Document:

Exhibit 10.49

                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT

      This Purchase  Agreement (the  "Agreement") is made and entered into as of
the 20th day of November, 2002, by and between NL Industries, Inc., a New Jersey
corporation  ("NL"),  and the officer of NL listed on the signature  page hereto
(the "Seller").

                                    RECITALS

A.  Seller  holds  certain  options to  purchase  the number of shares of common
stock, par value $.125 per share (the "Common Stock"), of NL set forth under the
heading  "Number  of Options  Sold" on  Schedule  I to this  Agreement  (each an
"Option" and, collectively, the "Options").

B.  Seller  also holds  certain  shares of NL Common  Stock set forth  under the
heading  "Number of Shares Sold" on Schedule I to this  Agreement (the "Share"),
which Share were obtained upon exercise of certain stock options.

C.  Seller  proposed  to sell the  Options  and Shares to NL, and NL proposed to
purchase such Options and Shares, on the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Agreement (the "Transaction").

      The parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I.
                                 THE TRANSACTION

      Section 1.1.  Purchase and Sale of Shares and Options.  Against payment of
the purchase  price  therefor as specified in Section 1.2,  Seller hereby sells,
transfers,  assigns,  and delivered to NL the number of Shares under the heading
"Number of Shares Sold" on Schedule I hereto and the number of Options set forth
under the heading "Number of Options Sold" on Schedule I hereto.

      Section  1.2.  Delivery  of Shares and  Options.  In  connection  with the
purchase and sale of the Shares and Options,  Seller  hereby  agrees and directs
NL, and NL hereby agrees,  that no certificates  evidencing Shares acquired upon
exercise of options  shall be delivered to Seller,  and NL shall not be required
to issue any such Shares to Seller. Seller agrees that, promptly after execution
of this Agreement, the Options shall be cancelled.

      Section 1.3.  Purchase  Price and Payment.  NL hereby  purchases the Sales
from  Seller  for a  purchase  price in cash of $18.00  per  Share,  and  hereby
purchases  the Options  from  Seller for a purchase  price in cash of $18.00 per
Option, less the applicable exercise price of such Option. Seller agrees that NL
shall be entitled to deduct from the purchase price all  withholding  amounts NL
is required to pay in connection  with any exercise or sale of options by Seller
as set forth on Schedule I.

<PAGE>

                                 ARTICLE II.
                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER

      Seller  represents  and warrants to NL as of the date of this Agreement as
follows:

      Section  2.1.  Authority.  Seller is a natural  person  and has full legal
right,  power,  and  authority,  without  the  consent or  approval of any other
person,  to execute and deliver this  Agreement  and to perform his  obligations
hereunder.

      Section 2.2. Validity. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by Seller and  constitutes a lawful,  valid,  and binding  obligation of Seller,
enforceable  against  Seller in  accordance  with its terms.  The  execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the  consummation of the Transaction by Seller do
not and will not violate or conflict  with any provision of, and do not and will
not result in a default  under (a) any material  contract,  agreement,  or other
instrument  to which  Seller is a party or by which  Seller  is  bound;  (b) any
order, writ,  injunction,  decree,  judgment of any court or governmental agency
applicable to Seller;  or (c) any law,  rule, or regulation  applicable to such,
except in each case for such violations,  conflicts,  or defaults that would not
have a material adverse consequence to the Transaction.

                                  ARTICLE III.
                      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF NL

      NL  hereby  represents  and  warrants  to  Seller  as of the  date of this
Agreement as follows:

      Sections 3.1. Authority.  NL is a corporation validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of New Jersey.  It has full corporate power
and authority,  without the consent or approval of any other person,  to execute
and  deliver  this  Agreement  and to perform  its  obligations  hereunder.  All
corporate  and  other  actions  required  to be taken by or on  behalf  of NL to
authorize the execution,  delivery,  and performance of this Agreement have been
duly and properly taken.

      Section 3.2. Validity. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by NL and constitutes a lawful, valid, and binding obligation of NL, enforceable
against NL in  accordance  with its terms.  The  execution  and delivery of this
Agreement  and the  consummation  of the  Transaction  by NL do not and will not
violate or conflict  with any  provision of, and do not and will not result in a
default under (a) NL's charter or bylaws; (b) any material  contract,  agreement
or other  instruction  to which NL is a party or by which is it  bound;  (c) any
order, writ, injunction, decree, or judgment of any court or governmental agency
applicable to NL; or (d) any law,  rule, or regulation  applicable to NL, except
in each case for such violations,  conflicts,  or defaults that would not have a
material adverse consequence to the Transaction.

                                   ARTICLE IV.
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

      Section 4.1.  Access to  Information.  Seller has received all information
desired with respect to the business of NL.

<PAGE>

      Section 4.2.  Survival.  The  representations  and warranties set forth in
this   Agreement   shall  survive  the  execution  of  this  Agreement  and  the
consummation of the transactions contemplated herein.

      Section 4.3. Amendment and Waiver. No amendment or waiver of any provision
of this Agreement shall be effective  unless the same shall be in writing signed
by the party or parties against whom enforcement is sought.

      Section 4.4. Parties and Interest.  This Agreement shall bind and inure to
the benefit of the parties named herein and their respective heirs,  successors,
and assigns.

      Section  4.5.  Entire  Transaction.  This  Agreement  contains  the entire
understanding  among the parties with respect to the  transactions  contemplated
hereby and supersedes all other agreements and understandings  among the parties
with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

      Section  4.6.  Applicable  Law.  This  Agreement  shall be governed by and
construed in accordance  with the domestic  laws of the State of Texas,  without
giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether
of  the  State  of  Texas  or any  other  jurisdiction)  that  would  cause  the
application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Texas.

      Section 4.7. Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement is found to
violate any statute,  regulation,  rule,  order,  or decree of any  governmental
authority,  court,  agency, or exchange,  such invalidity shall not be deemed to
affect any other  provision  hereof or the  validity  of the  remainder  of this
Agreement  and such  invalid  provision  shall be deemed  deleted to the minimum
extent necessary to cure such violation.

      Section  4.8.  Notice.   All  notices,   requests,   demands,   and  other
communications  hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid,  as follows (or to such other address as Seller
or NL shall designate in writing):

            If to Seller:     c/o NL Industries, Inc.
                              16825 Northchase Drive, Suite 1200
                              Houston, Texas 77060

            If to NL:         NL Industries, Inc.
                              16825 Northchase Drive, Suite 1200
                              Houston, Texas 77060
                              Attention:  General Counsel

      Section 4.9.  Headings.  The sections and other headings contained in this
Agreement  are for  reference  purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

<PAGE>

      Section 4.10.  Expenses.  Except as otherwise  expressly  provided herein,
each of Seller and NL shall pay its own costs and  expenses in  connection  with
the transactions contemplated hereby.

The parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of November
20, 2002.

                                     SELLER:

                                    /s/ Robert D. Hardy
                                    ------------------------
                                    Robert D. Hardy

                                    NL INDUSTRIES, INC.

                              By:   /s/ David B. Garten
                                    -------------------------
                                    David B. Garten
                                    Vice President

<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE I

Number of Shares Sold:         7,081
                          ---------------
                                         Exercise Price     Grant Date of Option
Number of Options Sold:        1,000       $14.25                   02/14/96
                          ---------------
                              10,000       $14.875                  02/12/97
                          ---------------
                               6,000       $14.2813                 02/10/99
                          ---------------
                               8,575       $14.25                   02/09/00
                          ---------------

Amount of Withholding:       $61,719.00
                          ---------------24 March 1999

PAY GRADE 1

WRITTEN STATEMENT OF TERMS AND

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

This statement sets out some of your terms and conditions of employment and incorporates the written particulars required by the Employment Rights Act 1996 (as amended).  This document, your offer letter, job description, staff information pack and any rules and procedures published by Field constitute the Contract of Employment.

This statement dated 24 March 1999 sets out certain particulars of the terms and conditions on which Field Group, known hereafter as "Field", 

at Hollingwood Lane, Lidget Green, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 2RQ

employs Martin H O'Connell

Your grading change and other revisions to your contract become effective on 1 April 1999 with the exception of the provisions regarding notice which are introduced with immediate effect.

Previous employment which counts as continuous employment commenced on 1 November 1976.

	PLACE OF WORK

Your normal place of work is Hollingwood Lane, Lidget Green, Bradford, or a location within a reasonable distance of Bradford or such other location as may be agreed between the company and yourself.  You may be required to travel as part of the normal job duties.

	JOB TITLE

Your job title is Deputy Chief Executive, and you will be required to undertake to undertake all the duties that are within your capability.  This position is a grade 1 job in our management structure.

	JOB DUTIES

In addition to operating as Deputy Chief Executive for the Group, the job requires you to take overall responsibility for operations at Thatcham, Bradford Gravure, Portsmouth Gravure, East Kilbride and Bourgeot.

Due to the evolving nature and changing demands of our business, the duties described above are only a guide to examples of the kind of job duties you are expected to undertake.  Your duties may vary from time to time and you will be given due notice of any such changes.

	HOURS OF WORK

Your normal hours of work are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, with one hour for lunch.  However, you may be required to work whatever additional hours the needs of the business may from time to time demand.

	SALARY

From 1 April 1999 your new salary is 150,000 pounds sterling per annum.  You will be paid monthly on or around the 21 of each month by direct bank transfer.  Salaries are usually reviewed annually on 1 April.  Your next review will be 1 April 2000.  There is no contractual entitlement to any increase in your salary but you will be notified in writing in any case when there is any change to your salary.

	BONUS

Field has a bonus scheme.  The target payment for achievement of budget and objectives in your position is 45% of salary.  The company reserves the right to amend or withdraw the benefits of the scheme at any time and reserves the right to terminate any employees participation in the Bonus Scheme at any time.

If you are a member of the Field Group Pension Scheme (see Section 10 below) you will be given the opportunity to waive any bonus entitlement in return for an equivalent amount as to be paid into the Field Group Pension Scheme.  This is referred to as a Bonus Waiver and further information can be obtained from Keith Taylor, Group Pensions Manager.

	COMPANY CAR

The company's car policy is available from the Personnel Department.  You will note that you can select a car from grade 1 or grade 0, if the latter, you will be required to pay the company the financial difference between the monthly cost of the car and the top figure of grade 0.  This sum can be offset against your car tax.

All motoring expenses, whether for business or private motoring are met by the company.  In return you are required to make a monthly contribution of 53.00 pounds sterling per month.  This figure is adjusted annually and again can be offset against car tax.  The company reserves the right to alter this policy and/or the procedures.

	MEDICAL/HEALTHCARE BENEFITS

	Medical Insurance Scheme

You are eligible to join the private medical insurance scheme provided by BUPA, also you will be covered by a 24 hour accident policy worldwide.  You are already a member of both schemes.

	Health Screening

You will be eligible for health screening medicals every 3 years up to age 45 and thereafter every 2 years.  We currently use Nuffield Hospitals to provide this service.

	Sick Pay Scheme

Our sick pay scheme ensures you receive the equivalent of your normal salary if absent through accident or illness.  Full details on the scheme including the period of entitlement based on length of service are available from the Personnel Department.

	HOLIDAYS

You will be entitled to 26 annual days holiday in each year plus statutory holidays.  In your first year of employment you will receive the amount of holiday actually accrued in the year.  Holidays not taken in the year of entitlement will, unless otherwise agreed by Field in writing, will be lost.  You will be subject to all the rules of the Holiday Policy which are available from the Personnel Department.  Holiday dates must be approved in writing beforehand.

	PENSION SCHEME

Field operates a contributory pension scheme (the "Scheme").  You are already a member of the scheme.

	PROFESSIONAL BODIES

The company will pay the annual membership fee for one relevant professional body.

	NOTICE

In the event of your leaving the company you are required to give the company 12 months' notice whilst the company is required to give you 24 months' notice.

	STAFF INFORMATION PACK

The staff information pack contains details of other terms and conditions together with our policies and procedures.  Where there is a conflict between this Statement and any other terms and conditions in this Statement will prevail.  The information pack forms part of your contract of employment.  It is therefore very important that you read and fully understand everything in the information pack and should you have any queries you should ask the Personnel Department.

	SAFETY/HYGIENE POLICY

You will undertake to comply with the Field policy on all health/hygiene, safety and environmental matters.

	DISCIPLINARY RULES AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

You are subject to the disciplinary rules and procedures set out in the policy which can be obtained from the Personnel Department.  In cases of gross misconduct Field reserves the right to dismiss you without notice or pay in lieu.  Your rights to appeal against any decision to dismiss you are set out in the Disciplinary Procedure.  In all other cases should you be dissatisfied with any other decision affecting your employment you have the right to raise the matter with your immediate Manager.

	DUTY OF CONFIDENTIALITY

You shall not either during the period of employment with Field, or thereafter, discuss or divulge to any person, firm, company, partnership or organisation any information of a secret or confidential nature acquired during the period of employment with Field.  Confidential information includes details about Field's clients, customers, suppliers, employees, actual, potential or past and all details relating to information on any of its data bases.  The restrictions contained in this clause shall cease to apply to information which becomes publicly known.

	ALL PROPERTIES TO BE RETURNED ON TERMINATION

You are required to return to Field, before the end of your employment, or immediately after should your employment terminate without notice, all property belonging to Field including all papers, documents, keys, credit cards, computer media and cars.  You will be required to sign an undertaking that all such property has been duly returned.

	REPRESENTING FIELD

You are not permitted to represent yourself as an authorised agent for Field except where specifically authorised to do so.  On termination of your employment you must not hold yourself out as being an employee of Field.  Should there be any misrepresentation or intention to deceive in this respect, or any attempt to interfere with existing relationships between Field and its existing or potential clients, suppliers or agents, Field may take proceedings against you to prevent such action and to recover any loss incurred as a result.

	NON-SOLICITATION AND NON-COMPETITION

	In order to protect the legitimate business interests of Field you agree that you will not, without the prior written consent of Field for a period of 12 months after the termination of your employment howsoever caused (whether on your own behalf or on behalf of any other person firm or company:

	engage or be concerned in whether directly or indirectly in any business which competes in any way whatsoever (whether directly or indirectly) with such part or parts of Field's business as you were concerned to a material extent during the final year of your employment with Field.  

	solicit, accept or deal with in competition with Field, the custom or business of any person who during the period of 12 months immediately preceding the termination of your employment was a customer or supplier of Field and with whom you had personal contact or dealings on behalf of Field and in relation to such part or parts of Field's business as you were concerned to a material extent during the final year of your employment with Field.

	approach any person who, during the final year of your employment was a senior employee or officer of Field with whom you had a close working relationship with a view to recruiting that person to a business venture which competes (or which will, once operational, compete) with such part or parts of Field's business as you were concerned to a material extent during the final year of your employment with Field.  

b.        The restrictions contained in this clause are considered necessary and reasonable by the parties.  In the event that the restrictions are found to be void unless some part of it were deleted or the period of application reduced then such restriction shall apply with such modifications as may be necessary to make it valid or effective.

20.            GARDEN LEAVE

	Field reserves the right where either you or Field gives notice to terminate the employment or otherwise purports to terminate the employment, to exclude you from all or any of Field's places of business, and to require you to remain at home during all or part of the contractual notice period.

	Where Field requires you to stay home under this clause, Field is relieved from any obligation whatsoever to provide you with work to do, and your normal duties as described in this Statement will be suspended for the duration of the notice period.  Field will, however, continue to pay your salary and provide all other contractual benefits to which you are entitled for the notice period (provided that it may instead provide you with the cash equivalent of all or any such benefits).

	OTHER BUSINESS INTERESTS

You shall not, whilst in the employment of Field or any other division within the Company, be engaged in any other business or employment whatsoever without the previous consent, in wiring, of Field, but shall devote the whole of your time, attention and abilities exclusively to the business of Field and in all respects obey and conform to the orders and regulations from time to time issued by Field, and shall at all times well and faithfully serve Field.

	INVENTIONS AND DISCOVERIES

Every invention, improvement or discovery made or discovered by you during the period of your employment with Field and arising out of, or in consequence of, such employment shall be deemed to have been made by and on behalf of Field and shall belong to Field exclusively and you shall forthwith indicate to Field full particulars of each such invention, improvement and discovery.  You shall at the request and cost of Field both whilst in such employment and thereafter take such steps as Field may direct to procure the granting of Letters of Patent in the U.K. and similar protection abroad in respect of every invention, improvement and discovery and shall execute all assignments, licenses and other documents required by Field to deal with the said Letters of Patent and/or similar protection in such a manner as Field may think fit.

	SHARE DEALING RULES

You will comply with the share dealing rules as issued by the company from time to time.

	OTHER AGREEMENTS

You acknowledge that there are no other agreements or arrangements whether written, oral or implied between you and Field relating to your employment other than those expressly set out or referred to in this Statement.  In particular, you acknowledge that these terms and conditions are in substitution for all other terms and conditions entered into between you and Field and that you have no claim whatsoever against Field in respect of a waiver of your rights under any former terms and conditions of employment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ I H DENINSON

Signed on behalf of Field Group plc

Date  24.03.99

 

 

 

I have read, understood and accept the Terms and Conditions of Employment as stated and referred to above and those contained in my offer letter and set out in the staff information pack which are relevant to my employment with Field Group plc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ M H O'CONNELL

Signed M H O'Connell

Date

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