Document:

<PAGE>   1
                FIRST AMENDMENT TO STANDARD COMMERCIAL LEASE

         This First Amendment to Standard Commercial Lease (this "Amendment")
is made as of May __, 2000 by and between Greenwood Plaza Partners, LLC, a
Colorado limited liability company ("Lessor"), and New Era of Networks, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("Lessee").

         1. RECITALS. Lessor and Lessee are parties to that certain Standard
Commercial Lease dated July 22, 1999 (the "Original Lease"). Lessor and Lessee
desire to the amend the Original Lease for their mutual benefit, all as set
forth in this Amendment. When used in this Amendment, the term "Lease" means the
Original Lease as amended by this Amendment.

         2. LEASED PREMISES. Section 1.02 of the Original Lease is modified to
delete the description of the Leased Premises and to replace such description
with the following: "Lot 1, Greenwood Plaza South Filing No.6, Arapahoe County,
Colorado, including all improvements thereto and all buildings, structures, and
other improvements located thereon."

         3. TERM. Section 1.03 of the Original Lease is amended to delete the
words "120 months thereafter."

         4. PLACE OF PAYMENT. Section 1.05 of the Lease is amended to
provide that, commencing with the payment due June 1, 2000, rent shall be paid
by NEON to a bank account of Lessor established with Citibank, N.A., New York,
New York. Prior to May 15, 2000, Lessor shall provide the exact account
information and wiring instructions.

         5. SECURITY DEPOSIT. The security deposit provided for by paragraph
1.07 of the Lease in the form of a Certificate of Deposit in the amount of
$80,000.00 and so long as Lessor owes any indebtedness to Citicorp USA, Inc.
with respect to the Leased Premises, such security deposit shall be held by
Citibank N.A. Lessee shall deposit with Citibank, N.A. in Account No. 2139278
those tenant security deposits from NEON's subtenants which exceed $100,000.00
in the aggregate, provided, however, that Lessee shall only be required to
deposit those amounts in excess of $100,000.00.

         6. TAXES AND ASSESSMENTS. In the second line of paragraph 2.02(a), the
phrase "pursuant to Section 2.01" is deleted. Section 2.02(c) is revised in its
entirety as follows:

                  In the event Lessee fails to pay any taxes and assessments as
                  required by this Section 2.02, Lessor, at its option, may pay
                  such taxes and assessments. Such amounts shall be Additional
                  Rent under this Lease and shall be due on demand.

         7. BUILDING SERVICES. Paragraph 4.01 is modified to read in its
entirety as follows:

                  Public utilities have made natural gas, water, electricity,
                  sanitary sewer, and telephone utilities available in the
                  street adjacent to the Leased Premises and Lessor has hooked
                  up such utilities to the appropriate building systems. Lessee
                  shall make appropriate arrangements with such public utilities
                  for utility service.

         8. WINDOW COVERINGS. The first sentence of paragraph 4.05 is modified
to read in its entirety as follows:

                  Lessee is responsible to furnish and install window coverings
                  on all exterior windows in the Buildings if Lessee so elects.
                  Lessee's choice of window coverings is subject to the approval
                  of Lessor, with

<PAGE>   2

                  the intent that such window coverings maintain a uniform
                  exterior appearance of the Buildings.

         9. LESSOR IMPROVEMENTS. Paragraphs 6.01 and 14.05 contemplate certain
plans and specifications to be attached to the Original Lease as Exhibit "C".
Exhibit "C" as attached to the Original Lease was incomplete. Exhibit "C" as
attached to this Amendment and is incorporated into the Lease as if originally
attached to the Original Lease.

         10. CASUALTY AND INSURANCE. Paragraphs 7.01 and 7.02 are modified to
change "ninety (90) working days" to "one hundred eighty (180) days."

         11. LESSOR ASSIGNMENT. The first sentence of paragraph 9.01 is revised
to read in its entirety as follows: "Lessor shall have the right to sell,
transfer, or assign, in whole or in part, its rights and obligations under this
Lease and in the Building."

         12. SUBORDINATION. The first sentence of paragraph 9.04 is modified to
replace the word "Building" wherever it appears with the words "Leased
Premises."

         13. ADDITIONAL REMEDY ON DEFAULT. Paragraph 11.02 of the Lease is
amended to add the following additional language at the end of paragraph 11.02
to read as follows:

                  (a) Subparagraph 11.02(b) which follows shall be effective and
                  a part of this Lease only following the occurrence of all of
                  the following events: (i) Lessee shall be in default under
                  this Lease; and (ii) the beneficiary of the Deed of Trust
                  securing payment of the $29,000,000.00 loan (the "Loan") made
                  by Citicorp USA, Inc. to Greenwood Plaza Partners, LLC which
                  encumbers the Leased Premises shall have declared a default
                  under the Loan and foreclosed such Deed of Trust and the
                  foreclosure sale shall have occurred; and (iii) Citicorp USA,
                  Inc. or its successor in interest with respect
                  to the Loan shall have applied toward payment of the
                  Loan all amounts in any bank account held as collateral for
                  the Loan to the extent then held as collateral and Citicorp
                  USA, Inc. or its successor is legally entitled to do so. Both
                  subparagraphs 11.02(a) and (b) shall be deemed deleted from
                  this Lease if the Loan is paid in full without resort to
                  foreclosure.

                  (b) For purposes of calculating damages under this Section
                  11.02, Lessor may elect to receive as damages the sum of (i)
                  all Base Rent and other sums accrued through the date of
                  termination of this Lease or Lessee's right to possession, and
                  (ii) an amount equal to the total Base Rent and other sums
                  payable hereunder that Lessee would have been required to pay
                  for the remainder of the term of the Lease discounted to
                  present value at the Prime Rate (defined below) then in
                  effect, minus the then present fair rental value of the Leased
                  Premises for the remainder of the term of the Lease, similarly
                  discounted, after deducting all anticipated costs of
                  reletting. For purposes hereof, the "Prime Rate" shall be the
                  per annum interest rate publicly announced as its prime or
                  base rate by a federally insured bank selected by Lessor in
                  the state in which the Leased Premises are located.

                                        2

<PAGE>   3

         14. BUILDING. Paragraph 14.03 is revised to read in its entirety as
follows:

                  "Building" means the two office buildings and the parking
                  structure located on and constituting a part of the Leased
                  Premises.

         15. COMPLETION DATE. Paragraph 14.05 is modified by deleting from
line 6 the words "condemnation, and damages" and replacing them with the words
"and condemnation."

         16. PARKING. Paragraph 16.16 of the Lease is revised to read in its
entirety as follows:

                  As of the date of this Amendment, Lessor provides, and will
                  during the Term of the Lease provide, to Lessee, 45 unreserved
                  surface parking spaces and 720 parking spaces located in the
                  parking garage. Lessee will pay Lessor a monthly parking fee
                  for the garage parking spaces as Additional Rent at the same
                  time Rent is due under this Lease based upon the following
                  schedule:

                                     Years 1-5:  $50.00 per month per space
                                     Years 6-8:  $57.50 per month per space
                                     Years 9-10: $62.70 per month per space

         17. MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT. Any property management agreement entered by
NEON with a property manager with respect to the Leased Premises shall provide
that it shall be terminable on 30 days' notice following termination of the
Lease.

         18. EXECUTION BY FACSIMILE AND COUNTERPARTS. This Amendment may be
executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall, taken together,
constitute one and the same agreement. The parties intend that delivery may be
effected by facsimile transmission and that a facsimile copy which has been
executed by the transmitting party shall constitute an original.

         19. MISCELLANEOUS. Except as modified by this Amendment, the Original
Lease is in full force and effect in accordance with its terms. Each of Lessor
and Lessee represents to the other that, to the knowledge of each, there are no
defaults under the Lease and Lessee has no defenses or offsets to payment of
Rent.

LESSOR:                                    LESSEE:

GREENWOOD PLAZA PARTNERS, LLC,             NEW ERA OF NETWORKS, INC.,
a Colorado limited liability company       a Delaware corporation

By:                                        By: /s/ LEONARD GOLDSTEIN
   -----------------------------------        ----------------------------------
Name: George F. Adam, Jr.                  Name: Leonard Goldstein
Title: CEO                                 Title: CAO

                                       3
<PAGE>   4
                         GENERAL SECURITY AGREEMENT AND
                             ASSIGNMENT OF ACCOUNTS

         THIS GENERAL SECURITY AGREEMENT AND ASSIGNMENT OF ACCOUNTS, dated as of
this 3rd day of May, 2000 is from NEW ERA OF NETWORKS, INC. ("Pledgor"), to and
for the benefit of CITICORP USA, INC., a Delaware corporation (which, together
with its successors, assigns, endorsees, transferees and assignees, is
hereinafter referred to as "Lender").

                                    RECITALS

         A. Lender has made a loan (the "Loan") to Greenwood Plaza Partners, LLC
("Borrower") in the amount of $29,000,000 (the "Loan"), which Loan is evidenced
by Borrower's Promissory Note of even date herewith in the amount of $29,000,000
payable to Lender (the "Note"). The Loan is evidenced by a Loan Agreement, of
even date herewith, among Borrower, Lender, and Guarantor (the "Loan
Agreement"). The Loan is fully recourse to Borrower. Defined terms used herein
and not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Loan Agreement.

         B. Pledgor has entered into a Standard Commercial lease with Borrower
(the "Master Lease") dated July 22, 1999 pursuant to which Pledgor has leased
the property known as 6550 and 6560 S. Greenwood Plaza Boulevard, Englewood,
Colorado (the "Property").

         C. Borrower shall use the Loan proceeds to payoff an existing loan to
Borrower from Pledgor. Pledgor will benefit for Lender making the Loan to
Borrower.

         D. In connection with the Loan, Pledgor has established the Excess
Space TI Account, the Tenant Security Deposit Account, and the Third Party
Tenants Cash Collateral Account. As a condition precedent to the Loan, Pledgor
is required to assign, pledge, transfer and grant Lender a security interest in
all accounts of Pledgor at Citibank, N.A. intended to constitute collateral for
the Loan, including without limitation, the Excess Space TI Account, the Tenant
Security Deposit Account, and the Third Party Tenants Cash Collateral Account
(collectively, the "Accounts").

         E. Pledgor's execution of this Agreement and pledging and assigning the
Accounts to Lender is a condition precedent to Lender making the Loan to
Borrower. Lender would not make the Loan to Borrower unless Pledgor entered into
this Agreement
<PAGE>   5
and pledged and assigned the Accounts to Lender. Pledgor acknowledges receipt of
adequate consideration for entering into this Agreement and pledging the
Accounts.

                                    AGREEMENT

         IN CONSIDERATION of the foregoing and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
Pledgor agrees with Lender as follows:

         1. Assignment and Pledge. For value received, Pledgor hereby sells,
assigns, pledges, transfers and grants Lender a security interest in all of
Pledgor's right, title and interest in and to the following (the "Collateral"):

         (a) All checking accounts, money market accounts, passbook savings
accounts and all other accounts now or hereafter established by Pledgor at
Citibank, N.A., its affiliates or subsidiaries intended to constitute collateral
for the Loan and all renewals thereof or substitutions, additions thereto,
proceeds therefrom and all amounts at any time on deposit therein together with
all interest or dividends thereon;

         (b) All amounts at any time on deposit in the Excess Space TI Account,
and all renewals or substitutions thereof, additions thereto, proceeds therefrom
and all amounts at any time on deposit therein together with all interest or
dividends thereon;

         (c) All amounts at any time on deposit in the Tenant Security Deposit
Account, and all renewals or substitutions thereof, additions thereto, proceeds
therefrom and all amounts at any time on deposit therein together with all
interest or dividends thereon;

         (d) All amounts at any time on deposit in the Third Party Tenants Cash
Collateral Account, and all renewals or substitutions thereof, additions
thereto, proceeds therefrom and all amounts at any time on deposit therein
together with all interest or dividends thereon;

         (e) Account No. 2137682 (Excess Space TI Account) at Citibank, NA., an
interest bearing account with a rate determined by Lender and similar to the
rate paid on similar impound deposits, and all renewals or substitutions
thereof, additions thereto, proceeds therefrom and all amounts at any time on
deposit therein together with all interest or dividends thereon;

         (f) Account No. 2139278 (Tenant Security Deposit Account) at Citibank,
N.A., an interest bearing account with a rate determined by Lender and similar
to the rate

                                       2

<PAGE>   6

paid on similar impound deposits, and all renewals or substitutions thereof,
additions thereto, proceeds therefrom and all amounts at any time on deposit
therein together with all interest or dividends thereon;

         (g) Account No. 2137704 (Third Party Tenants Cash Collateral Account)
at Citibank, N.A., an interest bearing account with a rate determined by Lender
and similar to the rate paid on similar impound deposits, and all renewals or
substitutions thereof, additions thereto, proceeds therefrom and all amounts
at any time on deposit therein together with all interest or dividends thereon.

         2. Security for Obligations. This Agreement secures the payment of all
obligations of Borrower to Lender now or hereafter existing under the Note and
all other Loan Documents, including any extensions, replacements, modifications,
substitutions, amendments and renewals thereof, whether for principal,
interest, fees, expenses or otherwise (all such obligations being the
"Obligations"). Pledgor shall not have any right to withdraw funds from the
Accounts except in accordance with the Loan Agreement.

         3. Representations and Warranties. Pledgor represents and warrants as
follows:

         (a) Pledgor is the legal and beneficial owner of the Collateral free
and clear of any lien, claim, security interest, assignment, pledge, charge or
encumbrance whatsoever, except for the liens and security interests created by
this Agreement, and the Collateral shall remain free and clear of any other
lien, claim, security interest, assignment, pledge, charge or encumbrance of any
nature whatsoever so long as any of the Obligations remain unpaid. No financing
statement or other instrument similar in effect covering all or any part of the
Collateral is on file in any recording office, except such as may have been
filed in favor of Lender relating to this Agreement.

         (b) Pledgor has legal title and good right and lawful authority to
pledge, assign and deliver the Collateral.

         (c) Pledgor will not create, assume or suffer to exist any lien on the
Collateral other than pursuant to this Agreement.

         (d) The pledge of the Collateral pursuant to this Agreement creates a
valid and, with execution of a letter by Citibank, N.A. in the form of Exhibit A
attached hereto, a perfected, first priority security interest in the
Collateral securing the payment of the Obligations.

                                       3
<PAGE>   7
     (f)  The pledge of the Collateral pursuant to this Agreement constitutes an
absolute and unconditional pledge of the Accounts and all amounts on deposit
therein as cash collateral security for the Loan. Such pledge is unrelated to
the Master Lease and Lender's rights to the Collateral are not contingent upon a
default under the Master Lease, or a failure to complete any construction on the
Property, or any other condition, other than an event of default under the Loan.

     (e)  The pledge of the Collateral pursuant to this Agreement is made for
the purpose of inducing Lender to make the Loan to Borrower, which Lender would
not make without such pledge, and the proceeds of such Loan will be used to
repay the outstanding loan from Pledgor to Borrower.

     (f)  Pledgor has full power to enter into and perform its obligations
under this Agreement and all other documents contemplated hereby or executed
pursuant hereto. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and all other
documents contemplated hereby or executed pursuant hereto and the performance
and observance of their terms, conditions and obligations have been duly
authorized by all necessary action on the part of Pledgor. This Agreement and
all other documents contemplated hereby or executed pursuant hereto constitute
or will constitute when executed and delivered by Pledgor, valid and binding
obligations of Pledgor enforceable in accordance with their terms.

     (g)  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and all other documents
contemplated hereby or executed pursuant hereto and the consummation of all
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, do not and will not conflict
with, or be in contravention of, any of Pledgor's governing documents, any law,
order, rule or regulation applicable to Pledgor or any agreement or instrument
to which Pledgor is a party or by which the Property is bound or affected, and
will not result in the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance of any
nature upon the Property other than that contemplated hereby.

     4. Covenants/Further Assurances. Pledgor agrees that, at any time and from
time to time, at the expense of Pledgor, Pledgor will promptly execute and
deliver all further instruments and documents and take all further action that
may be necessary or desirable, or that Lender may request, in order to perfect
and protect the assignment and security interest granted or purported to be
granted hereby or to enable Lender to exercise and enforce its rights and
remedies hereunder with respect to any Collateral. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, Pledgor will execute and file such financing or
continuation statements, or amendments thereto, and such other assignments,
instruments or notices, as may be necessary or desirable, or as Lender may
request, in order to perfect and preserve the assignment and security interest
granted or purported to be granted hereby.

                                       4
<PAGE>   8
         5. Waiver/Withdraw of Collateral.

         (a) Pledgor waives any right to require Lender to proceed against any
other person, including Borrower or any Guarantor, or to apply any other
collateral or security which Lender may hold at any time for the account of the
Borrower or Pledgor, or to exercise any other remedy. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Pledgor specifically waives demand, protest,
notice of protest, notice of default or dishonor (other than as specifically
provided for in Section 6 below), notice of payment and non-payment, notice of
default and non-payment at maturity (other than as specifically provided for in
Section 6 below) and agrees that the Obligations and the rights of the Lender
pursuant to this Agreement shall not be waived or modified in any respect by any
release, substitution, or addition of collateral, security, guarantors, or
endorsers with respect to the Obligations.

         (b) Pledgor acknowledges and agrees that, except as specifically set
forth in the Loan Agreement with respect to certain releases of the Collateral
under the conditions set forth therein, Pledgor has no right to and hereby
relinquishes any right to withdraw or remove or have access to or the use of the
Collateral or any funds in the Accounts.

         6. Events of Default. The occurrence of any one or more of the
following events or existence of any one or more of the following conditions
shall constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement and all other Loan
Documents:

         (a) Borrower shall fail to pay, when due, the principal of or interest
on the Note, or any installment thereof (whether due on the date provided for
herein or by acceleration or otherwise).

         (b) Pledgor shall fail to observe or perform any term, condition or
covenant of this Agreement, and such failure shall not be cured within 10 days
after notice from Lender.

         (c) Any material representation or warranty made by Pledgor herein or
in connection with the making of the Loan or in any certificate, statement or
report made pursuant to this Agreement is false, misleading or erroneous in any
material respect.

         (d) There shall occur a default, or the occurrence of any event or
circumstance defined as an Event of Default, under any of the Loan Documents
other than this Agreement.

                                        5

<PAGE>   9

         7. Remedies. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event
of Default hereunder or an event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse
of time, or both, would become an Event of Default hereunder:

         (a) Pledgor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints Lender its
respective true and lawful attorney, with full power of substitution: to demand,
collect, and receive payment of any and all monies or proceeds due or to become
due under the Collateral; to execute any and all instruments required for the
withdrawal or repayment of same, or any part thereof; and to complete such
instruments in any respect; and in all respects to deal with the Collateral as
the holder thereof; and, in its discretion, file any claim or take any other
action or proceeding, either in its own name or in the name of the Pledgor which
Lender may deem necessary or appropriate to protect and preserve the right,
title, assignment, pledge, transfer, and interest of Lender hereunder.

         (b) All payments received by Pledgor under or in connection with the
Collateral shall be received in trust for the benefit of Lender, shall be
segregated from other funds of Pledgor and shall be forthwith paid over to
Lender in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement), to the
extent of the Obligations then due.

         (c) All payments made under or in connection with the Collateral and
received by Lender may, in the discretion of Lender, be held by Lender as
collateral for, and/or then or at any time thereafter applied in whole or in
part by Lender against, all or any part of the Obligations in such order as
Lender shall elect. Any surplus of such payments held by Lender and remaining
after payment in full of all the Obligations shall be paid over to Pledgor or to
whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive such surplus.

         (d) Take possession of the Collateral and apply all or any part of the
Collateral to repay the Loan and satisfy Borrower's Obligations in such order
as Lender may elect, irrespective of whether there is any breach or default
under the Master Lease. Pledgor acknowledges that such a breach or default is
not a condition to application of the Collateral by Lender to repay the Loan
because the pledge of the Collateral is absolute and unrelated to the Master
Lease.

         (e) Lender may exercise in respect of the Collateral, in addition to
other rights and remedies provided for herein or otherwise available to it, all
the rights and remedies of a secured party on default under the Uniform
Commercial Code (the "Code").

         8. Indemnity. Pledgor agrees to indemnify Lender from and against any
and all claims, losses and liabilities growing out of or resulting from this
Agreement (including,

                                        6

<PAGE>   10

without limitation, enforcement of this Agreement), except claims, losses or
liabilities resulting from Lender's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

         9. Security Interest Absolute. All rights of Lender and the assignment
and security interest hereunder, and all obligations of Pledgor hereunder, shall
be absolute and unconditional, irrespective of:

         (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents;

         (b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any
other term of; all or any of the Obligations or any other amendment or waiver of
or any consent to any departure from the Loan Documents;

         (c) any amendment, modification or restatement of the Loan Documents;

         (d) any exchange, release or nonperfection of any other collateral, or
any release or amendment or waiver of or consent to departure from any guaranty,
for all or any of the Obligations;

         (e) the existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right that
Borrower or Pledgor may have at any time against Lender or any other person,
whether in connection with this Agreement or the Loan Documents; or

         (f) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not
similar to any of the foregoing, which might otherwise constitute a defense
available to, or a discharge of, Pledgor or a third-party grantor of a security
interest.

         10. Amendments, Etc. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this
Agreement nor consent to any departure by Pledgor herefrom, shall in any event
be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Lender, and then
such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for
the specific purpose for which give.

         11. Notices. Any notice required to be given to any party pursuant to
any provision of this Agreement shall be given in the manner prescribed in the
Loan Agreement.

         12. Continuing Security Interest; Transfer of Note; Release of
Collateral. This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the
Collateral and shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the payment in
full of the Obligations (except that if Lender enters into a written agreement
to voluntarily extend the Loan without Pledgor's consent, then this Agreement
and Lender's security interest in the Collateral shall terminate),

                                        7

<PAGE>   11

(b) be binding upon Pledgor, its successors and assigns and (c) inure, together
with the rights and remedies of Lender hereunder, to the benefit of Lender, its
successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing clause (c), Lender may assign or otherwise transfer the Note, or
any other Loan Document, or any portion thereof to any other person or entity,
and such other person or entity shall thereupon become vested with all the
benefits in respect thereof granted to Lender herein or otherwise.

         13. Miscellaneous. (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado.

         (b) Unless otherwise defined herein, terms used in Article 9 of the
Uniform Commercial Code in the State of Colorado are used herein as therein
defined.

         (c) Jurisdiction and Venue. At the sole option of Lender, any action
concerning this Agreement or any other Loan Document may be brought in (i) the
Colorado District Court for the City and County of Denver, Colorado, (ii) in the
United States District Court for the District of Colorado, or (iii) any New York
state or federal court sitting in New York County, State of New York, and
Pledgor hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of any such action
or proceeding may be heard and determined in any of the courts described above.
Pledgor hereby consents to nonexclusive venue and jurisdiction in any of the
courts described above and hereby irrevocably waives the defense of inconvenient
forum to the maintenance of any such action or proceeding.

         (d) Waiver of Jury Trial. Pledgor hereby waives any right to jury trial
of any claim, cross-claim or counterclaim relating to or arising out of or in
connection with this Agreement any of the other Loan Documents.

         (e) Provisions Several/Illegality. The unenforceability or invalidity
of any provision or provisions hereof shall not render any other provision or
provisions herein contained unenforceable or invalid and in lieu of each such
illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision there shall be added automatically
as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal,
invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid, and
enforceable.

         (f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each
of which shall constitute an original.

                        [SIGNATURE APPEARS ON NEXT PAGE]

                                        8

<PAGE>   12

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Pledgor has caused this Agreement to be duly
executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date
first above written.

                              PLEDGOR:

                              NEW ERA OF NETWORKS, INC.

                              By:  /s/ LEONARD GOODSTEIN
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                              Name:    Leonard Goodstein
                                    -------------------------------------------
                              Title:   Chief Administrative Officer
                                     ------------------------------------------

                                       9
<PAGE>   13

                                   EXHIBIT A

                       (Attached to and forming a part of
           the General Security Agreement and Assignment of Accounts
                 between New Era of Networks, Inc. as Assignor
                       and Citicorp USA, Inc. as Assignee
                              dated May __, 2000)

                         FORM OF CITIBANK PLEDGE LETTER

Citibank, N.A.
425 Park Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10022

          Re:      Pledge of accounts

Gentlemen:

         Reference is made to that certain Loan Agreement dated of even date
herewith (the "Loan Agreement") by and between Greenwood Plaza Partners, LLC, as
Borrower, and Citicorp USA, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as Lender. Defined
terms used in this letter and not defined herein, shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement.

         Pursuant to a General Security Agreement and Assignment of Accounts,
dated of even date herewith, executed by New Era of Networks, Inc. ("Pledgor")
in favor of Lender, a copy of which is attached hereto, Pledgor has pledged and
assigned to Lender, and has granted Lender a security interest in, any and all
checking accounts, money market accounts, passbook savings accounts and all
other accounts now or hereafter established by Pledgor with Lender, its
affiliates and subsidiaries that are intended to constitute collateral under the
loan to Borrower, including without limitation, (1) the Excess Space TI Account,
established pursuant to the Loan Agreement, which account is currently Account
No. 2137682 at Citibank, N.A., (2) the Tenant Security Deposit Account,
established pursuant to the Loan Agreement, which account is currently Account
No. 2139278 at Citibank, N.A., and (3) the Third Party Tenants Cash Collateral
Account, established pursuant to the Loan Agreement, which account is currently
Account No. 2137704 at Citibank, N.A.

         Lender will deposit the proceeds of the Permanent Cash Collateral
Account, the Excess Space TI Account, the Tenant Security Deposit Account and
the Third Party Tenants

                                       A-1

<PAGE>   14

Cash Collateral Account in the account numbers described above, subject to
Lender's first lien and security interest in the Accounts.

         By this letter, Lender and Pledgor authorize and request that you hold
the Accounts as Lender's agent for the sole limited purpose of allowing Lender's
security interest to be perfected by possession in accordance with applicable
law. Lender and Pledgor further request that you act in accordance with
Lender's instructions as to transfers of funds from time to time out of the
Accounts and that you waive your right of set-off with respect to the Accounts.
By executing this letter you (1) acknowledge the existence of the assignment to
and security interest of Lender in the Accounts, (2) agree that you will mark
your records with respect to such Accounts to reflect Lender's Security
Interest, (3) agree to act in accordance with Lender's instructions as to
transfer of funds from time to time out of the Accounts, (4) will not allow any
funds to be withdrawn or transferred from the Accounts without Lender's
consent, (5) agree that you waive your right to setoff with respect to the
Accounts and (6) agree that you will respond to any legal process effecting the
Accounts by noting in your response the existence of Lender's interest in the
Accounts.

         By this letter, Pledgor (1) acknowledges that Citibank, N.A. is holding
the Accounts as agent for Lender in order to perfect Lender's lien on and
security interest in the Accounts, (2) hereby specifically instructs Citibank,
N.A. to act upon instructions from Lender with respect to the Accounts and, in
the event of conflicting instructions from Pledgor and Lender, to rely in all
instances upon the instructions of Lender, and (3) releases and relinquishes any
right to withdraw funds from the Accounts without Lender's consent. Pledgor
hereby agrees to indemnify and hold Citibank, N.A. harmless from relying on
such instructions.

         Kindly acknowledge your acceptance of your appointment as agent for
Lender, your receipt of these instructions by signing your enclosed copy of this
letter and returning it to Lender.

                                             Very truly yours,

                                 CITICORP USA, INC., a Delaware
                                   corporation

                                 By:  /s/ P.S. THOMPSON
                                     ------------------------------------------

                                 Name:    P.S. Thompson
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                 Title:   VP
                                       ----------------------------------------

                                       A-2

<PAGE>   15

                                 NEW ERA OF NETWORKS, INC.

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

AGREED AND ACCEPTED as of
the day first above written:

CITIBANK, N.A.

By:  /s/ PAUL V. GLORIOSO
    ------------------------------------------
  Name:  Paul V. Glorioso
         -------------------------------------
  Title: Vice President
         -------------------------------------

                                       A-3
<PAGE>   16

                                   May 3, 2000

Citibank, N.A.
425 Park Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10022

       RE: PLEDGE OF ACCOUNTS FROM NEON

Gentlemen:

     Reference is made to that certain Loan Agreement dated of even date
herewith (the "Loan Agreement") by and between Greenwood Plaza Partners, LLC, as
Borrower, and Citicorp USA, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as Lender. Defined
terms used in this letter and not defined herein, shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement.

     Pursuant to a General Security Agreement and Assignment of Accounts and
General Hypothecation Agreement, dated of even date herewith, executed by New
Era of Networks, Inc. ("Pledgor") in favor of Lender, a copy of which is
attached hereto, Pledgor has pledged and assigned to Lender, and has granted
Lender a security interest in, any and all checking accounts, money market
accounts, passbook savings accounts and all other accounts now or hereafter
established by Pledgor with Lender, its affiliates and subsidiaries that are
intended to constitute collateral under the loan to Borrower, including without
limitation, (1) the Permanent Cash Collateral Account, which currently is
Account No. 554797 at Citibank, N.A., (2) the Excess Space TI Account,
established pursuant to the Loan Agreement, which account is currently Account
No. 2137682 at Citibank, N.A., (3) the Tenant Security Deposit Account,
established pursuant to the Loan Agreement, which account is currently Account
No. 2139278 at Citibank, N.A., and (4) the Third Party Tenants Cash Collateral
Account, established pursuant to the Loan Agreement, which account is currently
Account No. 2137704 at Citibank, N.A.

     Lender will deposit the proceeds of the Permanent Cash Collateral Account,
the Excess Space TI Account, the Tenant Security Deposit Account and the Third
Party Tenants Cash Collateral Account in the account numbers described above,
subject to Lender's first lien and security interest in the Accounts.

     By this letter, Lender and Pledgor authorize and request that you hold the
Accounts as Lender's agent for the sole limited purpose of allowing Lender's
security interest to be perfected by possession in accordance with applicable
law. Lender and Pledgor further request that you act in accordance with Lender's
instructions as to transfers of funds from time to time out of the Accounts and
that you waive your right of set-off with respect to the Accounts. By executing
this letter you

<PAGE>   17

Citibank, N.A.
May 3, 2000
Page 2

(1) acknowledge the existence of the assignment to and security interest of
Lender in the Accounts. (2) agree that you will mark your records with respect
to such Accounts to reflect Lender's Security Interest, (3) agree to act in
accordance with Lender's instructions as to transfer of funds from time to time
out of the Accounts, (4) will not allow any funds to be withdrawn or transferred
from the Accounts without Lender's Consent, (5) agree that you waive your right
to setoff with respect to the Accounts and (6) agree that you will respond to
any legal process effecting the Accounts by noting in your response the
existence of Lender's interest in the Accounts.

     By this letter, Pledgor (1) acknowledges that Citibank, N.A. is holding the
Accounts as agent for Lender in order to perfect Lender's lien on and security
interest in the Accounts, (2) hereby specifically instructs Citibank, N.A. to
act upon instructions from Lender with respect to the Accounts and, in the event
of conflicting instructions from Pledgor and Lender, to rely in all instances
upon the instructions of Lender, and (3) releases and relinquishes any right to
withdraw funds from the Accounts without Lender's consent. Pledgor hereby agrees
to indemnify and hold Citibank, N.A. harmless from relying on such instructions.

     Kindly acknowledge your acceptance of your appointment as agent for Lender,
your receipt of these instructions by signing your enclosed copy of this letter
and returning it to Lender.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          CITICORP USA, INC., a Delaware
                                             corporation

                                          By: /s/ R. S. THOMPSON
                                             -----------------------------------
                                          Name: R. S. Thompson
                                               ---------------------------------
                                          Title: V.P.
                                                --------------------------------

<PAGE>   18

Citibank, N.A.
May 3, 2000
Page 3

                                   NEW ERA OF NETWORKS, INC.

                                   By: /s/ LEONARD GOLDSTEIN
                                      ----------------------------------
                                   Name: LEONARD GOLDSTEIN
                                        --------------------------------
                                   Title: CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
                                         -------------------------------

AGREED AND ACCEPTED as of
the day first above written:

CITIBANK, N.A.

By: /s/ PAUL V. GLORIOSO
    ---------------------------------------
    Name: PAUL V. GLORIOSO
         ----------------------------------
    Title: VICE PRESIDENT
          ---------------------------------

<PAGE>   19

GENERAL HYPOTHECATION AGREEMENT                               CITICORP USA, INC.

Not for Consumer Transactions

         In consideration of any liability of Greenwood Plaza Partners, LLC to
Citicorp USA, Inc. (the "Lender") and/or in order to induce the Lender, acting
in its discretion, to make loans or otherwise to extend or continue credit at
any time(s) to Greenwood Plaza Partners, LLC, the undersigned hereby agree(s):

         I. That, as security for that certain Loan from Lender to Greenwood
Plaza Partners, LLC in the amount of $29,000,000, as evidenced by that certain
Loan Agreement of even date herewith (the "Loan Agreement") and all obligations
in connection therewith (the "Obligations"), the undersigned hereby pledges and
grants to the Lender a lien upon, a security interest in and an assignment of
any and all property (as defined below) in which the undersigned at any time has
rights and which at any time has been delivered, transferred, pledged, mortgaged
or assigned to, or deposited in or credited to (a) the Permanant Cash Collateral
Account (as defined in the Loan Agreement), or any other account in which the
Permanent Cash Collateral (as defined in the Loan Agreement) is held, or (b)
Account No. 554797 in the name of the undersigned maintained by Citibank, N.A.
(the "Securities Intermediary") and all assets on deposit therein,
(collectively, the "Pledged Account") and that is otherwise at any time in the
possession or under the control or recorded on the books of or has been
transferred to the Lender, the Securities Intermediary or any other third
party(ies) acting in its behalf or designated by it to the extent identified
with or intended for deposit in the Pledged Account. Stock dividends and the
distributions on account of any stock or other securities subject to the terms
and provisions hereof shall be deemed an increment thereto and if not received
directly by the Lender shall be delivered immediately to it by the undersigned
in form for transfer.

         II. That the Lender shall exercise reasonable care in the custody of
any property at any time(s) in its possession or control hereunder, or otherwise
subject to the terms and provisions hereof, but shall be deemed to have
exercised reasonable care if such property is accorded treatment substantially
equal to that which the Lender accords its own property (it being understood
that the Lender shall have no responsibility for ascertaining or taking action
with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges, maturities, tenders or other
matters relative to any property and whether or not the Lender has or is deemed
to have knowledge of such matters), or if the Lender takes such action with
respect to the property as the undersigned shall reasonably request in writing
and to which the Lender consents, but no failure to comply with any such request
nor any omission to do any such act requested by the undersigned shall be deemed
a failure to exercise reasonable care, nor shall any failure of the Lender to
take necessary steps to preserve rights against any parties with respect to any
property in its possession or control, or otherwise subject to the terms and
provisions hereof, be deemed a failure to exercise reasonable care.

         III. That, in addition to its rights and interests as herein set forth,
the Lender may, as its option at any time after the occurrence of an Event of
Default under the Loan Agreement and with or without notice to the undersigned,
appropriate and apply to the payment or reduction, either in whole or in part
of the amount owing on any one or more of the Obligations, then due, any and all
moneys now or hereafter with the Lender, any affiliate of the Lender or any
third party acting in its behalf or designated by it, on deposit or otherwise to
the credit of or belonging to the undersigned in the Pledged Account. The
undersigned understands and agrees that the Lender shall not be obligated to
assert or enforce any rights, liens or security

<PAGE>   20

interests hereunder or to take any action in reference thereto, and that the
Lender may in its discretion at any time(s) relinquish its rights as to
particular property or in any instance without thereby affecting or invalidating
its rights hereunder as to any other property hereinbefore referred to or in any
similar or other circumstance.

         IV. That, so long as any of the Obligations shall remain unpaid, the
undersigned will not, unless the Lender shall otherwise consent in writing,
create or suffer to exist any lien, security interest or other charge or
encumbrance, or any other type of preferential arrangement, upon or with respect
to the Pledged Account.

         V. That, so long as any of the Obligations shall remain unpaid the
undersigned will maintain at all times in the Pledged Account assets acceptable
to the Lender, consisting of cash and cash equivalents. Such cash and cash
equivalents, and any additional securities, cash and cash equivalents pledged to
the Lender from time to time and deposited in the Pledged Account, together with
any income and distributions in connection with the securities (including stock
splits) and any proceeds thereof deposited in the Pledged Account, shall be the
"Pledged Collateral", provided that the Pledged Collateral specifically excludes
Pledger's Account No. 554796 and any amounts on deposit therein.

         VI. That, so long as any of the Obligations shall remain unpaid, the
undersigned may not withdraw any Pledged Collateral from the Pledged Account.

         VII. That each type of Pledged Collateral shall at all times be cash or
cash equivalents as determined by Lender in Lender's sole and absolute
discretion.

         VIII. That the undersigned shall comply with the following minimum
collateral value requirements:

               (a) If at any time the loanable value of the Pledged Collateral
          as reasonably determined by Lender is less than $5,000,000, the
          undersigned shall deposit additional Pledged Collateral into the
          Pledged Account, as specified by the Lender in its sole discretion, so
          that, after giving effect to such deposit or repayment, the loanable
          value of the Pledged Collateral as reasonably determined by Lender is
          at least $5,000,000, or such lower amount as may be approved by
          Lender. The loanable value of any collateral shall be determined by
          Lender at the time that the collateral is included as part of the
          Pledged Collateral. The loanable value of cash and cash equivalence
          acceptable to Lender (e.g., short term U.S. Government Treasuries)
          shall generally be 100% of the market value. The loanable value of
          other types of Pledged Collateral may be less than 100% of the fair
          market value and such loanable value shall be determined by Lender in
          its sole discretion.

         IX. That in the event of the happening of any one or more of the
following, any one of which shall constitute an event of default, to wit: (a)
the non-payment of any of the Obligations when payable, or, in the case of
Obligations payable on demand, when payment is demanded; (b) the failure of the
undersigned forthwith to furnish additional collateral to the satisfaction of
the Lender to the extent required hereunder, or to perform or observe any other
covenant or obligation hereunder, or under any instrument, agreement or other
document delivered in connection herewith; (c) any representation or warranty
made by the undersigned under or in connection herewith shall have been
incorrect when made or deemed made; (d) the insolvency, death, failure in or
suspension of business, termination of current

                                       2
<PAGE>   21

employment, dissolution or termination of existence of the undersigned or any
guarantor or endorser of any of the Obligations, except as otherwise permitted
by the Loan Agreement; (e) the filing of a petition in bankruptcy by or against
the undersigned or any such guarantor or endorser, or the commencement of any
proceedings in bankruptcy, or under any Acts of Congress relating to the relief
of debtors, for the relief or readjustment of any indebtedness of the
undersigned or any such guarantor or endorser, either through the commencement
of voluntary liquidation, reorganization, composition, extension or otherwise,
or the taking of any action by the undersigned or any such guarantor or endorser
authorizing any of the foregoing; (f) the making of an assignment for the
benefit of creditors or the taking advantage of any insolvency law by the
undersigned or any such guarantor or endorser; (g) the appointment of a
receiver, conservator, liquidator, or similar officer for, or for any property
of, the undersigned or any such guarantor or endorser; (h) the occurrence of a
default or event of default under the Loan Agreement; (i) the attachment of or
restraint as to any Pledged Collateral -- then, or at any time after the
happening of any such event of default, any or all of the Obligations then
existing, although otherwise unmatured or contingent, shall at the option of the
Lender, become due and payable forthwith, without demand upon or notice to the
undersigned; provided, however, that in the event of any actual or deemed entry
of an order for relief with respect to the undersigned, under the Federal
Bankruptcy Code, any or all of the Obligations then existing, although otherwise
unmatured or contingent, shall automatically become and be due and payable.
Furthermore, upon the occurrence of any such event of default the Lender shall
have all of the rights and remedies provided to a secured party by the Uniform
Commercial Code in effect in New York State and Colorado State at that time and
the undersigned further agrees that (1) in the event that notice is necessary,
written notice mailed to the undersigned at the address given below three
business days prior to the date of public sale of property subject to the
security interest of the Lender or prior to the date after which private sale or
any other disposition of said property will be made shall constitute reasonable
notice, but notice given in any other reasonable manner or at any other
reasonable time shall be sufficient; (2) without precluding any other methods of
sale, the sale of property shall have been made in a commercially reasonable
manner if conducted in conformity with reasonable commercial practices of banks
disposing of similar property, but in any event, the Lender may sell at its
option on such terms as it may choose without assuming any credit risk and
without obligation to advertise; and (3) the Lender may require the
undersigned to assemble the property subject to the security interest of the
Lender and to make such property available to the Lender at a time and place
designated by the Lender, all at the expense of the undersigned. Upon the
occurrence of an event of default, if the fair market value of the Pledged
Collateral exceeds $5,000,000, the maximum amount Lender shall be entitled to
hereunder shall be Pledged Collateral with a fair market value of $5,000,000 (on
the date that Lender exercises its rights with respect to such collateral).

         X. That all rights of the Lender and liens of the Lender shall continue
unimpaired, and that the undersigned shall be and remain bound by the
Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof, notwithstanding the release of
any of the aforementioned property, or of any rights or interests therein, or
any delay, extension of time, renewal, compromise or other indulgence granted by
the Lender in reference to any of the Obligations or any promissory note, draft,
bill of exchange or other instrument or other obligations given in connection
therewith or constituting a part of the said property, the undersigned hereby
waiving all notice of any such delay, extension, release, substitution, renewal,
compromise or other indulgence, and hereby consenting to be bound thereby as
fully and effectually as if the undersigned had expressly agreed thereto in
advance.

         XI. That the Lender may, at its option and without obligation to do so,
at any time after an event of default transfer to or register in the name of its
nominee(s), including any "clearing corporation"

                                       3

<PAGE>   22

or "custodian bank" as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the
state of New York or Colorado and any nominee(s) thereof, all or any part of
the aforementioned property and it may do so before or after the maturity of any
of the Obligations and with or without notice to the undersigned.

         XII. That the Lender may assign or otherwise transfer all or any of the
Obligations, and may deliver all or any of the property to the transferee(s),
who shall thereupon become vested with all the powers and rights in respect
thereof given to the Lender herein or otherwise and the Lender shall thereafter
be forever relieved and fully discharged from any liability or responsibility
with respect thereto, all without prejudice to the retention by the Lender of
all rights and powers not so transferred. Furthermore that the Lender may, in
connection with any such assignment, transfer or delivery, disclose to the
assignee or transferee or proposed assignee or proposed transferee any
information relating to the undersigned furnished to the Lender by or on behalf
of the undersigned, provided, that, prior to any such disclosure, the assignee
or transferee or proposed assignee or proposed transferee shall agree to
preserve the confidentiality of any confidential information related to the
undersigned received by it from the Lender.

         XIII. That, if this agreement is executed by two or more parties, they
shall be severally bound and committed hereunder, and the term "undersigned"
wherever used herein shall be construed to refer to each of such parties
separately, all in the same manner and with the same effect as if each of them
had signed separate instruments. If any party hereto is a partnership, the
agreements herein contained shall remain in force and applicable notwithstanding
changes in the individuals comprising the partnership, and the term
"undersigned" shall include any altered or successor partnerships, but the
predecessor partnerships and their partners shall not thereby be released from
any liability.

         XIV. That the Lender is authorized, at its option, to file Financing
Statement(s), Amendments and Continuation Statement(s) without the signature of
the undersigned with respect to any of the aforementioned property;

         XV. That, the Lender is irrevocably appointed the attorney-in-fact of
the undersigned with full authority in the place and stead of the undersigned
and in the name of the undersigned, in the Lender's name or otherwise, from time
to time in the Lender's discretion, to take any action and to execute any
instrument, document or agreement (including, without limitation, financing
statements, amendments thereto and continuation statements) which the Lender may
deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this agreement
including, without limitation, to perfect, preserve, and protect the security
interest granted or purported to be granted hereunder.

         XVI. That, to induce the Lender to make any advance or extend any
credit secured hereby, the undersigned represents and warrants as follows (which
representations and warranties shall be deemed to be repeated on the date of
each such advance or extension of credit after the date hereof): (a) If the
undersigned is not an individual, it is duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization; (b) the
execution, delivery and performance of this agreement are within the capacity
and powers of the undersigned, have been duly authorized by all necessary
action, and do not contravene (i) if the undersigned is not an individual, the
charter and other organizational documents of the undersigned, or (ii) any law,
regulation or contractual restriction binding on or affecting the undersigned;
(c) no authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing
with, any governmental authority or regulatory body is required for the due
execution, delivery and performance of this agreement by the undersigned; (d)
this agreement is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the undersigned,
enforceable against the undersigned in accordance with its terms; (e) there is
no action or

                                       4
<PAGE>   23

proceeding affecting the undersigned pending before any court, governmental
agency or arbitrator, or threatened, and there is no other action or proceeding
affecting the undersigned or any of the shareholders, directors, officers,
partners, members or similar parties (as applicable) of the undersigned, pending
before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator, or threatened; which in
each case purports to affect the legality, validity or enforceability of this
agreement or any document executed or delivered in connection herewith by the
undersigned.

         XVII. That all notices by the Lender to the undersigned hereunder shall
be in writing and sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested, by overnight delivery service, or by hand-delivery to the address
of the undersigned specified below. All such notices shall be deemed given (i)
if sent by certified or registered mail, three business days after being
postmarked or (ii) if sent by overnight delivery service or by hand-delivery,
when received at such address or when delivery is refused.

         XVIII. That, in case any provision in or obligation under this
agreement or any other document related to this agreement shall be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision
or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby.

         XIX. That this agreement and the other documents related to this
agreement constitute the entire understanding between the parties hereto with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede any prior or contemporaneous
agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.

         XX. That this agreement shall be deemed to have been made under, and
shall be governed by, the laws of the State of Colorado in all respects,
including matters of construction, validity and performance, and that none of
its terms or provisions may be waives, altered, modified, or amended except as
the Lender may consent thereto in writing.

         XXI. That, without limiting the right of the Lender to bring any action
or proceeding against the undersigned or against property of the undersigned
including, without limitation, property pledged to the Lender under this
agreement (an "Action"), in the courts of other jurisdictions, the undersigned
hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any New York State, Colorado
State or Federal court sitting in New York City or Colorado, and the undersigned
hereby irrevocably agrees that any Action may be heard and determined in such
New York State court, Colorado State court or in such Federal court. The
undersigned hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively
do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any Action in
any jurisdiction. The undersigned hereby irrevocably agrees that the summons and
complaint or any other process in any Action in any jurisdiction may be served
by mailing to any of the addresses set forth below or by hand delivery to a
person of suitable age and discretion at any of the addresses set forth below.
Such service will be complete on the date such process is so mailed or
delivered, and the undersigned will have thirty days from such completion of
service in which to respond in the manner provided by law. The undersigned may
also be served in any other manner permitted by law, in which event the
undersigned's time to respond shall be the time provided by law.

         XXII. THAT BOTH THE UNDERSIGNED AND THE LENDER HEREBY WAIVE ALL RIGHT
TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING UNDER OR
RELATING TO ANY OBLIGATION OR THIS AGREEMENT.

                                       5

<PAGE>   24
         XXIII. That, until the Lender has given written notice to the
Securities Intermediary that the Obligations have been paid in full and that any
obligation of the Lender to make loans or other financial accommodations to the
undersigned or the Borrower has been terminated (a "Notice of Termination"),
(x) the undersigned shall have no right, and the Securities Intermediary will
not permit the undersigned, to withdraw or transfer all or any financial assets
or credit balances in the Pledged Account, without the written consent of the
Lender in each instance, and (y) the Securities Intermediary shall not, without
the written consent of the Lender in each instance, accept or honor any
instructions from or on behalf of the undersigned in respect of the Pledged
Account, without the written consent of the Lender in each instance.

         XXIV. That, notwithstanding any other agreement between the undersigned
and the Securities Intermediary or any obligation of the Securities Intermediary
to the undersigned to the contrary, the Securities Intermediary agrees (x)
as frequently as requested by the Lender, to transfer all available credit
balances and financial assets in the Pledged Account to such account as may be
designated by the Lender by wire transfer, depository transfer check, automatic
clearing house electronic transfer, or otherwise, as the Lender may direct in
its sole discretion and (y) to manage the Pledged Account and all financial
assets and other items therein as the Lender may direct in writing from time
to time (including using its best efforts to place or negotiate orders to sell
securities in the Pledged Account and transferring the proceeds of sale to the
Lender in accordance herewith), in each case until such time as the Securities
Intermediary receives a Notice of Termination from the Lender.

         XXV. That the undersigned hereby irrevocably authorizes and instructs
the Securities Intermediary to perform and comply with the terms of this
agreement with respect to the Pledged Account.

         Dated, this 3rd day of May, 2000.

ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED:

NEW ERA OF NETWORKS, INC.

/s/ LEONARD GOLDSTEIN
----------------------------------
Signature
Name: LEONARD GOLDSTEIN
Title: CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Address: 6550 GREENWOOD PLAZA BLVD.
         GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO

          CITICORP USA, INC.

          By: /s/ R. S. THOMPSON
              ---------------------
              Name:  R. S. Thompson
              Title:  Vice President

                                       6
<PAGE>   25

Securities Intermediary:
CITIBANK NA

By: /s/ PAUL V. GLORIOSO
   -----------------------------
Name:  PAUL V. GLORIOSO
Title: Vice President

                                       7
<PAGE>   26
                                                                 $29MM Term Loan

May 3, 2000

Citibank, N.A.
425 Park Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10022

RE:       Account No. 554797 in the name of New Era of Networks, Inc.
          ("Pledgor"), maintained at Citibank, N.A. (the "Pledged Account").

Gentlemen:

Pursuant to a General Hypothecation Agreement dated of even date herewith
(together with all amendments, restatements, or modifications which may occur at
any time and from time to time, the "Hypothecation Agreement"), executed by the
Pledgor in favor of Citicorp USA, Inc. ("Lender"), a copy of which is attached,
the Pledgor has granted to Lender a lien upon and security interest in the
property more specifically described in the Hypothecation Agreement, which
property includes, but is not limited to, (i) the Pledged Account, (ii) all
securities, cash, cash equivalents and all other assets or investments from time
to time deposited therein and (iii) all income and proceeds of the foregoing
(collectively, the "Pledged Collateral").

The undersigned hereby notify you of the existence of Lender's first lien on
and security interest in the Collateral and request that you hold the Collateral
as Lender's agent for purpose of allowing Lender's security interest to be
perfected in accordance with applicable law.

The Pledgor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally instructs you (without
further authority from the Pledgor) (i) to mark your records to reflect Lender's
lien on and security interest in the Pledged Collateral, (ii) to provide Lender
with a copy of any and all documentation and information forwarded to the
Pledgor relating to the Pledged Collateral, including, without limitation,
copies of each statement generated with respect to the Pledged Account, (iii) to
not close the Pledged Account or release, sell, substitute or otherwise
transfer any of the Pledged Collateral to the Pledgor or any third party,
without the prior written consent of Lender.

The Pledgor further hereby irrevocably and unconditionally instructs and
authorizes you, without further authority from the Pledgor, to promptly follow
any and all instructions received from Lender from time to time with respect to
the Pledged Collateral, including without limitation instructions as to the
transfer, exchange, redemption or other disposition of any of the Pledged
Collateral, it being agreed that any expenses chargeable by you in connection
with such instructions shall be for the Pledgor's account. The Pledgor
expressly acknowledges that such instruction and authorization is intended to
give Lender "control" of the Pledged Account as defined in the Uniform
Commercial Code as enacted in the State of New York and Colorado for the
purposes of attaching and perfecting Lender's security interest in the Pledged
Collateral pursuant to the New York and Colorado UCC. The Pledgor further agrees
to indemnify and hold you harmless from any claim, lawsuit, demand or damage
arising out of or in connection with your accepting instructions as to the
Pledged Collateral in compliance with the terms and conditions of this letter.

<PAGE>   27

Page 2

The instructions and other provisions contained in this letter shall remain in
full force and effect until Lender gives you notice in writing revoking the
same. Until such notice, you are directed to follow only the instructions of
Lender with respect to the Pledged Collateral, except for instructions as to
voting and other consensual rights which shall remain exercisable by the Pledgor
until Lender shall otherwise elect and notify you.

This letter shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Colorado.

Kindly acknowledge (i) your receipt of this letter, (ii) your agreements to act
as Lender's agent as described above and in accordance with all the instructions
and provisions hereof and (iii) your confirmation that you have marked your
records to reflect Lender's lien on and security interest in the Pledged
Collateral, by signing the enclosed copy of this letter and returning it to
Lender.

<PAGE>   28

Page 3

Each party signing below represents and warrants that such party, as well as any
individual signing on such party's behalf, has due authority to sign and deliver
this letter.

Very truly yours,

PLEDGOR:                                     CITICORP USA, INC.

NEW ERA OF NETWORKS, INC.                    By: /s/ R.S. THOMPSON
                                                 -------------------------------
By: /s/ LEONARD GOLDSTEIN                    Name: R.S. Thompson
    -------------------------------          Title: Vice President
Name: Leonard Goldstein
Title: Chief Administrative Officer

Agreed to and accepted as of the day first written above:

CITIBANK, N.A.

By: /s/ PAUL V. GLORIOSO
    -------------------------------
    Name: Paul V. Glorioso
    Title: Vice President<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                            DATED AS OF JUNE 30, 2000

                                      AMONG

                                 TOM BROWN, INC.
                                  AS BORROWER,

                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                            AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT,

                                       AND

                          TILE LENDERS SIGNATORY HERETO

                                   ----------

                             CHASE SECURITIES INC.,
                                   AS ARRANGER

<PAGE>   2

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       Page
                                                                                                       ----
<S>      <C>                                                                                           <C>
ARTICLE I
         DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING MATTERS

         Section 1.01 Terms Defined Above............................................................   -1-
         Section 1.02 Certain Defined Terms..........................................................   -1-
         Section 1.03 Accounting Terms and Determinations............................................  -14-

ARTICLE II

         COMMITMENTS

         Section 2.01 Loans and Letters of Credit....................................................  -15-
         Section 2.02 Borrowings, Continuations and Conversions; Letters of
                      Credit.........................................................................  -15-
         Section 2.03 Changes of Commitments.........................................................  -17-
         Section 2.04 Fees...........................................................................  -18-
         Section 2.05 Several Obligations............................................................  -19-
         Section 2.06 Notes..........................................................................  -19-
         Section 2.07 Prepayments....................................................................  -19-
         Section 2.08 Borrowing Base.................................................................  -20-
         Section 2.09 Assumption of Risks............................................................  -21-
         Section 2.10 Obligation to Reimburse and to Prepay..........................................  -22-
         Section 2.11 Lending Offices................................................................  -24-

ARTICLE III

         PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST

         Section 3.01 Repayment of Loans.............................................................  -24-
         Section 3.02 Interest.......................................................................  -24-

ARTICLE IV

         PAYMENTS; PRO RATA TREATMENT; COMPUTATIONS; ETC.

         Section 4.01 Payments.......................................................................  -25-
         Section 4.02 Pro Rata Treatment.............................................................  -25-
         Section 4.03 Computations...................................................................  -26-
         Section 4.04 Non-receipt of Funds by the Administrative Agent...............................  -26-
         Section 4.05 Set-off, Sharing of Payments, Etc..............................................  -26-
         Section 4.06 Taxes..........................................................................  -27-
</TABLE>

                                      -ii-

<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       Page
                                                                                                       ----
<S>      <C>                                                                                           <C>
ARTICLE V

         CAPITAL ADEQUACY

         Section 5.01 Additional Costs.............................................................    -30-
         Section 5.02 Limitation on Eurodollar Loans...............................................    -32-
         Section 5.03 Illegality...................................................................    -32-
         Section 5.04 Base Rate Loans Pursuant to Sections 5.01, 5.02 and 5.03.....................    -32-
         Section 5.05 Compensation.................................................................    -32-
         Section 5.06 Time Limit; Etc..............................................................    -33-
         Section 5.07 Replacement Lenders..........................................................    -33-

ARTICLE VI

         CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

         Section 6.01 Initial Funding..............................................................    -35-
         Section 6.02 Initial and Subsequent Loans and Letters of Credit...........................    -36-
         Section 6.03 Conditions Precedent for the Benefit of Lenders..............................    -36-
         Section 6.04 No Waiver....................................................................    -37-

ARTICLE VII

         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         Section 7.01 Corporate Existence..........................................................    -37-
         Section 7.02 Financial Condition..........................................................    -37-
         Section 7.03 Litigation...................................................................    -38-
         Section 7.04 No Breach....................................................................    -38-
         Section 7.05 Authority....................................................................    -38-
         Section 7.06 Approvals....................................................................    -38-
         Section 7.07 Use of Loans.................................................................    -38-
         Section 7.08 ERISA........................................................................    -38-
         Section 7.09 Taxes........................................................................    -38-
         Section 7.10 Titles, Etc..................................................................    -41-
         Section 7.11 No Material Misstatements....................................................    -42-
         Section 7.12 Investment Company Act.......................................................    -42-
         Section 7.13 Public Utility Holding Company Act...........................................    -42-
         Section 7.14 Subsidiaries.................................................................    -42-
         Section 7.15 Location of Business and Offices.............................................    -42-
         Section 7.16 Defaults.....................................................................    -43-
         Section 7.17 Environmental Matters........................................................    -43-
         Section 7.18 Compliance with the Law......................................................    -44-
         Section 7.19 Insurance....................................................................    -44-
         Section 7.20 Hedging Agreements...........................................................    -44-
         Section 7.21 Restriction on Liens.........................................................    -45-
         Section 7.22 Material Agreements..........................................................    -45-
</TABLE>

                                      -iii-

<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       Page
                                                                                                       ----
<S>      <C>                                                                                           <C>
ARTICLE VIII

         AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

         Section 8.01 Reporting Requirements.......................................................  -45-
         Section 8.02 Litigation...................................................................  -47-
         Section 8.03 Maintenance, Etc.............................................................  -47-
         Section 8.04 Environmental Matters........................................................  -48-
         Section 8.05 Further Assurances...........................................................  -49-
         Section 8.06 Performance of Obligations...................................................  -49-
         Section 8.07 Reserve Reports..............................................................  -49-
         Section 8.08 Title to Oil and Gas Properties..............................................  -50-
         Section 8.09 ERISA Information and Compliance.............................................  -50-

ARTICLE IX

         NEGATIVE COVENANTS

         Section 9.01 Debt.........................................................................  -51-
         Section 9.02 Liens........................................................................  -52-
         Section 9.03 Investments, Loans and Advances..............................................  -52-
         Section 9.04 Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions.....................................  -53-
         Section 9.05 Sales and Leasebacks.........................................................  -54-
         Section 9.06 Nature of Business...........................................................  -54-
         Section 9.07 Limitation on Leases.........................................................  -54-
         Section 9.08 Mergers, Etc.................................................................  -54-
         Section 9.09 Proceeds of Notes; Letters of Credit.........................................  -54-
         Section 9.10 ERISA Compliance.............................................................  -54-
         Section 9.11 Sale or Discount of Receivables..............................................  -56-
         Section 9.12 Tangible Net Worth...........................................................  -56-
         Section 9.13 Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio..................................................  -56-
         Section 9.14 Leverage Ratio...............................................................  -56-
         Section 9.15 Sale of Oil and Gas Properties...............................................  -56-
         Section 9.16 Environmental Matters........................................................  -56-
         Section 9.17 Transactions with Affiliates.................................................  -57-
         Section 9.18 Subsidiaries.................................................................  -57-
         Section 9.19 Negative Pledge Agreements...................................................  -57-
         Section 9.20 Hedging Agreements...........................................................  -57-

ARTICLE X

         EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES

         Section 10.01 Events of Default...........................................................  -57-
         Section 10.02 Remedies....................................................................  -59-
</TABLE>

                                      -iv-

<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       Page
                                                                                                       ----
<S>      <C>                                                                                           <C>
ARTICLE XI

         THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

         Section 11.01 Appointment, Powers and Immunities.........................................   -60-
         Section 11.02 Reliance by Administrative Agent...........................................   -60-
         Section 11.03 Defaults...................................................................   -61-
         Section 11.04 Rights as a Lender.........................................................   -61-
         Section 11.05 INDEMNIFICATION............................................................   -61-
         Section 11.06 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and other Lenders.....................   -61-
         Section 11.07 Action by Administrative Agent.............................................   -62-
         Section 11.08 Resignation or Removal of Administrative Agent.............................   -62-

ARTICLE XII

         MISCELLANEOUS

         Section 12.01 Waiver.....................................................................   -63-
         Section 12.02 Notices....................................................................   -63-
         Section 12.03 Payment of Expenses, Indemnities, Etc......................................   -63-
         Section 12.04 Amendments, Etc............................................................   -66-
         Section 12.05 Successors and Assigns.....................................................   -66-
         Section 12.06 Assignments and Participations.............................................   -66-
         Section 12.07 Invalidity.................................................................   -67-
         Section 12.08 Counterparts...............................................................   -68-
         Section 12.09 References; Use of Word "Including"........................................   -68-
         Section 12.10 Survival...................................................................   -68-
         Section 12.11 Captions...................................................................   -68-
         Section 12.12 NO ORAL AGREEMENTS.........................................................   -68-
         Section 12.13 GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION..................................   -68-
         Section 12.14 Interest...................................................................   -69-
         Section 12.15 Confidentiality............................................................   -70-
</TABLE>

                                      -v-
<PAGE>   6

ANNEXES, EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

Annex I       - List of Percentage Shares and Maximum Credit Amounts

Exhibit A     - Form of Note
Exhibit B     - Form of Borrowing, Continuation and Conversion Request
Exhibit C     - Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit D     - Form of Assignment Agreement
Exhibit E     - Guarantors

Schedule 7.02 - Liabilities
Schedule 7.09 - Taxes
Schedule 7.10 - Titles, Etc.
Schedule 7.14 - Subsidiaries and Partnerships
Schedule 7.19 - Insurance
Schedule 7.20 - Hedging Agreements
Schedule 7.22 - Material Agreements
Schedule 9.01 - Debt
Schedule 9.02 - Liens
Schedule 9.03 - Investments, Loans and Advances

                                      -vi-

<PAGE>   7

         THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of June 30, 2000 is among TOM BROWN,
INC., a corporation formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the
"Borrower"); each of the lenders that is a signatory hereto or which becomes a
signatory hereto as provided in Section 12.06 (individually, together with its
successors and assigns, a "Lender" and, collectively, the "Lenders"); and THE
CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, a New York banking corporation (in its individual
capacity, "Chase"), as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity,
together with its successors in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent").

                                    RECITALS

     A. The Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide certain loans to and
extensions of credit on behalf of the Borrower; and

     B. The Lenders have agreed to make such loans and extensions of credit
subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

     C. In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained
and of the loans, extensions of credit and commitments hereinafter referred to,
the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                       DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING MATTERS

         Section 1.01 Terms Defined Above As used in this Agreement, the terms
"Administrative Agent," "Borrower," "Chase," "Lender," and "Lenders" shall have
the meanings indicated above.

         Section 1.02 Certain Defined Terms. As used herein, the following terms
shall have the following meanings (all terms defined in this Article I or in
other provisions of this Agreement in the singular to have equivalent meanings
when used in the plural and vice versa):

         "Additional Costs" shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section
5.01(a).

         "Affected Loans" shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section
5.04.

         "Affiliate" of any Person shall mean (i) any Person directly or
indirectly controlled by, controlling or under common control with such first
Person, (ii) any director or officer of such first Person or of any Person
referred to in clause (i) above and (iii) if any Person in clause (i) above is
an individual, any member of the immediate family (including parents, spouse and
children) of such individual and any trust whose principal beneficiary is such
individual or one or more members of such immediate family and any Person who is
controlled by any such member or trust. For purposes of this definition, any
Person which owns directly or indirectly 10% or more of the securities having
ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body of a
corporation or 10% or more of the partnership or other ownership interests of
any other Person (other than as a limited partner of such other Person) will be
deemed to "control" (including, with its correlative meanings, "controlled by"
and "under common control with") such corporation or other Person.

                                      -1-
<PAGE>   8

         "Agreement" shall mean this Credit Agreement, as the same may from time
to time be amended or supplemented.

         "Aggregate Commitments" at any time shall equal the amount calculated
in accordance with Section 2.03(a).

         "Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts" at any time shall equal the sum of
the Maximum Credit Amounts of the Lenders set forth or Annex], as the same may
be reduced pursuant to Section 203(b). As of the Closing Date, the Aggregate
Maximum Credit Amounts equal $125,000,000.

         "Applicable Lending Office" shall mean, for each Lender and for each
Type of Loan, the lending office of such Lender (or an Affiliate of such Lender)
designated for such Type of Loan on the signature pages hereof or such other
offices of such Lender (or of an Affiliate of such Lender) as such Lender may
from time to time specify to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower as the
office by which its Loans of such Type are to be made and maintained.

         "Applicable Margin" shall mean the applicable per annum percentage set
forth at the appropriate intersection in the table shown below, based on the
Borrowing Base Utilization as in effect from time to time:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      BORROWING BASE UTILIZATION                      APPLICABLE MARGIN
      --------------------------                      -----------------
                                           EURODOLLAR LOANS     BASE RATE LOANS
                                           ----------------     ---------------
<S>                                        <C>                  <C>
Less than or equal to 25%                       0.875%              0.000%

Greater than 25%,                               1.000%              0.000%
but less than or equal to 50%

Greater than 50%,                               1.125%              0.125%
but less than or equal to 75%

Greater than 75%                               11.3750%             0.375%
</TABLE>

Each change in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in the Borrowing
Base Utilization shall take effect at the time of such change in the Borrowing
Base Utilization (including, without limitation, in respect of Eurodollar Loans
then outstanding notwithstanding that such change occurs during an Interest
Period).

         "Assignment" shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section
12.06(b).

         "Base Rate" shall mean, with respect to any Base Rate Loan, for any
day, the higher of (i) the Federal Funds Rate for any such day plus 1/2 of 1% or
(ii) the Prime Rate for such day. Each change in any interest rate provided for
herein based upon the Base Rate resulting from a change in the Base Rate shall
take effect at the time of such change in the Base Rate.

         "Base Rate Loans" shall mean Loans that bear interest at rates based
upon the Base Rate.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   9

         "Borrowing Base" shall mean at any time an amount equal to the amount
determined in accordance with Section 2.08.

         "Borrowing Base Deficiency" shall mean, and occur at any time when, the
amount by which the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans plus the
LC Exposure exceeds the Borrowing Base, whether as the result of a
redetermination, a scheduled reduction, or otherwise.

         "Borrowing Base Utilization" shall mean at any time, an amount
(expressed as a percentage) equal to the quotient of (i) the aggregate
principal amount of Loans outstanding plus LC Exposure, divided by (ii) the
Borrowing Base.

         "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a day on which commercial
banks are authorized or required to close in New York City, or if such day
relates to a borrowing or continuation of, a payment or prepayment of principal
of or interest on, or conversion of or into, or the Interest Period for, a
Eurodollar Loan or a notice by the Borrower with respect to any such borrowing
or continuation, payment, prepayment, conversion or Interest Period, any day
which is also a day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are carried out in the
London interbank market.

         "Capital Stock" shall mean any and all shares, interests,
participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a
corporation, any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than
a corporation), and any and all warrants or options to purchase any of the
foregoing.

         "Change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following
events: (a) any Person or "group" (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) (i) shall have acquired
beneficial ownership of 35% or more of any outstanding class of Capital Stock
having ordinary voting power in the election of directors of the Borrower, (ii)
(A) shall obtain the power (whether or not exercised) to elect a majority of the
Borrower's directors or (B) the Board of Directors of the Borrower shall not
consist of a majority of Continuing Directors, or (b) except as permitted by
Section 9.15, the Borrower shall cease to own 100% of the issued and outstanding
Capital Stock of each of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries. For purposes of this
definition, "Continuing Directors" shall mean the directors of the Borrower on
the Closing Date and each other director, if such other director's nomination
for election to the Board of Directors of the Borrower is recommended by a
majority of the then Continuing Directors.

         "Closing Date" shall mean June 30, 2000.

         "Co-Agent" shall mean Bank of America, N.A., as co-agent for the
Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

         "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time and any successor statute.

         "Commitment" shall mean, for any Lender, its obligation to make Loans
as provided in Section 2.01(a) and to participate in the Letters of Credit as
provided in Section 2.01(b) up to the lesser of (i) such Lender's Maximum Credit
Amount and (ii) such Lender's Percentage Share of the amount equal to the then
effective Borrowing Base.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   10

         "Consolidated Net Income" shall mean with respect to the Borrower and
its Consolidated Subsidiaries, for any period, the aggregate of the net income
(or loss) of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, provided that there shall be
excluded from such net income (to the extent otherwise included therein) the
following: (i) the net income of any Person in which the Borrower or any
Consolidated Subsidiary has an interest (which interest does not cause the net
income of such other Person to be consolidated with the net income of the
Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP), except to
the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions actually paid in such
period by such other Person to the Borrower or to a Consolidated Subsidiary, as
the case may be; (ii) the net income (but not loss) of any Consolidated
Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar
distributions or transfers or loans by that Consolidated Subsidiary is not at
the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement,
instrument or Governmental Requirement applicable to such Consolidated
Subsidiary, or is otherwise restricted or prohibited in each case determined in
accordance with GAAP; (iii) any extraordinary gains or losses; and (iv) the
cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and any gains or losses
attributable to writeups or write downs of assets.

         "Consolidated Subsidiaries" shall mean each Subsidiary of a Person
(whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired) the financial
statements of which shall be (or should have been) consolidated with the
financial statements of such Person in accordance with GAAP. Unless otherwise
indicated, each reference to the term "Consolidated Subsidiary" shall mean a
Subsidiary consolidated with the Borrower.

         "Debt" shall mean, for any Person the sum of the following (without
duplication): (i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or evidenced
by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments; (ii) all obligations
of such Person (whether contingent or otherwise) in respect of bankers'
acceptances, letters of credit, surety or other bonds and similar instruments;
(iii) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of
Property or services (other than for borrowed money); (iv) all obligations under
leases which shall have been, or should have been, in accordance with GAAP,
recorded as capital leases in respect of which such Person is liable (whether
contingent or otherwise); (v) all obligations under operating leases which
require such Person or its Affiliate to make payments over the term of such
lease, including payments at termination, based on the purchase price or
appraisal value of the Property subject to such lease plus a marginal interest
rate, and used primarily as a financing vehicle for, or to monetize, such
Property; (vi) all Debt (as described in the other clauses of this definition)
and other obligations of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person,
whether or not such Debt is assumed by such Person; (vii) all Debt (as described
in the other clauses of this definition) and other obligations of others
guaranteed by such Person or in which such Person otherwise assures a creditor
against loss of the debtor or obligations of others; (viii) all obligations or
undertakings of such Person to maintain or cause to be maintained the financial
position or covenants of others or to purchase the Debt or Property of others;
(ix) obligations to deliver goods or services, including Hydrocarbons in
consideration of advance payments; (x) obligations to pay for goods or services
whether or not such goods or services are actually received or utilized by such
Person which are more than 90 days past due; (xi) any Debt of a Special Entity
for which such Person is liable either by agreement or because of a Governmental
Requirement; (xii) the undischarged balance of any production payment created by
such Person or for the creation of which such Person directly or indirectly
received payment, to the extent such production payment would be reflected on a
consolidated balance sheet of such person.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   11

         "Default" shall mean an Event of Default or an event which with notice
or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default.

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

         "EBITDAX" shall mean, for any period, the sum of Consolidated Net
Income for such period plus the following expenses or charges to the extent
deducted from Consolidated Net Income in such period: interest, income taxes,
depreciation, depletion, amortization, exploration expense and other non-cash
expenses, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

         "Engineering Reports" shall have the meaning assigned such term in
Section 2.08.

         "Environmental Laws" shall mean any and all Governmental Requirements
pertaining to health or the environment in effect in any and all jurisdictions
in which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is conducting or at any time has
conducted business, or where any Property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary is
located, including without limitation, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 ("OPA"),
the Clean Air Act, as amended, the Comprehensive Environmental, Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA"), as amended, the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, the Occupational Safety and Health
Act of 1970, as amended, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976
("RCRA"), as amended, the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, the Toxic
Substances Control Act, as amended, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization
Act of 1986, as amended, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, as amended,
and other environmental conservation or protection laws. The term "oil" shall
have the meaning specified in OPA, the terms "hazardous substance" and "release"
(or "threatened release") have the meanings specified in CERCLA, and the terms
"solid waste" and "disposal" (or "disposed") have the meanings specified in RCRA
provided, however, that (i) in the event either OPA, CERCLA or RCRA is amended
so as to broaden the meaning of any term defined thereby, such broader meaning
shall apply subsequent to the effective date of such amendment and (ii) to the
extent the laws of the state in which any Property of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary is located establish a meaning for "oil," "hazardous substance,"
"release," "solid waste" or "disposal" which is broader than that specified in
either OPA, CERCLA or RCRA, such broader meaning shall apply.

         "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended from time to time and any successor statute.

         "ERISA Affiliate" shall mean each trade or business (whether or not
incorporated) which together with the Borrower or any Subsidiary would be deemed
to be a "single employer" within the meaning of section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA or
subsections (b), (c), (m) or (o) of section 414 of the Code.

         "ERISA Event" shall mean (i) a "Reportable Event" described in Section
4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder, (ii) the withdrawal of the
Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate from a Plan during a plan year
in which it was a "substantial employer" as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of
ERISA, (iii) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Plan or the
treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 of ERISA, (iv)
the institution of proceedings to terminate a Plan by the PBGC or (v) any other
event or condition which might constitute grounds

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   12

under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a
trustee to administer, any Plan.

         "Eurodollar Loans" shall mean Loans the interest rates on which are
determined on the basis of rates referred to in the definition of "Eurodollar
Adjusted Rate".

         "Eurodollar Adjusted Rate" shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar
Loan, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of
1%) determined by the Administrative Agent to be equal to the quotient of (i)
the Eurodollar Rate for such Loan for the Interest Period for such Loan divided
by (ii)1 minus the Reserve Requirement for such Loan for such Interest Period.

         "Eurodollar Rate" shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan for
any Interest Period, the rate appearing on Page 3750 of the Dow Jones Telerate
Service (or on any successor or substitute page of such Service, or any
successor to or substitute for such Service, providing rate quotations
comparable to those currently provided on such page of such Service, as
determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of
providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the
London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business
Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for dollar
deposits with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period. In the event that
such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the "Eurodollar
Rate" with respect to such Eurodollar Loan for such Interest Period shall be the
rate at which dollar deposits of $5,000,000 and for a maturity comparable to
such Interest Period are offered by the principal London office of the
Administrative Agent in immediately available funds in the London interbank
market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the
commencement of such Interest Period.

         "Event of Default" shall have the meaning assigned such term in
Section 10.01.

         "Excepted Liens" shall mean: (i) Liens for taxes, assessments or other
governmental charges or levies not yet due or which are being contested in good
faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained
in accordance with GAAP; (ii) Liens in connection with workmen's compensation,
unemployment insurance or other social security, old age pension or public
liability obligations not yet due or which are being contested in good faith by
appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in
accordance with GAAP; (iii) operators', vendors', carriers', warehousemen's,
repairmen's, mechanics', workmen's, materialmen's, construction or other like
Liens arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of business or incident
to the exploration, development, operation and maintenance of Oil and Gas
Properties or statutory landlord's liens, each of which is in respect of
obligations that are not more than 90 days past due or which are being contested
in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have
been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (iv) any Liens reserved in leases or
farmout agreements for rent or royalties and for compliance with the terms of
the farmout agreements or leases in the case of leasehold estates, to the extent
that any such Lien referred to in this clause does not materially impair the use
of the Property covered by such Lien for the purposes for which such Property is
held by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or materially impair the value of such
Property subject thereto; (v) encumbrances (other than to secure the payment of
borrowed money or the deferred purchase price of Property or services),
easements, restrictions, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, exceptions
or reservations in any rights of way or other Property of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary for the purpose of roads, pipelines, transmission lines,
transportation

                                      -6-

<PAGE>   13

lines, distribution lines for the removal of gas, oil, coal or other minerals or
timber, and other like purposes, or for the joint or common use of real estate,
rights of way, facilities and equipment, and defects, irregularities, zoning
restrictions and deficiencies in title of any rights of way or other Property
which in the aggregate do not materially impair the use of such rights of way or
other Property for the purposes of which such rights of way and other Property
are held by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or materially impair the value of
such Property subject thereto; and (vi) deposits to secure the performance of
bids, trade contracts, surety and appeal bonds, and performance bonds leases,
statutory obligations and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the
ordinary course of business.

         "Federal Funds Rate" shall mean, for any day, the rate per annum
(rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to the
weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with a
member of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers on such
day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day
next succeeding such day, provided that (i) if the date for which such rate is
to be determined is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day
shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so
published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (ii) if such rate is not so
published for any day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average
rate charged to the Administrative Agent on such day on such transactions as
determined by the Administrative Agent.

         "Financial Statements" shall mean the financial statement or statements
of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries described or referred to in
Section 7.02.

         "Fixed Charges" shall mean, for any period, the sum (without
duplication) of (i) interest expense (paid and capitalized) of the Borrower and
its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the relevant period on the aggregate principal
amount of their Debt, plus (ii) scheduled principal payments on the Debt of the
Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries made during the relevant
period plus (iii) allowance for cash income taxes of the Borrower and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries for the relevant period.

         "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" shall mean as of the end of any fiscal
quarter the ratio of (i) EBITDAX for the four fiscal quarters of the Borrower
ending on such date to (ii) Fixed Charges for the four fiscal quarters ending on
such date.

         "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States of America in effect from time to time.

         "Governmental Authority" shall include the country, the state, county,
city and political subdivisions in which any Person or such Person's Property is
located or which exercises valid jurisdiction over any such Person or such
Person's Property, and any court, agency, department, commission, board, bureau
or instrumentality of any of them including monetary authorities which exercises
valid jurisdiction over any such Person or such Person's Property. Unless
otherwise specified, all references to Governmental Authority herein shall mean
a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over, where applicable, the
Borrower, its Subsidiaries or any of their property or the Administrative Agent,
any Lender or any Applicable Lending Office.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   14

         "Governmental Requirement" shall mean any law, statute, code,
ordinance, order, determination, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction,
franchise, permit, certificate, license, authorization or other directive
or requirement (whether or not having the force of law), including, without
limitation, Environmental Laws, energy regulations and occupational, safety and
health standards or controls, of any Governmental Authority.

         "Guarantor" shall mean each of the Persons set forth on Exhibit E.

         "Guaranty Agreement" shall mean an agreement executed by the Guarantors
in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent guarantying,
unconditionally, payment of the Indebtedness, as the same may be amended,
supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Hedging Agreements" shall mean any commodity, interest rate or
currency swap, cap, floor, collar, forward agreement or other exchange or
protection agreements or any option with respect to any such transaction.

         "Highest Lawful Rate" shall mean, with respect to each Lender, the
maximum nonusurious interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time
may be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received on the Notes or on
other Indebtedness under laws applicable to such Lender which are presently in
effect or, to the extent allowed by law, under such applicable laws which may
hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum nonusurious interest
rate than applicable laws now allow.

         "Hydrocarbon Interests" shall mean all rights, titles, interests and
estates now or hereafter acquired in and to oil and gas leases, oil, gas and
mineral leases, or other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon leases, mineral fee
interests, overriding royalty and royalty interests, net profit interests and
production payment interests, including any reserved or residual interests of
whatever nature.

         "Hydrocarbons" shall mean oil, gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline,
natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous
hydrocarbons and all products refined or separated therefrom.

         "Indebtedness" shall mean any and all amounts owing or to be owing by
the Borrower or any Guarantor to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank
and/or the Lenders in connection with the Loan Documents, and any Hedging
Agreements now or hereafter arising between the Borrower or any Guarantor and
any Lender or its Affiliate and permitted by the terms of this Agreement, and
all renewals, extensions and/or rearrangements of any of the foregoing.

         "Indemnified Parties" shall have the meaning assigned such term in
Section 12.03(a)(ii).

         "Indemnity Matters" shall mean any and all actions, suits, proceedings
(including any investigations, litigation or inquiries), claims, demands and
causes of action made or threatened against a Person and, in connection
therewith, all losses, liabilities, damages (including, without limitation,
consequential damages) or reasonable costs and expenses of any kind or nature
whatsoever incurred by such Person whether caused by the sole or concurrent
negligence of such Person seeking indemnification.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   15

         "Initial Funding" shall mean the funding of the initial Loans or
issuance of the initial Letters of Credit upon satisfaction of the conditions
set forth in Sections 6.01 and 6.02.

         "Initial Reserve Report" shall mean the report of Ryder Scott Company,
dated February 15, 2000 with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of January 1, 2000, copies of which in
sufficient number for each of the Lenders have been delivered to the
Administrative Agent.

         "Interest Period" shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the
period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Loan is made and ending on the
numerically corresponding day in the first, second, third or sixth calendar
month thereafter, as the Borrower may select as provided in Section 2.02 (or
such longer period as may be requested by the Borrower and agreed to by the
Majority Lenders), except that each Interest Period which commences on the last
Business Day of a calendar month (or on any day for which there is no
numerically corresponding day in the appropriate subsequent calendar month)
shall end on the last Business Day of the appropriate subsequent calendar month.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) no Interest Period may end after the
Termination Date; (ii) each Interest Period which would otherwise end on a day
which is not a Business Day shall end on the next succeeding Business Day (or,
if such next succeeding Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar
month, on the next preceding Business Day); and (iii) no Interest Period shall
have a duration of less than one month and, if the Interest Period for any
Eurodollar Loans would otherwise be for a shorter period, such Loans shall not
be available hereunder.

         "Issuing Bank" shall mean Chase or any other Lender agreed to among the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent to issue Letters of Credit.

         "LC Commitment" at any time shall mean $10,000,000.

         "LC Exposure" at any time shall mean the difference between (i) the
aggregate face amount of all undrawn and uncancelled Letters of Credit plus the
aggregate of all amounts drawn under all Letters of Credit and not yet
reimbursed, minus (ii) the aggregate amount of all cash securing outstanding
Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.10(b).

         "Lender Termination Date" shall have the meaning assigned such term in
Section 5.07.

         "Letter of Credit Agreement" shall mean the written agreements with the
Issuing Bank as issuing lender for any Letter of Credit, executed in connection
with the issuance by the Issuing Bank of the Letters of Credit, such agreements
to be on the Issuing Bank's customary form for letters of credit of comparable
amount and purpose as from time to time in effect or as otherwise agreed to by
the Borrower and the Issuing Bank.

         "Letters of Credit" shall mean the letters of credit issued pursuant to
Section 2.01(b) and all reimbursement obligations pertaining to any such letters
of credit and "Letter of Credit" shall mean any one of the Letters of Credit and
the reimbursement obligation pertaining thereto.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>   16

         "Lien" shall mean any interest in Property securing an obligation owed
to, or a claim by, a Person other than the owner of the Property, whether such
interest is based on the common law, statute or contract, and whether such
obligation or claim is fixed or contingent, and including but not limited to (i)
the lien or security interest arising from a mortgage, encumbrance, pledge,
security agreement, conditional sale or trust receipt or a lease, consignment or
bailment for security purposes or (ii) production payments and the like which
constitute Debt, payable out of Oil and Gas Properties. The term "Lien" shall
include reservations, exceptions, encroachments, easements, rights of way,
covenants, conditions, restrictions, leases and other title exceptions and
encumbrances affecting Property. For the purposes of this Agreement, the
Borrower or any Subsidiary shall be deemed to be the owner of any Property which
it has acquired or holds subject to a conditional sale agreement, or leases
under a financing lease or other arrangement pursuant to which title to the
Property has been retained by or vested in some other Person in a transaction
intended to create a financing.

         "Loan Documents" shall mean this Agreement, the Notes, all Letters of
Credit, all Letter of Credit Agreements and the Guaranty Agreement.

         "Loans" shall mean the loans as provided for by Section 2.01(a).

         "Majority Lenders" shall mean, at any time while no Loans are
outstanding, Lenders having at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%)
of the Aggregate Commitments and, at any time while Loans are outstanding,
Lenders holding at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the
outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Loans (without regard to any sale
by a Lender of a participation in any Loan under Section 12.06(c)).

         "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean any material and adverse effect on
(i) the assets, liabilities, financial condition, business, operations or
affairs of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole different from
those reflected in the Financial Statements or from the facts represented or
warranted in any Loan Document, or (ii) the ability of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole to carry out their business as at the Closing Date
or as proposed as of the Closing Date to be conducted or meet their obligations
under the Loan Documents on a timely basis.

         "Maximum Credit Amount" shall mean, as to each Lender, the amount set
forth opposite such Lender's name on Annex I under the caption "Maximum Credit
Amounts," as the same may be reduced pursuant to Section 2.03(b) pro rata to
each Lender based on its Percentage Share and as modified from time to time to
reflect any assignments permitted by Section 12.06(b).

         "Multiemployer Plan" shall mean a Plan defined as such in Section 3(37)
or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

         "Net Cash Proceed" shall mean, with respect to any sale or other
disposition of securities, the cash proceeds (including cash equivalents and any
cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a
note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment receivable or
otherwise, but only as and when received) of such sale or other disposition
received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, net of all attorneys' fees,
accountants' fees, investment banking fees and other customary fees and
commissions actually incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and
documented in connection therewith.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>   17

         "Notes" shall mean the Notes provided for by Section 2.06, together
with any and all renewals, extensions for any period, increases, rearrangements,
substitutions or modifications thereof.

         "Notice of Termination" shall have the meaning assigned such term in
Section 5.07.

         "Oil and Gas Properties" shall mean Hydrocarbon Interests; the
Properties now or hereafter pooled or unitized with Hydrocarbon Interests; all
presently existing or future unitization, pooling agreements and declarations of
pooled units and the units created thereby (including without limitation all
units created under orders, regulations and rules of any Governmental Authority)
which may affect all or any portion of the Hydrocarbon Interests; all operating
agreements, contracts and other agreements which relate to any of the
Hydrocarbon Interests or the production, sale, purchase, exchange or processing
of Hydrocarbons from or attributable to such Hydrocarbon Interests; all
Hydrocarbons in and under and which may be produced and saved or attributable to
the Hydrocarbon Interests, including all oil in tanks, the lands covered thereby
and all rents, issues, profits, proceeds, products, revenues and other incomes
from or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests; all tenements, hereditaments,
appurtenances and Properties in any manner appertaining, belonging, affixed or
incidental to the Hydrocarbon Interests; and all Properties, rights, titles,
interests and estates described or referred to above, including any and all
Property, real or personal, now owned or hereinafter acquired and situated upon,
used, held for use or useful in connection with the operating, working or
development of any of such Hydrocarbon Interests or Property (excluding drilling
rigs, automotive equipment or other personal property which may be on such
premises for the purpose of drilling a well or for other similar temporary uses)
and including any and all oil wells, gas wells, injection wells or other wells,
buildings, structures, fuel separators, liquid extraction plants, plant
compressors, pumps, pumping units, field gathering systems, tanks and tank
batteries, fixtures, valves,fittings, machinery and parts, engines, boilers,
meters, apparatus, equipment, appliances, tools, implements, cables, wires,
towers, casing, tubing and rods, surface leases, rights-of-way, easements and
servitudes together with all additions, substitutions, replacements, accessions
and attachments to any and all of the foregoing.

         "Other Taxes" shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section
4.06(b).

         "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any
entity succeeding to any or all of its functions.

         "Percentage Share" shall mean the percentage of the Aggregate
Commitments to be provided by a Lender under this Agreement as indicated on
Annex I hereto,as modified from time to time to reflect any assignments
permitted by Section 12.06(b).

         "Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, company, voluntary
association, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or
government or any agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, or
any other form of entity.

         "Plan" shall mean any employee pension benefit plan, as defined in
Section 3(2) of ERISA, which (i) is currently or hereafter sponsored, maintained
or contributed to by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or an ERISA Affiliate or (ii)
was at any time during the preceding six calendar years sponsored, maintained or
contributed to, by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or an ERISA Affiliate.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>   18

         "Post-Default Rate" shall mean, in respect of any principal of any Loan
or any other amount payable by the Borrower under this Agreement or any other
Loan Document which is not paid when due, a rate per annum during the period
commencing on the date such amount became due and ending on the date such amount
is paid in full equal to 2% per annum above the Base Rate as in effect from time
to time plus the Applicable Margin (if any), but in no event to exceed the
Highest Lawful Rate; provided, however, for a Eurodollar Loan, the
"Post-Default Rate" for such principal shall be, for the period commencing on
the date such amount became due and ending on the date such amount is paid in
full at a rate equal to 2% per annum above the interest rate for such Loan as
provided in Section 3.02(a)(ii), but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful
Rate.

         "Prime Rate" shall mean the rate of interest from time to time
announced publicly by the Administrative Agent at the Principal Office as its
prime commercial lending rate. Such rate is set by the Administrative Agent as a
general reference rate of interest, taking into account such factors as the
Administrative Agent may deem appropriate, it being understood that many of the
Administrative Agent's commercial or other loans are priced in relation to such
rate, that it is not necessarily the lowest or best rate actually charged to any
customer and that the Administrative Agent may make various commercial or other
loans at rates of interest having no relationship to such rate.

         "Principal Office" shall mean the principal office of the
Administrative Agent, presently located at 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York
10017.

         "Prior Credit Agreement" shall mean that certain Credit Agreement dated
as of April 17, 1998 among the Borrower, the lenders parties thereto, and The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent for such lenders, as heretofore
amended.

         "Prior Debt" shall mean all Debt outstanding under the Prior Credit
Agreement.

         "Property" shall mean any interest in any kind of property or asset,
whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.

         "Quarterly Dates" shall mean the last day of each March, June,
September, and December in each year, the first of which shall be September 30,
2000, provided, however, that if any such day is not a Business Day, such
Quarterly Date shall be the next succeeding Business Day.

         "Redetermination Date" shall mean the date that the redetermined
Borrowing Base becomes effective subject to the notice requirements specified in
Section 2.08(f) both for scheduled redeterminations and unscheduled
redeterminations.

         "Regulation D" shall mean Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System (or any successor), as the same may be amended or
supplemented from time to time.

         "Regulatory Change" shall mean, with respect to any Lender, any change
after the Closing Date in any Governmental Requirement (including Regulation D)
or the adoption or making after such date of any interpretations, directives or
requests applying to a class of lenders (including such Lender or its Applicable
Lending Office) of or under any Governmental Requirement (whether or not having
the force of law) by any Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation
or administration thereof.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   19

         "Replacement Lender" shall have the meaning assigned such term in
Section 5.07.

         "Required Payment" shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section
4.04.

         "Reserve Report" shall mean a report, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth, as of each December 31
(or such other date in the event of an unscheduled redetermination) the oil and
gas reserves attributable to the Borrower's Oil and Gas Properties together with
a projection of the rate of production and future net income, taxes, operating
expenses and capital expenditures with respect thereto as of such date. The term
"Reserve Report" shall also include the information to be provided by the
Borrower at any other time pursuant to Section 8.07(b).

         "Reserve Requirement" shall mean, for any Interest Period for any
Eurodollar Loan, the average maximum rate at which reserves (including any
marginal, supplemental or emergency reserves) are required to be maintained
during such Interest Period under Regulation D by member banks of the Federal
Reserve System in New York City with deposits exceeding one billion Dollars
against "Eurocurrency liabilities" (as such term is used in Regulation D).
Without limiting the effect of the foregoing, the Reserve Requirement shall
reflect any other reserves required to be maintained by such member banks by
reason of any Regulatory Change against (i) any category of liabilities which
includes deposits by reference to which the Eurodollar Rate is to be determined
or (ii) any category of extensions of credit or other assets which include a
Eurodollar Loan.

         "Responsible Officer" shall mean, as to any Person, the Chief Executive
Officer, the President, any Vice President or the Treasurer of such Person and,
with respect to financial matters, the term "Responsible Officer" shall include
the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of such Person. Unless otherwise
specified, all references to a Responsible Officer herein shall mean a
Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

         "Scheduled Redetermination Date" shall have the meaning assigned such
term in Section 2.08(d).

         "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
successor Governmental Authority.

         "Special Entity" shall mean any joint venture, limited liability
company or partnership, general or limited partnership or any other type of
partnership or company other than a corporation in which a Person or one or more
of its other Subsidiaries is a member, owner, partner or joint venturer and
owns, directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the equity of such entity
or controls the management of such entity, but excluding any tax partnerships
that are not classified as partnerships under state law. For purposes of this
definition, any Person which owns directly or indirectly an equity investment in
another Person which allows the first Person to manage or elect managers who
manage the normal activities of such second Person will be deemed to "control"
such second Person (e.g., a sole general partner controls a limited
partnership).

         "Subsidiary" shall mean (i) any corporation of which at least a
majority of the outstanding shares of stock having by the terms thereof ordinary
voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation
(irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes
of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by of the happening of
any

                                      -13-
<PAGE>   20

contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by
another Person or one or more of such Person's Subsidiaries or by such Person
and one or more of its Subsidiaries and (ii) any Special Entity. Unless
otherwise indicated herein, each reference to the term "Subsidiary" shall mean a
Subsidiary of the Borrower.

         "Tangible Net Worth" shall mean, as at any date, the sum of the
following for the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries determined (without
duplication) in accordance with GAAP:

         (i) all items which would be included under shareholders' equity on the
consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower, minus

         (ii) the sum of the following: the book value of all assets of the
Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries which should be classified as
intangibles (without duplication of deductions in respect of items already
deducted in arriving at surplus and retained earnings) but in any event
including as such intangibles the following: goodwill, research and development
costs, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, patents and franchises, unamortized
debt discount and expense, all reserves and any writeup in the book value of
assets resulting from a revaluation thereof or resulting from any changes in
GAAP subsequent to December 31, 1999.

         "Taxes" shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 4.06(a).

         "Terminated Lender" shall have the meaning assigned such term in
Section 5.07.

         "Termination Date" shall mean the earlier to occur of (i) the third
anniversary of the Closing Date or (ii) the date that the Commitments are sooner
terminated pursuant to Sections 203(b) or 10.02.

         "Type" shall mean, with respect to any Loan, a Base Rate Loan or a
Eurodollar Loan.

         "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" shall mean, as to any Person, any Subsidiary
of which all of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock (other than directors'
qualifying shares) on a fully-diluted basis, are owned by such Person or one or
more of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries or by such Person and one or more of its
Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries. Unless otherwise indicated, each reference to the
"Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" shall mean a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.

         "Wildhorse" shall mean Wildhorse Energy Partners, LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company.

         "Wildhorse Limited Liability Company Agreement" shall mean the Limited
Liability Company Agreement between KMI and the Borrower for the formation of
Wildhorse, dated January 31, 1996, as amended.

         Section 1.03 Accounting Terms and Determinations Unless otherwise
specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all
determinations with respect to

                                      -14-
<PAGE>   21

accounting matters hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements and
certificates and reports as to financial matters required to be furnished to the
Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance
with GAAP, applied on a basis consistent with the audited financial statements
of the Borrower referred to in Section 7.02 (except for changes concurred with
by the Borrower's independent public accountants).

                                   ARTICLE II

                                   COMMITMENTS

         Section 2.01 Loans and Letters of Credit

         (a) Loans. Each Lender severally agrees, on the terms and conditions of
    this Agreement, to make loans to the Borrower during the period from and
    including (i) the Closing Date or (ii) such later date that such Lender
    becomes a party to this Agreement as provided in Section 12.06(b), to and up
    to, but excluding, the Termination Date in an aggregate principal amount at
    any one time outstanding up to, but not exceeding, the amount of such
    Lender's Commitment as then in effect provided, however, that the aggregate
    principal amount of all such Loans by all Lenders hereunder at any one time
    outstanding, together with the LC Exposure, shall not exceed the Aggregate
    Commitments. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, during the period from
    the Closing Date to and up to, but excluding, the Termination Date, the
    Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow the amount described in this Section
    2.01(a).

         (b) Letters of Credit. During the period from and including the Closing
    Date to, but excluding, the Termination Date, each Issuing Bank, as issuing
    bank for the Lenders, agrees to extend credit for the account of the
    Borrower or Subsidiary at any time and from time to time by issuing,
    renewing, extending or reissuing Letters of Credit; provided however, the LC
    Exposure at any one time outstanding shall not exceed the lesser of (i) the
    LC Commitment or (ii) the Aggregate Commitments, as then in effect, minus
    the aggregate principal amount of all Loans and the LC Exposure then
    outstanding. The Lenders shall participate in such Letters of Credit
    according to their respective Percentage Shares. Each of the Letters of
    Credit shall (i) be issued by the Issuing Bank, (ii) contain such terms and
    provisions as are reasonably required by the Issuing Bank, (iii) be for the
    account of the Borrower or Subsidiary and (iv) expire not later than two (2)
    days before the Termination Date.

         (c) Limitation on Types of Loans. Subject to the other terms and
    provisions of this Agreement, at the option of the Borrower, the Loans may
    be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans; provided, however, no more than
    eight Eurodollar Loans may be outstanding at any time.

         Section 2.02 Borrowings, Continuations and Conversions: Letters of
    Credit

         (a) Borrowings. The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent (which
    shall promptly notify the Lenders) advance notice as hereinafter provided of
    each borrowing hereunder, which shall specify (i) the aggregate amount of
    such borrowing, (ii) the Type and

                                      -15-
<PAGE>   22

    (iii) the date (which shall be a Business Day) of the Loans to be borrowed,
    and (iv) (in the case of Eurodollar Loans) the duration of the Interest
    Period therefor.

         (b) Minimum Amounts. All Base Rate Loan borrowings shall be in amounts
    of at least $500,000 or the remaining balance of the Aggregate Commitments,
    if less, or any whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof, and all
    Eurodollar Loans shall be in amounts of at least $1,000,000 or any whole
    multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.

         (c) Notices. All borrowings, continuations and conversions shall
    require advance written notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall
    promptly notify the Lenders) in the form of Exhibit B (or telephonic notice
    promptly confirmed by such a written notice), which in each case shall be
    irrevocable, from the Borrower to be received by the Administrative Agent
    not later than 2:00 p.m. New York time at least one Business Day prior to
    the date of each Base Rate Loan borrowing and three Business Days prior to
    the date of each Eurodollar Loan borrowing, continuation or conversion.
    Without in any way limiting the Borrower's obligation to confirm in writing
    any telephonic notice, the Administrative Agent may act without liability
    upon the basis of telephonic notice believed by the Administrative Agent in
    good faith to be from the Borrower prior to receipt of written confirmation.
    In each such case, the Borrower hereby waives the right to dispute the
    Administrative Agent's record of the terms of such telephonic notice except
    in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Administrative
    Agent.

         (d) Continuation Options. Subject to the provisions made in this
    Section 2.02(d), the Borrower may elect to continue all or any part of any
    Eurodollar Loan beyond the expiration of the then current Interest Period
    relating thereto by giving advance notice as provided in Section 2.02(c) to
    the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders) of such
    election, specifying the amount of such Loan to be continued and the
    Interest Period therefor. In the absence of such a timely and proper
    election, the Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to convert such
    Eurodollar Loan to a Base Rate Loan pursuant to Section 2.02(e) on the last
    day of the then expiring Interest Period. All or any part of any Eurodollar
    Loan may be continued as provided herein, provided that (i) any continuation
    of any such Loan shall be (as to each Loan as continued for an applicable
    interest Period) in amounts of at least $1,000,000 or any whole multiple of
    $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (ii) no Default shall have occurred and be
    continuing. If a Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each
    Eurodollar Loan shall be converted to a Base Rate Loan on the last day of
    the Interest Period applicable thereto.

         (e) Conversion Options. The Borrower may elect to convert all or any
    part of any Eurodollar Loan on the last day of the then current Interest
    Period relating thereto to a Base Rate Loan by giving advance notice to the
    Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders) of such
    election. Subject to the provisions made in this Section 2.02(e), the
    Borrower may elect to convert all or any part of any Base Rate Loan at any
    time and from time to time to a Eurodollar Loan by giving advance notice as
    provided in Section 2.02(c) to the Administrative Agent (which shall
    promptly notify the Lenders) of such election. All or any part of any
    outstanding Loan may be converted as provided herein, provided that (i) any
    conversion of any Base Rate Loan into a Eurodollar Loan shall be (as to each
    such Loan into which there is a conversion for an applicable Interest
    Period) in amounts of at least

                                      -16-

<PAGE>   23

    $1,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (ii) no
    Default shall have occurred and be continuing. If a Default shall have
    occurred and be continuing, no Base Rate Loan may be converted into a
    Eurodollar Loan.

         (f) Advances. Not later than 11:00 a.m. New York time on the date
    specified for each borrowing hereunder, each Lender shall make available the
    amount of the Loan to be made by it on such date to the Administrative
    Agent, to an account which the Administrative Agent shall specify, in
    immediately available funds, for the account of the Borrower. The amounts so
    received by the Administrative Agent shall, subject to the terms and
    conditions of this Agreement, be made available to the Borrower by
    depositing the same, in immediately available funds, in an account of the
    Borrower, designated by the Borrower and maintained at the Principal Office.

         (g) Letters of Credit. The Borrower shall give the Issuing Bank (which
    shall promptly notify the Lenders of such request and their Percentage Share
    of such Letter of Credit) advance notice to be received by the Issuing Bank
    not later than 11:00 a.m. New York time not less than three (3) Business
    Days prior thereto of each request for the issuance, and at least thirty
    (30) Business Days prior to the date of the renewal or extension, of a
    Letter of Credit hereunder which request shall specify (i) the amount of
    such Letter of Credit, (ii) the date (which shall be a Business Day) such
    Letter of Credit is to be issued, renewed or extended, (iii) the duration
    thereof, (iv) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof, (v) the type
    of the Letter of Credit and (vi) such other information as the
    Administrative Agent may reasonably request, all of which shall be
    reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Subject to the terms
    and conditions of this Agreement, on the date specified for the issuance,
    renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit, the Administrative Agent shall
    issue, renew or extend such Letter of Credit to the beneficiary thereof

         In conjunction with the issuance of each Letter of Credit, the Borrower
    and the applicable Subsidiary, if the account party, shall execute a Letter
    of Credit Agreement. In the event of any conflict between any provision of a
    Letter of Credit Agreement and this Agreement, the Borrower, the Issuing
    Bank, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby agree that the
    provisions of this Agreement shall govern.

         The Issuing Bank will send to the Borrower and each Lender, immediately
    upon issuance of any Letter of Credit, or an amendment thereto, a true and
    complete copy of such Letter of Credit, or such amendment thereto.

         Section 2.03 Changes of Commitments

         (a) The Aggregate Commitments shall at all times be equal to the lesser
    of (i) the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts after adjustments resulting from
    reductions pursuant to Section 2.03(b) or (ii) the Borrowing Base as
    determined from time to time.

         (b) The Borrower shall have the right to terminate or to reduce the
    amount of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts at any time, or from time to
    time, upon not less than three (3) Business Days' prior notice to the
    Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders) of each
    such termination or reduction, which notice shall specify the effective

                                      -17-
<PAGE>   24

    date thereof and the amount of any such reduction (which shall not be less
    than $1,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof) and
    shall be irrevocable and effective only upon receipt by the Administrative
    Agent.

         (c) The Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts once terminated or reduced may
    not be reinstated.

         Section 2.04 Fees.

         (a) Commitment Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent
    for the account of each Lender a commitment fee on the daily average unused
    amount of the Aggregate Commitments for the period from and including the
    Closing Date up to, but excluding, the earlier of the date the Aggregate
    Commitments are terminated or the Termination Date at a rate per annum equal
    to the applicable per annum percentage set forth at the appropriate
    intersection in the table shown below, based on the Borrowing Base
    Utilization as in effect from time to time:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

  Borrowing Base Utilization                   Applicable Percentage
  --------------------------                   ---------------------
<S>                                                   <C>
Less than or equal to 25%                             0.200%

Greater than 25%, but less than or equal              0.250%.
to 75%

Greater than 75%                                      0.375%
</TABLE>

Accrued commitment fees shall be payable quarterly in arrears on each Quarterly
Date and on the earlier of the date the Aggregate Commitments are terminated or
the Termination Date.

         (b) Letter of Credit Fees

            (i) The Borrower agrees to pay the Administrative Agent, for the
    account of each Lender, commissions for issuing the Letters of Credit on the
    daily average outstanding of the maximum liability of the Issuing Bank
    existing from time to time under such Letter of Credit (calculated
    separately for each Letter of Credit) at the rate per annum equal to the
    Applicable Margin in effect from time to time for Eurodollar Loans, provided
    that each Letter of Credit shall bear a minimum commission of $500. Each
    Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be outstanding up to the full face
    amount of the Letter of Credit until the Issuing Bank has received the
    canceled Letter of Credit or a written cancellation of the Letter of Credit
    from the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit in form and substance
    acceptable to the Issuing Bank or the Letter of Credit expires in accordance
    with its terms, or for any reductions in the amount of the Letter of Credit
    (other than from a drawing), written notification from the beneficiary of
    such Letter of Credit or the Letter of Credit reduces in accordance with its
    terms. Such commissions are payable quarterly in arrears on each Quarterly
    Date and upon cancellation or expiration of each such Letter of Credit.

                                      -18-
<PAGE>   25

            (ii) The Borrower agrees to pay the Administrative Agent, for the
    account of the Issuing Bank, commissions for issuing the Letters of Credit
    (calculated separately for each Letter of Credit) equal to 0.125% of the
    face amount of each Letter of Credit, payable upon issuance of such Letter
    of Credit.

            (iii) The Borrower agrees to pay the Issuing Bank on demand the
    Issuing Bank's customary letter of credit transactional fees, including
    amendment fees, negotiation and drawing fees, or other fees customarily
    payable with respect to each Letter of Credit.

         Section 2.05 Several Obligations. The failure of any Lender to make any
Loan to be made by it or to provide funds for disbursements or reimbursements
under Letters of Credit on the date specified therefor shall not relieve any
other Lender of its obligation to make its Loan or provide funds on such date,
but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make a
Loan to be made by such other Lender or to provide funds to be provided by such
other Lender.

         Section 2.06 Notes. The Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced by
a single promissory note of the Borrower in substantially the form of Exhibit A,
dated (i) the Closing Date or (ii) the effective date of an Assignment pursuant
to Section 12.06(b), payable to the order of such Lender in a principal amount
equal to its Maximum Credit Amount as originally in effect and otherwise duly
completed and such substitute Notes as required by Section 12.06(b). The date,
amount, Type, interest rate and Interest Period of each Loan made by each
Lender, and all payments made on account of the principal thereof, shall be
recorded by such Lender on its books for its Note, and, prior to any transfer
may be endorsed by such Lender on the schedule attached to such Note or any
continuation thereof or on any separate record maintained by such Lender.
Failure to make any such notation or to attach a schedule shall not affect any
Lender's or the Borrower's rights or obligations in respect of such Loans or
affect the validity of such transfer by any Lender of its Note.

         Section 2.07 Prepayments.

         (a) Voluntary Prepayments. The Borrower may prepay the Base Rate Loans
    upon not less than one (1) Business Day's prior notice to the Administrative
    Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders), which notice shall specify
    the prepayment date (which shall be a Business Day) and the amount of the
    prepayment (which shall be at least $1,000,000 or the remaining aggregate
    principal balance outstanding on the Notes) and shall be irrevocable and
    effective only upon receipt by the Administrative Agent, provided that
    interest on the principal prepaid, accrued to the prepayment date, shall be
    paid on the prepayment date. The Borrower may prepay Eurodollar Loans on the
    same conditions as for Base Rate Loans (except that prior notice to the
    Administrative Agent shall be not less than three (3) Business Days for
    Eurodollar Loans) and in addition such prepayments of Eurodollar Loans shall
    be subject to the terms of Section 5.05.

         (b) Mandatory Prepayments

         (i) Termination or Reduction of Aggregate Maximum Revolving Credit
    Amounts. If, after giving effect to any termination or reduction of the
    Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(b), the
    outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Loans, plus the LC Exposure,
    exceeds the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts, the

                                      -19-
<PAGE>   26
         Borrower shall (i) prepay the Loans on the date of such termination or
         reduction in an aggregate principal amount equal to the excess,
         together with interest on the principal amount paid accrued to the date
         of such prepayment and (ii) if any excess remains after prepaying all
         of the Loans because of LC Exposure, pay to the Administrative Agent on
         behalf of the Lenders an amount equal to the excess to be held as cash
         collateral as provided in Section 2.10(b) hereof.

                           (ii) Redetermination of Borrowing Base. Upon any
         redetermination of the amount of the Borrowing Base in accordance with
         Section 2.08, if the redetermined Borrowing Base results in a Borrowing
         Base Deficiency, then the Borrower shall, within 60 days of receipt of
         written notice thereof, (i) prepay the Loans in a principal amount
         sufficient to eliminate such Borrowing Base Deficiency, together with
         interest on the principal amount paid accrued to the date of such
         prepayment and (ii) if, because of LC Exposure, a Borrowing Base
         Deficiency remains after prepaying all of the Loans, pay to the
         Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders an amount equal to
         such remaining Borrowing Base Deficiency to be held as cash collateral
         as provided in Section 2.10(b).

                  (c) Generally. Prepayments permitted or required under this
         Section 2.07 shall be without premium or penalty, except as required
         under Section 5.05 for prepayment of Eurodollar Loans. Any prepayment
         may be reborrowed subject to the then effective Aggregate Commitments.

                  Section 2.08 Borrowing Base

                  (a) The Borrowing Base shall be determined in accordance with
         Section 2.08(b) by the Administrative Agent and the Co-Agent with the
         concurrence of the Majority Lenders and is subject to redetermination
         in accordance with Section 2.08(d). Upon any redetermination of the
         Borrowing Base, such redetermination shall remain in effect until the
         next successive Redetermination Date. So long as any of the Commitments
         are in effect or any LC Exposure or Loans are outstanding hereunder,
         this facility shall be governed by the then effective Borrowing Base.
         During the period from and after the Closing Date until the first
         redetermination pursuant to Section 2.08(d), the amount of the
         Borrowing Base shall be $225,000,000.

                  (b) Upon receipt of the Reserve Reports required by Section
         8.07 and such other reports, data and supplemental information as may
         from time to time be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent
         and the Co-Agent (the "Engineering Reports"), the Administrative Agent
         and the Co-Agent will redetermine the Borrowing Base. Such
         redetermination will be in accordance with their normal and customary
         procedures for evaluating oil and gas reserves and other related
         assets as such exist at that particular time. The Administrative Agent
         and the Co-Agent, in their sole discretion, may make adjustments to the
         rates, volumes and prices and other assumptions set forth therein in
         accordance with its normal and customary procedures for evaluating oil
         and gas reserves and other related assets as such exist at that
         particular time. The Administrative Agent and the Co-Agent shall
         propose to the Lenders a new Borrowing Base within 30 days following
         receipt by the Administrative Agent, the Co-Agent and the Lenders of
         the Engineering Reports in a timely and complete manner. After having
         received notice of such proposal by the Administrative

                                      -20-
<PAGE>   27

         Agent and the Co-Agent, the Majority Lenders shall have 15 days to
         agree or disagree with such proposal. If at the end of the 15 days, the
         Majority Lenders have not communicated their approval or disapproval,
         such silence shall be deemed to be an approval and the Administrative
         Agent's and the Co-Agent's proposal shall be the new Borrowing Base. If
         however, the Majority Lenders notify the Administrative Agent within 15
         days of their disapproval, the Majority Lenders shall, within a
         reasonable period of time, agree on a new Borrowing Base. The
         Administrative Agent, the Co-Agent and the Majority Lenders must
         approve a new Borrowing Base.

                  (c) The Administrative Agent and the Co-Agent may exclude any
         Oil and Gas Property or portion of production therefrom or any income
         from any other Property from the Borrowing Base, at any time, because
         title information is not reasonably satisfactory.

                  (d) So long as any of the Commitments are in effect and until
         payment in full of all Loans hereunder, on or around the first Business
         Day of each June (being a "Scheduled Redetermination Date"), the
         Lenders shall redetermine the amount of the Borrowing Base in
         accordance with Section 2.08(b). In addition, (i) the Majority Lenders
         may initiate a redetermination of the Borrowing Base at any other time
         as they so elect by specifying in writing to the Borrower the date on
         which the Borrower is to furnish, or cause to be furnished, a Reserve
         Report in accordance with Section 8.07(b) and the date on which such
         redetermination is to occur; provided, however, that the Majority
         Lenders may initiate only one such unscheduled redetermination during
         any consecutive twelve (12) month period, and (ii) the Borrower may,
         from time to time, initiate a redetermination of the Borrowing Base at
         any other time as it so elects by specifying in writing to the
         Administrative Agent (who will promptly notify the Lenders) the date on
         which the Borrower will furnish, or cause to be furnished, a Reserve
         Report in accordance with Section 8.07(b) and the date on which such
         redetermination is requested to occur; provided, however, that the
         Borrower may initiate only one such unscheduled redetermination during
         any consecutive twelve (12) month period. Any such unscheduled
         Borrowing Base redeterminations shall be made in accordance with the
         procedures described in Section 2.08(b).

                  (e) If at any time, and from time to time, the Borrowing Base
         Utilization exceeds 50%, the Administrative Agent and the Co-Agent may,
         or upon request of the Majority Lenders shall, redetermine the amount
         of the Borrowing Base by specifying in writing to the Borrower the date
         on which the Borrower is to furnish a Reserve Report in accordance with
         Section 8.07(b) and the date on which such redetermination is to occur
         provided, however, that the Administrative Agent, the Co-Agent and the
         Majority Lenders may initiate only one such unscheduled redetermination
         between Scheduled Redetermination Dates in addition to any
         redeterminations provided by Section 2.08(d).

                  (f) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify in writing
         the Borrower and the Lenders of the new Borrowing Base. Any
         redetermination of the Borrowing Base shall not be in effect until
         written notice is received by the Borrower.

                  Section 2.09 Assumption of Risks. The Borrower assumes all
risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any
transferee thereof with respect to its use of such Letter of Credit. Neither any
Issuing Bank (except in the case of gross negligence or willful

                                      -21-
<PAGE>   28

misconduct on the part of such Issuing Bank or any of its employees), its
correspondents nor any Lender shall be responsible for the validity, sufficiency
or genuineness of certificates or other documents or any endorsements thereon,
even if such certificates or other documents should in fact prove to be invalid,
insufficient, fraudulent or forged; for errors, omissions, interruptions or
delays in transmissions or delivery of any messages by mail, telex or otherwise,
whether or not they be in code; for errors in translation or for errors in
interpretation of technical terms; the validity or sufficiency of any instrument
transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign any Letter of
Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in
part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; the failure
of any beneficiary or any transferee of any Letter of Credit to comply fully
with conditions required in order to draw upon any Letter of Credit; or for any
other consequences arising from causes beyond such Issuing Bank's control or the
control of such Issuing Bank's correspondents. In addition, neither any Issuing
Bank, the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be responsible for any
error, neglect, or default of any of such Issuing Bank's correspondents; and
none of the above shall affect, impair or prevent the vesting of any of such
Issuing Bank's, the Administrative Agent's or any Lender's rights or powers
hereunder or under the Letter of Credit Agreements, all of which rights shall be
cumulative. Each Issuing Bank and its correspondents may accept certificates or
other documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility
for further investigation of any matter contained therein regardless of any
notice or information to the contrary. In furtherance and not in limitation of
the foregoing provisions, the Borrower agrees that any action, inaction or
omission taken or not taken by an Issuing Bank or by any correspondent for such
Issuing Bank in good faith in connection with any Letter of Credit, or any
related drafts, certificates, documents or instruments, shall be binding on the
Borrower and shall not put the Issuing Bank or its correspondents under any
resulting liability to the Borrower.

                  Section 2.10 Obligation to Reimburse and to Prepay

                  (a) if a disbursement by an Issuing Bank is made under any
         Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent
         within two (2) Business Days after notice of any such disbursement is
         received by the Borrower, the amount of each such disbursement made by
         such Issuing Bank under the Letter of Credit (if such payment is not
         sooner effected as may be required under this Section 2.10 or under
         other provisions of the Letter of Credit), together with interest on
         the amount disbursed from and including the date of disbursement until
         payment in full of such disbursed amount at a varying rate per annum
         equal to (i) the then applicable interest rate for Base Rate Loans
         through the second Business Day after notice of such disbursement is
         received by the Borrower and (ii) thereafter, the Post-Default Rate for
         Base Rate Loans (but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate)
         for the period from and including the third Business Day following the
         date of such disbursement to and including the date of repayment in
         full of such disbursed amount. The obligations of the Borrower under
         this Agreement with respect to each Letter of Credit shall be absolute,
         unconditional and irrevocable and shall be paid or performed strictly
         in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances
         whatsoever, including, without limitation, but only to the fullest
         extent permitted by applicable law, the following circumstances: (i)
         any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement, any Letter of
         Credit or any other Loan Document; (ii) any amendment or waiver of
         (including any default), or any consent to departure from this
         Agreement (except to the extent permitted by any amendment or waiver),
         any Letter of Credit or any other Loan Document; (iii) the existence of
         any claim, set-off, defense or other rights which the Borrower may have
         at any time against the beneficiary of

                                      -22-
<PAGE>   29

         any Letter of Credit or any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any
         Persons for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be
         acting), such Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any
         other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, any Letter of
         Credit, any other Loan Document, the transactions contemplated hereby
         or any unrelated transaction; (iv) any statement, certificate, draft,
         notice or any other document presented under any Letter of Credit
         proves to have been forged, fraudulent, insufficient or invalid in any
         respect or any statement therein proves to have been untrue or
         inaccurate in any respect whatsoever; (v) payment by such Issuing Bank
         under any Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or
         certificate which appears on its face to comply, but does not comply,
         with the terms of such Letter of Credit; and (vi) any other
         circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of
         the foregoing.

         Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the
         Borrower will not be liable for payment or performance that results
         from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Issuing Bank.

                  (b) In the event of the occurrence of any Event of Default, a
         payment or prepayment pursuant to Section 2.07(b) or the maturity of
         the Notes, whether by acceleration or otherwise, an amount equal to the
         LC Exposure (or the excess in the case of Section 2.07(b)) shall be
         deemed to be forthwith due and owing by the Borrower to the Issuing
         Bank, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as of the date of any
         such occurrence; and the Borrower's obligation to pay such amount shall
         be absolute and unconditional, without regard to whether any
         beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit has attempted to draw down all
         or a portion of such amount under the terms of a Letter of Credit, and,
         to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, shall not be subject
         to any defense or be affected by a right of set-off, counterclaim or
         recoupment which the Borrower may now or hereafter have against any
         such beneficiary, the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent, the
         Lenders or any other Person for any reason whatsoever. Such payments
         shall be held by the Issuing Bank on behalf of the Lenders as cash
         collateral securing the LC Exposure in an account or accounts at the
         Principal Office; and the Borrower hereby, and by its deposit with the
         Administrative Agent, grants to the Administrative Agent a security
         interest in such cash collateral. In the event of any such payment by
         the Borrower of amounts contingently owing under outstanding Letters of
         Credit and in the event that thereafter drafts or other demands for
         payment complying with the terms of such Letters of Credit are not made
         prior to the respective expiration dates thereof, the Administrative
         Agent and the Lenders agree, if no Event of Default has occurred and is
         continuing or if no other amounts are outstanding under this Agreement,
         the Notes or any other Loan Document, to remit to the Borrower amounts
         for which the contingent obligations evidenced by the Letters of Credit
         have ceased.

                  (c) Each Lender severally and unconditionally agrees that it
         shall promptly reimburse the Issuing Bank an amount equal to such
         Lender's Percentage Share of any disbursement made by the Issuing Bank
         under any Letter of Credit that is not reimbursed according to this
         Section 2.10.

                  (d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
         if no Default exists and subject to availability under the Aggregate
         Commitments (after reduction for LC Exposure), to the extent the
         Borrower has not reimbursed the Issuing Bank for any drawn

                                      -23-
<PAGE>   30

         upon Letter of Credit within one (1) Business Day after notice of such
         disbursement has been received by the Borrower, the amount of such
         Letter of Credit reimbursement obligation shall automatically be funded
         by the Lenders as a Loan hereunder and used by the Lenders to pay such
         Letter of Credit reimbursement obligation. If a Default exists, or if
         the funding of such Letter of Credit reimbursement obligation as a Loan
         would cause the aggregate amount of all Loans outstanding to exceed the
         Aggregate Commitments (after reduction for LC Exposure), such Letter of
         Credit reimbursement obligation shall not be funded as a Loan, but
         instead shall accrue interest as provided in Section 2.10(a).

         Section 2.11 Lending Offices The Loans of each Type made by each Lender
shall be made and maintained at such Lender's Applicable Lending Office for
Loans of such Type.

                                   ARTICLE III

                       PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST

                  Section 3.01 Repayment of Loans

                  (a) Loans. On the Termination Date, the Borrower shall repay
         the outstanding aggregate principal of the Notes.

                  (b) Generally. The Borrower will pay to the Administrative
         Agent, for the account of each Lender, the principal payments required
         by this Section 3.01.

                  Section 3.02 Interest

                  (a) Interest Rates. The Borrower will pay to the
         Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender, interest on the
         unpaid principal amount of each Loan made by such Lender for the period
         commencing on the date such Loan is made to, but excluding, the date
         such Loan shall be paid in full, at the following rates per annum:

                           (i) if such a Loan is a Base Rate Loan, the Base Rate
         (as in effect from time to time) plus the Applicable Margin for Base
         Rate Loans (as in effect from time to time), but in no event to exceed
         the Highest Lawful Rate; and

                           (ii) if such a Loan is a Eurodollar Loan, for each
         Interest Period relating thereto, the Eurodollar Adjusted Rate for such
         Loan plus the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Loans (as in effect from
         time to time), but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.

                  (b) Post-Default Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
         Borrower will pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each
         Lender interest at the applicable Post-Default Rate on any principal of
         any Loan made by such Lender, and (to the fullest extent permitted by
         law) on any other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder, under any
         Loan Document or under any Note held by such Lender to or for account
         of such Lender, for the period commencing on the date such amount
         becomes due until the same is paid in full.

                                      -24-
<PAGE>   31

                  (c) Due Dates. Accrued interest on Base Rate Loans shall be
         payable quarterly on each Quarterly Date commencing on September 30,
         2000, and accrued interest on each Eurodollar Loan shall be payable on
         the last day of the Interest Period therefor and, if such Interest
         Period is longer than three months at three-month intervals following
         the first day of such Interest Period, except that interest payable at
         the Post-Default Rate shall be payable from time to time on demand and
         interest on any Eurodollar Loan that is converted into a Base Rate Loan
         (pursuant to Section 5.04) shall be payable on the date of conversion
         (but only to the extent so converted). Any accrued and unpaid interest
         on the Loans on the Termination Date shall be paid on such date.

                  (d) Determination of Rates. Promptly after the determination
         of any interest rate provided for herein or any change therein, the
         Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders to which such interest is
         payable and the Borrower thereof. Each determination by the
         Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall, except
         in cases of manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding on the
         parties.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                PAYMENTS; PRO RATA TREATMENT; COMPUTATIONS; ETC.

                  Section 4.01 Payments. Except to the extent otherwise provided
herein, all payments of principal, interest and other amounts to be made by the
Borrower under this Agreement, the Notes, and the Letter of Credit Agreements
shall be made in Dollars, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative
Agent at such account as the Administrative Agent shall specify by notice to the
Borrower from time to time, not later than 11:00 a.m. New York time on the date
on which such payments shall become due (each such payment made after such time
on such due date to be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business
Day). Such payments shall be made without (to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law) defense, set-off or counterclaim. Each payment received by the
Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any Note for account of a Lender
shall be paid promptly to such Lender in immediately available funds. Except as
otherwise provided in the definition of "Interest Period", if the due date of
any payment under this Agreement or any Note would otherwise fall on a day which
is not a Business Day such date shall be extended to the next succeeding
Business Day and interest shall be payable for any principal so extended for the
period of such extension. At the time of each payment to the Administrative
Agent of any principal of or interest on any borrowing, the Borrower shall
notify the Administrative Agent of the Loans to which such payment shall apply.
In the absence of such notice the Administrative Agent may specify the Loans to
which such payment shall apply, but to the extent possible such payment or
prepayment will be applied first to the Loans comprised of Base Rate Loans.

                  Section 4.02 Pro Rata Treatment. Except to the extent
otherwise provided herein each Lender agrees that: (i) each borrowing from the
Lenders under Section 2.01 and each continuation and conversion under Section
2.02 shall be made from the Lenders pro rata in accordance with their Percentage
Share, each payment of fees under Section 2.04(a) and Section 2.04(b)(i) shall
be made for account of the Lenders pro rata in accordance with their Percentage
Share, and each termination or reduction of the amount of the Aggregate Maximum
Credit Amounts under Section 2.03(b) shall be applied to the Commitment of each
Lender, pro rata according to the

                                      -25-
<PAGE>   32

amount of its respective Commitment; (ii) each payment of principal of Loans by
the Borrower shall be made for account of the Lenders pro rata in accordance
with the respective unpaid principal amount of the Loans held by the Lenders;
(iii) each payment of interest on Loans by the Borrower shall be made for
account of the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the amounts of interest due
and payable to the respective Lenders; and (iv) each reimbursement by the
Borrower of disbursements under Letters of Credit shall be made for account of
the Issuing Bank or, if funded by the Lenders, pro rata for the account of the
Lenders, in accordance with the amounts of reimbursement obligations due and
payable to each respective Lender.

                  Section 4.03 Computations. Interest on Eurodollar Loans shall
be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed
(including the first day but excluding the last day) occurring in the period for
which such interest is payable, unless such calculation would exceed the Highest
Lawful Rate, in which case interest shall be calculated on the per annum basis
of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be. Interest on Base Rate Loans
and fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the
case may be, and actual days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the
last day) occurring in the period for which such interest is payable.

                  Section 4.04 Non-receipt of Funds by the Administrative Agent.
Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by a Lender or the
Borrower prior to the date on which such notifying party is scheduled to make
payment to the Administrative Agent (in the case of a Lender) of the proceeds of
a Loan or a payment under a Letter of Credit to be made by it hereunder or (in
the case of the Borrower) a payment to the Administrative Agent for account of
one or more of the Lenders hereunder (such payment being herein called
the "Required Payment"), which notice shall be effective upon receipt, that it
does not intend to make the Required Payment to the Administrative Agent, the
Administrative Agent may assume that time Required Payment has been made and
may, in reliance upon such assumption (but shall not be required to), make the
amount thereof available to the intended recipient(s) on such date and, if such
Lender or the Borrower (as the case may be) has not in fact made the Required
Payment to the Administrative Agent, the recipient(s) of such payment shall, on
demand, repay to the Administrative Agent the amount so made available together
with interest thereon in respect of each day during the period commencing on the
date such amount was so made available by the Administrative Agent until, but
excluding, the date the Administrative Agent recovers such amount at a rate per
annum which, for any Lender as recipient, will be equal to the Federal Funds
Rate, and for the Borrower as recipient, will be equal to the Base Rate plus the
Applicable Margin.

                  Section 4.05 Set-off, Sharing of Payments, Etc.

                  (a) The Borrower agrees that, in addition to (and without
         limitation of) any right of set-off, bankers' lien or counterclaim a
         Lender may otherwise have, each Lender shall have the right and be
         entitled (after consultation with the Administrative Agent), at its
         option, to offset balances held by it or by any of its Affiliates for
         account of the Borrower or any Subsidiary at any of its offices, in
         Dollars or in any other currency, against any principal of or interest
         on any of such Lender's Loans, or any other amount payable to such
         Lender hereunder, which is not paid when due (regardless of whether
         such balances are then due to the Borrower), in which case it shall
         promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof,
         provided that such Lender's failure to give such notice shall not
         affect the validity thereof.

                                      -26-
<PAGE>   33

                  (b) If any Lender shall obtain payment of any principal of or
         interest on any Loan made by it to the Borrower under this Agreement
         (or reimbursement as to any Letter of Credit) through the exercise of
         any right of set-off, banker's lien or counterclaim or similar right or
         otherwise, and, as a result of such payment, such Lender shall have
         received a greater percentage of the principal or interest (or
         reimbursement) then due hereunder by the Borrower to such Lender than
         the percentage received by any other Lenders, it shall promptly (i)
         notify the Administrative Agent and each other Lender thereof and (ii)
         purchase from such other Lenders participations in (or, if and to the
         extent specified by such Lender, direct interests in) the Loans (or
         participations in Letters of Credit) made by such other Lenders (or in
         interest due thereon, as the case may be) in such amounts, and make
         such other adjustments from time to time as shall be equitable, to the
         end that all the Lenders shall share the benefit of such excess payment
         (net of any expenses which may be incurred by such Lender in obtaining
         or preserving such excess payment) pro rata in accordance with the
         unpaid principal and/or interest on the Loans held by each of the
         Lenders (or reimbursements of Letters of Credit). To such end all the
         Lenders shall make appropriate adjustments among themselves (by the
         resale of participations sold or otherwise) if such payment is
         rescinded or must otherwise be restored. The Borrower agrees that any
         Lender so purchasing a participation (or direct interest) in the Loans
         made by other Lenders (or in interest due thereon, as the case may be)
         may exercise all rights of set-off, banker's lien, counterclaim or
         similar rights with respect to such participation as fully as if such
         Lender were a direct holder of Loans (or Letters of Credit) in the
         amount of such participation. Nothing contained herein shall require
         any Lender to exercise any such right or shall affect the right of any
         Lender to exercise, and retain the benefits of exercising, any such
         right with respect to any other indebtedness or obligation of the
         Borrower. If under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other
         similar law, any Lender receives a secured claim in lieu of a set-off
         to which this Section 4.05 applies, such Lender shall, to the extent
         practicable, exercise its rights in respect of such secured claim in a
         manner consistent with the rights of the Lenders entitled under this
         Section 4.05 to share the benefits of any recovery on such secured
         claim.

                  Section 4.06 Taxes.

                  (a) Payments Free and Clear. Any and all payments by the
         Borrower hereunder shall be made, in accordance with Section 4.01, free
         and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future
         taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all
         liabilities with respect thereto excluding, in the case of each Lender,
         any Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent, taxes imposed on its
         income, and franchise or similar taxes imposed on it, by (i) any
         jurisdiction (or political subdivision thereof) of which the
         Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank or such Lender, as the case may
         be, is a citizen or resident or in which such Lender has an Applicable
         Lending Office, (ii) the jurisdiction (or any political
         subdivision thereof) in which the Administrative Agent, such Issuing
         Bank or such Lender is organized, or (iii) any jurisdiction (or
         political subdivision thereof) in which such Lender, such Issuing Bank
         or the Administrative Agent is presently doing business which taxes are
         imposed solely as a result of doing business in such jurisdiction (all
         such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges,
         withholdings and liabilities being hereinafter referred to as "Taxes").
         If the Borrower shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in
         respect of any sum payable hereunder to the Lenders, any Issuing Bank
         or the Administrative Agent (i) the sum payable shall be increased by
         the amount necessary so that after making all

                                      -27-
<PAGE>   34

         required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums
         payable under this Section 4.06) such Lender, such Issuing Bank or the
         Administrative Agent (as the case may be) shall receive an amount equal
         to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made,
         (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower
         shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxing authority or
         other Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

                  (b) Other Taxes. In addition, to the fullest extent permitted
         by applicable law, the Borrower agrees to pay any present or future
         stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes,
         charges or similar levies that arise from any payment made hereunder or
         from the execution, delivery or registration of, or otherwise with
         respect to, this Agreement, any Assignment or any other Loan Document
         (hereinafter referred to as "Other Taxes").

                  (c) INDEMNIFICATION. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY
         APPLICABLE LAW, THE BORROWER WILL INDEMNIFY EACH LENDER, ISSUING BANK
         AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT FOR THE FULL AMOUNT OF TAXES AND OTHER
         TAXES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY TAXES OR OTHER TAXES IMPOSED
         BY ANY GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY ON AMOUNTS PAYABLE UNDER THIS SECTION
         4.06) PAID BY SUCH LENDER, THE ISSUING BANK OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
         (ON THEIR BEHALF OR ON BEHALF OF ANY LENDER), AS THE CASE MAY BE, AND
         ANY LIABILITY (INCLUDING PENALTIES, INTEREST AND EXPENSES) ARISING
         THEREFROM OR WITH RESPECT THERETO, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH TAXES OR OTHER
         TAXES WERE CORRECTLY OR LEGALLY ASSERTED UNLESS THE PAYMENT OF SUCH
         TAXES WAS NOT CORRECTLY OR LEGALLY ASSERTED AND SUCH ISSUING BANK'S,
         LENDER'S OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S PAYMENT OF SUCH TAXES OR OTHER
         TAXES WAS THE RESULT OF ITS GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT. ANY
         PAYMENT PURSUANT TO SUCH INDEMNIFICATION SHALL BE MADE WITHIN THIRTY
         (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE ANY LENDER, ANY ISSUING BANK OR THE
         ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, AS THE CASE MAY BE, MAKES WRITTEN DEMAND
         THEREFOR. IF ANY LENDER, ANY ISSUING BANK OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
         RECEIVES A REFUND OR CREDIT IN RESPECT OF ANY TAXES OR OTHER TAXES FOR
         WHICH SUCH LENDER, SUCH ISSUING BANK OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT HAS
         RECEIVED PAYMENT FROM THE BORROWER IT SHALL PROMPTLY NOTIFY THE
         BORROWER OF SUCH REFUND OR CREDIT AND SHALL, IF NO DEFAULT HAS OCCURRED
         AND IS CONTINUING, WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF A REQUEST
         BY THE BORROWER (OR PROMPTLY UPON RECEIPT, IF THE BORROWER HAS
         REQUESTED APPLICATION FOR SUCH REFUND OR CREDIT PURSUANT HERETO), PAY
         AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO SUCH REFUND OR CREDIT TO THE BORROWER WITHOUT
         INTEREST (BUT WITH ANY INTEREST SO REFUNDED OR CREDITED), PROVIDED THAT
         THE BORROWER, UPON THE REQUEST OF SUCH LENDER, SUCH ISSUING BANK OR THE
         ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, AGREES TO RETURN SUCH REFUND OR CREDIT (PLUS
         PENALTIES, INTEREST OR OTHER CHARGES) TO SUCH LENDER, SUCH ISSUING BANK
         OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT IN THE EVENT SUCH LENDER, SUCH ISSUING BANK
         OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT IS REQUIRED TO REPAY SUCH REFUND OR CREDIT.

                                      -28-
<PAGE>   35

                  (d) Lender Representations

                           (i) Each Lender represents that it is either (i) a
         banking association or corporation organized under the laws of the
         United States of America or any state thereof or (2) it is entitled to
         complete exemption from United States withholding tax imposed on or
         with respect to any payments, including fees, to be made to it pursuant
         to this Agreement (A) under an applicable provision of a tax convention
         to which the United States of America is a party or (B) because it is
         acting through a branch, agency or office in the United States of
         America and any payment to be received by it hereunder is effectively
         connected with a trade or business in the United States of America.
         Each Lender that is not a banking association or corporation organized
         under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof
         agrees to provide to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on the
         Closing Date, or on the date of its delivery of the Assignment
         pursuant to which it becomes a Lender, and at such other times as
         required by United States law or as the Borrower or the Administrative
         Agent shall reasonably request, two accurate and complete original
         signed copies of either (A) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8-ECI (or
         successor form) certifying that all payments to be made to it hereunder
         will be effectively connected to a United States trade or business (the
         "Form W-8-ECI Certification") or (B) Internal Revenue Service Form
         W-8-BEN (or successor form) certifying that it is entitled to the
         benefit of a provision of a tax convention to which the United States
         of America is a party which completely exempts from United States
         withholding tax all payments to be made to it hereunder (the "Form
         W-8-BEN Certification"). In addition, each Lender agrees that if it
         previously filed a Form W-8-ECI Certification, it will deliver to the
         Borrower and the Administrative Agent a new Form W-8-ECI Certification
         prior to the first payment date occurring in each of its subsequent
         taxable years; and if it previously filed a Form W-8-BEN Certification,
         it will deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a new
         certification prior to the first payment date falling in the third year
         following the previous filing of such certification. Each Lender also
         agrees to deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent such
         other or supplemental forms as may at any time be required as a result
         of changes in applicable law or regulation in order to confirm or
         maintain in effect its entitlement to exemption from United States
         withholding tax on any payments hereunder, provided that the
         circumstances of such Lender at the relevant time and applicable laws
         permit it to do so. If a Lender determines, as a result of any change
         in either (i) a Governmental Requirement or (ii) its circumstances,
         that it is unable to submit any form or certificate that it is
         obligated to submit pursuant to this Section 4.06, or that it is
         required to withdraw or cancel any such form or certificate previously
         submitted, it shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative
         Agent of such fact. If a Lender is organized under the laws of a
         jurisdiction outside the United States of America, unless the Borrower
         and the Administrative Agent have received a Form W-8-BEN Certification
         or Form W-8-ECI Certification satisfactory to them indicating that all
         payments to be made to such Lender hereunder are not subject to United
         States withholding tax, the Borrower shall withhold taxes from such
         payments at the applicable statutory rate. Each Lender agrees to
         indemnify and hold harmless the Borrower or Administrative Agent, as
         applicable, from any United States taxes, penalties, interest and other
         expenses, costs and losses incurred or payable by (i) the
         Administrative Agent as a result of such Lender's failure to submit any
         form or certificate that it is required to provide pursuant to this
         Section 4.06 or (ii) the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as a
         result of their reliance on any such form or certificate which such
         Lender has provided to them pursuant to this Section 4.06.

                                      -29-
<PAGE>   36

                           (ii) For any period with respect to which a Lender
         has failed to provide the Borrower with the form required pursuant to
         this Section 4.06, if any, (other than if such failure is due to a
         change in a Governmental Requirement occurring subsequent to the date
         on which a form originally was required to be provided), such Lender
         shall not be entitled to indemnification under Section 4.06 with
         respect to taxes imposed by the United States which taxes would not
         have been imposed but for such failure to provide such forms, provided,
         however, that if a Lender, which is otherwise exempt from or subject to
         a reduced rate of withholding tax, becomes subject to taxes because of
         its failure to deliver a form required hereunder, the Borrower shall
         take such steps as such Lender shall reasonably request to assist such
         Lender to recover such taxes.

                           (iii) Any Lender claiming any additional amounts
         payable pursuant to this Section 4.06 shall use reasonable efforts
         (consistent with legal and regulatory restrictions) to file any
         certificate or document requested by the Borrower or the Administrative
         Agent or to change the jurisdiction of its Applicable Lending Office or
         to contest any tax imposed if the making of such a filing or change or
         contesting such tax would avoid the need for or reduce the amount of
         any such additional amounts that may thereafter accrue and would not,
         in the sole determination of such Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous
         to such Lender.

                                    ARTICLE V

                                CAPITAL ADEQUACY

                  Section 5.01 Additional Costs

                  (a) Eurodollar Regulations, etc. The Borrower shall pay
         directly to each Lender from time to time such amounts as such Lender
         may determine to be necessary to compensate such Lender for any costs
         which it determines are attributable to its making or maintaining of
         any Eurodollar Loans or issuing or participating in Letters of Credit
         hereunder or its obligation to make any Eurodollar Loans or issue or
         participate in any Letters of Credit hereunder, or any reduction in any
         amount receivable by such Lender hereunder in respect of any of such
         Eurodollar Loans, Letters of Credit or such obligation (such increases
         in costs and reductions in amounts receivable being herein called
         "Additional Costs"), resulting from any Regulatory Change which: (i)
         changes the basis of taxation of any amounts payable to such Lender
         under this Agreement or any Note in respect of any of such Eurodollar
         Loans or Letters of Credit (other than taxes imposed on the overall net
         income of such Lender or of its Applicable Lending Office for any of
         such Eurodollar Loans by the jurisdiction in which such Lender has its
         principal office or Applicable Lending Office); or (ii) imposes or
         modifies any reserve, special deposit, minimum capital, capital ratio
         or similar requirements relating to any extensions of credit or other
         assets of, or any deposits with or other liabilities of such Lender, or
         the Commitment or Loans of such Lender or the Eurodollar interbank
         market; or (iii) imposes any other condition affecting this Agreement
         or any Note (or any of such extensions of credit or liabilities) or
         such Lender's Commitment or Loans. Each Lender will notify the
         Administrative Agent and the Borrower of any event occurring after the
         Closing Date which will entitle such Lender to compensation pursuant to
         this Section 5.01(a) as promptly as practicable after it obtains
         knowledge thereof and determines to request such

                                      -30-
<PAGE>   37

         compensation, and will designate a different Applicable Lending Office
         for the Loans of such Lender affected by such event if such designation
         will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, such compensation and
         will not, in the sole opinion of such Lender, be disadvantageous to
         such Lender, provided that such Lender shall have no obligation to so
         designate an Applicable Lending Office located in the United States. If
         any Lender requests compensation from the Borrower under this Section
         5.01(a), the Borrower may, by notice to such Lender, suspend the
         obligation of such Lender to make additional Loans of the Type with
         respect to which such compensation is requested until the Regulatory
         Change giving rise to such request ceases to be in effect (in which
         case the provisions of Section 5.04 shall be applicable).

                  (b) Regulatory Change. Without limiting the effect of the
         provisions of Section 5.01(a), in the event that at any time (by reason
         of any Regulatory Change or any other circumstances arising after the
         Closing Date affecting (A) any Lender, (B) the Eurodollar interbank
         market or (C) such Lender's position in such market), the Eurodollar
         Adjusted Rate for a particular Interest Period, as determined in good
         faith by such Lender, will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost
         to such Lender of funding its Eurodollar Loans, then, if such Lender so
         elects, by notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the
         obligation of such Lender to make additional Eurodollar Loans having
         such Interest Period shall be suspended until such Regulatory Change or
         other circumstances ceases to be in effect (in which case the
         provisions of Section 5.04 shall be applicable).

                  (c) Capital Adequacy. Without limiting the effect of the
         foregoing provisions of this Section 5.01 (but without duplication),
         the Borrower shall pay directly to any Lender from time to time on
         request such amounts as such Lender may reasonably determine to be
         necessary to compensate such Lender or its parent or holding company
         for any costs which it determines are attributable to the maintenance
         by such Lender or its parent or holding company (or any Applicable
         Lending Office), pursuant to any Governmental Requirement following any
         Regulatory Change, of capital in respect of its Commitment, its Note,
         its Loans or any interest held by it in any Letter of Credit, such
         compensation to include, without limitation, an amount equal to any
         reduction of the rate of return on assets or equity of such Lender or
         its parent or holding company (or any Applicable Lending Office) to a
         level below that which such Lender or its parent or holding company (or
         any Applicable Lending Office) could have achieved but for such
         Governmental Requirement. Such Lender will notify the Borrower that it
         is entitled to compensation pursuant to this Section 5.01(c) as
         promptly as practicable after it determines to request such
         compensation.

                  (d) Compensation Procedure. Any Lender notifying the Borrower
         of the incurrence of Additional Costs under this Section 5.01 shall in
         such notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent set forth in
         reasonable detail the basis and amount of its request for compensation.
         Determinations and allocations by each Lender for purposes of this
         Section 5.01 of the effect of any Regulatory Change pursuant to Section
         5.01(a) or (b), or of the effect of capital maintained pursuant to
         Section 5.01(c), on its costs or rate of return of maintaining Loans or
         its obligation to make Loans or issue Letters of Credit, or on amounts
         receivable by it in respect of Loans or Letters of Credit, and of the
         amounts required to compensate such Lender under this Section 5.01,
         shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, provided that such
         determinations and allocations are made on a reasonable basis.

                                      -31-
<PAGE>   38

         Any request for additional compensation under this Section 5.01 shall
         be paid by the Borrower within thirty (30) days of the receipt by the
         Borrower of the notice described in this Section 5.01(d).

                  Section 5.02 Limitation on Eurodollar Loans. Anything herein
to the contrary notwithstanding, if, on or prior to the determination of any
Eurodollar Adjusted Rate for any Interest Period:

                  (i) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination
         shall be conclusive, absent manifest error) that quotations of interest
         rates for the relevant deposits for such Interest Period referred to in
         the definition of "Eurodollar Rate" in Section 1.02 are not being
         provided in the relevant amounts or for the relevant maturities for
         purposes of determining rates of interest for Eurodollar Loans for such
         Interest Period as provided herein; or

                  (ii) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination
         shall be conclusive, absent manifest error) that the relevant rates of
         interest referred to in the definition of "Eurodollar Rate" in Section
         1.02 upon the basis of which the rate of interest for Eurodollar Loans
         for such Interest Period is to be determined are not sufficient to
         adequately cover the cost to the Lenders of making or maintaining
         Eurodollar Loans;

then the Administrative Agent shall give the Borrower prompt notice thereof, and
so long as such condition remains in effect, the Lenders shall be under no
obligation to make additional Eurodollar Loans having such Interest Period. The
foregoing shall not affect the availability of Eurodollar Loans having Interest
Periods for which no such determination has been made.

                  Section 5.03 Illegality. Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Agreement, in the event that it becomes unlawful for any Lender or its
Applicable Lending Office to honor its obligation to make or maintain Eurodollar
Loans hereunder, then such Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower thereof and
such Lender's obligation to make Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended until such
time as such Lender may again make and maintain Eurodollar Loans (in which case
the provisions of Section 5.04 shall be applicable).

                  Section 5.04 Base Rate Loans Pursuant to Sections 5.01, 5.02
and 5.03. If the obligation of any Lender to make Eurodollar Loans shall be
suspended pursuant to Sections 5.01, 5.02 or 5.03 ("Affected Loans"), all
Affected Loans which would otherwise be made by such Lender shall be made
instead as Base Rate Loans (and, if an event referred to in Section 5.01(b) or
Section 5.03 has occurred and such Lender so requests by notice to the Borrower,
all Affected Loans of such Lender then outstanding shall be automatically
converted into Base Rate Loans on the last day of the Interest Period for such
Loans unless sooner required by applicable law) and, to the extent that Affected
Loans are so made as (or converted into) Base Rate Loans, all payments of
principal which would otherwise be applied to such Lender's Affected Loans shall
be applied instead to its Base Rate Loans.

                 Section 5.05 Compensation. The Borrower shall pay to each
Lender within thirty (30) days of receipt of written request of such Lender
(which request shall set forth, in reasonable

                                      -32-
<PAGE>   39

detail, the basis for requesting such amounts and which shall be conclusive and
binding for all purposes provided that such determinations are made on a
reasonable basis), such amount or amounts as shall compensate it for any loss,
cost, expense or liability which such Lender determines are attributable to:

                  (i) any payment, prepayment or conversion of a Eurodollar Loan
         properly made by such Lender or the Borrower for any reason (including,
         without limitation, the acceleration of the Loans pursuant to Section
         10.02) on a date other than the last day of the Interest Period for
         such Loan; or

                  (ii) any failure by the Borrower for any reason (including but
         not limited to, the failure of any of the conditions precedent
         specified in Article VI to be satisfied) to borrow, continue or convert
         a Eurodollar Loan from such Lender on the date for such borrowing,
         continuation or conversion specified in the relevant notice given
         pursuant to Section 2.02(c).

Without limiting the effect of the preceding sentence, such compensation shall
include an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest
which would have accrued on the principal amount so paid, prepaid or converted
or not borrowed for the period from the date of such payment, prepayment or
conversion or failure to borrow to the last day of the Interest Period for such
Loan (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, the Interest Period for such Loan
which would have commenced on the date specified for such borrowing) at the
Eurodollar Adjusted Rate for such Loan provided for herein over (ii) the
interest component of the amount such Lender would have bid in the London
interbank market for Dollar deposits of leading banks in amounts comparable to
such principal amount and with maturities comparable to such period (as
reasonably determined by such Lender).

                  Section 5.06 Time Limit, Etc.

                  (a) Time Limited. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
         contained in Sections 5.01 through 5.05, the Borrower shall not be
         required to reimburse or pay any costs or expenses to any Lender as
         required by such sections which have accrued more than 270 days prior
         to such Lender's giving notice to the Borrower that such Lender has
         suffered or incurred such costs or expenses.

                  (b) Non-Discriminatory Basis. None of the Lenders shall be
         permitted to pass through to the Borrower costs and expenses under
         Sections 5.01 through 5.05 which are not also passed through by such
         Lender to other customers of such Lender similarly situated when such
         customer is subject to documents containing similar provisions as those
         contained in such Sections.

                  Section 5.07 Replacement Lenders

                  (a) Terminated Lenders. If any Lender has (i) required the
         Borrower to make payments for Taxes under Section 4.06 or (ii) has
         notified the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of its incurring
         Additional Costs under Section 5.01(a) or other compensation under
         Sections 5.01(b) or (c) or (iii) asserts that it is illegal for it to
         make and

                                      -33-
<PAGE>   40

         maintain Eurodollar Loans when all other Lenders have not also made
         such assertion, then the Borrower may, unless such Lender has notified
         the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that the circumstances giving
         rise to such notice no longer apply, terminate, in whole but not in
         part, the Commitment of any Lender (the "Terminated Lender") at any
         time upon five (5) Business Days' prior written notice to the
         Terminated Lender and the Administrative Agent (such notice referred to
         herein as a "Notice of Termination").

                  (b) Replacement Lenders. In order to effect the termination of
         the Commitment of the Terminated Lender, the Borrower shall: (i) obtain
         an agreement with one or more Lenders to increase their respective
         Commitment and/or (ii) request any one or more other banking
         institutions to become parties to this Agreement in place and instead
         of such Terminated Lender and agree to accept a Commitment provided,
         however that such one or more other banking institutions are reasonably
         acceptable to the Administrative Agent and become parties by executing
         an Assignment (the Lenders or other banking institutions that agree to
         accept in whole or in part the Commitment of the Terminated Lender
         being referred to herein as the "Replacement Lenders"), such that the
         aggregate increased and/or accepted Commitment of the Replacement
         Lenders under clauses (i) and (ii) above equal the Commitment of the
         Terminated Lender.

                  (c) Content of Notice of Termination. The Notice of
         Termination shall include the name of the Terminated Lender, the date
         the termination will occur (the "Lender Termination Date"), and the
         Replacement Lender or Replacement Lenders to which the Terminated
         Lender will assign its Commitment and, if there will be more than one
         Replacement Lender, the portion of the Terminated Lender's Commitment
         to be assigned to each Replacement Lender.

                  (d) Effecting Termination. On the Lender Termination Date, (i)
         the Terminated Lender shall by execution and delivery of an Assignment
         assign its Commitment to the Replacement Lender or Replacement Lenders
         indicated in the Notice of Termination and shall assign to the
         Replacement Lender or Replacement Lenders each of its Loans (if any)
         then outstanding and participation interests in Letters of Credit (if
         any) then outstanding, (ii) the Terminated Lender shall endorse its
         Notes, payable without recourse, representation or warranty to the
         order of the Replacement Lender or Replacement Lenders, (iii) the
         Replacement Lender or Replacement Lenders shall purchase the Notes held
         by the Terminated Lender at a price equal to the unpaid principal
         amount thereof plus interest and facility and other fees accrued and
         unpaid to the Lender Termination Date, and (iv) the Replacement Lender
         or Replacement Lenders will thereupon succeed to and be substituted in
         all respects for the Terminated Lender with like effect as if becoming
         a Lender pursuant to the terms of Section 12.06(b), and the Terminated
         Lender will have the rights and benefits of an assignor under Section
         12.06(b). To the extent not in conflict, the terms of Section 12.06(b)
         shall supplement the provisions of this Section 5.07(d). For each
         assignment made under this Section 5.07, the Replacement Lender shall
         pay to the Administrative Agent the processing fee provided for in
         Section 12.06(b). The Borrower will be responsible for the payment of
         any breakage costs associated with termination of the Terminated
         Lender, as set forth in Section 5.05.

                                      -34-
<PAGE>   41

                                   ARTICLE VI

                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

                  Section 6.01 Initial Funding

                  The obligation of the Lenders to make the initial Funding is
subject to the receipt by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of all fees
payable in connection with the transactions under this Agreement on or before
the Closing Date and the receipt by the Administrative Agent of the following
documents (in sufficient original counterparts, other than the Notes, for each
Lender) and satisfaction of the other conditions provided in this Section 6.01,
each of which shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in
form and substance:

                  (a) A certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
         of the Borrower setting forth (i) resolutions of its board of directors
         with respect to the authorization of the Borrower to execute and
         deliver the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to enter into the
         transactions contemplated in those documents, (ii) the officers of the
         Borrower (y) who are authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which
         Borrower is a party and (z) who will, until replaced by another officer
         or officers duly authorized for that purpose, act as its representative
         for the purposes of signing documents and giving notices and other
         communications in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
         contemplated hereby, (iii) specimen signatures of the authorized
         officers, and (iv) the articles or certificate of incorporation and
         bylaws of the Borrower, certified as being true and complete. The
         Administrative Agent and the Lenders may conclusively rely on such
         certificate until the Administrative Agent receives notice in writing
         from the Borrower to the contrary.

                  (b) A certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
         of each Guarantor setting forth (i) resolutions of its board of
         directors with respect to the authorization of such Guarantor to
         execute and deliver the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to
         enter into the transactions contemplated in those documents, (ii) the
         officers of such Guarantor (y) who are authorized to sign the Loan
         Documents to which such Guarantor is a party and (z) who will, until
         replaced by another officer or officers duly authorized for that
         purpose, act as its representative for the purposes of signing
         documents and giving notices and other communications in connection
         with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii)
         specimen signatures of the authorized officers, and (iv) the articles
         or certificate of incorporation and bylaws of such Guarantor, certified
         as being true and complete. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders
         may conclusively rely on such certificates until they receive notice in
         writing from any Guarantor to the contrary.

                  (c) Certificates of the appropriate state agencies with
         respect to the existence, qualification and good standing of the
         Borrower and each Guarantor.

                  (d) A compliance certificate which shall be substantially in
         the form Exhibit C, duly and properly executed by a Responsible Officer
         and dated as of the date of the Initial Funding.

                  (e) The Notes, duly completed and executed.

                                      -35-
<PAGE>   42

                  (f) The Guaranty Agreement, duly completed and executed.

                  (g) An opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel to the
         Borrower and the Guarantors, in form and substance satisfactory to the
         Administrative Agent, as to such matters incident to the transactions
         herein contemplated as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

                  (h) A certificate of insurance coverage of the Borrower
         evidencing that the Borrower is carrying insurance in accordance with
         Section 7.19.

                  (i) The Administrative Agent shall have been furnished with
         appropriate UCC search certificates reflecting no prior Liens.

                  (j) Contemporaneous payment in full of the Prior Debt and
         termination of all commitments and other obligations of the
         administrative agent and lenders under the Prior Credit Agreement.

                  (k) Such other documents as the Administrative Agent or any
         Lender or special counsel to the Administrative Agent may reasonably
         request.

                  Section 6.02 Initial and Subsequent Loans and Letters of
Credit. The obligation of the Lenders to make Loans to the Borrower upon the
occasion of each borrowing hereunder and to issue, renew, extend or reissue
Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower (including the Initial
Funding) is subject to the further conditions precedent that, as of the date of
such Loans and after giving effect thereto:

         (a) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

         (b) no Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred; and

         (c) the representations and warranties made by the Borrower in Article
VII and by the Borrower or any Guarantor in any other Loan Document shall be
true on and as of the date of the making of such Loans or issuance, renewal,
extension or reissuance of a Letter of Credit with the same force and effect as
if made on and as of such date and following such new borrowing, except to the
extent (i) such representations and warranties are modified to give effect to
the transactions contemplated hereby or expressly limited to an earlier date or
(ii) the Majority Lenders may expressly consent in writing to the contrary.

         Each request for a borrowing or issuance, renewal, extension or
reissuance of a Letter of Credit by the Borrower hereunder shall constitute a
certification by the Borrower to the effect set forth in Section 6.02(c) (both
as of the date of such notice and, unless the Borrower otherwise notifies the
Administrative Agent prior to the date of and immediately following such
borrowing or issuance, renewal, extension or reissuance of a Letter of Credit as
of the date thereof).

                  Section 6.03 Conditions Precedent for the Benefit of Lenders.
All conditions precedent to the obligations of the Lenders to make any Loan are
imposed hereby solely for the benefit of the Lenders, and no  other Person may
require satisfaction of any such condition precedent

                                      -36-
<PAGE>   43

or be entitled to assume that the Lenders will refuse to make any Loan in the
absence of strict compliance with such conditions precedent.

                  Section 6.04 No Waiver. No waiver of any condition precedent
shall preclude the Administrative Agent or the Lenders from requiring such
condition to be met prior to making any subsequent Loan or preclude the Lenders
from thereafter declaring that the failure of the Borrower to satisfy such
condition precedent constitutes a Default.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         The Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders that (each representation and warranty herein is given as of the
Closing Date and shall be deemed repeated and reaffirmed the dates of each
borrowing and issuance, renewal, extension or reissuance of a Letter of Credit
as provided in Section 6.02):

                  Section 7.01 Corporate Existence. Each of the Borrower and
each Subsidiary: (i) is an organization duly organized, legally existing and in
good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization; (ii) has
all requisite power, and has all material governmental licenses, authorizations,
consents and approvals necessary to own its assets and carry on its business as
now being or as proposed to be conducted; and (iii) is qualified to do business
in all jurisdictions in which the nature of the business conducted by it makes
such qualification necessary and where failure so to qualify could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  Section 7.02 Financial Condition. The audited consolidated
balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as at December
31, 1999 and the related consolidated statement of income, stockholders' equity
and cash flow of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the fiscal
year ended on said date, with the opinion thereon of Arthur Andersen LLP
heretofore furnished to each of the Lenders and the unaudited consolidated
balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as at March 31,
2000 and their related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity
and cash flow of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the three
month period ended on such date heretofore furnished to the Administrative
Agent, are complete and correct and fairly present, in all material respects,
the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries as at said dates and the results of its operations for the fiscal
year and the three month period on said dates, all in accordance with GAAP, as
applied on a consistent basis (subject, in the case of the interim financial
statements, to normal year-end adjustments). Neither the Borrower nor any
Consolidated Subsidiary has on the Closing Date any material Debt, contingent
liabilities, liabilities for taxes, unusual forward or long-term commitments or
unrealized or anticipated losses from any unfavorable commitments, except as
referred to or reflected or provided for in the Financial Statements or
Schedule 7.02. Since December 31, 1999, there has been no change or event which
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Since the date
of the Financial Statements, neither the business nor the Properties of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary have been materially and adversely affected as a
result of any fire, explosion, earthquake, flood, drought, windstorm, accident,
strike or other labor disturbance, embargo, requisition or taking of Property or
cancellation of contracts, permits or

                                      -37-
<PAGE>   44

concessions by any Governmental Authority, riot, activities of armed forces or
acts of God or of any public enemy.

                  Section 7.03 Litigation. At the Closing Date, there is no
litigation, legal, administrative or arbitral proceeding, investigation or other
action of any nature pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower threatened
against or affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary which involves the
possibility of any judgment or liability against the Borrower or any Subsidiary
not fully covered by insurance (except for normal deductibles), and which could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  Section 7.04 No Breach. Neither the execution and delivery of
the Loan Documents, nor compliance with the terms and provisions hereof will
conflict with or result in a breach of, or require any consent which has not
been obtained as of the Closing Date under, the respective charter or by-laws of
the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any Governmental Requirement or any material
agreement or instrument to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party or by
which it is bound or to which it or its Properties are subject, or constitute a
default under any such agreement or instrument, or result in the creation or
imposition of any Lien upon any of the revenues or assets of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of any such agreement or instrument other than
the Liens created by the Loan Documents.

                  Section 7.05 Authority. The Borrower and each Guarantor have
all necessary power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its
obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party; and the execution,
delivery and performance by the Borrower and each Guarantor of the Loan
Documents to which it is a party, have been duly authorized by all necessary
action on its part; and the Loan Documents constitute the legal, valid and
binding obligations of the Borrower and each Guarantor party thereto,
enforceable in accordance with their terms, except to the extent that
enforcement may be subject to any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar
laws generally affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights.

                  Section 7.06 Approvals. No authorizations, approvals or
consents of, and no filings or registrations with, any Governmental Authority
are necessary for the execution, delivery or performance by the Borrower or any
Guarantor of the Loan Documents or for the validity or enforceability thereof.

                  Section 7.07 Use of Loans. The proceeds of the Loans shall be
used to repay in full the Prior Debt and for general corporate purposes. The
Borrower is not engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in
the business of extending credit for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental
or ultimate, of buying or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of
Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System)
and no part of the proceeds of any Loan hereunder will be used to buy or carry
any margin stock.

                  Section 7.08 ERISA. Except as could not reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect (or with respect to clauses (a), (b) or (e)
where the failure to take such actions could not reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect):

                  (a) The Borrower, each Subsidiary and each ERISA Affiliate
         have complied with ERISA and, where applicable, the Code regarding each
         Plan.

                                      -38-
<PAGE>   45

                  (b) Each Plan is, and has been, maintained in substantial
         compliance with ERISA and, where applicable, the Code.

                  (c) No act, omission or transaction has occurred which could
         result in imposition on the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA
         Affiliate (whether directly or indirectly) of (i) either a civil
         penalty assessed pursuant to section 502(c), (i) or (1) of ERISA or a
         tax imposed pursuant to Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code or (ii)
         breach of fiduciary duty liability damages under section 409 of ERISA.

                  (d) No Plan (other than a defined contribution plan) or any
         trust created under any such Plan has been terminated since September
         2, 1974. No liability to the PBGC (other than for the payment of
         current premiums which are not past due) by the Borrower, any
         Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate has been or is expected by the
         Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate to be incurred with
         respect to any Plan. No ERISA Event with respect to any Plan has
         occurred.

                  (e) Full payment when due has been made of all amounts which
         the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate is required under
         the terms of each Plan or applicable law to have paid as contributions
         to such Plan, and no accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in
         section 302 of ERISA and section 412 of the Code), whether or not
         waived, exists with respect to any Plan.

                  (f) The actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities
         under each Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA does not, as of
         the end of the Borrower's most recently ended fiscal year, exceed the
         current value of the assets (computed on a plan termination basis in
         accordance with Title IV of ERISA) of such Plan allocable to such
         benefit liabilities. The term "actuarial present value of the benefit
         liabilities" shall have the meaning specified in section 4041 of ERISA.

                  (g) None of the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA
         Affiliate sponsors, maintains, or contributes to an employee welfare
         benefit plan, as defined in section 3(1) of ERISA, including, without
         limitation, any such plan maintained to provide benefits to former
         employees of such entities, that may not be terminated by the Borrower,
         a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate in its sole discretion at any time
         without any material liability.

                  (h) None of the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA
         Affiliate sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or has at any time in
         the preceding six calendar years, sponsored, maintained or contributed
         to, any Multiemployer Plan.

                  (i) None of the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA
         Affiliate is required to provide security under section 401(a)(29) of
         the Code due to a Plan amendment that results in an increase in current
         liability for the Plan.

                  Section 7.09 Taxes. Except as set out in Schedule 7.09, each
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has filed all United States Federal income
tax returns and all other tax returns which are required to be filed by them and
have paid all material taxes due pursuant to such returns or pursuant to any
assessment received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary. The charges, accruals and

                                      -39-
<PAGE>   46

reserves on the books of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in respect of taxes
and other governmental charges are, in the opinion of the Borrower, adequate. No
tax lien has been filed and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, no claim is
being asserted with respect to any such tax, fee or other charge.

                  Section 7.10 Titles, etc.

                  (a) Except as set out in Schedule 7.10, each of the Borrower
         and its Subsidiaries has good and defensible title to its material
         (individually or in the aggregate) Properties, free and clear of all
         Liens, except Liens permitted by Section 9.02. Except as set forth in
         Schedule 7.10, after giving full effect to the Excepted Liens, the
         Borrower owns the net interests in production attributable to the
         Hydrocarbon Interests reflected in the most recently delivered Reserve
         Report and the ownership of such Properties shall not in any material
         respect obligate the Borrower to bear the costs and expenses relating
         to the maintenance, development and operations of each such Property in
         an amount in excess of the working interest of each Property set forth
         in the most recently delivered Reserve Report. All information
         contained in the most recently delivered Reserve Report is true and
         correct in all material respects as of the date thereof.

                  (b) All leases and agreements necessary for the conduct of the
         business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are valid and subsisting,
         in full force and effect and there exists no default or event or
         circumstance which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or
         both would give rise to a default under any such lease or leases, which
         would affect in any material respect the conduct of the business of the
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

                  (c) The rights, Properties and other assets presently owned,
         leased or licensed by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries including,
         without limitation, all easements and rights of way, include all
         rights, Properties and other assets necessary to permit the Borrower
         and its Subsidiaries to conduct their business in all material respects
         in the same manner as its business has been conducted prior to the
         Closing Date.

                  (d) All of the assets and Properties of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries which are reasonably necessary for the operation of its
         business are in good working condition and are maintained in accordance
         with prudent business standards.

                  Section 7.11 No Material Misstatements. No written
information, statement, exhibit, certificate, document or report furnished to
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (or any of them) by the Borrower or
any Subsidiary in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement contained
any material misstatement of fact or omitted to state a material fact or any
fact necessary to make the statement contained therein not materially
misleading in the light of the circumstances in which made and with respect to
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. There is no fact peculiar
to the Borrower or any Subsidiary which could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect or in the future could reasonably be likely to have (so
far as the Borrower can now foresee) a Material Adverse Effect and which has
not been set forth in this Agreement or the other documents, certificates and
statements furnished to the Administrative Agent by or on behalf of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary prior to, or on, the Closing Date in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby.

                                      -40-
<PAGE>   47

                  Section 7.12 Investment Company Act. Neither the Borrower nor
any Subsidiary is an "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an
"investment company," within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended.

                  Section 7.13 Public Utility Holding Company Act. Neither the
Borrower nor any Subsidiary is a "holding company", or a "subsidiary company" of
a "holding company," or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a
"subsidiary company" of a "holding company," or a "public utility" within the
meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

                  Section 7.14 Subsidiaries. Except as set forth on Schedule
7.14 or as otherwise disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent, the
Borrower has no Subsidiaries.

                  Section 7.15 Location of Business and Offices. The Borrower's
principal place of business and chief executive offices are located at the
address stated on the signature page of this Agreement or as otherwise disclosed
in writing to the Administrative Agent. The principal place of business and
chief executive office of each Subsidiary are located at the addresses stated
Schedule 7.14 or as otherwise disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent.

                  Section 7.16 Defaults. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary
is in default nor has any event or circumstance occurred which, but for the
expiration of any applicable grace period or the giving of notice, or both,
would constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument to which
the Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party or by which the Borrower or any
Subsidiary is bound which default could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect. No Default hereunder has occurred and is continuing.

                  Section 7.17 Environmental Matters. Except as could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (or with respect to
(c), (d) and (e) below, where the failure to take such actions would not have a
Material Adverse Effect):

                  (a) Neither any Property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary nor
         the operations conducted thereon violate any order or requirement of
         any court or Governmental Authority or any Environmental Laws;

                  (b) Without limitation of clause (a) above, no Property of the
         Borrower or any Subsidiary nor the operations currently conducted
         thereon or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, by any prior owner
         or operator of such Property or operation, are in violation of or
         subject to any existing, pending or threatened action, suit,
         investigation, inquiry or proceeding by or before any court or
         Governmental Authority or to any remedial obligations under
         Environmental Laws;

                  (c) All notices, permits, licenses or similar authorizations
         if any, required to be obtained or filed in connection with the
         operation or use of any and all Property of the Borrower and each
         Subsidiary, including without limitation past or present treatment,
         storage, disposal or release of a hazardous substance or solid waste
         into the environment, have been duly obtained or filed, and the
         Borrower and each Subsidiary are in compliance with the terms and
         conditions of all such notices, permits, licenses and similar
         authorizations;

                                      -41-
<PAGE>   48

                  (d) All hazardous substances, solid waste, and oil and gas
         exploration and production wastes, if any, generated at any and all
         Property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary have in the past been
         transported, treated and disposed of in accordance with Environmental
         Laws and so as not to pose an imminent and substantial endangerment to
         public health or welfare or the environment, and, to the best knowledge
         of the Borrower, all such transport carriers and treatment and disposal
         facilities have been and are operating in compliance with Environmental
         Laws and so as not to pose an imminent and substantial endangerment to
         public health or welfare or the environment, and are not the subject of
         any existing, pending or threatened action, investigation or inquiry by
         any Governmental Authority in connection with any Environmental Laws;

                  (e) The Borrower has taken all steps reasonably necessary to
         determine and has determined that no hazardous substances, solid waste,
         or oil and gas exploration and production wastes, have been disposed of
         or otherwise released and there has been no threatened release of any
         hazardous substances on or to any Property of the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary except in compliance with Environmental Laws and so as not
         to pose an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or
         welfare or the environment;

                  (f) To the extent applicable, all Property of the Borrower and
         each Subsidiary currently satisfies all design, operation, and
         equipment requirements imposed by the OPA or scheduled as of the
         Closing Date to be imposed by OPA during the term of this Agreement,
         and the Borrower does not have any reason to believe that such
         Property, to the extent subject to OPA, will not be able to maintain
         compliance with the OPA requirements during the term of this Agreement;
         and

                  (g) Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has any known
         contingent liability in connection with any release or threatened
         release of any oil, hazardous substance or solid waste into the
         environment.

                  Section 7.18 Compliance with the Law. Neither the Borrower nor
any Subsidiary has violated any Governmental Requirement or failed to obtain any
license, permit, franchise or other governmental authorization necessary for the
ownership of any of its Properties or the conduct of its business, which
violation or failure could reasonably be expected to have (in the event such
violation or failure were asserted by any Person through appropriate action) a
Material Adverse Effect. Except for such acts or failures to act as could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Oil and Gas
Properties (and properties unitized therewith) have been maintained, operated
and developed in a good and workmanlike manner and in conformity with all
applicable laws and all rules, regulations and orders of all duly constituted
authorities having jurisdiction and in conformity with the provisions of all
leases, subleases or other contracts comprising a part of the Hydrocarbon
Interests and other contracts and agreements forming a part of the Oil and Gas
Properties.

                  Section 7.19 Insurance. Schedule 7.19 attached hereto contains
an accurate and complete description of all material policies of fire,
liability, workmen's compensation and other forms of insurance owned or held by
the Borrower and each Subsidiary. All such policies are in full force and
effect, all premiums with respect thereto covering all periods up to and
including the date of the closing and through the respective dates set forth in
Schedule 7.19 have been paid, and no notice of cancellation or termination has
been received with respect to any such policy. Such policies are

                                      -42-
<PAGE>   49

sufficient for compliance with all requirements of law and of all agreements to
which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party; are valid, outstanding and
enforceable policies; provide adequate insurance coverage in at least such
amounts and against at least such risks (but including in any event public
liability) as are usually insured against in the same general area by companies
engaged in the same or a similar business for the assets and operations of the
Borrower and each Subsidiary.

                  Section 7.20 Hedging Agreements Schedule 7.20 sets forth, as
of the Closing Date, a true and complete list of all Hedging Agreements
(including commodity price swap agreements, forward agreements or contracts of
sale which provide for prepayment for deferred shipment or delivery of oil, gas
or other commodities) of the Borrower and each Subsidiary, the material terms
thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional
amounts or volumes), the net mark to market value thereof, all credit support
agreements relating thereto (including any margin required or supplied), and the
counter party to each such agreement.

                  Section 7.21 Restriction on Liens Except for (i) the Wildhorse
Limited Liability Company Agreement and (ii) any industrial development bonds,
purchase money mortgages or capital leases permitted by Section 9.01 (in which
cases, any prohibition or limitation shall only be effective against the assets
finance thereby), neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to
any agreement or arrangement (other than this Agreement), or subject to any
order, judgment, writ or decree, which either restricts or purports to restrict
its ability to grant Liens to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on or in
respect of their respective assets or Properties.

                 Section 7.22 Material Agreements Set forth on Schedule 7.22
hereto is a complete and correct list of all material agreements, leases,
indentures, purchase agreements, obligations in respect of letters of credit,
guarantees, joint venture agreements, and other instruments in effect or to be
in effect as of the Closing Date (other than Hedging Agreements) providing for,
evidencing, securing or otherwise relating to any Debt of the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

         The Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any of the
Commitments are in effect and until payment in full of all Loans hereunder, all
interest thereon and all other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder:

                  Section 8.01 Reporting Requirements The Borrower shall
deliver, or shall cause to be delivered, to the Administrative Agent with
sufficient copies of each for the Lenders:

                  (a) Annual Financial Statements As soon as available and in
         any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the
         Borrower, the audited consolidated statements of income, stockholders'
         equity, changes in financial position and cash flows of the Borrower
         and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, and the related
         consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its Consolidated
         Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year, and setting forth in
         each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the
         preceding fiscal year, and accompanied by the related opinion of
         independent public accountants of

                                      -43-
<PAGE>   50

         recognized national standing reasonably acceptable to the
         Administrative Agent which opinion shall state that said financial
         statements fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated
         financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its
         Consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of, and for, such fiscal year
         and that such financial statements have been prepared in accordance
         with GAAP, except for such changes in such principles with which the
         independent public accountants shall have concurred and such
         opinion shall not contain a "going concern" or like qualification or
         exception.

                  (b) Quarterly Financial Statements As soon as available and in
         any event within 45 days after the end of each of the first three
         fiscal quarterly periods of each fiscal year of the Borrower,
         consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, changes in
         financial position and cash flows of the Borrower and its Consolidated
         Subsidiaries for such period and for the period from the beginning of
         the respective fiscal year to the end of such period, and the related
         consolidated balance sheets as at the end of such period, and setting
         forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for
         the corresponding period in the preceding fiscal year, accompanied by
         the certificate of a Responsible Officer, which certificate shall state
         that said financial statements fairly present, in all material
         respects, the consolidated financial condition and results of
         operations of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries in
         accordance with GAAP, as at the end of, and for, such period (subject
         to normal year-end audit adjustments).

                  (c) Notice of Default, Etc. Promptly after the Borrower knows
         that any Default or any Material Adverse Effect has occurred, a notice
         of such Default or Material Adverse Effect, describing the same in
         reasonable detail and the action the Borrower proposes to take with
         respect thereto.

                  (d) Other Accounting Reports Promptly upon receipt thereof, a
         copy of each other report or letter submitted to the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary by independent accountants in connection with any annual,
         interim or special audit made by them of the books of the Borrower and
         its Subsidiaries, and a copy of any response by the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary of the Borrower, or the Board of Directors of the Borrower
         or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, to such letter or report.

                  (e) SEC Filings, Etc. Promptly upon its becoming available,
         each financial statement, report, notice or proxy statement sent by the
         Borrower to stockholders generally and each regular or periodic report
         and any registration statement, prospectus or written communication
         (other than transmittal letters) in respect thereof filed by the
         Borrower with or received by the Borrower in connection therewith from
         any securities exchange or the SEC or any successor agency.

                  (f) Notices Under Other Loan Agreements Promptly after the
         furnishing thereof, copies of any statement, report or notice furnished
         to any Person pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan or credit or
         other similar agreement, other than this Agreement and not otherwise
         required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to any other provision
         of this Section 8.01.

                                      -44-
<PAGE>   51

                  (g) Gas Imbalances. Concurrently with the delivery of the
         financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Sections
         8.01(a) and (b), a report in form and substance satisfactory to the
         Administrative Agent setting forth, on a net basis, all gas imbalances,
         take or pay or other prepayments with respect to the Borrower's and any
         Subsidiaries' Oil and Gas Properties which would require the Borrower
         or any Subsidiary to deliver Hydrocarbons produced from such Oil and
         Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving
         full payment therefor.

                  (h) Other Matters. From time to time such other information
         regarding the business, affairs or financial condition of the Borrower
         or any Subsidiary (including, without limitation, any Plan or
         Multiemployer Plan and any reports or other information required to be
         filed under ERISA) as any Lender or the Administrative Agent may
         reasonably request.

The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent, at the time it furnishes
each set of financial statements pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) above, a
compliance certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C executed by a
Responsible Officer (i) certifying as to the matters set forth therein and
stating that no Default has occurred and is continuing (or, if any Default has
occurred and is continuing, describing the same in reasonable detail), and (ii)
setting forth in reasonable detail the computations necessary to determine
whether the Borrower is in compliance with Sections 9.12, 9.13, and 9.14 as of
the end of the respective fiscal quarter or fiscal year.

                  Section 8.02 Litigation. The Borrower shall promptly give to
the Administrative Agent notice of: (i) all legal or arbitral proceedings, and
of all proceedings before any Governmental Authority affecting the Borrower or
any Subsidiary, except proceedings which, if adversely determined, could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) any
litigation or proceeding against or adversely affecting the Borrower or any
Subsidiary in which the amount involved is not covered in full by insurance
(subject to normal and customary deductibles and for which the insurer has not
assumed the defense), or in which injunctive or similar relief is sought. The
Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, promptly notify the
Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders of any claim, judgment, Lien or
other encumbrance affecting any Property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary if
the value of the claim, judgment, Lien, or other encumbrance when aggregated
with all other existing claims, judgment or Liens affecting such Property shall
exceed $3,000,000.

                  Section 8.03 Maintenance, Etc.

                  (a) Generally. The Borrower shall and shall cause each
         Subsidiary to: preserve and maintain its corporate existence and all of
         its material rights, privileges and franchises; keep books of record
         and account in which full, true and correct entries will be made of all
         dealings or transactions in relation to its business and activities;
         comply with all Governmental Requirements if failure to comply with any
         such requirements could reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect; pay and discharge all taxes, assessments and
         governmental charges or levies imposed on it or on its income or
         profits or on any of its Property prior to the date on which penalties
         attach thereto, except for any such tax, assessment, charge or levy the
         payment of which is being contested in good faith and by proper
         proceedings and against which adequate reserves are being maintained;
         upon reasonable notice, permit representatives of the Administrative
         Agent or any Lender, during normal business hours, to examine, copy

                                      -45-
<PAGE>   52
         and make extracts from its books and records, to inspect its
         Properties, and to discuss its business and affairs with its officers,
         all to the extent reasonably requested by such Lender or the
         Administrative Agent (as the case may be); and keep, or cause to be
         kept, insured by financially sound and reputable insurers all Property
         of a character usually insured by Persons engaged in the same or
         similar business similarly situated against loss or damage of the kinds
         and in the amounts customarily insured against by such Persons and
         carry such other insurance as is usually carried by such Persons
         including, without limitation, environmental risk insurance to the
         extent reasonably available.

                  (b) Proof of Insurance. Contemporaneously with the delivery of
         the financial statements required by Section 8.01(a) to be delivered
         for each year, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, the
         Borrower will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Administrative
         Agent and the Lenders a certificate of insurance coverage from the
         insurer in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent
         and, if requested, will furnish the Administrative Agent and the
         Lenders copies of the applicable policies.

                  (c) Oil and Gas Properties. The Borrower will and will cause
         each Subsidiary to, at its own expense, (i) do or cause to be done all
         things reasonably necessary to preserve and keep in good repair,
         working order and efficiency all of its Oil and Gas Properties and
         other material Properties, including, without limitation, all
         equipment, machinery and facilities, and (ii) from time to time, make
         all the reasonably necessary repairs, renewals and replacements so that
         at all times the state and condition of its Oil and Gas Properties and
         other material Properties will be fully preserved and maintained in all
         material respects, except, in either case of clauses (i) or (ii), to
         the extent a portion of such Properties is no longer capable of
         producing Hydrocarbons in economically reasonable amounts. The Borrower
         will and will cause each Subsidiary to, in all material respects,
         promptly: (i) pay and discharge, or make reasonable and customary
         efforts to cause to be paid and discharged, all delay rentals,
         royalties, expenses and indebtedness accruing under the leases or other
         agreements affecting or pertaining to its Oil and Gas Properties, (ii)
         perform or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause to be
         performed, in accordance with industry standards, the obligations
         required by each and all of the assignments, deeds, leases, sub-leases,
         contracts and agreements affecting its interests in its Oil and Gas
         Properties and other material Properties, (iii) do all other things
         necessary to keep unimpaired, except for Liens described in Section
         9.02, its rights with respect to its Oil and Gas Properties and other
         material Properties and prevent any forfeiture thereof or a default
         thereunder, except to the extent a portion of such Properties is no
         longer capable of producing Hydrocarbons in economically reasonable
         amounts and except for dispositions permitted by Section 9.15. The
         Borrower will and will cause each Subsidiary to operate its Oil and Gas
         Properties and other material Properties or cause or make reasonable
         and customary efforts to cause such Oil and Gas Properties and other
         material Properties to be operated in a careful and efficient manner in
         accordance with the practices of the industry and in compliance with
         all applicable contracts and agreements and in compliance in all
         material respects with all Governmental Requirements.

                  Section 8.04 Environmental Matters

                  (a) Establishment of Procedures The Borrower will and will
         cause each Subsidiary to establish and implement such procedures as may
         be reasonably necessary to

                                      -46-
<PAGE>   53

         continuously determine and assure that any failure of the following
         could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i)
         all Property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the operations
         conducted thereon and other activities of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries are in compliance with and do not violate the requirements
         of any Environmental Laws, (ii) no oil, hazardous substances or solid
         wastes are disposed of or otherwise released on or to any Property
         owned by any such party except in compliance with Environmental Laws,
         (iii) no hazardous substance will be released on or to any such
         Property in a quantity equal to or exceeding that quantity which
         requires reporting pursuant to Section 103 of CERCLA, and (iv) no oil,
         oil and gas exploration and production wastes or hazardous substance is
         released on or to any such Property so as to pose an imminent and
         substantial endangerment to public health or welfare or the
         environment.

                  (b) Notice of Action The Borrower will promptly notify the
         Administrative Agent and the Lenders in writing of any threatened
         action, investigation or inquiry by any Governmental Authority of which
         the Borrower has knowledge in connection with any Environmental Laws,
         excluding routine testing and corrective action.

                  (c) Future Acquisitions The Borrower will and will cause each
         Subsidiary to provide environmental audits and tests in accordance with
         American Society for Testing and Materials standards as reasonably
         requested by the Administrative Agent (or as otherwise required to be
         obtained by the Administrative Agent or the Majority Lenders by any
         Governmental Authority) in connection with any future acquisitions of
         Oil and Gas Properties or other material Properties.

                  Section 8.05 Further Assurances The Borrower will and will
cause each Subsidiary to cure promptly any defects in the creation and issuance
of the Notes and the execution and delivery of this Agreement and any other Loan
Document to which it is a party. The Borrower, at its expense, will and will
cause each Subsidiary to, promptly execute and deliver to the Administrative
Agent all such other documents, agreements and instruments reasonably requested
by the Administrative Agent to comply with or accomplish the covenants and
agreements of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, as the case may be, in this
Agreement and any other Loan Document, or to file any notices or obtain any
consents, all as may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith.

                  Section 8.06 Performance of Obligations The Borrower will pay
the Notes according to the reading, tenor and effect thereof; and the Borrower
will and will cause each Subsidiary to do and perform every act and discharge
all of the obligations to be performed and discharged by them under the Loan
Documents at the time or times and in the manner specified.

                  Section 8.07 Reserve Reports

                  (a) On or before March 1 of each year, commencing March 1,
         2001, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent, the
         Co-Agent and the Lenders a Reserve Report. The Reserve Report dated as
         of December 31 of each year shall be prepared by certified independent
         petroleum engineers or other independent petroleum consultant(s)
         reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Co-Agent.

                                      -47-
<PAGE>   54

                  (b) In the event of an unscheduled redetermination or a
         redetermination resulting from the Borrowing Base Utilization exceeding
         50%, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent and the
         Lenders a Reserve Report with an "as of" date as required by the
         Administrative Agent and the Co-Agent and prepared by or under the
         supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower who shall certify
         such Reserve Report to be true and accurate and to have been prepared
         in accordance with the procedures used in the immediately preceding
         Reserve Report. The Borrower shall provide such Reserve Reports
         required by this Section 8.07(b) as soon as possible, but in any event
         no later than 30 days following the receipt of the request by the
         Administrative Agent.

                  (c) With the delivery of each Reserve Report, the Borrower
         shall provide to the Administrative Agent, the Co-Agent and the
         Lenders, a certificate from a Responsible Officer certifying that, to
         the best of his knowledge and in all material respects: (i) the
         information contained in the Reserve Report and any other information
         delivered in connection therewith is true and correct, (ii) the
         Borrower owns good and defensible title to the Oil and Gas Properties
         evaluated in such Reserve Report and such Properties are free of all
         Liens except for Liens permitted by Section 9.02 and (iii) the report,
         in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent,
         attached as an exhibit to the certificate, sets forth on a net basis
         all gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments with respect to
         the Borrower's and any Subsidiaries' Oil and Gas Properties evaluated
         in such Reserve Report which would require the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary to deliver Hydrocarbons produced from such Oil and Gas
         Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving
         full payment therefor.

                  Section 8.08 Title to Oil and Gas Properties The Borrower
shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, maintain good and defensible title to
its material (individually or in the aggregate) Oil and Gas Properties, and to
do all things reasonably necessary to cure any material title defects which are
not Excepted Liens of which the Borrower or any Subsidiary has knowledge or has
been provided notice.

                  Section 8.09 ERISA Information and Compliance The Borrower
will promptly furnish and will cause the Subsidiaries and any ERISA Affiliate to
promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent with sufficient copies to the
Lenders (i) upon request of the Administrative Agent, copies of each annual and
other report filed with the United States Secretary of Labor, the Internal
Revenue Service or the PBGC, with respect to each Plan or any trust created
thereunder, (ii) immediately upon becoming aware of the occurrence of any ERISA
Event or of any "prohibited transaction," as described in section 406 of ERISA
or in section 4975 of the Code, in connection with any Plan or any trust created
thereunder, a written notice signed by a Responsible Officer specifying the
nature thereof, what action the Borrower, the Subsidiary or the ERISA Affiliate
is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto, and, when known, any action
taken or proposed by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor or
the PBGC with respect thereto, and (iii) immediately upon receipt thereof,
copies of any notice of the PBGC's intention to terminate or to have a trustee
appointed to administer any Plan. With respect to each Plan (other than a
Multiemployer Plan), the Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary and ERISA
Affiliate to, (i) satisfy in full and in a timely manner, without incurring any
late payment or underpayment charge or penalty and without giving rise to any
lien, all of the contribution and funding requirements of section 412 of the
Code (determined without regard to subsections (d), (e), (f) and (k) thereof)
and of section 302 of ERISA

                                      -48-
<PAGE>   55

(determined without regard to sections 303, 304 and 306 of ERISA), and (ii) pay,
or cause to be paid, to the PBGC in a timely manner, without incurring any late
payment or underpayment charge or penalty, all premiums required pursuant to
sections 4006 and 4007 of ERISA.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

         The Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any of the
Commitments are in effect and until payment in full of Loans hereunder, all
interest thereon and all other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder:

                  Section 9.01 Debt. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary
will incur, create, assume or permit to exist any Debt, except:

                  (a) the Notes or other Indebtedness or any guaranty of or
         suretyship arrangement for the Notes or other Indebtedness;

                  (b) Debt of the Borrower existing on the Closing Date which is
         reflected in the Financial Statements or is disclosed in Schedule 9.01,
         and any renewals, extensions refinancings or replacements (but not
         increases) thereof;

                  (c) accounts payable (for the deferred purchase price of
         Property or services) from time to time incurred in the ordinary course
         of business which, if greater than 90 days past due, are being
         contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which
         reserves adequate under GAAP shall have been established therefor;

                  (d) Debt under capital leases (as required to be reported on
         the financial statements of the Borrower pursuant to GAAP) not to
         exceed $2,000,000;

                  (e) Debt associated with bonds or surety obligations required
         by Governmental Requirements in connection with the operation of Oil
         and Gas Properties;

                  (f) Debt of the Guarantors permitted by Section 9.03(h);

                  (g) Debt of any Special Entity so long as such Debt is
         non-recourse in all respects to the Borrower and its other Subsidiaries
         other than to the Capital Stock of such Special Entity;

                  (h) additional Debt of any Special Entity not otherwise
         allowed by Section 9.01(g), so long as the aggregate principal amount
         of all such Debt of all Special Entities at any one time outstanding
         does not exceed $2,000,000;

                  (i) Debt of any Subsidiary owed to the Borrower and any of its
         other Subsidiaries to the extent permitted by Section 9.03;

                                     -49-
<PAGE>   56

                  (j) Debt of the Borrower not otherwise allowed under this
         Section 9.01 not to exceed $25,000,000 outstanding at any one time; and

                  (k) Debt taking the form of a guarantee by the Borrower of the
         trade payables of Retex Inc. arising in the ordinary course of
         business.

                  Section 9.02 Liens. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary
will create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any of its Properties
(now owned or hereafter acquired), except:

                  (a) Liens securing the payment of any Indebtedness;

                  (b) Excepted Liens;

                  (c) Liens disclosed on Schedule 9.02;

                  (d) Liens securing capital leases allowed under Section
         9.01(d), but only on the Property under lease;

                  (e) Liens on the Capital Stock or Properties of any Special
         Entity securing Debt permitted by Sections 9.01(g) and (h); and

                  (f) other Liens securing obligations not in excess of
         $5,000,000 in the aggregate.

                  Section 9.03 Investments, Loans and Advances Neither the
Borrower nor any Subsidiary will make or permit to remain outstanding any loans
or advances to or investments in any Person, except that the foregoing
restriction shall not apply to:

                  (a) investments, loans or advances reflected in the Financial
         Statements or which are disclosed to the Lenders in Schedule 9.03;

                  (b) accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of
         business;

                  (c) direct obligations of the United States or any agency
         thereof, or obligations guaranteed by the United States or any agency
         thereof, in each case maturing within one year from the date of
         acquisition thereof;

                  (d) commercial paper maturing within one year from the date of
         creation thereof rated at least A2 or P2 by Standard & Poor's Rating
         Group or Moody's Investors Service, Inc.;

                  (e) deposits maturing within one year from the date of
         acquisition thereof with, including certificates of deposit issued by,
         any Lender or any office located in the United States of any other bank
         or trust company which is organized under the laws of the United States
         or any state thereof, has capital and surplus aggregating at least
         $500,000,000 (as of the date of such Lender's or bank or trust
         company's most recent financial reports) and has

                                     -50-
<PAGE>   57

         a short term deposit rating of no lower than A2 or P2, as such rating
         is set forth from time to time, by Standard & Poor's Rating Group or
         Moody's Investors Service, Inc., respectively;

                  (f) deposits in money market or similar funds investing
         exclusively in investments described in Section 9.03(c), 9.03(d) or
         9.03(e);

                  (g) (i) repurchase obligations of any Lender or of any
         commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (e) of this
         Section 9.03; (ii) securities with maturities of one year or less from
         the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state,
         commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political
         subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or
         territory or by any foreign government, the securities of which state,
         commonwealth, territory, political subdivision, taxing authority or
         foreign government (as the case may be) are rated at least A by
         Standard and Poor's Rating Group or Moody's Investors Service, Inc.;
         (iii) securities with effective maturities of one year or less from the
         date of acquisition backed by an Aaa/AAA insurer or standby letters of
         credit issued by any Lender or any commercial bank satisfying the
         requirements of clause (e) of this Section 9.03; (iv) securities with
         maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition
         overcollateralized with United States' government obligations as
         collateral; or

                  (h) investments, loans or advances made by the Borrower in or
         to the Guarantors or by any Guarantor in and to the Borrower;

                  (i) investments by the Borrower or any Guarantor in direct
         ownership interests in additional Oil and Gas Properties and gas
         gathering systems related thereto or in Persons owning Oil and Gas
         Properties provided that after giving effect thereto such Person is a
         Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and such Person shall become a Guarantor if
         such Person's Oil and Gas Properties are included in the determination
         of the Borrowing Base;

                  (j) investments made in the ordinary course of business in
         Wildhorse, and working capital contributions to Wildhorse; provided
         that such investments and working capital contributions (including
         those investments and working capital contributions made prior to the
         Closing Date) do not exceed $65,000,000 in the aggregate, net of
         dividends or other returns of capital or return on investments; and

                  (k) other investments, loans or advances by the Borrower or
         any Guarantor to any Persons not to exceed $25,000,000 in the aggregate
         at any time provided however, that investments, loans or advances to
         Persons who are not Subsidiaries shall not exceed $10,000,000 in the
         aggregate at any time outstanding, net of dividends or other returns of
         capital or return on investments.

                  Section 9.04 Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions. The
Borrower will not declare or pay any dividend, purchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire for value any of its stock now or hereafter outstanding, return any
capital to its stockholders or make any distribution of its assets to its
stockholders, except that so long as no Default exists or would result
therefrom, the Borrower may pay (i) dividends in shares of Capital Stock of the
Borrower and (ii) the Borrower may repurchase Capital Stock of the Borrower in
an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $20,000,000.

                                      -51-

<PAGE>   58

                  Section 9.05 Sales and Leasebacks. Neither the Borrower nor
any Subsidiary will enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with
any Person whereby the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall sell or transfer any
of its Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and where by the
Borrower or any Subsidiary shall then or thereafter rent or lease as lessee
such Property or any part thereof or other Property which the Borrower or any
Subsidiary intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the
Property sold or transferred.

                  Section 9.06 Nature of Business. Neither the Borrower nor any
Subsidiary will allow any material change to be made in the character of its
business as an independent oil and gas exploration and production, gas gathering
and processing or marketing company.

                  Section 9.07 Limitation on Leases. Neither the Borrower nor
any Subsidiary will create, incur, assume or permit to exist any obligation for
the payment of rent or hire of Property of any kind whatsoever (real or
personal, but excluding leases of Hydrocarbon Interests, oil and gas operating
agreements and capital leases), under leases or lease agreements which would
cause the aggregate amount of all payments made by the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries pursuant to all such leases or lease agreements to exceed
$5,000,000 in any period of twelve consecutive calendar months during the life
of such leases.

                  Section 9.08 Mergers, Etc. Neither the Borrower nor any
Subsidiary will merge into or with or consolidate with any other Person, or
sell, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series
of transactions) all or substantially all of its Property or assets to any other
Person, except (i) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may be merged or consolidated
with or into the Borrower (provided that the Borrower shall be the continuing or
surviving corporation) or with or into any one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries
of the Borrower (provided that the Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or Subsidiaries shall
be the continuing or surviving corporation), (ii) any Subsidiary may sell,
lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary
liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the
Borrower, and (iii) any Special Entity which is not otherwise a Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary may merge with or consolidate into another Special Entity which is
not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary so long as after giving effect to such
transaction, the surviving Persons remains a Subsidiary of the Borrower.

                  Section 9.09 Proceeds of Notes; Letters of Credit. The
Borrower will not permit the proceeds of the Notes or Letters of Credit to be
used for any purpose other than those permitted by Section 7.07. Neither the
Borrower nor any Person acting on behalf of the Borrower has taken or will take
any action which might cause any of the Loan Documents to violate Regulation T,
U or X or any other regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System or to violate Section 7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any
rule or regulation thereunder, in each case as now in effect or as the same may
hereinafter be in effect.

                  Section 9.10 ERISA Compliance. The Borrower will not at any
time do any of the following if such action or inaction could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

                  (a) Engage in, or permit any Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate to
         engage in, any transaction in connection with which the Borrower, any
         Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate could be subjected to either a civil
         penalty assessed pursuant to section 502(c), (i) or (1) of ERISA or a
         tax imposed by Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code;

                                       52

<PAGE>   59

                  (b) Terminate, or permit any Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate to
         terminate, any Plan in a manner, or take any other action with respect
         to any Plan, which could result in any liability to the Borrower, any
         Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate to the PBGC;

                  (c) Fail to make, or permit any Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate
         to fail to make, full payment when due of all amounts which, under the
         provisions of any Plan, agreement relating thereto or applicable law,
         the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate is required to pay as
         contributions thereto;

                  (d) Permit to exist, or allow any Subsidiary or ERISA
         Affiliate to permit to exist, any accumulated funding deficiency within
         the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or section 412 of the Code, whether
         or not waived, with respect to any Plan;

                  (e) Permit, or allow any Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate to
         permit, the actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities under
         any Plan maintained by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA
         Affiliate which is regulated under Title IV of ERISA to exceed the
         current value of the assets (computed on a plan termination basis in
         accordance with Title IV of ERISA) of such Plan allocable to such
         benefit liabilities. The term "actuarial present value of the benefit
         liabilities" shall have the meaning specified in section 4041 of ERISA;

                  (f) Contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to, or
         permit any Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate to contribute to or assume an
         obligation to contribute to, any Multiemployer Plan;

                  (g) Acquire, or permit any Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate to
         acquire, an interest in any Person that causes such Person to become an
         ERISA Affiliate with respect to the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any
         ERISA Affiliate if such Person sponsors, maintains or contributes to,
         or at any time in the six-year period preceding such acquisition has
         sponsored, maintained, or contributed to, (1) any Multiemployer Plan,
         or (2) any other Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA under which
         the actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities under such Plan
         exceeds the current value of the assets (computed on a plan termination
         basis in accordance with Title IV of ERISA) of such Plan allocable to
         such benefit liabilities;

                  (h) Incur, or permit any Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate to
         incur, a liability to or on account of a Plan under sections 515, 4062,
         4063, 4064, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA;

                  (i) Contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to, or
         permit any Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate to contribute to or assume an
         obligation to contribute to, any employee welfare benefit plan, as
         defined in section 3(1) of ERISA, including, without limitation, any
         such plan maintained to provide benefits to former employees of such
         entities, that may not be terminated by such entities in their sole
         discretion at any time without any material liability; or

                  (j) Amend or permit any Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate to
         amend, a Plan resulting in an increase in current liability such that
         the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate is required to
         provide security to such Plan under section 401(a)(29) of the Code.

                                      -53-

<PAGE>   60

                  Section 9.11 Sale or Discount of Receivables Neither the
Borrower nor any Subsidiary will discount or sell (with or without recourse) any
of its notes receivable or accounts receivable.

                  Section 9.12 Tangible Net Worth The Borrower will not permit
Tangible Net Worth at any time to be less than the sum (without duplication) of
(i) $325,000,000 plus (ii) 50% of Consolidated Net Income for each fiscal
quarter of the Borrower ending after December 31, 1999 (to the extent for any
such fiscal quarter Consolidated Net Income is positive) plus (iii) 50% of the
Net Cash Proceeds of any primary offering (public or private) of equity
securities consummated by the Borrower after the Closing Date.

                  Section 9.13 Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio The Borrower will not
permit its Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter of
the Borrower (calculated quarterly at the end of each fiscal quarter) to be less
than 2.5 to 1.0.

                  Section 9.14 Leverage Ratio. The Borrower will not permit the
ratio of (i) total Debt of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries to
(ii) the sum of Tangible Net Worth plus total Debt of the Borrower and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries to be greater than 0.45 to 1.00 at any time.

                  Section 9.15 Sale of Oil and Gas Properties The Borrower will
not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, sell, assign, farm-out, convey or
otherwise transfer any Oil and Gas Property or any interest in any Oil and Gas
Property, except for (i) the sale of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of
business; (ii) the sale or transfer of equipment that is obsolete, worn out,
depleted or uneconomic and disposed of in the ordinary course of business; (iii)
the sale, assignment, farm-out, conveyance or other transfer of any undeveloped
acreage for which no Borrowing Base value was given in the most recent
determination of the Borrowing Base; (iv) during any 12 consecutive month
period, sales of Oil and Gas Properties or all of the Capital Stock of any
Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties which shall not exceed in the aggregate
the lesser of (A) $10,000,000 in fair market value and (B) $10,000,000 in
Borrowing Base value allocated to such Properties in the most recent
redetermination of the Borrowing Base, and for each such sale, the Borrower
shall provide the Administrative Agent with contemporaneous notice thereof; (v)
the sale of gas gathering and processing systems assets; and (vi) dispositions
permitted by Section 9.08.

                  Section 9.16 Environmental Matters. Neither the Borrower nor
any Subsidiary will cause or permit any of its Property to be in violation of,
or do anything or permit anything to be done which will subject any such
Property to any remedial obligations under any Environmental Laws, assuming
disclosure to the applicable Governmental Authority of all relevant facts,
conditions and circumstances, if any, pertaining to such Property where such
violations or remedial obligations could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

                  Section 9.17 Transactions with Affiliates Neither the Borrower
nor any Subsidiary will enter into any transaction, including, without
limitation, any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of Property or the rendering
of any service, with any Affiliate (other than a Guarantor) unless such
transactions are otherwise permitted under this Agreement, are in the ordinary
course of its business and are upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable
to it than it would obtain in a comparable arm's length transaction with a
Person not an Affiliate.

                                     -54-

<PAGE>   61

                  Section 9.18 Subsidiaries. The Borrower shall not, and shall
not permit any Subsidiary to, create any additional Subsidiaries. The Borrower
shall not and shall not permit any Subsidiary to sell or to issue any stock or
ownership interest of a Subsidiary, except to the Borrower or any Guarantor and
except in compliance with Section 9.03.

                  Section 9.19 Negative Pledge Agreements. Except for (i) the
Wildhorse Limited Liability Company Agreement and (ii) any industrial
development bonds, purchase money mortgages or capital leases permitted by
Section 9.01 (in which cases, any prohibition or limitation shall only be
effective against the assets finance thereby), neither the Borrower nor any
Subsidiary will create, incur, assume or permit to exist any contract, agreement
or understanding (other than this Agreement) which in any way prohibits or
restricts the granting, conveying, creation or imposition of any Lien on any of
its Property in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders or restricts
any Subsidiary from paying dividends to the Borrower, or which requires the
consent of or notice to other Persons in connection therewith.

                  Section 9.20 Hedging Agreements. Neither the Borrower nor any
Subsidiary will enter into any Hedging Agreements, except where such agreements
are entered into in the ordinary course of business (and not for speculative
purposes) and designed to protect the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
against fluctuations in Hydrocarbon prices and interest rates provided, that
with respect to Hedging Agreements that the aggregate amount of volumes of
Hydrocarbons subject to such Hedging Agreements shall not exceed 75% of the
anticipated production from the Borrower's and its Subsidiaries' proved
developed Hydrocarbons reserves for the period covered by such Hedging
Agreements and; provided, further, if the Borrower enters into a Hedging
Agreement with a Lender, or an Affiliate thereof, the net liabilities of the
Borrower under such Hedging Agreement will rank pari passu with the Indebtedness
under this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE X

                          EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES

                  Section 10.01 Events of Default. One or more of the following
events shall constitute an "Event of Default":

                  (a) the Borrower shall default in the payment or prepayment
         when due of any principal of or interest on any Loan, or any
         reimbursement obligation for a disbursement made under any Letter of
         Credit, or any fees or other amount payable by it hereunder or under
         any other Loan Document and such default, other than a default of a
         payment or prepayment of principal (which shall have no cure period),
         shall continue unremedied for a period of five days; or

                  (b) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall default in the
         payment when due of any principal of or interest on any of its other
         Debt aggregating $5,000,000 or more, or any event specified in any
         note, agreement, indenture or other document evidencing or relating to
         any such Debt shall occur if the effect of such event is to cause, or
         (with the giving of any notice or the lapse of time or both) to permit
         the holder or holders of such Debt (or a trustee or

                                     -55-

<PAGE>   62

         agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, such Debt to
         become due prior to its stated maturity; or

                  (c) any representation, warranty or certification made or
         deemed made herein or in any other Loan Document by the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary, or any certificate furnished to any Lender or the
         Administrative Agent pursuant to the provisions hereof or any other
         Loan Document, shall prove to have been false or misleading as of the
         time made, deemed made or furnished in any material respect; or

                  (d) the Borrower shall default in the performance of any of
         its obligations under Article IX or any other Article of this Agreement
         other than under Article VIII; or the Borrower shall default in the
         performance of any of its obligations under Article VIII or the
         Borrower or any Guarantor shall default in the performance of its
         obligations under any other Loan Document (other than the payment of
         amounts due which shall be governed by Section 10.01(a)) and such
         default shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days
         after the earlier to occur of (i) notice thereof to the Borrower by the
         Administrative Agent or any Lender (through the Administrative Agent),
         or (ii) the Borrower otherwise becoming aware of such default; or

                  (e) the Borrower shall admit in writing its inability to, or
         be generally unable to, pay its debts as such debts become due; or

                  (f) the Borrower shall (i) apply for or consent to the
         appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian,
         trustee or liquidator of itself or of all or a substantial part of its
         property, (ii) make a general assignment for the benefit of its
         creditors, (iii) commence a voluntary ease under the Federal Bankruptcy
         Code (as now or hereafter in effect), (iv) file a petition seeking to
         take advantage of any other law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency,
         reorganization, winding-up, liquidation or composition or readjustment
         of debts, (v) fail to controvert in a timely and appropriate manner, or
         acquiesce in writing to, any petition filed against it in an
         involuntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, or (vi) take any
         corporate action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or

                  (g) a proceeding or case shall be commenced, without the
         application or consent of the Borrower, in any court of competent
         jurisdiction, seeking (i) its liquidation, reorganization, dissolution
         or winding-up, or the composition or readjustment of its debts, (ii)
         the appointment of a trustee, receiver, custodian, liquidator or the
         like of the Borrower of all or any substantial part of its assets, or
         (iii) similar relief in respect of the Borrower under any law relating
         to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding-up, or composition
         or adjustment of debts, and such proceeding or case shall continue
         undismissed, or an order, judgment or decree approving or ordering any
         of the foregoing shall be entered and continue unstayed and in effect,
         for a period of 60 days; or (iv) an order for relief against the
         Borrower shall be entered in an involuntary case under the Federal
         Bankruptcy Code; or

                  (h) a judgment or judgments for the payment of money in excess
         of $5,000,000 in the aggregate shall be rendered by a court against the
         Borrower or any Subsidiary and the same shall not be discharged (or
         provision shall not be made for such discharge), or a stay of execution
         thereof shall not be procured, within 60 days from the date of entry
         thereof and the

                                      -56-
<PAGE>   63

         Borrower or such Subsidiary shall not, within said period of 60 days,
         or such longer period during which execution of the same shall have
         been stayed, appeal therefrom and cause the execution thereof to be
         stayed during such appeal; or

                  (i) any Guarantor takes, suffers or permits to exist any of
         the events or conditions referred to in paragraphs (e), (f) or (g) or
         if any provision of any guaranty agreement related thereto shall for
         any reason cease to be valid, binding, and enforceable against on any
         Guarantor or if any Guarantor shall so state in writing; or

                  (j) a Change of Control shall occur.

                  Section 10.02 Remedies.

                  (a) In the case of an Event of Default other than one referred
         to in clauses (e), (f) or (g) of Section 10.01, the Administrative
         Agent, upon request of the Majority Lenders, shall, by notice to the
         Borrower, cancel the Commitments (in whole or part) and/or declare the
         principal amount then outstanding of, and the accrued interest on, the
         Loans and all other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder and under
         the Notes (including without limitation the payment of cash collateral
         to secure the LC Exposure as provided in Section 2.10(b)) to be
         forthwith due and payable, whereupon such amounts shall be immediately
         due and payable without presentment, demand, protest, notice of intent
         to accelerate, notice of acceleration or other formalities of any kind,
         all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.

                  (b) In the case of the occurrence of an Event of Default
         referred to in clauses (e), (f) or (g) of Section 10.01, the
         Commitments shall be automatically canceled and the principal amount
         then outstanding of, and the accrued interest on, the Loans and all
         other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder and under the Notes
         (including without limitation the payment of cash collateral to secure
         the LC Exposures provided in Section 2.10(b)) shall become
         automatically immediately due and payable without presentment, demand,
         protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration or
         other formalities of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived
         by the Borrower.

                  (c) All proceeds received after maturity of the Notes, whether
         by acceleration or otherwise shall be applied first to reimbursement of
         expenses and indemnities provided for in this Agreement and any other
         Loan Document; second to accrued interest on the Notes; third to fees;
         fourth pro rata to principal outstanding on the Notes and other
         Indebtedness; fifth to serve as cash collateral to be held by the
         Administrative Agent to secure the LC Exposure; and any excess shall be
         paid to the Borrower or as otherwise required by any Governmental
         Requirement.

                                     -57-

<PAGE>   64

                                   ARTICLE XI

                            The Administrative Agent

                  Section 11.01 Appointment, Powers and Immunities Each Lender
hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as
its agent hereunder and under any other Loan Document with such powers as are
specifically delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this
Agreement and any other Loan Document, together with such other powers as are
reasonably incidental thereto. The Administrative Agent (which term as used in
this sentence and in Section 11.05 and the first sentence of Section 11.06 shall
include reference to its Affiliates and its and its Affiliates' officers,
directors, employees, attorneys, accountants, experts and agents): (i) shall
have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in the Loan
Documents, and shall not by reason of the Loan Documents be a trustee or
fiduciary for any Lender; (ii) makes no representation or warranty to any Lender
and shall not be responsible to the Lenders for any recitals, statements,
representations or warranties contained in this Agreement, or in any certificate
or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by any of them
under, this Agreement, or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness,
execution, effectiveness, legality, enforceability or sufficiency of this
Agreement, any Note or any other document referred to or provided for herein or
for any failure by the Borrower or any other Person (other than the
Administrative Agent) to perform any of its obligations hereunder or thereunder
or for the existence, value, perfection or priority of any collateral security
or the financial or other condition of the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or any
other obliger or guarantor; (iii) except pursuant to Section 11.07, shall not be
required to initiate or conduct any litigation or collection proceedings
hereunder; and (iv) shall not be responsible for any action taken or omitted to
be taken by it hereunder or under any other document or instrument referred to
or provided for herein or in connection herewith, including its own ordinary
negligence, except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The
Administrative Agent may employ agents, accountants, attorneys and experts and
shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any such agents,
accountants, attorneys or experts selected by it in good faith or any action
taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice
of such agents, accountants, attorneys or experts. The Administrative Agent may
deem and treat the payee of any Note as the holder thereof for all purposes
hereof unless and until a written notice of the assignment or transfer thereof
permitted hereunder shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent. The
Administrative Agent is authorized to release any collateral or Guarantor that
is permitted to be sold or released pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents.

                  Section 11.02 Reliance by Administrative Agent The
Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any certification, notice or
other communication (including any thereof by telephone, telex, telecopier,
telegram or cable) believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been
signed or sent by or on behalf of the proper Person or Persons, and upon advice
and statements of legal counsel, independent accountants and other experts
selected in good faith by the Administrative Agent.

                  Section 11.03 Defaults. The Administrative Agent shall not be
deemed to have knowledge of the occurrence of a Default (other than the
non-payment of principal of or interest on Loans or of fees or failure to
reimburse for Letter of Credit drawings) unless the Administrative Agent has
received notice from a Lender or the Borrower specifying such Default and
stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default." In the event that the
Administrative Agent receives such a notice

                                     -58-
<PAGE>   65
of the occurrence of a Default, the Administrative Agent shall give prompt
notice thereof to the Lenders. In the event of a payment Default, the
Administrative Agent shall give each Lender prompt notice of each such payment
Default.

                  Section 11.04 Rights as a Lender. With respect to its
Commitments and the Loans made by it and its participation in the issuance of
Letters of Credit, Chase (and any successor acting as Administrative Agent) in
its capacity as a Lender hereunder shall have the same rights and powers
hereunder as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not
acting as the Administrative Agent, and the term "Lender" or "Lenders" shall,
unless the context otherwise indicates, include the Administrative Agent in its
individual capacity. Chase (and any successor acting as Administrative Agent)
and its Affiliates may (without having to account therefor to any Lender) accept
deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust
or other business with the Borrower (and any of its Affiliates) as if it were
not acting as the Administrative Agent, and Chase and its Affiliates may accept
fees and other consideration from the Borrower for services in connection
with this Agreement or otherwise without having to account for the same to the
Lenders.

                  Section 11.05 INDEMNIFICATION. THE LENDERS AGREE TO INDEMNIFY
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH ISSUING BANK RATABLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR
PERCENTAGE SHARES FOR THE INDEMNITY MATTERS AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 12.03 TO
THE EXTENT NOT INDEMNIFIED OR REIMBURSED BY THE BORROWER UNDER SECTION 12.03,
BUT WITHOUT LIMITING THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE BORROWER UNDER SAID SECTION 12.03,
AND FOR ANY AND ALL OTHER LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PENALTIES,
ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES OR DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY KIND AND
NATURE WHATSOEVER WHICH MAY BE IMPOSED ON, INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED AGAINST THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR SUCH ISSUING BANK IN ANY WAY RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT
OF: (I) THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS CONTEMPLATED BY OR REFERRED TO
HEREIN OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, BUT EXCLUDING, UNLESS A
DEFAULT HAS OCCURRED AND IS CONTINUING, NORMAL ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND EXPENSES
INCIDENT TO THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS AGENCY DUTIES HEREUNDER OR (II) THE
ENFORCEMENT OF ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR OF ANY SUCH OTHER DOCUMENTS; WHETHER
OR NOT ANY OF THE FOREGOING SPECIFIED IN THIS SECTION 11.05 ARISES FROM THE
SOLE OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR SUCH ISSUING BANK,
PROVIDED THAT NO LENDER SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY OF THE FOREGOING TO THE EXTENT
THEY ARISE FROM THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT OR ANY ISSUING BANK.

                  Section 11.06 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and other
Lenders Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that it has, independently and
without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on
such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit
analysis of the Borrower and its decision to enter into this Agreement, and that
it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any
other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem
appropriate at the time, continue to make its own analysis and decisions in
taking or not taking action under this Agreement and any other Loan Document.
The Administrative Agent shall not be required to keep itself informed as to the
performance or observance by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of this Agreement,
the Notes, any other Loan Documents or any other document referred to or
provided for herein or

                                      -59-

<PAGE>   66

to inspect the properties or books of the Borrower or any Subsidiary. Except for
notices, reports and other documents and information expressly required to be
furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the
Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any
Lender with any credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial
condition or business of the Borrower (or any of its Affiliates) which may come
into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates. In
this regard, each Lender acknowledges that Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C. is
acting in this transaction as special counsel to the Administrative Agent only,
except to the extent otherwise expressly stated in any legal opinion or any Loan
Document. Each Lender will consult with its own legal counsel to the extent that
it deems necessary in connection with the Loan Documents and the matters
contemplated therein.

                       Section 11.07 Action by Administrative Agent Except for
action or other matters expressly required of the Administrative Agent
hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully justified in
failing or refusing to act hereunder unless it shall (i) receive written
instructions from the Majority Lenders (or all of the Lenders as expressly
required by Section 12.04) specifying the action to be taken, and (ii) be
indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and
expenses which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take
any such action. The instructions of the Majority Lenders (or all of the Lenders
as expressly required by Section 12.04) and any action taken or failure to act
pursuant thereto by the Administrative Agent shall be binding on all of the
Lenders. If a Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent
shall take such action with respect to such Default as shall be directed by the
Majority Lenders (or all of the Lenders as required by Section 12.04) in the
written instructions (with indemnities) described in this Section 11.07,
provided that, unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received
such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to)
take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such
Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders. In no
event, however, shall the Administrative Agent be required to take any action
which exposes the Administrative Agent to personal liability or which is
contrary to the Loan Documents or applicable law.

                       Section 11.08 Resignation or Removal of Administrative
Agent Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative
Agent as provided below, the Administrative Agent may resign at any time by
giving notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower, and the Administrative
Agent may be removed at any time with or without cause by the Majority Lenders.
Upon any such resignation or removal, the Majority Lenders and, if no Default
exists, with the consent of the Borrower, (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall have the right to appoint a successor
Administrative Agent. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so
appointed by the Majority Lenders (and if applicable, approved by the Borrower)
and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the
retiring Administrative Agent's giving of notice of resignation or the Majority
Lenders' removal of the retiring Administrative Agent, then the retiring
Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor
Administrative Agent. Upon the acceptance of such appointment hereunder by a
successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall
thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges
and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative
Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. After any
retiring Administrative Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as
Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Article XI and Section 12.03 shall
continue in effect for its benefit in respect of any actions taken or omitted to
be taken by it while it was acting as the Administrative Agent.

                                      -60-

<PAGE>   67

                                   ARTICLE XII

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

                  Section 12.01 Waiver. No failure on the part of the
Administrative Agent or any Lender to exercise and no delay in exercising, and
no course of dealing with respect to, any right, power or privilege under any of
the Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any right, power or privilege under any of the Loan
Documents preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right, power or privilege. The remedies provided herein are cumulative and
not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

                  Section 12.02 Notices. All notices and other communications
provided for herein and in the other Loan Documents (including, without
limitation, any modifications of, or waivers or consents under, this Agreement
or the other Loan Documents) shall be given or made in writing by telecopy,
courier or U.S. Mail and telecopied, mailed or delivered to the intended
recipient at the "Address for Notices" specified below its name on the signature
pages hereof or in the Loan Documents or, as to any party, at such other address
as shall be designated by such party in a notice to each other party. Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents, all such
communications shall be deemed to have been duly given when transmitted, if
transmitted before 1:00 p.m. local time on a Business Day (otherwise on the next
succeeding Business Day) by telecopier and evidence or confirmation of receipt
is obtained, or personally delivered or, in the case of a mailed notice, three
(3) Business Days after the date deposited in the mails, postage prepaid, in
each case given or addressed as aforesaid.

                  Section 12.03 Payment of Expenses, Indemnities, etc

                  (a) The Borrower agrees:

                  (i) whether or not the transactions hereby contemplated are
          consummated, to pay all reasonable expenses of the Administrative
          Agent in the administration (both before and after the execution
          hereof and including advice of counsel as to the rights and duties of
          the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect thereto) of, and
          in connection with the negotiation, syndication, investigation,
          preparation, execution and delivery of, recording or filing of,
          preservation of rights under, enforcement of, and refinancing,
          renegotiation or restructuring of, the Loan Documents and any
          amendment, waiver or consent relating thereto (including, without
          limitation, travel, photocopy, mailing, courier, telephone and other
          similar expenses of the Administrative Agent, the cost of
          environmental audits, surveys and appraisals at reasonable intervals,
          the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and other outside
          consultants for the Administrative Agent and, in the case of
          enforcement, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the
          Administrative Agent and any of the Lenders); and promptly reimburse
          the Administrative Agent for all amounts expended, advanced or
          incurred by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to satisfy any
          obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document;

                                      -61-

<PAGE>   68

                  (ii) TO INDEMNIFY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER AND
         EACH OF THEIR AFFILIATES AND EACH OF THEIR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS,
         EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVES, AGENTS, ATTORNEYS, ACCOUNTANTS AND EXPERTS
         ("INDEMNIFIED PARTIES") FROM, HOLD EACH OF THEM HARMLESS AGAINST AND
         PROMPTLY UPON DEMAND PAY OR REIMBURSE EACH OF THEM FOR, THE INDEMNITY
         MATTERS WHICH MAY BE iNCURRED BY OR ASSERTED AGAINST OR INVOLVE ANY OF
         THEM (WHETHER OR NOT ANY OF THEM IS DESIGNATED A PARTY THERETO) AS A
         RESULT OF, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO (I) ANY ACTUAL OR
         PROPOSED USE BY THE BORROWER OF THE PROCEEDS OF ANY OF THE LOANS OR
         LETTERS OF CREDIT, (II) THE EXECUTION, DELIVERY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE
         LOAN DOCUMENTS, (III) THE OPERATIONS OF THE BUSINESS OF THE BORROWER
         AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (IV) THE FAILURE OF THE BORROWER OR ANY
         SUBSIDIARY TO COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR WITH ANY
         GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENT, (V) ANY INACCURACY OF ANY REPRESENTATION OR
         ANY BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY OF THE BORROWER OR ANY GUARANTOR SET FORTH
         IN ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, (VI) THE ISSUANCE, EXECUTION AND DELIVERY
         OR TRANSFER OF OR PAYMENT OR FAILURE TO PAY UNDER ANY LETTER OF CREDIT,
         OR (VII) THE PAYMENT OF A DRAWING UNDER ANY LETTER OF CREDIT
         NOTWITHSTANDING THE NON-COMPLIANCE, NON-DELIVERY OR OTHER IMPROPER
         PRESENTATION OF THE MANUALLY EXECUTED DRAFT(S) AND CERTIFICATION(S), OR
         (VIII) ANY OTHER ASPECT OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT
         LIMITATION, THE REASONABLE FEES AND DISBURSEMENTS OF COUNSEL AND ALL
         OTHER EXPENSES INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH INVESTIGATING, DEFENDING OR
         PREPARING TO DEFEND ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT, PROCEEDING (INCLUDING ANY
         INVESTIGATIONS, LITIGATION OR INQUIRIES) OR CLAIM AND INCLUDING ALL
         INDEMNITY MATTERS ARISING BY REASON OF THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF ANY
         INDEMNIFIED PARTY, BUT EXCLUDING ALL INDEMNITY MATTERS ARISING SOLELY
         BY REASON OF CLAIMS BETWEEN THE LENDERS OR ANY LENDER AND THE
         ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR A LENDER'S SHAREHOLDERS AGAINST THE
         ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR LENDER OR BY REASON OF THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR
         WILLFUL MISCONDUCT ON THE PART OF THE INDEMNIFIED PARTY; AND

                  (iii) TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS FROM TIME TO TIME THE
         INDEMNIFIED PARTIES FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LOSSES, CLAIMS, COST
         RECOVERY ACTIONS, ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS OR PROCEEDINGS, DAMAGES AND
         LIABILITIES TO WHICH ANY SUCH PERSON MAY BECOME SUBJECT (I) UNDER ANY
         ENVIRONMENTAL LAW APPLICABLE TO THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY OR ANY
         OF THEIR PROPERTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE TREATMENT OR
         DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ON ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES, (II) AS A
         RESULT OF THE BREACH OR NON-COMPLIANCE BY THE BORROWER OR ANY
         SUBSIDIARY WITH ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAW APPLICABLE TO THE BORROWER OR ANY
         SUBSIDIARY, (III) DUE TO PAST OWNERSHIP BY THE BORROWER OR ANY
         SUBSIDIARY OF ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES OR PAST ACTIVITY ON ANY OF THEIR
         PROPERTIES WHICH, THOUGH LAWFUL AND FULLY PERMISSIBLE AT THE TIME,
         COULD RESULT IN PRESENT LIABILITY, (IV) THE PRESENCE, USE, RELEASE,
         STORAGE, TREATMENT OR DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ON OR AT ANY OF
         THE PROPERTIES OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY, OR
         (V) ANY OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH OR SAFETY CONDITION IN CONNECTION
         WITH THE LOAN DOCUMENTS; PROVIDED HOWEVER,

                                      -62-
<PAGE>   69

         NO INDEMNITY SHALL BE AFFORDED UNDER THIS SECTION 12.03(A)(III) IN
         RESPECT OF ANY PROPERTY FOR ANY OCCURRENCE ARISING FROM THE ACTS OR
         OMISSIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER DURING THE PERIOD
         AFTER WHICH SUCH PERSON, ITS SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS SHALL HAVE
         OBTAINED POSSESSION OF SUCH PROPERTY (WHETHER BY FORECLOSURE OR DEED
         IN LIEU OF FORECLOSURE, AS MORTGAGEE-IN-POSSESSION OR OTHERWISE).

                  (b) No Indemnified Party may settle any claim to be
         indemnified without the consent of the indemnitor, such consent not to
         be unreasonably withheld; provided, that the indemnitor may not
         reasonably withhold consent to any settlement that an Indemnified Party
         proposes, if the indemnitor does not have the financial ability to pay
         all its obligations outstanding and asserted against the indemnitor at
         that time, including the maximum potential claims against the
         Indemnified Party to be indemnified pursuant to this Section 12.03.

                  (c) In the case of any indemnification hereunder, the
         Administrative Agent or Lender, as appropriate shall give notice to the
         Borrower of any such claim or demand being made against the Indemnified
         Party and the Borrower shall have the non-exclusive right to join in
         the defense against any such claim or demand provided that if the
         Borrower provides a defense, the Indemnified Party shall bear its own
         cost of defense unless there is a conflict between the Borrower and
         such Indemnified Party.

                  (d) THE FOREGOING INDEMNITIES SHALL EXTEND TO THE INDEMNIFIED
         PARTIES NOTWITHSTANDING THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE OF EVERY KIND
         OR CHARACTER WHATSOEVER, WHETHER ACTIVE OR PASSIVE, WHETHER AN
         AFFIRMATIVE ACT OR AN OMISSION, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL TYPES
         OF NEGLIGENT CONDUCT IDENTIFIED IN THE RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS OF
         ONE OR MORE OF THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES OR BY REASON OF STRICT LIABILITY
         IMPOSED WITHOUT FAULT ON ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES. TO
         THE EXTENT THAT AN INDEMNIFIED PARTY IS FOUND TO HAVE COMMITTED AN
         ACT OF GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, THIS CONTRACTUAL
         OBLIGATION OF INDEMNIFICATION SHALL CONTINUE BUT SHALL ONLY EXTEND TO
         THE PORTION OF THE CLAIM THAT IS DEEMED TO HAVE OCCURRED BY REASON OF
         EVENTS OTHER THAN THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THE
         INDEMNIFIED PARTY.

                  (e) The Borrower's obligations under this Section 12.03 shall
         survive any termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Notes
         and shall continue thereafter in full force and effect.

                  (f) The Borrower shall pay any amounts due under this Section
         12.03 within thirty (30) days of the receipt by the Borrower of notice
         of the amount due.

                  Section 12.04 Amendments, Etc. Any provision of this Agreement
or any other Loan Document may be amended, modified or waived with the
Borrower's and the Majority Lenders' prior written consent; provided that (i) no
amendment, modification or waiver which extends the final maturity of the Loans,
increases the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts, forgives the principal amount of
any Indebtedness outstanding under this Agreement, releases any guarantor of the
Indebtedness (except in accordance with the terms of the Guaranty Agreement)
reduces the interest

                                      -63-

<PAGE>   70

rate applicable to the Loans or the fees payable to the Lenders generally,
affects Section 2.03(a), this Section 12.04 or Section 12.06(a) or modifies the
definition of "Majority Lenders" shall be effective without consent of all
Lenders; (ii) no amendment, modification or waiver which increases the Maximum
Credit Amount of any Lender shall be effective without the consent of such
Lender; and (iii) no amendment, modification or waiver which modifies the
rights, duties or obligations of the Administrative Agent or an Issuing Bank
shall be effective without the consent of the Administrative Agent or such
Issuing Bank.

                  Section 12.05 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns.

                  Section 12.06 Assignments and Participations

                  (a) The Borrower may not assign its rights or obligations
         hereunder or under the Notes or any Letters of Credit without the prior
         consent of all of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.

                  (b) Any Lender may, upon the written consent of the
         Administrative Agent and, if no Default exists, the Borrower (which
         consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), assign to one or
         more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under
         this Agreement pursuant to an Assignment Agreement substantially in the
         form of Exhibit D (an "Assignment"); provided, however that the
         assignee or assignor shall pay to the Administrative Agent a processing
         and recordation fee of $3,500 for each assignment. Any such assignment
         will become effective upon the execution and delivery to the
         Administrative Agent of the Assignment and the consent of the
         Administrative Agent and, if necessary, the Borrower. Promptly after
         receipt of an executed Assignment, the Administrative Agent shall send
         to the Borrower a copy of such executed Assignment. Upon receipt of
         such executed Assignment, the Borrower, will, at its own expense,
         execute and deliver new Notes to the assignor and/or assignee, as
         appropriate, in accordance with their respective interests as they
         appear. Upon the effectiveness of any assignment pursuant to this
         Section 12.06(b), the assignee will become a "Lender," if not already a
         "Lender," for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan
         Documents. The assignor shall be relieved of its obligations hereunder
         to the extent of such assignment (and if the assigning Lender no longer
         holds any rights or obligations under this Agreement, such assigning
         Lender shall cease to be a "Lender" here under except that its rights
         under Sections 4.06, 5.01, 5.05 and 12.03 and its obligations under
         Section 12.15 shall not be affected). The Administrative Agent will
         prepare on the last Business Day of each month during which an
         assignment has become effective pursuant to this Section 12.06(b), a
         new Annex I giving effect to all such assignments effected during such
         month, and will promptly provide the same to the Borrower and each of
         the Lenders.

                  (c) Each Lender may transfer, grant or assign participations
         in all or any part of such Lender's interests hereunder pursuant to
         this Section 12.06(c) to any Person provided that: (i) such Lender
         shall remain a "Lender" for all purposes of this Agreement and the
         transferee of such participation shall not constitute a "Lender"
         hereunder; and (ii) no participant under any such participation shall
         have rights to approve any amendment to or waiver of any of the Loan
         Documents except to the extent such amendment or waiver would

                                      -64-
<PAGE>   71

         (x) forgive any principal owing on any Indebtedness or extend the final
         maturity of the Loans, (y) reduce the interest rate (other than as a
         result of waiving the applicability of any post-default increases in
         interest rates) or fees applicable to any of the Commitments or Loans
         or Letters of Credit in which such participant is participating, or
         postpone the payment of any thereof, or (z) release any Guarantor of
         the Indebtedness (except in accordance with the terms of the Guaranty
         Agreement). In the case of any such participation, the participant
         shall not have any rights under this Agreement or any of the other Loan
         Documents (the participant's rights against the granting Lender in
         respect of such participation to be those set forth in the agreement
         with such Lender creating such participation), and all amounts payable
         by the Borrower hereunder shall be determined as if such Lender had not
         sold such participation, provided that such participant shall be
         entitled to receive additional amounts under Article V on the same
         basis as if it were a Lender and be indemnified under Section 12.03 as
         if it were a Lender but only to the extent of the Lender granting such
         participations. In addition, each agreement creating any participation
         must include an agreement by the participant to be bound by the
         provisions of Section 12.15.

                  (d) The Lenders may furnish any information concerning the
         Borrower in the possession of the Lenders from time to time to
         assignees and participants (including prospective assignees and
         participants); provided that, such Persons agree to be bound by the
         provisions of Section 12.15.

                  (e) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 12.06 to the
         contrary, any Lender may assign and pledge its Note to any Federal
         Reserve Bank. No such assignment and/or pledge shall release the
         assigning and/or pledging Lender from its obligations hereunder.

                  (f) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section
         12.06, no transfer or assignment of the interests or obligations of any
         Lender or any grant of participations therein shall be permitted if
         such transfer assignment or grant would require the Borrower to file a
         registration statement with the SEC or to qualify the Loans under the
         "Blue Sky" laws of any state.

                  Section 12.07 Invalidity. In the event that any one or more of
the provisions contained in any of the Loan Documents shall, for any reason, be
held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity,
illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this
Agreement, the Notes, or any other Loan Document.

                  Section 12.08 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and
the same instrument and any of the parties hereto may execute this Agreement by
signing any such counterpart.

                  Section 12.09 References; Use of Word "Including". The words
"herein," "hereof," "hereunder" and other words of similar import when used in
this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole, and not to any particular
article, section or subsection. Any reference herein to a Section or Article
shall be deemed to refer to the applicable Section or Article of this Agreement
unless otherwise stated herein. Any reference herein to an exhibit, schedule, or
other attachment shall be deemed to refer to the applicable exhibit, schedule,
or other attachment attached hereto unless otherwise stated herein. The word
"including", "includes" and words of similar import means "including, without
limitation".

                                      -65-
<PAGE>   72

                  Section 12.10 Survival. The obligations of the parties under
Section 4.06, Article V, and Sections 11.05, 12.03 and 12.15 shall survive the
repayment of the Loans and the termination of the Commitments. To the extent
that any payments on the Indebtedness or proceeds of any collateral are
subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside
or required to be repaid to a trustee, debtor in possession, receiver or other
Person under any bankruptcy law, common law or equitable cause, then to such
extent, the Indebtedness so satisfied shall be revived and continue as if such
payment or proceeds had no been received and the Administrative Agent's and the
Lenders' Liens, if any, rights, powers and remedies under this Agreement and
each other Loan Document shall continue in full force and effect. In such event,
each Loan Document granting a Lien to secure the Indebtedness or guaranteeing
the Indebtedness shall be automatically reinstated and the Borrower shall take
such action as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders to effect such reinstatement.

                  Section 12.11 Captions. Captions and section headings
appearing herein are included solely for convenience of reference and are not
intended to affect the interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

                  Section 12.12 NO ORAL AGREEMENTS. THE LOAN DOCUMENTS EMBODY
THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND SUPERSEDE ALL
OTHER AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS BETWEEN SUCH PARTIES RELATING TO THE
SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND THEREOF. THE LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR,
CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO
UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

                  Section 12.13 GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION.

                  (a) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE NOTES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED
         TO, THE VALIDITY AND ENFORCEABILITY HEREOF AND THEREOF) SHALL BE
         GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE
         OF NEW YORK, OTHER THAN THE CONFLICT OF LAWS RULES THEREOF WHICH WOULD
         RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

                  (b) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THE LOAN
         DOCUMENTS SHALL BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR IN
         THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW
         YORK, AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH OF THE
         BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER HEREBY ACCEPTS FOR
         ITSELF AND (TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW) IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY,
         GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID
         COURTS. EACH OF THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER
         HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
         ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM
         NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF
         ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS. THIS
         SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION IS NON-

                                      -66-

<PAGE>   73

         EXCLUSIVE AND DOES NOT PRECLUDE THE PARTIES FROM OBTAINING JURISDICTION
         OVER OTHER PARTIES IN ANY COURT OTHERWISE HAVING JURISDICTION.

                  (c) THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE
         OF PROCESS OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR
         PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THERE OF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED
         MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO THE BORROWER AT ITS SAID ADDRESS, SUCH
         SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING.

                  (d) NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE BORROWER,
         THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER OR ANY HOLDER OF A NOTE TO SERVE
         PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL
         PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST THE BORROWER IN ANY OTHER
         JURISDICTION.

                  (e) THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER
         HEREBY (I) IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
         PERMITTED BY LAW, TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING
         RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY
         COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN; (II) IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT NOT
         PROHIBITED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO CLAIM OR RECOVER IN ANY
         SUCH LITIGATION ANY SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL
         DAMAGES, OR DAMAGES OTHER THAN, OR IN ADDITION TO, ACTUAL DAMAGES;
         (III) CERTIFY THAT NO PARTY HERETO NOR ANY REPRESENTATIVE OR AGENT OF
         COUNSEL FOR ANY PARTY HERETO HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE,
         OR IMPLIED THAT SUCH PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK
         TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVERS, AND (IV) ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT HAS BEEN
         INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND THE
         TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS,
         THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION 12.13.

                  SECTION 12.14 Interest. It is the intention of the parties
hereto that each Lender shall conform strictly to usury laws applicable to it.
Accordingly, if the transactions contemplated hereby would be usurious as to any
Lender under laws applicable to it (including the laws of the United States of
America and the State of New York or any other jurisdiction whose laws may be
mandatorily applicable to such Lender notwithstanding the other provisions of
this Agreement), then, in that event, notwithstanding anything to the contrary
in any of the Loan Documents or any agreement entered into in connection with or
as security for the Notes, it is agreed as follows: (i) the aggregate of all
consideration which constitutes interest under law applicable to any Lender that
is contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received by such Lender under any
of the Loan Documents or agreements or otherwise in connection with the Notes
shall under no circumstances exceed the maximum amount allowed by such
applicable law, and any excess shall be canceled automatically and if
theretofore paid shall be credited by such Lender on the principal amount of the
Indebtedness (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Indebtedness
shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Lender to the
Borrower); and (ii) in the event that the maturity of the Notes is accelerated
by reason of an election of the holder thereof resulting from any Event of
Default under this Agreement or otherwise, or in the event of any required or
permitted prepayment, then such consideration that constitutes interest under
law applicable to any Lender may

                                      -67-

<PAGE>   74

never include more than the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and
excess interest, if any, provided for in this Agreement or otherwise shall be
canceled automatically by such Lender as of the date of such acceleration or
prepayment and, if heretofore paid, shall be credited by such Lender on the
principal amount of the Indebtedness (or, to the extent that the principal
amount of the Indebtedness shall have been or would thereby be paid in full,
refunded by such Lender to the Borrower). All sums paid or agreed to be paid to
any Lender for the use, forbearance or detention of sums due hereunder shall, to
the extent permitted by law applicable to such Lender, be amortized, prorated,
allocated and spread throughout the full term of the Loans evidenced by the
Notes until payment in full so that the rate or amount of interest on account of
any Loans hereunder does not exceed the maximum amount allowed by such
applicable law. If at any time and from time to time (i) the amount of interest
payable to any Lender on any date shall be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate
applicable to such Lender pursuant to this Section 12.14 and (ii) in respect of
any subsequent interest computation period the amount of interest otherwise
payable to such Lender would be less than the amount of interest payable to such
Lender computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender, then the
amount of interest payable to such Lender in respect of such subsequent interest
computation period shall continue to be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate
applicable to such Lender until the total amount of interest payable to such
Lender shall equal the total amount of interest which would have been payable to
such Lender if the total amount of interest had been computed without giving
effect to this Section 12.14.

                  Section 12.15 Confidentiality. In the event that the Borrower
provides to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders written confidential
information belonging to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, if the
Borrower shall denominate such information in writing as "confidential", the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall thereafter maintain such information
in confidence in accordance with the standards of care and diligence that each
utilizes in maintaining its own confidential information. This obligation of
confidence shall not apply to such portions of the information which (i) are in
the public domain, (ii) hereafter become part of the public domain without the
Administrative Agent or the Lenders breaching their obligation of confidence to
the Borrower, (iii) are previously known by the Administrative Agent or the
Lenders from some source other than the Borrower, (iv) arc hereafter developed
by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders without using the Borrower's
information, (v) are hereafter obtained by or available to the Administrative
Agent or the Lenders from a third party who owes no obligation of confidence to
the Borrower with respect to such information or through any other means other
than through disclosure by the Borrower, (vi) are disclosed with the Borrower's
consent, (vii) must be disclosed either pursuant to any Governmental Requirement
or to Persons regulating the activities of the Administrative Agent or the
Lenders, or (viii) as may be required by law or regulation or order of any
Governmental Authority in any judicial, arbitration or governmental proceeding.
Further, the Administrative Agent or a Lender may disclose any such information
to any other Lender, any independent petroleum engineers or consultants, any
independent certified public accountants, any legal counsel employed by such
Person in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including
without limitation, the enforcement or exercise of all rights and remedies
thereunder, or any assignee or participant (including prospective assignees and
participants) in the Loans; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent or
the Lenders shall receive a confidentiality agreement from the Person to whom
such information is disclosed such that said Person shall have the same
obligation to maintain the confidentiality of such information as is imposed
upon the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary provided herein, this obligation of confidence shall cease three
(3) years from the date the information was furnished, unless the Borrower
requests

                                      -68-
<PAGE>   75

in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of such three year
period, to maintain the confidentiality of such information for an additional
three year period. The Borrower waives any and all other rights it may have to
confidentiality as against the Administrative Agent and the Lenders arising by
contract, agreement, statute or law except as expressly stated in this Section
12.15.

                         [SIGNATURES BEGIN ON NEXT PAGE]

                                      -69-
<PAGE>   76

         The parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of
the day and year first above written.

BORROWER:                               TOM BROWN, INC.

                                        By:
                                          --------------------------------
                                             Daniel G. Blanchard
                                             Vice President and Treasurer

                                       Address for Notices:

                                       555 17th Street, Suite 1850
                                       Denver, CO 80202-3918

                                       Telecopier No.: 303-260-5095
                                       Telephone No.: 303-260-5039
                                       e-mail: dblanchard@tombrown.com
                                       Attention: Daniel G. Blanchard

                                       S-1

<PAGE>   77

LENDER AND
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:                  THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

                                       By:
                                          ------------------------------
                                       Name:    Steve Wood
                                       Title:   Vice President

                                       Lending Office for Base Rate Loans and
                                       Eurodollar Loans:

                                       270 Park Avenue, 21st Floor
                                       New York, NY 10017

                                       Address for Notices:

                                       The Chase Manhattan Bank
                                       One Chase Manhattan Plaza, 8th Floor
                                       New York, NY 10081

                                       Telecopier No.: 212-552-5777
                                       Telephone No.: 212-552-7906
                                       Attention:   Michael Cerniglia
                                                    Loan and Agency Services

                                      S-2
<PAGE>   78

LENDERS:                          BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

                                  By:
                                     ----------------------------
                                  Name:    Tracey S. Barclay
                                  Title:   Principal

                                  Lending Office for Base Rate Loans and
                                  Eurodollar Loans:

                                  901 Main St.
                                  14th Floor
                                  Dallas, Texas 75201

                                  Address for Notices:

                                  901 Main St.
                                  14th Floor
                                  Dallas, Texas 75201

                                  Telecopier No.: 214-290-9521
                                  Telephone No.: 214-209-3089
                                  Attention: Hari Kalyandurg

                                       S-3
<PAGE>   79

                                           U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                           By:
                                              ---------------------------
                                           Name: Caroline M. McClurg
                                           Title: Vice President

                                           Lending Office for Base
                                           Rate Loans and Eurodollar
                                           Loans:

                                           U.S. Bank National Association
                                           918 17th Street
                                           CNBB 0300
                                           Denver, Colorado 80303

                                           Address for Notices:

                                           U.S. Bank National Association
                                           918 17th Street
                                           CNBB 0300
                                           Denver, Colorado 80303

                                           Telecopier No.: 303-585-4362
                                           Telephone No.: 303-585-6674
                                           Attention: Caroline McClurg

                                       S-4
<PAGE>   80

                                       THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

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

                                       Lending Office for Base Rate Loans and
                                       Eurodollar Loans:

                                       The Bank of Nova Scotia
                                       Atlanta Agency
                                       600 Peachtree Street N.E., Suite 2700
                                       Atlanta, Georgia 30308

                                       Address for Notices:

                                       The Bank of Nova Scotia
                                       Atlanta Agency
                                       600 Peachtree Street N.E., Suite 2700
                                       Atlanta, Georgia 30308

                                       Telecopier No.: 404-888-8998
                                       Telephone No.: 404-877-1500
                                       Attention: Cleve Bushey

                                       With copy to:

                                       Mr. Greg Smith
                                       The Bank of Nova Scotia
                                       Houston Representative Office
                                       1100 Louisiana, Suite 3000
                                       Houston, Texas 77002

                                      S-5
<PAGE>   81

                                     ANNEX I

              LIST OF PERCENTAGE SHARES AND MAXIMUM CREDIT AMOUNTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  PERCENTAGE       MAXIMUM
    NAME OF LENDER                   SHARE       CREDIT AMOUNT
----------------------            ----------     -------------
<S>                                   <C>        <C>
The Chase Manhattan Bank              28%        $ 35,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------------
Bank of America, N.A                  26%        $ 32,500,000
--------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Bank National Association        26%        $ 32,500,000
--------------------------------------------------------------
The Bank of Nova Scotia               20%        $ 25,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------------
               TOTAL                 100%        $125,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   82

                                    EXHIBIT A

                                  FORM OF NOTE

$ _____________________________         _________________________, 200 _____

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, TOM BROWN, INC., A Delaware corporation (the
"Borrower"), hereby promises to pay to the order of __________________________
(the "Lender"), at the Principal Office of The Chase Manhattan Bank
(the "Administrative Agent"), at 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, the
principal sum of _____________ Dollars ($____________ ) (or such lesser amount
as shall equal the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans made by the
Lender to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement, as hereinafter defined), in
lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds,
on the dates and in the principal amounts provided in the Credit Agreement, and
to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each such Loan, at such
office, in like money and funds, for the period commencing on the date of such
Loan until such Loan shall be paid in full, at the rates per annum and on the
dates provided in the Credit Agreement.

         The date, amount, Type, interest rate, Interest Period and maturity of
each Loan made by the Lender to the Borrower, and each payment made on account
of the principal thereof, shall be recorded by the Lender on its books and,
prior to any transfer of this Note, endorsed by the Lender on the schedules
attached hereto or any continuation thereof.

         This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement dated
as of June ____, 2000 among the Borrower, the Lenders which are or become
parties thereto (including the Lender) and the Administrative Agent (as the same
may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), and
evidences Loans made by the Lender thereunder. Capitalized terms used in this
Note have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement.

         This Note is issued pursuant to the Credit Agreement and is entitled to
the benefits provided for in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
The Credit Agreement provides for the acceleration of the maturity of this Note
upon the occurrence of certain events, for prepayments of Loans upon the terms
and conditions specified therein and other provisions relevant to this Note.

<PAGE>   83

         THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OTHER THAN THE CONFLICTS OF LAWS RULES THEREOF
WHICH WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

                                             TOM BROWN, INC.

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

<PAGE>   84

                                    EXHIBIT B

             FORM OF BORROWING, CONTINUATION AND CONVERSION REQUEST

                   ________________________________, 200 _____

         Tom Brown, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), pursuant to
the Credit Agreement dated as of June ___, 2000 among the Borrower, The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent for the lenders (the "Lenders") which
are or become parties thereto, and such Lenders (together with all amendments or
supplements thereto, the "Credit Agreement"), hereby makes the requests
indicated below (unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms are defined
in the Credit Agreement):

[ ]   1.  Loans:

      (a) Aggregate amount of new Loans to be $______________________;

      (b) Requested funding date is ___________________, 200 _____;

      (c) $ _________________ of such borrowings are to be Eurodollar Loans;

          $ _________________ of such borrowings are to be Base Rate Loans; and

      (d) Length of Interest Period for Eurodollar Loans is:

          ________________________.

[ ]   2.  Eurodollar Loan Continuation for Eurodollar Loans maturing on

          ________________________:

      (a) Aggregate amount to be continued as Eurodollar Loans is $ ___________;

      (b) Aggregate amount to be converted to Base Rate Loans is $ ____________;

      (c) Length of Interest Period for continued Eurodollar Loans is

          ________________________.

[ ]   3.  Conversion of Outstanding Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Loans:

          Convert $ _____________ of the outstanding Base Rate Loans to
          Eurodollar Loans on ____________ with an Interest Period of
          ___________.

[ ]   4.  Conversion of outstanding Eurodollar Loans to Base Rate Loans:

<PAGE>   85
    Convert $______________ of the outstanding Eurodollar Loans with Interest
    Period maturing on _______________, 200_,  to Base Rate Loans.

    The undersigned certifies that he is the ______________________ of the
Borrower, and that as such he is authorized to execute this certificate on
behalf of the Borrower. The undersigned further certifies, represents and
warrants on behalf of the Borrower that the Borrower is entitled to receive the
requested borrowing continuation or conversion under the terms and conditions of
the Credit Agreement.

                               TOM BROWN, INC.

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

<PAGE>   86

                                    EXHIBIT C

                         FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

         The undersigned hereby certifies that he is the ________________ of Tom
Brown, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), and that as such he is
authorized to execute this certificate on behalf of the Borrower. With reference
to the Credit Agreement dated as of June __, 2000 among the Borrower, The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent for the lenders (the "Lenders") which
are or become a party thereto, and such Lenders (together with all amendments or
supplements thereto being the "Credit Agreement"), the undersigned represents
and warrants as follows (each capitalized term used herein having the same
meaning given to it in the Credit Agreement unless otherwise specified):

                   (a) The representations and warranties of the Borrower
           contained in Article VII of the Credit Agreement and of the Borrower
           and the Guarantors in any other Loan Document and otherwise made in
           writing by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to the Credit
           Agreement and the Borrower or any Guarantor pursuant to the other
           Loan Documents were true and correct when made, and are repeated at
           and as of the time of delivery hereof and are true and correct at and
           as of the time of delivery hereof, except as such representations and
           warranties are modified to give effect to the transactions expressly
           permitted by the Credit Agreement or are limited to an earlier date.

                   (b) The Borrower and each Guarantor has performed and
           complied with all agreements and conditions contained in the Loan
           Documents to which it is a party required to be performed or complied
           with by it prior to or at the time of delivery hereof.

                   (c) Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has incurred any
           material liabilities, direct or contingent, since December 31, 1999,
           except those set forth in Schedule 9.01 to the Credit Agreement and
           except those allowed by the terms of the Credit Agreement or
           consented to by the Lenders in writing.

                   (d) Since December 31, 1999, no change has occurred, either
           in any case or in the aggregate, in the condition, financial or
           otherwise, of the Borrower or any Subsidiary which could reasonably
           be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                   (e) There exists, and, after giving effect to the Loan or
           Loans with respect to which this certificate is being delivered, will
           exist, no Default under the Credit Agreement or any event or
           circumstance which constitutes, or with notice or lapse of time (or
           both) would constitute, an event of default under any loan or credit
           agreement, indenture, deed of trust, security agreement or other
           agreement or instrument evidencing or pertaining to any Debt of the
           Borrower or any Subsidiary, or under any material agreement or
           instrument to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party or by
           which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is bound.

<PAGE>   87

                   (f) The financial statements furnished to the Administrative
           Agent with this certificate fairly present the consolidated financial
           condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its
           Consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of, and for, the [fiscal
           quarter] [fiscal year] ending __________________________ and such
           financial statements have been approved in accordance with the
           accounting procedures specified in the Credit Agreement.

                   (g) Attached hereto are the detailed computations necessary
           to determine whether the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
           are in compliance with Sections 9.12, 9.13, and 9.14 of the Credit
           Agreement as of the end of the [fiscal quarter] [fiscal year] ending
           _______________.

           EXECUTED AND DELIVERED this ___ day of _________, 2000.

                                            TOM BROWN, INC.

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

<PAGE>   88

                                    EXHIBIT D

                          FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

           ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") dated as of _____________, 200__
between: _____________________________ (the "Assignor") and _______________ (the
"Assigned").

                                    RECITALS

           A. The Assignor is a party to the Credit Agreement dated as of June
__, 2000 (as amended and supplemented and in effect from time to time, the
Credit Agreement") among Tom Brown, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Borrower"), each of the lenders that is or becomes a party thereto as provided
in Section 12.06 of the Credit Agreement (individually, together with its
successors and assigns, a "Lender", and collectively, together with their
successors and assigns, the "Lenders"), and The Chase Manhattan Bank, in its
individual capacity, ("Chase") and as administrative agent for the Lenders (in
such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the
"Administrative Agent").

           B. The Assignor proposes to sell, assign and transfer to the
Assignee, and the Assignee proposes to purchase and assume from the Assignor,
[all][a portion] of the Assignor's [Maximum Credit Amount], outstanding Loans
and its Percentage Share of the outstanding LC Exposure, all on the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.

           C. In consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreements
contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as
follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                  DEFINITIONS.

           Section 1.01 Definitions. All capitalized terms used but not defined
herein have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

           Section 1.02 Other Definitions. As used herein, the following terms
have the following respective meanings:

                 "Assigned Interest" shall mean all of Assignor's (in its
         capacity as a "Lender") rights and obligations (i) under the Credit
         Agreement and the other Loan Documents in respect of the [Maximum
         Credit Amount of the Assignor in the principal amount equal to
         $_______________, including, without limitation, any obligation to
         participate pro rata in any LC Exposure,] and any obligation to
         participate pro rata in any LC Exposure and (ii) to make Loans under
         the [Maximum Credit Amount] and any right to receive payments for the
         Loans assigned hereby and outstanding hereunder in the amount of $____
         (the "Loan Balance"), plus the interest and fees which will accrue from
         and after the Assignment Date.

                 "Assignment Date" shall mean _______________________, 200__.

<PAGE>   89

                                    ARTICLE II

                              SALE AND ASSIGNMENT.

           Section 2.01 Sale and Assignment On the terms and conditions set
forth herein, effective on and as of the Assignment Date, the Assignor hereby
sells, assigns and transfers to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby purchases
and assumes from the Assignor, all of the right, title and interest of the
Assignor in and to, and all of the obligations of the Assignor in respect of,
the Assigned Interest. Such sale, assignment and transfer is without recourse
and, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, without representation or
warranty.

           Section 2.02 Assumption of Obligations The Assignee agrees with the
Assignor (for the express benefit of the Assignor and the Borrower) that the
Assignee will, from and after the Assignment Date, perform all of the
obligations of the Assignor in respect of the Assigned Interest. From and after
the Assignment Date: (a) the Assignor shall be released from the Assignor's
obligations in respect of the Assigned Interest, and (b) the Assignee shall be
entitled to all of the Assignor's rights, powers and privileges under the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents in respect of the Assigned Interest.

           Section 2.03 Consent by Administrative Agent By executing this
Agreement as provided below, in accordance with Section 12.06(b) of the Credit
Agreement, the Administrative Agent hereby acknowledges notice of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and consents to such transactions.

                                   ARTICLE III

                                    PAYMENTS.

           Section 3.01 Payments As consideration for the sale, assignment and
transfer contemplated by Section 2.01 hereof, the Assignee shall, on the
Assignment Date, assume Assignor obligations in respect of the Assigned Interest
and pay to the Assignor an amount equal to the Loan Balance, if any. An amount
equal to all accrued and unpaid interest and fees shall be paid to the Assignor
as provided in Section 3.02 (iii) below. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, all payments hereunder shall be made in Dollars and in immediately
available funds, without setoff, deduction or counterclaim.

           Section 3.02 Allocation of Payment The Assignor and the Assignee
agree that (i) the Assignor shall be entitled to any payments of principal with
respect to the Assigned Interest made prior to the Assignment Date, together
with any interest and fees with respect to the Assigned Interest accrued prior
to the Assignment Date, (ii) the Assignee shall be entitled to any payments of
principal with respect to the Assigned Interest made from and after the
Assignment Date, together with any and all interest and fees with respect to the
Assigned Interest accruing from and after the Assignment Date, and (iii) the
Administrative Agent is authorized and instructed to allocate payments

<PAGE>   90

received by it for account of the Assignor and the Assignee as provided in the
foregoing clauses. Each party hereto agrees that it will hold any interest, fees
or other amounts that it may receive to which the other party hereto shall be
entitled pursuant to the preceding sentence for account of such other party and
pay, in like money and funds, any such amounts that it may receive to such other
party promptly upon receipt.

           Section 3.03 Delivery of Notes. Promptly following the receipt by the
Assignor of the consideration required to be paid under Section 3.01 hereof, the
Assignor shall, in the manner contemplated by Section 12.06(b) of the Credit
Agreement, (i) deliver to the Administrative Agent (or its counsel) the Note[s]
held by the Assignor and (ii) notify the Administrative Agent to request that
the Borrower execute and deliver new Notes to the Assignor, if Assignor
continues to be a Lender, and the Assignee, dated the date of this Agreement in
respective principal amounts equal to the respective [Maximum Credit Amounts]
[Commitments] of the Assignor (if appropriate) and the Assignee after giving
effect to the sale, assignment and transfer contemplated hereby.

           Section 3.04 Further Assurances The Assignor and the Assignee hereby
agree to execute and deliver such other instruments, and take such other
actions, as either party may reasonably request in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.

           Section 4.01 Conditions Precedent The effectiveness of the sale,
assignment and transfer contemplated hereby is subject to the satisfaction of
each of the following conditions precedent:

                  (a) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
         Assignor and the Assignee;

                  (b) the receipt by the Assignor of the payment required to be
         made by the Assignee under Section 3.01 hereof; and

                  (c) the acknowledgment and consent by the Administrative Agent
         contemplated by Section 2.03 hereof [and, if required, by the Borrower
         contemplated by Section 2.04 hereof].

                                    ARTICLE V

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

           Section 5.01 Representations and Warranties of the Assignor The
Assignor represents and warrants to the Assignee as follows:

                  (a) it has all requisite power and authority, and has taken
         all action necessary to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
         fulfill its obligations under, and consummate the transactions
         contemplated by, this Agreement;

<PAGE>   91

                  (b) the execution, delivery and compliance with the terms
         hereof by Assignor and the delivery of all instruments required to be
         delivered by it hereunder do not and will not violate any Governmental
         Requirement applicable to it;

                  (c) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it
         and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the
         Assignor, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms;

                  (d) all approvals and authorizations of, all filings with and
         all actions by any Governmental Authority necessary for the validity or
         enforceability of its obligations under this Agreement have been
         obtained;

                  (e) the Assignor has good title to, and is the sole legal and
         beneficial owner of, the Assigned Interest, free and clear of all
         Liens, claims, participations or other charges of any nature
         whatsoever; and

                  (f) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are
         commercial banking transactions entered into in the ordinary course of
         the banking business of the Assignor.

         Section 5.02 Disclaimer. Except as expressly provided in Section 5.01
hereof, the Assignor does not make any representation or warranty, nor shall it
have any responsibility to the Assignee, with respect to the accuracy of any
recitals, statements, representations or warranties contained in the Credit
Agreement or in any certificate or other document referred to or provided for
in, or received by any Lender under, the Credit Agreement, or for the value,
validity, effectiveness, genuineness, execution, effectiveness, legality,
enforceability or sufficiency of the Credit Agreement, the Notes or any other
document referred to or provided for therein or for any failure by the
Borrower any other Person (other than Assignor) to perform any of its
obligations thereunder prior or for the existence, value, perfection or priority
of any collateral security or the financial or other condition of the Borrower
or the Subsidiaries or any other obligor or guarantor, or any other matter
relating to the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or any extension of
credit thereunder.

           Section 5.03 Representations and Warranties of the Assignee The
Assignee represents and warrants to the Assignor as follows:

                  (a) it has all requisite power and authority, and has taken
         all action necessary to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
         fulfill its obligations under, and consummate the transactions
         contemplated by, this Agreement;

                  (b) the execution, delivery and compliance with the terms
         hereof by Assignee and the delivery of all instruments required to be
         delivered by it hereunder do not and will not violate any Governmental
         Requirement applicable to it;

                  (c) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by it
         and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the
         Assignee, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms;

                  (d) all approvals and authorizations of, all filings with and
         all actions by any

<PAGE>   92

         Governmental Authority necessary for the validity or enforceability of
         its obligations under this Agreement have been obtained;

                  (e) the Assignee has fully reviewed the terms of the Credit
         Agreement and the other Loan Documents and has independently and
         without reliance upon the Assignor, and based on such information as
         the Assignee has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and
         decision to enter into this Agreement;

                  (f) the Assignee hereby affirms that the representations
         contained in Section 4.06(d)[(i)][(ii)] of the Credit Agreement are
         true and accurate as to it [IF (ii) IS SELECTED ADD: and, the Assignee
         has contemporaneously herewith delivered to the Administrative Agent
         and the Borrower such certifications as are required thereby to avoid
         the withholding taxes referred to in Section 4.06]; and

                  (g) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are
         commercial banking transactions entered into in the ordinary course of
         the banking business of the Assignee.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                 MISCELLANEOUS.

         Section 6.01 Notices. All notices and other communications provided for
herein (including, without limitation, any modifications of, or waivers,
requests or consents under, this Agreement) shall be given or made in writing
(including, without limitation, by telecopy) to the intended recipient at its
"Address for Notices" specified below its name on the signature pages hereof or,
as to either party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party
in a notice to the other party.

         Section 6.02 Amendment. Modification or Waiver No provision of this
Agreement may be amended, modified or waived except by an instrument in writing
signed by the Assignor and the Assignee, and consented to by the Administrative
Agent and, if no Default exists, the Borrower (which consent of the Borrower
will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

         Section 6.03 Successors and Assigns This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns. The representations and warranties made herein
by the Assignee are also made for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and
the Borrower, and the Assignee agrees that the Administrative Agent and the
Borrower are entitled to rely upon such representations and warranties.

         Section 6.04 Assignments Neither party hereto may assign any of its
rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with the terms of the
Credit Agreement.

         Section 6.05 Captions. The captions and section headings appearing
herein are included solely for convenience of reference and are not intended to
affect the interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

         Section 6.06 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of

<PAGE>   93

counterparts, each of which shall be identical and all of which, taken together,
shall constitute one and the same instrument, and each of the parties hereto may
execute this Agreement by signing any such counterpart.

         Section 6.07 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York other than the
conflicts of laws rules thereof which would result in the application of the
laws of another jurisdiction.

         Section 6.08 Expenses. To the extent not paid by the Borrower pursuant
to the terms of the Credit Agreement, each party hereto shall bear its own
expenses in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement.

         Section 6.09 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO
TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

<PAGE>   94

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Assignment
Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

                                    ASSIGNOR:

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

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

                                    Address for Notices:

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

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

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

                                    Telecopier No.:
                                                   ----------------------------
                                    Telephone No.:
                                                   ----------------------------
                                    Attention:
                                                   ----------------------------

<PAGE>   95
                                                 ASSIGNEE:

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

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

                                                 Address for Notices:

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

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

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

                                                 Telecopier No.:
                                                                ----------------
                                                 Telephone No.:
                                                               -----------------
                                                 Attention:
                                                           ---------------------

ACKNOWLEDGED AND CONSENTED TO:

-------------------------------,
as Administrative Agent

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

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

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

                                                 Address for Notices:

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

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

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

                                                 Telecopier No.:
                                                                ----------------
                                                 Telephone No.:
                                                               -----------------
                                                 Attention:
                                                           ---------------------

<PAGE>   96

                                    EXHIBIT E

                                   GUARANTORS

Retex Inc., a Wyoming corporation

TBI West Virginia, Inc., a Delaware corporation

Sauer Drilling Company, a Delaware corporation

<PAGE>   97

                                  SCHEDULE 7.02

                                   LIABILITIES

                                      None

<PAGE>   98

                                  SCHEDULE 7.09

                                      TAXES

                                      None

<PAGE>   99

                                 SCHEDULE 7.10

                                  TITLES, ETC.

                                      None

<PAGE>   100

                                  SCHEDULE 7.14

                          SUBSIDIARIES AND PARTNERSHIPS

1.   See attached chart of Tom Brown, Inc. Subsidiaries.

2.   Principal place of business and chief executive office of each Subsidiary:

     Retex Inc.
     555 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1850
     Denver, CO 80202-3918

     Rocno Corporation
     555 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1850
     Denver, CO 80202-3918

     Sauer Drilling Company
     555 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1850
     Denver, CO 80202-3918

     TBI Pipeline Company
     555 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1850
     Denver, CO 80202-3918

     TBI West Virginia, Inc.
     555 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1850
     Denver, CO 80202-3918

     TCP Gathering Co.
     555 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1850
     Denver, CO 80202-3918

     Tom Brown Resources Ltd.
     555 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1850
     Denver, CO 80202-3918

<PAGE>   101

                                  SCHEDULE 7.19

                                    INSURANCE

                                  See Attached

<PAGE>   102

                                  SCHEDULE 7.20

                               HEDGING AGREEMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    NYMEX                         NYMEX       Floating      Net Mark to
                     Production     Fixed        Barrels per     Contract      NYMEX          Market
Counter Party          Month        Price          Month          Month        Price          Value
-------------        ----------     -----        -----------     --------     --------      -----------
<S>                  <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>          <C>           <C>
Chase                  Apr-00      $    --             --           MAY       $      --             --
                       May-00        28.72         10,000           JUN           29.96     $  (12,400)
                       Jun-00        28.50         10,000           JUL           31.41        (29,100)
                       Jul-00        28.03         10,000           AUG           31.78        (37,500)
                       Aug-00        27.52         10,000           SEP           30.57        (30,500)

Morgan Stanley         Apr-00      $ 31.00         10,000           MAY       $   25.52     $   54,800
                       May-00        29.54         10,000           JUN           29.96         (4,200)
                       Jun-00        28.35         10,000           JUL           31.41        (30,600)
                       Jul-00        27.50         10,000           AUG           31.78        (42,800)
                       Aug-00        26.79         10,000           SEP           30.57        (37,800)

Combined               Apr-00      $ 31.00         10,000           MAY       $   25.52     $   54,800
                       May-00        29.13         20,000           JUN           29.96        (16,600)
                       Jun-00        28.43         20,000           JUL           31.41        (59,700)
                       Jul-00        27.77         20,000           AUG           31.78        (80,300)
                       Aug-00        27.16         20,000           SEP           30.57        (68,300)
                                                                                             ---------
                                                                                             $(170,100)
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   103

                                  SCHEDULE 7.22

                               MATERIAL AGREEMENTS

Loan Documents (as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement, dated as of
June 30, 2000, among Tom Brown, Inc., as Borrower, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
Administrative Agent, and the Lenders signatory thereto.)

<PAGE>   104

                                  SCHEDULE 9.01

                                      DEBT

                                      None

<PAGE>   105

                                  SCHEDULE 9.02

                                     LIENS

1.   Texas Financing Statement Number 96-0008026 filed on April 23, 1996

     Debtor: Tom Brown, Inc.

     Secured Party: Toshiba American Information Systems, Inc.

     Security: DK 280 Phone System plus attachments

2.   Texas Financing Statement Number 97-00205758 filed on October 3,1997

     Debtor: Tom Brown Incorporated

     Secured Party: Pitney Bowes Credit Corporation

     Security: Equipment sold by Pitney Bowes

<PAGE>   106

                                  SCHEDULE 9.03

                         INVESTMENTS, LOANS AND ADVANCES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               EST. BAL
                              AT 6/30/00
                              ----------
<S>                           <C>
The Petroleum Place, Inc.     $1,000,000
Tom Brown Resources Ltd.       1,500,000
TCP Gathering Co.                200,000
                              ----------
                              $2,700,000
</TABLE>

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00013-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00013-of-00352.parquet"}]]