities issued thereunder. (Section 901)     
   
The Indentures will provide that in determining whether the Holders of the
requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series
have given or taken any direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action
under the Indenture as of any date, (i) the principal amount of an Original
Issue Discount Debt Security that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the
amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of such date
upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date; (ii) if, as of such
date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Debt Security is
not determinable (for example, because it is based on an index), the principal
amount of such Debt Security deemed to be Outstanding as of such date will be
an amount determined in the manner prescribed for such Debt Security; and (iii)
the principal amount of a Debt Security denominated in one or more foreign
currencies or currency units that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the
United States dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner
prescribed for such Debt Security, of the principal amount of such Debt
Security (or, in the case of a Debt Security described in clause (i) or (ii)
above, of the amount described in such clause). Certain Debt Securities,
including those for which payment or redemption money has been deposited or set
aside in trust for the Holders and those that have been fully defeased pursuant
to the Applicable Indenture, will not be deemed to be Outstanding. (Section
101) For purposes of the Indentures, the Debt Securities of any series
"Outstanding" thereunder will be deemed to exclude those held by Persons (other
than the Nuevo Trust if it has issued Trust Preferred Securities) that control,
are controlled by or are under common control with the Company; provided that
any Person who does not own, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of the
outstanding voting securities of the Company will not be deemed to control the
Company. (Section 101)     
   
Except in certain limited circumstances, the Company will be entitled to set
any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of
Outstanding Debt Securities of any series entitled to give or take any
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under the Indentures, in the
manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Applicable Indenture. In
certain limited circumstances, the Trustee will be entitled to set a record
date for action by Holders. If a record date is set for any action to be taken
by Holders of a particular series, such action may be taken only by persons who
are Holders of Outstanding Debt Securities of that series on the record date.
To be effective, such action must be taken by Holders of the requisite
principal amount of such Debt Securities within a specified period following
the record date. For any particular record date, this period will be 180 days
or such shorter period as may be specified by the Company (or the Trustee, if
it set the record date), and may be shortened or lengthened (but not beyond 180
days) from time to time. (Section 104)     
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
 
Defeasance And Covenant Defeasance
   
Each Indenture will provide, if such provision is made applicable to the Debt
Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301 of the Indentures (which will
be indicated in the Prospectus Supplement applicable thereto), that the Company
may elect either (A) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations
with respect to such Debt Securities then outstanding (except for the
obligations to exchange or register the transfer of such Debt Securities, to
replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, to
maintain an office or agency in respect of the Debt Securities, and to hold
monies for payments in trust) ("defeasance"), or (B) to be released from its
obligations with respect to such Debt Securities concerning the restrictions
described under "Restrictions on Merger and Sale of Assets" (Section 801) and
any other covenants applicable to such Debt Securities which are subject to
covenant defeasance ("covenant defeasance"), and the occurrence of an event
described and notice thereof in clause (c) under "Events of Default and Notice
Thereof" (with respect to covenants determined, pursuant to Section 301 of the
Indenture, to be subject to covenant defeasance) shall no longer be an Event of
Default, in each case, upon the irrevocable deposit with the applicable Trustee
(or other qualifying trustee), in trust for such purpose, of money, and/or U.S.
Government Obligations (as defined in the Indentures) which through the payment
of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in
an amount sufficient without reinvestment to pay the principal of (and premium,
if any) and interest, if any, on such Debt Securities, and any mandatory
sinking fund or analogous payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates
therefor. Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, (i) the
Company has delivered to the applicable Trustee an opinion of counsel (as
specified in the Applicable Indenture) to the effect that the Holders of such
Debt Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be
subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at
the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant
defeasance had not occurred, (ii) no Event of Default or event which with the
giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default
under the Indenture shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such
deposit or, insofar as Events of Default from bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization events are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the
91st day after such date of deposit and (iii) certain other customary
conditions precedent are satisfied. In the case of defeasance under clause (A)
above, the opinion of counsel referred to in clause (i) above must refer to and
be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service issued to the Company or
published as a revenue ruling or on a change in applicable federal income tax
law, in each case after the date of such Indenture. (Article Thirteen)     
   
The Company may exercise the defeasance option with respect to such Debt
Securities notwithstanding its prior exercise of the covenant defeasance
option. If the Company exercises the defeasance option, payment of such Debt
Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the
Company exercises the covenant defeasance option, payment of such Debt
Securities may not be accelerated by reference to the covenants noted under
clause (B) above. In the event the Company omits to comply with the remaining
obligations with respect to such Debt Securities under such Indenture after
exercising its covenant defeasance option and such Debt Securities are declared
due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the amount
of money and U.S. Government Obligations on deposit with the applicable Trustee
may be insufficient to pay amounts due on the Debt Securities of such series at
the time of the acceleration resulting from such Event of Default, because the
required deposit in the defeasance trust is based upon scheduled cash flows,
rather than market values, which will vary depending on prevailing interest
rates and other factors. However, the Company will remain liable in respect of
such payments. (Article Thirteen)     
   
The Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions, if any,
applicable to defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to the Debt
Securities of a particular series.     
 
Certain Definitions
   
Set forth below is a summary of certain of the defined terms used in the
Indentures. Reference is made to the Applicable Indenture with respect to any
particular series of Debt Securities for the full definition of all such terms,
as well as any other terms used herein for which no definition is provided.
(Section 101)     
   
"Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations, rights in or other equivalents in the equity
interests (however, designated) in such Person, any rights (other than debt
securities convertible into an equity interest), warrants or options
exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into such an equity interest
in such Person.     
   
"Capitalized Lease Obligation" means any obligation to pay rent or other
amounts under a lease of (or other agreement conveying the right to use) any
property (whether real, personal or mixed) that is required to be classified
and accounted for as a capital lease obligation under GAAP.     
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
 
   
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied,
that are set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting
Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and
statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in
such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant
segment of the accounting profession of the United States of America, which are
effective on the date of this Indenture.     
   
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, (a) all
liabilities of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase
price of property or services (excluding any trade accounts payable and other
accrued current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business), and
all liabilities of such Person incurred in connection with any letters of
credit, bankers' acceptances or other similar credit transactions or any
agreement to purchase, redeem, exchange, convert or otherwise acquire for value
any Capital Stock of such Person, or any warrants, rights or options to acquire
such Capital Stock outstanding on the date of the Indenture or thereafter, (b)
all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or other
similar instruments, (c) all Indebtedness of such Person created or arising
under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to
property acquired by such Person (even if the rights and remedies of the seller
or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to
repossession or sale of such property), but excluding trade accounts payable
arising in the ordinary course of business, (d) all Capitalized Lease
Obligations of such Person, (e) all Indebtedness referred to in the preceding
clauses of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons, the payment of
which is secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an
existing right to be secured by) any lien upon property (including, without
limitation, accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, even though
such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such
Indebtedness (the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of
the value of such property or asset or the amount of the obligation so
secured), (f) all guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness referred to in this
definition (including, with respect to any Production Payments and Reserve
Sales, any warranties or guaranties of production or payment by such Person
with respect to such Production Payments and Reserve Sales but excluding other
contractual obligations of such Person with respect to such Production Payments
and Reserve Sales ), (g) all Redeemable Capital Stock of such Person valued at
the greater of its voluntary or involuntary maximum fixed repurchase price plus
accrued dividends and (h) all obligations of such Person under or in respect of
currency exchange contracts, oil or natural gas price hedging arrangements and
Interest Rate Protection Obligations. For purposes hereof, the "maximum fixed
repurchase price" of any Redeemable Capital Stock which does not have a fixed
repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such
Redeemable Capital Stock as if such Redeemable Capital Stock were purchased on
any date on which Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to
the Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the fair market
value of such Redeemable Capital Stock, such fair market value shall be
determined in good faith by the board of directors of the issuer of such
Redeemable Capital Stock; provided, however, that if such Redeemable Capital
Stock is not at the date of determination permitted or required to be
repurchased, the "maximum fixed repurchase price" shall be the book value of
such Redeemable Capital Stock. Subject to clause (f) of the first sentence of
this definition, Production Payments and Reserve Sales shall not be deemed
Indebtedness.     
   
"Interest Rate Protection Obligations" means the obligations of any Person
pursuant to any arrangement with any other Person whereby, directly or
indirectly, such Person is entitled to receive from time to time periodic
payments calculated by applying either a floating or a fixed rate of interest
on a stated notional amount in exchange for periodic payments made by such
Person calculated by applying a fixed or a floating rate of interest on the
same notional amount and shall include, without limitation, interest rate
swaps, caps, floors, collars and similar agreements or arrangements designed to
protect against or manage such Person's and any of its Subsidiaries' exposure
to fluctuations in interest rates.     
   
"Person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof.     
   
"Production Payments and Reserve Sales" means the grant or transfer to any
Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, production
payment (whether volumetric or dollar denominated), master limited partnership
interest or other interest in oil and gas properties, reserves or the right to
receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of
production attributable to such properties where the holder of such interest
has recourse solely to such production or proceeds of production, subject to
the obligation of the grantor or transferor to operate and maintain, or cause
the subject interest to be operated and maintained, in a reasonably prudent
manner or other customary standard or subject to the obligation of the grantor
or transferor to indemnify for environmental matters.     
   
"Redeemable Capital Stock" means any Capital Stock that, either by its terms,
by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or exchangeable or by
contract or otherwise, is, or upon the happening of an event or passage of time
would be, required to be redeemed prior to the final date specified in the Debt
Securities as the fixed date on which the principal of such Debt Securities is
due and payable ("Stated Maturity") or is redeemable at the option of the
holder thereof at any time prior to such final Stated Maturity, or is
convertible into or exchangeable for debt securities at any time prior to such
final Stated Maturity.     
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
 
   
"Senior Indebtedness" means the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest, if any (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any
petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company to the
extent that such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such
proceeding), on any Indebtedness of the Company, whether incurred on or prior
to the date of the Applicable Indenture or thereafter incurred, unless, in the
instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is
outstanding, it is provided that such obligations are not superior in right of
payment to the Offered Debt Securities, or to other Indebtedness of the Company
which is pari passu with, or subordinated to the Offered Debt Securities;
provided, however, that Senior Indebtedness shall not be deemed to include the
Offered Debt Securities or any Indebtedness of the Company to any Subsidiary of
the Company. (Subordinated Indenture Section 101)     
   
"Subsidiary" of any Person means (i) a corporation more than 50% of the
combined voting power of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned,
directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more other Subsidiaries of
such Person or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries thereof or (ii) any
other Person (other than a corporation) in which such Person, or one or more
other Subsidiaries of such Person or such Person and one or more other
Subsidiaries thereof, directly or indirectly, have at least a majority
ownership and power to direct the policies, management and affairs thereof.
    
Permanent Global Securities
   
The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in the form of one or more
permanent Global Securities that will be deposited with a Depositary or its
nominee. In such a case, one or more Global Securities will be issued in a
denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate
principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of the series to be represented
by such Global Security or Securities. The Prospectus Supplement relating to
such series of Debt Securities will describe the circumstances, if any, under
which beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent Global Security may
exchange such interests for Debt Securities of such series and of like tenor
and principal amount in any authorized form and denomination. Unless and until
it is exchanged in whole or in part for Debt Securities in definitive
registered form, a permanent Global Security may not be registered for transfer
or exchange except in the circumstances described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. (Sections 204 and 305)     
   
The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of
a series of Debt Securities to be represented by a permanent Global Security
and a description of the Depositary will be contained in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement.     
 
Governing Law
   
The Indentures and the Debt Securities will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York. (Section 112)     
                          
                       DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK     
 
GENERAL
   
The following description of the capital stock of the Company is subject to the
detailed provisions of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, as amended
(the "Certificate"), and bylaws as currently in effect (the "Bylaws"). This
description does not purport to be complete or to give full effect to the terms
of the provisions of statutory or common law and is subject to, and qualified
in its entirety by reference to, the Certificate and the Bylaws, each of which
is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus
is a part.     
 
COMMON STOCK
   
The Company has 50,000,000 authorized shares of Common Stock, par value $.01
per share. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends if, when
and as declared by the Board of Directors of the Company out of funds legally
available therefor. All shares of Common Stock have equal voting rights on the
basis of one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by stockholders.
Cumulative voting for the election of directors is not permitted. Shares of
Common Stock have no preemptive, conversion, sinking fund or redemption
provisions and are not liable for further call or assessment. Each share of
Common Stock is entitled to share on a pro rata basis in any assets available
for distribution to the holders of the Common Stock upon liquidation of the
Company after satisfaction of any liquidation preference on any series of the
Company's preferred stock. All outstanding shares of Common Stock have been,
and all shares offered in any offering Securities will be when issued, validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable. As of November 8, 1996, there were
18,976,085 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding. As of November 8,
1996, a total of 5,013,493 shares of Common Stock were reserved for issuance of
which (a)     
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
 
   
863,493 shares were reserved for conversion of the 7% Preferred Stock (as
defined below), (b) 1,500,000 shares were reserved for exercise of stock
options under the 1990 Stock Option Plan ("1990 Plan"), (c) 2,500,000 shares
were reserved for issuance of options under the Company's 1993 Stock Incentive
Plan ("1993 Plan") and (d) 150,000 shares were reserved for issuance pursuant
to warrants. As of the date hereof, options to purchase 556,150 and 964,788
shares of Common Stock were outstanding under the 1990 Plan and the 1993 Plan,
respectively. On April 9, 1996, the Company issued warrants to purchase 150,000
shares of Common Stock. These warrants are initially exercisable at $28 per
share and have a maximum term of five years.     
 
PREFERRED STOCK
   
The following description of the terms of the Preferred Stock sets forth
certain general terms and provisions of the Preferred Stock to which a
Prospectus Supplement may relate. Specific terms of any series of Preferred
Stock offered by a Prospectus Supplement will be described in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to such series. The description set forth below is subject
to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the certificate of
designations establishing a particular series of Preferred Stock, which will be
filed with the Commission in connection with the offering of such series.     
   
Under the Certificate, the Board of Directors of the Company is authorized,
without further stockholder action, to provide for the issuance of up to
10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series. As of the date of
this Prospectus, the 7% Preferred Stock is the only series of Preferred Stock
issued and outstanding. The rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions,
including dividend rights, voting rights, conversion rights, terms of
redemption, and liquidation preferences, of the Preferred Stock of each series
will be fixed or designated by the Board of Directors pursuant to a certificate
of designations. The specific terms of a particular series of Preferred Stock
offered hereby will be described in a Prospectus Supplement relating to such
series and will include the following: (a) the maximum number of shares to
constitute the series and the distinctive designation thereof; (b) the annual
dividend rate, if any, on shares of the series (or the method of calculating
such rate), whether such rate is fixed or variable or both, the date or dates
from which dividends will begin to accrue or accumulate, and whether dividends
will be cumulative; (c) whether the shares of the series will be redeemable
and, if so, the price at and the terms and conditions on which such shares may
be redeemed, including the time during which such shares may be redeemed and
any accumulated dividends thereon that the holders of such shares shall be
entitled to receive upon the redemption thereof; (d) the liquidation
preference, if any, applicable to shares of the series; (e) whether the shares
of the series will be subject to operation of a retirement or sinking fund and,
if so, the extent and manner in which any such fund shall be applied to the
purchase or redemption of such shares for retirement or for other corporate
purposes, and the terms and provisions relating to the operation of such fund;
(f) the terms and conditions, if any, on which the shares of the series will be
convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes of
capital stock of the Company, the Nuevo Trust or another issuer or any series
of any other class or classes, or of any other series of the same class,
including the price or rate of conversion or exchange and the method, if any,
of adjusting the same; (g) the voting rights, if any, on the shares of the
series; and (h) any other preferences and relative, participating, optional, or
other special rights or qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof.
       
Each series of Preferred Stock will, when issued, be fully paid and non-
assessable.     
   
The transfer agent, registrar, and dividend disbursement agent for a series of
Preferred Stock will be selected by the Company and will be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.     
 
7% CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
   
On May 28, 1992, the Company sold $25,000,000 of 7% Cumulative Convertible
Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value per share, "7% Preferred Stock") to The 1818
Fund, L.P. ("1818 Fund"). As of November 8, 1996, there were 11,220 shares of
7% Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. The holders of the 7% Preferred
Stock are entitled to receive dividends payable in arrears as of the last day
of March, June, September and December. The 7% Preferred Stock is convertible
into shares of Common Stock equal to the liquidation preference of $1,000 per
share divided by a current conversion price of approximately $13 per share,
subject to adjustment. Upon a change of control (as defined in the Designation
establishing the shares), dividends on the 7% Preferred Stock will be payable
at a rate of 14% per annum. The holders of the 7% Preferred Stock are entitled
to vote with the Common Stock on all matters except that the holders of the 7%
Preferred Stock have separate class voting rights on certain matters that
affect the rights of such holders, and are entitled to certain registration
rights. The Company may redeem the 7% Preferred Stock on or after June 30,
1997, at a price per share equal to the liquidation preference plus a 4%
premium that decreases ratably to zero after five years. Upon a change of
control, the Company has the option to redeem the 7% Preferred Stock at a price
per share equal to 125% of the liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid
dividends, if such redemption occurs prior to June 30, 1997. The holders of the
7% Preferred Stock have the right to convert the shares of 7% Preferred Stock
into Common Stock on or after May 28, 1999 through May 28, 2002, at an adjusted
price based on the market price of the Common Stock subject to certain
limitations, including a minimum price of $10.00 per share. The holders of the
7% Preferred Stock have the right to appoint a representative to the Company's
Board of Directors in the event the Company fails to pay dividends for two
quarters (whether consecutive or not) or breaches certain provisions of the
stock purchase agreement.     
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
 
   
In connection with the acquisition of the 7% Preferred Stock, the Company and
the 1818 Fund entered into a registration rights agreement pursuant to which
the Company agreed to register, on three occasions upon demand by the 1818
Fund, the Preferred Stock or the Common Stock into which such Preferred Stock
is convertible. The agreement also grants the 1818 Fund "piggy back"
registration rights to include Preferred Stock or shares of Common Stock
received upon conversion thereof in certain registration statements filed by
the Company, and the 1818 Fund has exercised such rights with respect to all of
its shares of Common Stock covered by this Prospectus. See "Selling
Stockholders."     
                        
                     CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS     
 
GENERAL
   
The Certificate contains several provisions that may make the acquisition of
control of the Company by means of a tender offer, open market purchases, a
proxy fight or otherwise more difficult. The Bylaws also contain provisions
that could have an anti-takeover effect. Many of the following provisions
contain requirements for a vote of 80% or more of the Company's stockholders.
    
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
   
Classified Board of Directors. The Certificate and Bylaws provide for the
Company's board of directors (the "Board of Directors") to be divided into
three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. As a result,
approximately one-third of the Board of Directors is elected each year. The
classification of directors will have the effect of making it more difficult
for stockholders of the Company to change the composition of the Board of
Directors in a relatively short period of time. At least two annual meetings of
stockholders, instead of one, will generally be required to effect a change in
a majority of the directors of the Board of Directors. The classified Board of
Directors provision could have the effect of discouraging a third party from
making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company,
even though such an attempt might be beneficial to the Company and its
stockholders. The classified Board of Directors provision could thus increase
the likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their positions.     
   
Number of Directors. The Bylaws provide that the number of directors shall be
not less than three nor more than twenty-one directors, the exact number to be
fixed from time to time by either (i) the Board of Directors, (ii) the
affirmative vote of 80% or more of the voting power of the shares of the
Company or (iii) the Certificate. Accordingly, the Board of Directors could
prevent any stockholder from obtaining majority representation on the Company's
Board of Directors by enlarging the size of the Board of Directors and filling
the new directorships with the Board of Directors' own nominees.     
   
Removal of Directors. The Certificate provides that, subject to the rights of
the holders of any series of any preferred stock then outstanding, any director
or the entire Board of Directors may be removed from office at any annual or
special meeting called for such purpose, and then only for cause and only by
the affirmative vote of the holders of 80% or more of the voting power of all
the shares of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors, voting together as a single class. For purposes of director removal,
cause means only the following: conviction of a felony, proof beyond the
existence of a reasonable doubt that a director has committed grossly negligent
or willful misconduct resulting in material detriment to the Company or
commission of a material breach of fiduciary duty to the Company resulting in a
material detriment to the Company.     
   
The removal of directors provisions could have the effect of discouraging a
third party from attempting to obtain control of the Company, even though such
an attempt might be beneficial to the Company and its stockholders. This
provision could also affect the ability of the stockholders of the Company to
remove incumbent directors and thus may increase the likelihood that incumbent
directors will retain their positions.     
   
Newly-Created Directorships and Vacancies. Subject to the rights of the holders
of any series of any preferred stock then outstanding, newly-created
directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors
and any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation,
retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause may be filled
by a majority vote of the directors then in office even though less than a
quorum, or by a sole remaining director. The newly-created directorship and
vacancy provisions could prevent a stockholder from obtaining a position on the
Board of Directors. These provisions could also have the effect of making it
more difficult for stockholders to change the composition of the Board of
Directors of the Company.     
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
 
SPECIAL MEETINGS
   
The Bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called only by
the President, or by the Board of Directors or by the written order of a
majority of the directors, and shall be called by the President or Secretary at
the request in writing of stockholders owning 80% or more of the entire capital
stock of the Company issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Accordingly,
holders of a significant percentage of the outstanding capital stock of the
Company may not be able to request a special meeting of the stockholders.     
 
COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK
   
The Certificate authorizes the Board of Directors to determine, with respect to
any series of Preferred Stock of the Company, the terms and rights of such
series, including the following: (i) the designation of such series and the
number of shares which shall constitute such series, (ii) the rate and time of,
and conditions with respect to, dividends, and whether such dividends are
cumulative, (iii) the price, timing and conditions regarding the redemption of
shares of such series, (iv) the rights and preferences of shares of such series
in the event of dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the
Company, (v) the sinking fund provisions, if any, for the redemption or
purchase of shares of such series, (vi) the voting rights, if any, of shares of
such series, (vii) the right, if any, to convert or exchange shares of such
series into or for stock or securities of any other series or class, (viii) the
status as to, re-issuance or sale of such shares redeemed, purchased or
otherwise reacquired, or surrendered to the Company on conversion, (ix) the
conditions and restrictions, if any, on the payment of dividends or on the
making of other distributions on, or the purchase, redemption or other
acquisition by the Company or any subsidiary, of Common Stock or of any other
class of stock of the Company ranking prior to such shares as to dividends or
upon liquidation, (x) the conditions, if any, on the creation of indebtedness
of the Company or any subsidiary and (xi) any other preferences or other
special or relative rights of shares of such series. The Certificate provides
that the Common Stock of the Company shall be junior to the Preferred Stock and
is subject to all the rights, privileges, preferences and priorities of the
preferred stock as set forth in the Certificate or as determined by the Board
of Directors, including the issuance of dividends and distribution of assets in
the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up. The exclusive voting power
of the Company shall be vested in the Common Stock of the Company, subject to
any particular class or series of Preferred Stock with additional voting
rights. No holder of any stock of any class of the Company shall, as such
holder, have any right to purchase or subscribe for any shares of the capital
stock of any class of securities which the Company may issue or sell, nor shall
any holder of any such stock have any right to purchase or subscribe for any
obligation which the Company may issue or sell that shall be convertible into,
or exchangeable for, any shares of the capital stock of the Company, or to
which shall be attached any warrant or instrument that shall confer upon the
owner of such obligation, warrant or instrument the right to subscribe for, or
to purchase from the Company any shares of its capital stock of any class.     
   
The preemptive rights and the Preferred Stock provisions could have the effect
of diluting the voting rights of the Common Stockholders of the Company by
placing voting power in the hands of Preferred Stockholders to the exclusion of
the Common Stockholders.     
   
The Company believes that the availability of Preferred Stock provides it with
increased flexibility in structuring possible future financing and
acquisitions, and in meeting other corporate needs which might arise. Having
such authorized shares available for issuance will allow the Company to issue
shares of Preferred Stock without the expense and delay of a special
stockholders' meeting. The authorized shares of Preferred Stock as well as
shares of the Company's Common Stock, will be available for issuances without
further action by the stockholders, unless such action is required by
applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Company's
capital stock may then be listed. The Board of Directors could issue a series
of Preferred Stock that could, depending on the terms of such series, either
impede or facilitate the completion of a merger, tender offer or other takeover
attempt. For instance, such series of Preferred Stock might impede a business
combination by including class voting rights which would enable the holder to
block such a transaction or facilitate a business combination by including
voting rights which would provide a required percentage vote of stockholders.
The Board of Directors will make any determination to issue such shares based
on its judgment as to the respective best interests of the Company and its then
existing stockholders.     
 
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
   
The Certificate requires that the following procedures be observed in
connection with the authorization of transactions involving an interested
stockholder which could eliminate or fundamentally change the interests of the
remaining stockholders of the Company ("Business Combinations").     
   
If a Business Combination is proposed which will directly or indirectly involve
an "Interested Stockholder" (as hereinafter defined), such Business Combination
must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of the Company's
capital stock representing at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by the
holders of all the then outstanding shares of the voting stock,     
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
 
voting together as a single class, and by the affirmative vote of at least a
majority of the entire Board of Directors of the Company unless such Business
Combination is approved by the majority of the directors who were in office
prior to the time the Interested Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder
and who continue in office (the "Continuing Directors").
 
A Business Combination includes:
     
  (i) any merger or consolidation of the Company or any subsidiary thereof
  with (a) any Interested Stockholder or (b) any other company (whether or
  not itself an Interested stockholder) which is, or after such merger or
  consolidation would be, an Affiliate or Associate (as hereinafter defined)
  of an Interested Stockholder; or     
     
  (ii) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer, or other dispo-
  sition or security arrangement, investment, loan, advance, guarantee,
  agreement to purchase, agreement to pay, extension of credit, joint venture
  participation, or other agreement (in one transaction or a series of trans-
  actions) with or for the benefit of any Interested Stockholder or any Af-
  filiate or Associate of an Interested Stockholder involving any assets, se-
  curities, or commitments of the Company, any subsidiary of any Interested
  Stockholder, or any Affiliate or Associate of any Interested Stockholder
  having an aggregate fair market value and/or involving aggregate commit-
  ments of $1,000,000 or more; or     
     
  (iii) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolu-
  tion of the Company which is voted for, approved, or consented to by any
  Interested Stockholder; or     
     
  (iv) any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock
  split), or recapitalization of the Company, or any merger or consolidation
  of the Company with any of its subsidiaries, or any other transaction
  (whether or not with or otherwise involving an Interested Stockholder) that
  has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate
  share of any class or series of capital stock, or any securities convert-
  ible into capital stock or into equity securities of any subsidiary, that
  is beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate or As-
  sociate of any Interested Stockholder; or     
     
  (v) any agreement, contract, or other arrangement providing for any one or
  more of the actions specified in the foregoing clauses (i) to (iv).     
   
An "Interested Stockholder" is any person (other than the Company or any
subsidiary thereof and other than any profit-sharing, employee stock
ownership, or other employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary or
any trustee of or fiduciary with respect to any such plan when acting in such
capacity) who (i) is the beneficial owner of voting stock representing 20% or
more of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all then outstanding
shares of voting stock or (ii) is an Affiliate or Associate of the Company and
at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in
question was the beneficial owner of voting stock representing 20% or more of
the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all then outstanding shares of
voting stock.     
   
"Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings ascribed to
such terms in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date that
the Business Combination is approved by the Board of Directors (the term
"registrant" in such Rule 12b-2 meaning, in this case, the Company).     
   
A majority of the Continuing Directors of the Company shall each have the
power and duty to determine, for the purposes of applying the Business
Combination provisions to their respective corporations, on the basis of
information known to them after reasonable inquiry (i) whether a person is an
Interested Stockholder, (ii) the number of shares of capital stock or other
securities beneficially owned by any person, (iii) whether a person is an
Affiliate or Associate of another, and (iv) whether the assets that are the
subject of any Business Combination have, or the consideration to be received
for the issuance or transfer of securities by the Company or any subsidiary in
any Business Combination has, an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or
more.     
 
AMENDMENT OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE CERTIFICATE AND BYLAWS
   
The Certificate contains provisions requiring the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least 80% of the voting stock to amend the provisions relating
to the election and number of directors and Business Combinations described
above. The Bylaws contain provisions requiring the affirmative vote of holders
of at least 80% of the voting stock to amend the provisions relating to
special meetings of stockholders. These provisions will make it more difficult
for stockholders to make changes in the Certificate or Bylaws, including
changes designed to facilitate the exercise of control over the Company. In
addition, such requirements will enable the holders of a minority of stock to
prevent the holders of a majority or more of such stock from amending certain
provisions of the Certificate and Bylaws. The requirements for such vote may
be difficult to obtain, since at least 80% of the Common Stock must be present
or represented by proxy at any meeting at which any such amendment is proposed
and must vote in favor of such amendment.     
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
                             
                          DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS     
   
The Company may issue warrants to purchase Debt Securities (the "Debt
Warrants") or Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Share Warrants", collectively
with the Debt Warrants, the "Warrants"). Warrants may be issued independently
or together with any other Securities and may be attached to or separate from
such Securities. The Warrants are to be issued under warrant agreements (each a
"Warrant Agreement") to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust
company, as warrant agent (the "Warrant Agent"), all as shall be set forth in
the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Warrants being offered pursuant
thereto.     
 
DEBT WARRANTS
   
The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of Debt Warrants
offered thereby, the Warrant Agreement relating to such Debt Warrants and the
debt warrant certificates representing such Debt Warrants, including the
following: (1) the title of such Debt Warrants; (2) the aggregate number of
such Debt Warrants; (3) the price or prices at which such Debt Warrants will be
issued; (4) the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the Debt
Securities purchasable upon exercise of such Debt Warrants; (5) the designation
and terms of any related Debt Securities with which such Debt Warrants are
issued, and the number of such Debt Warrants issued with each such security;
(6) the date, if any, on and after which such Debt Warrants and the related
Debt Securities will be separately transferable; (7) the principal amount of
Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of each Debt Warrant, and the price
at which such principal amount of Debt Securities may be purchased upon such
exercise; (8) the date on which the right to exercise such Debt Warrants shall
commence, and the date on which such right shall expire; (9) the maximum or
minimum number of such Debt Warrants which may be exercised at any time; (10) a
discussion of material federal income tax considerations, if any; and (11) any
other terms of such Debt Warrants and terms, procedures and limitations
relating to the exercise of such Debt Warrants.     
   
Debt Warrant certificates will be exchangeable for new Debt Warrant
certificates of different denominations, and Debt Warrants may be exercised at
the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent or any other office indicated
in the Prospectus Supplement. Prior to the exercise of their Debt Warrants,
holders of Debt Warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the
securities purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to payments
of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the securities
purchasable upon such exercise.     
 
PREFERRED WARRANTS
   
The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the following terms of
Preferred Stock Warrants in respect of which this Prospectus is being
delivered: (1) the title of such Warrants; (2) the Securities for which such
Warrants are exercisable; (3) the price or prices at which such Warrants will
be issued; (4) the number of such Warrants issued with each share of Preferred
Stock; (5) any provisions for adjustment of the number or amount of Preferred
Stock receivable upon exercise of such Warrants or the exercise price of such
Warrants; (6) if applicable, the date on and after which such Warrants and the
related Preferred Stock will be separately transferable; (7) if applicable, a
discussion of material federal income tax considerations; (8) any other terms
of such Warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the
exchange and exercise of such Warrants; (9) the date on which the right to
exercise such Warrants shall commence, and the date on which the right shall
expire; (10) the maximum or minimum number of such Warrants which may be
exercised at any time.     
 
EXERCISE OF WARRANTS
   
Each Warrant will entitle the holder of the Warrants to purchase for cash such
principal amount of Debt Securities or number of shares of Preferred Stock at
such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable
as set forth in, the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Warrants offered
thereby. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on
the expiration date set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the
Warrants offered thereby. After the close of business on the expiration date,
unexercised Warrants will become void.     
   
Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to
the Warrants offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the warrant
certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office
of the Warrant Agent or any other office indicated in the Prospectus
Supplement, the Company will, as soon as practicable, forward the Debt
Securities or Preferred Stock purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all
of the Warrants represented by such warrant certificate are exercised, a new
warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining Warrants.     
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
 
                    
                 DESCRIPTION OF TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES     
   
The Nuevo Trust may issue only one series of Trust Preferred Securities having
terms described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. The Declaration
of the Nuevo Trust authorizes the Regular Trustees to issue on behalf of the
Nuevo Trust one series of Trust Preferred Securities. The Declaration will be
qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The Trust Preferred
Securities will have such terms, including distributions, redemption, voting,
liquidation, conversion rights and such other preferred, deferred or other
special rights or such restrictions as shall be set forth in the Declaration or
made part of the Declaration by the Trust Indenture Act, and which will mirror
the terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities held by the Property Trustee and
described in the Prospectus Supplement related thereto. Reference is made to
the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Trust Preferred Securities for
specific terms, including (i) the distinctive designation of such Trust
Preferred Securities; (ii) the number of Trust Preferred Securities; (iii) the
annual distribution rate (or method of determining such rate) for the Trust
Preferred Securities and the date or dates upon which such distributions shall
be payable; provided, however, that distributions on such Trust Preferred
Securities shall be payable on a quarterly basis to holders of such Trust
Preferred Securities as of a record date in each quarter during which such
Trust Preferred Securities are outstanding; (iv) whether distributions on the
Trust Preferred Securities shall be cumulative, and, in the case of Trust
Preferred Securities having such cumulative distribution rights, the date or
dates or method of determining the date or dates from which distributions on
the Trust Preferred Securities shall be cumulative; (v) the amount or amounts
which shall be paid out of the assets of the Nuevo Trust to the holders of the
Trust Preferred Securities upon voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-
up or termination of the Nuevo Trust; (vi) the obligation, if any, of the Nuevo
Trust to purchase or redeem the Trust Preferred Securities and the price or
prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and
conditions upon which, the Trust Preferred Securities shall be purchased or
redeemed, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; (vii) the voting
rights, if any, of the Trust Preferred Securities in addition to those required
by law, including the number of votes per Trust Preferred Security and any
requirement for the approval by the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities,
as a condition to specified action or amendments to the Declaration of the
Nuevo Trust; (viii) the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Trust
Preferred Securities may be converted into shares of Common Stock, including
the conversion price per share and the circumstances, if any, under which any
such conversion right shall expire; (ix) the terms and conditions, if any, upon
which the Subordinated Debt Securities may be distributed to holders of the
Trust Preferred Securities; (x) if applicable, any securities exchange upon
which the Trust Preferred Securities shall be listed; and (xi) any other
relevant rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions of the
Trust Preferred Securities not inconsistent with the Declaration of the Nuevo
Trust or with applicable law. All Trust Preferred Securities offered hereby
will be guaranteed by the Company to the extent set forth below under
"Description Of Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee." Certain United States
federal income tax considerations applicable to any offering of Trust Preferred
Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
       
In connection with the issuance of Trust Preferred Securities, the Nuevo Trust
will issue one series of Trust Common Securities. The Declaration of the Nuevo
Trust authorizes the Regular Trustees to issue on behalf of the Nuevo Trust one
series of Trust Common Securities having such terms including distributions,
redemption, voting and liquidation rights or such restrictions as shall be set
forth therein. The terms of the Trust Common Securities will be substantially
identical to the terms of the Trust Preferred Securities, and the Trust Common
Securities will rank pari passu, and payments will be made thereon pro rata,
with the Trust Preferred Securities except that, upon an event of default under
the Declaration, the rights of the holders of the Trust Common Securities to
payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption
and otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the Trust
Preferred Securities. Except in certain limited circumstances, the Trust Common
Securities will also carry the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace any
of the Nuevo Trustees. All of the Trust Common Securities will be directly or
indirectly owned by the Company.     
 
PROPOSED TAX LEGISLATION
   
On March 19, 1996, as a part of President Clinton's Fiscal 1997 Budget
Proposal, the Treasury Department proposed legislation (the "Proposed
Legislation") that, among other things, would (i) treat as equity for United
States federal income tax purposes certain debt instruments with a maximum term
of more than 20 years and (ii) disallow interest deductions on certain
convertible debt instruments or defer interest deductions on certain debt
instruments issued with original issue discounts. The Proposed Legislation is
proposed to be effective for debt instruments issued on or after December 7,
1995.     
   
On March 29, 1996, Senate Finance Committee Chairman William V. Roth, Jr. and
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer issued a joint statement
(the "Joint Statement") indicating their intent that the Proposed Legislation,
if adopted by either of the tax-writing committees of Congress, would have an
effective date that is no earlier than the date of "appropriate Congressional
action." However, there can be no assurances that the effective date guidance
contained in the Joint Statement will be incorporated in the Proposed
Legislation, if enacted, or that other legislation enacted after the date
hereof will     
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
 
not otherwise adversely affect the tax treatment of the Subordinated Debt
Securities. In addition, there can be no assurances as to whether or in what
form the Proposed Legislation may be enacted into law or whether other
legislation will be enacted that otherwise adversely affects the tax treatment
of the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Trust Preferred Securities.
 
ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY HOLDERS OF TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES
   
If an Event of Default under the Declaration of the Nuevo Trust occurs and is
continuing, then the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities would rely on
the enforcement by the Property Trustee of its rights as a holder of the
Subordinated Debt Securities against the Company. In addition, the holders of a
majority in liquidation amount of the Trust Preferred Securities will have the
right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for
any remedy available to the Property Trustee or to direct the exercise of any
trust or power conferred upon the Property Trustee under the Declaration,
including the right to direct the Property Trustee to exercise the remedies
available to it as a holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities. If the
Property Trustee fails to enforce its rights under such of Subordinated Debt
Securities, to the fullest extent permitted by law, a holder of the Trust
Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the
Company to enforce the Property Trustee's rights under such Subordinated Debt
Securities without first instituting any legal proceeding against the Property
Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an
Event of Default under the applicable Declaration has occurred and is
continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay
interest or principal on such Subordinated Debt Securities on the date such
interest or principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption, on
the redemption date), then a holder of the Trust Preferred Securities may
directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such holder of
the principal of or interest on such Subordinated Debt Securities having a
principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Trust
Preferred Securities of such holder (a "Direct Action") on or after the
respective due date specified in the Subordinated Debt Securities. In
connection with such Direct Action, the Company will be subrogated to the
rights of such holder of the Trust Preferred Securities under the Declaration
to the extent of any payment made by the Company to such holder of Trust
Preferred Securities in such Direct Action.     
               
            DESCRIPTION OF TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE     
   
Set forth below is a summary of information concerning the Trust Preferred
Securities Guarantee which will be executed and delivered by the Company for
the benefit of the holders from time to time of Trust Preferred Securities. The
Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under
the Trust Indenture Act. Wilmington Trust Company will act as the independent
trustee under the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee (the "Preferred
Guarantee Trustee") for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act. The terms of the
Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee will be those set forth in the Trust
Preferred Securities Guarantee and those made part of the Trust Preferred
Securities Guarantee by the Trust Indenture Act. The summary is subject in all
respects to the provisions of, and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to, the form of Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee, which is filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part,
and the Trust Indenture Act. The Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee will be
held by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the
Trust Preferred Securities.     
 
GENERAL
   
Pursuant to the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee, the Company will agree,
to the extent set forth therein, to pay in full, to the holders of the Trust
Preferred Securities, the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) (except to the
extent paid by the Nuevo Trust), as and when due, regardless of any defense,
right of setoff or counterclaim which the Nuevo Trust may have or assert. The
following payments with respect to the Trust Preferred Securities to the extent
not paid by the Nuevo Trust (the "Guarantee Payments"), will be subject to the
Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee thereon (without duplication): (i) any
accrued and unpaid distributions which are required to be paid on such Trust
Preferred Securities, to the extent the Nuevo Trust shall have funds available
therefor; (ii) the redemption price set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement (the "Redemption Price"), which will not be lower than the
liquidation amount, and all accrued and unpaid distributions, to the extent the
Nuevo Trust has funds available therefor, with respect to any Trust Preferred
Securities called for redemption by the Nuevo Trust and (iii) upon a voluntary
or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Nuevo Trust (other
than in connection with the distribution of Subordinated Debt Securities to the
holders of Trust Preferred Securities or the redemption of all of the Trust
Preferred Securities), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation
amount and all accrued and unpaid distributions on the Trust Preferred
Securities to the date of payment, to the extent the Nuevo Trust has funds
available therefor, and (b) the amount of assets of the Nuevo Trust remaining
available for distribution to holders of the Trust Preferred Securities in
liquidation of the Nuevo Trust. The Company's obligation to make a Guarantee
Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the
Company to the holders of Trust Preferred Securities or by causing the Nuevo
Trust to pay such amounts to such holders.     
 
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
 
   
The Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee will not apply to any payment of
distributions on the Trust Preferred Securities except to the extent the Nuevo
Trust shall have funds available therefor. If the Company does not make
interest payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by the Nuevo
Trust, the Nuevo Trust will not pay distributions on the Trust Preferred
Securities issued by the Nuevo Trust and will not have funds available
therefor. See "Description Of Debt Securities--Certain Covenants of the
Company." The Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee, when taken together with
the Company's obligations under the Subordinated Debt Securities, the
Subordinated Indenture and the Declaration, including its obligations to pay
costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of the Nuevo Trust (other than with
respect to the Trust Securities), will provide a full and unconditional
guarantee on a subordinated basis by the Company of payments due on the Trust
Preferred Securities.     
   
The Company has also agreed separately to irrevocably and unconditionally
guarantee the obligations of the Nuevo Trust with respect to the Trust Common
Securities (the "Trust Common Securities Guarantee") to the same extent as the
Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee, except that upon an event of default
under the Subordinated Indenture, holders of Trust Preferred Securities shall
have priority over holders of Trust Common Securities with respect to
distributions and payments on liquidation, redemption or otherwise.     
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
   
In the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee, the Company will covenant that, so
long as any Trust Preferred Securities remain outstanding, if there shall have
occurred any event that would constitute an event of default under the Trust
Preferred Securities Guarantee or the Declaration of the Nuevo Trust, then (a)
the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions
with respect to, or redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect
to, any of its capital stock (other than (i) purchases or acquisitions of
shares of Common Stock in connection with the satisfaction by the Company of
its obligations under any employee benefit plans, (ii) as a result of a
reclassification of the Company's capital stock or the exchange or conversion
of one class or series of the Company's capital stock for another class or
series of the Company's capital stock, or (iii) the purchase of fractional
interests in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the conversion
or exchange provisions of such capital stock of the Company or the security
being converted or exchanged) or make any guarantee payments with respect to
the foregoing and (b) the Company shall not make any payment of interest,
principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt
securities (including guarantees) issued by the Company which rank pari passu
with or junior to the Subordinated Debt Securities held by the Property
Trustee.     
 
MODIFICATION OF THE TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE; ASSIGNMENT
   
Except with respect to any changes which do not materially adversely affect the
rights of holders of Trust Preferred Securities (in which case no vote will be
required), the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee may be amended only with
the prior approval of the holders of not less than a majority in liquidation
amount of the outstanding Trust Preferred Securities. The manner of obtaining
any such approval of holders of such Trust Preferred Securities will be as set
forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement. All guarantees and agreements
contained in the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee shall bind the
successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Company and
shall inure to the benefit of the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities
then outstanding.     
 
TERMINATION
   
The Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee will terminate (a) upon full payment
of the Redemption Price of all Trust Preferred Securities, (b) upon
distribution of the Subordinated Debt Securities held by the Property Trustee
to the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities or (c) upon full payment of
the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration upon liquidation of the
Nuevo Trust. The Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee will continue to be
effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder
of Trust Preferred Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the
Trust Preferred Securities or the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee. The
subordination provisions of the Subordinated Debt Securities provide that in
the event payment is made on the Subordinated Debt Securities in contravention
of such provisions such payments shall be paid over to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness.     
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
   
An event of default under the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee will occur
upon (a) the failure of the Company to perform any of its payment or other
obligations thereunder or (b) if applicable, the failure by the Company to
deliver Common Stock upon an appropriate election by the holder or holders of
Trust Preferred Securities to convert the Trust Preferred Securities into
shares of Common Stock.     
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
 
   
The holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Trust Preferred
Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting
any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in
respect of the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee or to direct the exercise
of any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under such
Trust Preferred Securities. If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce
such Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee, any holder of Trust Preferred
Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company to
enforce the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's rights under such Trust Preferred
Securities Guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the
Nuevo Trust, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company has failed to make a Guarantee
Payment, a holder of Trust Preferred Securities may directly institute a
proceeding against the Company for enforcement of the Trust Preferred
Securities Guarantee for such payment. The Company waives any right or remedy
to require that any action be brought first against the Nuevo Trust or any
other person or entity before proceeding directly against the Company.     
 
STATUS OF THE TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE
   
The Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee will constitute an unsecured
obligation of the Company and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all other liabilities of the Company, (ii) pari passu with the most
senior preferred or preference stock now or hereafter issued by the Company and
with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Company in respect of
any preferred or preference stock of any affiliate of the Company and (iii)
senior to Common Stock. The terms of the Trust Preferred Securities provide
that each holder of Trust Preferred Securities by acceptance thereof agrees to
the subordination provisions and other terms of the Trust Preferred Securities
Guarantee relating thereto.     
   
The Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee will constitute a guarantee of payment
and not of collection (that is, the guaranteed party may institute a legal
proceeding directly against the guarantor to enforce its rights under the
guarantee without instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or
entity).     
 
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
   
The Preferred Guarantee Trustee, prior to the occurrence of a default with
respect to the Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee, undertakes to perform only
such duties as are specifically set forth in such Trust Preferred Securities
Guarantee and, after default, shall exercise the same degree of care as a
prudent individual would exercise in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
Subject to such provisions, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee is under no
obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by a Trust Preferred
Securities Guarantee at the request of any holder of the Trust Preferred
Securities, unless offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and
liabilities which might be incurred thereby.     
                              
                           PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION     
   
The Securities may be sold by the Company, the Nuevo Trust and/or the Selling
Stockholders (i) through agents, (ii) through underwriters, (iii) through
dealers or (iv) directly to purchasers (through a specific bidding or auction
process or otherwise). In addition, the 1818 Fund may offer and sell Common
Stock on the New York Stock Exchange. The distribution of Securities may be
effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or
prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of
sale, at prices relating to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated
prices.     
   
Offers to purchase the Securities may be solicited by agents designated by the
Company or a Selling Stockholder from time to time. Any such agent involved in
the offer or sale of the Securities will be named, and any commissions payable
by the Company or Selling Stockholder to such agent will be set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement,
any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its
appointment. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is
defined in the Securities Act, of the Securities so offered and sold.     
   
If an underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale of Securities, the
Company or any Selling Stockholders selling Common Stock thereunder will
execute an underwriting agreement with such underwriter or underwriters at the
time an agreement for such sale is reached, and the names of the specific
managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters and the
terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and
dealers, if any, will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, which will be
used by the underwriters to make resales of the Securities.     
   
If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the Securities, the Company or a Selling
Stockholder will sell such Securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer
may then resell such Securities to the public at varying prices to be
determined by such dealer at the time of resale. The name of the dealer and the
terms of the transactions will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto. Offers to purchase the Securities may be solicited directly
by the Company or a Selling Stockholder and sales thereof may be made by the
Company or a Selling Stockholder directly to institutional investors or others.
The terms of any such sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction
process, if utilized, will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating
thereto.     
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
 
   
The Securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the Prospectus
Supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance
with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or
more firms ("remarketing firms"), acting as principals for their own accounts
or as agents for the Company or a Selling Stockholder. Any remarketing firm
will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with the Company or
a Selling Stockholder and its compensation will be described in the Prospectus
Supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection
with the Securities remarketed thereby.     
   
Agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms may be entitled under
agreements which may be entered into with the Company or Selling Stockholders
to indemnification by the Company or Selling Stockholders against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and any such
agents, underwriters, dealers or remarketing firms, or their affiliates may be
customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for the Company
or Selling Stockholders in the ordinary course of business.     
   
If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company will authorize agents
and underwriters to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase Debt
Securities from the Company at the public offering price set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement pursuant to Delayed Delivery Contracts ("Contracts")
providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the Prospectus
Supplement. Such Contracts will be subject to only those conditions set forth
in the Prospectus Supplement. A commission indicated in the Prospectus
Supplement will be paid to underwriters and agents soliciting purchases of Debt
Securities pursuant to Contracts accepted by the Company.     
                              
                           SELLING STOCKHOLDERS     
   
The Selling Stockholders are United Investors Management Company, a Delaware
corporation ("United") and wholly owned subsidiary of Torchmark Corporation, an
insurance and financial services holding company, and the 1818 Fund. As of
September 30, 1996, United owned 1,275,000 shares of Common Stock of Nuevo and
the 1818 Fund owned 112 shares of Common Stock and 11,220 shares of 7%
Preferred Stock convertible into approximately 863,493 shares of Common Stock.
United is registering for sale all of the shares of Common Stock owned by it
and the 1818 Fund is registering for sale all of the shares of Common Stock
owned by it or issuable upon conversion of all of the 7% Preferred Stock owned
by it. The Prospectus Supplement relating to any Common Stock being offered by
either Selling Stockholder will set forth the number of shares of Common Stock
being offered for its account as well as the number of such shares and the
percentage of the outstanding Common Stock to be owned by such Selling
Stockholder after completion of the offering.     
   
The shares of Common Stock being registered hereunder for sale by United and
the 1818 Fund have been registered pursuant to registration rights agreements,
one of which is between Nuevo and the 1818 Fund, dated May 28, 1992 and the
other of which is between Nuevo and Torch Energy Advisors Incorporated ("Torch
Energy"), dated April 4, 1996. Torch Energy subsequently assigned its rights
under the April 4, 1996 agreement to United. Both registration rights
agreements provide a specified number of "demand" registration rights and
unlimited "piggy back" registration rights. The Company has agreed pursuant to
the registration rights agreements to indemnify the 1818 Fund and United (as
the case may be) against certain liabilities including liabilities under the
Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the 1818 Fund or United may be
required to make in respect thereof. The Company is obligated to pay all
expenses in connection with the shares sold by 1818 Fund hereunder, excluding
any underwriting discounts or commissions. United is required to pay its pro
rata share of any expenses of demand registrations requested by it, and the
Company is required to pay all expenses of registration statements in which
United participates under its piggy back registration rights, excluding any
underwriting discounts or commissions. The general and managing partner of the
1818 Fund is Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., a New York partnership ("Brown
Brothers"), which has designated its partners T. Michael Long and Lawrence C.
Tucker the sole and exclusive partners having voting power and investment power
with respect to the shares of Common Stock into which the 7% Preferred Stock is
convertible. Mr. Long is a director of the Company. Brown Brothers has advised
the Company that the 1818 Fund is selling its Common Stock because of the
advanced term of the 1818 Fund in relation to its planned life.     
   
Prior to September 30, 1996, United owned all of the capital stock of Torch
Energy which has rendered administrative services to the Company since the
formation of the Company in 1990 pursuant to an administrative services
agreement, as amended. Prior to United's sale of Torch Energy on September 30,
1996, Torch Energy distributed to United the shares of Common Stock being
registered hereunder. Torch Energy acquired these shares in exchange for
properties sold to Nuevo in April 1996. For services rendered in connection
with the acquisition of oil and gas properties in California during April 1996,
the Company paid Torch Energy a fee of $10 million. Prior to September 30,
1996, J.P. Bryan, a director of the Company, was also a director of Torchmark
Corporation. United has advised the Company that it is selling its shares
pursuant to its previously announced liquidation of its energy-related
investments.     
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
 
   
This Prospectus is not the exclusive means for resale of any Common Stock of
the Selling Stockholders registered hereunder. For example, the 1818 Fund may
also sell Common Stock owned by it pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities
Act.     
                                     
                                  EXPERTS     
   
The consolidated financial statements of Nuevo Energy Company as of December
31, 1995 and 1994, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 1995, the statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of
the Unocal Properties for each of the years in the three-year period ended June
30, 1995, and the statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of the
Point Pedernales Properties for each of the years in the three-year period
ended June 30, 1995, have been incorporated by reference herein and in the
registration statement in reliance upon the reports of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,
independent certified public accountants incorporated by reference herein, and
upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.     
   
Information incorporated by reference in this Prospectus regarding the
Company's estimated quantities of oil and gas reserves and the discounted
present value of future pre-tax cash flows therefrom is based upon estimates of
such reserves and present values prepared by Miller and Lents, Ltd., S. A.
Holditch and Associates, Inc., Ryder Scott Company, D.O.R. Engineering Inc.,
and Poco Oil Co., independent petroleum engineers. Information incorporated in
this Prospectus regarding the estimated quantities of oil and gas reserves
attributable to the California Properties and the discounted present value of
future pre-tax cash flows therefrom is based upon estimates of such reserves
and present values prepared by or derived from estimates prepared by Ryder
Scott Company. Information incorporated in this Prospectus regarding the
estimated quantities of oil and gas reserves attributable to the East Texas
Properties and the discounted present value of future pre-tax cash flows
therefrom is based upon estimates of such reserves and present values prepared
by or derived from estimates prepared by T.J. Smith & Company, Inc. All of such
information has been so included herein in reliance upon the authority of such
firms as experts in such matters.     
                                  
                               LEGAL MATTERS     
   
The validity of the Securities, other than the Trust Securities, offered hereby
will be passed upon for the Company by Butler & Binion L.L.P., Houston, Texas,
and will be passed upon for any agents, dealers or underwriters by counsel
named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The validity of the Trust
Securities will be passed upon by Richards, Layton & Finger, Wilmington,
Delaware, special Delaware counsel to the Company and the Nuevo Trust. If the
Securities include any Common Stock of a Selling Stockholder, certain legal
matters in connection therewith will be passed upon for such Selling
Stockholders by counsel named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.     
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
 
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
  All capitalized terms used and not defined in Part II of this Registration
Statement shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Prospectus which
forms a part of this Registration Statement.
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
  The estimated expenses payable by Nuevo Energy Company (the "Company") in
connection with the issuance and distribution of the Securities to be
registered, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                  <C>
   Securities Act registration fee..................................... $79,317
   NASD filing fees....................................................  26,741
   Rating Agency fees and expenses.....................................       *
   Trustee fees and expenses...........................................       *
   Printing costs......................................................       *
   Legal fees and expenses.............................................       *
   Accounting fees and expenses........................................       *
   Engineering fees and expenses.......................................       *
   Miscellaneous.......................................................       *
     Total............................................................. $     *
                                                                        =======
</TABLE>
--------
* To be completed by amendment.
 
  All of the foregoing estimated costs, expenses and fees will be borne by the
Company.
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
  Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,
pursuant to which the Company is incorporated, provides generally and in
pertinent part that a Delaware corporation may indemnify its directors and
officers against expenses, judgments, fines, and settlements actually and
reasonably incurred by them in connection with any civil, criminal,
administrative, or investigative suit or action except actions by or in the
right of the corporation if, in connection with the matters in issue, they
acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and in connection with any
criminal suit or proceeding, if in connection with the matters in issue, they
had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. Section 145
further provides that in connection with the defense or settlement of any
action by or in the right of the corporation, a Delaware corporation may
indemnify its directors and officers against expenses actually and reasonably
incurred by them if, in connection with the matters in issue, they acted in
good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification may be
made in respect of any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person has
been adjudged liable to the corporation unless the Delaware Court of Chancery
or other court in which such action or suit is brought approves such
indemnification. Section 145 further permits a Delaware corporation to grant
its directors and officers additional rights of indemnification through bylaw
provisions and otherwise, and or purchase indemnity insurance on behalf of its
directors and officers. Article Nine of the Certificate of Incorporation of
the Company and Article VII the Bylaws of such registrant provide, in general,
that the Company may indemnify its officers and directors to the full extent
of Delaware law.
 
                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
  (a) Exhibit Number and Description.
 
<TABLE>   
<S>   <C>  <C>    <C> 
      1.    Underwriting Agreement.

            1.1   --Form of Underwriting Agreement **

      2.    Plan of acquisition, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation or
            succession.*

      4.    Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures

            4.1   --Form of Indenture for Senior Debt Securities.**
            4.2   --Form of Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities between
                    the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee.***
            4.3   --Specimen Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to
                    Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
                    S-4 (Registration No. 33-33873)).
            4.4   --Form or forms of Securities**
            4.5   --Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Nuevo
                    Financing I.***
            4.6   --Form of Supplemental Indenture to be used in connection
                    with the issuance of Subordinated Debt Securities and Trust
                    Preferred Securities.**
            4.7   --Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of
                    the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of Nuevo
                    Financing I.
            4.8   --Form of Warrant Agreement.**

  5. Opinion re legality

            5.1   --Opinion of Butler & Binion, L.L.P.**
            5.2   --Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger regarding the validity
                    of the trust issued securities of Nuevo Financing I.

  8. Opinion re tax matters.**

 12. Statement re computation of ratios**

 15. Letter re unaudited interim financial information*

 23. Consents of experts and counsel

           23.1   --Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP***
           23.2   --Consent of Butler & Binion, L.L.P.
           23.3   --Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger (included in their
                    opinion filed as Exhibit 5.2)
           23.4   --Consent of Miller and Lents, Ltd.
           23.5   --Consent of S.A. Holditch and Associates, Inc.
           23.6   --Consent of Ryder Scott Company
           23.7   --Consent of T.J. Smith & Company, Inc.
           23.8   --Consent of D.O.R. Engineering, Inc.
           23.9   --Consent of Poco Oil Co.

 24. Power of attorney

           24.1   --Power of attorney for Michael D. Watford.***
           24.2   --Power of attorney for Robert M. King.***
           24.3   --Power of attorney for Robert L. Gerry, III.***
           24.4   --Power of attorney for Robert H. Allen.***
           24.5   --Power of attorney for Isaac Arnold, Jr.***
           24.6   --Power of attorney for John B. Connally, III.***
           24.7   --Power of attorney for Gary R. Petersen.***
           24.8   --Power of attorney for Thomas D. Barrow.***
</TABLE>    
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>   
<S>  <C>  <C> 
     25.  Statement of eligibility of trustee

          25.1  --Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
                  Act of 1939 of the trustee under the Senior Debt Indenture.**
          25.2  --Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
                  Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee under the
                  Subordinated Debt Indenture.
          25.3  --Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
                  Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee under the
                  Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Nuevo 
                  Financing I.
          25.4  --Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture
                  Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee under the
                  Preferred Securities Guarantee of Nuevo Energy Company for the
                  benefit of the holders of Trust Preferred Securities of Nuevo
                  Financing I.

     26.  --Invitations for competitive bids*

     27.  --Financial Data Schedule*

     99.  --Additional Exhibits*
</TABLE>    
--------
 *Inapplicable to this filing
   
** To be filed as an amendment to this Registration Statement or as an exhibit
   to a Current Report of the Company of Form 8-K and incorporated herein by
   reference.     
   
*** Previously filed.     
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
    1. To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
  post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
      (i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
    Securities Act of 1933;
 
      (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
    the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
    post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
    aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
    in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
    increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
    dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
    registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
    maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
    with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
    changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the
    maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
    Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement.
 
      (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
    distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or
    any material change to such information in the registration statement.
 
      Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) of this section
    do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or
    Form F-3, and the information required to be included in a post-
    effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
    reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant
    pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
    of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration
    statement.
 
    (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
  Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
  to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
  therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
  to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
    (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
  any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
  termination of the offering.
 
  The undersigned registrant undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's
annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities
 
                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee
benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration
statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of
the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that claims for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling
person of the Company in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Company will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
 
  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
    (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
  1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
  this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
  form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
  (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
  registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
    (2) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
  1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus
  shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
  securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
  time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
   
  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the
purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection
(a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act ("Act") in accordance with the
rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of
the Act.     
 
                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas on the 22nd
day of November, 1996.     
 
                                          NUEVO ENERGY COMPANY
                                                
                                             /s/ Michael D. Watford     
                                          By: _________________________________
                                             Michael D. Watford
                                             President, Chief Executive
                                              Officer, and
                                             Chief Operating Officer
 
                                     II-5
<PAGE>
 
       
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration
statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
             SIGNATURE                           TITLE                    DATE
             ---------                           -----                    ----
 
<S>                                  <C>                           <C>
____________________________________ Chairman; Director            November   , 1996
            J. P. Bryan
 
     /s/ Michael D. Watford          Director, Chief Executive     November 22, 1996
____________________________________ Officer, President, Chief
        Michael D. Watford           Operating Officer (Principal
                                     Executive Officer)
 
      /s/  Robert M. King*           Vice President-Chief          November 22, 1996
____________________________________ Financial Officer (Principal
           Robert M. King            Financial and Accounting
                                     Officer)
 
    /s/  Robert L. Gerry III*        Director                      November 22, 1996
____________________________________
         Robert L. Gerry III
 
       /s/  Robert H. Allen*         Director                      November 22, 1996
____________________________________
            Robert H. Allen
 
       /s/ Isaac Arnold, Jr.*        Director                      November 22, 1996
____________________________________
           Isaac Arnold, Jr.
 
____________________________________ Director                      November   , 1996
            T. Michael Long
 
    /s/  John B. Connally, III*      Director                      November 22, 1996
____________________________________
         John B. Connally, III
 
                                     Director                      November   , 1996
____________________________________
           James T. Hackett
 
       /s/ Gary R. Petersen*         Director                      November 22, 1996
____________________________________
           Gary R. Petersen
 
       /s/ Thomas D. Barrow*         Director                      November 22, 1996
____________________________________
           Thomas D. Barrow
</TABLE>    
     
  /s/ Michael D. Watford
                 
   
*By                                                              November 22,
  ---------------------------                                    1996     
      
   Michael D. Watford,     
        
     Attorney-in-Fact     
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas on the 22nd
day of November, 1996.     
 
                                          NUEVO FINANCING I, a Delaware
                                           business trust
 
                                             NUEVO ENERGY COMPANY, as
                                              Depositor
                                          By:
                                                
                                             /s/ Michael D. Watford     
                                          By: _________________________________
                                             Michael D. Watford
                                             President, Chief Executive
                                             Officer, and
                                             Chief Operating Officer
 
                                     II-7